Stuff it, Mr. Pitts

Monday, turn to the Opinion Page; same-old, same-old from the plaintiff Pitts. What a fragile society, when a kid offering a cop a soda is seen by the nut fringe as an insult.

Chicago, 1945, white teenage sailor on liberty, farm boy from Ohio wants to see Wrigley Field, Comiskey Park, White Sox. Shipping out, might never have another chance. Saturday afternoon, one of the stadiums is a short walk from the Lake Shore Drive USO.

Black officer on the beat stops me, “Son, where are you going?” I said, “I’m on liberty sir, from Great Lakes. Back home I read about Wrigley Field, listened to the Sox games on radio, Home of Baseball, and I would like to see it.

“Stadium is closed. The only thing you are likely to see is a beating from one of the neighborhood gangs. Recommend you turn around and go back to Great Lakes.” I did.

Given the opportunity, to offer that black officer a cold Pepsi on a hot afternoon, I would buy him a case. Stuff it Mr. Pitts, Jr.

Bob Costigan

Spirit Lake