Since Obama, double gas prices; loss of freedoms; rules; restrictions on business, banking, environment, wages and a 26-hour week; six top generals fired; loss of Iraq right now; and the loss of human life and billions of dollars in equipment that went with it; military cuts to the lowest since World War II; the space program stopped; Obama rewrites over and over laws on Obamacare on his own; Eric Holder couldn’t tell Congress how he justified this; Obama raised the minimum wage on his own; disregards immigration restrictions on his own; subsidies for Obamacare on his own; cancels the work requirement for welfare recipients on his own; won’t approve the pipeline on his own; spying, drones, questionable appointments; then there are the scandals.

* * *

To all you global warming people, do you really believe it? Let me ask you some simple questions. Did you buy a hybrid? When you mow your lawn did you stop using your lawn mower and use something that does not require gas? Do you not use aerosol cans? Do you do anything to help stop global warming? You say people are causing this problem. And that very well could be, and I’m sure it is. However, what are you doing? Here’s another question. Even if the United States went totally green, it would still be here.

* * *

Once again, after 70- to 90-95 mph winds, people have been inconvenienced for a couple of days without power, yet they’re complaining because they’ve been without power; because the electrical poles and wires have been brought down by the 70- to 90-95 mph winds that have gone through. Unless you know what it’s like to restore power to a neighborhood, a house or whatever, stay off the news. Period. It takes more than people realize; it’s not like opening up a wire and you’re going to have power.

* * *

As a longtime Lombardian and book reader, I thought Helen Plum was my friend. After all, I was a card-carrying patron for over 50 years, but unfortunately, being over 80 years of age, it has made walking difficult at times. So, I sent my adult daughter into the library to renew my card. She was armed not only with my card, but also with my driver’s license. The clerks at the desk adamantly refused to renew my card. Helen Plum, I am so disappointed in you. Our 50 years of friendship are over and you should be ashamed.

When your complaint was forwarded to Helen Plum Library Director Bob Harris, he responded: “The library’s normal procedure is to have the card holder come in personally to renew a card. If the daughter had asked to speak to a supervisor or myself, we may have been able to make an exception to accommodate her.” Let’s hope that solution will allow you to keep your longtime friendship intact.—JAC

* * *

Hey, Lombard. I just have to make a couple of comments after reading the Lombardian today. Someone is going to sue his or her neighbors for lighting off fireworks? You’re one of the reasons the court system is so jammed with frivolous lawsuits. Are you going to sue Lombard for shooting off fireworks? This has been going on for the last probably hundred years and you have the brilliant idea of suing for tranquilizers. Secondly, everybody complains about Cruise Nights and Taste of Lombard. You know what? Lombard has a terrible downtown reputation, so we come up with Cruise Nights. It is three months out of the year, one day out of the week. I think you can put up with it. As far as Taste of Lombard, I live near Madison Meadow; it really doesn’t bother me. It really doesn’t. It’s helping the Jaycees, who help other people.

* * *

Existing home sales rose 4.9 percent in May, but in Illinois, they fell 12.2 percent. There are only five states that have a worse unemployment rate than Illinois. This is what happens when Democrats and unions run a state. Yet, Illinois is in such a mess that more people are leaving the state than entering. Yet, you people still somehow think that the Republicans only care about the rich and in November you’re going to re-elect all the same characters who got us into this mess. Wake up and smell the coffee. People are hurting.

* * *

This is for the caller who was disappointed that the village president and trustees didn’t lift the ban on video gaming. What you don’t realize is who video gaming can attract. It’s obvious that you’ve never studied it or you’ve never done any research on it. Video gaming will attract the wrong people. It will attract gamblers, thieves, prostitutes, etc. We aren’t those towns that have it. Let me tell you something. Gamblers’ Anonymous is waiting for you. It’s not going to come to Lombard. Get over it. Move on. Get a life.

* * *

Hi, in reading the Lombardian the last two weeks, I see two people complaining about the Taste of Lombard. I live on Edgewood, which is right down from Madison Meadow and I think the Taste of Lombard is a great thing to have in our neighborhood. If you don’t like it, try leaving for a couple of days. You know what time it is every year, but again, I think it’s a great thing to have at the end of the block to enjoy the July 4 weekend. Thank you.

