Wednesday Letters: Why fake news often is knowingly accepted

Excellent Monday editorial on fake news [“Don’t be faked out by fake news”]. One thing to add to the conversation is the tribal mentality that accepts fake news even when the tribe knows that the news is a lie. If you tell hateful lies that benefit your tribe by hurting a feared rival tribe, those lies are fair play. Honesty be damned, this is a fight! Lies, hate, and fear were the bedrock of Trump’s campaign. Anyone who expects anything better from his presidency is in denial. He is truly unfit to lead.

Tony Galati, Lemont

Defend tolerance

In his wisdom, Abraham Lincoln knew if America ever were to fail, it would happen from within.

Our worst and cruelest of enemies use our Constitution as a weapon against us. Social and political indoctrination is a strategy that chips away at our society — playing on the principles that make America great. Change of behavior occurs slowly over time, using our desire to be righteous as the very tool to destroy us. This type of indoctrination has a history of rationalizing away truth and lawfulness.

We have unfortunately graduated to a place where free speech, tolerance and enforcement of laws has become selective. Violence and intolerance is being accepted as long as the attacks are against groups or individuals not following the viewpoint or leanings of what has been skewed and accepted to be politically correct. Shame, shame, shame. How can we as a civilized society ever accept criminal behavior, cop killings, intimidation and threats of select citizens, riots in cities with violent assaults, fires and property damage? In some cases, terrible acts are being accepted and perpetuated by professors, city officials and politicians.

Common sense, the rule of law, and civility has been dismissed, thrown out the window. Its political incorrectness on steroids, now turning into roid rage! It’s a sickness that needs an intervention. We surely have to be smarter while not losing our core principles, and rid ourselves of extreme views.

Loree Kowalis, Orland Park

Identify as Americans

How can we as Americans be united when we call ourselves Asian American, Latino American or African American?

My grandparents who were all immigrants never called themselves Swedish Americans or Italian Americans. They came here for what America had to offer and became Americans. Yes, back then unfortunately each ethnicity tended to live in neighborhoods of like ethnicity (I only suppose there was a certain comfort when you immigrated to live with others of your culture), but I believe by 2nd and definitely by third generation, there was no longer the need for that comfort zone. They had learned to accept each other because the “kids” were American and even married out of their ethnic group.

Unity will only come when we all identify as Americans without any hyphenated identity.

Janet Lumm, Schaumburg

Hate crime?

Why aren’t the criminals who allegedly attacked a “Trump supporter,” stole his car and yelled anti-white slogans at him charged with a hate crime? Seems a little biased in the opposite direction.

James L. McKee, Chicago

Avoid meat

President Obama is taking a break from Trump transition to pardon two turkeys. Every one of us can exercise that presidential pardon power on Thanksgiving by giving thanks for health and happiness while skipping gratuitous violence.

The 235 million turkeys killed in the U.S. this year have nothing to be thankful for. They are raised in crowded sheds filled with toxic fumes. At 16 weeks, slaughterhouse workers cut their throats and dump them in boiling water to remove their feathers.

Consumers pay a heavy price, too. Turkey flesh is laced with cholesterol and saturated fats that elevate risk of chronic killer diseases. Package labels warn of food poisoning potential.

But, there is good news. Annual per capita consumption of turkeys is down by a whopping 35% from a 1996 high. A third of our population is reducing meat consumption. Food manufacturers are developing a great variety of healthful, delicious plant-based meat products.

My Thanksgiving dinner will include a “tofurky” (soy-based roast), mashed potatoes, stuffed squash, chestnut soup, candied yams, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and carrot cake. An internet search on vegan Thanksgiving and a visit to my local grocery store will provide me heaps of recipes and delightful plant-based turkey alternatives.

Claude Prescott, West Town

Not turkey day

It’s ludicrous that decades of propaganda and poultry industry profiteers have convinced millions of Americans to accept that Thanksgiving is turkey day. Thanksgiving is a day to celebrate life, faith, Country and relatives and friends who are both alive and those who are no longer with us. There will be millions of compassionate Americans who will not eat turkey or any other animal products on Thanksgiving. They will eschew flesh-foods and consume tofu and other cruelty-free meals to commemorate the occasion. Thanksgiving can be a great day for many people including those who spare the bird and opt to eat bean curd.

Brien Comerford, Glenview