Letters to the Editor | Dec. 20, 2022

I may at some time criticize Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts for an errant pass or fumble. But one thing I will never criticize is his character or his commitment to the less fortunate members of our community after I read of his participation in a memorial service for Nicolas Elizalde, who was tragically and senselessly shot after a football scrimmage at Roxborough High School. Hurts spent hours lifting the spirits of friends and family of the young football player who never will have a chance to play another game. This will always make Hurts special to me in ways more important than touchdowns or quarterback ratings. We are lucky to have him.

Pasquale Procacci, M.D., Moorestown

Former homicide detective Philip Nordo was recently sentenced for sexually assaulting witnesses and informants. It is impossible to believe that not one of his police officer associates ever had any suspicion of his shameful victimizing of vulnerable people. Philadelphians and the entire Philadelphia Police Department owe a debt of gratitude to District Attorney Larry Krasner for aggressively pursuing this case so that this predator will never again see the light of day. Now it is up to his office to review the many cases that are tainted by Nordo’s actions, perhaps giving hope to some who had given up. Maybe this will serve as a warning to others who may be tempted to misuse the power that is theirs by virtue of a badge and a gun.

Marguerite Sexton, Philadelphia

For political parties to be effective, members need to operate as team players. For Republican representatives such as Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert to refuse to support Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s bid for House speaker or for Sen. Kyrsten Sinema to leave the Democrats and go independent is to simply weaken party effectiveness. Showmanship is not only a distraction and a form of selfishness, it’s also a weak link for party strength. More and more, the case can be made for ranked choice voting among candidates running in the primaries. That will go a long way in weeding out the extremists so that voters in the general election will have a real choice.

Bill Pelle, Haverford, bill.to.write@gmail.com

It’s astonishing, really, that on the very day The Inquirer runs a front-page story on Chinatown’s vocal and intractable opposition to a new $1.3 billion arena for the 76ers, the Wall Street Journal carries a story in which Sixers partner and spokesman David Adelman waxes rhapsodic over the 5,000 wines and 100 tequilas he has stored in his suburban home. Adelman is pictured in the Journal holding a bottle of wine like a newborn babe. Says he: “It feels like a speakeasy downstairs.” The total cost of creating the wine cellar, tequila room, and drinking room was in the six figures. Says Wei Chen, the civic engagement director of Asians Americans United, as quoted in The Inquirer: “It’s impossible for this team to understand what it means to a community trying to preserve its heritage and culture across generations. Every time they say they can understand our trauma, it’s just making our community members more angry. Think about the next 10 years, the next 15 years, Chinatown is going to die because of this proposal.” David Adelman and his billionaire pals should think about Wei Chen and the citizens of Chinatown every time they go rooting around in his 5,000-bottle basement for something to savor.

Don Haskin, Philadelphia

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