I read that Republican leaders are asking party members to avoid engaging in racism and sexism in attacking Vice President Kamala Harris. Good luck. From what I have witnessed of the hard-core MAGA leadership, this is like telling chain smokers to quit cold turkey. A few may succeed out of sheer willpower, but most will fail because the addiction will prove too powerful.
— James Schwab, Chicago
How far the party has fallen
The fact that GOP politicians need to be warned against using racist phrases such as “DEI hire” shows everyone just how far the party has fallen since Abraham Lincoln.
— Len Woelfel, Oswego
Party leader’s longtime habit
The GOP has publicly told party members to cut out ugly sexism as a weapon, thereby admitting that that was the policy all along. However, the party’s leader in all things mean-spirited and sexist is the one most unlikely to comply. A lifelong habit cannot be eliminated overnight.
— Joanne Hoffman, Highland Park
What it says about the GOP
Doesn’t it say a lot about today’s GOP that its leaders have to remind their party members to cut out racist and sexist comments? I guess they know their followers.
— William Feather, Lake Forest
Engrained in the playbook
A major political party’s leaders have to publicly warn hundreds of their members not to use racist and sexist slogans or labels as they campaign for their presidential candidate. Coded language, suggestive messaging, twisted tropes and provocative dog whistles are so engrained in the GOP playbook that it takes a concerted effort from the top to try to stop the flood of nastiness.
— Lindsay Resnick, Chicago
Harris needs to find center
At times during the primaries, Kamala Harris reminded me of former Illinois U.S. Sen. Carol Mosely-Braun: She talked and talked but never really said much. Now she has an incredible chance to change and unify the country.
So please, Madam Vice President, please don’t go too far left. Give real answers about your views instead of just saying “we need to have a conversation.” Understand that business owners are not enemies, and far-left policies hurt more than help. Lean toward common sense. We devout centrists are counting on you.
— John Kavouris, Naperville
Stuck in our echo chambers
As I sit listening to all the political rhetoric these days, I think of the phrase “You’re preaching to the choir.” It would be so much more enlightening if conservatives listened to the liberal media and liberals tuned into the conservative stations.
As it is, we are all too indoctrinated in our existing opinions. That was supposed to be the purpose of newspapers — print the facts and let the reader decide.
— Sue Atkenson, Frankfort
My prayer for the nation
The sheer volume of rage and incivility in our public discourse can make it feel like we’re in a sea of negativity.
As Americans, we have always comforted ourselves in the endurance of our body politic, our democratic traditions and our commitment to free speech. But as we choose how to engage in the political process, we should keep in mind that our civil society is a delicate thing. Every American plays a role in preserving it through the interactions we have with one another. Focusing on one simple truth can help anchor us whenever we feel we’re about to be swept away by the flood of cynicism that batters us continuously.
That truth is that no matter how high the stakes may seem, no matter how committed people are to their own viewpoints, we are all brothers and sisters, children of God, constituents of a shared nation and members of one human family. Every last soul among us is worthy of dignity and respect. And it’s that truth that underlies the most important complements to our cherished right to express our views, which include our responsibility to listen and our obligation to defend the right of others to express their views.
The Book of James (1:19) says: “Everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”
Thankfully, I’m filled with hope because my co-workers at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls model for the young people in their care the values that are necessary to sustain a safe and stable society where everyone is free to speak and be heard. They prioritize understanding over reacting, relating over lecturing, and listening over talking.
As we go forward into this election season, I pray that God will expedite a change in our national discourse and that more people come to embrace these values. I pray that all Americans engage with one another about the issues we face and find commonality with the understanding that we succeed or fail together, no matter what.
If it sounds naive, it’s a reflection of my own optimism and my faith. But it’s also my prayer for the months and years to come.
— The Rev. L. Scott Donahue, president and CEO, Mercy Home for Boys & Girls, Chicago
This is no time for satire
Regarding the Sunday cartoon by Scott Stantis showing the coronation of Kamala Harris in defending democracy, it appears to be satire. The meaning is too frivolous. I don’t think that we should take lightly the defending of democracy. Trumpism is not a joke.
Let’s be intelligent adults here. Satire is one thing, but this is not the time for it. It’s real, and it’s now.
— Gene Sherman, Crystal Lake
JD Vance’s shot at women
Donald Trump has chosen a vice presidential candidate who is as sexist and verbally abusive as he is. How dare JD Vance make a comment about childless women! Many women are barren or have lost children (often making them childless), and some have decided they don’t want to be mothers. The term “childless cat lovers” is vile, and my hope is that all women and the men who respect them will stand together and make their feelings known by voting for a candidate who will work to unite our country instead of mocking the good people in our land.
Let’s get on the right track to fix the many issues plaguing the world and stop the schoolboy bullying.
— S.M. Rynn, Stickney
Disdain for female autonomy
What will GOP vice presidential candidate JD Vance advocate for women next? Chastity belts?
— Joe Artabasy, Glencoe
Deciding gender in sports
The op-ed “At the Olympics, must it be men versus women?” (July 25) states: “Rather than search for the perfect scientific measure of gender, what matters more is whether the (Olympic) organization can acknowledge ambiguity, admit to its role in creating occasional injustice and deal with the controversial cases with a measure of sensitivity and empathy for the people it harms.”
This piece sums up my beliefs completely. Gender in sports is not an issue for national or local legislation. The ruling organizations for each sport should be allowed to limit eligibility. Basketball? Yes. Chess? No. Gymnastics? Maybe. Politicians should get out.
Yes. Some people will be disappointed
— Bill Alrich, Downers Grove
Celebrating female athletes
I want to extend my thanks to the Tribune editors who have been adding more in-depth coverage of women’s sports throughout the section. It was great to see Alyssa Naeher and Mallory Swanson of the Chicago Red Stars/U.S. women’s Olympic soccer team on the front page this week (“Goalkeeper Naeher — still seeking her first Olympic gold — remains the bedrock of new-look team,” July 24; “Mallory Swanson’s return to the Olympics caps an arduous journey for Red Stars and USWNT star,” July 26) and reading more than ever about the Sky this season.
I look forward to the Tribune continuing to raise the profile of these deserving athletes throughout the year.
— Amy Jahnke, Chicago
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