Letters to the Editor

What You Say

Thanks so much for sharing your personal story [Loose Canon, "Lucky Stroke," Bruce Schimmel, June 21, 2007] . Our biggest problem is increasing awareness within the younger population that stroke is not just "an older person's disease."

Toby Mazer, MPH
Jefferson Stroke Center

Dear "Deaf Public-Servant," I have the utmost respect for you, (insert deaf politician's name), but I am saddened by all of your comments about the situation in Iraq. We would not be surrendering if our troops pulled out! A surrender can only happen if there was ever a chance to "win" this war. Civil wars cannot be won by a third-party country. It is disheartening to hear you use these terms in some kind of attempt to gain support, while saying the people who are against this war are not patriotic [Slant, "You Lost the War," David Faris, June 14, 2007]. Being a patriot does not mean you have to be gung-ho to continue this unjustified war. Often it means, step back from the situation, gather your thoughts and try something else. Which I have not heard or seen from any politician who still supports Bush. Or his war.

The Democrats in Congress quit on the American people by giving in to Bush's demands that he will veto any bill which sets a time table for withdrawal. Shame on you all! Adding more troops is not helping. It will never help, no matter if you send a million troops. I wish you could take off the blinders. To hell with staying loyal based on party lines. Start voting as if one of your children or family members is being shipped off to Iraq!

There will never be peace in the Middle East. There hasn't been peace in 5,000 years. Are we as a country that arrogant to think we can force another country to become a democracy? In that respect, we have become no different than the other countries we've been to war with. Many people in Germany thought the Nazi party was a good thing, as well as communism, fascism, totalitarianism — the list goes on. We fought these countries because they were forcing their governmental ideology on others. How are we different? We are no different! If the Iraqi people truly want democracy, then it is up to them to fight for it, not us! Sure, we should assist them, but not with our soldiers' blood. Give them medical aid, tanks, rifles ... whatever. Not our nation's children.

If you want to leave your mark on history, start by getting our soldiers out of this civil war. Nothing good has, or will, come about from it.

Chris Doyle, U.S. Army 1992-95
South Philadelphia

As an Ocean City, N.J., homeowner, I was gratified to see [Philly Blunt, "Boards of Contention," Brian Hickey, June 28, 2007] concerning Ocean City's misguided (or guided by money?) vote to use rainforest wood on their boardwalk. This is not the only environmentally irresponsible action they are taking right now. They plan to construct a bike path and build recreational structures in the only remaining wetlands left at the south end of Ocean City. This area is rated No. 4 on the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Landscape Map with state threatened birds. This planned tourist area will be a critical habitat loss to wildlife, and there is no good reason to do it as Ocean City has a bike path already that runs parallel to the planned project.

Last March and April, Ocean City was issued a Notice of Violation by the NJDEP and told by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to remove a road they constructed when they bulldozed their way into the wetlands without the benefit of permits. Quite obviously, the road was to be part of this planned bike path. And they bulldozed the wetlands during breeding times right next to an active osprey nest.

This administration's priority is the almighty dollar, not the environment and not nature. They will ultimately completely destroy their little money-making shore town.

Irene Lorenzon
Huntington Valley