LETTERS - Sept. 20

ISSUE | DEATH PENALTY

Misplaced mercy

It is appalling how many tears are wasted on this filth ("Rethink executions," Sept. 17). How about giving the same respect to the victims and their families by mentioning names, ages, and the nature of the crime in editorials and letters? Oh, and what sentence would you recommend to the jury for the convicted murderer who killed you?

|Edward Rock, Collingswood

Leave cell door ajar

Life without parole is called death by incarceration, and it precludes redemption ("Rethink executions," Sept. 17). It's a sentence that may seem to be a humane alternative, but it is still harsh, even cruel. Why keep someone in jail when they show by their behavior they have become a better person?

In Pennsylvania, where such sentences are mandatory for some crimes, they have kept many men and women from rejoining their communities as productive citizens. Parole offers a reward for conversion. The state Department of Corrections should rehabilitate rather than warehouse people.

|Gerry Givnish, Philadelphia

ISSUE | FLYING

Seat-squeeze views

It probably never occurred to most people who fly coach that they are scrunched together because of those who fly first class ("Give us some air space," Sept. 14). The airlines would disagree, but commentator Steven Conn implies that corporate avarice led to "the redesigned plushness for the flying 1 percent (and) has been created by squeezing the . . . rest of us." However, one could also argue that the price paid for business or first-class helps lower the price for a coach fare.

|Larry Steiger, Mount Laurel

ISSUE | CITY PARKS

Homeless haven

With the new Dilworth Park and a pending re-imagination for LOVE Park, it's time to focus on Logan Square and the grassy respite of Aviator Park ("Plan to shower JFK Plaza with money and love," Sept. 15). It has become flop-town central for those who believe the liberty of homelessness is not only a virtue but a given right.

|Scott Cameron, Philadelphia

ISSUE | POTTSTOWN PROSPECTS

A wealth of assets, easy access, great location

As Pottstown's state representative, I was disappointed in the recent article published about the borough's real estate market ("Borough still awaiting its comeback," Aug. 31). A real estate agent whose office is 10 miles away from Pottstown was quoted, but an agent in Pottstown might have offered a different perspective.

Pottstown is a diverse community, with homes of all sizes and in every price range. Located on the 422 corridor, it offers access to employment and recreation opportunities across southeastern Pennsylvania, including four shopping malls, three outlet centers, the Schuylkill, state and county parks, major and minor league sports, and much more. Pottstown also boasts a vibrant theater and art gallery, many fine dining options as good as anything you'll find in the suburbs, and a busy calendar of parades, car shows, and community events that bring residents together in an atmosphere of good cheer.

Whether or not a community is desirable is in the eye of the beholder. It's a shame The Inquirer chose to focus on the naysayers.

|Mark Painter, state representative, Limerick

Good place to bridge past and future

A number of factors and attractions are now converging to help Pottstown's efforts to revitalize, including the new Sly Fox Brewery, Manatawny Still Works, Steel River Playhouse, and VideoRay's location to Pottstown. Pottstown Rumble is the largest volleyball tournament east of Denver, and Pottstown hosted the National BMX Tournament this summer.

There are five bistro restaurants downtown, and Montgomery County Community College created a University Center for advanced degrees and an environmental science lab in the borough. The Schuylkill River Heritage Area is headquartered in Pottstown and trail links already exist to Reading and by 2017 will reach Philadelphia. Also, the Hill School continues to invest in Pottstown and is engaged in borough improvement, just as Pottstown Hospital - the largest employer - is growing and linked to leading area institutions such as Fox Chase Cancer Center. In addition, Pottstown will be part of Colebrookdale Railroad Secret Valley Line when it opens this fall.

My wife and I are are optimistic about Pottstown and proud of its past, which even includes making steel for the Golden Gate Bridge.

|David Sutton, Pottstown

ISSUE | ANTI-GAY VIOLENCE

Shared duty to identify gay-bashing preppies

The fact that a group of young white adults described as clean-cut and well-dressed were responsible for the vicious attack on two gay men as they walked down a Center City street late one evening last week only proves that homophobia takes all forms ("Attack on couple is on video," Sept. 17).

I'm glad The Inquirer finally determined that this story was worth reporting upon in its Wednesday and Thursday editions. (The attack actually occurred last week.)

I hope that people recognizing these individuals from the YouTube video posted online (phillypolice.com) continue to pass tips to the Police Department and help bring all of these cowardly thugs to swift justice.

The two brave men who came forward and shared details of this ugly episode showed that hate cannot be tolerated. By speaking out, these men proved that they will not be victims.

|Russ Decker, North Wales