What a fantastic story by Sun-Times reporter Lauren FitzPatrick about Mr. Andrew Duncan and his student choir from Wendell Phillips High School.
Every once in a while, a teacher understands what it takes to not only teach their subject but, by example and influence, teach life lessons. The fact the years went by and his former choir members took his dedication and drive for excellence and used it to influence their own lives shows what a real teacher should be.
So often we hear this teacher is great, and that teacher is so good, and they may be good and decent teachers of subjects.
The real test of a great teacher is the ability to teach beyond the subject. To teach how to learn. To teach life lessons. To make students think on their own.
It seems Mr. Duncan had this ability locked down, as seen by his progenies’ love and admiration. His influence had a profound impact on them all.
I hope today’s teachers look at this example and strive to become better versions of themselves. I fear it is just a job for some. For all of our futures, it needs to be more.
Mike Tafoya, former CPS student, New Orleans
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Nursing home residents fear speaking out
I am currently a resident in a Chicago nursing home due to an accident 20 years ago, and I have been in and out of facilities since that time. Your Dec. 12 article about illegal retaliation is spot on and shows how much nursing home owners control Springfield.
As a resident, I have many times been survivor of retaliation after reporting a problem. Most people have a hard time believing what we experience when there’s nobody from outside to see. Management violations of health and safety rules are common in facilities. They range from lack of proper food and failure to answer call buttons all day to outright abuse.
Why do so few people speak up about these atrocities? Well-founded fear of retaliation.
Most of us residents know the fear of speaking up, given how often facility managers punish those who do. Facilities have so much control over our lives that most residents are afraid to complain. Such retaliation is already illegal, but owners suffer no consequences, so it continues.
Illinois should finally stand up to big-money facility owners, and hold those people accountable for allowing our rights to be usurped.
Ebony Payne, Lincoln Square
Bearable news
I’d like to offer a small piece of consolation to all my fellow Bears fans.
Everyone’s No. 1 public enemy (Aaron Rodgers) is playing for a team that’s just as bad as the Bears.
Steven Herr, West Ridge
Silver lining to Trump presidency
I’m happy Donald Trump was elected and named Time’s Person of the Year for 2024. My friends and family will be horrified to read that I welcome a second Trump administration. For decades, I’ve written letters to the editor mocking various politicians and presidents, from Ronald Reagan through Joe Biden.
Over the years, Trump has provided a literal smorgasbord of topics on which to lambaste him: stinting charitable contributions; a fraudulent foundation; unqualified cabinet, diplomatic and other presidential appointees; public praise for members of our military coupled with off-camera disrespect for its dead and disabled; exploitation of flaws in our taxing system, exemplified by his dubious deductions; praise for women accompanied by marital infidelities and sexual assault; false friendship toward African Americans while still insisting the Central Park 5 are guilty; language unfit for a president; and love fests with some of the world’s most notorious dictators.
I look forward to Trump’s second term, as I’ll be champing at the bit waiting for him to provide fresh fodder.
Paul L. Newman, Merion Station, Pennsylvania
Bring back high school debate
I am a Homewood-Flossmoor High School debate team member. The Illinois High School Association announced in 2023 it would no longer sponsor debate. This is extremely detrimental to me, our school’s debate team and the hundreds of other high schools in Illinois that employ debate for their school.
For context, debate is a recreational activity where teams argue on important topics in our modern world. We do our own research, write our own arguments and speak in front of a judge to determine the winner.
Our school offers two debate styles: Lincoln-Douglas (ethics-based, 1-vs-1) and Public Forum (public policy-based, 2-vs-2). The program as a whole aims to not only promote communication and public speaking but also collaboration. This makes our program extremely valuable to students’ experiences in college and life, wherever they may go.
I have created a petition at change.org/ihsadebate to help promote the reversal of the decision. It also contains a more detailed explanation of the ramifications given the lack of IHSA’s participation in the debate program:
Not only is debate a recreational activity, but it helps high school students develop many lifelong skills, including critical thinking, argumentation, public speaking and awareness of global issues. These are vitally important in today’s world. Furthermore, college admissions departments regard this program as extremely important, meaning it is a powerful indicator of a student’s talents and potential at their institution.
However, the IHSA’s choice has jeopardized this advantage, limiting the options available to hundreds of participants to pursue their college ambitions while endangering Illinois’ debate programs for future debaters.
Gregory Mitchell, Homewood-Flossmoor High School, Class of 2026
NATO membership for Ukraine, stat
There are at least five solid reasons why Ukraine as a member of NATO would also be very advantageous for the United States. These include military efficiencies, possible strategic dominance and geopolitical advantages.
