THUMBS DOWN: The dustup this week over a Racine Unified literature textbook that includes a lengthy and glowing piece on Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama had area conservatives growling mad and district school officials insisting there was no attempt to politically indoctrinate Racine's eighth-graders. The textbook first came into use here in fall 2007, before Obama declared his candidacy, and school officials said the textbook was selected for its emphasis on diversity. It probably wouldn't have been a big deal if Hillary Clinton had gone on to become the Democratic standard-bearer, but here, a month before the election, GOP supporters have good reason to feel that area students might be getting stampeded politically in the classrooms. It undoubtedly fuels their suspicions that Alfred McDougal, associated with the book's publishing house, has backed Democratic candidates - including a couple of donations to Barack Obama himself, according to online search engines. The publisher now says that the Obama section has been pulled in the newest editions of the textbook. The tempest will subside in a month. But Unified and other school districts should avoid these kinds of missteps with a little more vigilance and a commitment to impartiality and fairness when it comes to political campaigns.

THUMBS UP: A tip of the hat this week to Mount Pleasant and Sturtevant for overcoming obstacles and moving forward with the consolidation of their fire and rescue services - which will soon be named South Shore Consolidated Fire/EMS Department. Three additional firefighters will be hired, while several part-time Sturtevant firefighters - currently numbering about 16 - will no longer have jobs. The agreement means a minimum of six firefighters will staff a joint station. Over time we would expect the merger to result in both better services and cost efficiencies.

THUMBS DOWN: Roadside stands are one of Wisconsin's throwback attractions. Small stands with good home-grown produce at bargain prices and little honor boxes that trust you to pay for what you take. So it was with much dismay we published Tom Kojis' photos of thieves at his stand on Highway 20 outside Waterford using paint sticks wrapped with adhesive to fish bills from the cashbox. The petty thefts aren't so petty. Kojis, who has cerebral palsy, operates three stands with his wife and some full- and part-time workers, estimates he has lost more than $2,000 over the past month. We hope the candid photos click in the minds of someone who knows the thieves and they soon get a chance to explain themselves in court.

THUMBS UP: Before the golf season finally tiptoes away into November's coming winds, a salute to golfer Jordyn Wyzgowski, a junior at The Prairie School, who managed rounds of 81 and 80 at Madison's University Ridge Golf Course this week - enough to earn a sixth-place finish and a medal in the WIAA Division 2 State Girls Golf Championship. Teammate Claudia Rhein finished 21st.

THUMBS UP: Now there's a way to kick-start the economy. Racine County once again played host to the Lighthouse Classic, the popular soccer tournament that drew more than 155 teams of youth players from four states to the Soccer Complex of Racine in Franksville for two days of competition. Organizers say the invitational probably brought about 3,000 people to the area.