Letters to the Editor | Feb. 10, 2025

It is shameful the NFL decided to remove the “End Racism” message from the end zones at this year’s Super Bowl. Since 2021, the league has been increasingly stepping up to show support for marginalized communities. Suddenly, it appears the NFL now feels racism is over in our country, which we all know is far from the truth. Although we all know sports have become a big business, I, for one, have held on to the hope that they transcend politics; however, the NFL’s decision to remove the anti-racism message in time for President Donald Trump’s attendance at the Super Bowl has shattered that naive belief. Given a unique opportunity to continue to represent the diverse community of football players, coaches, and fans by standing up to the harmful rhetoric and dangerous unfolding policies of the current administration, Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL instead chose to join the sycophantic ranks of organizations kowtowing to a narcissist who cares for nothing but himself.

Deb Landry, Haddon Heights

I want to congratulate President Donald Trump for successfully dealing with one of the most consequential issues of our day, one which profoundly affects the daily lives of all Americans: biological males playing in women’s sports. By further marginalizing transgender individuals, and involving the federal government in what would be a local matter were it not for the need to fight culture wars, Trump has demonstrated laudable leadership.

All of us can rest easy now that our lives have been markedly improved by the president’s bold action. No longer will we have to agonize over a sports team having an unfair advantage. So what if the price of eggs is soaring toward $10 or more for a dozen? So what if increasing numbers of Americans are unable to purchase homeowners insurance due to wildly escalating premiums and companies refusing to offer coverage in flood- and fire-prone areas? The president has his eye on the ball, keeping the focus on what is truly important to the American people. Next up, driving transgender people back into the closet.

Oren Spiegler, Peters Township

The reaction of Democratic legislators to the foreign aid provided by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is baffling. They direct their anger toward Elon Musk rather than on the millions of taxpayer dollars directed to many questionable projects that do not appear to be in line with the interest of the American people. It is insulting that these legislators care more about the person who is uncovering the waste than the waste itself. Instead of holding impromptu rallies and repeating ridiculous chants, their time would be better spent looking into how and why taxpayer dollars are being misdirected. I am sure there are some projects that provide valuable assistance to other nations and should be continued, but many (like transgender and diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts) do not seem to fit that description. American taxpayers work much too hard to have their money spent so recklessly.

Mark Fenstermaker, Warminster, markfense@gmail.com

We’ve all been shocked by the crazy policies Donald Trump has instituted in the first few weeks of his presidency. During the campaign, The Inquirer Editorial Board certainly put a spotlight on Trump’s ineptitude and tried to convince people it would be a mistake to vote for him. For those of us who were saddened by his election and now fearful he’s tearing our country apart, I’m asking you to initiate a movement for us anti-Trumpers. Lead the way to come together and figure out what can be done to stop Trump from ruining our country and be held accountable for his ridiculous ideas. You can reach a wide number of voters. You have smart journalists who can pool their ideas on how to channel our frustrations and help maintain our democracy. Won’t you please help us figure out what we can do to survive the next four years?

Linda Belinsky, Huntingdon Valley

Donald Trump announced at a freewheeling news conference that the United States would “take over the Gaza Strip.” The neo-imperialist 47th president said he might deploy American troops to occupy the territory and to enforce the transmigration of millions of Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan (countries that have not yet volunteered this “hospitality”). The president went on to suggest Gaza would be redeveloped as an international “Trump Med,” no doubt to the benefit of some of Trump’s political and financial backers. The Pax Trump intends for Gaza would destabilize the region and create conditions for generations of terrorism and antisemitism.

Trump’s statements occurred in the presence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said the U.S. under Trump was going to take the situation in Gaza to “another level.” Trump, within minutes, thus ended decades of negotiations over a two-state solution and Palestinian sovereignty. He is now fully revealed as a hegemonic colonialist. The next domino to fall will be his détente with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, which will come at the price of Ukrainian sovereignty and European security. We have sown the wind, and now the world will reap the whirlwind.

Eric Radack, Santa Fe, N.M.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio says President Donald Trump only meant for Palestinians to leave Gaza because that place is “akin to a natural disaster,” full of unexploded munitions, debris, and rubble. So were Germany and Japan (especially Hiroshima and Nagasaki) after World War II. Yet, America rebuilt both nations with those defeated peoples remaining in their lands. Back then, we felt that respecting their nations and helping them to stabilize themselves was the best way. What is Trump thinking? He is modeling President Andrew Jackson, who in 1830 signed into law the Indian Removal Act that resulted in the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands. I support Israel’s right to exist in peace, but I can’t imagine resilient Palestinians and their Islamic cousins in the Middle East just peacefully accepting Trump’s new Trail of Tears.

Rosamond Kay, Philadelphia

The news conference with Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu produced a few surprises, several horrific and almost all certainly illegal. Trump has announced the best solution to the problems of the Gaza Strip will be to “take over” the region and the Palestinian people be moved away. The displacement of people based on race, as happened in Australia with the Aboriginal people and with the Indigenous peoples of America, leads to loss — of connection to the land, their culture, their health, and basically their heart.

The suggestion of sending in the military to achieve this is a war act or at least an invasion, but Trump stated that “we’ll do what’s necessary.” Netanyahu’s optimistic view is that the Gaza Strip will be a “riviera,” and yet on initial view, it doesn’t look the same, nor do I think it ever will. All this is also a warning to other countries, as the count could increase swiftly from the original 50 states, with Canada 51, Greenland 52. Maybe Gaza 53, and even Ukraine 54. It’s not a funny joke when it could become true.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

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