Once again the Chicago Air and Water Show is about to be inflicted upon the city. The event, which features civilian demonstrations but is mostly centered on the military, is reminiscent of the “bread and circuses” of another failed empire. Just as with the Romans, we peasants are treated to a spectacle to distract us from the reality of the abject impoverishment of the social safety net and the abandonment of the poor.
The weapons dealers responsible for the cacophony on the lakefront of thundering jets have been gifted with billions of tax dollars for the research and development of these weapons of mass destruction.
The billions spent on the military could have gone a long way to educating our children and feeding the poor.
It would be wise for the throngs gathering on the lakefront to reflect on what they are sacrificing for their day at the beach.
Edward David Juillard, Morgan Park
Highlight accessible services at Air and Water Show
The city of Chicago does a great service to its citizens by providing audio description, as well as American Sign Language, for Chicago Air and Water Show attendees who are blind, have low vision or are hearing-impaired. It’s unfortunate the Sun-Times didn’t mention this in its article about what to know about the show.
As the population ages, blindness, low vision and hearing issues increases with deleterious effect. There’s stigma around losing sensory abilities There’s very little education around what accessibility services are, why and how to get them. The Sun-Times can help.
Consider what a positive impact giving accessibility information would have on your readers.
Colette Martin-Wilde, West Ridge
Reflecting on Trump
President Donald Trump’s continuing tantrum over the recent fetid mess in the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool brings to mind an ironically relatable literary reflection in Oscar Wilde’s novel “The Picture of Dorian Gray.”
The big difference is that Dorian Gray could keep the curdling portrait of his own personal vices hidden away in his attic. But the symbolic reflection of Trump’s shoddy statesmanship and moral defects, represented by the pool’s algae infestation, was nationally on view for all to see.
No wonder the president is beside himself.
Steven Doloff, Gold Coast
Siren sounds
Street-level sirens in the River North and Streeterville areas frequently reach 110 decibels. According to the American Academy of Audiology, hearing loss can occur above 85 decibels for anyone on adjoining sidewalks, especially babies and children. Surely this is increased by reflection off tall buildings. This is a public health hazard that the city needs to address.
Chris C. Kovich, River North