Letters to the Editor | Jan. 24, 2024

What happened to the Republican Party that used to be traditionally anti-communist and anti-Soviet and more recently anti-Russia? The answer is: Donald Trump. Republicans are holding up funding for Ukraine, which will cause more casualties among the military and civilians, increase the possibility of greater loss of territory, and, in the worst-case scenario, enable a Russian victory. If Vladimir Putin is allowed to succeed, it would create millions of refugees, many of whom would seek asylum in the U.S. If Russia wins in Ukraine, Moldova could be next to fall. After that, possibly the Baltic states. U.S. and NATO troops would then be in a bloody and difficult war.

Aiding Ukraine is in our national interest. In addition to altruistic and political reasons, the U.S. military can learn the strengths and weaknesses of the Russian military without the loss of American lives. But most importantly, our allies throughout the world will never trust the U.S. again if we abandon Ukraine to fight Putin on its own. The Republican-led House has been leveraging Ukraine aid for increased immigration restrictions. Those two issues should be separated, and an immediate Ukraine aid package should be approved before Feb. 1.

W.A. Garvey, Medford Lakes

Donald Trump’s indictments are based on evidence regarding illegalities associated with the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection empowered by his failure to honor the oath of office to support the Constitution, violations over mishandled classified documents, financial fraud from mismanaged businesses, and attempts to corrupt state election officials. Having been involved in more than 4,000 lawsuits over 30 years, it’s clear that court proceedings are a standard Trump maneuver to deny, delay, or dismiss judgments against him and his business operations. His legal teams have failed to provide convincing legal defense to deny or dismiss the indictments and are scrambling to cause delays in court.

His recent misinformation that President Joe Biden is forcing him into federal court seems to be a reality TV plot twist that is grasping for sympathy and an attempt to deflect attention from Trump’s misbehaviors — the real reasons for the indictments and court proceedings. Biden is not involved in these or any other court proceedings. MAGA may fall for Trump’s play for sympathy, but it appears his standard court maneuvers may not work this time. Please vote responsibly in 2024 and allow Trump to deal quietly with his self-inflicted legal problems.

Craig McBride, Coatesville

I am 82 years old and grew up in a mildly racist environment, as did most, if not all, of the children of my generation. I have had many uncomfortable experiences that involved people of a color other than mine, but as I look back, I often wonder just how many of these were as much my fault as that of others. After reading Will Bunch’s column on the Alaska Airlines mishap (“‘A Black guy’ didn’t cause Boeing’s midair blowout. Capitalism did.”), I decided to do some homework to see just what it was Black people did do. The internet is an amazing repository of information; I went on to check some information in history (Black history) so I could throw in a name or two. Where to start? There is not enough room. The list of accomplishments by Black men and women — not to mention their heroic moments — is truly mind-boggling. It saddens me to think many of these accomplishments will never be properly recognized. Black people have done a lot. Take a few minutes and do some homework. I pray it will help.

Philip A Tegtmeier Sr., Honey Brook

The First Amendment says Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech. This applies to federal and state governments. Since public universities and colleges are supported by taxpayers, they are obliged to allow students or faculty to speak freely, as long as their rhetoric does not risk incitement of violence. Any group or individual should be able to book a venue to exercise their right to free speech. However, a private school’s administration should be free to set boundaries for scheduling a venue, and on academic expression by faculty. Those policies may discourage some individuals from enrolling or teaching there. If the policies discourage enough enrollment or potential faculty, its investors may withdraw, it may lose tuition revenue, and its prestige may suffer, driving it to loosen its policies.

Robin Schaufler, Swarthmore

I’m appalled at the overcrowding in some Northeast Philadelphia schools. These students are our future. How are they supposed to flourish and compete with other districts? I’m highly discouraged. And it seems the problem persists no matter how much money is thrown at the school district. It reminds me of a poor country where international aid is sent but never reaches the people. Students deserve better.

Herb McMahon, Abington

I read with outrage and sadness The Inquirer article outlining allegations of fraud, theft, and misuse of funds by executives at Community Council Health Systems, along with the nonprofit’s board members ignoring their fiduciary responsibility. The accused used funds entrusted to them to provide mental health counseling in West Philadelphia to instead finance their own luxuries. In this country, we regularly hear pleas for more mental health care. Here was an organization with the funds to provide that care. How many children found their way into foster care because this program did not provide the help their families needed? How many mentally ill residents are currently homeless because of the lack of a mental health worker to help them connect with medical and counseling care?

Kathryn Rossé, Philadelphia

I’ve read a lot of Inquirer exposés of malfeasance, but this one takes the cake. The Community Council Health Systems board of directors was obviously a sham. The organization had no real governance. Where was the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health in its oversight responsibility? Where was the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services? Where was the state attorney general? The article cites three years when the nonprofit failed to file outside audits. Was there no consequence? Why did the state not prosecute board members for improper spending? When questioned, both the attorney general and Community Behavioral Health refused to comment. Really? Why were irregularities cited in the 2017 audit not followed up by the relevant oversight agencies? How did the nonprofit get away with not paying its payroll taxes? The board was obviously a joke, but the real fault lies with the government agencies charged with overseeing the integrity of the public mental health system.

Angelo Sgro, Philadelphia, agsgro@comcast.net

Karnamaya Mongar was a female immigrant patient who died because of the negligence of West Philadelphia’s infamous Kermit Gosnell during a botched abortion procedure. It was a tragic death that could have been prevented. It is in the memory of Mongar and all those women who suffered at the hands of Gosnell that the Pennsylvania legislature passed a measure in 2011 to require abortion facilities to meet certain health and safety standards — standards that were written in the best interests of women. Repealing this law would turn back the clock — back to the days when hair and nail salons received greater scrutiny in Pennsylvania than abortion centers. Now is not the time to go backward.

Maria Gallagher, legislative director, Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation, Harrisburg

I’ve read that Donald Trump is a threat to democracy and Joe Biden’s mental acuity is in question, so we vote for the lesser evil. Be careful what you ask for. Obviously, Trump is a self-serving kleptocrat, wannabe dictator. On the other hand, Biden is supplying the right-wing government of Israel with the munitions needed to keep bombing the innocent civilians of Gaza, and he’s asking for more. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told his country he has no interest in a two-state solution, and Biden’s stance is that there will be no restrictions on military aid to a right-wing government bent on retribution. The tail is wagging the dog. Voting for Biden and his inhumanity is not the lesser of two evils. He has the ultimate power and refuses to use it.

Roy Lehman, Woolwich Township

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