Opinion: Letters to the Editor

Christ would condemn all forms of bigotry

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:36:18 GMT

I am sick and tired of hearing people who claim to be Christians saying people who are gay are committing a sin. I have been a Christian all of my life. No, I cannot quote the Bible chapter and verse, but I do read it. Of course, when you quote a chapter and verse out of the Bible, you are taking it out of context.

Promote bicycle use to reduce air pollution

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:36:18 GMT

The American Lung Association's "State of the Air" report shows that while most regions have improved their air quality, the Lehigh Valley has not. We must work to reverse this trend. While it is vital that we reduce emissions at power plants to improve air quality, there are steps we can take in our daily lives to reduce pollution and improve our health at the same time.

Reject tax breaks for Costco shopping center in Lower Macungie

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:36:18 GMT

Surely you jest. Costco, Target and Whole Foods are all strong financially and do not require that I, as a taxpayer, subsidize this project in Lower Macungie Township to make it economical for the developer.

Consider entire picture of McDonald's wage debit cards

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:36:18 GMT

Regarding the article about the McDonald's franchise owner paying employees with debit cards: I think this way of paying employees is not a bad one in concept, but it's the overhead associated with it that makes this an issue.

Use NSA to end robocalls

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:36:18 GMT

I'd like to make a deal with the National Security Agency. It can listen to and record all my phone calls if it can identify, stop and prosecute all of the robocallers and unsolicited sales callers. Maybe NSA would be more effective than the "Do Not Call" list.

Cutting Parkland library tax doesn't make sense

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:36:18 GMT

The Parkland School Board wants to reduce the tax for the Parkland Community Library from 0.3 mill to 0.1 because revenue would triple as a result of the Lehigh County reassessment. It would seem to follow that the school district would receive a similar windfall with its own property tax revenue as a result of the reassessment. Is the school board planning to reduce its tax rate to bring it in line with current revenue?

Put Lehigh River outing on your bucket list

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:36:14 GMT

I had the great pleasure to enjoy my birthday recently with friends on the Lehigh River. We were led on bikes provided by the talented staff of the Bike and Boat program of the Wildlands Conservancy, along the Delaware & Lehigh Canal trail from Sand Island in Bethlehem to Canal Park in Allentown. There we loaded into canoes and paddled back to Sand Island. Most of us had never been on the river, and, as the youngest at age 57, there was much concern and palpable fear before the adventure.

A dubious tribute

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:17:37 GMT

I just can't believe the article, "New honor for Clinton," in The Morning Call. Bill Clinton will be awarded a new title, Father of the Year, by the nonprofit National Father's Day Council. But it will be at a New York fundraiser for Save the Children.

Greater understanding of mental illness will reduce its stigma

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:17:37 GMT

I was thrilled recently to read letters to the editor bringing mental illness awareness to the forefront. While discussing this with other individuals, I found it interesting that they commented there is still a strong stigma associated with mental illness.

A unique graduation gift: voter registration card

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 09:52:41 GMT

It's that time of year again. Graduations are upon us, and students are preparing to embark on the next stage of their lives. Whether going to school or entering the military or the workforce, this is a big moment in a young person's life. As the celebrations begin, why not give new graduates a gift that will last for years to come? Why not help them register to vote?

Maintain common sense over Costco plan

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 09:52:41 GMT

I want a Costco here as much as anyone else, but I don't feel that we should give developers the keys to the kingdom to get it here. Costco officials are the ones who should be eager to tap into the very lucrative and populous Lehigh Valley area, and if anyone should be jumping through hoops, they are the ones who should be doing the jumping. Let's keep our common sense and not be too eager to bribe them with gifts in the form of tax breaks as it sets a bad precedent.

Lincoln Elementary's 'Oz' performances outstanding

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 19:51:35 GMT

Last month, my husband and I attended the show "The Wizard of Oz" at Lincoln Elementary School in Emmaus. A cast of 80 fourth- and fifth-graders put in more than 800 hours of practice. The music, singing and dancing were fantastic. The costumes were awesome. Our granddaughter played the good witch, Glinda. The girl who played Dorothy was superb. The students who played Toto, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, the Scarecrow, the Munchkins and the bad witch all gave outstanding performances. This show was a masterpiece. The director of the show, Alma Hazel, is to be congratulated for a job well done.

