$5 police fee raises questions
Ald. George Cardenas may have hit on a good idea that would help the vastly undermanned Chicago Police Department hire more officers. No question the department is dangerously short of manpower, and the alderman’s idea of a modest $5-a-month fee per every Chicago household is …
True jihad is a struggle with our inner anger
The real struggle is internal Life is difficult being an American Muslim, but having to deal with the fear of losing my life is even worse — and Abel Daoud allegedly almost made this fear become reality when his attempt to plot a bomb across …
‘Disability king’ should thank taxpayers
As I look at the picture of New Lenox Mayor Timothy Baldermann relaxing in his lawn chair [“The disability king,” Sept. 18] I can’t help but think of my father, a Korean War veteran, who worked in the private sector his whole life. Over the …
Law won’t stop straw buyers
Let’s assume I’m a straw buyer of guns. Assuming there are no limits, I can buy a dozen guns and distribute them to my friends on the condition that they will let me know if they use one [“Stop ‘straw buyers’ of guns,” editorial, Sept. …
A more ethical way to reduce the deer population
A more ethical way to reduce the deer population It was dreadful to read an article Friday regarding innocent and harmless deer destined to be killed and traumatized by bow hunting in Kane County’s forest preserves [“Bow hunting of preserve deer OK’d”]. A humane alternative …
Bears fan is fading
I just bought my husband,a lifelong Bears fan, a Chicago Bears plush robe for his anniversary gift, and guess what? After Thursday night’s game, he said I should return it. Joyce Truby, Woodridge A valuable life lesson from fifth-grade CPS teacher I will always remember …
More are aiming guns at cops
More are aiming guns at cops Let me clear something up [“Spike in shootings by cops,” Wednesday]. The spike is in offenders, mostly gang-bangers pointing guns at police officers. That’s your explanation in the rise of police shootings! Police officers are given the right to …
What I did as a CPS teacher
I worked for eight years with the Chicago Public Schools, and while I am beginning my first year of teaching with a district outside of Illinois, I thought it important to point out some of the reasons why these teachers are on strike, and why …
Mitt should butt out of CPS, CTU issue
I don’t live in Chicago, but I’ve followed the Chicago Teachers Union strike issue and realize that it is complex, with right on both sides, and that only the two parties can come to an equitable agreement. In other words, I’m as confused as most …
Why teachers struck
Mayor Emanuel doesn’t get it. The school board doesn’t get it. And, apparently, the Chicago Sun-Times doesn’t get it. The teachers did not go on strike because of their own economic condition. They went on strike to force our political leaders to provide a quality …
Jesse Jr. must be ready to work
Jesse Jr. must be ready to work I pray that U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. is doing better now and I am glad he got the medical help he needed. Is this fair to the people who voted him in thinking he would serve them, …
Tired of empty promises from pols
We have heard what the Republicans offered us: new promises. And the Democrats offered us: more promises. But look at what’s happening around us — nothing. Unemployment everywhere; families are suffering; new graduates don’t know where to go. America has gotten numb to all these …
Merit pay is right idea
Merit pay is right idea Shame on the Chicago Teachers Union for resisting merit pay. Why would anyone who is truly trying to excel be opposed to the expectation that they perform the job for which they have been hired? It is this particular issue …
At some point, everyone needs help
Michelle Obama provided a summary in her speech at the Democratic convention that her husband’s administration wants everyone to be successful. Providing affordable health care to everyone is imperative. Providing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program for hungry families so they can think and look for …
Give youths a chance to learn, serve
The South Side of Chicago, and the South Shore in particular, is where I grew up, and it grieves me to read of the violence that fine old neighborhood is enduring. The death and wounding of so many young people is a grievous loss. Drastic …