Letters to the Editor

Nothing 'average' about military

I can count on one hand the times that I have agreed with Leonard Pitts Jr., but today is one of those times ("Marines should be judged cautiously," Monday). Because I am a U.S. Marine combat veteran of the Vietnam War, I fully understand the misguided motivation for those hapless young Marines who were videotaped while allegedly urinating on the bodies of their mortal enemies.

Pitts almost had it right when he spoke of "average Americans" not understanding what went on inside of the heads of those brave, yet far too ignorant, young men. Those Marines (and anyone who serves in the U.S. military) represent less than one-half of a percent of our nation's population. There is no "average American" in the U.S. military. In my book these volunteers are the cream of the crop.

Those of us who are protected by these brave young men and women have no place making judgment calls about anything that transpires on the battlefield. We have absolutely no right to condemn them for any action. War is an ugly, brutal, and nasty business. As U.S. Rep. (and retired Army colonel) Allen West (R., Fla.) said, "Shut up!"

John Wear, New Hope

Thank you isn't enough

It's rare to hear a word repeated wherever you go, no matter where you are or the people you meet. Some whisper it in reverence, some state it in shock, some murmur it in the saddest of tones. Some practically shout it out loud, daring someone to make a remark.

The word on everyone's lips? Paterno.

We take many things for granted, especially things that we can rely on as consistently as the sun rises and sets. Such things are touchstones, always there for you, always looking for the very best in you. They have been there for you and your friends for years and years, and maybe taken for granted.

But when this word on everyone's lips is more than just a representation of a solid foundation and the anchor of our school pride, it's hard to believe it is embodied in one man. One man who, as it turns out, was mortal after all.

God bless and godspeed, Joe Paterno. Thank you just doesn't say enough, does it?

Karen Hayes, Class of '97, Valley Forge

Lost perspective on Paterno

I couldn't help but think as I flipped through page after page of the apparently endless Joe Paterno coverage that this incredible importance attached to football is what got Penn State in trouble in the first place ("Lion at rest," Monday). The coverage was overbearing and overkill. Whatever one thinks of Paterno, this mere football coach who stayed on far too long apparently was the equal of a Churchill or Kennedy in the minds of your editors. You've lost all perspective.

Mark Squires, Philadelphia

Krauthammer is a sore loser

Charles Krauthammer's beloved Republicans haven't even lost the presidential election yet, but he is already behaving like a sore loser ("Republicans self-destruct," Monday). He readily admits that the president "is a very smart man." However, "if he wins in November, that won't be the reason. It will be luck."

Krauthammer is nothing more than a verbal bully who has to resort to cheap shots more suited to an elementary school recess game of tag. Calling a potential November victory by President Obama mere luck is an insult to our electoral process and is offensive to all Americans who will exercise their right to vote for the person of their choosing. Krauthammer should be ashamed for behaving like a child who hasn't learned good sportsmanship.

Richard Feuer, Woodbury

Next steps on smart growth

New Jersey's program to redraw the state's sewer service areas so they support smart growth took a big hit when Gov. Christie signed a bill extending deadlines and creating loopholes ("Growing smarter in N.J.?" Monday). Now, the question is whether the Christie administration will focus earnestly on the wastewater rule's implementation, or favor applications for sprawl. The bill weakened the program, but its core provision - to focus growth near developed areas and away from environmentally sensitive ones - is still alive, albeit on life support.

While it won't be easy, updated sewer service area plans could be put into place this summer in most of the state. Otherwise, once the economy turns around, look for more sprawl that generates traffic, threatens water supplies, and drains vitality from cities, older suburbs, and other developed areas.

Chris Sturm, senior director of state policy, New Jersey Future, Trenton, csturm@njfuture.org