Letters to the Editor | April 30, 2024

How refreshing to hear from Lisa Badum of the German Bundestag in her op-ed about Europe’s non-need for American liquefied natural gas. U.S. gas companies have been relentlessly expanding their pipeline networks and building more export terminals, claiming that our friends in Europe need our gas. Of course, exporting gas can only drive up the price of gas here. More to the point, once in the atmosphere, gas knows no boundaries. No matter where it is produced or transported, the potent greenhouse gas leaks; when burned, it produces carbon dioxide emissions. In short, it worsens the climate crisis. At the local level, it also sickens those exposed to it, such as our children. So, no thanks to the proposed export terminal in Chester. Let’s stick with the sun and the wind.

Susan Donaldson, Northampton, Mass.

I read with great interest the piece on the reversal of Harvey Weinstein’s conviction in New York. While I am as appalled as any other person of good conscience, we must make sure the anger is properly placed. It should not be directed at the appellate court but at the prosecution and the trial judge. At the height of the #MeToo movement, the zeal to finally hold these predators to account was overdue. However, many at the time warned against the temptation to apply different levels of due process. Who can forget the Duke University men’s lacrosse case as a cautionary tale?

If we want actual justice, we should insist on prosecutors putting on cases that are utterly unassailable on appeal. We should insist trial judges remain dispassionate arbiters of fact rather than advocates for an outcome. Fortunately, Weinstein has a 16-year sentence waiting for him in California. Unfortunately, Bill Cosby is a free man. If we truly want to ensure that victims are not victimized again by the judicial process, we must not allow corners to be cut on due process simply because the motivation is pure. These guardrails exist to protect all of us. We must insist they are adhered to.

Kenneth Rayca, Cinnaminson

The saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” But the GOP is broken. So, if Republicans ever want to deserve another chance to govern, they must fix their broken party. Many are fond of saying that Congress is broken and blame both parties. But consider the House Republicans’ vote on helping the courageous people of Ukraine in the fight for their lives and freedom. A majority of Republicans in the House (112 to 101) voted no, while all Democrats (210) voted yes for freedom and democracy.

Why should anyone be deluded that the broken Republican Party can be trusted on anything? At Donald Trump’s command, they killed the bill to strengthen our southern border. Instead of voting to impeach Trump, who conspired to overturn the legal results of the 2020 election, they voted no to Trump’s impeachment. Yet they voted to impeach Alejandro Mayorkas, the secretary of Homeland Security, who is even now hamstrung by Republicans’ failure to increase resources for the border. The GOP is broken. Pennsylvania voters deserve representatives in Congress who they can trust will be true to their oath of office.

Joe Sundeen, Yardley

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