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editor@illinoistimes.com.
SHARE YOUR VIEWS
In regards to Jim Hightower’s article, titled “The change must come from within us” [IT, Nov. 13], I could not possibly agree more. When former president Bill Clinton
was running for office, Mr. Clinton challenged the American people to share our
ideas with him by saying, “I have my thoughts, and views, but let’s hear yours. I want to compare notes.”
The White House under President Clinton was open to dissenting views. Several
times I wrote to the White House myself, on a variety of topics, and I have the
return mail from Mr. Clinton and his staff to prove that the president, or his
staff, reviewed my letters. I, Norman Hinderliter, had no role in setting
national policy, at any level. All I did was ask, “Mr. President, have you considered this alternative view, on this topic?” I am proud to say that President Clinton included some of my remarks in at
least two of his televised speeches.
If President Obama runs a White House which is open to public input, then I
agree that it will be up to every loyal American to make our views known, for
the president’s benefit.
Jim Hightower is right. If we want to
truly re-take America, and make this our country once again, then our obligation
does not end on Election Day. We, as Americans, need to educate our elected
officials about how we want to be served. Starting now, America’s future is in our hands.
Norman Hinderliter
Springfield
SPIRIT OF PATRIOTISM
In the short time I’ve lived in Springfield, two unforgettable moments
stick with me.
The first was Barack Obama’s announcement to run for president —- a speech that ignited an anxious and hopeful fire even in political cynics
like myself, and even in sub-zero weather.
The other moment happened Saturday, during another bitter cold snap, a few steps
from the spot Obama’s stirring speech was given. Outside a downtown sports bar, two bundled up kids
sat and swung their legs on a small bench, laughing at some caricature of a hot
dog-eating Lincoln. Their guardian was in the nearby alleyway clawing through
sour trash for food, oblivious to his kids wandering off. With a mutt in tow
and smudged faces, it was almost a heartbreaking cliché straight out of Oliver. Except it wasn’t…it was 4 p.m. and these kids told me they hadn’t eaten all day.
This is Springfield?
I gave them some cash for pizza, and they ran back to the guy elbow deep in
dumpster scraps. I hope the money was well spent, as their guardian saw fit. Who
can say? What else could I do? Who was I to intervene further? I’ve felt the swell of hope these last few months, and I’ve felt the familiar spur of hopelessness in my gut. When I see children digging
through trash in a small town like Springfield, I feel overwhelmed on where to
even start. As people, they have been failed. As kids, worse so.
“So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where
each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only
ourselves, but each other,” President-elect Obama recently said in his presidential acceptance speech, a
short trip from where it all began.
It doesn’t get any easier than that, but it doesn’t get any harder than that, either.
Chris Ward
Springfield
SHY IS SEXY
This letter is in regards to The “Advice Goddess” article called “Adam’s ribbing” [IT, Nov. 6]. The gentleman who wrote the letter was seeking advice about having
difficulty meeting women and was concerned about being labeled as uncool or not
living up to the “player” reputation that some people have about how many women a guy can “get.” I feel sorry for this guy because the response he received from “The Advice Goddess” was pathetic and very rude.
All she writes are these strange,
metaphoric phrases and sayings that have no meaning. Then, she proceeds to go on
and on about a stone age man and woman scenario. Come on. To the guy who wrote
that letter, you’re not a “wussy” as Amy Alkon states in her column. Maybe you’re shy. So what. There is nothing wrong with that and you should never ever care
about living up to some ridiculous “player” reputation. Who cares how many girls you have been with? It’s no one’s business but yours.
There are ways to overcome being shy if that is what you want. If a woman
rejects you because you don’t have enough experience, hey, that is her loss. She is not worth your time. If
she really wants to get to know you, then your experience level won’t change her mind. If it does, then she is really shallow.
You will find someone. The most important thing is to just be yourself. Don’t try to be someone or something you are not. I can tell you one thing that will
turn a woman off, is a fake guy. Besides, being shy is kind of sexy and
mysterious.
Jessica Shoup
Springfield
MEDICAL MARIJUANA
On Election Day, Michigan voters made their state the 13th to allow
seriously ill patients to use medical cannabis upon the recommendation of
a physician. Now, 71 million people, about 24 percent of Americans, live in one
of the 13 states that allow the doctor-advised, medical use of cannabis.
However, suffering patients in Illinois still face arrest for relieving their
symptoms with an effective treatment option. Illinois should follow suit and
pass SB 2865, the Compassionate Use of Medical Marijuana Pilot Program Act
before the Jan. 13 legislative deadline.
Such a measure enjoys widespread support in Illinois. A 2008 poll conducted by
Mason-Dixon Polling and Research shows that Illinois residents favor allowing
seriously and terminally ill patients to use marijuana for medical purposes by
a 68 percent to 27 percent margin.
There are already patients in Illinois using cannabis to treat a serious disease
or debilitating condition and they should not have to turn to the criminal
market for relief. Most people do not want to send a cancer patient to jail for utilizing a
treatment that his or her doctor has recommended.
Illinois should not delay in passing this legislation because for some it is
truly a matter of life or death. Moreover, cannabis is a safe, natural medicine and doctors in Illinois should be
able to recommend that patients use it if the situation dictates.
Dan Linn
Chicago
This article appears in Nov 13-19, 2008.
