Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
The Sun-Times last week endorsed Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s plan for civilian oversight over the Chicago Police Department. This endorsement is based on two faulty premises.
First, contrary to what the Sun-Times asserts in its editorial, the mayor’s proposal is not consistent with what activists have demanded. This is because the mayor’s ordinance takes the community out of community oversight. The mayor’s proposal creates a temporary commission that she will largely hand-select. This temporary commission, controlled by mayoral appointees, will likely retain power for a long time because Mayor Lightfoot’s ordinance will not create a permanent commission that is selected with true community input unless state law is changed. Thus, without a change in state law, the commission responsible for providing oversight over CPD is likely to largely be an extension of the mayor and not representative of communities most impacted by police violence.
AP Photos
Steven P. Millies’ May 7 op-ed on the movement in parts of the Catholic Church to withhold Communion from lay Catholics, most notably President Joe Biden, who “hold policy views that diverge from many Catholic bishops” was well-written and informative about some of the struggles within the church especially on abortion.
Pope Francis’ statement that the Eucharist “is not a prize for the perfect but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak” is in line with the sense of many Catholics that all of the sacraments are conduits of strength and grace, not rewards for “good behavior,” as we were once taught.
Climate Change Solutions: Nuclear Energy and Carbon Capture Technology
Climate Change Solutions: Nuclear Energy and Carbon Capture Technology
April 29, 2021 Photo: Windmills on a hill
The frozen wind turbines seen during last month’s Texas blackout along with the regular rolling blackouts we see during California summers draw attention to the uncomfortable reality of wind and solar energy: they are not reliable enough to support the United States’ energy grids. As technology advances, solar and wind batteries may be able to store more energy. Yet currently, energy storage for these renewables is poor. Given these constraints, federal and state governments should look to capitalize on other options nuclear energy as well as natural gas, used in conjunction with carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology which are highly efficient, reliable, and clean solutions that can power the United States without interruption.
Police are seeking public assistance to find a boy reported missing from Campbelltown.
Mario Caruso, aged 12, was last seen at a school on Beverley Road, Campbelltown about 2pm yesterday (Friday 19 February 2021).
Officers from Campbelltown City Police Area Command have concerns for his well-being due to his age.
Mario is described as being of Middle Eastern/Mediterranean appearance, about 160cm-165cm tall with a medium build, black hair and brown eyes.
At the time he was last seen, he was wearing a school uniform, green shirt, green jumper, grey shorts and grey runners.
Anyone who has seen Mario, or has information about his whereabouts, is urged to call Campbelltown City Police or Crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.