Ray Hanania
Above all, let’s support Ukraine
By Ray Hanania
The terrorist regime in Tehran, Iran is providing weapons to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Iran is the same nation that supports terrorist militias that have targeted American soldiers who are fighting to eradicate the ISIS terrorists in Iraq and Syria.
Iran is partnering with Syria to block relief from getting to Syrian and Turkish victims of the recent earthquake. The earthquake struck a region of Syria controlled by anti-Assad forces.
Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, who is in Damascus, wants to regain control of the region and hopes the earthquake has devastated the opposition.
It hasn’t.
Instead of standing up to confront Russian war crimes in Ukraine, many Republican leaders have been silent or critical of the mission there.
Republicans were critical of Vice President Kamala Harris when she spoke out against Russian atrocities directly targeting Ukraine civilians in its so-far-failed “three day war” that hits one year Feb. 24.
Never mind that Harris is not a great leader and hopefully will never be president. Republicans are using the Ukraine War and President Biden’s support of Ukraine against the Russian tyranny there to score political points against Biden.
Regardless of whether you support Biden, who has failed to achieve many of his promises including bringing the country together himself, the bigger threat is Russia and its terrorist leader, Vladimir Putin.
Putin is a tyrant who undermined elections and killed challengers with radiation. Nothing happens in Russia without Putin’s knowledge and clearly he is behind cyber attacks. He makes it possible for anti-American terrorist groups like Iran, Hezbollah and Syria to target American interests, soldiers and assets around the world.
Republicans assert America should spend the billions it is giving to Ukraine to help all Americans instead of just a political few.
The tax burden on Americans is excessive, especially on seniors. The problem isn’t just Republicans. It is Democrats, too.
Biden was supposed to bring the two parties together but he has instead used the White House as a bully pulpit, but the Republicans are doing the same thing.
Last week, even Gov. JB Pritzker, the political megalomaniac who is fueled by the drive to control, issued a political attack against Republican Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy for visiting Illinois.
Despite Pritzker’s well-financed PR spins, people in Illinois are suffering economically. Retail costs are skyrocketing. Seniors and the poor are impacted the most. Nicor, as I noted last week, has doubled costs. Other heating fuel companies are following suit, with no real oversight or restraint.
We can’t allow domestic challenges to distract from Russian and Iranian threats. Supporting Ukraine is the most important foreign affairs stand we can take.
MORE INJUSTICE IN COOK COUNTY: It was disheartening to see Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx charge Oak Lawn Police Officer Patrick O’Connell in the July 27 incident when a teenager, Hadi Abuatelah, armed with a loaded weapon, refused police orders and tried to escape during a routine traffic stop.
O’Connell is charged with using excessive force to stop Abuatelah, who grabbed the weapon when he exited the vehicle. Oak Lawn police did nothing to the other youth who stepped out and listened and did what he was told. Clearly, the intent was not to punish these teenagers, who happen to be Arab.
Some in the community want to turn this into a George Floyd incident to boost their ineffective, failed leadership. Foxx, who is soft on criminals and doesn’t care about protecting law-abiding citizens, should prosecute Abuatelah for having the weapon and not obeying police.
All Abuatelah had to do was get out of the car, like his friend, and allow police to frisk him. But he didn’t, probably knowing they would find the illegal weapon.
That’s on Abuatelah and his parents, who should be held accountable for their teenager carrying a weapon. Why was Abuatelah carrying a weapon? Fortunately, he was stopped before anyone could find out. Patrick O’Connell is a hero, guilty only of being excessive in his restraint.
POWER OVER PEOPLE: Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau is unhinged and is twisting and distorting info on his referendum to eliminate the village manager position so he can consolidate power.
Pekau says he will keep a “village manager position” if the referendum passes to eliminate the current position. But he will take more control, which means the only real purpose for the referendum to eliminate the village manager position is to give Pekau more power and open the door for him to get more money, too.
Pekau says he supports term limits but no one believes he won’t run for a third term, now that his congressional candidacy embarrassingly flopped on its face.
Vote “Yes” to keep the village manager system.
Check out Ray Hanania’s columns and political podcasts at hanania.com.
