Donald Trump won’t condemn Saudi prince for murder for all the wrong reasons

President Trump is not ready to accept the CIA’s assessment that Saudi Crown Prince and de-facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman ordered the assassination of Saudi journalist and U.S. resident Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2.

The CIA’s evidence is substantial and convincing, but Trump is mum for all the wrong reasons. Bin Salman is best buddies with Trump, son-in-law Jared Kushner and war-loving National Security Adviser John Bolton. Bin Salman buys billions in U.S. weaponry. These weapons are then used with U.S. intelligence and logistics to commit near-genocide in the Saudi war in Yemen, resulting in thousands of dead civilians, with millions more suffering from famine and cholera.

Trump gives these war crimes a pass because the war in Yemen is seen as a bulwark against Trump’s real bogeyman, Iran. Trump is simply following the foreign policy truism that “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” For Trump, add to that, “The buyer of my weaponry to commit war crimes is also my friend.”

Walt Zlotow, Glen Ellyn

Golf course conflict

Your editorial “Wilmette needs its golf course and open space more than a few more houses” (Nov. 18) clearly shows that state Senate President John Cullerton has a conflict of interest with this road project, and the residents of Wilmette and Evanston are left funding his and Joseph Keefe’s folly.

Additionally, the outgoing Metropolitan Water Reclamation District board members who voted “yes,” to allow a road to be built on part of a golf course, should be ashamed of themselves.

Thomas Gutman, Wilmette

Target’s civic duty

Target’s decision to close two stores on Chicago’s South Side is an example of corporations showing utter disregard for the communities they serve and profit from. It shows they care only about making a buck, and the stability and viability of a community be damned. Should corporations show more civic responsibility in their decisions? This writer says yes.

Chicago’s South and West sides have struggled for years to provide viable institutions and businesses to residents, without much success. They are surrounded by suburbs with major businesses that draw customers away.

A huge corporation should be able to thrive in spite of a few stores not meeting expectations.

Ned L. McCray, Tinley Park

Mayor Mack

If Khalil Mack of the Chicago Bears would throw his hat in the ring as a candidate for mayor, I am quite sure he would be the front-runner.

Daniel M.Filipek, Mount Prospect