The American Museum of Jewish History is halfway completed.
Letters:
Finding
practicing Jews
Re: "Jewish American Idol," Thursday, about finding 18 Jewish Americans whose accomplishments should be recognized in a major museum exhibition:
Mentioned (no women by the way) were, among others, Bob Dylan, Louis Brandeis, and Irving Berlin. These men were born Jewish, but did they practice their Judaism? Can't we find 18 truly Jewish men and women who practice their religion daily, not just ones who were born Jewish, and even raised Jewish, but certainly did not practice that religion in adulthood?
Myrna L. Snyder
Philadelphia
Good move
for the ARC
The July 2 article "American Revolution Center headed for Center City" discusses the ARC move from Valley Forge National Historical Park to the proposed new Center City location primarily as a lost opportunity for Lower Providence Township, and emphasizes the opposition mounted by the National Parks Conservation Association as a major factor in the relocation decision.
The article doesn't emphasize Valley Forge Park's firm opposition to the plans for the suburban location, or local residents' concerns about traffic and additional demands on township services. I was opposed to the scale of the ARC's previous plans and am grateful for the less intensive use that the land will see in the future as a part of Valley Forge Park.
Paul Eitner
Audubon
Now it's time
for compromise
While the writers of the opposing views over the location of the American Revolution Center ("Museum belonged in Valley Forge," Wednesday) both offer compelling arguments supporting their respective positions, now that it seems settled, perhaps a conciliatory compromise could be a shuttle service from Philadelphia to and from Valley Forge.
Such a service could appease both camps, since some visitors might opt to stay in King of Prussia and pick up a return shuttle the next day, while those opting to stay in the Philadelphia historic district would enjoy one more historical attraction.
Cletus McBride
Bensalem
Gun laws
should be enforced
Re: "N.J. man admits intimidation based on race," Wednesday:
The article told of a disabled black Philadelphia police officer driving a BMW in New Jersey who was threatened, intimidated with a gun, and abused with racial slurs by a parolee who had been previously convicted of a cross-burning.
It seems a "plea agreement" was arranged. Charges of unlawful use of a weapon, in this particular case a gun, which would have carried a much heavier sentence, will be dismissed. Imagine that. In New Jersey, where the governor wants stronger gun laws, the sentence for a parolee who is not permitted to touch a gun under the current law will have that charge dropped.
It's obvious that New Jersey needs stricter gun laws, simply because New Jersey judges can't remember the existing gun laws.
John Towarnicki
Philadelphia
Give Fumo
the maximum
Re: " 'Honest,' to a fault," Wednesday:
Thanks for reporting the political pressure from political cronies of former State Sen. Vincent Fumo for federal Judge Ronald Buckwalter to give him a lesser prison term.
Fumo has a heart condition and still eats at fancy restaurants with very high-calorie foods that tax his heart. Then, there is the ridiculous tactic to become engaged while he faces a 27-year term, looking for public sympathy.
Gov. Rendell, Rep. Bob Brady, and former Judge Stephen Zappala, putting pressure on Buckwalter to give Fumo a more lenient sentence, is the most insidious use of political influence that is, frankly, obscene.
Saying "how good Fumo was to the city" is fallacious in light of the fact that he was convicted on 137 counts of criminal malfeasance. In short, he is a crook and deserves the maximum sentence. I hope Buckwalter will stand up to the pressure and send the message that there is no place for crooked politicians.
Philip Lustig
Downingtown
That ray of hope
is really a failure
Once again, the media's favoritism is clear. President Obama returns from Russia and their agreement is hailed as a ray of hope with the Russians. If President George W. Bush had returned with the same deal, his trip would have been labeled a failure. Obama didn't get anything from the Russians except for the missile deal that was hammered out well before he got there. Other than that? Nothing. No concessions, no help with Iran. Just nice speeches and smiles.
John F. Bielicki
Philadelphia
