Thumbs down � to bad timing and twisted fate for the state of Illinois. Just as we move into the national spotlight through the impending presidency of Barack Obama, our unpopular and ineffective governor, Rod Blagojevich, gets arrested on federal corruption charges and then dares to appoint Roland Burris to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Obama, one Blagojevich allegedly tried to sell to the highest bidder. Talk about chutzpah! It's difficult to imagine a crime suspect who is free on bond making a binding appointment to the U.S. Senate. It's also hard to envision anyone accepting such a tainted appointment, knowing they'll seek election in 2010 with the baggage of Blagojevich's backing still hanging around their neck like a millstone. Instead of being viewed with envy as the home state of a promising new president, Illinois is now known for producing governors who go to prison (George Ryan, Dan Walker and Otto Kerner) and another who may be heading in that direction. Perhaps the watchful eyes of the world will eventually force Illinois to transform itself from a laughingstock state of corruption to one of promise and opportunity. We can only hope.

Thumbs up �. to a $349,500 foundation grant that will fund the expansion of a juvenile justice improvement program in southeastern Illinois and permit the addition of a full-time coordinator to help deliver the improvements in the 2nd Judicial Circuit's 12-county effort. The grant is from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation's Models for Change national initiative to reform juvenile justice and will help bring accountability to and expand rehabilitation opportunities for juvenile offenders.

Thumbs down … to the U.S. Senate Democratic (majority) leadership, including Nevada's Harry Reid and Illinois' Dick Durbin for their bumbling of the Roland Burris appointment. The idea of a special election was too quickly dropped. The cold stance of "No Blagojevich appointee will be seated" has softened to chummy news conferences with Burris. Politics and leadership certainly sometimes requires the ability to change with events. But the Senate Democrats hopped too hard and too fast on the initial headlines and anti-Blagojevich sentiment. Blagojevich, although in a deep legal and political hole, proved he still knew something about the game by choosing a black man who was has held two statewide elected offices, who has roots downstate as well as Chicago connections, and whose reputation is unmarred. The governor handed Senate Democrats a man difficult to turn away, and Burris has well-played the modest public servant and non-confrontational statesmen. Further, as their own rules committee chairwoman pointed out, the majority leadership seemed to forget it could easily run into problems seating other new senators. How long will the Minnesota election remain muddled? And could the eventual appointee from New York to replace Sen. Hillary Clinton present qualification challenges? Senate Democrats were too quick to talk tough. Now they find themselves looking for a way to gracefully back away from a fight partly of their own making.

Thumbs up � to a group of enthusiastic second graders at Thomas Elementary School in Carbondale and the teachers who make learning fun. The students returned Monday from a two-week holiday vacation, and they were excited to be back in class. All the holiday season fun just couldn't compare to reading, writing and recess. The students said they missed their teachers more than anything and were happy to continue learning. Teachers said the break offers students a chance to relax and regain their enthusiasm for school, although they admitted they were ready for the return, as well. We'll bet their good feelings about going back to school were shared by teachers and students across Southern Illinois

Thumbs down � to the "hunters" who shot and killed a trumpeter swan at Mermet Lake recently. The hunters claimed they thought the bird was a snow goose, a dubious claim since the swan is more than twice the size of a snow goose.

Thumbs up � to the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters for bringing their entertainment to Southern Illinois on Wednesday evening. Young and old have enjoyed the show through the years. No matter how many times you have seen them, it is premium entertainment.