A few of us finally hopped on the bandwagon and saw the current blockbuster film Avatar. And while we found it visually stunning, we also found it a poorly written mash-up of the Pocahontas legend and Return of the Jedi. We're not the only ones who weren't impressed. Ald. James Balcer (11th) is adding a local flavor to a national outcry, railing against the film for what he says are anti-American sentiments. Balcer, a decorated Vietnam War vet (Marines), tells CBS 2 that the movie, "makes Marines 'look like lunatics...We are a good, generous country that helps people.'" Balcer pointed to the film's representation of the American military: "Well, they never mentioned America but when you have the eagle, globe and anchor -- the Marine Corps emblem -- it has to be America." Balcer's a bit off, but not completely: the film's antagonist is actually a large private corporation. But the company's use of power-hungry, blood-thirsty ex-marines is pretty transparent and over-the-top; James Cameron may as well have called them Halli-water. But the important question to Ald. Balcer seems to have gone unasked: what did he think of the 3D? more ›

It's a gorgeous day, particularly for those of you who aren't in the office. Clear, blue skies stretch out overhead and the Sun is doing its thing, warming us up to a point of comfort with highs in the upper 50s. We know the cool, damp weather that marks typical Autumns will return soon enough so embrace this pleasant weather while you can. Lows tonight will drop into the lower 30s and skies will remain clear. more ›

Time is ticking for Governor Rod Blagojevich to find a successor to Obama’s senate seat. The odds on Tammy Duckworth getting the spot just got worse thanks to her pal, Sen. Dick Durin. Durbin and Blagojevich are apparently not on good terms, but then again who is? Durbin has publicly chided the governor in the past over his on-going feud with Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, saying he’d rather mediate Baghdad than Springfield. Durbin has said he gets plenty of complaints from Illinois residents as well as his colleagues in Washington about the gridlock in Springfield. more ›