Is this Illinois? Or is it Zimbabwe?

What has happened in Springfield regarding the recall of shady politicians or what goes on every day in Cook County and city hall is strangely reminiscent of what is happening in Zimbabwe.

Paul Koeracski

Elk Grove Village

Israel is provoked into its attacks

I'd like to present Israel's side of a portion of the conflict between Hamas and its allies, and Israel.

This newspaper, like others, emphasizes what the Israelis are doing in response to the Palestinians in Gaza but is silent about the provocation that precedes the response.

What other civilized country would allow its sovereignty to be attacked for such a long time and not declare an all-out war in return?

In many areas of Israel, especially in the town of Sderot near the Gaza border, rockets launched by Hamas and other terrorist groups rain down day and night.

Because Israel has been surrounded by enemies for years, it has bunkers for its citizens.

This accounts for the lower death rate. However, the psychological toll, especially for the children, is enormous. There are kids who have never known life without daily alarms and rocket fire!

This is Gaza's thank you for having received land ceded to it by Israel with no strings attached.

Joan Haase

Des Plaines