Speak Out is a reader-generated column of opinions. If you there’s something you’d like to comment on in Elgin or beyond, send an email to ksorensen@tribpub.com. Please include “speak out” in the subject line.
Reality vs. fantasy: The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences felt compelled to issue a statement following a heated confrontation between two of its members Sunday night at the Oscars show. They didn’t mince words in categorically denouncing any act of violence. How ironic when you consider they just paid tribute to “The Godfather” on its 50th anniversary.
Tasteless Oscars: After watching another Academy Awards show, it’s clear just what a bunch of hypocrites people in Hollywood are. Regina Hall did a tasteless bit calling a bunch of handsome actors on stage to personally test them for COVID-19. The whole thing was a bunch of sexual jokes, and then she proceeded to frisk them. You could see the people in the audience were uncomfortable. I’m wondering what the attitude would have been about this high school behavior if it had been a guy making sexual jokes toward women and frisking them?
Here’s a question: The Supreme Court rejected Donald Trump’s attempt to block Congress from getting White House records related to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. There was just one dissenter: Clarence Thomas. Were his wife’s actions and beliefs an influence or was it even an unbiased opinion?
Here’s another: I wonder how many Republicans who are rightfully condemning Russia for their senseless and horrific war on Ukraine were making jokes and cheering Russia on when they attacked our democracy and elections here in the United States. Shame on you.
Empty gesture: Mayor Lightfoot aims to waive the gas tax to Dec. 31 to ease the pain at the pump. We’re talking three cents. If you have a 30-gallon tank, that 90 cents. It’s ridiculous. She’s trying to make herself look good.
Improbable but true? In the words of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, as spoken by his great fictional character, master detective Sherlock Holmes, when you have eliminated the possible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth. Unfortunately today we are living in an age in which the improbable has become reality. The Republican Party is the Putin party, complicit in an attempted coup d’etat to overthrow the constitutional government of the United States.
