Letters to the Editor | April 29, 2024

At the U.S. Supreme Court’s hearing on whether Donald Trump has total immunity from prosecution for acts committed during his presidency, Justice Brett Kavanaugh opined that the court will be writing “a decision for the ages.” Perhaps Kavanaugh and other “originalist” justices should reread Article Two of the Constitution, which does include the word immunity as it relates to holding the office of president. In that regard, the framers already decided for the ages. Kavanaugh and the originalists should have an easy time writing their decisions.

William Robinson, Fairless Hills

Please stop referring to the college protests as “pro-Palestinian.” They are anti-war, humanitarian, and anti-genocide demonstrations.

Craig Moritz, Phoenixville

“Free Palestine” is not a protest against what Israel is doing in Gaza. It is a call to destroy the one Jewish state. I, many Jews, and many Israelis oppose what Israel has been doing in Gaza. On Oct. 7, Hamas raped and killed women, cut off infants’ heads, butchered young people enjoying a concert, and took hostages. Protest Hamas and many Jews and I will join. Enough of violence.

Harold Rosenthal, Philadelphia

Reading the recent editorial about the sheriff’s scandal-plagued office makes me wonder: Are they above the law? The Inquirer has covered the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office for years and uncovered many deficiencies. Yet, nobody in the city administration or legal departments has done anything about it. The Inquirer’s latest investigation identified nearly $3.2 million that flowed into an account controlled by the sheriff called “Operations Cost Payable.” Where were the city’s watchdogs?

Four years ago, Brett Mandel, a top aide to Sheriff Rochelle Bilal, was fired after he questioned the slush fund expenditures. The whistleblower gets fired, and the crimes keep on going. How about last year, when Bilal proposed to give herself a 109% raise to a $285,000 annual salary? That would make Bilal the highest-paid elected official in the city. To make matters worse, she asked for a 40% annual budget increase for her department. It’s an insult to the taxpayers and residents of Philadelphia to have a department that thinks it is above the law. When the city is suffering with school budgets, crime, gun violence, and underfunded programs, why is the sheriff’s office not held accountable? Please take action to stop this abuse of power.

Patrick Thompson, Media

The Inquirer refers to Democrats casting write-in ballots as flexing muscles. If this was motivated by frustration over President Joe Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict, I get it. Yes, Hamas’ attack started that conflict, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has used it as an excuse to indiscriminately kill Palestinians — and our taxes support him in this endeavor. But please, fellow Democrats, don’t flex those muscles in November. Any vote — write-in or not cast — is a vote for the Republican candidate. Enough said.

Marie Conn, Hatboro

In 1972’s gangster classic The Godfather, Kay (played by Diane Keaton) questions Michael (Al Pacino) regarding his decision to join the family business. He had earlier told her that he was not like his father and that he would take his life in another direction, but he reneged on that promise. “I can’t go against the family,” he proclaims. Kay shows her disdain for his position, bitterly criticizing what she calls “this Sicilian thing.”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell accurately states that Donald Trump is “practically and morally responsible” for the events of Jan. 6, 2021. Former Attorney General Bill Barr states that Trump “should not be allowed anywhere near the White House ever again.” Yet, both men have now announced that they will vote for Trump in November. They just can’t go against the party. We can close our eyes and hear Keaton mocking “this Republican thing.” Party loyalty is one thing, and is practiced by members of both major parties, but voting for a candidate whom you have already proclaimed is unfit to be president is madness. What are they thinking?

Hodge Barton, State College, Pa.

Ogechi Nwodim’s op-ed, “I’m a Black doctor. DEI matters to my patients,” in which she opposes congressional passage of the EDUCATE Act, is filled with flawed ideas and promotes a divisive agenda. Her argument is quite dangerous for our country. First, Gregg Murphy, the principal sponsor of this legislation, and with whom my organization, Do No Harm, has worked closely, is a practicing physician, not a former physician. He has treated patients all over the world on medical missions. He knows what it means to provide equal access to world-class care.

Second, the medical literature does not support the concept that Black patients have better health outcomes if they have a Black physician. My organization has published a review of the five systematic studies of this issue encompassing over 60 publications. They prove that there is either no benefit or, in some cases, even worse results when patients and physicians are matched by race. Nwodim is cherry-picking the research.

Finally, would anyone support the logical conclusion of her argument — namely, that white patients should also demand to see only white doctors? Her argument paves the way for the resegregation of health care, cultivating animosity while worsening health outcomes for patients of all races. We should encourage all patients, including those in minority communities, to seek out the best physicians and the best treatment available — not merely a physician with the same skin color.

Stanley Goldfarb, chair, Do No Harm, Bryn Mawr

A recent letter to the editor that defends a bill in Pennsylvania that would increase state funds to private schools tells only part of the story. It missed three important points: The choice issue as a means to better education is not proven, there are already two means for funding private education taken from my tax dollars, and the state is now under court order to improve public schools. The truth-stretching that keeps happening regarding public education relies on fears and myths. Fears of public education (due to underfunding that has allowed less than sufficient results) and myths about how well other options, like charters and cyber schools, have worked.

Last year’s court decision that found the state’s education funding system unconstitutional confirmed the problem, one which many had pointed to despite legislative denials. Funding is key to allowing smaller classrooms and more resources, things essential to providing relationship-building and options for learning. We cannot be deterred from allowing school districts what they need to provide better public schools. My taxes matter, and I am ready to fight even the funds now allowed for private schools.

Joan Gunn Broadfield, Chester, broadfieldje@gmail.com

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