LETTERS: Good writing and bad politics

Don't stop the press

It's about time somebody gave overdue credit to journalists and newspapers. As a graduate of Temple's journalism school and onetime radio news reporter, I have had almost a lifelong relationship with the people and products of this challenging industry.

I shudder at the claim that print media is an endangered species because, in addition to the reasons cited by former Inquirer publisher Brian Tierney ("Why newspaper content counts for all of us," Aug. 16), journalism has been a source of and a training ground for many artful and trustworthy writers. I hope it will continue to be no matter what form news and opinions eventually take.

|Stanley Isenberg, Merion Station, stanisenberg@verizon.net

That's good writing

Thank you very much to sports columnist Frank Fitzpatrick and The Inquirer for his excellent stories. I especially enjoyed his recent columns about Stan Baumgartner ("The 1915 Phillies pitcher who became The Inquirer's baseball writer," Aug. 14) and Wildwood ("On Wildwood's boardwalk, sports is the dominant theme," Aug. 9).

I, too, have fond childhood memories of the Wildwood boardwalk in the summertime. Fitzpatrick wrote, "One moment you're conjuring sweet memories, the next you're pondering its blatant vulgarity," a sentence that is succinct and accurate in describing the way many of us feel when we walk the boards and take in the attractions. You know something is well-written when it makes you pause, reread it, and say, "That is good writing!"

|Don Casey, Wallingford

Pa. ex-cons can vote

The excellent article "Tipping scales in juvenile-to-adult system" (Tuesday) quoted an attorney as saying a young woman convicted of assault would "never be able to vote." In fact, while that is true in some states, those sentenced to prison in Pennsylvania are eligible to vote upon release.

Eligible voters need to know their rights and exercise them.

|Anna Durbin, Ardmore, anna.durbin@verizon.net

Bernie Sanders and the loony left

The usual bromide from the left is that today's Republicans are so far out of the mainstream that Ronald Reagan couldn't get the party's nomination if he ran today. They might be right about Reagan for the wrong reason. In fact, the Republican Party hasn't nominated a conservative since Reagan. It has straddled the center since 1988, with nominees like George H.W. Bush, Bob Dole, John McCain, and Mitt Romney, all moderates.

Contrast that with the Democratic Party, which can't seem to go far enough left. No longer welcome are Democrats like Sam Nunn and Joe Lieberman, who believe in a strong America with enough backbone to deter enemies from challenging us and inspire allies to stand with us, as well as enough economic confidence to beat any external economic challenges.

Today's Democrats are isolationists and protectionists. The party has gone from the likes of Harry Truman and Franklin Roosevelt to seriously considering an admitted socialist from Vermont as a candidate for president.

Forget Reagan and Republicans. If he ran today, John F. Kennedy couldn't win the Democratic nomination.

|Fran Steffler, Philadelphia, fsteffler@aol.com

Hillary Clinton and best-laid plans

Not long ago, it appeared certain that Hillary Clinton not only would be the Democratic nominee next year, but would scare off any competitor who might otherwise have had a chance in the primaries. What a difference a few months make! Polls showing that a majority of Americans do not trust Clinton can only be seen as ominous, and her clumsy handling of what has the potential to become a full-blown scandal over her e-mail as secretary of state does not bode well either.

Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont is not likely to win the nomination, but he generates widespread enthusiasm on the campaign trail and is on a path to winning some states, embarrassing the preordained candidate. Sanders' far-left, admittedly socialist posture, which has enchanted many Democrats, has forced Clinton to emulate him on some issues.

Following the tragic and untimely passing of his extraordinary son, Beau, I would have been hard-pressed to believe that Vice President Biden would consider another run for president. But it now seems as if he is seriously considering it, due in part no doubt to sagging regard for Clinton. The greatest scandal to have ensnared Biden was over passing off someone else's material as his own - not the greatest sin in the political arena, and one that occurred more than a quarter-century ago. Biden is prone to gaffes, but he is a sincere, kind, generous, good-hearted, experienced leader who has never lost the common touch, always looking out for the little guy and able to connect with a wide range of people.

There is no sure thing in politics, in which months are an eternity. If I were Hillary Clinton, I would not be thinking about redecorating the White House just yet.

|Oren M. Spiegler, Upper St. Clair, Pa.