More employer-paid holidays
Everyone in the USA should know a little about every group that exists in our melting pot.
There should be at least one employer-paid national holiday for every group.
That, plus all of the other national holidays, vacation days, personal days and sick days I already have annually, I know I will appreciate and get along with others better.
Mayer Krain
Modena Park
A toast to the Trumpies
I propose a toast to the steadfast defenders of everything President Trump says and does. Those who have his back despite his bounteous gift for spewing lies, not to mention the daily dose of incessant insanity, inarticulate inanity, incongruous inconsistency, incontrovertible ineptness, incorrigible incompetence, inflammatory invective, injudicious innuendo, indisputable insecurity and incredible insouciance. He’s their guy.
To these loyal few, I propose a toast. A goblet of sparkling Clorox. Which I shall drink while my left arm is inoculated with hydroxychloroquine (to ward off malaria and lupus) and my right arm with Lysol (although any household disinfectant will do).
Cheers!
Dennis H. Sing
Somerton
A lack of leadership
After the fiasco with the looting and rioting in this city which was basically caused by the upper echelons of the city government not having a plan, they want to blame the rank-and-file officers because of Kenney’s and Outlaw’s inability to lead. The city is still in turmoil, and it’s not the time to change leadership in the districts, like in South Philadelphia’s 1st District. As much as they want to deny that it isn’t a vindictive move, it seems crystal clear that it is. Kenney has been spineless throughout the demonstrations until the citizens of the area stand up for their rights. When that occurs, they are called “vigilantes.” All of a sudden, “Let ’em Loose” Larry Krasner wants to prosecute people. Meanwhile, when the demonstrations became a riot, the words “rioter” or “looter” were barely mentioned. Now the powers-to-be want to investigate what the police did wrong during the demonstrations. Don’t waste the money, just buy a mirror for the upper management of the city and City Council. This way, when someone asks the question, “What went wrong during the demonstrations and who’s responsible,” they can all look in the mirror.
Richard Donofry
East Torresdale
Tribute to Georgie Karusky
When I heard of the recent passing from meningitis several weeks ago of popular Archbishop Ryan senior Georgie Karusky, who loved sports, I remembered an oldtime ballplayer who said he and his fellow players were amazed at what baseball players are now paid: “We would have played for free,” he said. “We loved the game.”
This is going to sound heretical in my championship-obessed hometown of Philadelphia, but Karusky, who likewise played baseball as well as football and soccer, understood that he was playing a game, and that he didn’t have to collect championships, he could collect friendships. He didn’t have to be the best, just do his best. He didn’t have to look the part to follow his heart.
He seemed to understand something else very important as well. It couldn’t have been easy to lose his mother at age 10 when so many around him still had mothers of their own, yet he was known for saying hello to everyone in the hall at school and for making lots of friends on all the many teams he joined. Despite his great personal loss, he tried to make others feel good, to feel noticed, to feel like they mattered — and to him, they did.
Although he’s been gone only a few weeks, I have a feeling he’s friends with half of heaven by now. He’ll get to the other half.
My deepest sympathy to his father, grandparents, extended family and countless friends. I know you’ve lost someone special and unforgettable. His life was short but his legacy can be long if those who knew him or knew of him also understand the importance of inclusiveness, of being a friend to everyone you meet. That’s winning at life, regardless of how the game turns out.
Rosa Michnya
Lexington Park
Stop the fireworks
The constant, overwhelming barrage of fireworks in Northeast Philadelphia neighborhoods has to stop. It has become nonstop, seven nights a week, hours and hours every night. We are well aware that most of these explosives are being set off illegally; in the city, you’re not supposed to shoot these things off within 150 feet of an occupied building, or within proximity of vehicles, power lines or trees. Amateurs aren’t supposed to be messing with professional-grade explosives.
On my block of rowhouses, you cannot – cannot – get 150 feet from an occupied building. There are power lines overhead, and at night vehicles are parked on both sides of the street. Meanwhile, the night of June 14, my house literally shook from the explosives being set off by one of my neighbors. Did I call the police? Yes. Did they show up? No. Did a fight break out between the neighbor setting off the pyrotechnics and one of my other neighbors? You bet. I consider it a miracle that no one was killed, because the neighbor setting off the fireworks was furious at the one who asked him to stop.
When it’s not happening on my own block, residents are still subjected to pyrotechnics from throughout Northeast Philadelphia. They can be heard for miles. Are we supposed to just “suck it up” and “get used to it”? I don’t accept that. Nor should the combat veterans who think the “Great Northeast” is re-enacting the Vietnam War. And what about the small children and house pets who are terrified and traumatized by the booming sounds and the shaking houses? Something has to be done to stop this before people start taking the law into their own hands. It’s intolerable and it’s unacceptable.
Regina Beaucheane
Holmesburg
Is Billy Penn next to go?
