In one case cited by The Inquirer, a driver was caught speeding on I-95. When the judge under indictment decided to reduce the ticket, did he give any thought to the fact that he might be setting the stage for accidents or worse?
Charles Slater, Haverford
In search of a place to go
The incontinence problem highlighted recently is terribly annoying, but it could be alleviated if America had the courage to provide public toilets for its citizens ("The other incontinence," Jan. 21).
I have traveled extensively and found public toilets throughout the world - even one in Kashmir, India, at the edge of the Himalayas.
SEPTA just spent millions to rebuild the Market-Frankford El, with new stations built to withstand a nuclear attack, but without public toilets. Will Americans ever be able to address their biology?
Alexander Gillett, Philadelphia, agillett@igc.org
See the future in schools, not jails
Parents should vigorously protest the School District closings, because there is something wrong in this country when jails are being built instead of schools. All children deserve a decent education so they can become productive members of society. Malcolm X stated, "Education is our passport to the future." But the only future America seems to want for some children is to jail them one day.
Linda D. Bryant, Philadelphia
Clean, safe beaches aren't free
A recent letter writer suggested Congress should bar New Jersey towns from charging beach fees if they accept federal help to rebuild after Sandy. But that fails to recognize that beach-badge revenues are used to clean and maintain the beaches and furnish lifeguards.
Years ago, I took my children to the Riviera, where, unfortunately, the beach had not been cleaned. My children, accustomed to clean New Jersey beaches, refused to swim.
Fred Wilson, Blue Bell
Use bully pulpit vs. gun violence
Philadelphia's predominantly black churches seem perfectly positioned to marshal political and financial power to fight for stronger gun laws on the state and national level. A coordinated effort amongst the clergy could bring about significant legal reform, and also combat the no-snitching culture that pervades too many neighborhoods ("At Mother Bethel, gathering against guns," Jan. 28).
With many of their parishioners affected by gun violence, local religious leaders must get more involved in fighting this problem by mobilizing and pooling resources to save lives.
Sheth Jones, Philadelphia
