Letters to the Editor

Headstone should be outta here

On a recent tour of the impressive Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia, my wife and I marveled at the resting places of the famous, and the architectural masterpieces that adorn them. But as the tour was ending, the beauty of the day was suddenly destroyed - by the appearance of a garish display of bright, electric-blue stadium seats and a phallus-shaped headstone in the form of a sportscaster's microphone. Of course, this was the final resting place of the beloved Phillies sportscaster Harry Kalas, who departed this stadium in 2009. In my view, the Kalas memorial could only have been more obscene in this peaceful setting had it included a loudspeaker, with Harry the K screaming, "This ball is outta here!!" I don't know how this was approved, or why. But Kalas deserves to be recognized and honored with more dignity and taste.

Charles D. Werner, Kennett Square

Much to learn from Mouseketeer

When all we hear of our young stars are arrests for drugs, drinking, and disorderly conduct, Hollywood would do well to emulate Annette Funicello, who just died. With her, there was never a hint of scandal. When she became ill, she took it with style and grace. The last time I saw her on TV, she was in a wheelchair, still smiling, and saying she was hanging in there.

Ron Costello, Warminster, rrncostello@gmail.com

ADHD diagnosis takes patience

Many children on medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder aren't adequately diagnosed ("Too many children being diagnosed as 'hyper,' " April 11). There may be pressure from parents and teachers. Or a parent may feel the medication offers an academic edge. Nevertheless, a thorough history, physical exam, and objective testing in the hands of an ethical, competent physician can yield an accurate diagnosis.

Jeffrey Ettinger, M.D., Philadelphia, jeffmd49@yahoo.com

Slights all around the infield

If the "Tomahawked" headline perpetuates Native American sports stereotypes, then the use of "gunned down" to describe a catcher's throw must be considered an unpatriotic reference to gun-happy Americans ("Feeding into sports stereotyping," April 12). Accusing a player of "attempting to steal" would reinforce criminal behavior. Even more so had the player not been apprehended by the ball-possessing shortstop. And that "short" reference could irritate some of the height-challenged.

Don DeMarco, Philadelphia, donald.demarco@verizon.net

Scandal clergy remain in the fold

In no part of the report on priests removed from public ministry did I see excommunication mentioned ("Chaput removes three priests," April 8). A church hierarchy that views supporting women's ordination as being as evil as pedophilia has made good priests like former Maryknoll Roy Bourgeois and Irish Redemptorist Tony Flannery suffer greatly for their support. Yet, to my knowledge, not one priest has been cut off in the abuse scandal. While I disagree with excommunication, where's the justice how it's used?

Marie Conn, Hatboro, mconn56@yahoo.com