Speak Out is a reader-generated column of opinions. If you there’s something you’d like to comment on in Elgin or beyond, send an email to [email protected]. Please include “speak out” in the subject line.
Spring’s too far away: Don’t look now but we’re in that transitional season when any remaining snow piles have become blackened, the trees are bare and the first 70-degree day seems even farther away than the sun. To make matters worse, the ballplayers are on strike and the start of baseball remains in limbo. If only humans could hibernate until the official arrival of spring!
Who’s telling the truth? As the new year of campaigning for public offices begins, we are seeing mud-slinging again as incumbents face accusations without any details and incumbents dishonestly exaggerate accomplishments. In America, political honesty is hard to find since our freedom of speech lacks boundaries for truth. Because of this type of campaigning, we the voters often are ignorant of who and what to believe. We desperately need a legal standard truth of conduct for politicians!
Pence did right thing: Kudos to Mike Pence for finally sticking up for himself and telling the world there was nothing he could do but validate the election results and thus handing to Trump perhaps his first defeat ever. Pence was loyal to Trump for four long years, sticking up for his boss even when it was difficult. How do you throw a guy under the bus for doing what the Constitution requires him to do? Easy, confirm to the world that Trump lost the election. Pence may done politically, but for many of us he will go down as a class act.
Legitimate political discourse: I love that the Republican Party has officially decided to become the party of the insurrection. Their jaw-dropping document censuring Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger stated the people Jan. 6 engaged in legitimate political discourse. Ronna McDaniel had to come back and soft pedal the document. People engaged in legitimate discourse to not climb on top of buildings to break in with armed weapons and start beating up on police to try to stop a legitimate election.
Appropriating culture: Regarding World Hijab Day, here is yet another one-way street. Where are the cries of cultural appropriation you would hear if the teachers showed up with corn rows, for example? There is no chance the Muslims would wear a Star of David or a Christian Cross so where is the equity and inclusion? Making nice is encouraging, but singling out one religion is discriminatory unless all religions are treated equally and all are willing to acknowledge and value each other.