What Makes America Great? Lots of those things are currently being deconstructed with a wrecking ball and the costs are human lives, needless misery and suffering, cruelty inflicted willingly and with malice. How is America Great when the lights of Art, Science, Education have been smashed? Come to think of it, what great things could come out of the Arts and Sciences if foundation stones upholding those lights weren’t being kidnapped and put in prison camps. Why do I say foundation stones? Well, go look at past presidents praising immigrants and let us consider what things immigrants or the children of immigrants have come up with that are perhaps essential to America and maybe even the world.

Dear Mr Perez, From your 8/16 column: “There’s just not a lot of professional sports on television. Basketball’s on summer vacation.”

I spoke with Robbie Hass, the County Highway Engineer, when the 30 mph signs went up and he tried to explain this “people drive based on the nature of the roadway” logic. And, indeed, most people do drive under 30 mph on the Croftville Road. So why post a speed limit at all? And why give ANYONE the idea that 30 mph would be appropriate?

As summer residents in the back woods near Hovland for many decades, my family has needed medical attention from time to time. This summer we had to get more appointments than ever, including an MRI, visits to a nurse practitioner and sessions with a physical therapist. So far we have been very impressed with the quality and timeliness of the care we’ve gotten. Cook County residents should be proud of the friendly, attentive staff and the level of services here in Grand Marais. We are certainly grateful for your well-coordinated services.