Letters to the Editor | Feb. 2, 2025

It took only a few days for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to pass the Laken Riley Act, which, according to Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, makes clear that “illegal immigrants who harm or kill Americans will face swift detention, full prosecution, and never again threaten innocent lives on U.S. soil.” We can all agree that the act has a lofty purpose. However, I wonder just how many illegal immigrants commit murder, and how that statistic compares with homegrown killers. I also wonder why the Republicans are not equally concerned about the thousands of U.S. citizens (46,728 in 2023) who die from gun-related injuries each year. Fitzpatrick further informs us that this was a vote to restore law and order. Of course, that rule does not apply to Donald Trump, whom Republicans (including Fitzpatrick) refused to impeach for his unlawful acts (twice) and who has now pardoned close to 1,600 Jan. 6, 2021, rioters. Republicans certainly have a strange idea of law and order.

Carol Sundeen, Lower Makefield Township

It’s a dark, shameful day in America when police officers are disrespected. As a retired probation officer, I saw the nearly impossible job they were expected to do on the front lines of dealing with drug addiction, mental illness, homelessness, violence, and fighting an unwinnable “war on drugs.” The stress is so great that they have a suicide rate that rivals that of combat veterans and emergency room doctors. More than 100 police officers were injured protecting the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. At least four of them have since died by suicide. How does this country honor them? By blanket pardoning their attackers, even the most violent repeat offenders (over 150 had prior convictions). History will not be kind to this travesty and lawlessness.

Dave Gruber, Mays Landing, davidgruber1902@comcast.net

The Inquirer continues to report on misguided efforts by the School District of Philadelphia to remediate students at the high school level. The district claims algebra is our Achilles’ heel. After 30 years of running remedial education programs, I can tell you algebra is not the issue. Once again, the district is chasing symptoms rather than causes. Without any further research, I can say without a doubt that the problem is the underlying math skills. That is proven by the fact that only 21.4% of eighth graders passed the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) in math. Fix K-8 math and you fix algebra. The programs exist. Districts cannot continue to give passing grades when students don’t know the material. By the way, those underlying math skills are what most adults use in everyday life.

Richard Bernstein, Cherry Hill

Once again, The Inquirer article about Philadelphia being the only county in the commonwealth without a veteran affairs director underlines the importance of having an independent news source. The article is mind-boggling. Philadelphia has many more vets than surrounding counties, yet budgets and money allocated to support vets pale in comparison. It’s disgraceful of the city and disrespectful of veterans. All those involved, from City Council president on down, should be embarrassed and ashamed this vacancy has lingered so long. Fill the position today.

Bob Worn, Exton, rmworn@msn.com

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