Letters: Revving up on the environment

ENVIRONMENTAL legislation has taken a back seat over the last decade. But with the new decade, America has an opportunity for progress - 2010 needs to be the year in which Congress passes a global-warming bill.

Such legislation would accelerate positive changes in both the economy and national energy security. The key to putting the wheels in motion is a cap-and-trade program.

While Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., is seeking to pass a bipartisan climate bill with cap-and-trade programs that price carbon, many GOP senators are opposed, claiming the economy is too fragile to be tampered with. But a cap-and-trade program is necessary for the creation of clean-energy jobs, and to promote energy- and cost-efficient solutions for industry and consumers.

After a decade of political atrophy, further delay on global warming isn't an option. Global warming legislation without a cap-and-trade program would not create the markets necessary for green technologies to grow and compete globally. If global warming legislation advances in Congress, the U.S. can be a leader in the race to a global green economy.

Sara Milner, Temple Student

Philadelphia

Hardy Williams' legacy

In the stories about the death of Hardy Williams, he was said to have been a good representative for African-Americans. I read of the good he did for upcoming black politicians, but isn't it an elected official's job to represent all people, regardless of race?

I can only imagine the outrage if a white representative was tagged as a pro-white politician. We would have Al Sharpton grandstanding with the local chapter of the NAACP at his side. We might even get a phone call from President Obama to talk about it over a beer. I think white people are being subjected to a double standard.

Jack Yocum

Philadelphia