Fourth Amendment under assault

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 19:51:35 GMT

In regards to the feds secretly tracking U.S. phone calls: The impartial scales of justice that once were the hallmark of the American justice system have been tipped in favor of a corrupt government, which now assumes every American citizen is guilty until proven innocent.

Doing the math in Gettysburg Address

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 19:51:35 GMT

Many school children and some adults may recite Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address this 150th anniversary year of the speech without thinking about the math in Lincoln's opening words: "Four score and seven years ago."

Bethlehem's Boutique at the Rink 2013 most successful

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 19:51:35 GMT

A sincere "thank you" goes to all who helped make Boutique at the Rink 2013 in Bethlehem the most successful in its 39-year history:

Good Shepherd's 'silent heroes' make a difference

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 19:51:35 GMT

We all can agree that the current state of affairs of our health care system has its share of inefficiencies, shortcomings and controversies. Nevertheless our experience for the past nine years — and with a higher degree of intensity over the last six weeks — with the staff and volunteers at Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital and its pediatric inpatient unit left us with an indelible imprint. They truly embody mankind at its best — silent heroes working daily to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. To them, we offer our eternal gratitude and a place of privilege in our hearts.

NSA revelations should surprise no one

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 19:51:33 GMT

So the American people are outraged and expressing paranoia about the government spying on them. To state the obvious, anyone who sends an email, surfs the Web, uses a credit card or texts should not assume these activities are confidential. All electronic information is recorded by the corporations who sell these services. You can't buy a set of headphones at Radio Shack without being quizzed about your ZIP code. Protective of your privacy? You should definitely stay off Facebook.

Recycle Wegmans' packaging yourself

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 10:17:56 GMT

Regarding your article, "At Wegmans Cafe, throw it away," I wanted to remind Wegmans' patrons that they do have a choice about recycling.

Baseball program drives home positive message

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 10:17:56 GMT

I wanted to send my gratitude to Lee Butz, who is responsible for organizing the Drive baseball program for the Allentown middle schools. It has been a wonderful experience for the kids, and as a parent and spectator I enjoyed watching the games and feel we are really a part of something special.

Bible is blueprint for life

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 10:17:56 GMT

Regarding Melanie Jemma Chadwick's Your View on gay Boy Scouts: I wince but do not get angry when I hear Christians who find it sufficient to "love so much in the Bible" as if it were a buffet to take what they agree with and leave the rest. A Christian is a follower of Christ who believes the Bible — all of it — to be the inspired word of God. It is the blueprint for how to live. And those who do read it will absolutely find that God does not support a gay or lesbian lifestyle (Genesis 19; Romans 1:24-28; Jude) nor is He pro-choice (Psalm 139:13-15).

U.S. repeats mistakes in Libya, Syria

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 10:17:56 GMT

When Moammar Gadhafi was in charge in Libya, he was forced under international pressure to deliver the person responsible for the downing of the plane over Lockerbie, Scotland, and he paid compensation to the families of the victims. He also was forced to stop any action of Libya becoming a nuclear power.

Santa Monica shootings again prove need to expand mental health treatment

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 10:17:48 GMT

The most recent shootings in California remind us to address the need for follow-up revision of our treatment for the chemistry imbalance of the mind, namely mental health. The young adult had mental health problems, and the continued follow-up was not addressed. The laws, policies, treatment centers and education of the medical teams and the public need revision. Many homeless and incarcerated persons are in need of ongoing treatment. Mental health clinics need to be developed in all major cities to help families deal with behavioral concerns in schools, workplaces and nursing facilities.

Answers needed

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 22:01:15 GMT

Although there appear to be pros and cons to this subject, the biggest con argument is that we are America. This should not be done here without major checks and balances, which at present are missing.

Use our technology to protect ourselves

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 22:01:08 GMT

We live in a world of rapid change — not only political change but also social and technological change. What was unimaginable a bit more than a decade ago is now common. We have terror attacks, armed lunatics and computers in our pockets. We can communicate virtually for free to anyone, anywhere.

Extent of snooping likely too invasive

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 22:01:03 GMT

The question of whether the government has gone too far or if such measures are necessary is hard to answer unless we know the full extent of what is being collected, why it is being collected and what the government will do with the intelligence.