A real (Swedish) meatball of a safety plan

ISSUE | SAFE STREETS

A real meatball

of a safety plan

I have studied traffic engineering, and it's clear to me that the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is a partisan political group, not a panel of experts ("Pledge to cut crashes and fatalities in Philly," June 26). Changes to Philadelphia streets to accommodate cyclists' Vision Zero plan need to occur only after a proper debate that carefully considers the needs of all concerned.

Vision Zero itself is a concept from Sweden, a country with far less stress on individual initiative, unacceptably rigid rules about behavior, and fewer automobiles. Our problems with bad driving won't be solved with a utopian vision.

|John M. Baxter, Dowingtown, jmbaxt@aol.com

ISSUE | WHITE HOUSE

Run, Trump, run

Right after Donald Trump is sworn in, I could easily see him setting up a folding table on the Capitol podium, where he would immediately enact executive orders to build a wall on our southern border, repeal Obamacare, and make America the energy capital of the world ("One candidate would be out of this world," July 23). This is what the first two minutes of a Trump presidency would look like, and it's exactly what this country needs to pick itself up off the canvas and make a historic comeback.

|Eugene R. Dunn, Medford, N.Y., erdunn@optonline.net

ISSUE | GAY EDUCATOR

Welcome dissent

The tone of the commentary by Joan Dawson McConnon, James J. Maguire, and Mary Scullion contrasts sharply with the spirit and tone of Philadelphia Archbishop Charles J. Chaput's comments about the firing of Waldron Mercy Academy staff member Margie Winters ("More spirit, less doctrine," July 22). It is a breath of fresh air to read their thoughtful public dissent regarding church teachings.

I am hopeful that meaningful dialogue will result. Otherwise, it seems that the church is intent on driving gay Catholics back into the closet.

|Loretta Dugan, Erdenheim

Flawed approach

Three commentary writers have made spirit and doctrine to be opposites and opponents ("More spirit, less doctrine," July 22). If Joan Dawson McConnon, James J. Maguire, and Mary Scullion believe in the Catholic Church, they should know that development of doctrine is of the spirit. Spirit without doctrine may be fluent poetry, but is anarchy nonetheless.

|Rev. Dominick Finn, Philadelphia

ISSUE | FUND-RAISING

We'll call you - at 911 - don't call us

Judging from my mail and telephone solicitations, we have become a nation of beggars. But hasn't a line been crossed when the police call for a donation? I don't think having judges seeking campaign funds is good for democracy, and I find it intimidating to have police call for donations, no matter how professionally handled.

I would hope the need for the police to solicit contributions is not in any way an indication that they are not paid enough. If so, that is a need communities must address. There has to be a better way, assuming the cause is worthy, to support police commitments. I wonder whether I am alone in finding these solicitations unsettling.

|Jim Obeldobel, Waterford

ISSUE | HEALTH

Legacy of expanded access to quality care

By launching Medicare and Medicaid 50 years ago, the nation made the bold declaration that access to quality health care is a fundamental right, not a privilege for a select few ("As Medicare turns 50, some views on privatization," July 19). Along the way, there have been a number of notable milestones, including a preventive care program for young people under 21, an extension of Medicare to individuals under 65 with long-term disabilities and end-stage renal disease, Medicaid coverage for pregnant women and for infants, the State Children's Health Insurance Program, and affordable prescription drug coverage for Medicare recipients.

What hasn't changed is the fundamental desire to provide quality care for millions of Americans. As such, the 50th anniversary is a celebratory occasion.

|William S. George, president and chief executive officer, Health Partners Plans, Philadelphia

ISSUE | THEODORE BIKEL

Memorable exit from a political stage

On the evening that the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago morphed into a repressive, screaming body, Theodore Bikel led supporters for Eugene McCarthy away from the convention ("Theodore Bikel: Stage and film actor, 91," July 22). His singing and calming words cooled those who wanted to lash out. We walked as slowly as a funeral procession behind him, between a row of young supporters on the Grant Park side of Madison Avenue and a row of young Army reservists - battle-dressed, bayonets fixed - on the street side. We saw love on the faces on the park side and fear on the faces of the reservists.

If it were not for Theo Bikel, many of us would be dead, and this country would no longer have a special right to exist. Farewell, Tevye, Captain von Trapp, and the Shtarker.

|Hal Rosenthal, Philadelphia, halsue1@verizon.net

ISSUE | HANDGUNS

Armed dangerously, and not a bit safer

My wife works in a rural community hospital in which three female coworkers are armed ("More Americans carry guns - and feel safer," July 23). Mind you, there are no perceivable threats in or near her workplace, which means there is a greater statistical likelihood of injury or death from a firearm accidentally discharging in a handbag than from any assailant. Is there no end to this stupidity?

|William K. Mullan, Chalfont