As dire as the immigration crisis is, I can’t help but think about the 1997 film “Wag the Dog.” It’s about a president seeking reelection who sends a spin doctor and cameraman to a foreign country to fabricate a war. Once the propaganda is in play, the president uses it on the campaign trail to draw attention away from his scandalous past. So, how does this relate to the current immigration crisis?
Prior to 2017, the population of Venezuelan immigrants in the U.S. was relatively stable at 225,000. Then in August 2019, Donald Trump imposed more extreme sanctions against Venezuela, essentially cutting them off from the rest of the world. This helped lead to a collapse of their economy and social order. Families could ether stay and watch their loved ones die from starvation and homicide or flee the country. About the same time, Trump cut off hundreds of millions of dollars Congress had appropriated in humanitarian aid to Central America.
By 2021, the Venezuelan immigration population in the U.S. had reached 640,000 people.
I find it all too convenient for Trump and the GOP to use the border security crisis as a rallying cry on their campaign trails when Trump expedited the crisis.
Isolating the U.S. from the rest of the world by building an iron curtain around it does nothing in solving the humanitarian crisis we created. It will just stockpiles it at our front door.
The question begging to be answered is: What is the true intention behind the border wall? Is it to keep immigrants from entering? Or is it meant to prevent Americans from fleeing the U.S. at some later date?
Instead, all of the money Congress had appropriated for humanitarian aid should be reinstated along with the money appropriated for the border wall. It will take a lot of effort to rebuild the countries we destroyed.
Readers should contact their senators and representatives and tell them to focus their efforts on addressing the humanitarian crisis. Reestablish economic ties with the countries we destroyed to stop the flow of migrants.
— Robert Priban, Crest Hill
Let me make sure I understand this. Two days before Christmas, to deter buses carrying migrants, officials in Grundy County put up digital signs on a publicly funded highway that basically said, “No room at the inn.”
Where do these people worship?
— Mary Kay Shutt, Chicago
How about this for the migrants? Each city in Illinois with, say, a population of more than 100,000 people could accept a busload of these folks, so about 90 people. A committee or group of locals could work to get families to take a few migrants. Nonprofits and churches could work together to find medical care, housing, food, etc. Then the process of legalizing, or not, could begin.
The pain and suffering these poor souls are going through is just too much. It’s too much for me and should be too much for any good, kind person.
— Gloria Stripe, Gurnee
Amy Dickinson wrote a recent column in which she gave her personal recommendations for charities to support (“Annual charity column shows ways to give,” Dec. 26).
She put Planned Parenthood on her list and specifically supported their “abortion services.”
I, like many people, am deeply troubled when abortion is called a service. Service to whom? Certainly not to the child being denied the right to life and freedom. Et cetera.
Furthermore, Planned Parenthood already receives government funding and should not need more handouts to support its activities.
— Jean Johnson, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
This is the time of year that traditionally, we commit to new beginnings. We reflect on the successes of the previous year and look to build on them. We vow to make the changes in our lives that we feel will enrich us and the lives of those we love. This is the season of hope.
But, a reminder. Ultimately, it is a just a day on the calendar. The true source of this potential change is within each of us. And it is there every single day of the year, not just today.
So I encourage readers to perform the traditional rituals and throw out those cookies. Or make a workout schedule or research that class that you’ve been thinking about or whatever your want of change may be. But remember also, that May 1 can also be New Year’s Day. Aug. 18 can be New Year’s Day. Any day can be New Year’s Day if you choose to make it so.
And I encourage readers to take advantage of all those New Year’s Days throughout the year. Every day is an opportunity to make positive change in our lives. It is just up to us to decide that day, whichever it may be, is New Year’s.
— Patrick Keane, Chicago
As resolutions commence, the overindulgence of the last few weeks brings on our latest trend of “Dry January.” A little self-care and reflection never hurt anyone, but before we collectively atone for our gluttony, I’d like to pay Dionysus his due.
There’s nothing quite like a Chicago bar on a frigid January night. Stepping into the warm embrace of dry recirculating air, scented with spicy colognes and perfumes competing with the faint scent of stale pilsners and shots. The first sip of beer might rival heaven, while the taste of Malort could be considered worse than hell. The ambient noise of people conversing in the intimate space, shielded by shut windows (ignoring the “please respect our neighbors” sign), becomes momentarily relevant with the arrival of a new patron through the door. Nostalgia washes over as neon signs and dim lighting cast old friendships in new focus.
After a night of laughter and libations, the rush of cold air and the aroma of a CTA diesel bus momentarily break the spell of inebriation, offering relief as you contemplate a drunken cigarette, a discreet rendezvous or a responsible Uber ride home.
So now, as you decide whether to dry out or drink up, remember there’s nothing like a bar in Chicago in January.
— Jeremy Custer, Chicago
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Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
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