Society, etc.
Here you will find articles about marriage and sex, religion and family life, race in all its manifestations, immigration, the economy, criminal justice, poverty, and war—all as seen from an Illinois perspective. Most were published in Illinois Times and Illinois Issues.
The opinion columnist is expected to expostulate on the social issues of the moment. That this obligation encourages blow-hardism and cant doesn’t need to be underlined, and I suppose I was as guilty of both as any. The range of passing controversies over the past forty years would have baffled any one person’s attempts to master them, but my publications had gaping holes I was expected to fill, and I did my best.
See also "Kids today" and "Common schools" for pieces on related topics.
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Immigrants and immigration
In a dim light—and we Illinoisans these days seem to see everything in a dim light—it is hard to tell a bigot from a patriot. Illinois is a state of immigrants (to borrow a phrase). It is impossible to understand the state's past without reference to newcomers' contributions, and they remain crucial to its future; indeed, it is not clear that Illinois has a future without immigrants. Yet they are feared and resented as a threat to our prosperity rather than its source.
Immigration policy and the skilled international
"Dyspepsiana" Illinois Times May 6, 2010
Illinois’ difficult history with the Other
"Dyspepsiana" Illinois Times November 25, 2015
The immigration issue in 1980s Springfield
Dyspepsiana" Illinois Times January 28, 2016
Immigrants as the solution, not the problem
"Dyspepsiana" Illinois Times November 10, 2011
Fearful Illinoisans confront the Other
"Dyspepsiana" Illinois Times August 18, 2016
Trumped-up Charges
The fear of immigration in Illinois belies the facts
"Dyspepsiana" Illinois Times September 24, 2015
Illinois anti-terrorism officials ask how safe is too safe
Illinois Issues May 2006
Illinoisans debate how to treat animals for food
"Prejudices" Illinois Times January 28, 1982
Who should do what to deserve welfare?
"Prejudices" Illinois Times September 9, 1993
Religion
An opiate for the masses, perhaps, but religion in its public manifestations is mother's milk to an opinion columnist. I addressed the private aspects of this issue here and here.
Ought religious freedom to exclude atheists?
“Dyspepsiana” Illinois Times March 15, 2012
Religion sneaks into Illinois schools by the back door
Illinois Issues February 2008
A Supreme Court ruling misunderstands religious freedom
“Dyspepsiana” Illinois Times May 29, 2014
Preparing children for this world and the next is tricky
“Dyspepsiana” Illinois Times September 17, 2015
Bishop Paprocki stands guard against corruption
“Dyspepsiana” Illinois Times July 6, 2017
A small town protects itself against an atheist plot
“Dyspepsiana” Illinois Times January 9, 2014
Illinois legislators get their cults confused
“Prejudices” Illinois Times June 15, 1979
Taking the Christian out of Christianity
The YMCA picks up a new name but sells an old idea
"Dyspepsiana" Illinois Times August 12, 2010
Southern Illinois, the Civil War, and civil rights
See Illinois (unpublished) 2006
What riot? Springfield still won’t talk about race
"Prejudices" Illinois Times September 20, 1990
Old Letters
The Dumvilles bring mid-Illinois in the mid-1800s to life
"Dyspepsiana" Illinois Times November 3, 2016
A Springfield alderman slanders us eastside boys
“Prejudices” Illinois Times July 7, 1988
Population tectonics threaten political upheaval
“Prejudices” Illinois Times September 27, 1990
“Squalid gratification” at the expense of gays
"Prejudices" Illinois Times August 26, 1982
The governor doesn’t want to pay to bury the poor
“Dyspepsiana” Illinois Times April 16, 2015
How might Illinois towns boost population growth?
"Dyspepsiana" Illinois Times January 12, 2017
The noise from boom cars is confusing Springfield aldermen
"Dyspepsiana" Illinois Times May 20, 2010
What “Sentimental Journey” ought to remind us of
"Dyspepsiana" Illinois Times July 22, 2010
The settling of the Harris case settles nothing
"Dyspepsiana" Illinois Times July 10, 2014
Why Did the Children Not Cross the Road?
Kids no longer enjoy the freedom of their city
"Dyspepsiana" Illinois Times December. 30, 2009
A House in a Day
Will the future of affordable new family housing be the 1950s?
"Dyspepsiana" Illinois Times November 23, 2011
Good and True
Another juror confuses another big prosecution
"Dyspepsiana" Illinois Times December 22, 2011
Get-Out-of-Jail Cards
Prison alternatives for Illinois's public delinquents?
"Dyspepsiana" Illinois Times December 29, 2011
Kirk Dillard mixes his messages about family
"Dyspepsiana" Illinois Times June 13, 2013
Why so little public interest in serving the public interest?
"Dyspepsiana" Illinois Times April 4, 2013
Trial by Jury
Dragooning jurors to serve justice is unjust
"Dyspepsiana" Illinois Times January 30, 2014
Illinois ranks last in war spending. That’s bad?
“Prejudices” Illinois Times April 26, 1994
Good and True
Another juror confuses another big prosecution
"Dyspepsiana" Illinois Times December 22, 2011
A gay speaker threatens Springfield youth
“Prejudices” Illinois Times June 3, 1993
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