Letters: We must reject SEPTA ad's hate

I AM COMPELLED to write this letter as the result of a judge's decision to allow a very hurtful anti-Islamic ad to be placed on SEPTA buses. I am well aware of the First Amendment right to free speech, but in my humble opinion to place an ad of Adolph Hitler on these vehicles is not only insensitive and incorrect, but also causes great harm to many people. A federal judge has ruled that since SEPTA has accepted religious, political and public-service advertising in the past, it cannot refuse ads that call for ending U.S. aid to Islamic countries that compare Islam to Hitler.

In our world and nation, as we are faced each day with terrorism and violence, have we given consideration to those who drive those vehicles or to the passengers who ride in them? We have seen evidence of the many evil, sick people in the world, and we do not want to give them any opportunity to cause harm, or even death. As we have sought to bring healing and wholeness to our world, why do we continue to tear each other apart? In the name of free speech, we have lost sight of humanity.

Some things are just not acceptable. This ad portrays Muslims in such a poor light, and as a Christian I am concerned about all of God's people, regardless of their racial or religious affiliation.

I have worked faithfully with the Wissahickon Faith Community in Lower Gwynedd, Blue Bell and in Ambler in seeking to bring peace, shalom and good will to all of God's people. As a people of God, we must speak out against such outrageous acts as this. I applaud SEPTA for their stance, and hopefully somebody with a God conscious will intercede and say that regardless of free speech, and based upon our current climate, this would bring additional harm.

People of all walks of life must speak out against such a hideous act. The Bible says, "My people perish for lack of knowledge." The Quran, as it's been displayed in this ad, is taken out of context, just like people take the Bible out of context. We need not have another day when we glory in smearing the religion of others as, sooner or later, ours will be smeared.

This ad is divisive, harmful, wrong and ill advised, and has no place in our society. Let us live up to our Pledge of Allegiance, "One Nation Under God."

The Rev. Charles W. Quann, Pastor

Bethlehem Baptist Church

Spring House, Pa.

'Misleadership' venue?

It seems the People Paper has surrendered access to its Daily Views page to politicians and local celebrities. What was once a forum in which common readers were able to address their grievances, has become a venue for the agenda advancement of the "misleadership" class.

Not alerting the public to the bail scam, in which the court keeps 30 percent of the money posted by those found not guilty, is aiding and abetting a gross miscarriage of justice.

Apparently the Daily News is no longer the "People's Champion."

Gerald Bundy

Philadelphia

Matter matters

The new rallying cry is: Black Lives Matter!

What does that mean? Who should be paying attention? Whites? Blacks? Others?

When do they matter? Before certain types of incidents occur? After certain types of incidents occur?

All the time? Some of the time? When Al, Jesse or others say they do?

These questions need to be thought about before we can discuss and answer more questions.

What are the problems? How do we solve and correct them?

Mayer Krain

Philadelphia

Chuck full of memories

My memories of Chuck Bednarik are embedded in the feats my father recounted to me over and over about the one called Concrete Charlie.

I was just a 1-year-old when the Eagles played the Packers at Franklin Field for the 1960 NFL Championship. However, Dad was crafty enough to secure tickets for him and my (then 12-year-old) older brother, Chip.

As kickoff neared, he whispered into my brother's ear, telling him to enjoy this game because in Philly, there are no guarantees you will see another. Together, they reveled as their "Beloved Birds" rallied for a 17-13 victory. Of course, it was Concrete Charlie who saved the day, tackling the Packers' Jim Taylor at the 9-yard line as time ran out.

Dad was bold enough to charge the field in order to shake Chuck's hand, pushing my timid brother out in front so they could cherish the once in a lifetime moment together. To this day, my brother insists he never saw a bigger giant in a football uniform and cherishes the game day program Dad bought for him.

Sadly, my father's prophecy (to date) has come true - the Eagles have not won a championship since. However, with Dad, Steve Van Buren and Concrete Charlie all now in Heaven together, perhaps that day will come soon for the rest of us diehard fans.

Rest in peace, Chuck, dad insists you were the greatest Eagle of all-time.

Michael Weick

Ivyland, Pa.