Talk:Jacksonville, Illinois

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First, why do you think that an official government web site is not "authorative?" If a government web site is not authoritive, what is?

Second, I think you have completely misinterpreted the inclusion of the phrase "colored preacher" in the article. First, take a look at the lyrics for the song by Sufjan Stevens: [1] The song itself is about the dichotomy of the origin of the town's name. The song uses the words "colored preacher" because the song itself is set in historical times when "colored" was not such a loaded word. Even the linked to government web site has the phrase "colored preacher" in quotations.

Third, I'm not from Jacksonville, so I don't know whether the origin of the town's name is a hot-button issue or not. I mostly just wanted to include a mention of Steven's song since it was the most critically acclaimed album of 2005 and I figure some people would be curious enough to find out more about the town and the meaning of the song. --Rookkey 05:53, 20 February 2006 (UTC)

If you believe all government websites are authoritative, then you obviously have not worked in government (I do). The fact that something is on the city website in no way implies that it can be held to any standard of historical accuracy. Believe me, if you ever become familiar with the kind of people that usually maintain municipal government websites, you'll understand better. I grew up in Jacksonville (age 5 until leaving for college) and guess I always presumed it was named for Andrew Jackson, but I wouldn't call it a hot-button issue there--I for one could not possibly care less. -- JoelCFC25 19:36, 16 March 2006 (UTC)

Trust me, it's named after Andrew Jackson. I'm from Jacksonville, I'm familiar with Jacksonville's history, my family is steeped in Jacksonville's history, we know it's named for Andrew Jackson.

Oh, and Sufjan Stevens is crap. Kestrel 18:55, 16 July 2006 (UTC)