I watched and read about Cubs player Pete Crow-Armstrong’s verbal exchange with a White Sox fan. Crow-Armstrong has been criticized for his choice of words, but the fan should be interviewed by the press as well.
And the White Sox should consider banning her from future games. Not necessarily forever. The Cubs were guests of the White Sox. That’s not how you treat your guests.
If Crow-Armstrong’s response seemed out of place, then we should know what provoked him.
The White Sox owe Crow-Armstrong an apology. The fan should get as much embarrassing attention as he has.
— Larry Craig, Wilmette
Crow-Armstrong no role model
I have been a loyal Chicago Cubs fan my whole life. Pete Crow-Armstrong has the talent to become a very good ballplayer, but he must control himself. He needs to stop all the drama and theatrics of throwing down his helmet and his bat and using vulgarity.
Young boys idolize baseball players, and he’s not showing them good sportsmanship. I read about his apology but feel the Sox fan he yelled at deserves a personal apology.
I don’t remember seeing from Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Ryne Sandberg and Anthony Rizzo act the way Crow-Armstrong acts.
— Barbara Demma, Orland Park
Gas tax holiday is costly
The state should not suspend the gas tax because the shorter-term savings for drivers are outweighed by the long-term harm to road maintenance, infrastructure and environmental goals.
News coverage of gas tax holidays has shown that result: Drivers gain only modest temporary relief, while states lose millions of dollars that would have funded critical road and bridge repairs.
In Federalist No. 21, Alexander Hamilton argues that a stable power to tax is essential for the government to fund necessary public goods and protect the general welfare. Suspending the gas tax weakens this reliable source of funding and leaves our infrastructure underfunded and our climate goes harder to reach.
A policy that delivers small, short-lived savings at the pump but undermines safe roads and long-term public needs is not worth the trade-off.
— Matteo Mele, Mundelein
Gas taxes aren’t enough
Gas taxes aren’t covering costs for roads, and drivers of electric vehicles use the roads but don’t pay gas taxes. Raise registration fees on EVs so these drivers pay their share. Maybe put more fees on gas to cover air pollution costs. Then cover road costs by taxing all vehicles based on gross vehicle weight per mileage fee, confirmed annually at emission testing facilities.
— Stephen T. White, Buffalo Grove
Ideas for energy generation
Regarding “Will County zoning panel again votes no on 6,100-acre solar farm” (May 14): Earthrise Energy should offer a deal to homeowners and businesses to put the solar farm on existing structures instead of arable farmland.
Also, data centers should offer surrounding homeowners solar installations to offset rising energy costs.
— Ray and Alena Gust, Deer Park
Let Indiana take the Bears
I am tired of Illinois taxpayers being forced to drop on bended knee and beg the McCaskeys to keep the Bears in Illinois while our property taxes continue to drive us out of our homes. The pending bill in Springfield would give any corporation in Illinois with a project of at least $100 million tax relief, for up to 40 years. As Jackson Potter points out in his May 14 op-ed (“Bears-related megaprojects bill is worse than Richard M. Daley’s parking meter deal”), this will make Richard M. Daley’s parking meter deal look sweet by comparison.
Let Indiana taxpayers fund the Bears.
— Gary Lilly, Berwyn
The McCaskeys’ expectation
I read again about the apparent success story of what will now be named McDonald’s Park (“McDonald’s gets naming rights to soccer stadium,” May 13). From where I sit, the Chicago Fire stadium was built the right way, i.e., primarily with private equity and corporate support. Contrast this with the the ongoing shenanigans of the McCaskey family over the next Bears stadium, where the family continues to play Illinois against Indiana for the biggest tax breaks and funding it can squeeze from the public.
It is particularly galling that the McCaskeys have yet to pay down their existing publicly supported debt related to the last Soldier Field renovation. Illinois is in the red; Chicago is in the red; taxpayers are increasingly in the red.
It’s high time that the McCaskeys take a page from the Fire’s playbook, live within their means and stop demanding more taxpayer money.
— Thomas Novicki, Chicago
Letter writer is incorrect
A pro-abortion rights letter writer rants against an anti-abortion rights letter writer (“Amateur philosophers’ views,” May 14), disagreeing with his position that life begins at conception. She claims that the Bible says that life begins at the first breath. That is not the case.
Theologians point out that Psalm 139 shows that God knows the person in the womb, the “unformed substance.” American society acknowledges the personhood of the baby in the uterus: Someone who murders a pregnant woman is charged with a double homicide in many states.
And contrary to the writer’s remarks, I know a number of people opposed to abortion who have been involved in helping unwed mothers and children with disabilities.
— Warren Anderson, Northbrook
Sleep apnea treatments
Regarding the op-ed “No need to suffer the consequences of poor sleep” (May 15): I am 71 and have been battling sleep apnea for 30 years, and that started after I lost 40 pounds. It’s not always about the weight. There are alternative treatments to the CPAP machine, which is 100% effective immediately, but not sexy for sure. I had my uvula trimmed, which lasted several years, then somnoplasty done, lasting several more years. Then 12 years ago, I began using a CPAP machine, which is definitely something that generates a love-hate relationship, but it’s effective. I sleep well, and I believe that it helps me keep my weight down.
I think it’s important to add that sleep apnea, atrial fibrillation and restless leg syndrome have been linked.
— Marty Zak, Glenview
Diagnosing sleep apnea
As an older thin woman who suffers from sleep apnea, I am compelled to share my experiences. First, I offer my deep sadness and disappointment that op-ed writer Ken Paller’s friend Emma Cooksey suffered needlessly from this condition and went undiagnosed for years.
Fortunately, my primary physician recognized the disorder and sent me directly to a sleep medicine doctor for a diagnosis. The sleep medicine doctor ordered a sleep study, which was conducted in a hospital. To diagnose sleep apnea, sensors attached to my body monitored my brain, heart, and nervous and respiratory systems. The evaluation gave my healthcare provider the information needed to make a diagnosis and determine which treatment method was appropriate. This test isn’t painful and usually only takes one night to complete.
The most beneficial treatment for me was an oral device. I found the CPAP method most uncomfortable. I discovered a dentist certified in the treatment of sleep apnea. He measured my mouth for the device, which I insert into my mouth at bedtime. I am grateful that this study was ordered; my mouth is now in a position that ensures the proper airflow.
I awaken peacefully and feel rested.
— Barbara Silvestri, Lombard
Basics of critical thinking
Regarding Jonathan Zimmerman’s op-ed “At college graduation, let everyone speak their minds” (May 14): When I was in college in the 1960s, we were taught critical thinking. This required an ability to respectfully listen to competing thoughts, ideas and opinions in order to properly understand them, and that inspired civil discourse.
It sounds like students at Rutgers and Georgetown universities — who wish to hear what they agree with — haven’t learned the basics of critical thinking.
This suggests that while these students may be well schooled, they aren’t very well educated.
— Scott W. Petersen, Wilmette
Note to readers
We’d like to hear from CTA riders about what frustrates you about the CTA as well as what you’re grateful for. (Sincere thoughts only.) Send a letter by Thursday, May 28 of no more than 400 words to letters@chicagotribune.com. Be sure to include your full name and city/town.
Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
