Letters to the Editor

I am appalled that the state's top jurist would lambaste lawyers for vigorously representing their clients ("Castille reignites dispute over Pennsylvania death-penalty appeals," Monday).

Chief Justice Ronald D. Castille's recent tirade against Pennsylvania lawyers representing those sentenced to be killed by the state means Castille believes either that lawyers should not fulfill their primary duty of effectively representing their clients using all non-frivolous legal tools at their disposal, or that indigent clients deserve less vigorous representation than those clients who have resources.

Either way, his view of the lawyer's role in representing any client, let alone those condemned by the state to die, is shocking.

Even more outrageous is that Castille makes these claims in the face of evidence that the very lawyers he is criticizing are not acting frivolously, but are unearthing legitimate claims of error.

When lawyers actively appeal convictions and death sentences, the judicial system often agrees with these lawyers and finds that errors are being made. Is Castille really saying that Pennsylvania should get on with the business of killing its citizens despite all these errors?

David S. Cohen

Associate professor

Earle Mack School of Law

Drexel University

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The public schools in Philadelphia are a disgrace. The violence and lack of discipline have been spelled out in numerous articles.

The charter schools, on the other hand, and yes, the Catholic schools, - which follow the same state-mandated guidelines as the public schools - are successful.

So why not fund them?

Janet McGill

North Wales

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For the past several days, I've been thinking about President Obama's statement that the death of Osama bin Laden has made the world safer.

Preventing bin Laden from doing any more harm may have made us a little safer, but true security will more likely come when the 4 percent of the world's population that lives in the United States does not spend 25 percent of the world's resources; when the United States recognizes that the dozens of U.S. invasions and CIA-backed destabilizations since 1945 have not benefited the average American and have made us more enemies than friends; when the United States stops spending half of its federal discretionary budget on preparation for unnecessary wars, including hundreds of military bases all over the world; and when we obtain most of our energy from renewable sources such as solar and wind power, and don't have to patrol the world to control oil.

Real security does not come from the barrel of a gun. Real security could come from building partnerships around the world with people we are not trying to exploit.

John Braxton

Philadelphia

morbraxton@aol.com

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Regarding a letter on Wednesday ("Vouchers would privilege the few"): Ever wonder what chaos would develop if all the parochial and private schools shut down?

Think public-school classes doubling in size. Think split sessions or half-days. Think big increases in the number of teachers (and their salaries and benefits). And don't forget having to build more schools, buy more computers, and get more buses. The cost of vouchers to assist Catholic and other private schools would amount to only a fraction of what it would cost if those schools shut down.

Jacqueline Wojciechowski

Harleysville

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A recent Inquirer editorial ("SRC must change," May 6) rightly questioned the leadership of the Philadelphia School Reform Commission. But I would suggest going a step further by questioning its structure.

The commission's members should include those with educational backgrounds, such as retired teachers and principals. Perhaps even, on a rotational basis, active educators could participate by taking a leave from their schools. The SRC should also include parental representation.

Political appointees will always have an agenda. We've seen that politics hinders real reform and real problem-solving. I challenge our local and state leaders to "think outside the box," and do something for once that might not necessarily benefit themselves.

Landuleni Shipanga

Philadelphia

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Now that Osama bin Laden has been eliminated, perhaps it's time that we confronted the terrorists in our own midst.

Case in point: I was riding the Market-Frankford El the other day when I witnessed a group of teenage males violently attack a man, presumably because of his perceived sexual orientation. The man was robbed of his cellphone and watch. Not one passenger, including myself, came to the man's aid. I decided not to get involved because I feared for my own well-being.

Individuals who commit gratuitous acts of violence against others are not different from terrorists. Like terrorists, they instill fear among law-abiding citizens.

To the man who was attacked: I am sorry that cowards victimized you, and I hope that you are OK. More important, I am sorry that I failed you in not coming to your aid.

If we fought crime in the city the way we fight terrorism abroad, the city would be a much safer place.

Anthony Russo

Philadelphia