Local News
Lyons man is climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch While you’re reading this story, Lyons resident Stephan Alheim will be busy climbing the tallest mountain in Africa. Alheim is one of 10 adventurers who this week are climbing to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, which is 19,341 feet tall. They started climbing Jan. 23 and are expected to reach…
Willow Springs expected to hire Lyons official as village administrator
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Ryan Grace, public works director in Lyons for the past four years, is expected to be hired as the Willow Springs village administrator tonight. The village board is expected to approve his hiring during its 7 p.m. meeting. Grace, 38, said he was offered the job by Willow Springs Mayor…
Chicago Ridge librarian knocks off ‘Jeopardy’ champion
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Rhone Talsma grew up watching “Jeopardy!” – the classic game show with a twist where the answers are given first, and the contestants supply the questions. On Wednesday, Talsma knocked off 40-day champion Amy Schneider and won almost $30,000 in the process of becoming the new champion. Locally, the show…
Seven Mt. Carmel wrestlers win titles, help Caravan to Chicago Catholic League crown; Brother Rice takes 3rd
Spread the loveBy Steve Millar Correspondent Ryan Boersma did not get the opportunity to become a four-time Catholic League champion because the COVID-19 pandemic caused to the cancellation of the conference tournament. But winning three Catholic League championships at two schools, and wrapping it up by winning a Lawless Award for the league’s best senior…
Davion Lawrence’s double-double leads Oak Lawn over Richards
Spread the loveBy Steve Millar Correspondent When they were growing up, Johnny McGowan had the upper hand when squaring off on the court against Davion Lawrence. “Me and him go way back,” said McGowan, a senior guard at Oak Lawn. “He used to sleep over at my house when we were younger. We went to…
Funds flow to Back of the Yards
Spread the loveFour groups get grants; millions more available By Tim Hadac Four organizations in Back of the Yards—three businesses and a non-profit—are among 31 awarded more than $14.4 million in small business grants being allocated through the Chicago Recovery Plan. They are: Diaz Group Office Space, 5100 S. Damen, $250,000. El Nuevo Guadalajara, 4350…
Offer reward in grandma’s slaying
Spread the loveWas shot on 71st Street By Tim Hadac A $15,500 reward is offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever shot and killed a 49-year-old grandmother in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood. Tamiko L. Talbert Fleming, of south suburban Dolton, was in the driver’s seat of her vehicle at 71st…
A sweet salesgirl
Spread the love Alessandra Valentina Paredes, a Daisy Scout with Girl Scout Troop 20637 (sponsored by St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parish), shows a sweet smile as she begins her first-ever time selling Girl Scout Cookies. The daughter of West Lawn residents Jose Antonio and Lorena Paredes, Alessandra, age 5, joined the Daisies just four months…
Midway is new for Frontier
Spread the loveLow-fare airline coming in April By Tim Hadac Low-fare passenger airline options are set to increase at Midway International Airport this spring, with the arrival of Frontier Airlines. The expansion of air travel options was announced at a press conference last week at the airport. With 10 new nonstop routes taking off starting…
Neighbors
Niego Real Estate salutes America again
Spread the love. Popular flag program underway . By Tim Hadac Clearing and Garfield Ridge residents who want to decorate their blocks in red, white and blue this Independence Day are encouraged to contact Niego Real Estate and reserve a supply of U.S. flags at no charge. The popular program to promote patriotism and community…
Lyons Mental Health Commission pulls LeaderShop funding
Spread the loveExecutive director accused of harassment From staff reports The local nonprofit service community was jolted when nearly $300,000 in mental health funds was withdrawn by a Lyons Township agency from the Western Springs LeaderShop, a social service agency that has provided youth programs for nearly 40 years. The Lyons Township Mental Health Commission…
Mount Carmel, Marist and Oak Lawn among 84 teams at Riverside-Brookfield shootout
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent High school boys basketball does not stop in March and pick back up in late autumn. For many players, playing hoops is a year-round commitment. AAU ball is a big reason for, that there are summer camps, shootouts or other events at most schools during the summer. The…
Dog lovers to celebrate ‘Fur of July’
Spread the love. By Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 . I’m starting out with some fun news. The West Lawn Dog Park Advisory Council will be hosting a Fur of July Pet Parade on Saturday, June 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at West Lawn…
Fourth of July not happy for everyone
Spread the love. By Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 517-7796 . Happy Fourth of July. Cannot believe I am already saying that, time sure goes. Hope it is safe and quiet for everyone and especially all of our house pets. For us its shutting…
St. Rita’s transformation is worth a look
Spread the love. Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 . St. Rita of Cascia Church, 63rd and Fairfield, continues to undergo its transformation from the sunflowery/harvest golds and browns of the 1960s and 1970s to the calming pastels of the 2000s. Since the basilica-style church…
Loss to Courage brings Red Stars’ winless streak to five games
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The Chicago Red Stars historic start to the season is all but forgotten. In the last five matches, the Red Stars have failed to win, with the latest setback being a 3-1 loss on the road to North Carolina on June 23 in an NWSL battle. The Red Stars…
Summer League Basketball | Illinois powers compete at Riverside-Brookfield Shootout
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent School’s out for the summer, but high school athletes across Illinois are remaining active during the summer sports season. This includes basketball players, who can be found at camps, open gyms, camps and even weekend tournaments. Among the more high profile hoops action in the area was the Riverside-Brookfield…
Dana Rettke and Ryan Murphy heading to Paris Summer Games
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Area fans of the Summer Olympics will have extra reasons to cheer athletes from the United States in the upcoming Paris Games. Dana Rettke of Riverside is a member of the U.S. women’s volleyball team and Palos Heights native Ryan Murphy will represent the country in swimming. Rettke, a…
Hope Church feeds the hungry at Marquette Park
Spread the love. Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 . Last week on the way to our CAPS meeting at the Marquette Park Fieldhouse, I stopped in at the Tuesday Community Dinner hosted by Hope Church every week in the auditorium. Pastors Ben and Jordyn…