Rick Kogan’s column about comic strips is interesting (“Are comic strips still a part of your daily life?” Aug. 13). I have been a Tribune reader since about 1950 and a subscriber since 1960. Throughout those decades, the comics have been the one section I always read. Other newspapers have a much smaller list of cartoons, often with smaller type that requires a magnifier.
Comics creators have changed over the decades. Some were very good, some were mediocre and a few were boring. Chester Gould produced “Dick Tracy,” which my parents always read, but over the decades, a variety of authors has failed to carry out the format of “Tracy” stories. The subject matter is dragged out to the point in which following the issue or issues is often impossible, and some of the topics make a poor story. “Tracy” is a fitting example of this problem.
I suggest that the Tribune invite its subscribers to express what is funny and what is not. Or what is readable and what is virtually never enjoyable.
The Tribune specifically should ask whether it is time to retire “Dick Tracy.” With the comic strip section being a longtime success and an important part of the Tribune, readers should have the opportunity to express their opinions.
— Robert Tingler, Palatine
Finding, producing lost recipes
Into the 1960s, there was a little white tile building on Garfield Boulevard in Chicago called Elliott’s Kitchen. It served complimentary powdered-sugar doughnut holes and the world’s most delicious barbecue beef. Into the 1980s, on Tuesdays, Old Prague in Cicero served goulash soup — exquisitely delicious!
These great places are long out of business, but do the magical recipes survive? Someone could make a fortune producing these culinary masterpieces.
There’s at least a newspaper column or possibly a TV show for lost recipes.
— Richard F. Nolan, Park Ridge
Horrible experience at O’Hare
Welcome to Chicago! Or not. Apologies to all international travelers who arrived at O’Hare International Airport on a recent Tuesday afternoon. It took two ridiculous hours to get through the customs lines and pick up luggage. Bleary-eyed passengers were being yelled at and given either no information or contradictory information from rude employees about which line they were supposed to get in and how to proceed. Lines moved beyond slowly.
While there were many empty baggage carousels, Carousel No. 4 was stacked with baggage piling up from four large international flights arriving about the same time. (Praise to the hardworking baggage attendants who were forced to climb on the belt to relieve continuous baggage jams and, at one point, pull suitcases from an entire flight off the carousel because passengers were held up in customs. They gave us our only helpful information.)
It was a horrible introduction to Chicago and absolutely inexcusable. No kind of management anywhere in sight; just chaos.
Who’s minding the store?
— Susan Phillips, Naperville
CTA president is awfully blasé
CTA President Dorval Carter Jr.’s apparently blasé attitude toward the transportation challenges our city is facing strongly reminds me of MAD magazine spokesman Alfred E. Neuman and his dimwitted grin. His motto, “What, me worry?” certainly fits this situation.
— Mark Woodward, Chicago
Explanation for Sox’s season
As a longtime White Sox season ticket holder, I don’t think the front office has a clue what its job actually is: Win baseball games.
I say this because the front office talks about the players’ effort, attitude and character but doesn’t mention their talent. If winning games is about effort, attitude and character, then sign me — and millions of others — up to play. We, too, will try really hard.
But this isn’t Little League with participation trophies. This is the major leagues. Instead of making excuses or trying to stress the positive, maybe the front office should look in the mirror and own that it sucks at evaluating talent and developing the talent it has (as players regress with the Sox). Own it.
— William Choslovsky, Chicago
‘Chariots of Fire’ offers insight
Regarding the recently completed Summer Olympics in Paris, the opening ceremonies wowed me, the athletes’ backstories engaged me and the sporting events drew all my attention and enthusiasm. And, of course, NBC’s hiring of Snoop Dogg was inspired.
I did take a break from the action to watch the 1981 film “Chariots of Fire,” about Britons Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell who ran in the 1924 Olympics. Watching it was apt because it dramatizes a previous time the Olympics were held in Paris.
Abrahams won a gold medal in the 100 meters with a time of 10.6 seconds. This year, American Noah Lyles won gold with a time of 9.79 seconds.
Liddell won gold in the 400 meters with a time of 47.6 seconds. In 2024, American Quincy Hall won gold with a time of 43.4 seconds.
After 100 years of sports medicine, specialized training, and technology, the time difference between Abrahams and Lyles is 0.81, and the time difference for Liddell and Hall is 4.2 seconds. It shows small but crucial progress.
At one point in the film, Abrahams, played by Ben Cross, says, “I believe in the pursuit of excellence, and I’ll carry the future with me.” That, I believe, sums up the spirit and the goal of the Olympics.
— Jim Bauman, Crystal Lake
‘Woke,’ ‘weird’ or ‘moderate’?
“Woke” is frequently used in social media. It is a slang term from African American vernacular English. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “woke” as “aware of and actively attentive to important societal facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice).” The term gained widespread use with the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. “Woke” is a word for social awareness.
MAGA Republicans use it for anyone who is or appears to be liberal or progressive, i.e., politically leaning to the left.
MAGA supporters have been labeled as “weird,” the equivalent of being weak. They do not respect the Constitution, believe in rule of law or recognize the will of the people. This “weird” label upsets conservative politicians and their pundits because they think it is childish and mean. Really? Seems to me that it is describing Donald Trump.
I do not support any political affiliation. So I must be a “true” moderate or a disengaged moderate or possibly a weird moderate. Like moderates in California, I would like fair taxes, responsible budgets, vital services provided efficiently and effectively, encouragement of economic growth and the absence of religion in government.
So are you “woke,” “weird” or a “moderate”?
Maybe we should all read the book by former U.S. Rep. Mickey Edwards, “The Parties Versus the People: How to Turn Republicans and Democrats Into Americans.”
Can we find the political middle to save America?
— John Rottman, Marion, Illinois
Who is the right candidate?
An organization has been looking for a new leader. Recruiters are looking for wise leadership. I am being considered. I have insufficient knowledge in some critical areas. However, I have certain skills and the know-how to get things done. For these challenging times, I have the right experience.
Shortly, a new leader will be called upon to think and make important decisions about complex issues involving economics, finance, science, international relations and law. Decisions would affect constituents of diverse businesses and social interests. The candidate chosen needs to get it right and does not have the luxury of time to be trained. Many within the organization, and many beyond, will be watching and hoping for success.
Should I get the job?
— Russell Harwood, Naperville
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