" Look out! The Bush bashers are sure to inject on this one. I'll be the first.... Thanks alot monkey boy! LOL! ;) "

" Everyone and their brother yells about government costing too much, and constantly call for cuts. But when these cuts hit close to home, they rant and rail over the reductions. I guess what they are saying is that the want cuts, but they want these cuts to affect some other area. I wonder if some paper in Iowa is saying the same thing about cuts that affect their area? "

" Bush and his cronies killed FutureGen, and it's going to stay dead. This is what you Republicans voted for, so enjoy. End of story. "

" Quit screaming that "FutureGen is Dead!" it will be alive and well soon - in TEXAS! "

" as for the Drug Force; Don't ask for taxpayer funding for results like this!

" as ran in TCJG:
"Donald R. Howell, 35, of rural Cowden pleaded guilty to a charge of manufacture of a controlled substance that accused him of making methamphetamine on April 16, 2004.

Howell also pleaded guilty to an obstructing justice charge alleging he fled from police and tried to dispose of a bag of methamphetamine before he was arrested on Dec. 20, 2006.

Under the agreement reached in his case, Howell was admitted to Coles County’s drug court program. The program is "sometimes" an alternative to prison time or probation for people who admit to their charges and agree to weekly court appearances, regular drug testing and other monitoring and requirements."

...Making meth isn't enough to get a prison sentence in Coles County? Isn't this the same drug that landed Jason Abernathy on the front page? Isn't McAvoy the same prosecutor trying to give Mr. Abernathy up to 10 years, just for possessing meth? And what determines the "sometimes" they get drug court? Prior convictions? Not in the Howell case! He also had priors. People need to open their eyes and look at what is really going on up at that courthouse.
Corruption,Corruption,Corruption!!!

What I am saying is that there is a relationship to the outrageous plea bargains and the fact that they(the courthouse) don't want to stop their moneymaker. Therefore I feel they are somewhat responsible for the crimes that arise from meth use/abuse. Which usually in turn , winds up resulting in more money for them(More crime = More money). And more victims for us. Face the truth, if the drug makers were pulling the serious time they deserve, there would be a lot less meth on our streets. As for that Drug Court, Is there an officer of the court with this individual all the time? If he were in prison, I could guarantee you he isn't making meth to try to sell to our children. The Judge and States Atty doesn't know if this person is still making it... all they could possibly prove is that he isn't currently using it,and appearing at their court dates. Provided the drug testing is taking place. And as far as Drug Court being anything compared to prison...Who are you trying to fool? Sure it is probably expensive for the person in Drug Court, but ISN'T that what it is all about! Otherwise court dates, counseling, drug testing, and MONEY are all I see that these people are required to do. Give me a break..."Pretty Hardcore" compared to prison. Ha! "
"

" You've got me convinced, 85 grad, and after reading your rather wordy essays on here, I too have come to the conclusion that's it's all about money. I imagine the judges and the attorneys from Ferguson's office get together in a back room somewhere and plot schemes on how to perpetuate crime in Coles county. The obvious goal of the states attorney's office and the judges is not to enforce the law, but to keep the cash rolling into the legal system. I have to wonder if the local treatment outfit is in on the scheme too? Any ideas on that? I want to thank you for letting us uneducated, as you call us, folks in on this nefarious operation. Without your deep and thoughtful postings, we would be walking around in ignorance and many of us uneducated folks would still be considering retaining Ferguson. We really owe you a lot. Perhaps after you get your buddy elected, you can take on the project of getting FutureGen back in Mattoon. In reality, your ramblings are probably hurting him more than helping him, as I suspect most people are really laughing at your paranoid conspiracy theories. "

" theories? I post public record! "

"
" well Early Bird, you were partially right when you assumed I was against the States Atty's office for these outrageous plea deals "some" people get. However, I would also like to point out that the presiding Judge also has to accept the agreement. So when I said a "corrupt courthouse", I mean all parties involved. Wonder if Abernathy is Drug Court material? Who is more responsible for the meth problems we face? The manufacturer or the addict? The meth makers shouldn't be looked at any different, than if they were bringing in kilo's of cocaine from S. America. What it all boils down to , is they don't want to stop meth from being on our streets, they(the courthouse) just want to keep the money flowing in. Job security for Police,Probation,States Atty,Judges...You know, the whole damn system!!! " "

" Yes, grad, you do post some records, but your claim that it's all about money is a theory, not a record or even a fact, just a theory. I have to assume that was the gist of his post. And I have to agree with the Bird, that it seems a little paranoid. "

" I never see my taxes going down, even when the courthouse is taking in all that money! Oh, that's right, there is nowhere to look publicly for all their figures totaled. Tons of cash flowing in there daily. Go up there and sit for an afternoon and listen to all the monetary negotiations. The Drug Force is not in need of any money. What the Drug Force needs is a Prosecutor!! "

" "Some believe funding for programs such as these has been cut in order to free up more money to support the war in Iraq. This may, or may not, be true. Regardless, we believe our federal officials need to remember that the decisions made in Washington directly affect the daily lives of all Americans."

This may, or may not, be true? Get real and get a copy of the federal budget. This is typical of most opinions, "We want a smaller government! Well, except when it means my area doesn't get it's money." Nothing here to change my poor opinion of the JG-TC opiners.
"

" or do as another poster suggested in the first article about this budget cut;

*******wrote on Feb 20, 2008 8:43 PM:

" Use the Omega Money...??? Its already been stolen twice!!!

...lol "

" We can all sit here an lament over what is happening to our area but it won't help and it won't stop until we change things in Spfld and DC. When the people of the nation take back our government then we will have a say in what is done. I ask this question... Why should a few make the laws for millions??? Shouldn't the people have a vote in the laws that are being passed??? '
Another way to save money is change the terms of our lawmakers. Why can a president only be allowed to served 2 terms in office but a congressman can serve as many as he wants as long as he is re-elected (one has been there 60 yrs and others over 20)???Then we have to pay every outgoing lawmaker for the rest of his life whether he serves 4 yrs or 60. Is this fair??? Until we change this we will be taxed to death and see nothing worthwhile for our money. Remember they work for us but things have gotten turned around to where now we are working for them.
Think about this seriously before you post. Thank you. "

" Why can a president only be allowed to served 2 terms in office but a congressman can serve as many as he wants as long as he is re-elected (one has been there 60 yrs and others over 20)?
----
Because the Republicans hated FDR for saving capitalism for them, that's why. "

" I don't know about Meth in Coles co. but Meth in the southern part of the state is a drain on resources. There are few assets (ie. money, property, vehicles)to seize. Fines are rarely paid by the defendands. The costs of cleanups are astronomical. What is the objective of a conspiracy by police, prosecution and courts? "

" You all are missing the point, you have to get the money for war from somewhere. "

" Good point, Question. And isn't it interesting that the man who basically saved this great nation from going down, is so hated by the far right. Hopefully, another Democrat will be able to straighten out the mess of another failed Republican, George Bush. History has a way of repeating itself. "

" Yes, these cuts will effect many but we have to start somewhere. However, it seems that they cut the funding for whoever needs it most. Why don't they start with their own offices and cut out wasteful lunches, meetings, travel expenses and quit giving themselves pay raises when they aren't doing their job worth a darn. Had I had the same track record at my job, I'd be out on my keester faster than you can say buh-bye! "