Shale Policy | Forest drilling: Won't hurt a bit

Rep. Greg Vitali mischaracterizes Gov. Corbett's actions with regard to state forest leasing ("Listen to the people on drilling gas tax," June 12). The governor issued a new executive order that prohibits leasing of any state park or forest land that will result in additional surface drilling activity. Gas can be accessed from adjacent lands using underground, horizontal drilling a mile beneath the surface.

Corbett announced his policy in the light of day nearly four months ago, and it has been discussed at legislative hearings and citizen meetings with state park and forest officials. Future royalty revenue will be devoted to improvements on state park and forest lands.

Under this governor, more than 11,000 acres have been added to the state forest system. Earlier this year, Corbett announced his Enhance Penn's Woods initiative, a $200 million commitment to park and forest improvements over two years, the largest such initiative in state history.

To date, Vitali has refused offers to discuss either of these proposals with the governor's office. He voted against the impact fee on natural-gas drillers, which has generated $630 million for the state, infused new money into Growing Greener, and strengthened environmental protections. Nonetheless, we hope Vitali will support the governor's historic investments in our natural resources as part of this year's budget.

Patrick Henderson, energy advisor, Office of the Governor, Harrisburg

ISSUE | ROAD WORK

Other troughs filled while potholes yawn

We should not kid ourselves that an unusually harsh winter is responsible for the huge number of potholes and roads of which most third-world countries would be ashamed. The responsibility lies with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the elected officials to whom we entrust the prudent management of state funds.

Mindless waste on useless projects leaves PennDot without the funds to do work that's really necessary. And nobody, least of all our elected representatives, shows any interest in holding PennDot accountable. As an example, PennDot recently completed handicapped ramps at two crossroads near me. Just one problem: There are no sidewalks at these locations, nor will there ever be, because they cannot be accommodated and they are not needed.

So the next time you have a blowout, don't blame a harsh Mother Nature. Blame the unthinking, uncaring folks who fritter away our tax dollars building access ramps to nowhere for no one.

Paul Crotty, Bryn Mawr

ISSUE | GAS WORKS

Good deal

The Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce joins a growing chorus of concerned citizens, business groups, social organizations, and others in urging City Council to hold public hearings on the $1.86 billion deal to sell the Philadelphia Gas Works. We have reviewed the argreement with UIL Holdings, and from our perspective, it would bolster the financial future of the city.

Kent C. Lufkin, chairman, and Al Taubenberger, president, Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, gnpccoffice@aol.com

ISSUE | FUTBOL

What you don't know shouldn't spoil game

Here are a few suggestions for sports fans like me who really couldn't care less about the World Cup but are tuning in because we can't help ourselves. Don't let your need to see something happen - say, a touchdown, home run, or three-pointer - get in the way of your enjoyment. A nil-nil game can be more beautiful than a high-scoring affair. Focus on how players effortlessly control and pass the ball. Don't ask when the referee stops play and calls someone off-sides. Nobody understands this rule, including him. Don't ask why an American plays for Germany or an Iranian for the U.S. Don't ask why they start playing again after the game ends. And when the referee stops play so he can hand out a red card - that's right - don't ask.

John Cella, Blue Bell, johncella1@gmail.com

ISSUE | SCHOOLS FOR SALE

Community assets, not used cars

In Inga Saffron's article on the sale of University City High School, it was particularly chilling to read that "the site was put up for sale as though it were nothing more than a used car" ("Planning should be part of city school building sales," June 13). The school was built during a period of great optimism when the focus was on improving the quality of life in Powelton and Mantua. It is tragically a sign of the times when community benefits are put aside for development that mostly benefits the wealthy. Saffron calls for planning and consideration of long-range implications. It is time to slow down, stop, review, and above all remember the city has a responsibility to meet the needs of all its residents.

Felice Davidson Perlmutter, Philadelphia

ISSUE | CLASHING VIEWS

Dane had climate change all figured out

It's un-American to deny others their views, no matter how quaint or wrong they may seem or actually be ("Don't give equal time to climate-change deniers," June 13). The rancor that commentator John Cigliano displays toward those who question climate change is unjustified. Does he really expect the press to censor those who question him? Where I live was once ocean bottom. Was that because the dinosaurs did not drive hybrid vehicles? The New Jersey coastline was once 50 miles farther out. Was that because the dinosaurs stopped burning coal? While mankind may have impacts on climate, climate is ever-changing, with or without our help. Before we commit to more naive and futile measures to change the climate in a supposedly acceptable direction, we should take a lesson from King Canute.

|Raymond McCarty, Tabernacle

My wife and I have been watching Fox News for about seven years and listening to Rush Limbaugh for more than 10 ("Stirring the pot," June 13). Never once have we heard any broadcaster advocate violence. What they do promote is another viewpoint contrary to what you will hear on the networks or in mainstream newspapers.

Bill Towey, Philadelphia

ISSUE | IRAQ

Then and now, the more things change . . .

The al-Qaeda takeover of Mosul has crowned the king of all ironies. Al-Qaeda was absent from Iraq under Saddam Hussein despite the Bush administration's claim of a connection to help justify the U.S. invasion. The results of that invasion are that al-Qaeda has fully infiltrated that country and that its own citizens are subject to continual violence.

Paul E. Bisbing, Paoli

Legacy of U.S. intervention

The forces of the Sunni Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) that have swept into Iraq from Syria, taking the cities of Mosul and Tikrit and threatening Baghdad, in addition to being anti-Shiite, are reportedly even more anti-American than previous al-Qaeda offshoots. So the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq is almost entirely responsible for the latest upheaval in that country and for the now unstoppable anger at the United States. How many Iraqis died as a result of our invasion and occupation? At least 110,000, compared with approximately 4,500 of our soldiers. And there were at least 250,000 Iraqis injured and approximately 1.8 million who had to flee their homes. That would make anybody really, really angry considering that we had no business in their country.

Andrew C. Mills, Lower Gwynedd