Spent a lot of time behind the wheel, driving up to Central Wisconsin and back the past few days.     Had a little time to hear the news, and plenty of time to ponder it.

--Illinois tossed Rod Blagojevich is out of office merely by being CHARGED with peddling a Senate seat, and Mark Sanford still has his job in South Carolina after admitting that he dropped off the radar to fly his Argentine mistress (on Father's Day weekend, no less).      WTF?

--What ever happened to the days when the only sign of an affair was lipstick on the collar or a stray motel bill?     Why do these guys feel compelled not only to step out but to PEN their intimate thoughts into a computer which can easily regurgitate virtually every keystroke it ever absorbed?

--After years of cheating death to get to Stevens Point/Wausau via antiquated Highway 10 while in college and working in Central Wisconsin, I come to find out the DOT turned 10 into a four-lane vista and linked it to 41 with a wonderful new stretch of Highway 45.   When did these wonders occur?    How could I have missed this?     Did Lindbergh ever make it to Paris?

--Jon and Kate Gosselin file for divorce in a Pennsylvania County they don't live in--one where such papers aren't released to the public.     Yet, they're committed to bringing their TV show back in August.       It only figures that they aren't going to give anything away for free and are going to make you watch their sordid little TLC enterprise to find out the deets.    Don't encourage this behavior, people.    If you ignore them, they'll go away.    They could use the extra time to oh, I don't know--SAVE THEIR MARRIAGE AND RAISE THEIR FAMILY?!?

--You shouldn't be allowed to utter the phrases, "I love the heat and humidity" or, "It can't get hot enough for me!" unless you live in a place with no air conditioning, work a 40 hour week outdoors, and drive a car with no AC.     To love it, you have to experience it, 24/7.   Otherwise, you're just a hypocrite.      A local t-v anchor used to chirp on the air every summer about she relished the tropical conditions--from the comfort of a cooled studio.     Really chapped my butt.     A lot.

--Summerfest is here.     It makes us unique.    It brings money to town.    It satisfies many more than it disappoints.     Even if you don't go (or don't like it), celebrate the fact that it makes Milwaukee a better place.     I don't hit the opera, but I'm glad it's here for those who do.    That's what a big city is all about.