The mayor decided to move the Rizzo statue because of what he thinks it stood for, and to appease a lot of people during the riots in Philadelphia.
If he feels so strong to do right, then please remove the Billy Penn statue over City Hall.
Billy Penn was a slave trader, he also had 12 slaves to build his home in Pennsbury Manor, and had slaves as servants.
But Mayor Kenny will keep this statue up there because he has no idea about this slave owner honored on top of City Hall.
I spent time on the police force and was there for three riots, being sent twice to the hospital with injuries. I understand what it is like.
Five officers have been shot at different cities, many hurt, and I have not seen one store broken in or burnt to the ground to honor these brave people as we see today people honoring Mr. George Floyd, who should never have been killed. History can be seen happening today because of the media that we have.
Does it make a difference that we, today, can see an injustice today in papers on TV, etc. or that it can be brought to light about this slave owner, Billy Penn, who we honor in the center of our city?
Maybe politics or the paper may stop this from being printed, but truth be truth and must be told to be fair to all.
Robert W. McCann
Rhawnhurst
You could bank on Frank
I’d like to share some information with people who are too young to remember Frank Rizzo. Today, you will only hear that he was a racist from a lot of people who choose to forget the good that he did.
During the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, he was deputy chief and then the police commissioner. During that time, he hired more African-American Officer’s than any other big city in the country. He also promoted more African American officers than any other big city in the country. He also was the first commissioner in the country to end segregation in patrol vehicles. There are always two sides of a story. Was he tough on crime and criminals, yes, but isn’t that the police commissioner’s job?
Yes, it is. He was human, and he was also compassionate when it was warranted. For some reason, our current mayor chooses only to remember the questionable things that he was accused of and like a thief in the night had his statue removed and his mural painted over.
Dave Chester
Bustleton
Thank you, Bustleton/Somerton Town Watch
Maybe a lot of residents aren’t aware of what’s been going on after dark in Bustleton and Somerton.
I found out while out at night that Bustleton-Somerton has a Town Watch and they were on patrol the past week during the riots/looting protecting our community. I came across them at the Presidential Plaza, 9800 Bustleton Ave. Twenty cars and 40 people coordinating the patrols for the night. I met many members of the Town Watch and thanked him for protecting us. He told me they prevented several lootings and apprehended/held several persons for the police to deal with. I did notice that most of the Town Watch members were from our Russian/Ukranian community doing their part for all of us. I hope everyone looks them up online and thanks them, too.
Thank you again for what you’re doing to protect us.
The Buclary Family
Bustleton
No more rioting
I am watching the rioters on TV who are trying to destroy our freedoms again.
I’ve noticed a lot of so-called protesters appear to be dressed in preparation for a riot.
Why do we have people in our midst who are out to start a riot?
If you do not like living in a society that truly wants peace, why are you in our midst for rioting and personal gain and not for any peaceful solution, which could also be called “civilized justice.”
What started as a peaceful protest was turned into violence and destruction. Why don’t you want a safe, peaceful solution for a truly serious injustice to a poor soul. Violence begets violence.
We need to get justice for this poor man without killing more innocents. Give us a chance to work at justice. If not, get the hell out. Rioters are not welcome.
Rita Reiter
Bustleton
Let’s remember our seniors
The confusion and fear over the coronavirus and the recent violence in our streets have affected
us all. As we repair and reopen, let’s not forget our seniors.
Elders are still at home, many now having financial issues and dealing with mind-numbing isolation. Since at least 80 percent of all virus deaths have been to those over 65, activities can’t return to normal for them.
Many food prices have spiked, and with the looting, there are fewer places for grandpa to shop. Public transit has been scaled back, and could remain a virus risk. I suspect many seniors
will avoid riding for now, but may have little alternative.
Recently, I asked some protest supporters if they would consider community service to promote change. Help grandma with chores or food shopping. They were incredulous.
Give service? Do something out of kindness, without being paid? I wonder why they can’t see the connection.
If you want to make a difference, why not help your community? Many elderly neighbors (and others) still need help, and will for quite some time.
Let’s not forget them. In the end, you may find that serving others helps you heal, too.
Richard Iaconelli
Rhawnhurst
Great job by Murt
I served in Iraq with the U.S. Army. I recently reached out to state Rep. Thomas Murt for assistance with a complicated veterans issue. I live all the way out in Centre County, but Rep. Murt’s reputation for assisting veterans in need extends far beyond the borders of Philadelphia and Montgomery counties.
I am happy to report that Rep. Murt not only took my call on the weekend and did not refer me to my own state representative, but he helped me right away with a very complicated veterans issue. Rep. Murt has restored my faith in government with his devotion to duty and to the people. I wish he were my state representative.
If you live in Murt’s district, you are fortunate to have such a dedicated public servant working for you and not a politician always seeking higher office. Thank you to Rep. Thomas Murt.
Scott Clouser
Julian, Centre County
