Letters to the Editor
Early education saves state money Given the troubled economy, the partisan back-and-forth in Harrisburg, as described by Dan Hardy's article Tuesday, "GOP vs. Rendell on school funding," should come as no surprise. However, our commitment to wise investments like high-quality early education must rise above this partisan debate.
Early education
saves state money
Given the troubled economy, the partisan back-and-forth in Harrisburg, as described by Dan Hardy's article Tuesday, "GOP vs. Rendell on school funding," should come as no surprise. However, our commitment to wise investments like high-quality early education must rise above this partisan debate.
Early childhood is the primary window of opportunity when we can provide a strong educational foundation so that children are equipped to do well in school, attend college or job-training programs, and get good jobs.
At-risk children who miss this window are less likely to graduate high school, and more likely to engage in crime. With a cost to taxpayers of up to $2.3 million for every child who adopts a life of crime, we can either pay for success now, or pay much more for failure later.
Continued investment in programs such as Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts, Keystone STARS, Head Start Supplemental, Child Care Works, and Early Intervention deserves priority in next year's state budget.
Jack Brennan
Chairman
Vanguard Group Inc.
Valley Forge
Lynne Abraham
District Attorney
City of Philadelphia
Too 'stupid'
to be a judge
Re: "A Phila. judge's defense: 'Stupidity,' " Thursday:
Given that Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Willis W. Berry's defense is "stupidity" for running a real estate business out of his chambers, it seems to me that a logical inference is that he is too "stupid" for the bench.
That suggests that removal from the bench is appropriate. His lawyer's concern for the judge's loss of a pension is unfounded; he is running a thriving real estate business. Next case.
Stephen Cooney
Pottstown
St. Joe's right
to invite Matthews
St. Joseph's alumnus Stephen Majewski decried the university's inviting Chris Matthews to address this year's graduating class on Saturday, claiming the talk-show host's pro-choice views would lead people astray ("St. Joe's violating principles," May 4).
I, too, am a St. Joe's alumnus, and have worked at the university since my graduation 17 years ago. I am also Jewish, and pro-choice. I have found that St. Joe's promotes open discussion, tolerance, and a respect for human dignity - placing it very much in line with the principles espoused by Jesus.
I should remind Majewski that St. Joe's invited former Sen. Rick Santorum to be its 2003 commencement speaker, much to the consternation of liberals. Santorum was an avid supporter of the war in Iraq. War, like abortion, is a life issue. However, no conservatives came forth then claiming St. Joe's was inauthentically Catholic.
Bill Fanshel
Bryn Mawr
City needs a mayor
who will go 'nuclear'
Re: "Nutter's effectiveness called into question," Thursday:
Your story quotes a political consultant who criticized Mayor Nutter for going "nuclear" too often. Examples included Nutter asking members of the Board of Revision of Taxes to resign, his criticism of Council members' participation in the city employees' deferred retirement program, and his attempt to close libraries.
As to the last, I can't see how cutting off a few library branches when the city is bankrupt constitutes going "nuclear." As for the BRT, if we don't have a mayor who goes nuclear when confronted with a cesspool like this, we should get another mayor. Business as usual in the sewer that is Philadelphia won't be changed by a shrinking violet.
Mark E. Squires
Philadelphia
SPCA has failed
to protect animals
City Council has launched an investigation into allegations of cronyism and corruption within the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
This was the last straw for an animal-welfare system that has failed our city and our animals. An estimated 12,000 cats and dogs die in Philadelphia shelters each year.
Please join me in petitioning City Hall to enact a law that will stop the killing of cats and dogs as a means of population control, and hold our leaders accountable for creating a better animal-welfare model.
Garrett Elwood
Citizens for a No-Kill Philadelphia
Philadelphia
Gun laws don't
affect the lawless
In an editorial last Monday, "Obama Ducks," you again propose more gun laws that would only affect law-abiding citizens. The criminal element has always found ways to skirt the law.
If you are really interested in saving lives, why not push for laws that will make it illegal for convicted drunken drivers to buy alcoholic beverages? As many people are killed by drunken drivers as there are individuals murdered by those using firearms.
But I guess the Inquirer's editors prefer sitting in the comfort of their homes with a cold one, thinking up ways to interfere with law-abiding citizens' Second Amendment rights.
Mike Silverman
Elkins Park