Letters to the Editor | Nov. 20, 2023

I’m glad the Israeli army has finally taken international journalists into Al-Shifa hospital and shown them a tunnel that they say leads to Hamas bunkers, in support of their argument justifying a military operation at the hospital. And I understand the argument that it would be dangerous to send journalists and army personnel down into the tunnel to gather evidence. But a skeptical world needs more proof. What about sending a robot camera down the tunnel and through the hallways while international journalists watch? Israel has a narrowing window of time in which to demonstrate to the world the justification for so much civilian death. Whatever is happening in the military war, Israel is losing the war of public opinion. Israel needs to back up its claims with evidence, now.

Linda Falcao, North Wales

I have just finished reading an article from the Washington Post, detailing the destruction caused by AR-15s, complete with crime scene photos. Members of the House and the Senate should be forced to see these photos and, frankly, photos of the victims in the aftermath of the carnage. No excuse accepted for absenteeism. Perhaps this would shock them enough to enact a ban on assault-style weapons. If they do not act after seeing the damage these weapons inflict, there is little humanity in their souls.

Jerome Hodlofski, Marlton

I believe an apology is in order from The Inquirer for having published a recent letter to the editor in which the writer employs the racist, sexist, and ageist canard of “old white men” in advocating for legalized abortion and labeling those opposed to it as an identifiable group. As an old white guy, I’m sure such terminology would never be acceptable in reference to folks of a different race, gender, and age. The writer should be ashamed, and so should The Inquirer.

Bob Giuliano, Springfield, Pa.

Every American should take time to read (or reread) the Constitution. Many members of Congress clearly haven’t done that, attributing to it statements that aren’t actually there, particularly regarding religion. The Constitution is a how-to manual for operating the government, as dry as the instructions for the last appliance you purchased. Nowhere does it mention God or promote faith or religion. In fact, the First Amendment prohibits the establishment of a national religion. The much quoted, “one nation under God” is not in that document. It was added to the Pledge of Allegiance in 1953, the pledge itself having been written in the late 1800s, not by our founders in 1787. Currently, some ill-informed members of Congress are seeking to install their preferred religious teachings in public schools. This would violate the freedom of those of different beliefs and run contrary to the Constitution they pretend to respect.

Jean A. Kozel, West Norriton

Megabus was established in 2006 as an affordable mode of intercity transportation with some of the best trained drivers in the industry. Megabus makes more than 8,000 trips yearly, taking millions of passengers in and out of Philadelphia. For more than 15 years, Megabus has utilized the Sixth and Market Streets location solely for quick pickups and drop-offs, with our buses continuously moving to other destinations to minimize on-site time. However, when other operators began using this spot as a terminus this summer, the area became congested.

Unlike Megabus, these operators used it as a starting or ending point for their bus services, where buses would park and stage for loading and unloading. Additionally, it became a transfer point for travelers using these services, necessitating longer waits and leading to increased loitering and congestion of sidewalks and parking spaces. The issues at this location are a direct result of these changes implemented in the summer, differing significantly from Megabus’ long-standing operational approach. Despite not being involved in these operational changes and being a responsible tenant for over a decade, Megabus has been unfairly penalized, caught in the cross fire of issues solely attributable to the practices of other operators.

The recent editorial claim that “the failure of city government (and federal regulators, who watched as Megabus captured the most profitable routes and passengers while doing little to preserve essential services) is less visible, if no less appalling” is at best misguided and why I was compelled to respond. We have been working with the city on this relocation to assure our customers are provided with the best possible service. To make it sound as if it’s Megabus’ fault that the stop has been moved is disingenuous. Our commitment to the city and residents of Philadelphia, along with all who visit, has always been and will remain to provide the safest and most affordable transportation service available.

Dan Rodriguez, vice president of public affairs, Megabus a Coach USA company

I was saddened to read about the unanimous approval for City Council President Darrell L. Clarke’s bill limiting building heights and banning roof decks throughout Brewerytown and Sharswood. As a homeowner in the area, I’m disappointed with the negative impact this will surely have on the development of the many vacant and abandoned properties in the neighborhood. Banning specific design features is short sighted at best and actively malicious at worst, discouraging the new residents that any city needs to survive. If we continue to disallow new construction, our tax base will never grow, homes will remain unaffordable, and we’ll remain the poorest big city in America. Shame on Clarke and the other Council members for going along with this misuse of their zoning power.

Tom LaPorta, Philadelphia, tlaporta@gmail.com

Unlike the annual cost of living increase for Social Security benefits, the State Employees Retirement System has not had a similar adjustment in decades. Why is there no increase for cost of living benefits from a $70 billion pension fund?

P. Shabe, Glenside

Recent statements by the University of Pennsylvania to address antisemitism do little to assist community learning if they do not include more history about the way that Israel was formed and learning about language and oppression. I understand how the language can hurt, so imagine what the words “from the river to the sea” from an Israeli leader feel like to people who are Palestinian. When we speak of the terrorism of Hamas, do we remember Irgun, a Zionist group labeled as terrorists in the 1940s? When we address the issue of the Holocaust, we must also address the issue of the Nakba. Acts of violence do not achieve their ends quickly. They are signs of desperation.

How will we reckon with our complicity in the treatment of Palestine? How will we face the challenges of colonialism still with us? It was not Palestinians who gave up their land, nor did they act in the Holocaust. It was colonial Europe who did both. When we teach history, we must teach it with truth and compassion. Revenge as foreign policy will keep this horror going for generations to come. For peace to be real, we must learn and understand how oppression works. A true telling of history may begin that work. Two wrongs do not make a right. And learning history, explaining terror, does not condone it, but it can help us to understand it.

Joan Gunn Broadfield, Chester, broadfieldje@gmail.com

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