Letters to the Editor | Dec. 16, 2022

I’m a proud Temple grad, and I’m sure that the university’s president, Jason Wingard, believes in his heart that he is doing the right thing by moving near campus to engage with students and calm fears about public safety. But fixing Temple’s crime problem requires so much more. People have talked about the need for additional security, possibly adding 24-hour community centers for kids with family issues, more resources for drug and alcohol addiction, creating mental health programs, and renovating abandoned properties. Yes, that would all be great, but it costs money, and without funding, it won’t get done.

But I can think of another way to examine the problem. The name that keeps coming to my mind is Ala Stanford of the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium. Look at what she did — she engaged and went to the people in the poorest of neighborhoods to give residents their shots, even funding the program herself initially. And she made everyone feel like they mattered. She made outreach fun, having music and events to celebrate the fact that those getting the vaccine were doing the right thing by taking care of themselves and others. The people who live around Temple’s campus, not just the students, deserve help to make their lives better. When that happens, we’ll all be safer.

Anne C. Scardino, Philadelphia

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So Temple president Jason Wingard is moving from Chestnut Hill to a North Philadelphia rowhouse (Dec. 14)? And I guess this is supposed to allay the fears of present and prospective students? Maybe so, but will this gesture make their lives safer?

Inner-city campuses can be dangerous. There were two students killed at Temple while my wife was attending in the early ‘70s, a time when I was running Inquirer routes in North Philly, an area the drivers likened to the Argonne Forest. But my wife’s and my experiences didn’t deter us from sending our daughter to Temple or recommending Temple to our granddaughter.

You can safely attend an inner-city college, but you need to be fully cognizant of where you are and the potential danger that lurks nearby. Risk increases with complacency.

Mike Egan, Plymouth Meeting

Like the last four generations in my family, I was born in Philadelphia. I went away for college, but when I returned, I savored the comforting culture of the familiar: Wanamaker’s Christmas displays, Big Five games at the Palestra, rooting for the “Iggles,” and Reading Terminal Market. Yet, for me, nothing represented the feeling of home quite like the mellifluous, soothing voice of Jim Gardner, who calmly and authoritatively shared the news of the day in my family’s living room. When I moved back a dozen years ago, now a grandmother and retired, that voice and that professionalism (and those twinkling blue eyes) once again greeted me. The recent outpouring of affection and respect from Philadelphians mirrors my own. I shall sorely miss you, Jim Gardner.

Kathleen Hagerty Jepsen, Kennett Square

In his latest faux-populist column, Kyle Sammin tries to make the argument that today’s Republican Party is a better friend to labor than the Democrats are. Granted, the Democrats’ policy toward both unions and Black Americans has been a callous, “Well, we’re not as bad as the Republicans,” but Sammin’s argument is still hollow. Yes, 10 Republican senators voted against forcing a contract down the throats of railway workers. But only five of those voted for the crucial sick day amendment.

Moreover, these votes were purely symbolic, meant as fodder for writers like Sammin. In fact, the AFL-CIO scores nine of these “labor champions” lower than the average GOP senator. Telling unions to trust them, as Sammin does, is a con game.

Walter Bilderback, Philadelphia

Remember the brave citizens of Ukraine this Christmas and holiday season.

Keep our own situation in perspective as Russia systematically pounds their power grid in an attempt to freeze them into submission. Remember them this entire winter as the majority of the House of Representatives shifts by a slim margin to the GOP. Do not let Congress abandon Ukrainians in the guise of “no blank check.” We have the capacity to support our own U.S. citizens under pressure from inflation and also support Ukraine.

Please remember that appeasement didn’t work with Adolf Hitler, and it won’t work with Vladimir Putin. A line must be drawn. Ukrainians need our continued support to defend themselves, survive the winter, and stop further terrorism and territorial invasion.

Ukrainians are dying and freezing. They have lost loved ones, homes, employment, personal safety, and suffered genocide and torture. What are we willing to sacrifice?

Kevin W. Jones, Glen Mills, kwjones86@comcast.net

Although citizens believe that the United States spends too much on foreign aid, the International Affairs Budget for the 2022 fiscal year made up less than 1% of the overall budget. It’s become more important than ever to reduce global poverty rates, as the coronavirus pandemic worsened health and hunger levels in many impoverished areas of the world. The International Affairs Budget combats this by providing emergency disaster relief, implementing agriculture programs, and providing medications for HIV/AIDs, among many other things. Working with a nonprofit organization like the Borgen Project, which fights to reduce global poverty rates and mobilize people into action, has made me realize that the International Affairs Budget is a crucial part of the U.S. budget and provides critical support for developing countries.

Rosa Trujillo, Borgen Project ambassador, Philadelphia

Could someone please explain to me how an individual who wants to do away with the Constitution, did nothing while in office to stop an insurrection, stole and hid government classified information, continues to spread lies and hate about an election that took place years ago, was impeached twice, and supports ideas that go against democracy is even allowed to consider being a candidate for the 2024 presidency? Aren’t there standards? Should someone who doesn’t follow any tax rules or diplomatic rules even be considered to represent and make decisions for the country? It makes no sense. Are we that stupid or desperate?

Susan Gross, Cheltenham

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