Letters to the Editor | Sept. 6, 2024

As Philadelphia gets ready to host the first debate next week between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, here are a few questions the former president should answer. 1) Did you get approval from your parole officer to be here tonight? 2) Do you support the position that convicted felons should be allowed to vote? 3) When Vladimir Putin wants you to do something for him, does he call you on your cell phone or landline? 4) What exactly is the difference between a “loser” and a “sucker”? Many brave veterans want to know. 5) You promised to pardon the traitors who attacked the U.S. Capitol and Capitol Police, and who tried to overturn the results of a free and fair election. If, heaven forbid, you are reelected, what other criminals do you plan to let out of jail? Trump may answer these questions in any order he wishes.

Steve Cickay, Newtown

Three days after the Republican National Convention, The Inquirer ran an article fact-checking the speeches and remarks given there. A reasonable person would expect a similar article fact-checking what was said at the Democratic National Convention. As far as I could tell, that did not happen. It is one thing for The Inquirer Editorial Board to take a stand against Donald Trump in the coming election, but there is no excuse for the uneven and biased reporting of the political events that happen every day.

The media was negligent in failing to report the extent of President Joe Biden’s physical and mental decline (including Kamala Harris’ possible involvement in a cover-up) until it was painfully obvious to everyone. The media covers the Trump Arlington National Cemetery controversy while failing to report on Harris’ total lack of concern for the Gold Star families that were so affected by the administration’s decision on the Afghanistan withdrawal. Why is the liberal press not pressing Harris on her proposed policies and why has she changed her stance on so many of them? The Inquirer has an obligation to report all of the news — not just what happens to agree with its philosophical leanings.

Mark Fenstermaker, Warminster

Let me see if I have this straight. The state of New Jersey (against all expert advice) wishes to spend close to a half-billion dollars to create a new sports and entertainment complex for the Sixers. Think of the jobs this will create in what’s essentially a dead and decaying area (north Camden). And, as it’s Jersey tax dollars, I’m more than happy to support that option (misguided as it may be).

Meanwhile, the owners of the current Wells Fargo Center wish to partner and expand their arena, along with a new vision for the sports complex. Again, think of the jobs. What’s been shown online has been impressive. Finally, the Fashion District will perhaps be turned into a life-sciences building and innovation lab — a facility that will be used every day of the year (unlike the new arena the Sixers propose). Again, if you’re a union worker, you’re loving the new jobs all three of these projects will bring. It’s a win for all parties involved. And doesn’t the Camden 76ers have a nice ring to it? All without destroying Chinatown and the surrounding community, and all three creating thousands of jobs for many years.

Bryan Andersen, Philadelphia, Bryan.Andersen@outlook.com

The suspension of talks between Temple University and the University of the Arts, as reported in The Inquirer, shows a tragic failure. The failure of UArts has harmed its students, faculty, and staff, the Avenue of the Arts community, its own trustees, some of its senior leadership, and the city of Philadelphia. Given this, the concerns of the Hamilton Family Charitable Trust are simply baffling. Dorrance Hill Hamilton was a generous donor trying to build UArts. The trust ignored this major investment until catastrophe struck. Then the trustees seem to not be interested in the lifeline Temple has offered. The trust’s position should not be determinative.

The Pennsylvania attorney general has an entire division focused on nonprofit organizations. The extraordinary nonfeasance or possible malfeasance of the UArts leadership should force the immediate appointment of a fiscal conservator. That conservator might engage the Hamilton Family Trust in a discussion of how to protect and preserve Hill Hamilton’s vision by rebuilding UArts, and how spending funds on protracted litigation is a questionable charitable use of funds. At the same time, such a conservator could make public what actually happened, which is long overdue and will allow all stakeholders to plan for a future that includes a major arts education institution on the Avenue of the Arts. Hopefully, the mayor and the governor can help ensure the process of rebuilding starts now.

Robert J. Brand, Philadelphia, bobjbrand@gmail.com

Is it just me? The U.S. recognizes the right of Ukraine and Israel to defend themselves from unprovoked aggression, respectively, from Russia and Hamas. But Ukraine must do so with one arm tied behind its back, and Israel is given free rein for what amounts to a slaughter of innocents of biblical proportions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has to deal with Russian missiles and threats to a nuclear reactor but is not permitted to use U.S. weapons to respond to those threats. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plays the victim and hopes an expanded conflict will keep him in office to fulfill his vision of “a greater Israel” promised by God. It is a nightmare for the Jewish and Arab people. What am I missing?

Michael J. Cummings, Philadelphia, castlecomer@gmail.com

Summer vacation has ended. My family just finished our yearly ritual of gathering up school supplies. My son is a wonderful student and thrives in the classroom. I have no fear he’ll tackle any exam or project that comes his way, but there’s something else in the back of my mind that I can’t shake: Will his school be welcoming to him as a Jewish student? I have confidence in the administration of my son’s school district, but I am one of the lucky parents. I know many Jewish parents who are very concerned about how their students will be welcomed into classrooms this fall.

Just a month into the last school year is when Hamas launched its attack on Israel on Oct. 7, killing more than 1,200 people and taking more than 250 others as hostages. Soon after, students and families at too many K-12 schools and college campuses reported that they were targeted with blame, lies, and conspiracy theories based on being identified as, or assumed to be, Jewish.

In my role as director of the Anti-Defamation League’s office covering Eastern Pennsylvania, South Jersey, and Delaware, I’ve heard from parents and teachers alike being ignored about their experiences — many of which were part of the 8,873 antisemitic incidents that were reported across the nation last year. ADL’s Title VI complaint against the School District of Philadelphia details some of this recent treatment.

Schools, colleges, and universities should be places to have levelheaded discussions based on facts. But whatever one’s view on Israel or the conflict in Gaza, there is no justification for antisemitism. I hope for a cease-fire, and I hope for the hostages still in captivity to be released. I want an end to all suffering in the Middle East and around the globe. I hope for justice and peace, and here in the United States, I hope for a calm school year for our children.

Andrew Goretsky, regional director, ADL Philadelphia

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