Letters to the Editor | April 3, 2023

The indictment of a former president is unprecedented. But so, too, is the unlawful conduct in which Donald Trump has been allegedly engaged. A nation of laws must hold the rich and powerful accountable, even when they hold high office — especially when they do. To do otherwise is not democracy.

Paul Bacon, Hallandale Beach, Fla.

One of the many unfortunate consequences of the politicization of America is the natural reaction for political factions to muster dependable talking points in the immediate aftermath of a tragedy. Nowhere is this more obvious than gun control, where the political discourse has effectively devolved into sharing mindless memes before even the most basic facts are known. Beyond the issue of gun policy itself, there is another basic fallacy whenever there is a discussion over political solutions to a particular problem: a narrow focus on federal action.

For example, in the aftermath of the recent shooting in Nashville, Tenn., there has been a lot of noise regarding the lack of federal responses to past mass shootings. Ignoring the questions of whether any sort of legislative response would be either desirable or constitutional, there is a fundamental problem in viewing the federal government as the only legislative body that creates public policy. If we consider state governments, for example, we have seen a dramatic rise in gun control measures since the Parkland, Fla., high school shooting in 2018. As Pew Research noted in August 2018, 50 different gun-focused bills were signed into law by both Democratic and Republican governors just five months after the tragedy.

Richard Colucci, Pennsauken, rickyc@comcast.net

Regarding The Grammarian’s column on mayoral candidates’ use of capitalization: Though candidates seem to vacillate on capitalizing mayor and city regardless of rules, it is not strictly true that “[n]either is a proper noun.” Organic laws — notably the Constitution — use proper nouns in referring to officials and bodies. While this seems anachronistic, the convention remains in use — including in the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter (adopted 1951), which capitalizes Mayor and City. This convention (used by governments) denotes a term of art and is formalized by The Bluebook (style guide for legal professionals). Referring to the Mayor of the City of Philadelphia, as legally defined, one is correct to capitalize mayor and city. Candidates might not make this choice consciously, and Jeffrey Barg’s piece seems satirical. Nevertheless, it endorses real, elitist ideas about qualifications. This letter is not meant to be pedantic, but to suggest that ostensive capitalization misunderstandings no more disqualify mayors than grammar columnists.

Danny Buckwalter, Philadelphia

If it walks like a duck and it talks like a duck, it’s a duck — except, apparently, in the Central Bucks School District. If more than 60 books have been challenged or are under review, yet the superintendent and the Republican-controlled school board contend there’s no book banning, what else would they call it? If the American Civil Liberties Union had to be called in to protect LGBTQ students, Superintendent Abram Lucabaugh called Pride flags political symbols, and the school board has muzzled teachers, then it sure sounds like they have created a hostile environment since the adoption of new policy rules. How does Lucabaugh align his statement that students engage in conversation rather than “pushing one specific view” if he denies those students the opportunity to read opposing views?

Lorna Bearn, Warminster

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