It is beyond comprehension that in this day of artificial intelligence, we seemingly do not have any real intelligence or common sense when it comes to our elected leaders. How can we be in such a position in which our president is sending the National Guard into cities and states where our Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are carrying out the laws of our country, states are suing the federal government to prevent intervention, and both political parties are taking positions of resistance in order to posture for the midterm elections, which is causing great harm to millions of citizens and federal employees?
How much of this can, should, we take?
When Trump focused on the crime in Chicago, why did he not request a sit-down meeting with Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson to discuss what needs to be done? When Trump decided to move ahead with his intention to send in the National Guard, as he did in Washington, why didn’t Pritzker and Johnson get on a plane, fly to Washington and meet face to face with Trump and his team to discuss/debate the issues and resolutions?
What we the people get in return is news conferences and rhetoric from both sides projecting that their way is the only way! While we listen, nothing constructive is being done.
We have a shutdown and a stalemate with our government and political parties. They have used the situation for political gain, believing their position will secure the understanding and support of voters in the upcoming midterm elections. It is completely unbelievable and unacceptable that the ineffectiveness of our elected representatives and senators can force a shutdown of our government. Shouldn’t there be laws passed that, when an impasse becomes unavoidable and without resolution, the current resolution automatically remains in place, avoiding a shutdown and preventing either political party from using the functioning of the government as a political pawn?
— Dave Roberts, Frankfort
Myth versus reality
Currently, what’s really going on is a war between myth and reality. The myth firmly held by many is that America has been ruined by millions of immigrants flooding this country illegally and we will only regain greatness by throwing them all out.
The reality is that 125 of U.S. billionaires, led by Elon Musk (Tesla and SpaceX), Sergey Brin (Alphabet) and Jensen Huang (Nvidia), and many more millionaires are immigrants. Millions of Americans have decent-paying jobs, and America has a higher standard of living because of them.
A second myth believed in conjunction with the first is that America is in decline. In reality, the stock market is higher than it has ever been, and investment in America is higher than it has ever been.
— Len Robertson, St. Charles
Law is not being followed
In response to the reader who admonishes us to “change the law” (“Change law if it’s unjust,” Oct. 9) instead of refuting the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers during Operation Midway Blitz, may I remind him that just last year, a bipartisan group of federal lawmakers had written legislation to improve immigration practices in the United States? But then-candidate Donald Trump threatened Republicans unless they quashed it, choosing instead to make immigration a campaign issue.
The reader further “respectfully” suggests that we “stop trying to oppose legitimate enforcement of a federal law.” Has he not heard the numerous reports of people arrested by federal agents while reporting to court as part of their lawful immigration proceedings? And what about those who went through the legal process of obtaining Temporary Protected Status only to have such status eliminated by executive order? They were trying to comply with the law. And let’s not overlook the Rev. David Black of the First Presbyterian Church of Chicago who was hit in the head with a pepper ball while praying for peace. Is that “legitimate enforcement”?
I applaud those who have the courage to stand up peacefully for the rights of all residents in the face of ICE agents who are clearly not following the law and who are working under the direction of an administration that is pushing the limits of law in every conceivable way.
— Barbra Butler, Downers Grove
Historical comparisons
Concerning the letter by Ronald W. Cobb Jr. on Oct. 8 (“Confederate-like stance”): Apparently, no one in this town can form a coherent comparison.
Mayor Brandon Johnson wasn’t correct (yet) when he said this was like the Civil War. The Union didn’t send National Guard members to Atlanta and Vicksburg; they sent the actual Army because it was an actual war. (That said, Johnson may very well be proved correct in time, as there were apparently discussions about sending the 82nd Airborne into the Democrat-led city of Portland, Oregon.)
But neither is Cobb nor his compatriots correct. Comparing what Johnson is doing today to the Confederate position is like saying the sun is very much like a pebble because both are round — there are definitely some surface-level similarities that, if you’re not thinking critically, make these things like one another.
However, the fact that Cobb doesn’t mention what, in particular, is at issue for both of these federal interventions is rather telling, no?
On the one hand (if you want to compare apples to apples), you have federal forces arriving, for instance, in Louisiana in 1960 to make sure that Ruby Bridges was able to get a fair education.
On the other, you have the feds arriving today in Chicago to protect a masked, identification-less paramilitary force racially profiling people and throwing them into unmarked vans to be sent to other countries like Uganda.
Do these instances share federal intervention that the local population dislikes? They sure do.
Do the specifics of both instances make President Donald Trump like President Abraham Lincoln? Do they make Johnson like 1960s Louisiana Gov. Jimmie Davis?
I think motivations matter immensely in comparisons, particularly historical ones — otherwise, to pick just a few examples, the United States’ participation in World War II (spurred by being attacked by a foreign enemy) is no different at all to the Russian invasion of Ukraine or the Mongol conquests. After all, war is war, right? Who cares who started it or who’s justified?
The false equivalencies peddled on the very pages of our hometown newspapers aren’t to my liking, and I would encourage people to approach historical comparisons with nuance and tact.
— James Rackouskas, Chicago
Point of seeking peace
Regarding the Nobel Peace Prize: What our president will never understand is that actions that help others, rescue people and right wrongs, actions done out of conviction, out of belief in righteousness of a cause, are done outside of ego. The actions are done out of a greater cause than oneself, with no desire or promise of fame, adulation or prizes.
The satisfaction of grateful victims, of seeing a goal fulfilled, is the reward. Nothing more.
Ask people like Nelson Mandela, the Irish mothers, the unsung heroes. They understand.
— Joanne Hoffman, Highland Park
Peace plan for the US
Congratulations to President Donald Trump. By all accounts, it looks like his 20-point peace plan for Gaza and the Middle East is working. Because Americans are at war with each other, I urge him to start developing a 20-point peace plan for Chicago, Portland and other cities. Our beloved nation needs healing.
Please, sir, make peace here at home your next priority.
— Denny Freidenrich, Laguna Beach, California
Reminiscent of fiction
Wait — our government is sending troops with big guns to protect other forces with even bigger guns? Somewhere, George Orwell is saying, “I told you so.” His book was just 41 years off the mark.
— Ed White, Grayslake
Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
