In the spring of 1977, my parents and my 13-year-old brother, Karl, made a much anticipated trip to Washington. Enthusiastic but unsophisticated travelers, they spent a lot of time wandering around the Capitol, no doubt on occasion looking a bit lost. After encountering U.S. Sen. Bob Dole several times, he laughingly said, “We’ve got to stop meeting like this,” and proceeded to take them under his wing.
Dole shepherded my family for several hours, giving them a VIP experience, which included sitting in on a committee meeting and being introduced to my parents’ idol, Hubert Humphrey. They were not the senator’s constituents, and as their strong accents conveyed in their conversation, my parents were Norwegian immigrants who were unable to vote, as well as die-hard Democrats!
My brother’s interest in politics and public affairs intensified and grew. As an adult, he was a regular and much respected contributor, known as “wordslinger,” to the Illinois political blog Capitol Fax, where he once recounted his memorable trip to Washington and encounter with Dole. Tragically, Karl died two years ago from injuries he suffered when he was hit by a car on his nightly walk home from the train station. As a tribute, Capitol Fax republished Karl’s account — it can be found at capitolfax.com/2019/07/02/one-of-wordslingers-best-stories. When this was brought to Dole’s attention, he took the time to find out Karl’s name and his address, and he sent a personal note of condolence to Karl’s wife, Sue, and their children.
With the death of Sen. Dole, America has lost a brave patriot, a dedicated public servant, and a kind and decent man. His life holds many lessons from which we can all learn. Thank you, sir.
— Louise Nelson, Barrington Hills
Optimism for the future
Over the last several years, I have become more and more saddened by the state of things in America. At nearly every turn, things seem bleak: gun violence in our cities and even in the halls of Congress, undiluted extremism and lack of common decency from too many of our politicians and self-serving refusal from our fellow citizens to attempt to understand each other and work toward the common good.
But the recent op-ed by Rabbi Seth Lemmer (“The real miracle of Hanukkah is finding light in darkness,” Dec. 1) in the Tribune brightened my day and left me with a sense of hope. When he points to the lighting of commemorative candles during Hanukkah and how this simple act leads him to believe that “in time, light will come to dispel the darkness,” I join with him in his sense of optimism for us and future generations.
— David Kravitz, Chicago
Retiring lawmaker doing it right
I would like to congratulate Illinois House Majority Leader Greg Harris on his upcoming retirement, and commend him for opening doors for the next generation of elected leaders.
Everyone was quick to list and laud his multiple historic wins — rightly so — but I don’t think he got enough credit for the way he is bucking the trend of so many local politicians who promptly retire midway through their term and have their hand-picked lackey appointed as replacement.
Harris could have followed his elected North Side neighbors and gone that route, but he chose not to. A true leader.
Now, come election time, multiple residents will throw their hats in the ring and enter an open race — fair and square and all on the same level. What a concept!
Let’s hope his move inspires other longtime elected officials to retire satisfactorily and open doors for a new generation of leaders to emerge.
— Aron Cosgrove, Chicago
Having your own ‘truth’
Regarding the editorial “What is the future for Twitter? Hopefully, some humility and fresh competition” (Dec. 2), if Twitter is the closest thing we have to a global consciousness, then like the character Sam Lowry in Terry Gilliam’s “Brazil,” we had best lapse into a coma to avoid catastrophe.
Conversely, if Donald Trump or anyone else is allowed and encouraged to have “his (or her) truth,” then truth itself is extinct, and with it the very possibility of rational discourse — let alone, impartial journalism.
That is not an opinion — it is a prerequisite for solving every problem.
— Dennis Rohatyn, San Diego
GPS tracking in crimes
Considering the increasing number of crash-and-grab crimes happening, I suggest that manufacturers of high-end products insert GPS chips into their products. This will help the police locate stolen items and the thieves.
— Ned R. Turner, Chicago
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