The only good thing that came out of the editorial “Caitlin Clark’s main ‘privilege’ is one of talent. She must not be allowed to become a target for rule-breakers” (June 4) is knowing that the Tribune Editorial Board knows who the Chicago Sky are. It has not even been three years since our championship — still the most recent one for Chicago sports — when the Tribune had a freelance writer (who did a great job!) cover the series.
This editorial was more an attack on the idea of privilege and a defense of meritocracy than it was about the Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark.
Clark is a generational talent and deserves better than lazy ax grinding. She was drafted first by a team that finished last in the Eastern Conference the last three seasons. Clark is going to struggle and, yes, has a target on her back — not because of other players’ petty jealousy but because she can shoot a logo 3 and pass like the pro she is. She will be guarded fiercely because that is what competition looks like among the best basketball players in the world.
If the Tribune Editorial Board is so worried about the “rule-breakers,” why no statement after the Connecticut Sun’s Alyssa Thomas clotheslined the Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese to the ground? This is the same Thomas who nearly kneecapped Candace Parker in the 2022 WNBA playoffs when Parker was playing for the Chicago Sky. The Tribune reported that Reese flexed toughness during that game. The selective outrage is telling.
As for who won charter flights, that credit goes to the number of WNBA veterans, such as Breanna Stewart and Kelsey Plum, who publicly advocated for flights over the past few years. Was the tipping point Clark and the increased number of people who are paying attention? Likely. But it should be seen as a shared win.
As for Clark’s poor playing on the day after Carter fouled her, that might be more about the Fever and her having played their 11th game of the season while everyone else was still on Game 7 or 8. The team has barely been able to practice, which is something that Clark has been vocal about. This is the real issue fans of Clark should be railing about.
The WNBA, in its excitement at the uptick in fans and as a way to counter the narrative that it’s not as exciting as NCAA play, is running Clark and the Fever into the ground.
But only a newspaper actually paying attention to the league would know that.
— Veronica I. Arreola, Chicago
Impression at Sky game
Our family was fortunate enough to get to watch a recent Sky game in Chicago. What impressed us most was the large crowd, of all ages and all races and including men, women and children, enjoying the event! So many little girls with their teams or parents were there as well.
What we need to get over is allowing so many “famous” people making WNBA games into a race issue. Is this a positive lesson for young girls? Shame on all who want to downplay Caitlin Clark’s part in filling the stadiums. Every player out there had their chance to do that, but Clark was the right person at the right time and made this happen.
Now we need to keep it going as good teams should. Where was “The View” co-host Whoopi Goldberg when the WNBA needed a boost?
Thank you to the Tribune Editorial Board for taking time to put that into an opinion piece on Tuesday!
— Elaine Layden, Burr Ridge
Caitlin Clark is inspiring
I totally agree with the editorial on the hit Caitlin Clark took during what was supposed to be a basketball game, not a battlefield. While I am a fan of “The View” co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg and Sunny Hostin, I was appalled at what they had to say about this incident.
I started watching women’s basketball because of Caitlin Clark. It is so much fun to watch someone so talented.
— Debbie O’Donnell, Elmhurst
What about Simone Biles?
The on-court and news conference behavior of Chicago Sky athletes and their coach was abysmal, shocking, and not worthy of professional athletes. Thank you for covering the story. I am a devoted sports section reader. Devoted but at times disappointed.
How about covering the story of a true athlete, Simone Biles? She is undeniably the greatest female gymnast of all time, and her accomplishments are rarely covered with the same full-color photos plus articles given to so-called professional athletes more interested in playing junkyard ball than attempting to measure up to any professional standard. Biles recently won her ninth national championship.
I’ll stick with watching NCAA basketball when I want to watch a real game.
— Patricia Kluzik, Elgin
Pregnancy care center services
A recent op-ed by three University of Notre Dame educators reveals a shocking lack of research and critical thinking about pregnancy care centers (“Fraud at crisis pregnancy centers should make us rethink policy,” May 24). Aid for Women is compelled to set the record straight.
Let’s begin with the analogy that the educators chose. Cancer is not analogous to pregnancy. Cancer is a disease. Pregnancy is a normal condition in sexually active females that suggests, if anything, a healthy reproductive system. Cancer is never welcome. Pregnancy is usually welcomed by the family. Cancer left untreated will often cause death. Pregnancy, with minimal medical intervention, generally will resolve itself in nine months. A clump of cancer cells is called a tumor. The so-called clump of cells in pregnancy is actually a child in the initial stages of human life. It is a unique, living human being worthy of its own human dignity.
The educators can be forgiven for offering an inappropriate analogy because absolutely nothing compares to the singular, procreative ability of a woman to conceive, nurture and give birth to a child.
Aid for Women rejects the dishonest picture the educators paint of the client experience at pregnancy care centers. Every woman at our pregnancy centers who calls about an abortion is told, before scheduling an appointment, that we do not provide abortions. Each Aid for Women location is supervised by our medical director, a board-certified OB-GYN, and is staffed by at least one licensed nurse. Eight licensed nurses and one nurse practitioner serve Aid for Women’s clients. Every ultrasound is performed by a certified sonographer.
When an abdominal ultrasound doesn’t provide adequate information, a transvaginal ultrasound is performed with the client’s consent. Each ultrasound is used to determine whether a viable, intrauterine pregnancy exists and is reviewed by our medical director. The woman receives honest, accurate information about her pregnancy. Although not regulated by HIPAA, Aid for Women voluntarily abides by its standards in maintaining strict privacy of client information.
In short, Aid for Women offers pregnancy tests and ultrasounds, as well as social services, including counseling, parenting courses, material resources, maternity housing, post-maternity housing, insurance assistance and referrals to other medical and social service providers — all absolutely free.
We appreciate this opportunity to educate readers on the valuable work done at Aid for Women and countless other pregnancy care centers.
— Beth Rodriguez, president, board of directors, Aid for Women, Chicago
What our military deserves
Another D-Day remembrance this week. We need to remember it, honor it and think about it. I think about a father-in-law who quit school and signed up to serve the day after Pearl Harbor. An uncle, barely in his 20s, flew ammo and supplies for the surrounded soldiers in Bastogne, Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge. Because it was flying low for drop accuracy, his plane was shot down.
I volunteered for the draft and served after the Korean War and before Vietnam. Then I think about Donald Trump, who once said he knew more than the generals who were advising him. Really? These military leaders risked their lives at times. They have years of experience and education guiding them in reacting to our country’s needs.
And remember Trump’s reaction when offered the opportunity to visit the graves of Marines who died in World War I?
Trump has no military experience. He had his chance when his name came up to be drafted. His very rich father found a doctor who diagnosed Trump with bone spurs in his heels, thus making him unfit for military service.
Does the military of our country deserve or want such a commander in chief? Do we as a country?
— Bill Burns, South Elgin
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