AP
September 5, 2006

PINEY POINT, Md. — President George W. Bush said Monday that he would help keep U.S. workers competitive in global markets and reduce U.S. reliance on foreign oil so it doesn’t choke U.S. economic expansion.

“Dependence on foreign oil jeopardizes our capacity to grow,” Bush said in a speech focused on the economy — a key issue in November elections that might determine whether the GOP retains control of the House and Senate.

Democrats contend the middle class isn’t enjoying the benefits of U.S. economic gains. They say sluggish median earnings show paychecks have failed to keep pace with inflation, and they note rising health care and energy costs.

Gasoline prices have eased over the past month, but Bush warned against continued reliance on oil-producing countries where the United States is unpopular.

“The problem is we get oil from some parts of the world and they simply don’t like us,” Bush said. “And so the more dependent we are on that type of energy, the less likely it will be that we are able to compete, and so people have good, high-paying jobs.”

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Bush finally says something that smacks of reality. Would someone please inform him though that HE is the reason why many oil-producing countries hate us!

Anyone from Chicago knows the charm of the Marshall Fields on State Street….that great street! My Mom worked at a Fields store in the suburbs for many years. My daughter got her first formal at the Marshall Fields on State Street on a weekend shopping trip. Lunch in the Walnut Room at Christmas time….oh the charm and lovliness of that huge tree. I can totally understand the shock and disappointment over the change. There’s alot of history and charm that goes with shopping at Marshall Fields. In my family, atleast.

By Sandra Jones
Tribune staff reporter
Published September 5, 2006

Gail Heriot is taking the demise of Marshall Field’s to heart.

The California lawyer dug into her own pocket this summer, spending more than $2,000 to print and distribute 25,000 “Keep It Field’s” lapel stickers to similar-minded Field’s fans. She mailed thousands of decals from her home in San Diego and flew to Chicago last month to hand out more near Field’s State Street flagship-’slated, along with the rest of Field’s 61 department stores, to become Macy’s on Saturday.

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MIAMI Sep 5, 2006 (AP)- A tropical depression brewing over the open Atlantic remained large but disorganized Tuesday morning, forecasters said.

“It’s right on the cusp of becoming a (tropical) storm, but we don’t anticipate significant strengthening,” forecaster Jamie Rhome said.

The sixth depression of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season had top sustained winds near 35 mph early Tuesday, according to the National Hurricane Center. It would be named Florence if it reaches tropical storm strength with sustained winds of at least 39 mph.

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