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.
Another stark reminder: The Highland Park mass shooting is just a reminder of the always present danger of 400 million guns in the hands of American citizens. But even scarier is the lack of determination by our elected officials to reclaim any of them with common sense legislation.
Call it by its name: I have a simple question. Why do we not celebrate Independence Day but instead call it the Fourth of July? What other holiday is identified by its calendar date? We are doing an extreme disservice to our forefathers and also to our democracy that has existed since 1776.
Use your imagination: Imagine how different the current state of America would be if Donald Trump was actually more interested in the welfare of our country and not the bottom line for the Trump organization. While you are using your imagination, think how it would be if the apathetic in our country formed an opinion and voted. If that happened, I imagine Trump would be remembered best for “The Apprentice” instead of the divisive nature of his character.
Trump still in control: Donald Trump has not been president for over a year and a half but his name is mentioned in Speak Out almost every day. It’s usually by people who dislike him. They repeat the mostly false talking points of the far-left Democrats. They are afraid he will run again and win.
Blame it on the devil: Hold on to your seat belt because what I am about to say may rock your boat. If you believe in the Bible, then you have heard or read when God sent Satan from heaven to Earth, he left him with all of his powers. We are having one crisis after another. COVID-19 took millions of lives throughout the world. Now we’re dealing with the war and Ukraine, leaving us with high prices of paying for groceries, gas and other needs. It leaves me with one thought, the devil is among us and we may have looked him in the eyes.
Don’t look back: Don’t you love religious conservatives who decry the woke culture? I mean, think about it. The very definition means an awakening, which means you now realize something you didn’t know before, such as history. If I were a religious conservative, I wouldn’t look back kindly on history either. It doesn’t bode well for them. It’s no wonder they want to deny its very existence or at the very least try to change it.
