The war of words between state Senator Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge), a fierce gun control advocate, and the Illinois State Rifle Association has apparently escalated to the point where the nutballs are coming out of the woodwork.

The Statehouse finger-pointing has escalated right on schedule.

As always with an overtime legislative session, nobody wants to take the blame for failing to reach a budget agreement during the regularly scheduled session, which ended May 31. If the government eventually shuts down because the legislative leaders and the governor can't agree on a state budget, and state workers, contractors, and public-aid recipients stop receiving their checks, the players want to make sure that someone else is fingered as the irresponsible party.

Davenport's Eric Schallert should be aware of what's happening all over the country, particularly in exciting cities such as Chicago, Madison, and Seattle, where officials are taking a fresh look at the transportation grid. (See "Bikes and Cars Shouldn't Mix," River Cities' Reader Issue 636, June 6-12, 2007.)

(Editor's note: Danny A. Holmes, general manager of the Radisson Quad City Plaza Hotel, sent the following letter to Davenport city officials on Tuesday, June 5.)

I sincerely hope all points of view will be considered as negotiations for lease of the RiverCenter by Isle of Capri Casinos move forward at what appears to be a surprisingly rapid pace. Please be advised that Radisson Quad City Plaza and John Q. Hammons Hotels strongly object to this proposal for a number of reasons, including but not limited to the following: