Drive-Bys

Remember my rants about Governor Give-Away and the serious damage he was doing to public transportation in Illinois?

The CTA provided almost 92,000 free rides each day in August to senior citizens, the highest total since Blagojevich mandated the change effective March 17. Previously, seniors paid reduced fares and took about 63,000 rides per day.

In addition, active military personnel and disabled veterans are taking about 2,500 free rides a day on the CTA due to action by the Chicago City Council.

Furthermore, an executive order recently signed by Blagojevich extended the free rides to low-income disabled people. That could result in an additional 8 million free rides each year, the CTA said.

All the free rides and lost state subsidies total more than $30 million in lost revenue to the transit agency this year, Huberman said. The revenue loss is expected to grow to $66 million next year, he said.

Even the lefty Chicago newspapers have had enough:

So, just months after Blagojevich—and the Illinois legislature—helped bail the CTA out of a budget crisis, they are shoving the CTA back into a crisis.

The freebie circus has to stop. Otherwise, everybody's going to wind up back in Springfield, arguing over how to save the CTA and other transit systems in the state. And nobody wants to take that trip again.

The Illinois GOP really needs to be grooming an outstanding candidate for the next election. This guy is seriously scary.
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This is a terrific policy:

Starting Monday, every dog and cat adopted from the largest animal shelter on Long Island will come with a microchip embedded in its skin. It's a quick procedure that can help reunite families with their lost pets.

Why isn't every shelter doing this? It's cheap and effective. (And if you haven't had your dog or cat chipped, why not?)
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Because I needed a couple of Blogthings, and these seemed just about right:

You Are Somewhat Closer to Your Family

Your family isn't perfect, but you wouldn't trade them for another family. And when it matters, your family is there for you. You have great friends, and your friends do play an important role in your life. But with your family, your connection is deeper and stronger than it could ever be with friends.

Are You Closer to Your Friends or Your Family?

... and...

You Are Totally Like Your Mom

You and your mom are practically clones. You think alike, and you even seem to read each other's minds. You're definitely you're mother's child... and that's just fine with you.

Are You Like Your Mom?

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Black Humor Giggle of the Day:


more animals
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I really liked this prayer:

Blessed be the works of your hands, O Holy One.
Blessed be these hands that have touched life.
Blessed be these hands that have nurtured creativity.
Blessed be these hands that have held those in pain.
Blessed be these hands that have embraced with love.
Blessed be these hands that have planted new seeds.
Blessed be these hands that have tended gardens.
Blessed be these hands that have harvested ripe fields.
Blessed be these hands that have prepared nourishing food.
Blessed be these hands that have cleaned, washed, mopped, scrubbed.
Blessed be these hands of children and their parents.
Blessed be these hands that have become knotty with age.
Blessed be these hands that are wrinkled and scarred from doing justice.
Blessed be these hands that have reached out and been received.
Blessed be these hands that have remained open.
Blessed be these hands that hold the promise of the future.
Blessed be the works of your hands, O Holy One.

Adapted from Diann Neu’s Affirmation

(A tip of the cap and belated birthday wishes to Susan Palwick.)