Letters to the Editor

Look homeward

Charles Krauthammer misses a chance to have a serious discussion about American foreign policy and instead seeks to blame President Obama for his view that American power has declined ("Decline is a choice," May 26). He could have questioned why the United States is everywhere, instead of focusing on the strategic use of its power. Such an approach would determine what is important to our freedom, what affects our security, what taxes will have to be raised and programs cut to finance our power, and what threatens our economic power. We need a focused foreign policy that has specific aims (like the Monroe Doctrine, whch kept the Americas free from invasion.) It couldn't have been put more clearly than by a person who visited schools and roads we had constructed in Afghanistan, and then asked, "When are we going to invade Detroit?"

Charles Reichner, Revere

Real school issues

Now that we know that a 7-year-old city schoolchild's tragic cause of death was congenital, The Inquirer has no reason to continue its inference that a lack of funding was at play ("Boy who died had heart defect," May 24).

Avrum Fine, West Chester

Sentry's journey

While it is wonderful that the Silent Sentry statue has been restored, I find it sad that it has not been returned to its original post in Mount Moriah Cemetery in West Philadelphia ("Keeping watch," May 23). It was meant to guard the graves of soldiers in Mount Moriah. With the statue now standing in Laurel Hill Cemetery in East Falls, I cannot help but feel that it was plundered from its rightful home. The Friends of Mount Moriah has been working extremely hard to restore the cemetery to its former standing as the "Valhalla of Pennsylvania," and I applaud the effort to honor all who are buried there, including 22 Medal of Honor recipients, and one double Medal of Honor honoree. Since the statue is valued at $20,000, it would be fitting for the Friends of Laurel Hill Cemetery to make such a donation to the Friends of Mount Moriah Cemetery.

Patricia Ryan Platt, Westtown

Host and winner?

Brazil is on every soccer fan's mind as the World Cup approaches on June 12. The question on everyone's mind: Will Brazil take home the gold? With Brazil already being an established soccer powerhouse, and having home-field advantage, the answer seems obvious. But some believe Brazil's quick footwork and rapid ball handling will only take the team so far. Overall, the World Cup will bring us great play, world-class players, and the answer to that question about Brazil.

Nisha Bagchi, Voorhees, nbagchi06@gmail.com

Good VA vibes

As a disabled Marine, I am angry at the alleged waiting times for treatment of veterans. However, from my 47 years of interaction and treatment at Veterans Affairs centers and hospitals, the harsh indictment of the entire VA is unwarranted. I have always been treated promptly and professionally by VA doctors and other medical and administrative staff. I never paid a penny for treatment. The VA health system always provided outstanding care. The entire VA should not be condemned based on the mismanagement, deceit, and coverup by a small number of incompetents in a system that handles millions of veterans each year.

Joseph Inverso, Marple Township

Went with a winner

Nothing would have given me more pleasure than to vote for a competent woman for governor ("Primary losses raise a debate on gender," May 25). But I believe Allyson Schwartz neglected her job in Congress by missing votes, and she mounted a negative campaign. I also felt that voting for Tom Wolf was our only chance to relieve Tom Corbett of his job, and hopefully educate the children of Philadelphia in fully staffed and funded schools.

Arline Winkler, Wyncote