WASHINGTON - United States Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) today released the following statement announcing his opposition to S. 968, the PROTECT IP Act. 

“Freedom of speech is an inalienable right granted to each and every American, and the Internet has become the primary tool with which we utilize this right. The Internet empowers Americans to learn, create, innovate, and express their views. While we should protect American intellectual property, consumer safety and human rights, we should do so in a manner that specifically targets criminal activity. This extreme measure stifles First Amendment rights and Internet innovation.  I stand with those who stand for freedom and oppose PROTECT IP, S.968, in its current form.”

• War of drugs goes bad for state official
• Gary Johnson running as Libertarian, endorsing Ron Paul
• Sucks to be a Perry supporter in Virginia right now

• Surprise! Fox News is acting like dicks while covering SOPA protests (Plus: Schock is right, and Durbin is wrong)
• Journal Star isn’t shutting down it copy desk … yet
• Fire Steve Settingsgard (or your city council person) whichever is quicker

Today: Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High around 30F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.

Tonight: Flurries and a few snow showers throughout the night. Low near 15F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 30%.

Tomorrow: Snow flurries early. Then partly cloudy in the afternoon. High 19F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 30 percent.

Dilbert by Scott Adams

xkcd

New xkcd cartoons on Monday. Wednesday and Friday.

319 Dark Street

Updated infrequently.

Each year, in loving memory of his mother, future hall of fame major league baseball player and central Illinois native Jim Thome and his wife, Andrea, host a dinner and auction to benefit Children’s Hospital of Illinois.  

The 2012 Joyce Thome Benefit for Children’s Hospital was held Saturday, January 14, 2012 in the Peoria Civic Center Ballroom and marked the 17^th anniversary of the event. The fundraising evening was originally started by Joyce Thome. Jim changed the name of the event to honor her memory following her death. 

A record breaking 800 people attended this year, raising more than $315,000 for the hospital including $100,000 received during the Live Auction to help fund an echocardiogram (also called an echo). An echo is a type of ultrasound test that is used to see different parts of the heart through moving pictures.  

 The fun evening included a program featuring Jim’s journey to hit 600 career home runs, becoming eighth on Major League Baseball’s all-time home run list.

Presenting partners for the evening are The Chicago White Sox, ATS, and Humana. 

• Peoria’s Riverfront Visitor Center
• House GOP approves payroll tax cut extension
• Happy New Year
• Peoria’s only literary magazine Downstate Story is now available
• Thank you!
• Local Red Cross administrators and civic leaders should reassert control of Peoria operations
• A Look Back at Science in 2011
• Every station in Peoria has a labor problem
• Arrogant Ignorance!
• What Europe and America Have in Common
• Inanity in the World of Commercial Television
• For Sale – The Government of the U.S.
• All Things New!
• Serendipity: January beckons with a new month and year
• West Peoria News for January 2012

• Proof that William Randolph Hearst is dead and can’t hurt anyone anymore
• Ouch
• Blogger Bash is cancelled (No, it’s not)
• I’m not Jewish, but if I were, I’d track this rabbi down and kick his ass
• Obama gets it right on videotaping cops
• I am a registered voter
• Another Ron Paul racism update
• I’m sorry, did I offend you?
• A note about Peoria City Council meetings
• GateHouse bosses are eating their dead