‘Springfield — The Illinois Capitol building is currently on lockdown.  No one is allowed in or out of the building after an unknown substance was reportedly thrown at the Governor’s office.’

‘Governor Rauner wasn’t at the Capitol building when the incident happened.’

‘A woman was put into handcuffs by Capitol Police and escorted from the building.’

‘Today’s House Session is currently delayed because not all members were in the chamber before the lockdown went into place,’ according to WSIL Channel 3 ABC.

Our beloved Country is becoming increasingly polarized along extreme political ideology.

Some would have Illinois continue without a state Budget until one side of the political aisle or the other…cry uncle…and acquiesce to the agenda of the victor.

In a similar fashion our Federal Government seems dominated by the extreme of a ‘Pro Wrestling Match’ where the winner obliterates the looser…to the blood curdling cheers of the audience.

Recently the Republican Baseball Team was fired upon by a sick individual in the name of political ideology.  Republican Representative Steve Scalise is back in intensive care ,due to his being shot in the hip during the horrible incident.

Republican members of the Senate are not only not enthused by the Health Care Plan, that a few of their members created, with the support of their leadership, but several of them know that the provisions of the Bill will hurt their constituents.

The ‘do or die…hell bent for leather’ promise to replace Obamacare, which needs serious reforms, is apparently the rationale for replacing it with a Bill that is not even as effective as the Obama creation that they promised to replace.

Is winning the only rationale to political discourse?

What about the people that elected the Representatives and the Senators to their lofty offices?

For the past two years our Illinois Government has stood on their extreme political principles and let the people be damned.

As the fight of the Titans has transpired…the fate of the peasants has seemed to be of little consequence.

Perhaps there is a middle ground…where the needy can be succored…as the scripture admonishes us?

Perhaps there is a middle ground where our children are assured an education and including a higher education…to prepare for our increasingly technological future?

Perhaps there is a courageous and thoughtful and principled and sure ground of voting for the true betterment of the poor and the struggling and the hard working middle class…that sent our elected representatives to office to address our real needs?

‘After more than two years without a budget – and the state’s credit rating poised to topple into junk territory – Illinois lawmakers finally are about to approve a $36 billion spending plan over the objections of Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.’

‘A dramatic showdown ended with a series of votes cast on Independence Day.  Fifteen Republican members of the Illinois House broke away from the governor to pass a budget.’

‘One more vote remains – the Illinois House is poised to follow the Illinois Senate and override Rauner’s veto – perhaps on Thursday – setting the stage for Democrats and Republicans to squabble over who prevailed in the fight that made Illinois a national laughingstock,’ according to DNA info.

State Representative Terri Bryant broke with her party to vote for the passage of the House Budget.  I greatly admire the courage of her convictions and her vote…that recognized the profound needs of her district…and the crisis that is knocking at the door of her University, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

Representative Bryant will absolutely have my vote in the next election!

We can debate, ad nauseum, who is at fault for the dire fiscal condition that The Land of Lincoln finds itself in.  There is more than enough blame for both political parties.

There is much room for debate and a profound need for political reforms.

However, when the price of that debate is the possible closing of our precious Universities and the shuttering of Grade Schools and High Schools and the evaporation of our support for the mentally ill and the homeless…then the price is to high!

Calmer heads must prevail.  Statesmen and Stateswomen must come to the front!

Terri Bryant is a Stateswoman…and a breath of fresh air!

Once again the celebration of our American Independence has returned.

We will cook out today at Aaron’s house.  He is such a wonderful grill master!

The joy of getting together with family and friends on this commemorative day is a great privilege and honor.  To live in a country that you can say what is on your heart and speak your mind and believe in the freedom of the press…is a special gift.

Countless men and women have fought and died for our gift of freedom.  The freedom to immigrate to a Country that is commonly referred to as a ‘Melting Pot.’  We virtually all came from somewhere else.  The only indigenous Americans are the Native Americans.  The rest of us arrived for a variety of reasons.

I watched, Ken Burns, documentary regarding the Stature of Liberty, the other night. This Great Lady…and the hope that she symbolizes has been and is a beacon that shines in the darkness of fear and repression and ignorance and hate.

When you enjoy a wonderful dinner in China Town…in New York City…you are in America.

When you listen to, one of my favorite musical genres, jazz…that is as America.

When you worship in a Mosque you are praying alongside your fellow Americans.

When you stand alongside your Jewish friends and neighbors…wearing their kippahs and reading the Torah…you are standing with your fellow Americans.

When you stand in solidarity with the forgotten Americans…the poor…the hungry…the homeless….the sick…you are standing with the America that we celebrate today.

No one can take our American Experiment from us…we can only do that to ourselves!

Over this past weekend we were privileged to have my brother, Brock and my sister-in-law, Marcy, and my niece, Jamie, who is a lovely and sweet young lady.

When I refer to Marcy as my sister-in-law…I must say that she seems like my sister.  She is one of the most considerate and caring people that I have met and her love for her husband and children is inspirational.

Marcy, reminds me so much of my wife, Mary Jane, and indeed she and Mary Jane became good friends instantaneously!

The two Brooks’ Family’s did not meet until this past August…and really not our entire families until last April…but they have become a great gift to us with their love and camaraderie!

We missed our nephew, Jeb, very much, on this visit.  He is such a kind and distinguished gentleman.

Mary Jane had a birthday cake for Brock.  He just turned 41.  I will soon be 60!  We represent the beginning and the end of our father’s legacy.

This was Dad’s birthday. He was 57. Taken in Tennessee

Brock and Marcy fascinate me.  I have observed how their children love them both so naturally and securely.  Marcy and Brock are dedicated to their kids and their happiness.

When Brock is talking I see Marcy watching him with love and respect.

Marcy is a strong woman.  I was raised by a strong woman.  I married a strong woman.  There is nothing more valuable than the love of a strong and caring and compassionate woman to stand by your side through out the storms of life.

Brock is such a hard working and talented individual.  I really think that he is capable of accomplishing anything that he desires.

This couple…this family…is an inspiration to me…on how to take the storms that life brings and still sail their ship through to calm seas and a sunny dawn!

Just this past Friday I received good news regarding some medical concerns that I have been worried about almost since the beginning of the year.  This weekend…with my family…has been a blessing to me…and a reaffirmation of just how sweet this life is…and how we must release the negative and embrace the positive of this precious gift!