Your Views

This year I am refusing to watch the Oscars. Why? Because I expect part of every speech will include some political message, just like the Superbowl ads, sports, etc. Why would we, the common people who work hard and go to their films or games (thus supporting their lavish lifestyles) listen to people who live in gated mansions, drive million dollar cars and then have the gall to tell us how to live and think. Listen up Hollywood! Hear this NFL! People are no longer the star-struck audiences of the 40s and 50s. Your opinions no longer have much influence on us. We pay your inflated salaries. We can now form our own judgments. And besides, if you had any credibility and true honesty, Rosie O'Don-nell and Cher would have followed through on their promises to move to Canada. Yet they're still here because this country and its people provide their livelihood. Beware Hollywood. The tide has turned. I'd like to see what would happen if Americans boycotted all movies and sporting events for a week. No, let's do a month.

Eleanor Wasielewski

Round Lake Park

During this troubling election time, I have found a ray of hope in Mayor Linda Lucassen of Round Lake Park. While employed at the College of Lake County I worked with her and learned how different she is from other elected officials. She was honest and approachable. When asked a question, Linda always answered clearly and with conviction.

Linda does what's right for the people in her district, not what the party leaders demand. In the face of Illinois' political gamesmanship, Linda puts her constituents first and we need her to continue to work for everyone not just a select few. She listens to them and keeps her word. The Mayor MUST work for the people of Illinois, not the other way around. I am voting for Linda Lucassen.

Martha Lee Thompsen, Retiree

Grayslake

What a classic example of "what goes around comes around".

President Trump has, for the first time in recent history, appointed a political advisor (Stephen Bannon) to the highest level of the National Security Council, while demoting the senior military advisor to a "level 2" position. In addition to that, President Trump has declined to convene some intelligence breifings, citing time constraints (and other reasons).

Then, during a rally in Florida on Saturday, President Trump said "look what's happening last night in Sweden", referring to an unknown past terror or immigration problem in Sweden.

That comment was later clarified to be referring to a story aired on Tucker Carlson's FoxNews program Friday night. The Story was from a documentary by Ami Horowitz.

The Ami Horowitz documentary was first reported on the Breitbart News service, where it was debunked as "fake news" by Swedish authorities; Sweden has not become "the rape capital of Europe" as claimed, and other false statements.

Our President, who cannot be bothered to participate in all of the daily intelligence briefings (from professionals) available to him within the highest levels of our government, has time to watch a fake news story (already debunked) on the Tucker Carlson program last Friday night on FoxNews, and quote from it.

And the final piece to the loop? Breitbart News, the original voice to the fake news story, was formerly the home of (and run by) Stephen Bannon, now our national security advisor.

May heaven help us all.

Philip Graf

Rolling Meadows

I have never written to the letters to the editor before, but after reading the essay from Aidan Busch on Feb. 19, I had to respond. I am an Army vet and I was so moved by his words about our veterans and I hope many others will be also. I want to thank the Herald for putting the story on the front page - we need more good news. Good for you Aidan.

Nick Paglia

Rolling Meadows