Last papal visit news is so 1979

ISSUE | PAPAL MATTERS

Costs covered

It's hard to believe The Inquirer used a couple pages and a flattering photo from 1979 to praise a lawyer who sued the city over the visit of Pope John Paul II ("Ensuring separation of church, state," July 26). What was the point other than irritating those excited about Pope Francis' visit?

No one wants to hear about 1979 hippies, civil-liberties zealots, and other fringe groups vs. a truly important 2015 event. The city already has said it is being reimbursed for the expenses of the papal events.

|Jim McGinty, Phoenixville, jimmcginty2@comcast.net

Ample blessings

I wonder if the American Civil Liberties Union is opposed to the projected $418 million economic benefit that Pope Francis' visit will bring to the City of Brotherly Love ("Ensuring separation of church, state," July 26).

|Marie Hagan McGuirl, Huntingdon Valley, visokid@aol.com

Objections clear

With exquisite clarity and poignancy, John Salveson captured a piece of reality for people assaulted by priests as kids ("Pope's visit inspires joy that's hard to share in," July 19). Unlike Salveson's, my feelings about the pope's visit are not conflicted: I've been feeling ongoing discontent regarding the celebration of the leader of a faith that, despite kind and generous gestures and statements, excludes gay men and women from union within the church, excludes women from ordination and reproductive human rights, and refuses appropriate accountability for priests, bishops, and cardinals who have abused children.

|Diane Freedman Drinker, Conshohocken, dianedrinker@gmail.com

ISSUE | NORRISTOWN

Disillusioned

To me, as one of the young, hardworking, first-time home buyers who were lured to Norristown with the promise of upscale living and being part of an urban renewal, Norristown resists change rather than shows promise ("Norristown shows promise," July 26).

A corrupt and incompetent bureaucracy failed in its duty to properly inspect and enforce its own building codes at my condo building on Sandy Street. Even with the building condemned, many owners are obligated to pay taxes and legal fees on a poorly constructed building, with no option of selling. So when I hear that they are busy working on new home construction in Norristown, my advice is caveat emptor.

|Ellen Frank, Dresher, beefrank@comcast.net

ISSUE | PUBLIC SERVICE

Not by good works alone can a pol be saved

My congressman, Chaka Fattah, claims that he's helped "at least 25 million people" ("Congressman should resign," July 30). And many indicted politicians - including former State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo - have made similar claims in the past.

But such assertions are utterly irrelevant: We elect and pay all public officials to help people, and most of them follow the law. Public service doesn't entitle any elected official to a get-out-of-jail-free card.

|Bill Dingfelder, Bala Cynwyd

Tired of their act in Washington

As a committee person for 35 years, I took note of Dana Milbank's commentary ("Washington used to work," July 29). In the old days, politicians would run on a platform, get elected, and go to implement what they promised. Today they go to Washington and join the good old boys' club, seemingly more interested in protecting their positions than doing the voters' bidding. Like many voters, I'm frustrated and disappointed with their performance.

|Patty Orlando, Villanova

Picking and choosing shouldn't be an option

At his likely mayoral inauguration, Jim Kenney will swear to uphold the law ("Kenney stands by Phila.'s 'sanctuary city' status," July 30). But Kenney already has stated that he will not uphold the law on immigration holds, just like Mayor Nutter. What good is his oath?

|Matthew Augustine, Philadelphia

ISSUE | PUBLIC ART

Gallery's loss could be Schuylkill view gain

With its impending removal from the Gallery during the mall renovation, could the Larry Rivers tile mural Philadelphia Now and Then possibly replace the garish orange paint and graffiti on the Schuylkill/Amtrak wall ("Works installed at the Gallery decades ago must find another home," July 28)? This would remove an intrusive eyesore and provide visitors and residents alike with a view more worthy of the elegance of the Art Museum and Boathouse Row across the way.

|Paula O'Day, Philadelphia

ISSUE | HUMAN TRAFFICKING

A governor inattentive to critical need

Although New Jersey's human trafficking law passed in 2013, the state is far from implementing it to curb trafficking and provide services to victims. One provision largely ignored is the Prostitution Offender Program, also known as "John Schools." It creates an offender-funded program that provides education for offenders, supports law enforcement, and puts money in the statewide fund for victim services. Thus far, no county has implemented the provision, leaving significant money on the table.

This is entirely because of red tape and Gov. Christie's inattention to the needs of this vulnerable population, which includes a significant number of children trafficked from other places within the United States, not just children and adults trafficked from other nations.

|Lynda L. Hinkle, Bellmawr, hinklelaw@lyndahinkle.com