Don’t insult Chicagoans who voice their views
How dare Ald. Walter Burnett ( 27th) compare the taxpayers of the 45th Ward to skinheads? Since his ignorance concerning “whatever we are” shows narrow- mindedness, I will explain it so even he should understand. We are citizens of Chicago voicing our opposition to a development that never fit the housing model that our residents agree on.
Yes, we like the serenity that comes from years of sweat and sacrifice. No we don’t like an ugly, oversized, unwanted project force- fed to us. Our resources are stretched razor- thin like every other ward. An influx of residents at that location would severely tax the infrastructure already overburdened by neglect from City Hall.
I never have judged an ethical and moral person by the contents of their wallets or the color of their skin. But even a simpleton can unmask the true nature of his narrow- mindedness. I will await his public apology.
James Placha, Jefferson Park
Constitutional rights
In light of recent NFL players’ varying decisions about what to do during the playing of our national anthem, I think Colin Kaepernick should no longer be boycotted. Professional football teams needing a quarterback ( there are several even this early in the season) should compete to hire him.
There are many reasons for Americans to choose not to stand for our national anthem. One prominent stated reason is concern about racial injustice. For a white woman who has seldom felt I was the victim of any kind of discrimination, I will, in the future, refuse to stand for the national anthem. My reasoning? Hundreds of thousands of Americans have died to protect our Constitution and its guaranteed right of free speech.
I resent being told that I MUST stand for the anthem and see that as an attack on that guaranteed freedom. When I fail to stand, I am expressing my right to freely express myself. As I sit or kneel, I am actually standing up for the constitutional rights of all Americans!
Karen Wagner, Rolling Meadows