Regarding Rummana Hussain’s recent column (‘Foreign’ sport no more: Americans finally get soccer ) on Americans’ dramatic increased interest in soccer, I visited a local sports bar last Sunday and was truly surprised that more than half of the roughly 20 TV screens were showing the Cape Verde vs. Uruguay soccer match.
Now a senior citizen, thinking back, I never disliked the sport and had a basic understanding of soccer rules. I just never paid attention. The United States gives its people so much exposure to collegiate and professional sports, there seemed no need to seek out “foreign” athletic events to watch.
Last Sunday, I could not believe the number of patrons who were cheering and shouting at the screen. It was almost infectious. Still, I feel that, like many Americans, competitions that can end in draws are often anticlimactic.
Terry Takash, Western Springs
Riled by loud EDM
I love teens. I taught them at the high school and college levels. They are among my favorite people.
How can we expect the youth to know what responsibilities are expected of them when the adults and the city approve disruption and thoughtless noise on the harbor and the North Side’s precious lakefront? The pounding bass of automated noise — electronic dance music — that could be heard through speakers on Cannon Drive from the Lakeshore Arts & Music Festival last Friday and Saturday was unconscionable. I can barely think. My head still hurts. My apartment windows were trembling, and my chest felt the intensity of the pressure of the “boom boom.”
I spoke to the police at the site. They said there is nothing they can do because the City Council member representing the area approved this anti-human torture. Are residents meaningless? As irresponsible examples of Chicago citizens, the sponsors of the event and any elected official who approved it are showing our teens what it means to act without respect, regard and professionalism, not to mention empathy and humanity.
They are more thoughtless and delinquent than any teen in this city.
Elynne Chaplik-Aleskow, Lake View
South Side treasure
I regret missing the reader solicitation to comment on Chicago’s favorite public art. To me, one of the best examples of public art, although unfortunately overlooked, is Lorado Taft’s Fountain of Time in Washington Park near 60th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue. I am always surprised by lifelong local residents, friends and acquaintances who have never heard of, let alone visited this impressive, moving sculpture. Built in the 1920s, it is well worth a visit.
John Flynn, Palos Heights
Bad reflection on Trump
The only vandal responsible for the debacle of the algae and peeling “American flag blue” paint in what was once a beautiful monument, is Donald Trump. His “I know a guy” no-bid contract, $14 million defacing of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool that satisfies his ever increasing ego only robs of us our hard-earned tax dollars. That money should be going to something useful like helping the poor.
William Coyne, Schererville, Indiana