Opinion
I’ve been paying attention to national and geopolitics since I was a teenager. Generally, I’ve found macro news events to be exciting and local politics to be less exciting. It wasn’t until recently, during the lockdowns, that it dawned on me that who we have governing us locally is a really big deal. It really does…
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I am greatly disappointed and angry with the City of Quincy. On Sept. 7, 2022, I attended the forum on recycling at City Hall. I voiced my concerns about discontinuing the curbside recycling program. Using three drop-off sites discriminates against the handicapped, the elderly and those without transportation. It was laughingly suggested by someone at…
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Daily Dirt for Thursday, March 9, 2023 While Serena and Steffi would likely kill me with one of their serves, Ronda Rousey could do the same with one of her punches. Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 547 of The Daily Dirt. 1. We continue our Women’s History Month special today. This…
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Daily Dirt for Wednesday, March 8, 2023 Never say the Daily Dirt does not have a finger on the pulse of a nation. Viva la females! Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 546 of The Daily Dirt. 1. Today is International Women’s Day, a global celebration. That, coupled with March being hailed…
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I have been present on and off for the last six months or so at Hannibal City Council meetings. I continue to be frustrated and disappointed at the lack of professionalism and what appears to be disgust on your part at anyone and everyone asking for transparency and accountability. I have heard a few of our…
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Daily Dirt for Tuesday, March 7, 2023 Sure, “Citizen Lane” is petty good, but the life story of “Chocolate Thunder” would be boffo box office. Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 545 of The Daily Dirt. 1. With the Academy Awards right around the corner — 7 p.m. ABC, Sunday — it’s…
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I proudly write this letter in support of three former partners, teammates and great friends — Shelley Arns, Latonya Brock and Jim Whitfield. Our time together at Quincy Public Schools was fairly chaotic. We built five new schools, moved 400 of 490 teachers, transitioned to a grades 9-12 high school and a grades 6-8 junior…
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Daily Dirt for Monday, March 6, 2023 Which of the following terms strike a nerve in your memory bank? Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 544 of The Daily Dirt. 1. Let’s look at 10 distinctive slang terms from each of the three most important decades for baby boomers. Sit back, relax…
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It was the day my Granny warned me about. She always told me to at least have my hair presentable and clothes that weren’t embarrassing. She knew that was about as good as it was ever going to get with me. One icy day, she fell and broke her hip in our driveway. Writhing with…
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Daily Dirt for Sunday, March 5, 2023 A warning: You might want to hand to have the Pepto handy when you get to today’s closing thought. In the meantime, welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 543 of The Daily Dirt. 1. Today we pick up with our best comedy programming of specific…
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Daily Dirt for Saturday, March 4, 2023 I have three daughters — Kaysi, Sarah and Melissa. At no point, was “Little Sweetmeats” ever a possibility. Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 542 of The Daily Dirt. 1. Regular readers of this space know yours truly is always fascinated by names, whether it’s…
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Ever invested serious time and money towards achieving a goal, only to find out you could have just done it the lazy way and gotten the same result? Were you relieved? Disappointed? Mildly infuriated? Did you hurl a chair at the wall? It wasn’t quite enough for me to turn my desk chair into a…
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Daily Dirt for Friday, March 3, 2023 Just stay on the bus, folks. Stay on the bus … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 541 of The Daily Dirt. 1. Let’s face it. None of us are getting younger, but that shouldn’t mean we force ourselves into some kind of moribund existence.…
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Southern Airways Express started full service to the Quincy community on or about Feb. 20, now with 36 round trips per week (18 coming and going to both St. Louis and Chicago. Their service of 24 round trips started Dec. 7. It is hoped that air travelers in the area will support the new airline. They…
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For the record, I REALLY like my picks to recast “Seinfeld” … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 540 of The Daily Dirt. 1. If you had the opportunity to wave some sort of magic wand and bring back some of your favorite TV shows from the past, what would be your…
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When sworn into office, Illinois School Board members take an oath to uphold federal and state laws, while “fostering excellence for every student in the areas of academic skills, knowledge, citizenship, and personal development (Illinois School Board Oath of Office).” However, there are instances when our local standards may be in conflict with the State…
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Leonard Johnson (who was found guilty in January of four counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child under the age of 13) did not get a chance to defend himself! There’s two sides to every story, and a good journalist would look for it. Mr. Johnson can be a little eccentric, but he is by…
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Anyone besides me think Chubby Checker is older than 81? More on that in a minute … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 539 of The Daily Dirt. 1. OK, we’re about a week or so into MLB spring training, with much of the early discussion centered around a handful of new…
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Daily Dirt for Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023 I’m sure we’re thinking the same thing when reading this: What if these laws were actually enforced? Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 539 of The Daily Dirt. 1. Each state has its own quirks. That’s what makes our country so interesting. Among those coast-to-coast quirks…
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I must applaud the City Council for refusing to rubber stamp Mayor Troup’s appointment of Angela Caldwell to the Quincy Fire and Police Commission. This has nothing to do with Ms. Caldwell or her qualifications to serve. It has everything to do with the mayor’s insistence on injecting his personal and, perhaps, political views into…
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I think Garrison Keillor nailed this one. Please read on … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 538 of The Daily Dirt. 1. The weather forecast for this week is about what we would expect for the arrival of March. We’ll be seeing some sunshine, some overcast skies, some chilly weather and…
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Words of wisdom from Earl Weaver, remembering Mike Smith and Schweddy Balls … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 537 of The Daily Dirt. 1. Spring training is now in full swing at all 30 MLB camps. It’s about this time of the year I am always reminded how much I miss…
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This is really sad. Being an old (82) sports guy, I’ve seen and heard a lot of football and basketball games in person and on the radio. Now that I can’t get around like Bob (Gough) does, I’ve turned to NFHS to watch those games where they have cameras and listen where I can find…
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I hear some interesting things throughout the day as I migrate to various Hannibal coffee shops to work. I don’t always order coffee. Sometimes I get food. Other times, I get dessert. One time I got nothing because I paid for a coffee — but really just to get the booth space — then forgot…
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If I had been a gangster, my nickname would lave likely been “Pit Bull” … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 536 of The Daily Dirt. 1. I’ve always been intrigued with gangster movies, and especially those dealing with the Mafia. Part of the reason has always been the nicknames attached to…
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