The Ferguson, Mo., police allegedly stopped Michael Brown as a result of the reported robbery, based on a preliminary description; not because he was black, but because he fit the description of the suspect, who happened to be black. According to Officer Wilson, he resisted the officer’s commands, and reportedly acted in a manner that could be conceived as a threatening manner. For such alleged acts, there are consequences and sometimes these consequences may involve deadly results, as was the case here. My sympathy goes out to any parent who loses a son or daughter, even in such a circumstance. What bothers me is how our president and U.S. attorney general apparently fanned the flames of what should have been a local/county/state issue. Having voted for this man not just once but twice, I, for one, have begun to lose complete confidence in the Executive Branch of our federal government, not for this one incident, but others as well, many of which would also include the legislative branch.

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I am like the caller who is getting burned out by how the Christmas is being essentially shoved in our faces as early as September and October. I don’t mean to take away from the season, but I’m also tired of the TV and radio ads that make goofy jingles out of beloved and traditional Christmas carols to hawk their products. I’m also wondering how many people get a new luxury car for Christmas—wrapped in a big, beautiful bow. Really? Christmas music in the radio even before Thanksgiving? I next dread the post-holiday clearance sale ads on TV and radio, stacks of fliers in the newspapers, etc. I’d sure enjoy the more simpler time of celebrating the reason for the season, as it were.

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I’m tired of hearing from all these protesters about the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., by Officer Darren Wilson. When a cop draws his weapon and you’re taunting, bad things are going to happen. All he was asked was about the reported strong-arm robbery that just happened and according to Wilson’s grand jury testimony, he started punching the officer. Why would he allegedly attack the police officer? Why would he reportedly charge the police officer? This is not anything about race. The officer was apparently just trying to do his job and protect the community. I think we need to address all the killings by the gang-bangers every week. What about them?

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Hey, Villa Park. We’ve got liquor dispensaries, tobacco dispensaries, pot dispensaries reportedly coming, gambling. What’s next, legalized prostitution?

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Hi, this is Lombard calling. Regarding the call in SPEAK OUT of the person who criticized York Township for the high taxes on homes, this person does not seem to have any understanding of our system. York Township only assesses property. Tax rates are set by the county. Also, the assessed valuation of a home is not necessarily it’s market value. Market value relies on comparisons of the area. Thank you.

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I agree with the caller about not judging the people who use medical marijuana. Just look at all the ways opium has become the base for many drugs; yes, heroin, Oxy, etc., that are often misused and abused. But, also codeine, morphine, etc., that have helped countless people manage pain. Or, coca plants that are used to illegally manufacture cocaine, but also anesthetics that do us good? It’s the abusers who give these drugs a bad name. Even caffeine and nicotine have been found to have medicinal properties. I think it has more to do with the government needing to have a hand in regulating these substances, like they do with alcohol and tobacco. This is an issue between doctor and patient.

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My comment on Ferguson: If police cannot protect themselves, how do you expect them to protect society?

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In his speech about amnesty, the president said, “Maria, here illegally, couldn’t go home to Mexico for Grandma’s funeral.” The Americans who break our laws are in prison, so they can’t go to Grandma’s funeral either. Maria is free here in America. They aren’t. Do we have different rules for different people who break laws? You can’t enter a country illegally. Oh, I take that back. Apparently you can if it’s America.

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Once again the house on Main Street is a beacon of sorts for the traffic on Main Street this holiday season. Thanks for all your efforts to brighten up the season. Much appreciated.

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This is Lombard calling regarding the Lombard Commonwealth. In little over a week there have been three separate articles regarding the commonwealth in our major Chicago newspapers. Now they’re being investigated, one of the articles states. This has become an embarrassment for the town of Lombard. What is next, the Haunted House of the Fourth of July fireworks or the Haunted Taste of Lombard? Come on, really. They’ve got to go.

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This is Lombard calling. I’m just calling to make a comment about the Lombard police. Maybe they should start obeying the laws themselves. I see a lot of police around town, excessive speeding when they’re not in pursuit, disobeying stop signs, no turn signals, and they issue tickets to us citizens for that stuff. I thought they were there to enforce the law, not break the law. Thank you.