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SIUC linkage, hugging Democrats, Obama, McCain

Friday, August 29, 2008 12:12 PM CDT

THUMBS UP to the latest linkage agreement inked by Southern Illinois University Carbondale, this time with Mudra Institute of Communications Ahmedabad in India. The academic arrangement allows for direct interaction by faculty and students on various projects, including research, and marks the 140th linkage with universities in 52 countries. That's not just talking global, that's doing the walk.

THUMBS DOWN to the eerie wave of hugging that went on behind the scenes at the Democratic National Convention among Illinois political leaders long at odds with each other. House Speaker Michael Madigan hugged bitter rival, Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley even embraced his nemesis, U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. We can't help but call this a shameless public relations grab at a time when residents in Illinois need true statesmanship and leadership to craft a sorely needed public works improvement plan and put an end to the gridlock among the state's top elected officials.

THUMBS UP and hearty congratulations to both Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain on winning their respective party's nominations to become the next U.S. president. It has been a long campaign so far, and we hope we see much more of a vigorous debate of the issues between now and Nov. 4 - and not as much mudslinging and personal attacks.

THUMBS UP to U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello's call for the Justice Department to investigate the deaths of nine veterans at Marion's VA Medical Center last year. It has been a sad and disheartening story to follow since it unfolded in 2007, and recounted in the pages of this newspaper. To put it clearly, there are serious accusations surrounding the deaths, and Costello's call is justified.

THUMBS DOWN to Blagojevich's strange amendatory veto of legislation that would have extended the lives of tax-increment financing districts in West Frankfort, here in Southern Illinois, and in Milan in northeast Illinois. No explanation for the veto was given by the governor, and we're hard-pressed to see any reasonable explanation to cut off the economic development tool for the two communities.

THUMBS UP to the start of gridiron heaven as high schools throughout the region begin their new 2008 seasons this weekend. Ah, the spirit, the team play, the thrill of community pride - it all plays out on football fields throughout Southern Illinois beginning tonight.

THUMBS UP and, literally, thumbs way, way up for the members of SIUC's New Style Flyers, who will compete first in the Red Bull Flugtag "flying day" in Chicago. The Sept. 6 event will be kicked off by the SIUC group of aviation students - Cody Perry, Dan Welsh, Scott Marquardt, Leah Reynolds and Nick Raia - primarily because of the clever, Chicago Cubs-inspired homemade plane design. Let's hope they bring home the gold!