I am perplexed by the recent controversies concerning presidential campaign debates. Commentators and news networks are demanding that the candidates agree to scheduled debates. These demands are couched in the public’s need to learn more about the candidates by questioning them directly and allowing the candidates to confront each other. Presumably, the process would allow us all to discern a more accurate, or honest, view of how the candidates stack up.
But presidential debates have become the complete opposite of a fair or useful evaluation of the candidates and their positions. Rarely, if ever, do the candidates directly answer questions posed. Rather they simply launch into a narrative they have prepared on virtually any subject they desire to discuss. Replies are laced with unfounded attacks on their opponent, meaningless anecdotes about individuals intended to support a broad policy, flag-waving and simple childish name-calling.
There is no way to enforce any fact-checking. Any attempt to call out a lie is simply washed away with more lies. Watching these debates has become torture to any logical mind looking for useful information.
Current debate formats and processes actually favor a candidate who can lie most frequently and loudly. Truth or logic has little value in these forums.
I understand why networks and news media want these debates to take place — it gives them material to fill their airtime or their newspapers. And of course, each debate can fuel hours of political discussion shows and editorials. But I think they are completely counterproductive to the process of picking our best choice of a leader.
If we can manage to not have presidential debates this time around, I say good riddance.
— Gerry McGovern, Naperville
Biden shouldn’t debate Trump
Several news organizations have recently urged a debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. In general, I would argue that recent debates have not actually been debates but rather the candidates giving canned speeches who usually are not responsive to the questions.
In particular, here are several reasons Biden should not debate Trump:
Trump repeatedly talked over Biden until Biden asked him to shut up. The moderators should have cut Trump’s mic for this conduct but didn’t. It gave viewers a headache, if not nausea. Trump has no basic decency, so he will not conform to the debate rules.
Trump doesn’t debate but rather spews a firehose of lies so quickly that it is not humanely possible to respond to half of them. Not responding makes it look like one can’t, when the reality is that there just isn’t enough time to keep track of all the lies in real time, let alone debunk them.
What do you say to Trump claiming that Biden is behind all of the court actions against Trump or that Biden was on cocaine for the State of the Union address? “Did not, did too” is not a debate, but a waste of time.
Trump is a petulant toddler, and those of us with children know that a debate with one is pointless. As someone else said, there is no point in playing chess with a pigeon. At some point, the pigeon will knock over the pieces, poop all over the board and then strut around like it won the game.
George Bernard Shaw said: “Never wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty and the pig likes it.”
Biden shouldn’t don’t get baited into debating Trump. They will both get dirty, and Trump will like it.
— Carol Harrington, Western Springs
What being an evangelical means
In this politically charged time, the word “evangelical” has, unfortunately, become identified with and co-opted by a political movement of conservative white Christian nationalists. This is a frightening distortion of its true meaning.
I am an evangelical Christian. That means I am called to evangelize, to share the good news, which is the Gospel. My tradition calls me to share this spiritual awakening in a loving and forgiving God by “doing justice, loving mercy and walking humbly.” I am continually challenged to live out my life as an evangelical Christian.
That said, being an evangelical does not mean adopting a political party. It does not mean favoring one ethnic group over another. It does not turn a blind eye to lawlessness and lies or to advance grievances and hate. Specifically, an evangelical Christian does not condone any identification with white nationalism. Nor does a genuine evangelical claim any human being as being akin to Jesus Christ.
I declare from my heart that I will not allow my spiritual heritage coming out of an immigrant evangelical church to be co-opted by those who misuse this precious New Testament word.
Is the media listening? May God have mercy upon us all.
— The Rev. Martin Deppe, Chicago
Bears vision is laughable
The Tribune (“‘Momentum’ key in quest by Bears,” April 14) gave us a good summary of the current Kevin Warren-Bears vision for Chicago’s Museum Campus. The team CEO is going to breathe new life into it. Maybe he could breathe some life into the West Side too?
So the Bears are going to fix Chicago. This is rich coming from a football team, one that can’t get its own house in order: losing records, a long string of failed quarterbacks and coaches, and a confused effort toward a new stadium.
The whole thing is laughable, and it is insulting.
— Blaise J. Arena, Des Plaines
Create another NFL team
Since Bears CEO Kevin Warren has emerged as one of downtown Chicago’s biggest boosters for keeping the Bears in Chicago, how about this idea? The NFL buys the property and creates a second Illinois team to be located at the Arlington Park location.
New York, Florida and California all have more than one NFL team. Why not Illinois? The Bears might not want the competition, but football fans would love it!
— Andriette Parks, Palatine
Pop star doesn’t need freebie
Was it really necessary to give Taylor Swift free publicity on Page One on April 17 for her new album? There are hundreds or thousands of artists and arts organizations that would love such great publicity but can’t afford the professional assistance to get it.
— Alan Peres, Oak Park
Are products marked up a lot?
Mail I get or advertisements I see on TV offer substantial discounts for purchasing products: 30%, 40% and, for some jewelry, 90% discounts. If we are to believe these discounts, the seller ought to provide the date and duration that the gross price was offered, alongside the discount offer.
— Richard Schultz, Crete
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