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Smile Politely Returns ... More to Come

Posted in OPINION by Smile Politely Editors on Sunday, January 11, 2009 at 7:00 pm

Welcome back. And thanks for being patient while we packed up for the holidays to take a little breather and redesign our home on the web.

Scroll down. Click around. Some things are different. Others are the same, but look a little sharper.

Notice that our spiffy new website allows you to take advantage of more than a few new features. We're now featuring articles on our home page. Each day we'll choose one article to single out; if you only have time for a brief visit, we recommend you start with the featured article. There will be plenty of additional new writing posting throughout the day in "The Latest" section, which is just below our daily featured article on the home page.

You can now also sign up as for your own user account. You'll find that Smile Politely becomes a more enjoyable and interactive experience after you click the "Register" button in the upper right-hand corner and create your own profile. You can then fine tune your profile by adding personal info about yourself or uploading a photo or avatar. In addition, you can also send private messages to other registered readers. The registering process is quick and painless, we promise.

Also notice in the righthand column we've added a nifty feature that tracks our most recent comments and our most popular articles. Also, our improved search engine should make locating Brandon T. Washington's chili recipe a cinch.

Stay tuned, too. We'll be rolling out more new features over the next few weeks. We're excited about our relaunch, and look forward to hearing your thoughts. Please be patient while we work out the bugs, and in the meantime, if you notice something that's not working properly, click the "Contact" button in the upper right-hand corner and let us know.

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Most Recent Opinion Comments

{username}

Who played?

Posted by Petey to the entry 'More Super Bowl life lessons on 02/09/10.
Glock21 avatar

Almost every issue this amendment attempts to address is merely a symptom of a much bigger, and unsurprisingly, much more difficult to solve problem: Voter apathy.   You want to force term limits because voters generally don’t care enough to throw out bums who come off as…

Posted by Glock21 to the entry 'Putting on the Putback Amendment on 02/06/10.
{username}

First the Detroit Freep links. Keep term limits: http://www.freep.com/article/20100204/OPINION05/2040400/1068/OPINION/Keep-limits-Longer-time-in-office-wont-fix-state Repeal term limits: http://www.freep.com/article/20100204/OPINION05/2040403/1068/OPINION/Repeal-limits-Experience-is-not-an-evil-thing Second. I don’t have a real strong opinion on term limits, but generally think they do more harm than good.  However, I have no proof of that.  But, my experience, from working in government…

Posted by Stuart Tarr to the entry 'Putting on the Putback Amendment on 02/05/10.
Tony Pomonis avatar

Thanks for the input everyone. Stuart, I could use some help. Your entire comment seems supportive except for the last, declarative sentence.  You ask very cogent, thought-provoking questions which are appreciated and further the discussion.  I myself don’t know how things will shake out once it is…

Posted by Tony Pomonis to the entry 'Putting on the Putback Amendment on 02/04/10.
{username}

1) Gerrymandering - I do two things. Allowing everyone to participate at least keeps the insiders from having sole control. And two, allowing anyone to go to court makes it enforceable.  2) 7-day viewing - With all legislation of import being done in a back room with…

Posted by John Bambenek to the entry 'Putting on the Putback Amendment on 02/04/10.
{username}

Ending Gerrymandering seems like a good idea, if some sort of unbiased program could be constructed.  Even then, what would the criteria be for grouping people?  I suspect the process would still be gamed, and underrepresented groups would object to the possibility or even likelihood of losing…

Posted by Stuart Tarr to the entry 'Putting on the Putback Amendment on 02/04/10.
{username}

Awesome article, Tony. No one likes how things are going in this state, and they need to do something about it! Here is their chance! I’ll be printing out some petitions and collecting signatures myself.

Posted by Andrea to the entry 'Putting on the Putback Amendment on 02/04/10.
Timbo avatar

I’m not so sure that the drafters of the proposed amendment were all that careful in putting something together that would withstand all legal challenges. Amendments to the IL Const. must only deal with “structural and procedural subjects contained in Article IV”  of the IL Const (which…

Posted by Timbo to the entry 'Putting on the Putback Amendment on 02/03/10.
{username}

Hi vicki, thanks so much for reading. i was really hoping you would, and looking forward to hearing your thoughts. I truly value your opinion. First let me say that I do sypmathize with any minority in this or any other country. I’m not judging Muslim women…

Posted by Cheryl to the entry 'Maybe Right's not so wrong on 02/01/10.
{username}

(Ed. note — this comment was sent in to us, and we decided to post it. It’s an informative comment, and one that we all agree adds to the debate well. — SBF) I wish you guys didn’t shut down comments on Seth Fein’s new article, “Lift…

Posted by Tim Johnston to the entry 'Lift the gavel on DUI on 02/01/10.

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Most Recent Comments

{username}

It’s been a while since we’ve seen you.  I wanted to let you know that our “Hunters’ Feast” will be starting February 19th.  In addition to our full dinner menu, we will offer wild boar schnitzel, roasted rabbit legs, vennison tenderloin & a variety of wild game…

By Nicole - the waitres to the entry 'Bayern Stube Delivers the Goods; Heart Attack Impending on 02/09/10.
Annie Weisner avatar

Well, reader, I’m not quite sure what to say.  Sounds like you and Elsinore have some issues to work out amongst yourselves.  I’m just going to sit back and let that happen.

