A good example
I read that great piece on Congressman Bobby Rush [“Who Is Bobby Rush?”] in your Nov. 16 issue with great interest. Mr. Rush did a number of things in his early life of which I am sure he is not proud. But the fact remains that he did a number of things over the past 30 or 35 years to turn his life around and to become a useful citizen. I feel sorry for the fact that he lost his 29-year-old son to violence. Mr. Rush is correct in saying that government alone can’t solve the problem of crime. He is also correct in saying that there is a spiritual void and brokenness that has to be dealt with. I just hope that Mr. Rush continues to be a good example for those in the district that he serves.
Edward Stein / Chicago
A road less traveled
“Who is Bobby Rush?” could certainly have been titled “Road to Perdition.” I fail to envision anybody else (even Tom Hanks) having the luck or moxie, as has Mr. Rush, to render all his transgressions into a successful career as a lawmaker.
G.R. Watkins / Indian Head Park
Ubiquitous Starbucks
Regarding the Starbucks item [“In the Loop,” Nov. 16], I have been at a Starbucks in Vancouver, British Columbia, that definitely has another Starbucks closer than 225 steps. These two are kitty-corner from one another, and what makes the situation more unusual is that these are two of the biggest Starbucks I have ever seen. Therefore, I will look forward to seeing some Starbucks at my house shortly.
Joel Wineberg / Wilmette
Keep ’em awake!
Wow, I never realized. Looking at the Starbucks Web site, there are 55 stores within two miles of Northwestern Memorial, where I work. I’m sure if I searched with a ZIP code that centered two miles from the lake, the number of stores would triple.
Tim DeVore / Chicago
Making life easier
I read that follow-up letter about naming streets alphabetically [“Orderly Streets,” Nov. 16]. A number of years ago, cartoonist Bob Thaves, creator of a comic titled “Frank and Ernest,” tackled that problem in a great way. The streets were placed in alphabetical order to simplify things:
Fifth Street, First Street, Fourth Street.
Second Street, Sixth Street, Third Street.
Sounds logical to me!
Incidentally, years ago I was driving in the Springfield area when I stopped in a small town. Can’t remember if it was Buffalo or Mechanicsburg. Anyway, the main street was known as Main Street. A street with a church on it was named Church Street. Crossing Main Street was a series of streets, known as “First Cross Street,” “Second Cross Street,” “Third Cross Street” and so on.
Hope this brightens your day.
Andrew C. Koval / Chicago
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