Guilt By Association

Peoria Pundit still thinks Matt Hale is giving central Illinois a bad name.

The Journal Star opined today that whenever Hale's name is mentioned, so is central Illinois. That makes us victims, in a way. My sentiments exactly.

It's true, the Peoria paper does feel victimized by all of this too:

Finally, whenever Matt Hale's name is mentioned, so is central Illinois, so is
his East Peoria hometown. The victims here are numerous.

But I'm still not convinced. I really don't think anyone outside the area is passing judgment on central Illinois or, more specifically, Peoria, as a breeding ground for racists. I think those in the Peoria area who feel a bad light has been shown on them are feeling a bit, and unnecessarily, self conscious about the whole thing.

That said, PP has had excellent coverage of the ongoing Lefkow murder investigations and the possible connection to Matt Hale's followers.