Sunday letters: Like some in GOP, Clinton has questionable integrity

SHARE Sunday letters: Like some in GOP, Clinton has questionable integrity

Robert Reich, the secretary of labor under President Bill Clinton, wrote a full-page column (“Three reasons any joker can run for president” — Nov. 20) referring to several of the GOP candidates repeatedly as “clowns.” He is entitled to his opinion and, yes, every single person running for president should be put under a microscope so that the people can determine their integrity and honesty (something sorely lacking in politics today). Too bad Mr. Reich left out one of the main characters in his circus.

There is no mention at all of Hillary Clinton, even though many people (including Democrats) have repeatedly questioned her honesty and integrity. Why is that, Mr. Reich?  How can you have your circus without any mention of the “P.T. Barnum” entry in the race who has mastered “sleight of hand” with her emails and who apparently feels “there is a sucker born every minute.”

Rob Sarnowski, Elgin

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Byrne stands tall vs. Racing Board

Michael Sneed reported that Kathy Byrne resigned from the Illinois Racing Board because there was opposition to her humane proposals regarding the treatment and welfare of racing equines (“Byrne quits Racing Board in frustration” — Nov. 18). Byrne’s endeavor to ensure that racehorses are not cruelly transported to vicious slaughterhouses was compassionate and commendable. The reality that other members of the board would object to her benevolent viewpoint is very disheartening. It should be morally imperative for the Illinois Racing Board to never send a magnificent horse to a dastardly slaughterhouse.

Brien Comerford, Glenview

Find new strategy to counter ISIS

An Ahmadiyya Muslim Imam (sect founded in 1889) spoke Wednesday at the College of DuPage about how to both understand and prevent terrorism. He claimed that ISIS, a k a Daesh, had been getting weaker lately because of stepped-up counterattacks by local troops supported by the U.S. and other allies. And that the Paris attacks were designed to distract their base from recent setbacks. Some media have pointed out that retaliatory bombing by the West of a town of 500,000, containing mostly civilians, gives Daesh more sympathy and helps its recruiting. This becomes a feedback loop. These outrageous and despicable Daesh attacks lead to Western allies bombing of Muslim civilians, which leads to outrage, fear and anger on the part of many affected or sympathetic Muslims, driving some to join Daesh who then become the terrorists who perform more attacks. The Imam also noted that Daesh seems to have a goal of pitting 1.7 billion Muslims against the West in an all-out Armageddon type war. Do we want to play into their hands? Hoping we will find a better way to respond.

Dan Bailey, Wheaton

Spare the turkey on Thanksgiving 

While President Obama is pardoning two turkeys for Thanksgiving, every one of us can exercise that same presidential power by choosing a nonviolent Thanksgiving observance that spares a turkey’s life.

And here are some good reasons: You can brag about pardoning a turkey, like Obama. You truly are what you eat. Who wants to be a “butterball?” Fruits and vegetables don’t have to carry government warning labels. You won’t sweat the environment and food resources devastation guilt trip. You won’t spend a sleepless night wondering how the turkey lived and died. Your body will appreciate a holiday from saturated fat, cholesterol and hormones.

Seriously, this Thanksgiving, let’s give thanks for our good fortune, health and happiness with a life-affirming, cruelty-free feast of vegetables, fruits, and grains. Our own dinner will feature a soy or wheat-based roast, mashed potatoes, stuffed squash, candied yams, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. An Internet search on “vegetarian Thanksgiving” is getting us more recipes and other useful information than we could possibly use.

Claude Prescott, West Town

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