Letters to the Editor

The reality of the Keystone pipeline

You misled your readers on three points in your Keystone pipeline editorial ("No reason to rush decision on pipeline," Friday).

First, the evaluation of the permit began three years ago, not two months ago as your imply. Second, there has never been a pipeline accident that contaminated an aquifer. You posit a ridiculous straw man. Third, Canada will exploit its natural resources whether we get the oil or the Chinese do.

Here's the reality: The approval process already has taken too long, there is NO risk of contaminating the aquifer, and the Canadians and Chinese will benefit from the tar sands instead of us. Maybe you should rethink your position or at least use reasoning that is not patently false.

Timothy W. Byrne, Wayne

Good sports at Immaculata

I recently had the pleasure of taking my kids to see an Immaculata University women's basketball game. It reminded me of how uplifting and just plain good sports can be when stripped of all the egotism that permeates professional and big-time college athletics.

There were a number of questionable calls, some late in the game in crucial situations. But none were met with a show of exasperation. A player wrongly whistled for a charge just dropped the ball, turned, and headed up court without betraying any emotion.

In 40 minutes of action, there was no showboating, no complaining, no taunting, no chest-thumping. In short, the game was played exactly as I would like to see my kids play it.

After the game ended (Immaculata lost a tight one), there were hand slaps and congratulations all around. No one confronted the refs. The crowd applauded a game well played.

Then, something remarkable: The Immaculata players applauded us. Some waved or nodded affirmatively as if to say: Thanks for coming to watch us play. Come again.

And, of course, we will.

Don Wuenschel, Swarthmore

Grateful to Catholic school teachers

My deep gratitude to Orlando R. Barone for his thoughtful article "Gratefully remembering Catholic schools" (Sunday). He precisely captured my own feelings about my Catholic education. Like Barone, I feel deeply indebted to the Catholic nuns, in my case to the Sisters of St. Joseph, who taught me, from grade school through high school, the essentials of personal discipline, good moral character, and the importance of a life vision. Now that I've arrived at my post-boomer age, I am in awe of the enormous personal sacrifices made by these women who dedicated their lives to teach students like me.

Dominic Costa, Oreland

Report facts on entitlement programs

It's a shame that rather than report the facts about out-of-control entitlement programs for the poor that are wreaking havoc on the state's budget, The Inquirer gives us conspiracy theories about a right-wing religious cabal ("Explain the budget cuts," Sunday). The facts are that the asset and income standards for Medicaid and food stamps have been greatly increased over the last 10 years, creating tens of thousands of new beneficiaries who are now blowing a hole in the state budget. In addition to the fiscal mess these programs are creating, they are destroying lives by incentivizing dependency. The Corbett administration is correct in weaning off the dole all but the truly needy, which clearly does not include people who own their home and a car, and have a couple of thousand dollars in the bank.

Michael B. Hudson, Pottstown

Find middle ground on abortion

Why is does the dialogue on abortion continue on an all-or-nothing basis ("Roe v. Wade 39 years later," Sunday)? I think a reasonable middle ground needs to be found so we can get past this hot-button issue that politicians use for shortsighted, selfish purposes.

Why can't we assemble a group of noted and recognized ethicists, scientists, economists, and religious leaders - no politicians - to determine at what point human life begins? We can then outlaw abortion after that point. Perhaps then we can move past this issue and start to unify the country.

I am biased because I had an aunt who died in the 1940s from a botched abortion. I fear that if abortions are totally outlawed, such botches will happen again.

Al DeLucia, Philadelphia

The true meaning and value of life

The letter "Rape can't justify abortion" (Jan. 17) reflects the true meaning and value of life, which begins at conception, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the conception.

One need only read the illuminating treatise on the subject by Father Angelo Serra, professor emeritus of human genetics at Sacred Heart University in Rome, to appreciate the full meaning of what human life is, commencing at conception.

There are constructive ways to erase whatever stigma many in our society attach to children born as a result of rape or incest.

Dominic J. Cinaglia, Blue Bell