Invest in civic education
I want to commend Aizaz Gill for his op-ed in the Northeast Times on improving civics education in grades K-12. The decline of emphasis on our Judeo-Christian heritage, history and civics in our education system has not been covered nearly enough, and I’m glad that someone wrote about this important topic. Reading the op-ed, I was dismayed, though not shocked, seeing that only 47% of American adults can name the 3 branches of government correctly.
For too long, civics has been ignored on our children’s education and it has led to too many young people lacking a basic understanding of the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, our Constitution and above all the inspiration of our Godly founding fathers as Mr. Gill pointed out in his op-ed. As a father who has three children attending different schools in Philadelphia right now, I would like my kids to learn about our Judeo-Christian heritage, history, Godly heritage, the rights and duties of citizenship bestowed upon them by the United States Constitution.
For American democracy to prosper, it is of the utmost importance that we begin investing in our kids’ civic education as soon as possible, teaching them about universal ethics in the form of Ten Commandments, emphasizing respect for life and society. I join Aizaz Gill in urging Pennsylvania lawmakers to find ways to increase governmental literacy among our young people emphasizing our true values and real Judeo-Christian heritage by putting God first in our country for a stronger and better America as our founding fathers did. God bless America.
Aaron Bashir
Castor Gardens
Candidate for City Controller
More favorite mini-walks
In response to Richard Iaconelli’s “Favorite mini-walks” letter, my walks are usually early in the morning, just as the sun starts to rise in the sky. It’s quiet and peaceful. The area around Pennypack Park along Strahle Street is nice. Sometimes deer and rabbits pass by there and I’ll just stop to quietly watch what they’ll do. Bergen Street is also a pleasant area to explore.
The Pennypack Environmental Center is another favorite of mine.
“Greenbelt Knoll” around Holme Avenue sounds interesting. The next rain-free day I will definitely explore that area.
Thanks for sharing these great places.
Rosalind Mintz
Rhawnhurst
An impossible scenario?
Suppose the city greenlights the Sixers’ proposed arena in Chinatown and then makes the expensive and extensive above-and-below-ground infrastructure changes that such a project requires. Next, suppose the developers build the arena, which is essentially a large sunken bowl surrounded by gobs of flexible space on multiple levels. Then, suppose the Sixers organization elects NOT to move to the arena, but instead decides either to stay at the renovated Wells Fargo location or to move to a new arena that Comcast has indicated an interest in building in South Philadelphia. What will the supposedly surprised developers and city then propose to do with an empty and unoccupied, shiny new entertainment complex in Center City, serviced by updated transportation facilities and near both the Convention Center and a large newer hotel?
In order to avoid any waste of spent monies, might the city be compelled to, ever so reluctantly, recommend that a casino be allowed to operate on the site? Even though it has rejected the idea of such a Center City casino in the past? Nah. This is Philly. Orchestrated outcomes like that could never happen here.
Jerome Bordelon
Somerton
Afraid to enforce the law
On a recent Sunday, an angry mob attacked police vehicles with officers in them, slashing tires and trapped an officer in his car as he radioed frantically for backup. Only a couple of reporters are talking about it. Can you guess why? Can you also guess why the police did nothing and no one will be arrested for this?
I was a quiet Catholic boy for over half my life because that’s what I was taught to be; ask no questions and don’t cause a stir and everything will work out. Recently I learned it doesn’t.
So now, I’m going to tell it like it is and pull no punches. Nothing will be done about that attack because the hands of the police are tied (no fault of the police) by a city administration that as part of some equity nonsense and fear of being labeled racist and to try to buy votes has made the police apprehensive about enforcing the law with people of color. Period. The worst part is that it is people of color who will be most impacted negatively as a result.
More businesses are closing and moving out of the city’s most crime-ridden neighborhoods as well as people who have the means to do so. People will have to travel farther to purchase goods and services. As developers swoop in and gobble up those properties, many remaining residents will be pushed out as home values and taxes increase making living there unaffordable. As these residents are pushed out, new living spaces will be built along with new stores that will target wealthier people and will be guarded by private security firms happily paid for by those who can afford it. In the stores, lower-priced goods are being removed from the shelves and replaced by higher-end items. Another way to price people out of neighborhoods. If some didn’t know this was the plan all along, now you do. But remember; this is what you voted for when you chose to elect and reelect the same ilk running the city. So now you got what you asked for.
Reap it.
Peter DiGiuseppe
Rhawnhurst
