Belleville News Democrat: Opinion http://www.bnd.com/editorial/index.xml News, sports, and entertainment from Belleville News Democrat en-us Copyright 2012 Belleville News Democrat Opinion 60 Mon, 13 Feb 2012 02:12:03 CST http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss McClatchy Interactive's PubSys support@Belleville.com Wrong exit: Fairview Heights has yet to get it right http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/12/2054004/city-takes-wrong-exit.html http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/12/2054004/city-takes-wrong-exit.html Sun, 12 Feb 2012 07:04 CST It sure seems like Fairview Heights has yet to get it right regarding a new Interstate 64 interchange. Whitney Houston's voice will never be forgotten http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/11/2054945/whitney-houstons-voice-will-never.html http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/11/2054945/whitney-houstons-voice-will-never.html Sun, 12 Feb 2012 05:22 CST Whitney Houston's downfall was so long and sad that, in an impatient public's mind, it overshadowed her many accomplishments. In nomine Patri, yada-yada-yada http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/11/2051016/in-nomine-patri-yada-yada-yada.html http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/11/2051016/in-nomine-patri-yada-yada-yada.html Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:21 CST The Rev. Bill Rowe decided it was time to move on rather than follow directions. Mortgage settlement picks winners, leaves losers http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/10/2053962/mortgage-settlement-picks-winners.html http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/10/2053962/mortgage-settlement-picks-winners.html Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:07 CST The following editorial appeared in the Chicago Tribune on Friday, Feb. 10: Why super PACs are good for our political system http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/10/2053961/why-super-pacs-are-good-for-our.html http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/10/2053961/why-super-pacs-are-good-for-our.html Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:07 CST The following editorial appeared in the Chicago Tribune on Thursday, Feb. 9: Commentary: Let the payroll tax holiday expire http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/11/2047195/commentary-let-the-payroll-tax.html http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/11/2047195/commentary-let-the-payroll-tax.html Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:16 CST Good politics &mdash; what helps get you elected &mdash; is frequently bad policy. The latest example is the payroll tax "holiday," which will expire in about three weeks unless Congress acts. Republican campaign is driven by a force of nature: Voters http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/10/2053960/republican-campaign-is-driven.html http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/10/2053960/republican-campaign-is-driven.html Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:07 CST The following editorial appeared in the Chicago Tribune on Thursday, Feb. 9: Commentary: Snake vendors hiss at 'job-killing' constrictor ban http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/11/2048386/commentary-snake-vendors-hiss.html http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/11/2048386/commentary-snake-vendors-hiss.html Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:51 CST Oh my&#x85;. Rabbits. You really don't want to see bunny rabbits at a reptile show.<p/>But there they were, in all their warm-blooded incongruity, with those big pleading eyes and furry cuteness, locked in a cage under the sign that described their gruesome fate. "Reptile feed. $10 each." Enforcing a little decency http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/10/2051015/enforcing-a-little-decency.html http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/10/2051015/enforcing-a-little-decency.html Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:21 CST After someone dies, there is little room in a mourner's consciousness for rational thought or debate of the day's issues. It's a time to cope with extreme emotions. Finally, real mortgage relief for homeowners http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/10/2052951/finally-real-mortgage-relief-for.html http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/10/2052951/finally-real-mortgage-relief-for.html Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:20 CST The following editorial appeared in the Kansas City Star on Friday, Feb. 10: