Untitled Document
We welcome letters. Please include your full name,
address, and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to Letters, Illinois Times, P.O. Box 5256,
Springfield, IL 62705; fax 217-753-3958; e-mail editor@illinoistimes.com.
WHEN IRISH EYES ARE
SMILING As chairperson of the Muscular Dystrophy
Association’s Shamrocks Against Dystrophy, I want to take a moment to
thank businesses and patrons in the Springfield area for their generous
participation in our 2008 campaign. I’m delighted to say that this
year’s fundraising efforts were a great success. Those little green-and-gold shamrock mobiles sold by
local businesses help support MDA’s vital programs of research,
health-care services, and public education right here in Springfield and
across the country. On behalf of all the individuals and families coping
with muscle-wasting diseases, I send a big warm “thank you” to
Springfield residents — you’ve certainly put a smile in these
Irish eyes!
Maureen McGovern
Beverly
Hills, Calif.
CHICKENS COMING HOME TO ROOST Some thoughts on your March 27 issue. After reading
Jim Hightower’s column about the Bush presidential library;
“The $3 trillion war,” by Peter Kadzis; the John Sherffius
cartoon; and Chuck Koplinski’s review of the movie Stop-Loss, I really have to wonder
about this nation’s stability. When I read and hear in the press about Iraqis killing
Iraqis (when our Army isn’t killing them) and I look at what George
W. Bush has done to America, I have to pause and think. When I compare the U.S. Congress to the current
government in Baghdad, I am astounded by the similarities. Neither
government — real or puppet — seems willing or able to tackle
its nation’s problems with more than Band-Aids, when stitches are
needed. Both the Iraqi and American working classes are watching their
young people dying at a rate not seen in modern times.
Iraq and America are ripping apart at their seams as
rifts between pro-government and anti-government forces vie for control. In
Iraq, Americans are told that anti-American forces must be Al Qaeda-linked. In
America, we are told that anti-Bushites are “terrorist
sympathizers” for not endorsing more bloodshed in Iraq. Where should Washington be more concerned with
possible civil war? I say the odds are even. America, like Iraq, has been
ripped apart into opposition groups, thanks to George W. Bush. How will
Washington defend itself once the armed forces are used up in Iraq? Which
city will fall first? Baghdad or Washington? Any bets?
Norman
Hinderliter
Springfield
WE NEED HONEST LEADERSHIP I recently received an e-mail listing Barack
Obama’s voting record, implying that it makes him unfit for being
president. For the most part it makes him a breath of fresh air and a break
from the policies that have squandered our national resources, including
money, troops, and reputation as a caring, intelligent, and strong leader
in the world. It also breaks the trend of promoting the interests of some
Americans while ignoring the needs and dreams of others, especially ones in
lower economic and higher risk situations. Obama, unlike the other candidates, openly opposed
the Iraq invasion. It was very clear to him then that our administration
was determined and only looked for excuses, including 9/11, to pursue its
irrational desire. We have successfully broken a nation, quit counting
innocents killed, sent millions from home as refugees, and given terrorists
precisely what they need to raise their recruits astronomically. We are
paying a terrible price in troops and treasure in an impossible effort to
fix the damage we’ve done.
Without leadership that can deal honestly and up
front with these realities we will continue to repeat the same mistakes and
spiral deeper into the same national tragedies. We are being unfaithful
to future generations. We are leaving a situation that will be arduous
to overcome; a huge waste of financial and other resources and an image
that draws a negative response from much of the world. A truly significant
change in attitude, policy, and direction is needed.
I see Obama’s positions and the wisdom he
demonstrates as consistent with the moral call of the Christian story and
in line with the kind, intelligent judgment that is a deep part of the heritage of American
Christianity. I do not see this parallel being nearly as strong in the
attitudes and positions of the other candidates. Rev. Jim Hibbett Riverton
SUPPORT YMCA’S KIDS CAMPAIGN In 2007, the Springfield YMCA provided approximately
2000 Y and summer-camp scholarships to disadvantaged youths and families in
the Springfield area. No one is turned away because of his or her inability
to pay.
The scholarships are supported by the YMCA Century
Clubs Strong Kids Campaign. The Century Club is made up of Y members,
citizens of Springfield and Sangamon County, community leaders, and city
and state officials. A special warm thanks to state Sen. Larry Bomke, Sen.
Joe Lyons, Mayor Tim Davlin, Sheriff Neil Williamson, Irv Smith, Chatham
Mayor Tom Gray, and the Y’s own Copley First Citizen, Shelby
Harbison, for their public and financial support.
As we look around our hometown, the challenges facing
our youth seem overwhelming. Every child deserves and needs to be
spiritually and physically fit to become a positive part of our community.
The YMCA is there to help the children and families in the Springfield area
achieve this goal. Our YMCA Century Club’s Strong Kids Campaign
starts Friday, April 25, and runs through Wednesday, June 18. We invite all
citizens of Springfield and Sangamon County to become members of the YMCA
and/or supporting members of our campaign. Phone us at 217-544-9846 or send
any amount to the Y at 701 S. Fourth Street, Springfield, IL 62705.
Larry Wedding Chairman
YMCA Century Club Strong Kids Campaign
UNDEMOCRATIC
DEMOCRATIC PARTY The Democratic Party has devised a reliance on
“super-delegates” to determine who will be their candidate for
president. These super-delegates are not elected nor voted for by citizens
in the primaries. They are party insiders, officials, and bureaucrats.
Sound undemocratic? It is. It seems that the Democratic Party runs by
arbitrary rules that ensure that party officials determine who gets the
nomination. The founders of our Constitution warned that nominations done
this way would make the presidency merely a servant to the elite special
interest groups that appoint it. This is from the same party that made a huge fuss
over the proven logic of our Electoral College voting system for president.
This is the same party that made such a fuss in 2000 that presidents should
only be determined by the direct votes of citizens — that no vote
should be discounted and that any president not getting such is
illegitimate! Why does anyone believe them?
Mike Shadley Oak Brook Terrace
SUPPORT ILLINOIS WORKS All across our state, Illinois residents drive on
roads in need of repair, drop their kids off at overcrowded schools, and
live in communities that are in need of more economic development. Although
these might sound like three separate issues, all of these challenges are
connected and can be addressed through the passage of a new infrastructure
improvement bill. New capital investments would repair our roads and
bridges, rebuild our schools, and create hundreds of thousands of
good-paying jobs. However, it has been nine years since the General
Assembly has passed a new capital bill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich recently proposed the $25
billion Illinois Works capital-improvement program that will make these
crucial investments, while also supporting 700,000 jobs. It is time for all
of us — workers, business owners, educators, and parents — to
join the call for a new capital bill.
Illinois has an immediate need and Illinois Works is
the solution. Thomas Villanova Illinois Works Coalition President, Chicago and Cook County Building and
Construction Trades Council
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION There is a phenomenon that I have run into that seems
very different. I heard on the radio some months ago about the buy one,
give one program. I recently ran into a friend of mine with one. The thing
is a small, low-carbon-footprint portable computer. If you buy one, the
group (I can’t remember which) gives one just like it to a person in
the Third World. Again, I can’t remember where. The cost is supposed
to be less than a normal computer and is much more planet-friendly. How
does this work, do you know? Is there anything else like this out there? Do
you know what the organization is? Is it local at all? I like the idea, but
can’t remember enough to give out details. Sorry for being so
unclear. Patrick Johnopolos Springfield
This article appears in Mar 27 – Apr 2, 2008.
