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Your editorial on Chicago Police Department fixed posts is right on point (“Some smart ideas for State Street, that great street, but how about getting cops out of their cars? Dec. 8). On Mexican Independence Day last year, a senior CPD officer directed that all officers on fixed posts be outside their vehicles. From my perspective as a retired police captain (different century, different state), I wondered at the time why they should not always be outside their vehicles — weather permitting — so that they can assist and interact with tourists and Chicagoans.
A visible officer is far more of a police presence to me than a squad car sitting there. New York City police officers on fixed posts, for example, are mostly outside their cars. I know we are not NYC and CPD doubtless has their reasons: I am interested in their strategy and the results from the fixed posts.
— Elliott Fredland, Chicago
Wyoming governor
On 60 Minutes, Wyoming Republican Gov. Mark Gordon explained his approach to climate change — with a goal of making the statecarbon neutral, and eventually, carbon-negative. His approach was realistic and reasonable and in concert with the moderate experts on climate change. He also came across as one who listens to both his constituency and environmental experts, on this and other issues. What a refreshing presence in the Republican Party.
If the GOP nominates our former president not only will they lose the presidential election, but will devastate down-ballot candidates who will suffer from the lack of integrity and disproved claims of the former president, just because they are on the same ballot.
Convince Mark Gordon to consider running for President in 2024, and the GOP will be a powerful force to contend with. Nominate Trump , and only the far right will support him and GOP may dissolve.
— Robert B. Hamilton, Wauconda
Ill-informed public
Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, as well as others, have espoused the view that the Jan. 6 insurrection was a conspiracy, an “inside job.” Apparently, they believe the convicted Oath Keepers and Proud Boys were insiders. It seems to me that the country was better off, and the public was better informed, when there were only three commercial stations and one public broadcasting station and everyone was receiving the same news, rather than today’s plethora of one-sided, partisan media outlets.
— Ava Holly Berland, Chicago
‘Mutts’ cartoon
The “Mutts” cartoon which has recently centered on the liberation of Guard Dog and his happy placement with his Angel in a loving home has brought such joy to my heart during a time that has been rife with controversy and bad news. Perfect timing Patrick McDonnell to break Guard Dog’s chain and put him in the arms of a loving child! I do not recall ever eagerly looking forward to the next column in a comic strip, but his series regarding Guard Dog did the trick. I hope that we see more of Guard Dog in his happy place. I also hope McDonnell’s cartoon might encourage us all to remember the plight of so many dogs who are living in dangerous and cruel circumstances, and to take whatever action we can, however small or large that might be, to help alleviate their suffering.
— Clare Connor, Chicago
DEI training
Articles in the Tribune on Dec. 11 seemed to have a theme to them — “training” as a solution to our grandest challenges. From Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault advocating for mandated sexual violence training for judges (“Advocates: Sex crime training for judges”) to an op-ed written by DePaul professor Craig Klugman (“Colleges must require training that fights antisemitism”) pushing for university DEI trainings to include lessons on antisemitism, there seems to exist an obsession with the idea of training as a way to drive out horror and hate. I’d ask the aforementioned organization and author: Is more training the best solution you’ve got?
As Klugman noted, DEI trainings on subjects like implicit bias are already offered (and almost always required) at two-thirds of American universities. Klugman’s suggestion was then that we use the existing DEI apparatus to teach students and faculty about antisemitism. As a recent college graduate myself, I can attest to the fallacy of this idea. DEI trainings are often long, boring Zoom sessions taught by overpaid academics where students learn zilch (assuming they’re even paying attention). And as evidenced by the fact that the Department of Education is actively investigating universities with rather robust DEI departments for possible violations of the Civil Rights Act, it’s clear mandated DEI trainings haven’t gotten their point across to the countless college students infatuated with hate in recent weeks.
So while I commend Klugman and the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault for having the right, noble intentions, perhaps we can’t out-train hate and violence. We must develop more effective solutions.
— Max Rosen, Glencoe
Fentanyl epidemic
The Sackler’s should be punished for the misery and deaths they have caused. Financial penalties, no matter how high, don’t seem to be enough. They should be charged with providing care to recovering addicts in the worst of places for the next 10 years.
Another provider of addictive drugs is the American government. Earlier this year, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced that America is under a fentanyl epidemic. The open Southern border is the gateway for the cartels to bring fentanyl to the streets of America. Deaths occur on a daily basis.
And nobody cares!
— Joseph A Murzanski, Orland Park
Chronic pain
The constant and unfair blame of the company or companies that make regulated narcotics for persons with post surgical and chronic pain have all forgotten why these drugs exist.
In part, they exist for people like me who have had 13 orthopedic surgeries and over five pounds of metal rods and screws in me.
I have taken narcotics for years, don’t abuse them, and they allow me to get up from my bed and live a somewhat normal life. Why am and I people like me punished for the use of opioids? Because people like to get high on them? Because the cartels squeeze powerful street drugs into the country?
Chicago Tribune Opinion
The opioids for prescription use are miracle drugs for people with chronic pain from injuries or illness. The lawsuits are just a government backed hustle to suck money from the makers because people, of their own free will, choose to abuse the medication.
Alcohol is far worse and is an epidemic of the ages. And it’s available in every corner in the world. Smart people know this is another scam, like the cigarette lawsuits.
— Michael Chesler, Chillicothe, Ohio
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