Letters: Our animals have soul

IFAIL TO see how letter-writer Mike Franklin can think that a dog, or any animal for that matter, is "soulless."

I am one of those dog-lovers that he talks about so disdainfully. But I do not consider myself to be "over the top" - I'm simply a human being who's intelligent enough to realize that animals are living beings who can experience joy and pain.

I know firsthand how much love a dog can bring to one's life. If Mr. Franklin thinks a dog doesn't have a soul, he should go back to school to learn how to be a compassionate human being.

Lisa Barnelli, Philadelphia

Ackerman's failure

Nothing is going to change until people are willing to change. School Superintendent Arlene Ackerman is doing nothing but instilling the one-sided victim role.

If she won't reprimand those students because they are black, maybe it's because she's afraid of catching flak from the community. That's a clear sign she lacks courage and leadership. What happened in the past can't be changed, and living in the past does nothing but sow bad seeds.

She said she cares about all of her students. If so, she should stand up to the parents or guardians of those thugs, tell them they're wrong, and that their behavior will not be tolerated.

Thomas K. Bowler

New Britain, Pa.

Gov't. hasn't helped

I've been very concerned about the bailouts, health care and, now, terrorism again.

I'm an average taxpayer and citizen. I see no way any of these recent actions by our elected "representatives" has helped the average American.

We were told the TSA was improved and millions of dollars have been spent. But a person with obvious issues was still able to board a plane with a bomb. This is unacceptable.

Jerry F. Coleman, Levittown