* * *

Just a thought: A few individuals have complained about the beer festival fundraiser and the sale of alcohol because it’s a school district. First of all, it is not the school district but a non-profit group of boosters behind it. Second of all, I have never seen complaints about the church festivals where alcohol, pull tabs and the like are sold to make money. I think it borders on being hypocritical.

* * *

Hello, School District 87, Glenbard East. Thanks for that apparent bureaucratic double talk about the beer fest. The point is, money was being raised for the sports boosters by the sale of alcohol. That seems inappropriate for a school or school district, so what’s next? Why don’t we have an alcohol or tobacco manufacturer sponsor our sporting events or our music program, or something else? It’s inappropriate.

* * *

In regard to gambling in Lombard and Lombard Families First, the degradation of society due to a few slot machines, I think Lombard Families First should put its money where its mouth is and start sending out literature against drinking. I think alcohol is a far worse problem. Let’s make Lombard dry. How about smoking? Goodness, smoking costs tens of thousands of dollars. It causes children to come down with secondhand smoke lung diseases and causes people to have terrible health costs on the rest of society. How about banning selling cigarettes in Lombard? Oh, goodness, and when you’re riding it out, let’s figure out all the other little vices—maybe fatty foods. Let’s get rid of all the fast-food restaurants so the poor of society cannot have heart disease in Lombard. I just find it so ridiculous.

* * *

Hi, this is a message from the Meadowlarks Quilt Club. We’d just like to thank everyone who has come out to buy our merchandise that we made to raise money to make things for the veterans, the Ronald McDonald House, Shriners Hospital, PADS, DuPage County Health Department, Family Shelter Service; we really appreciate everyone who has come out to help us raise money to buy more materials. We count on this. If anyone would like to make a donation to Meadowlarks Quilt Club, any monetary donation would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Have a nice day. Bye.

* * *

Hi, this is a message for Rick Poole. Just to let you know, after a couple of years, we finally made it to Paradise Bay. The grandchildren loved it and I was really impressed. Great job. My husband was totally shocked. He didn’t think it was that nice, so thanks again. Great work. Bye.

* * *

Hi, I’ve been a resident in Villa Park for 30 years now, have had my children go through all the schools in the Villa Park area and I just want to say the Villa Park people and Lombard people have voted for all the additions to the schools in this district and I think it’s a shame that parents just don’t help their kids get through these programs with these schools. Teachers are only trying to help get these kids get through the school system. The help of parents would be tremendous for the schools, so parents of kids, get out there and help them those kids get where they want to be.

* * *

A couple of things, Lombard. So, we ban fire pits. Does that mean we’re going to ban barbecue grills? What about all the permits that Lombard sells for picnics in Madison Meadow and people go over there and barbecue for family reunions? I guess we’ve got to ban those. Taste of Lombard. Taste of Lombard has been going on in this town for as long as I can remember. I’ve lived the majority of my life and I have lived within walking distance of the Taste of Lombard. Yes, it can be a pain in the neck, especially on the Fourth of July when there are hundreds of people wandering around. It’s kind of moving behind the airport and complaining about the planes flying overhead.

* * *

Shame on the person who shouted out at our congresswoman, Tammy Duckworth, who lost both her legs in combat  while serving our country, “Why aren't you walking like the governor?” It was an honor to have all the elected officials take time to attend our Independence Day parade in Villa Park. I find it pathetic that people can't put partisan politics aside for one day to join in celebration of our nation’s birthday. I hope you at least enjoyed your freedom of speech.

* * *

After attending the Taste of Lombard for the past 25 years I found this year’s event to be the worst ever. Poorly attended, bad bands, the hosts were rude. On Saturday night the band was using obscene and vulgar language in talk and songs. It was embarrassing; please update this event, retool it and get new hosts. I am sure the planners lost money and won’t be able to pay the bills.

* * *

This is the question the right has to answer. Do you want smaller government with less handouts, or do you want a low minimum wage? Because you cannot have both. If fast-food employers are not going to pay the lady behind the counter enough to live on, then Uncle Sam has to, and I for one am getting a little tired of helping highly profitable companies pay their workers.

* * *

Kudos to the Lombardian, a small-town newspaper. We really appreciate that what’s important to the families of Lombard come first in SPEAK OUT. We also are very grateful when there is national news that affects our lives and freedoms, that there is also room for that, too. Great job for a small newspaper. We’ve been reading you since your father started this newspaper. Thank you so much. Bye, bye.