Letters: Don't let Philadelphia Marathon deaths prevent you from exercising

AS A middle-age woman who has been physically active for the past 30 years or so, my heart went out to the runners who collapsed and died on Sunday.

I have over the years done the running and the spinning classes, the Jane Fonda high-impact aerobics, the elliptical machine, you name it I have done it. I am an official advocate of yoga and weightlifting.

I know some people will see this as a way to remain sedentary. That is not the way to go. Research has proven time and time again that consistent exercise helps the body heal. These men may have had underlying heart issues or other genetic problems.

Whatever the case may be, we must move our bodies and help our bodies heal as we age. Only consistent exercise will do that for us. For me it was yoga, for someone else it could be another form of exercise that they enjoy doing. I know that some haters out there will find a way to blame these isolated incidents as an excuse to not do a thing. And that would be a real shame for them.

Ajay Jones

Philadelphia

For the love of Joe

To Christine Flowers: Excellent article on Joe Paterno. I truly believe he was made a scapegoat in this terrible case. Jerry Sandusky is the alleged criminal; JoePa notified the head of campus police, he shouldn't have been fired. Paterno should have been allowed to retire at the end of the season.

I am truly bitter at how this good man was treated. Shame on the jackals in the media and thumbs up to you for writing a gutsy article!

Tom Weber

Naples, Fla.

I can't imagine that Joe Paterno knew what happened in that shower and did not follow up on his report to his athletic director to see that the matter was handled properly. It flies against Paterno's established pattern of behavior. I have a lot of questions about Mike McQueary. If he did see that act that he reported, how could he sleep if he did not know that the matter was taken to the proper levels of attention?

Could it be that Paterno had nothing more than a lot of rumors, innuendo and other questionable "evidence" presented to him? There are a lot of questions out there. I just hope that they are answered and Paterno gets vindicated.

I have seen too many "journalists" with beer muscles now crawling out of the woodwork and squealing with glee that "Paterno got his just deserts!" The very same intrepid members of the press who soiled their underwear when faced with asking a tough question of Paterno now trumpet that justice is served. I want to ask them, "What did you know and when did you know it?"

Joseph A. Greco

Moorestown, N.J..

I need something to help me understand why I have been made to feel that my defense of Joe Paterno makes me a defender of child abuse.

Franco Harris is being made to feel the same way, and the idiot mayor of Pittsburgh (where I live) has publicly said that. I only hope that Harris keeps fighting for the truth.

There is so much that is not known about this, and JoePa was tried and convicted in the court of public opinion. Of course, JoePa is going to say he wishes he could've done more, and even he wouldn't be sure what, but any decent person would say that.

I know that there is a possibility that I won't like the whole truth - but only the whole truth can offer any help.

Kathryn Stitt

Pittsburgh