What’s Speak Out? Speak Out allows readers to comment on the issues of the day. Email Speak Out at speakout@southtownstar.com or call 312-222-2427. Please limit comments to 30 seconds or about 120 words and give your first name and your hometown.
Being a Catholic, I was wondering when they are going to change the Knights of Columbus name and what will it be?
Don, Oak Lawn
While Columbus can be commended for his courage, determination and seamanship skills, statues in his honor are inappropriate. First, he obviously did not discover America. Finding his way to the western hemisphere, never setting foot in America itself, was a matter of luck given that he thought the world was much smaller than it actually is. A lust for gold, glory, deceit and torture should not be honored. Better to honor the likes of Mother Cabrini, Enrico Fermi and other great Italian-Americans.
Denny, Orland Park
Just as there are no statues to Benedict Arnold, there should be no statues to the people who tried to destroy this nation to preserve a cruel and inhuman culture. Teach about their treasonous acts in books and schools so everyone will know how they dishonored their country. Show that anyone who flies their flag dishonors the thousands who died to preserve this nation then and those who are still sacrificing today. Naming places and erecting statues is for true patriots and heroes, not traitors.
Al, Tinley Park
I am so pleased that Trader Joes’ kept the names of their products and didn’t cave in to the crazies. I have shopped for many years in Trader Joe’s and there was never anything in that store that upset me. Please, will the rest of the businesses stop caving in to these anarchists.
Arlene, Oak Lawn
Gov. Pritzker has been crying for a national mask mandate for months, yet when considering fines for people not wearing masks, he suggests it be handled at the local level. Come on, JB! Put on your big boy pants! Absolutely no one, in a leadership role, from the top to the bottom, wants to take responsibility for the only thing left that could possibly remedy this pandemic and much of the public has proven they won’t voluntarily do it.
Mary, Tinley Park
Those that think the $600 kept me from returning to work, it didn’t. My company had a Paycheck Protection Program loan so I was back at work the moment I was given the opportunity. Now that the PPP loan expired I’m on another furlough just in time to receive no additional support. Would any of you on the hill explain how to support a family on $200 a week?
Jamie, Phoenix
No one should be able to collect more money from unemployment than they would be receiving as wages if they were working, pandemic or not.
CFR, Crestwood
The $600/week (or $30,000/year) unemployment benefit is in addition to the normal unemployment benefit. Thus some people receiving it take in more than if they were working. Thus for some, very little incentive to actually work. Yes, they are deadbeats. No, I am not a millionaire nor retired government pension, but living on a fixed income (well, some years Social Security does increase by 1%) and the savings of a lifetime of work. Yes, fortunate, but I thank God for that, not government, although a government could take it away.
David, Tinley Park
I read through the census bureau’s website and it sounds like they make it real accessible. A person can complete it online, by phone or mail. The census can be done in 13 different languages online and over the phone. Braille and sign language resources are available. Additional help guides also exist for people who have questions. Public libraries also offer assistance to those who need it. I’m tired of hearing excuses for low participation rates. It’s not that people can’t fill it out, it’s that they won’t fill it out.
Joan, Oak Forest
Caleb Dunson’s opinion piece about civics education should be heard on a broader scale. Not only his generation but many before need to learn civics. An undereducated and apathetic population is a recipe for further division in our country. Congratulations to this young man for trying to make a difference.
MJ, Worth
Educated people accept the conventions of written English, like the rules for capitalization. English, African American, Asian and Spanish are capitalized because they come from proper nouns: England, Africa, America, Asia and Spain. The word black does not come from a proper noun. Unless it is the first word in a sentence there is no reason to capitalize black when it refers to a person whose skin is black. Similarly, why insist that “master” bedroom become “primary” bedroom in real estate ads? Do protesters object to a master’s degree or master class, too?
Sally, South Chicago Heights
To the village officials in Orland Park: Why can’t you and your village simply follow the recommendations outlined in Gov. Pritzker’s Restore Illinois plan? Why do you feel you are always the exception? Villages around you are complying. Please, just follow the rules, stop whining and wasting the courts time.
Pat, Chicago Heights
On Aug. 4 around 12:30 p.m., myself and two of my friends went to Sophia’s on 159th and 71st Court in Orland Park for lunch. I would like to thank the gentleman who paid for our lunch. I don’t know who you are, but thank you and God bless you.
Vera, Tinley Park
