By ejecting conference participants for handing out an editorial criticizing the Trump administration for proposed scientific research cuts, the American Diabetes Association’s conduct is a textbook example of how authoritarian censorship does not need to rely on direct actions but can scare other organizations into doing the dirty work.
This step, by an organization devoted to advancing scientific inquiry, to disempower people trying to protect that very endeavor is even scarier than the reduction of scientific research itself. Although that’s pretty scary too.
This week’s resignations of American Diabetes Association officials following the debacle is a welcome step.
Not merely is our research future at stake, but our democracy as well.
Mike Koetting, Fulton River District
Lack of faith
The Department of Defense this week announced a significant reduction in the number of religious affiliations and belief systems it officially recognizes. The new list of 31 is down from more than 200. “This decrease in religious affiliation codes is not designed to make any claims on the legitimacy of any faith or religious belief, nor is it intended to provide a list of ‘officially approved’ religions,” Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said.
Does President Donald Trump’s Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth think he’s an authority on religion? He even seems to think the United States is a Christian nation. Another Trump ignoramus who, like his master, demonstrates his ignorance daily.
Lauretta Hart, West Ridge
Caleb Williams deserves better
Forcing Caleb Williams to spend the prime years of his career at Soldier Field is like buying a new Ferrari and parking it in a condemned garage. For any decision makers in the Bears organization who may be reading this: Make a decision already! Our shiny new quarterback deserves premium accommodations, as do the fans.
In the 100-plus year history of the team, we fans are familiar with your frugality. For once in your life, splurge. Pay your QB and set him up in the swankiest home in the NFL. If we are still debating on the location, do we want a majestic landscape with the Chicago skyline, Navy Pier and Museum Campus on the city’s lakefront or do we want to build a new stadium on a landfill in the armpit of Indiana?
Kevin Meshek, Westchester
Relax, peeved Bears fans
Who cares where the Bears put their stadium?
They are just a private business owned by millionaires.
Sometimes I think football causes brain damage … in the spectators!
Robert E. Frey, West Ridge
The Sun-Times will publish select letters from our readers on their thoughts on America’s 250th birthday and what this milestone means to them. Submissions of no more than 375 words should be sent to letters@suntimes.com.