Letters to the Editor
I share Oliver St. Clair Franklin's belief that the old Family Court building should be used to tell the story of Philadelphia, but I must disagree with the theme ("Reconsidering future of the old Family Court," May 26).
Phila. needs a sports museum
I share Oliver St. Clair Franklin's belief that the old Family Court building should be used to tell the story of Philadelphia, but I must disagree with the theme ("Reconsidering future of the old Family Court," May 26).
Philadelphia is a city rich in sporting history. A central repository marking the accomplishments of not only our professional sports teams but also our college and high school teams through the years would be a bright addition to Logan Square.
Stories of the Baker Bowl, the beginning years of the Eagles, and great baseball players like Johnny Evers are a distant memory to a lot of people, but these things would be a good way to draw more people into the museums already nearby.
Philadelphia does not need another museum that will always be on the brink of losing funding. A sports museum would generate money. Profits generated could go to provide support for athletic programs that otherwise would have to go without.
Jim Palmer
Philadelphia
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Put this proverb to the taste test
Once again, I read a writer who uses the mangled expression "The proof is in the ... pudding" ("Headed down a socialist path," Sunday).
For the benefit of anyone who uses that meaningless expression, the original proverb is, "The proof of the pudding is in the eating." That meant, and still means, the test of food is whether or not it tastes good when eaten. The "proof" has the meaning of "test." The equivalent, in modern terms, could be "seeing is believing."
H. Weldon Baker
Wyndmoor
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Superman Obama isn't
President Obama is not Superman! He cannot fly down and fix a hole gushing oil a mile below the ocean's surface. He cannot turn back time and prevent oversights and mistakes of the past. He cannot wave a magic wand and make adversaries agree with one another.
The president is a human being, with many demonstrated abilities. He can consider various options and choose the best ones. But he alone - of course - can't do it all. There's always room for assessment and improvement, but also for cooperation and, I hope, brighter days.
David W. Long
West Chester
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Where are the glitterati?
As I watch the BP oil rig spill run into its second month, President Obama has taken some appropriate criticism for a perceived lack of engagement and command and control of the crisis.
Look closely and you will see a few more missing players in this drama. Where are Hollywood's elite, those well-known do-gooders so quick to jump into other disasters with human and environmental tolls? No Bruce, Alec, Bono, or Brad. No "Oil Aid" or pictures of Angelina scrubbing waterfowl. Where have they all gone, and why are they taking a conspicuous pass on this disaster?
Is it because it's happening on the watch of their beloved Democratic commander in chief, and they don't wish to further spotlight a politically disastrous situation? I would be willing to bet the house that if President George W. Bush were in office (as he was during Hollywood's heavy intervention in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina), you would see our film-star and music-industry friends, mops in hand and sarcastic quips on their lips, lambasting the administration for the oily mess.
Christopher Knob
Media
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The real power in the Pa. primary
Contrary to what professors Brian Pinaire and Frank Davis opine ("Sestak's best non-supporter," Thursday), the "Super Voters" of each party decided the U.S. Senate primary, not the president or newly registered Democrats. When only 20 percent of registered voters of either party turn out to vote in an election like this one just past, you can bet that only the hard-core party faithful were most prevalent among them.
Who did vote? Certainly not those who temporarily swelled the voter ranks in November 2008. The 40 percent or so who added their voices to the Super Voters' 20 percent in the last presidential election stayed home May 18. And I submit that those Super Voter Democrats who remained to make that decision just couldn't bring themselves to cast a vote for Sen. Arlen Specter, whom they perceive to be a Republican. That, pure and simple, was what that race was all about.
Ben LaGarde
Republican committeeman
Precinct #3
Upper Uwchlan Township