Metro East Sun

In light of the recent terrorist attack by Hamas in Israel, there has been widespread discussion and reflection on the tragic events. One individual, Bill, shared his thoughts on the conflict in Israel in a letter. He emphasized the magnitude of the violence, stating, "the murders - more than 1000 dead and counting - are the equivalent of about ten September 11ths."

Bill further highlighted the brutality of the attacks, comparing them to the Holocaust. He pointed out the similarities in the treatment of innocent civilians, stating, "They were slaughtered, shot, gassed, raped, and tortured, same as Hamas and the Palestinian terrorists did to Israelis and other innocents."

He also drew attention to the stark disparity in size between Israel and the surrounding Muslim-majority nations. He noted that there are "50 Muslim-majority nations in our world, which together are more than 1000 times Israel's size." This stark contrast raises the question of whether the score of 50 to 1 is lopsided enough.

Addressing the issue of peace, Bill emphasized the importance of sincerity. He argued that Israel has consistently demonstrated a sincere desire for peace, while lacking a sincere partner. He stated, "As judged by its actions, since inception Israel and her people have always sincerely wanted peace. But it has lacked a sincere partner. And that's why there is no peace."

Turning to domestic news, there are changes coming to Human Services Agencies in Illinois. The Directors of DHFS, DCFS, and the Department on Aging will all be stepping down by the end of the year. This announcement follows an audit of DCFS that revealed a decline in agency performance. The need for accountability and better leadership in these agencies is evident, and efforts will be made to hold them accountable.

Additionally, the Department on Aging is offering Medicare counseling during the open enrollment period. The Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) provides one-on-one counseling and assistance to those looking to make changes to their Medicare coverage. Beneficiaries are encouraged to utilize this service to review their current plan and explore other options.

Looking ahead, the legislature is set to return to Springfield for the Veto Session. Energy bills, a map for the Chicago School Board, and other controversial legislation will be discussed. Constituents are encouraged to reach out to their representatives with any concerns or questions they may have.

On a lighter note, there have been updates from the farm. The sweet potatoes have been harvested with the help of some enthusiastic helpers.

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To find out more, go to this link: https://charliemeier.net/2023/10/20/news-update-11/