By Annie Weisner to the entry 'Album review: Elsinore's The Chemicals on 02/09/10.
{username}

Its cool Annie, I know deep down you don’t give a shit, but yer being gracious. Check out the new Clipd Beaks, or Brian Jonestown Massacre, or Black Ryder from Australia. Yer right though, Chemicals is one song that acually says nothing. Usually, music that doesn’t really…

By Amandaman to the entry 'Album review: Elsinore's The Chemicals on 02/09/10.
{username}

Who played?

By Petey to the entry 'More Super Bowl life lessons on 02/09/10.
{username}

I triuly enjoy being employed at the new Fat City!!!

By marcus powell to the entry 'A New Lease for Fat City Bar and Grill on 02/08/10.
Seth Fein avatar

I made these this weekend, albeit without the Pickling Spice. They are fucking tremendous. Wish I had local cukes, but alas they looked good and crispy at the store the other day.   Here is more: they were ready within 12 hours. Now, I suspect they will…

By Seth Fein to the entry 'The quest for crunchy dill pickles on 02/08/10.
{username}

No Iowa coverage?

By zach to the entry 'Illini take Sparty; Dmac claims: "I'll be back" on 02/08/10.
{username}

For anyone interested in this stuff, there is aniInteresting show on tonight, Mon, Feb 8, on WILL TV, Blueprint America. about infrastructure, comparing Spanish gains in rail to American decline, with Detroit as, as usual, the basket case. 

By stuart Tarr to the entry 'Homage to Catalunya on 02/08/10.
{username}

To the poster above - Your a Dead Soul. (giggle, giggle) No, really, think about it.

By Sick to the entry 'Discovering local independent media on 02/07/10.
Feldman avatar

Jared played this on WEFT Sessions in September 2008, and in a year mistechtrophic songs I think this was my favorite of the year—this simple version of  “I_Refute_Technology.mp3“ with acoustic guitar, electric bass, and two voices, it’s a good song.  Musician, cover thyself!

By Feldman to the entry 'Album Review: I Refute Technology by Jared Bartman on 02/07/10.
{username}

Great job Suzanne.  I really like how you sum up how George is a man stuck in his past and unwilling to explore his future.  Thanks for your concise, thoughtful writing.

By Chuckster to the entry 'A Single Man-A Singular Triumph on 02/07/10.
{username}

I’m proud to see you young girls getting out there!  Wow - that takes motivation and courage.  Glad to see you’re getting some press too. 

By Sheridan to the entry 'Roller derby in C-U?! on 02/07/10.
{username}

Like Jason, I’ve been told by people who would know that HoG and Tang Dynasty are the most authentic Chinese food restaurants in town. One woman described HoG as “home cooking.“  Its tofu Pad Thai is perfection.   Jason is also spot on that Mandarin Wok is…

By Tracy to the entry 'Confounding name, delicious food on 02/07/10.
Glock21 avatar

Almost every issue this amendment attempts to address is merely a symptom of a much bigger, and unsurprisingly, much more difficult to solve problem: Voter apathy.   You want to force term limits because voters generally don’t care enough to throw out bums who come off as…

By Glock21 to the entry 'Putting on the Putback Amendment on 02/06/10.
{username}

After seeing the documentary “Food Inc.“ I may never eat meat that’s not local again, and am seriously considering the vegan option.  Check it out.

By Andrea Antulov to the entry 'Confounding name, delicious food on 02/05/10.
Jason Z. avatar

I wouldn’t be too quick to discount this place simply based on its location or plastic eating utensils.  I’ve been told that this place is one of the more authentic Chinese restaurants in town by a couple of different people who would know.  That’s not to say…

By Jason Z. to the entry 'Confounding name, delicious food on 02/05/10.
mattstan avatar

It’s mediocre—not bad, but pretty much standard campus fare.  “Plastic fork cuisine” is pretty apt.  I have no experience searching for food from a vegan perspective, but for omnivores (or even vegetarians), I’d say there are at least five better Chinese and Thai places around town, maybe more.

By mattstan to the entry 'Confounding name, delicious food on 02/05/10.
{username}

First the Detroit Freep links. Keep term limits: http://www.freep.com/article/20100204/OPINION05/2040400/1068/OPINION/Keep-limits-Longer-time-in-office-wont-fix-state Repeal term limits: http://www.freep.com/article/20100204/OPINION05/2040403/1068/OPINION/Repeal-limits-Experience-is-not-an-evil-thing Second. I don’t have a real strong opinion on term limits, but generally think they do more harm than good.  However, I have no proof of that.  But, my experience, from working in government…

By Stuart Tarr to the entry 'Putting on the Putback Amendment on 02/05/10.
Rob McColley avatar

When I was an undergrad, I too occasionally had enough money for a cheap greasy spoon (chopstick) meal.   On those occasions, I felt mildly celebratory about not boiling or microwaving my own dinner.   It looks like this meal came in Styrofoam, with a plastic fork.   There are…

By Rob McColley to the entry 'Confounding name, delicious food on 02/05/10.
{username}

As a relatively recent convert, I very much look forward to dining at this restaurant, and to the rest of your series! An excellent, marvelous idea…thank you!

By RS to the entry 'Confounding name, delicious food on 02/04/10.

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