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Letters to the Editor

I would like to set the record straight about House Bill 2189. I am hopeful that my legislation will make Pennsylvania teens less likely to exchange these gratuitous pictures of themselves, saving themselves from the crushing embarrassment, harassment, and exploitation that too many young people have experienced after sexting. This legislation is not about victimizing the victim, but cautioning young people to not turn themselves into victims.

Sexting bill offers help to teens

I would like to set the record straight about House Bill 2189. I am hopeful that my legislation will make Pennsylvania teens less likely to exchange these gratuitous pictures of themselves, saving themselves from the crushing embarrassment, harassment, and exploitation that too many young people have experienced after sexting. This legislation is not about victimizing the victim, but cautioning young people to not turn themselves into victims.

It is also about giving our law enforcement the ability to investigate why teens are sending these pictures. In Mifflin County, a female sent a photo as a cry for help because she was being molested. Because law enforcement investigated the incident, the girl is receiving counseling and a child predator is being prosecuted. If sexting were completely decriminalized, this girl could still be in harm's way and a predator could still be preying on innocent children.

State Rep. Seth Grove

R., York

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Stem-cell foes care about illnesses

Re: "Stem-cell decision was wrong," Thursday:

How dare that letter writer claim that: "All the pro-lifers are popping champagne bottles while the crippled and suffering see the end of their hopes."

He assumes that pro-life people don't have family members suffering with multiple sclerosis, ALS, Parkinson's, and other diseases. He should know that we all hope for cures; we just don't want the solution to be use of the pre-born.

Hannah Dougherty Campbell

Havertown

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Greene had no time for vacations

Recent articles about suspended Philadelphia Housing Authority executive director Carl Greene have mentioned that he gets six weeks' vacation and 11 holidays. How does he ever take that much vacation?

He claimed he works 24/7, which is why his mail piled up and foreclosure proceedings started. Certainly he can get by with only two or three weeks' vacation, right?

Chris Turk

Philadelphia

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All Obama critics propose is tax cuts

For all of the criticism that Republicans have tossed at President Obama's economic initiatives, I find it amusing that the only alternative they've ever offered is tax cuts for the rich. Progressives have long since dismissed President George W. Bush's tax cuts as utterly useless as far as economic stimulus went.

The government needs that money back so that it can be put it to better use. The Bush tax cuts need to expire on schedule at the end of this year.

Richmond L. Gardner

Horsham

rlg3526@ix.netcom.com

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War isn't the answer for poor economy

Why is war the only way our leaders can think of to provide jobs? War is profitable for a few, but it is an insane way to control unemployment. The weapons industry is enormously profitable for the few, yet contributes little on the jobs front.

I understand that U.S. Reps. Barney Frank (D., Mass) and Ron Paul (R., Texas) have been asking their colleagues to sign a letter calling on President Obama's deficit commission to put military spending on the table as they consider ways to reduce the budget deficit.

We must urge our own representatives to sign this letter.

Virginia D. Ahrens

Kennett Square

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Ground zero should be vacant land

Re: "Why hasn't anything been built at site?," Wednesday:

That letter is right on. If ground zero is to be considered hallowed ground, then why not do what the Amish did to the schoolhouse where the little girls were murdered.

They tore it down, plowed it over, and let it become a field.

Why can't we rise above money-making and political infighting, plant grass, and make ground zero a memorial park where all New Yorkers can spend a few quiet moments?

Mary La Grange

Mount. Laurel

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Let's fund the battle against diseases

As our troops leave Iraq, we can turn our attention to an important, non-combat mission also inherited from President George W. Bush. The casualties are viruses, bacteria, and mosquitoes. The enemies are AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.

We are already involved in this worthy mission through the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria, where every dollar the United States contributes is matched by two from other donor countries.

The Global Fund has saved five million lives, and it hopes to add to that success, preventing and treating infections, eliminating transmission of HIV from pregnant women to their unborn children, containing the threat of multidrug-resistant TB, and eliminating malaria as a public health problem.

President Obama has a chance to announce a three-year, $6 billion commitment to the Global Fund when he attends the Millenium Development Goals summit in September. This is a lot of money, but, to put it in perspective, the yearly commitment is about what we were spending every five days in Iraq in 2008. This is a mission we really can accomplish.

Judy Livingston

Hopewell