Letters to the Editor | Jan. 18, 2024

President Joe Biden spent part of Monday loading apples in the packing room at Philabundance, where he reportedly empathetically listened to the stories of everyone working the food line with him. Biden epitomized what an American president should be doing: serving the people of the country he leads. His actions on the MLK Day of Service illustrate the stark difference from what his predecessor did just one day later. Donald Trump sat in yet another courtroom after he had already been found guilty of sexual assault and in which a jury will decide how much he’ll pay for defamation against his victim, E. Jean Carroll. Astonishingly, during the jury selection process Tuesday, he continued to defame his victim in real time on social media. As a teacher, I am appalled by the example this man has set for the youth of America, the worst example ever to hold the office of president.

Susan Baraldi, Lansdowne

With all the hoopla over whether William Penn’s statue should stay or go from Welcome Park, here’s a question: Why can’t the current African American Museum in Philadelphia building be utilized for an American Museum for Indigenous Peoples after the former moves to the Parkway? It is long-overdue recognition in our city. Let’s get this rolling.

Ruth Forman, Philadelphia

A recent letter claiming mistreatment of dairy cows is ridiculous. I should know because I’m a fourth-generation dairy farmer who works on my farm every day. To produce milk, cows must be healthy and comfortable. Ensuring our cows have plenty of fresh water, clean bedding, and protection from the elements is a priority. Calves are the future of our herd, so it’s crucial to get them off to a healthy start. That includes protecting their fragile immune systems by placing them in clean, dry individual pens, which lessens the chance of illness and protects them from the weather. Bottle-feeding calves allows farmers to monitor their intake and ensure they receive adequate nutrition. Look to the experts — farmers like me — to learn the real story about how milk is produced.

Lolly Lesher, dairy farmer, Bernville, Pa.

Not long ago, a man of Donald Trump’s moral character would never be considered as a candidate for the presidency. There was a day when praising dictators like Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un would end a politician’s career. Refusing to accept the results of an election and claiming fraud, without any verifiable evidence, would earn the contempt of all Americans. Inciting a riot that injured police officers, damaged the U.S. Capitol, and threatened members of Congress and the vice president would surely have resulted in impeachment and criminal conviction. Trump is guilty of all these transgressions, and yet he is likely to be the Republican candidate for president. Trump was impeached, and the vote in the Senate to remove him from office was 57-43. Presumably, more Republicans would have voted to remove him, but they believed he would be gone in days, so why take the political risk? What a mistake and a missed opportunity. Now, the majority of the Republican Party is willing to overlook all his wrongs and support his candidacy. Yesterday seems so far away.

William Owens, Hammonton

Join the conversation: Send letters to letters@inquirer.com. Limit length to 150 words and include home address and day and evening phone number. Letters run in The Inquirer six days a week on the editorial pages and online.