Jeff Randall, West Chester, Jeff.randall@MI38.com
Federal workers on the job
I'm a retired federal worker with more than 40 years of service, and the Fourth of July is an important day for me. Since the dawn of our nation, federal workers have played a significant role in America's achievements.
The contributions of federal workers will be very much in evidence this week as Americans celebrate our nation's birthday. Millions of Americans will check a weather report prepared by the National Weather Service, grill meat inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and fly in skies kept safe by the Federal Aviation Administration and the Transportation Security Administration. Our holiday celebration is safe because of civilian and military personnel in the armed forces.
My coworkers and I are proud of the jobs that federal employees have done for America for 236 years. We wish you, and the nation we love, a happy Independence Day.
Robert Dickson, Runnemede
Other causes of violence
I found it very disappointing that "Seeing cure for violence" (Thursday) did not mention two basic causes of violence: public entertainment and an individual inability to deal with disagreements.
Any review of movies and TV shows will indicate that the drama often depends on guns, bombs, car crashes, and other forms of violence. And many a killing in real life has resulted from an argument, often between strangers.
We need to learn — and teach — how to deal in words, not weapons. In an ideal world, an anger-management course would be part of every curriculum. Stricter gun-control laws, which are defeated over and over again by legislators afraid of the NRA, would be passed and enforced. In the meantime, we will continue to tolerate excess violence on the screen and act it out on the street.
Kay Rosier, Kennett Square
Funding for the arts in schools
In regards to the recent back-and-forth over slashing funding for programs in the Upper Darby School District ("3 districts get a break on funding," Thursday), I am reminded of an old saying, which I will paraphrase here: It will be a great day when the arts and education have all the money they need, and Grover Norquist, sponsor of the no-new-tax pledge, and his associates, will have to hold a bake sale.
Richard Vanstone, Havertown
Helping individuals in transition
We applaud the work of Dawn's Place, a temporary safe haven for exploited women and victims of trafficking ("Dawn's Place gives troubled lives a new day," June 25). Without such homes, these vulnerable women wouldn't stand a chance. And with the ultimate goal being self-sufficiency, the Utility Emergency Services Fund (UESF) is proud to have worked with Dawn's Place to provide housing stabilization services to two of the trafficked women in the article. They will now move on to permanent housing.
UESF recently implemented a housing stabilization program to help qualified applicants access multiple housing resources efficiently. Many eligible families are not aware of programs, and may have difficulty navigating complex systems for assistance with the costs of housing, food, and health care. We look forward to continuing to help individuals in transition take steps toward self-sufficiency.
John Rowe, executive director, Utility Emergency Services Fund, Philadelphia, johnrowe@uesfacts.org
