I have just read a fascinating essay by New York Times columnist David Brooks about how America became mean. He concludes that the problem is that we generally terminated training in morals and how to treat each other decades ago. This seems to explain the many examples that I encounter of people who behave as if they are unaware that they are not the only person on the planet.
What I find to be scary about this is that it sounds like a repair could require generations of time. Some things continue to work only if momentum is maintained. In this case, one chain has been broken and another substituted for it. Just repairing a broken chain is hard work, and it is more so when another chain must be broken to do it. There are a lot of people in this country who believe that what they want to do should be their right. They live in an informational environment that reinforces their beliefs and allows them to avoid information that contradicts what they want to believe.
What kind of children will such people raise? The answer to that is not difficult to infer. Such people are also trying to acquire control of education, which would cut off an important path to recovery. They are easily identified by their complaints about “indoctrination.” What they really want is the power to select indoctrination content that favors their side.
I hope that there are enough people remaining who want to execute a return to the kind of guidance for children that will restore American society to civility and that enough time remains to do it. It will take more than a simple majority to achieve this.
— Curt Fredrikson, Mokena, Illinois
A month ago, we were visiting Copenhagen, Denmark, where multiple-occupancy, gender-neutral bathrooms are the norm in museums and other large public spaces.
It’s admirable, really, how the Danes set these up. Sinks are in the “open” space, while the toilets, which also may include a tiny sink, are in individual closets with sturdy floor-to-ceiling doors that lock for privacy. Once that lock is engaged, anyone can see the red tab that indicates “occupied.” Larger single-occupancy, gender-neutral bathrooms are also available for families with small children or those who need assistance, just as in the U.S.
The nicest surprise? Everyone takes care of their business and leaves. No one is in danger, no one makes a fuss and no one feels the need to beat anyone up.
It’s a lesson in civility and mutual respect for us all.
— Janice Laird, Crystal Lake
Over the past years as political turmoil has rocked our country, I’ve heard people ask, “How did this happen? How did we get here?”
To me, the answer is easy: Look in the mirror. In 2016, we had the choice of voting for a woman, a Democrat, or a politically inexperienced reality TV host who made it clear that he would be the only person to run for the presidency and make money doing it, who was given a loan from his father of at least $1 million and yet filed for business-related bankruptcy six times, changed political views and parties based on his own expediency, claimed five children with three wives, faced multiple lawsuits, bragged about grabbing women, showed no intellectual curiosity, had no identifiable religious affiliation, carried personal vendettas against anyone who dared to cross or question his motives, and had no understanding of government or the Constitution. And, here we are.
In past elections, I have heard people say, “Hold your nose and vote.” I hope Republicans can find a way to vote for their choices for state or local offices and either skip the top of the ticket or vote for a Democrat. They couldn’t do it in 2016; some did in 2020. Now, more than ever, they need to do it in 2024. That may be the bravest or most patriotic act they will ever do.
— Arlene R. Jarzab, Hinsdale
Museum staff members at the Art Institute were motivated to organize into a union in part, according to a museum staff leader, by a lack of transparency about management decisions that affect museum operations (“City’s 1st major museum union ratifies contract,” Aug. 16).
Maybe now the union can coax an explanation from museum management to explain why the Art Institute remains closed two days a week more than two years after COVID-19 restrictions ended. And why the Art Institute can raise membership and entry fees while reducing operating hours. And why greeters are missing while visitors stumble through museum hallways and galleries with only a accordion floor-plan map to help them find what they might like to see.
There’s more to being a world-class museum than hanging paintings on the wall.
— Dan Miller, Chicago
As a lifelong lover of all things Wisconsin (except the Packers!), I appreciate Terri Colby’s article “Dairyland getaway” (Aug. 13). It was a love song to Wisconsin and its wonderful cheese. Thank you. But really! Pizza on Friday night in Wisconsin?
For the record, in Wisconsin, Friday nights are for fish fries and maybe a brandy old-fashioned or a Spotted Cow beer. Definitely not pizza.
— Elizabeth Marren, Chicago
Current claims about “perfect eyesight restoration without surgery, while you sleep” and other online miracle cures have one thing in common — it takes them forever to get to the point. These hype videos also should remind us that what seems too good to be true is not true, and the longer it takes them to get to the point, the bigger the lie.
Would all the ethical and hardworking doctors we know and trust hide simple, low-cost miracle cures to protect their livelihoods?
I was saved by a surgeon shortly after birth, and I have been healed and cured by doctors through my 80 years. Shame on the money-grubbing hucksters who denigrate our healers and give false hope to sufferers.
— Richard F. Nolan, Park Ridge
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