Letters: Brookie a link to Eagles glory

WITH the passing of Eagles great Tom Brookshier, longtime fans have lost another link to the 1960 team's storied past. Sadly, we now celebrate the 50th anniversary of the last Eagles team to claim pro football's Holy Grail without our beloved Brookie.

Along with Chuck Bednarik, Brookshier helped lead the defense of the only team in history to prevent a Vince Lombardi-led Packer team from winning the NFL title. Having been born in 1959, my memories of Brookshier are as CBS broadcasting partner of Pat Summerall. Tales of his prowess on the gridiron come from my dad and brother, who were at the '60 championship at Franklin Field. I treasure the program my father left me.

In the late '80s, I met No. 40 while working for ESPN. I sheepishly asked if we could have a picture taken, and he put his arm around me and smiled broadly. He was a throwback to a time in Philly when pro athletes worked and lived among us. For all his success, he remained humble and gracious, making us feel welcome in his world - a true champion in every way!

Michael Weick, Holland

Did GOP wreck Philly?

Re Mark Walker and all the other GOP-bashers:

We live in Philadelphia and the single party, since 1950, has been the Democrats.

What a great job they've done. Don't we have the lowest taxes in the country? Thank the Democrats.

Pay to play, shucks that's just the way things are done in Philly. Just blame Bush, I'm sure he had something to do with raising our taxes, after all, the voters here aren't at fault.

Wage tax, sales tax, business tax, real-estate tax, and what a fine City Council. I can't figure how those conniving Republicans can ever get themselves elected in such a fine city.

I'm just counting the days until I can put up my house to sell to a fine, happy, under-taxed Democrat and move out.

You can have it.

Michael Donapel, Philadelphia