Tuesday letters: Back to the faculty lounge for Obama

So Barack Obama has taken a firm stance regarding the Russian hacking scandal, warning Russian President Vladimir Putin “not to do this to us because we can do stuff to you,” and saying “Mr. Putin is well aware of my feelings about this, because I spoke to him directly about it.” It is reported that should the Russians not express appropriate reverence for Obama’s feelings, the soon-to-be ex-president is prepared to follow up with a stern finger-wagging. It is expected that Putin will most likely seek out a “safe space” to work out his emotions upon receipt of Obama’s forceful admonishment. ( Wait, Russia doesn’t have “safe spaces” with crayons and play-doh; they have gulags). One can only hope that the newly invigorated Obama will not feel compelled to draw a “red line” for Putin not to cross.

Obama’s new-found attempt at a swaggering, tough-guy attitude seems to contrast greatly with the pre-2012 election Obama, who was caught on an open mike addressing Putin proxy Dmitry Medvedev regarding missile defense, asking that he relay to Vlad that “this is my last election. After my election I have more flexibility.” It is difficult to see how “more flexibility” could in anyway be construed as taking a tougher stand with Russia. Please forgive those of us who see Obama’s endless posturing as slightly disingenuous.

It is time for the current “faculty lounge” administration to be returned to the safe refuge of the college campus cocoon. Time for grown-ups who deal in reality to retake the reins of government. The Obama circus can’t end soon enough.

James E. McNally, Clearing

Obama fails to get tough

Barack Obama told Vladimir Putin to “cut it out!” when he learned that the Russian dictator was directing the hacking of American political party emails. Now there’s a strong response! Our very democracy was at stake and Obama used a phrase fitting for a 5th grader annoyed with a friend flipping popcorn at him in a movie. I have always supported Obama. This however, was not the time for compromise. He should have screamed about Putin to the roof tops. I am so disappointed in his response then and now that I can’t find the words to express it.

If our leaders won’t stand up for our nation and its promise, how can the rest of us? Where is our future if it can’t be defended from the White House?

Karen Wagner, Rolling Meadows

Don’t lower police hiring standards

Kudos to Fraternal Order of Police President Dean Angelo for stating that lowering hiring standards for the Chicago Police Department would be a huge mistake, and that rather, standards should be increased. And kudos to 38th Ward Ald. Nick Sposato, who sounded off about the $1.5 million fund proposed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel to assist illegal immigrants residing in the city. Sposato says the city’s priorities are skewed and that homeless veterans and others requiring aid should come well before any aid given to illegal immigrants.

Mike Koskiewicz, Portage Park