We members of Muslims for Human Rights express our deepest solidarity with the Jewish community and families who have recently suffered at the hands of extremists in Australia. This act of violence has inflicted profound pain and anguish on innocent lives, and we stand with them in their time of grief.
We are happy to see that a Muslim saved many lives there by risking his own. As Muslims, we are happy to see heroes like Ahmed al Ahmed, but disheartened that the actions of two extremists are being used to tarnish the reputation of our community.
The overwhelming majority of the more than 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide condemn such violence unequivocally. These extremists bring nothing but hate, chaos and division, while the values of Islam — peace, compassion and justice — are diametrically opposed to the ideology of terror. The surviving perpetrator should be given an exemplary punishment to send a lesson to other like-minded fundamentalists.
It is crucial that we all foster an environment of inclusivity, respect and mutual understanding, instead of sowing seeds of fear and division. Political leaders have a moral responsibility to ensure that all people are treated with dignity and equality.
We call on the readers of the Tribune and all people of good conscience to support the fundamental human rights of all individuals, irrespective of their background, and stand against any kind of violence anywhere. Let us come together and pray for justice, compassion and peace in our communities.
Together, we can build a hate-free world where everyone can live in safety and with respect and dignity.
— Sami Uddin, Bolingbrook
Involved bystanders
In the understandably exasperating coverage contained in the editorial “Bondi Beach. Brown U. The Reiners. A weekend of hellish violence.” (Dec. 16), the Tribune Editorial Board leaves out one ray of striking and heavenly light among all those dark tragedies. That was the response of the Muslim hero who became an involved bystander by tackling and disarming one of the perpetrators. He represents the best of humanity and crosses our conflictual interfaith boundaries. He should become a model for all of us in how to be involved bystanders by addressing day-to-day incidents of stereotyping and discrimination, though of course that has to be done with some care for the risk involved.
As a psychiatrist knowing well the vulnerabilities of our human nature, I also know how we are capable of overcoming them.
— H. Steven Moffic, Milwaukee
Post about Rob Reiner
During my 86 years in America, I was always proud of our presidents who expressed in a timely way human feelings and sympathy for crime victims and their families. I am mortified that we have a president who found time to lash out at the deceased Rob Reiner just because Reiner had a different political viewpoint. Think of the additional sorrow and grief this president’s crude, callous and cold words must have caused Reiner’s family and friends during a time of mourning him and his wife. Donald Trump should be ashamed to be such a hard-hearted and unfeeling human being.
— Richard J. Aronson, Highland Park
Trump’s personal attack
I am appalled that the Tribune printed the article titled “Trump claims Reiner’s opposition tied to death” (in print Dec. 16). To give any voice to President Donald Trump’s disrespectful, absurd and inflammatory rhetoric is irresponsible journalism.
This is not news. It is a petty, personal, malicious tirade from someone who has no compassion or respect for anyone other than himself.
Don’t give credence to his personal attacks. The Tribune should be better than that. Print responsible news, not vindictive, personal attacks.
— T. Widder, St. Charles
Low approval ratings
According to news reports, President Donald Trump’s approval ratings continue to drop. This is no surprise. While I agree with most of Trump’s actions, his messaging is awful.
In sports and business, there is a saying that actions count more than words. However, in politics, the opposite seems to be true. For instance, while I didn’t agree with many of President Barack Obama’s decisions, his messaging was very good, and thus he was reasonably popular. So, if Trump wants to see his approval ratings increase, he needs to be more humble and stop bragging about how good his decisions are.
Unfortunately, given his aggressive personality and ego, I doubt this will happen, and therefore his approval ratings will continue to drop and will probably hurt Republican candidates in the 2026 elections.
— Dan Schuchardt, Wheaton
ICE versus Scrooge
Every year, I reread “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens. This year, it strikes me that Ebenezer Scrooge wasn’t nearly as bad as today’s players. Not even close.
On Tuesday, government immigration officials abducted an older man, described as hardworking, humble, and fragile, while he was selling tamales. Where are they taking him? Will he be OK? I can’t imagine his family’s terror.
Yeah, Scrooge underpaid Bob Cratchit (although converted to today’s money, Bob made more than our minimum wage), didn’t donate to help people in need and was generally unpleasant, probably not someone you’d want at your holiday party. But none of his crimes equal what Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol are doing to people in our city.
And please don’t talk about anyone being “illegal” or not following immigration rules — not when ICE has abducted people showing up for mandated immigration hearings.
Unless you’re Native American. Only then, in my book, do you have any right to talk about “illegal” immigration.
— Diane O’Neill, Chicago
Will America recover?
The Wednesday front-page photo of Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino parading around Chicago streets with an assault rifle in hand and finger ready at the trigger is absolutely disgusting. What real commander in war walks around with a machine gun? Who does Bovino think he is going to use that gun against and for what?
This is nothing but a picture of a man pathologically playing soldier for a media appearance, done precisely to put himself on the front page, but in reality, it recalls nothing more than the storm troopers of the 1930s on the streets of Germany. This is not coincidental.
I worry for my grandchildren who have grown up under 10 years of dominance by a monomaniacal leader and for members of their generation, who may not easily realize that this is not normal and not what this country stands for (or used to).
Will the country ever recover from the malice that Bovino represents?
— Frank Stachyra, Oak Park
Recall WWII generals
I was struck by the picture on the front page of Wednesday’s Tribune of U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino with an assault rifle strapped to his chest and surrounded by masked agents. I guess he thinks that this makes him look strong and macho. What it really does is make him look pathetic.
I don’t remember ever seeing a photo of Generals Dwight Eisenhower, Douglas MacArthur and George S. Patton with an assault rifle strapped to their chests when they went into battle in World War II.
— John Matton, Indian Head Park
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