Regarding the column “This era’s protesters could stand to ask a few more questions” (May 15): Clarence Page is not impressed by recent pro-Palestinian student protests, writing that “it helps to have speakers who know what they’re talking about.” But why does he feel today’s students are uninformed? And when he contrasts the recent protest movement with his own generation’s, writing that not everyone who spoke at Vietnam War-era teach-ins “shared exactly the same viewpoint,” I must ask — why does he believe this new era of protest is ideologically monolithic?
From what I have seen, the protest movement has largely been driven by informed students with all sort of beliefs about Israel and Palestine. The one thing that unites them all is a shared horror at the bloodshed in Gaza.
He also chides these protesters for being “rude” and walking out on ardent Israel supporter Jerry Seinfeld before his recent commencement address. Pardon me for saying so, but I cannot think of any form of protest more benign than walking away from someone. Is even this impermissible?
— Steven James Peterson, Irvine, California
Appalled at today’s protesters
As an old hippie who protested the Vietnam War, I find the comparison to people protesting Israel today both off-base and offensive. They are apples and oranges.
Back in the 1960s, we knew what we were protesting and why. As Clarence Page recently wrote, we’d even have teach-ins. In contrast, today the protesters chant “from the river to the sea,” but can most name the river or the sea? How many know that with a 3,000-year continuous presence, Jews are natives of Israel? Few likely know, or care, that despite being a so-called Zionist empire, Israel is about the size of New Jersey. Few likely know there are some 50 Muslim-majority countries, but just one sliver of a Jewish state. Few likely know that Israel has been for a two-state solution since inception while many Palestinians, such as Hamas, seek only to destroy Israel.
As a principled protester, I am appalled at today’s protesters who are supporting terrorists.
— Rebecca Harris, Oak Park
They are not flower children
I suppose it makes perfect sense that the Tribune (“Campus protests evoke ‘the struggles of the past,’” May 21) would feature Bill Ayers promoting the anti-Israel protests as a peaceful and loving “Utopian community.” After all, he founded the domestic terrorist group the Weather Underground that committed bombings of government buildings. Some members even killed cops. I’m a retired member of the force, and that bothers me a lot.
But as bad as Ayers and his criminal cohorts were, they at least knew what they were protesting back then. Today’s protesters support a vile terrorist organization and likely couldn’t pass a basic history test about Israel.
Most are either naive or disingenuous. But the news media publishes puff pieces equating them with flower children and freedom fighters.
— Malcom Montgomery, Munster, Indiana
A history lesson on rights
June 6 marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Normandy invasion. I just had the privilege of visiting the beaches and the Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, where rows of crosses, sprinkled with stars of David, are the resting place for 9,387 of our soldiers killed in battle. They fought and died for our flag, democracy and the freedoms we enjoy. By liberating Europe, they also freed the Continent from Nazi tyranny and ended the murder of Jews. Based on the tombstones, most of these soldiers were the same ages of those today taking over college campuses spewing hatred toward America, burning flags and proclaiming, “Death to America,” as well as expressing the same antisemitic sentiments that were so prevalent during World War II.
How ironic! Is this what American troops died for? Shameful!
Perhaps what is missing for protesters is a history lesson on how they earned the right to demonstrate and protest and the price paid for by patriots who defended American freedoms.
God bless our troops and those who served and died for our country.
— Irwin Benuck, Chicago
Ban junk insurance plans
As a physician and a patient who were negatively affected by junk insurance plans, we’re heartened by efforts of Illinois’ leaders to eliminate these junk plans and help patients access quality coverage and care.
When I, Kody, was shopping for insurance in my early 20s, I believed myself to be a “healthy” young man. I had just started a small business and was trying to put as much of my money toward growing it as I could. When I picked a health insurance plan, I picked one with low monthly premiums that I thought covered the health care essentials. It happened to be a short-term, limited duration plan.
Not long after, I started experiencing a number of unusual health symptoms, including tingling in my extremities. After a lot of diagnostic testing, on March 31, 2017, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. My life turned upside down with that diagnosis. More bad news was on the way.
I had to pay for nearly all of my rigorous diagnostic testing out of pocket. Then, my insurer informed me that my plan would not cover the disease-modifying therapy (DMT) I needed to treat my MS. The insurer had classified my MS as a pre-existing condition, even though I didn’t know I had it when enrolling. My DMT, which costs $7,000 a month, had to be paid for completely out of pocket. I was sent into debt due to the predatory practices and false advertising of my “insurance.”
Unfortunately, these predatory practices are growing in popularity because of their low sticker price.
As a physician, I, Dr. Jain, try to help my patients avoid these junk insurance plans where I can. What I recommend to my patients looking for health coverage is to consult with reputable, unbiased health navigators who can help them find Affordable Care Act-compliant plans on the marketplace — affordable plans that will cover pre-existing conditions and essential health services.
Our lawmakers in Illinois have an opportunity to help shield and protect even more patients from these types of unethical practices. Gov. J.B. Pritzker has backed the Healthcare Protection Act, which would ban short-term, limited duration health insurance plans from being sold in Illinois. Doctors and patients like us hope it will pass without delay and make it to Pritzker’s desk for his signature.
— Kody O’Connor and Dr. Shikha Jain, members, Protect Our Care Illinois Coalition
Western access point at O’Hare
I recently attended the Airport Expo and Job Fair on May 16 in Chicago, followed by the O’Hare 21 presentation, and I wanted to share my thoughts and experiences from both events.
The job fair was packed with a diverse group of job-seekers eager to make personal connections. This turnout highlighted a significant issue with artificial intelligence-driven applicant tracking systems, which may fail to recognize qualified candidates. Seeing so many people actively looking for opportunities and engaging with potential employers face to face was refreshing, proving the importance of human interaction in the hiring process, even in the 21st century.
Following the job fair, I attended the O’Hare 21 presentation, where I had the opportunity to directly ask officials from the Chicago Department of Aviation about the long-awaited plans for a western access point to O’Hare International Airport. The presentation confirmed that progress is being made on the O’Hare vision, but the western access remains dependent on future demand and the construction of additional satellite terminals.
Given the construction of Interstate 490 and the eastern end of Illinois Route 390, the infrastructure groundwork is already in place. However, businesses and public entities in DuPage and suburban Cook County must start organizing and advocating for this access point. A clear, long-term vision with a western access point at O’Hare is essential for the millions of residents living west of the city.
I believe now is the time for action. The benefits of a western access point are clear: It would improve connectivity, reduce travel times and boost the local economy.
I urge our local leaders and communities to come together and push for this vital development.
— Dominick E. Scafidi III, Chicago
Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