First, the U.S. has a palpable and prompt interest in concluding Russia’s unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This would allow the U.S. to concentrate on more immediate pressing matters of foreign policy along with domestic priorities.
Second, the seeming unwillingness of the U.S. to pledge a firm commitment to a future Ukrainian NATO membership transmits a dangerous message to Vladimir Putin, in effect emboldening him.
Third, Ukrainian membership in NATO is the best path to protect the huge American investment in Ukrainian security; it can only be deemed fruitful if Ukraine remains secure from additional future Russian attacks. At present, the sole feasible manner to guarantee Ukraine’s security is by providing the country with a road map to NATO membership.
Fourth, Ukraine would be an appreciable asset as a member of NATO. Due to these nearly three years of armed conflict with Russia, Ukraine’s military has transformed itself into a lean, mean fighting machine. The Ukrainian Armed Forces is vast in numbers, battle-hardened, skillful, well-trained and possesses unmatched experience in the realities of modern warfare.
Finally, Russia’s imperialistic aspirations did not start with Putin and do not end in Ukraine. Be that as it may, an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO would constitute a most high-powered blow to the imperial identity revered by many common Russians and those considered Kremlin establishment.
In fact, affording Ukraine membership in the alliance may just be the only way to totally convince the Russian people once and for all that neither the Russian Empire nor the Soviet Union will ever be revived in any shape or form. This would amount to an enormous plus for the U.S. and the future of global security.
Ihor N. Stelmach, South Windsor, Connecticut
Enjoy more plant-based food in 2025
Still need to make a New Year’s resolution? How about a resolution with multiple benefits for our health, our planet and the animals? Eating more veggies, fruits, legumes, grains and nuts helps us stay healthier, reduce global warming and stop animal suffering. It requires no exertion or deprivation. And it saves money, too!
The abundant nutrients and vitamins in plant foods keep us in top health, while their fiber keeps us regular. Plant foods don’t do drugs, antibiotics, hormones, cholesterol or saturated fats. Concerned about ultra-processed foods? Then you certainly don’t want your food processed through an animal’s digestive tract.
Best of all, plant-based eating is supported by your local supermarkets, which offers a rich variety of plant meats, cheeses and ice creams in their frozen food section, as well as a wide selection of nut and grain milks. Same goes for your favorite family restaurant and nearly every fast-food franchise.
Bon appétit!
Claude Prescott, West Town
Auto advice
If you want to protest the Musk/Trump presidency, don’t buy a Tesla.
Ken Weiss, Palatine
Very few can hold a candle to Jimmy Carter
An honorable and compassionate president. A devoted and loving husband to Rosalynn for over 77 years. A man who served his country during a time of war but dedicated his entire life to the pursuit of peace.
An exemplary American — of a character we seem to be sorely lacking in the leadership of our country today.
I truly believe if far more Christians were like Jimmy Carter, there would be far more true Christians in this world today.
Fair winds and following seas, sir. You will not soon be forgotten.
Brad Kruizenga, Ravenswood
Keep increasing minimum wage
Gov. JB Pritzker and our representatives in the Legislature who helped raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour deserve a nod for taking that important step toward a fair economy.
Perhaps more significant was raising the tipped minimum wage to $9 per hour above the scandalous federal level of $2.13. But let’s put those numbers in perspective: According to the MIT living wage calculator, a single person in Cook County with no children would need to earn $23.69 per hour to afford his or her basic needs, working 40 hours every week of the year. In Sangamon County, where Springfield is, the living wage is $19.96 for an adult without a child. There is no county in Illinois where $15 an hour is enough to live on.
Everyone who works full-time deserves to earn a living wage. Let’s make it happen.
Tom McDougal, South Kenwood
Health care system is ailing
I have a sister with Crohn’s disease and a brother with autism. Both are impacted by our broken health care system and insurance companies.
My sister is impacted by the punitive punishment of a person who does not have a prescription plan. She cannot afford the expensive medications that are now quite helpful and lifesaving to Crohn’s patients. If she attempted to get an insurance plan, she would have to pay fines for each year she did not have an insurance plan, making it unaffordable to get a plan.
My brother was scammed into a Medicare Advantage plan aka Medicare Disadvantage. This plan limits where he can get care and how long he can be covered in a nursing home.
Our so-called health care system punishes people with chronic illnesses and takes advantage of seniors and people with disabilities. We need Medicare for all now!
Nora Handler, Woodstock
Throwing in the towel
With the recent collapse of Puerto Rico’s power grid, maybe Donald Trump can go there and throw papers towels at the residents again, pretending it is a solution.
Scott Burgh, Albany Park