Letters: Flashing digital signs a safety threat

ISSUE | DIGITAL SIGNS

Hazard in plain sight

Put aside the fact that the six-story, full-motion video billboards recently approved by City Council were overwhelmingly opposed by the Planning Commission; are grossly out of scale with their surroundings; generate no meaningful revenue for the city; and benefit only their owner/operator, two nonprofits chosen by that owner/operator, and commercial advertisers. There's an even bigger concern, and that's safety.

This legislation should be vetoed by the mayor because these signs are inherently dangerous. Their very purpose, their sole reason for being, is to distract both drivers and pedestrians with their 3,500-square-foot animated advertising displays.

These behemoths belong inside the Linc or Citizens Bank Park. Situated on sidewalks, and along major thoroughfares (Broad and Arch Streets), in the heart of pedestrian-friendly Center City, can there be any doubt that they will cause accidents and injury?

|Jeffrey L. Braff, president, Center City Residents' Association, Philadelphia, jbraff@cozen.com

ISSUE | HOLY IMAGES

Food for thought

As a Christian, I can understand some might be offended by the Signe Wilkinson cartoon (philly.com/signe, April 2). Perhaps that will help many empathize with how others feel when cartoons depict their religions and religious figures.

I'm also open to the fact that Jesus was 33, supposedly never wed, and his closest relationships were with men. Whatever his orientation, I love and respect him no less.

|Bonnie Brigham Packer, Wenonah, bonniepacker47@yahoo.com

ISSUE | JEB BUSH

Remember Schiavos

When Pennsylvanians, and Montgomery County residents in particular, make their decision regarding the 2016 presidential campaign of Jeb Bush, they should remember Terri Schiavo and the travesty of Bush's interference in her life and that of her husband, Michael ("All 2016 roads lead through Montco?" April 5).

If you believe in having the freedom to make end-of-life choices, never forget the pain inflicted upon the family of the long-comatose woman by the arrogance of this politician, who used his political influence and that of his then-president brother, because he believed he knew what was best. It was an American tragedy.

|Jeanne Hoff, Jeffersonville, mgkgne@comcast.net

ISSUE | PASSOVER

Armed with kindness

While driving to a seder at the home of Orthodox Jewish friends in Philadelphia last week, I was in an accident and, although unhurt, had no way to attend - nor could I contact my friends, since they don't answer the phone on the Sabbath. But I asked the cop who drove me home from the accident if he would call my friend's police precinct and see if they could send a beat cop to knock on her door. Within 15 minutes, a Philadelphia officer did just that. It was a kind, unexpected, generous, and heartwarming favor.

|Mandy Roth, Wynnewood

ISSUE | BATTER UP

Rites of spring measured out in innings

The flowers are beginning to bloom, the grass is reemerging from its winter slumber, the change of seasons is in the air - and there is one constant, which has been there for me each and every spring since I was a child: It's baseball.

I love this beautiful game. I've been through the best and worst of times with the Phillies, and I'm not expecting much this year. But I will still watch with the excitement of a child and a range of emotions that all sports fans experience. Opening Day has arrived, and as in a marriage, I remain loyal, in love, and thankful.

|Karen D. Lash, Philadelphia

ISSUE | PA. ATTORNEY GENERAL

A Kane convert convinced of her vision

As a supporter of Kathleen Kane's primary opponent in 2012, I knew nothing about Kane other than that she was a former Scranton prosecutor and relative political novice ("A fighter on the ropes," April 5). Within a week of her primary victory, I had the opportunity to meet her. Since then, I have gotten to know her personally and professionally.

Not many politicians would have taken the time to do that, knowing I had supported an opponent. Kane didn't care. She wanted me to know, first and foremost, that her desire was to help people in Pennsylvania, and she wanted me to know her vision to do so. There still are Kane supporters willing to say so without fear.

|Richard Golomb, Philadelphia

ISSUE | JEFFERSONIAN DEMOCRACY

Nothing restrained about this president

U.S. Sen. Mike Lee (R., Utah) conveniently forgets that Thomas Jefferson waged war without congressional approval, attempted regime change without approval, deployed the Navy against friend and foe alike - with serious losses - and funded Napoleon's wars in Europe with an unauthorized purchase of French land rights in North America ("Finding unlimited potential in limited power," April 5). Jefferson also was a president who embargoed all foreign trade at one point, held slaves, was widely believed to be agnostic, fathered children out of wedlock, believed only landed gentry should vote (and women had no rights), and created the two-party system, which later required a constitutional amendment to legitimize. Lees needs a better candidate than Jefferson as an example of limited governing.

|Irvin Lichtenstein, Wyncote, ilichten1@verizon.net

Tighter leash on big business, too

The greater danger to the Constitution and the nation is unrestrained business, which, as Utah's Mike Lee says of government, "spies on, lies to, and targets us" ("Finding unlimited potential in limited power," April 5). Any move to restrain government that does not restrain the self-serving goals of big business will lead to an oligarchy, if not an effective monarchy, not the goals of the founders.

|Mitchell S. Rothman, Merion Station