Rising murder rate
Mayor Kenney brought in Police Commissioner Outlaw from across the country to reduce the city’s murder rate.
The murder rate has only grown substantially since she took over.
Kenney’s only excuse is that other cities are having the same problem.
We want positive results here, not invalid excuses.
Mayer Krain
Modena Park
Put them on a curfew
You can pass all the good gun laws you want. The people doing these shootings aren’t buying their guns legally. The last thing they are worried about is a background check. Maybe a bed check might be more appropriate.
Richard Donofry
East Torresdale
The meaning of patriotism
As a veteran of the United States Air Force who served as an airborne linguist during Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield, I have spent my share of time thinking about words and their meaning.
One of the words that we have not spent enough time thinking about in recent years — especially as veterans — is the word patriotism. I’ve spent even more time thinking about how we define (and demonstrate) patriotism in the months since the Jan. 6 insurrection.
Too many veterans participated in the Jan. 6 insurrection. They were inspired by a misguided sense of patriotism. A study by the Program on Extremism at George Washington University found that of the more than 450 people arrested in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, 12% are current or former members of the armed forces, nearly double the rate than in the population as a whole.
These stark numbers are no accident. Veterans represent a target of interest for domestic extremist groups and hostile foreign influence operators. In addition to their military expertise and experience, veterans are highly respected members of society who bolster a movement’s legitimacy and are capable of influencing their country and their communities.
There are no easy fixes. The insurrection was a symptom of a greater problem facing our country. There is only the hard work ahead that will be needed to ensure that Jan. 6 does not repeat itself. I took an oath to serve our country when I joined the Air Force. I believe veterans must commit to serve again so that we can build civic organizations that can fight back against misinformation and domestic extremism.
Committing to that service is truly patriotic.
Jim Green
We the Veterans, Phila. Chapter
Promoting bird safety
As the dangerous heatwave continues, many compassionate people have been putting out food and water to help birds survive. And while the fresh water is certainly giving avian visitors and other wildlife an opportunity to cool down and hydrate, bird watchers might want to consider taking down their feeders.
High temperatures are causing the jelly in oriole feeders to thicken, which can turn these food sources into deadly glue traps capable of ensnaring and killing birds. And scientists are still struggling to determine the cause of the deadly disease that is blinding and claiming the lives of songbirds throughout the eastern and midwestern U.S. Until more information is available, wildlife agencies are urging homeowners to take down their feeders to prevent birds from congregating and to help slow the spread of the disease.
Wildlife enthusiasts can continue to provide food sources for birds by planting berry- and seed-producing trees and shrubs and allowing native plants and flowers to grow wherever possible. For more information on living in harmony with birds and other wildlife, visit www.PETA.org.
Michelle Kretzer
The PETA Foundation
Where is freedom?
Seek and you shall find. Find and you will have. If you have, you will not seek.
The above words mean that freedom is right in front of us, right here in the USA. So you don’t have to find it, you already have it.
Freedom to protest peacefully.
Not freedom to riot and burn buildings down. Freedom of speech, but not to incite riots. Remember, there are two sides to a story. Everyone in this country has all this and a lot more, but we all are governed under the rule of law, but some people and government officials think they are above the law. People should always treat other people as to how they want to be treated.
Richard B. Krzaczek
Lexington Park
Stop picking on Mayor Kenney
In regard to the July 28 editorial cartoon. Pandering? I don’t always agree with our mayor. However, his actions that you chose to illustrate were justifiable, even commendable. Rizzo, as police commissioner, led a force of “jack-booted” thugs who actually increased crime when you look past the manufactured statistics; as mayor, he almost bankrupted the city and ruined our Bicentennial celebration. Columbus committed countless atrocities against the native populations (and besides, he was not the first to explore the Western Hemisphere, and never stepped on soil that was to become the U.S). Shopping at locally owned businesses in West Philly can only help improve the quality of life in our city. Wishing a “Happy EID” to our fellow citizens exemplifies us as the “City of Brotherly Love.”
I fear that Mr. Stiglich’s inner Trump is interfering with his judgment.
Larry Chosed
Bustleton
