Copyright The Philadelphia Inquirer
Because he (thinks he) can I’m old enough to remember when soldiers were brave, had honor, and loved their country. It is sad that Dave McCormick, who was a member of the 82nd Airborne and earned a Bronze Star for his service in Iraq, has traded his patriotism for cowardice when it comes to the wanton destruction of the White House at the hands of Donald Trump. A true patriot, a brave person, would speak out about this vandalism of our nation’s history. But not McCormick, who seems to be hiding under his desk, watching silently as President Trump takes a wrecking ball to the White House. McCormick, it seems, would rather see the symbols of our nation destroyed than stand up to an elderly man who’s only going to be president for one term. There are words for a person like that, and they aren’t patriotic, brave, or even honorable. I never want to hear McCormick, or any Republican, use those words ever again. As unpatriotic, dishonorable cowards, they have lost their right to do so. Brendan Skwire,Philadelphia Hold the celebration It was difficult to read your recent editorial on how the police are solving more murders without being confused as to your position. The murder rate declines, but it’s still triple New York or Boston. The murder rate “clearance” is still 85%-91%, but the city feels “… beset by misdemeanors and lower level felonies …,” not to mention reckless driving, transit stations reeking of smoke and urine, dumping, blighted buildings attracting more crime. What should outrage us all is that these conditions are concentrated in sectors of our city that other neighborhoods would never tolerate. Is this level of crime “good news” for North Philly, Kensington, or West Philly? Would it be acceptable in Chestnut Hill, Rittenhouse Square, or Society Hill? Don’t all law-abiding citizens, families, and children deserve the same kind of conditions as those more fortunate? And we haven’t even begun to discuss the terrible education system (no school choice), the district attorney’s leniency (one-party rule), giving sanctuary to illegal immigration, and regulating and taxing businesses in a way that — intentionally or not — perpetuates all of those conditions. The job is certainly “far from over” — nor is the status quo something that The Inquirer could and should be endorsing. Daniel P. McCartney,Richboro Playbook against tyranny I can respect Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s approach to avoid actively drawing the ire of the Trump administration — so long as it is an intentional approach and there is a plan for when it directs its rage toward Philadelphia. What we’re seeing in Chicago, Portland, Ore., Los Angeles, and Washington is horrifying, and we should understand that it won’t stop there. Those cities have been high-profile targets of conservative media fearmongering for years. They are obvious places this administration would first terrorize by deploying the National Guard. We should have no doubt that the same can happen here; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are already spreading fear among many neighborhoods in our city. Mayor Parker’s decision to temper her rhetoric may be the correct approach for right now; I can understand the reasoning behind doing so. But there will be a time when this city will need a loud and defiant voice to rally around in opposition to the crimes of this administration. I hope the mayor is planning to boldly lead Philadelphians when that moment comes. Alex Heist, Philadelphia
