Letters to the Editor | Oct. 15, 2025

People widely portrayed the recent ceasefire in Gaza as a diplomatic victory for President Donald Trump. Yet, the facts suggest otherwise. The painstaking negotiations that brought hostilities to a halt were carried out by diplomats, international mediators, and humanitarian organizations — not by Trump. His appearance at key junctures seems timed less to influence events and more to capitalize on them, allowing him to claim credit when success appeared imminent.

This pattern is painstakingly familiar. Throughout his public career, Mr. Trump has demonstrated a consistent tendency to insert himself into complex situations only at their conclusion, seeking the spotlight while others do the work. His engagement in the Gaza ceasefire was, at best, peripheral; at worst, it was opportunistic.

Even more catastrophically troubling is his appointment as cochair of the Gaza Rebuilding Project. This role presents an unmistakable conflict of interest. For any American president — current or former — to occupy a position that could enable personal profit from reconstruction efforts funded by U.S. taxpayers and international donors is a profound breach of ethical standards.

Such conduct reinforces the perception that Mr. Trump’s foremost concern has always been himself — his image, his wealth, and his political ambitions. To exploit a humanitarian crisis for personal or financial gain is both cynical and corrosive to public trust. That alone should be enough to impeach him.

Americans should expect more from those who have held the highest office in our land. Ethical leadership demands accountability and a clear separation between public duty and private interest. Mr. Trump’s actions once again make it plain that his loyalties lie not with the country, but with himself.

H. James Hulton III, North Wales

I am outraged and terrified to read one more account of plans to build data centers in our region, including one at the former Pennhurst State School and Hospital. I feel for those who live near these sites. The plans to supply their own electricity, including solar arrays, may sound good to some, but where is the solar energy to replace fossil fuels? How can the state and federal government support data centers, but not the future of the earth and all life? What about the water they will use when water for life is dwindling worldwide? We need to choose a future for our children, not for AI. AI is not the future; I fear it is the end.

Cecilia Dougherty, Philadelphia

After the U.S. Supreme Court’s flurry of shadow docket rulings that have allowed the Trump administration to move forward with previously unthinkable power grabs, I’m wondering if one or more justices had gotten wind of what JD Vance told podcaster Jack Murphy back in 2021.

Predicting Donald Trump would win in 2024, Vance said he’d advise him to “just seize the administrative state for our own purposes,” “fire all the people,” and “replace them with our people.”

Trump, he added, should just disregard the lawsuits that would ensue. “When the courts stop you, stand before the country like Andrew Jackson did and say, ‘The chief justice has made his ruling. Now let him enforce it.’”

Since much of what Vance laid out has already happened, does the Roberts Court want to avoid a showdown because it might not be able to enforce a ruling against the Trump administration anyway?

That’s a possibility that should worry us all.

Lisa Von Ahn, Pottsville, vonahnlisa@gmail.com

The recent article about how car thieves exploit keyless entry fobs to steal cars by cloning the fob’s radio signal suggested the use of a Faraday bag to block the radio signal and prevent a “relay attack.” Another measure to keep your car safe, which wasn’t mentioned in the article, is merely turning off the radio signal emanating from the fob. Many fobs allow shutting off the electronic signal using “sleep mode” or “battery-saving mode.” It often involves a series of keystrokes on the fob (on my Toyota Camry fob, I press and hold the lock button while pushing the unlock button four times). You can verify that the fob is inactive by attempting to open the car door. If it doesn’t open, the fob has been shut off. Turning the fob back on usually involves a single tap of one of the buttons. If you don’t have a Faraday pouch, this can help keep your car safe. Check the manual for your car.

Bernard A. Mason, Philadelphia

I would ask the citizens of Pennsylvania Congressional District 1 to bring pressure on their representative, Brian Fitzpatrick, to sign on to Discharge Petition 9 — the measure before the U.S. House of Representatives that would compel the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Only one more signature is needed to force a House floor vote on releasing government records related to Epstein. The American electorate needs to learn the identities of the pedophiles in the political and economic elite of both parties. Let us also ask Speaker of the House Mike Johnson why he has basically shut down the House — and is stalling the swearing-in of Arizona Democrat Adelita Grijalva — over this issue. Is it to stop the release of these papers to protect pedophiles?

Roy Lehman, Woolwich Township

I cannot imagine the level of justifiable resentment being felt by Penn State University teachers and students with the news that fired head football coach James Franklin will receive a $49 million severance package after 11 years of service.

The largesse comes at a time when the institution is closing unprofitable campuses throughout the state, and just after a massive raise was approved for its president.

How can someone who is a sports coach merit vast amounts of money that those who foster the education of the next generation will never see? How does a person in good conscience accept such riches? Should taxpayers continue to provide significant funding to an institution that is squandering it?

Oren Spiegler, Peters Township

When I read that Penn State, after firing head football coach James Franklin, still had a contractual obligation to pay him $49 million, two thoughts came to mind.

First, I realized that, if this vast sum had been directed to academic scholarships rather than an individual’s compensation, countless worthy students might have been able to afford a college education.

Second, I concluded that if Penn State was willing to pay $49 million for a substandard football coach, they should hire me. I’ll save them $10 million by promising a poor record for a mere $39 million.

William Dunham, Bryn Mawr

I am shocked and awed by the $49 million buyout and $8.5 million annual salary Penn State had been paying head football coach James Franklin. Penn State’s annual cost of attendance is currently estimated to be $35,000 for residents and $56,000 for nonresidents. Moreover, Penn State announced a tuition increase of about 2% for Pennsylvania residents at the University Park campus, and double that for out-of-state students. Universities everywhere are squawking about revenue shortages, and many schools like Penn State have the gall to be paying a football coach that much money.

Where are the priorities? Isn’t affordable education the touted goal of a teaching institution, not winning football games? Isn’t an educated and informed population the key to a functioning democracy? Who can afford an education anymore? Anyway, football is a leading cause of traumatic brain injury, and scientists urge kids to avoid the sport, or at least minimize early exposure. Tennis anyone?

Richard Mahr, Wayne

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