“Rarely does an issue for moral clarity come along” is a phrase we are hearing a lot. It is so true. All of us — and our politicians from both parties must unite against racism — and our president to eliminate this hatred everywhere it exists. Even those who voted for Trump must be offended if you have any decent values. I understand people wanted change and voted for him, but it is time to unite this country because "united we stand, divided we fall" is not just a song. We are Americans first — America stands for freedom for all. Our veterans fought and died to stop and defeat hatred that was taking over Europe. We need to stop the hatred that is taking over America.

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My late grandfather flew combat missions over Japan during World War II. If he were still alive today, in the summer of 2017, I wonder what he would think when he saw an obituary stating that someone who had just died at the age of 85 was a World War II veteran. That war ended 72 years ago. Someone who is 85 today, therefore, would have been 13 years old at the very end of the war. Did the U.S. have many 12- and 13-year-olds in combat serving during World War II? I don't think so. Some of these claims of World War II service in the obituaries are bordering on ridiculous, and it isn't unpatriotic to question them.

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Hello, Lombardians, I was at the corner of 22nd and Finley buying my PowerBall tickets. I wanted $6 worth but I only had 16 quarters, 15 dimes, six nickels and 20 pennies. The person behind the counter refused to sell them to me because I had no paper, only coins. The only other customer was buying some Gatorade and when the clerk asked if he could help, he said he was in no hurry. Please, it's bad enough the bank won't take our change. If the gas stations refuse to accept it, what are we going to do with it? Take the time to go inside with your change and see what's available. I won't mind waiting either.

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I'd just like to address Villa Park. You did Washington Street, what, five years ago? It's terrible. It's got pot holes in it; it's sinking. Whoever you hired, whoever designed it, terrible. Terrible job with the taxpayer dollars.

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Lombard calling. I totally support President Trump's response to the Charlottesville incident. I abhor the philosophy of the white supremacist, neo-Nazi groups but I defend their right to an orderly assembly. They followed the protocol and obtained a permit. Had the individuals who opposed this group met in a different area, they would have been able to get their message out there and without violence. Both sides are culpable for what took place. Why is that so hard to accept? The president is being chastised for waiting to get all the facts before pointing fingers. To me, that was the prudent thing to do. He did finally one day condemn the white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups for their philosophy but went even further to condemn all hatred and bigotry, and declare there's no place for such in this country. Yet he was still called out by those who say he waited too long. If I recall, we lived eight years with former President Obama failing to call out the radical Islamic terrorist groups for what they were and there was far less criticism of him.

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Hi. I'd like to share a little story with you about something that just happened. I have a neighbor who's 85 years old. He's had a flag pole in front of his house the last 50 years that I've been here. Today he took down the flag. The reason why he said he took it down? He said he was embarrassed about being an American. Everybody's fighting with everybody, nobody's getting along, from our governments to our people. He goes, “I'm just taking down the flag.” He folded it up, put it in a bag and walked inside. For the first time in 50 years that old man does not have a flag in front of his house. America, we've got to grow up because what's happening isn't right. Thank you.

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Lombard calling. There has now been 25 Republican lawmakers  who have left our General Assembly since Rauner took office. The fourth member of the GOP General Assembly leadership has decided step down and retire. He tells us that he is tired of dealing with the partisanship of the Rauner administration. In this state we have Democrats, Republicans and Raunerites. It's time to remove the Raunerite-in-chief in replace him with a real Republican statesman.

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The article quoted a library board member stating that the board may remove the tax increase in 20 years, when the library is paid off. Weren't we told that about the tollway back in the 1960s?  

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I just read SPEAK OUT. Someone called in and said nobody talks about the good things Donald Trump has done and says there were six, seven, eight good things for the country that he's done, but he failed to list one. I'm waiting for someone to list one good thing that President Trump has done while he's in office. I'm for impeaching him. Thank you.

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To our senators, I implore you to start working with all your fellow senators for the betterment of the United States and its people. It's time to put aside party politics and ideologies and work for us, the American people. I remember a time when senators were not looked upon with disgust. Please do the job you were elected to do: work for us. At this time, politicians are not needed. We need leaders. Be one of those leaders. This was also sent to both senators.

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Hi, this is Lombard calling in regard to the comment about people picking up their dog's waste when they walk them. Yeah, it is your responsibility, just as your dog is your responsibility, and when your dog poops, it's your responsibility to pick up your dog's poop. So please pick it up. As a dog owner it's not the best part of having a dog. However, again, it's your responsibility. So please, take your dog and your poop with you. Have a great day and may God bless us all.

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Hey, Deb Conroy. It's been three weeks now and the numbers don't lie. I was fortunate to receive a $52-a-week pay increase but after you and your bosses' money grab of 32 percent, I am now receiving a whopping $3.77 as my raise. That's really helping the working class. Tick tock, tick tock, time is running out on your Madigan clock.

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Hi, this is Villa Park. I've been watching the news about people taking down statues and now renaming Chicago parks, and seriously, this is our history, good or bad. When will this stuff end? Do we take down the Washington Monument? Do we get rid of our money because it's got all kinds of presidents who were slave owners on it? Do we get rid of Mt. Rushmore, or the American flag because slaves might have had something to do with it? Let's end the hatred and the stupidity on each side. This is our history, America. Let's stand up and be proud of it, good or bad. We need to stand up and be Americans. I just can't deal with these people anymore crying about every little thing. Thank you and have a good day.