Letters to the Editor | June 14, 2024

Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Bucks County showed his true colors. The House Republicans voted to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for refusing to provide them with an audio recording of President Joe Biden. That the House already has access to the full transcript of this interview is of no consequence to them. Transcripts don’t make for good campaign ads. Only one Republican voted against his party. Fitzpatrick was not that GOP profile in courage. That honor went to Ohio’s David Joyce, who said he refused to “further politicize our judicial system.” That valid concern was apparently lost on Fitzpatrick, who continues to back his party’s every move, no matter how extreme or norm-breaking. Don’t be taken in by his campaign season claims. Fitzpatrick is just another MAGA enabler.

Kierstyn Zolfo, Yardley

On June 6, President Joe Biden flew over to Normandy to honor heroic veterans from World War II who stopped a hateful dictator from conquering the world. Our grandfathers and great-grandfathers were those veterans. On the same day, some Pennsylvania House Republicans booed or walked out on two Capitol Police officers who bravely tried to stop an insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021. Who believes in and puts America first? Is it Biden, or someone like Donald Trump, who has repeatedly insulted service members and their families? Wise up, America. Wise up, Pennsylvania — before it’s too late.

Terry Black, Cherry Hill

I just read that two Capitol Police officers were booed, disrespected, and called “traitors” by some GOP members of our state House. I am disgusted by those antics. More than three years after the events of Jan. 6, 2021, we know a lot about who and what was happening. Unless our representatives have been living under a rock or are willfully ignorant, they should be well aware that following the 2020 election, there were 60 court cases filed by Trump supporters and associates claiming the election was stolen. All those cases were dismissed, some of them by Republican-appointed judges, and in some instances, the lawyers bringing the cases were chastised for making frivolous claims.

Leading up to Jan. 6 (and after), many in the GOP continued to amplify the “stolen election” lie, pretty much based on Donald Trump’s assertions alone. That partisanship helped create the conditions for the attack on the U.S. Capitol, where misinformed Trump supporters felt empowered to commit violence on Trump’s behalf. Booing and disrespecting innocent officers who were trying to share their perspective of that day is truly adding insult to injury and shows the pettiness of some of our elected officials.

Kent Kingan, Malvern

I felt a combination of both rage and shame when I saw on social media that some members of the Pennsylvania House GOP booed, hissed, and shouted “traitor” as former Capitol Police officers Harry Dunn and Aquilino Gonell visited the state House recently. Why has this been given so little attention by the local newspapers and television networks? These Republican representatives disgraced us and, as voters, we have a right to know who they are. The media must name these cowards.

Russ Decker, Lansdale

Many have seen video of Donald Trump’s disturbing campaign speech performance in Nevada after his teleprompters failed. He seemed to say whatever came to mind: stiffing contractors, the heat, a connection to MIT, and the plight of boatmakers. For several minutes he animatedly examined whether it is better to be electrocuted in a sinking electric boat or jump out into the jaws of a nearby shark. The usually smiling, head-nodding MAGA supporters behind him began to look down and away, not sure how to react.

Imagine that in the next four years, China decides to invade Taiwan, or Russia threatens Estonia, or another unknown virus attacks — all reasonably possible scenarios. Each would require an orderly response based on logical risk assessment, clear strategy, collaboration, and remarkably subtle communications. If elected, this very person, last seen lost in a jumble of uncontrolled ideas and words, would be the person we would rely on. The safety of every man, woman, and child would be in the hands of someone with dangerously uncontrolled thought processes. He will never change and, for all our sakes, must never be reelected.

Joseph B. Baker, West Chester

I’ve been an ACCT Philly volunteer since 2013 and have seen numerous improvements to the facility. However, the main form of population control is still time-stamping animals, looking for rescue groups, fosters, or adopters, and when all else fails, killing the animals to make room for new arrivals. ACCT takes in about 20 dogs daily. Philadelphia is America’s poorest big city, and where there is poverty, there are pit bulls and unregulated backyard breeding. I counted 111 large dogs at ACCT on June 2 — 98 were pit bulls.

Why not require breeders to buy $500 annual kennel licenses and impose significant fines for violators? The ACCT board frequently offers incentives to rescue groups and fosters — why not offer nominal gift cards to pit bull owners to have their dogs spayed or neutered? Ten years ago, ACCT board meetings were open to the public quarterly, board minutes were on ACCT’s website, and volunteer meetings were monthly. ACCT listed the top 20 shelters/rescues that pulled animals from it in its annual report. All of this has ended — no transparency or opportunity for public input. Things need to change.

Marie (Gara) Marinakis, Newtown Square, mariem6026@gmail.com

Will Bunch’s excellent column rightly praises the fortitude of the 12 jurors who convicted Donald Trump. He contrasted their strength with the failures of our political leaders to hold the former president accountable, highlighting our national pusillanimity in the face of a tyrant-in-waiting. Bunch especially presents the sycophants in the Republican Party as either morally compromised or cowards. It reminds me of the song in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I, in which Anna sings about another authoritarian.

“Yes, Your Majesty! No, Your Majesty!

Tell us how low to go, Your Majesty!

Make some more decrees, Your Majesty!

Don’t let us up off our knees, Your Majesty!

Give us a kick, if it pleases Your Majesty!

Give us a kick, if you would, Your Majesty!

Oh! That was good, Your Majesty!”

I wonder if House Speaker Mike Johnson has any bruises?

R.B. Levis, Wayne

Philadelphia’s kids are enjoying summer break, and while this is a joyful time, safety concerns arise. Parents, guardians, neighbors, and community members must ensure a safe, fun environment where kids can thrive. We must protect children in our communities. Build relationships, organize activities, and share info about local programs. Stay watchful and keep communication open.

Parents often feel anxious about leaving their children home without supervision. In Pennsylvania, there is no designated legal age for children to be left alone. Assessing if your child can safely stay home alone involves considering their age, maturity level, cognitive skills, and the duration they will be unsupervised. It’s important to set clear guidelines and provide essential resources, such as emergency contact lists and a comprehensive emergency plan. Before leaving them alone regularly, try a “test run” to evaluate their preparedness. Let’s work together to keep Philly’s kids safe and their summers joyful. The Front Porch Project from the Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance raises awareness and empowers neighbors to prevent abuse. Learn more at pafsa.org/the-front-porch-project. If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, contact ChildLine at 800-932-0313.

Angela Liddle, president and CEO, Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance

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