Letters to the Editor | Jan. 8, 2023

Unbelievable! That’s what I have to say about last week’s visit by President Joe Biden to U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell’s home state of Kentucky. The men were there to tout the implementation of the bipartisan infrastructure bill that Biden signed into law in 2021. What an antipartisan breakthrough for our country in these ugly political times. Just the fact that two major party leaders would not be afraid to display bipartisanship is maybe the kick this country needs. Yes, McConnell will probably get ridiculed for this, but the hope is that more people from both sides will jump on this as a new beginning. A new beginning toward rebuilding trust and progress in our democracy.

Jeff Campbell, Folsom

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin’s injury during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals was heartbreaking, but it led to a beautiful moment of humanity. Players from both teams, who were until then engaged in organized violence against each other, suddenly removed their battle gear and cried and prayed for their brother. They shed their team identity and became members of a caring humanity. All thoughts of resuming the “game” evaporated despite some corporate hopes for a quick return to the money-making status quo. Ukrainians and Russians are today killing each other in yet another field of organized violence. Congress has recently authorized more than $800 billion for the Defense Department and countless other billions are spent by nations all over the world on weapons that one day will be used to wound and kill precious young soldiers. Would that more moments of humanity arise on all battlefields and on all dangerous sports fields, where young bodies are constantly given “opportunities” to be cannon fodder for the rich and powerful. The world could do far better with its cash than make mothers mourn their children’s injuries or death.

Steve Cickay, Newtown

As a recent op-ed detailed, Penn Alexander is an example of what every public school ought to be. Why aren’t all our public schools just as “privileged”? The Philadelphia School District budget is $3.9 billion, but there are far too many non-teachers hired and far too few magnet schools for the smart students, encouraging families to leave our city instead of moving here. A wise superintendent, school board, mayor, and City Council can reverse this in a heartbeat, so every school is as excellent as Penn Alexander and all the students are “privileged.” Set a mission to graduate 100% of the students, get the leadership of the schools we need, look to schools like Penn Alexander as an example to be emulated, and set the mission to attract families to move into Philadelphia because of our excellent schools.

Gardner A. Cadwalader, Philadelphia

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