In the first place,

I am sure that a properly conducted, scientific survey of Adams Countians would show very little support for countywide zoning.

But in the second place, I sure wish somebody -- anybody -- whether it was the H-W writer, the JEO people, or somebody on the county board -- would have mentioned that a "survey" in which respondents can self-select their participation is entirely invalid, and that its "findings" have no connection to actual reality. This is particularly worth remembering when one or both sides in a controversy have made a concerted effort to get their supporters to phone in, log in, write in, or otherwise participate.

73.2, 11.4, 42.5, 18.7 -- they are all completely meaningless numbers. Completely. Meaningless. You might as well pick them out of a hat.

92.4, 8.6, 55.3, 30.9. There. Those numbers are just as valid.

Gotta love those H-W spellcheckers

Empathize, emphasize.......what's the diff? Probably mean about the same thing anyway, right?

Lessons in Logic

"The Economic Development Loan Program was established in 1984 with the aim of promoting the Quincy area’s economy by providing financial incentives that encourage private investments for new and expanding businesses. One goal is that loans result in the creation and/or retention of jobs."

Therefore, the Oakley-Lindsay Center qualifies for a loan under these terms because it's......

a. a new business
b. an expanding business
c. a private entity
d. NONE OF THE ABOVE

The Monument

Stopped by Washington Park this morning for the farmers' market and took in the Lincoln-Douglas debate memorial. Overall, I think it looks nice, although I wish it had been about 15 feet closer to Fifth Street; its placement has cost the park quite a bit of grassy space. And there's a lot of concrete that has gone in -- which will make a scorching hot slab in the summertime.

At the risk of costing even more grass in the park, I wonder if the city has ever considered putting a playground there. The one on the near north riverfront gets some use, but not a lot; certainly downtown is just as close to populations of children as that one, and probably closer. If the city really wants to get people downtown, having something for their children to do is a good way to accomplish it. And that's a structure that would attract people every day, not just during sesquicentennials.

Those European art museums just keep bringing the fun

From the BBC:

A Christian group [in England] is taking an art centre to court, claiming it displayed an indecent statue of Jesus Christ.

The artwork was part of an exhibition at Gateshead's Baltic Centre featuring several plaster figures with erections, including ET, Mickey Mouse and Jesus.