Latest news with #Ciceronian
New York Post
21 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Post
The putrid Kohberger plea deal and more: Letters to the Editor — July 6, 2025
A putrid plea deal I'm both disgusted and mystified by the plea deal offered to Bryan Kohberger ('Surprise plea deal in Idaho coed slays,' July 1). Although a plea deal in itself is understandable, as it spares the time and cost of a lengthy trial and eliminates any chances of appeal, what I don't get is why Kohberger gets to keep mum on the details. He will have to give no account regarding the motivation for his crime. As it stands now, he will be convicted, but instead of taking his secrets to death row, he will take them to the comfort and safety of a prison cell, where he can taunt his victims' families for the next few dozen years. What was the prosecution thinking, entertaining this deal for even one second? E. R. Allen, Quebec, Canada Don's rate crusade President Trump using a visual aid illustrating that the United States ranks 35th in the world in interest rates with a 4.5% rate is pure genius, as it turns up the heat on Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell ('Don's ka-Powell!' July 1) If the Fed were to lower the US interest rate down to 1%, the country would save hundreds of billions in interest costs and millions of homeowners could refinance, saving potentially hundreds per month off their mortgages and auto payments. President Trump 2.0 is fighting for the American people, who have just survived four torturous years under an administration that made every decision against our best interests to seemingly punish us. Freddie Dunn, Medford Wintour's legacy I agree with Kirsten Fleming's column on Anna Wintour ('Wintour's GOP freeze,' June 28). Remember that Wintour was born and raised in the United Kingdom, where royalty, wealth and privilege create a very class-based society. In the United States, the people who dress as fancy as royalty are the entertainment-industry celebrities. Fashion is not for regular folks. Real people who wear real clothes, and not costumes, are ignored — but are the backbone of the clothing industry. The Met Gala was a fashion flop, and the theme was too remote and archaic to be inspirational. Wintour will never be the icon Iris Apfel was, and my advice is to never trust a grown woman with bangs. Elinor Hite, Carrollton, Texas Settling for Andy Michael Goodwin has sounded the alarm: Marxist-Leninist Zohran Mamdani must be stopped ('Blown-out Cuo NYC's best hope,' July 2). And for all his flaws, Andrew Cuomo is the best candidate to defeat the intifada-enamored Assembly member in November. Yes, Sheriff Andy waged an insipid, lackluster primary campaign — losing to the social media-savvy Mamdani. Still, though the former governor of the Empire State lacks his father's Ciceronian oratory, Andrew is well-versed in the art and practice of governance. Mamdani's antipathy to the private sector and overall economic illiteracy would bring New York City to financial ruin. The pugnacious Cuomo may not be everyone's cup of cappucino, but governing Gotham requires more than a little of Machiavelli's superior skill, competence and decisiveness. Rosario A. Iaconis, Mineola Bezos' buddies To all the celebrities and government representatives who despise the so-called wealthy people and oligarchs, I didn't see you all refusing to attend Jeff Bezos' wedding (' 'Til death do us party,' June 29). Your hypocrisy knows no bounds. Lorraine Fittipaldi, Apollo Beach, Fla. Want to weigh in on today's stories? Send your thoughts (along with your full name and city of residence) to letters@ Letters are subject to editing for clarity, length, accuracy, and style.
Chicago Tribune
30-01-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Esteban Rodriguez: Cicero's residents are particularly vulnerable under Donald Trump's agenda
Across the country, communities are on edge as immigration enforcement intensifies under Donald Trump's administration. The raids over the weekend have dominated headlines and conversations between family members, leaving many of us wondering if our neighborhood will be next. In Cicero, the harsh reality many are facing is that the town is not a sanctuary city. For me, a resident and lifelong Ciceronian, the situation grew even more alarming last week when news broke that a U.S. citizen was mistakenly detained during a raid in Newark, New Jersey. The individual, a military veteran, was swept up without cause. Weren't these operations supposed to target only undocumented individuals with serious criminal records? This action is a stark reminder of the chaos and recklessness these operations have shown in the past — chaos that now threatens to repeat itself. If citizens aren't safe, what does that say about the length authorities are willing to go in their crackdown on undocumented immigrants? And while the weight of these policies is felt nationwide, their impact is particularly devastating in places such as Cicero — where I grew up and now raise my family — where the risks are especially dire. Cicero is a vibrant town directly west of Chicago and has long been a cornerstone of culture, community and economic activity in Illinois. With nearly 90% of the population identifying as Latino, the town thrives on the contributions of all its residents and particularly its Hispanic residents who have made it a well-known Hispanic enclave, not just locally but at a national level. Yet, beneath the surface of this thriving community is a deep sense of fear. Parents worry about dropping their children off at school, unsure if they'll be able to pick them up. Workers hesitate to leave for their jobs, uncertain if they'll return home to their families. These fears aren't just theoretical; they've been part of our past and have resurfaced in the immediate present. This daily reality is not sustainable, and it starkly contrasts with the hope and resilience that Cicero's residents have always embodied. Today, Cicero remains ground zero as the most vulnerable town in Illinois during immigration raids. With the highest percentage of undocumented immigrants per capita in the state, it has become a critical target for enforcement operations. In part, this is because unlike many other municipalities in Illinois, we don't have real sanctuary city protection. Sanctuary cities adopt policies to limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration agents, giving undocumented residents a sense of security. But Cicero has no such safeguards. The reason can be attributed to Cicero's longtime town president, Larry Dominick. Known for his anti-immigrant stance, Dominick has ensured that Cicero remains a place where immigrants lack the basic protections they need. Nonetheless, you'd think that with so many immigrant families and such visible vulnerabilities, other elected leaders would be stepping up to protect our community. Surely, Latino elected officials — many of whom know firsthand the struggles this community faces — would step in to defend their constituents, right? Unfortunately, that hasn't been the case. Instead, their inaction seems tainted by Dominick's old-school politics, leaving the community without the support it desperately needs. For years, Dominick has ruled Cicero with the kind of political machine tactics that prioritize power over people. His legacy is marred by corruption, from lawsuits alleging racial discrimination to allegations of misusing public funds. Despite these scandals, Dominick has maintained control through patronage, intimidation and backroom deals. This has created a climate where challenging him feels politically risky, leaving many of our local leaders — our heroes — silent, complicit or too fearful to act. Today, I'm calling on our elected officials to rise above politics and confront the human cost of inaction, even if it feels politically perilous. Whether it's advocating for sanctuary protections, supporting immigrant rights organizations or holding local leaders accountable, there are countless ways to make a difference. Our community is under siege, and every moment of delay puts more families at risk of being torn apart. This isn't just about policies; it's about people — our neighbors, friends and families who deserve to live without fear. Let this be the moment we show that unity and compassion are stronger than fear and indifference. The time to act is now. Together, we can restore trust, protect our neighbors and ensure that every family — regardless of their status — can live with dignity and peace. Let's not wait until it's too late to make a difference.
