Regarding U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley’s op-ed “We have a historic opportunity in Gaza. Let’s not squander it.” (Feb. 11): Truly, blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Most of us hoped for a lasting peace with a two-state solution. Clearly, it is naive to think that we are anywhere near that today.
So long as “River to the Sea” is Hamas’ goal, how is a stable two-state neighborly existence possible? It’s like a hockey fight in which the two guys hate each other, but even though one guy is clearly winning, the other guy still won’t quit and is just going to try to fight again if referees stop the fight, so the referees let the fight go on a little longer until the loser accepts reality.
We are all sickened by seeing Palestinians being pummeled and wish we could stop the fight, but we need a little more help from them. Hamas has to show willingness to stop fighting and trying to retake all of old Palestine.
So tragically, there will be more killing and more destruction in Gaza. Hamas is like the Black Knight in the film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” It is badly losing existential battles, yet still claims, “’Tis but a scratch!” When Palestinians are finally ready, and it is safe for us to help them rebuild, then we can all move forward and consider a new state for them.
Ultimately, maybe the answer becomes three states — South Palestine, West Palestine and Israel. Will Hamas still be keeping Gazans in the penalty box while the West Bank finally gets its own state?
— Gordon Jennings, Lake Forest
The ‘value’ of Gaza
Anyone who saw the president’s statement on rebuilding Gaza heard him start to say the word “valuable” before he said magnificent. This is all this administration cares about.
— Gloria Lazarz, Chicago
Forced removal immoral
President Donald Trump’s proposal for forcibly ejecting and relocating all Palestinians in Gaza and transforming Gaza into “the Riviera of the Middle East” is simply immoral. The compulsory removal of all Gazans — including thousands of terrorists — is not only contrary to international law, but it is also forbidden by Judaism.
Even though the Hamas charter directly calls for the murder of all Jews, all people must speak out against the immoral proposal to force an entire population into exile. If any group in history knows the pain of enforced removal, it is the Jews. We have an obligation to defend ourselves against those who would destroy us, but we must seek solutions in line with our humane Jewish values.
— Lynn Friedman, Glencoe
Not rooting for mayor
I just finished reading the editorial on Mayor Brandon Johnson’s scheduled trip to testify before Congress (“What should happen when Mr. Johnson goes to Washington,” Feb. 9). I’m a 65-year-old lifelong Chicagoan who loves my city and wants only the best for it.
That’s why I completely disagree with the editorial. I hope the mayor falls flat on his face and makes a fool of himself.
Will it put Chicago in a bad light? Unfortunately, yes, but for the past five-plus years, the city has suffered from poor leadership. (To be fair, you could include part of Rahm Emanuel’s second term as well.)
This city is badly in need of a change, and the sooner we rid ourselves of the current incompetence that permeates the fifth floor of City Hall, the better, even it means embarrassing our city as a whole on a temporary basis.
— Tony LaMantia, Chicago
Who really should go
Mayor Brandon Johnson: “If you ain’t with us, you just gotta go.”
Citizens of Chicago: “If you have an 85% ‘You suck’ rating, you just gotta go.”
— Paul Koehler, Chicago
Erasing Hyde’s name
It’s disappointing that DuPage Democrats chose to remove Henry Hyde’s name from the DuPage County Courthouse and rename it with the intensely boring and generic “DuPage County Judicial Office Facility.” It’s true that Hyde, a congressman, opposed abortion, but he was a co-sponsor of the Brady Bill and the Family and Medical Leave Act. Today’s Republican Party would certainly “primary” him. Agree or disagree with him, but Hyde served Illinois honorably for more than 30 years, and recognition of that service is well deserved.
I would rather go to the “Hyde Building” than a building named for its utilitarian use.
— Richard Webb, Lisle
Let’s stop the practice
Perhaps it is simply just time to stop naming buildings after politicians of either political party. After all, U.S. Rep. Henry Hyde was also an admitted adulterer as well as a hypocritical politician.
Maybe they can find an old brothel in DuPage County to relocate the nameplate.
— Stuart Shiffman, Springfield
Playing up egg prices
Topic of the day: egg prices, which shall stabilize presently, after having been increased by bird flu that decimated the egg-producing system we depend on. Not the first time situations beyond humankind’s control have upended normalcy in our lives, nor shall it be the last. But it is disheartening to see such a temporary inconvenience played up as if momentous.
We managed to get through World War II while bearing numerous shortages without permanent damage. As has been said, “This, too, shall pass.”
As those with long memories know, we survived worse shortages during WWII, such as butter being nearly impossible to buy at any price. We managed to get by using margarine instead, until war’s end, without suffering permanent dislocation.
So let’s everybody manage a stiff upper lip during the current uptick in egg prices. And repeat after me: “This, too, shall pass.”
— Ted Z. Manuel, Chicago
Lighten up over eggs
I don’t understand why people are buying cartloads of eggs at sky-high prices. Do people really eat that many eggs on a daily basis? Remember when eggs were a cholesterol threat? And what’s the shelf life for a carton of eggs? Three to five weeks?
Once the bird flu is under control, egg prices will fall. Lighten up, folks, the yolk’s on you!
— Michael Oakes, Chicago
Many Valentine’s Days
I volunteer on a daily basis in a nursing home where Valentine’s Day seems to occur way more than once a year.
When our residents see a loved one getting off the elevator, their eyes light up with joy and anticipation. A most touching scene is when a child holds the hand of a resident who cannot communicate. Or a former neighbor walks with his friend up and down the corridor while chatting and chuckling.
Every day is Valentine’s Day when 87-year-old Lucille sees her husband and son standing at the door of her room. It’s Valentine’s Day for Lester when his daughter drops in with his laundry and folds each item neatly in his chest of drawers. And it’s definitely Valentine’s Day when, on a nice day, Tom takes his mom outside in her wheelchair to his car, opens the trunk to make a table for tea and cupcakes, and blasts Irish music from the radio.
Yes, Feb. 14 is the official day for acknowledging our loved ones in a special way, but blessed are those whose calendars always seem to have 365 Valentine’s Days.
— Kathleen Melia, Niles
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