Opinion
Daily Dirt for Saturday, May 10, 2025 Ruffin’s 1964-68 involvement cemented the group’s standing as one of the all-time greats … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,279 of The Daily Dirt. 1. We’re now getting into the rarefied air of our week-long rankings of the top American bands/groups of the 1960s.…
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Daily Dirt for Friday, May 9, 2025 Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,278 of The Daily Dirt. 1. We’ve reached the medal stand in our week-long countdown of the greatest American rock bands/groups of the 1960s. In the No. 3 position — or the bronze medal spot, if you prefer —…
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At a time when Illinois families are cutting back to make ends meet, Democratic leaders in Springfield are pushing a $6 billion tax hike to fund massive government expansion, including what would be the largest state budget in Illinois history. Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposed budget is nearly $15 billion larger than when he first took…
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Daily Dirt for Wednesday, May 7, 2025 Sly Stone: The J.D. Salinger of funk … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,277 of The Daily Dirt. 1. Today we reveal the No. 4 group in our week-long countdown of the greatest American bands from the 1960s. Welcome to this select club, Sly…
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With deep sadness and profound gratitude, Chaddock mourns the passing of longtime board president and cherished friend, Dwayne “D.D.” Fischer, who passed away peacefully on Friday, May 2, surrounded by his loved ones. For more than 50 years, D.D. Fischer dedicated his heart, wisdom and unwavering faith to the mission of Chaddock. From his early…
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Daily Dirt for Wednesday, May 7, 2025 CCR made the most of its relatively brief, but impactful stay near the top of the charts … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,277 of The Daily Dirt. 1. We’ve reached the halfway mark in our countdown of the best American rock bands and…
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Daily Dirt for Tuesday, May 6, 2025 ‘Midnight Confessions’ was their signature hit … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,275 of The Daily Dirt. 1. Well, day one was a ton of fun. I was in conversation most of the day about our No. 7 selection in The Daily Dirt’s week-long…
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During a rip-roaring speech in New Hampshire last week, Gov. JB Pritzker called for mass national protests and “disruption,” assailed “do-nothing” Democrats for their “simpering timidity” and labeled President Donald Trump a “madman” who cannot be reasoned with. The Jewish Ukrainian-American governor said of Trump: “Stop tearing down the Constitution in the name of my…
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Daily Dirt for Monday, May 5, 2025 The Monkees just miss the top seven … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,275 of The Daily Dirt. 1. We’re going to have some fun this week. Beginning today, The Daily Dirt will count down its top seven American bands/groups of the 1960s. We’re…
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I used to live in a country where due process and innocent until proven guilty were basic to the judicial process. I used to live in a country where the Constitution insured free speech. I used to live in a country where the government offered services to those who needed help. I used to live…
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Daily Dirt for Sunday, May 4, 2025 I did not know mosquitoes have 47 teeth — until today. You’re welcome … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,274 of The Daily Dirt. 1. Each month we pay tribute to silly holidays. May is no exception. So, in case you didn’t know, these…
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Daily Dirt for Saturday, May 3, 2025 If ever am in Australia, the first thing I would do is go to Maccas … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,273 of The Daily Dirt. 1. Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Maybe it’s because of how much I love to hear Australians talk in the…
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Daily Dirt for Friday, May 2, 2025 If pressed, from all of the following songs, my personal faves (in no particular order) would be “Brown-Eyed Girl,” “Summer Song,” “Alone,” “Viva La Vida” and “All Summer Long” … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,272 of The Daily Dirt. 1. Ober the years,…
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Think of a nurse, and what you think of will depend on your experience. It may include stethoscopes, vaccinations, blood pressure cuffs and band-aids. Being a nurse – a truly exceptional nurse – is so much more as illustrated by the following from a family member whose critically ill father was cared for by a…
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Daily Dirt for Thursday, May 1, 2025 I’m pretty confident it would be impossible to watch/listen to any of today’s comedians and not laugh out loud at least once … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,271 of The Daily Dirt. 1. In my life, which is rapidly heading toward birthday No.…
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Many times when people ask me how long Muddy River News has been around and I tell them, they are surprised. “Really? Seems like it’s been around for much longer.” Or something along those lines. So at what point do we become “all grown up”? MRN turns four this week. Of course, we are still…
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Daily Dirt for Wednesday, April 29, 2025 And concerning squirrels, I vow never to cause one to worry … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,270 of The Daily Dirt. 1. Yesterday in this space the discussion was about how much I learned about Illinois following the move westward from Ohio. Well,…
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Daily Dirt for Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Anyone with me on thinking “Nabisco” would be a great name for a son? … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,269 of The Daily Dirt. 1. When I moved to Illinois back in 1998, the only real things I knew about the state were:…
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Daily Dirt for Monday, April 27, 2025 Were those days of our youth really that long ago? Well, yes they were … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,268 of The Daily Dirt. 1. If you’re a boomer, the truth of the matter is you are in the autumn, maybe even the…
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Daily Dirt for Saturday, April 26, 2025 Ahh, those pretzels always made him thirsty … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,266 of The Daily Dirt. 1. There’s only one Kramer, and that’s probably a good thing. Like the other main characters we’ve discussed this week from the “Seinfeld” sitcom, the cultural…
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Daily Dirt for Saturday, April 26, 2025 Jerry and Elaine’s relationship was always an underlying theme … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,266 of The Daily Dirt. 1. Today we look at Elaine in our ongoing tribute to the principal characters of the legendary “Seinfeld” sitcom. The magic that made “Seinfeld”…
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My wife could have played a Seinfeld character. She’s a low talker, too … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,265 of The Daily Dirt. Here we go with day two of our mini-tribute to the principal characters on “Seinfeld.” I hope you enjoy my five favorite moments dedicated to Jerry. 1.…
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Daily Dirt for Thursday, April 24, 2025 Costanza’s marvelous combination of insecurity and paranoia has long provided us with plenty of laughs … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,264 of The Daily Dirt. 1. I’ve never tried to hide the fact how much I have always loved “Seinfeld”. If a TV…
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Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a 29-year-old father of three, has never been charged with a crime, yet the Trump Administration sent him to an infamous prison in El Salvador. Trump has since defied judges at every level, including the Supreme Court, ignoring orders to provide Garcia his right to due process. Now it seems that anyone can…
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Daily Dirt for Wednesday, April 23, 2025 I seem to run into the nephew living in disgrace way too much … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,263 of The Daily Dirt 1. We’ve all met them, more than likely on a daily basis. Oh, you know them very well. They are…
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