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There’s no place
like home for Christmas
This time of year, my mind turns to memories of the Far Northeast and its neighborhood winter wonderlands, where the holidays are brought to life and the long, dark winter nights become magical.
When I moved away I was surprised to find out that the holidays are not the same everywhere. I have lived in several states and no place decks the halls and captures the spirit of Christmas like home.
Last year I was able to visit for the holidays and could not wait to see if the mini-wonderlands still existed. Sure enough, my old neighbors did not let me down. There they were — Santas and sleighs; candy canes and candles; snowmen and snowflakes, surrounded by glowing, twinkling lights — all bigger and brighter than ever. Although I am not in Philly this year, I know you are all there keeping the Christmas spirit alive like no place else.
Thanks to all of you who take the time to brighten the community and for giving me holiday memories that I take with me wherever I go. Happy holidays.
Catherine M. Clark
Monterey, Calif. (but always a Philly girl)
Rick Mariano could
use some cheering up
For anyone who would like to send letters or cards to former City Councilman Rick Mariano, here is his address:
Richard Mariano
#60043-066
Camp/P.O. Box 1000
Fort Dix, NJ 08640
He would appreciate any mail. Let’s all remember all the good things he has done for our area. He needs us now, so please don’t let him down. Let’s all remember two very important words, compassion and forgiveness. You will be blessed. God bless you.
Mary Miller
Juniata Park
Good citizens suffer because
of the untouchable judges
We the people vote the city’s judges in office and I think it is time they hear how some of us feel about their performance on the bench. I would like to know why judges are not held accountable, or even questioned, for their bad decisions.
The juvenile that was arrested at the North Philadelphia movie theater for fighting has a lengthy record, as per Commissioner Johnson. He stated that three of his convictions were for aggravated assaults with a gun. Why is a person like this walking our streets?
News reporters are always interviewing the attorneys for their opinion on verdicts. I think it’s about time that the judges are asked "why?" Why are multiple chances given to criminals that are breaking laws?
Legislators wants more gun control laws, I want more reliable judges. Our judges are untouchable, and, as a result, good citizens have to suffer. The judges’ families are never the ones to get hurt from their bad decisions. How many lives could have been saved if criminals were actually punished for their crimes?
Michael Pattay
Far Northeast
Do less complaining,
more helping
Regarding Virginia Clark’s letter to the editor in the Dec. 7 edition (Diner staff’s attitude was on the sour side):
Dear Virginia Clark,
I think people need to stop complaining and find something better to do with their time. Not everyone in this world is as caring as some of us, and I see that complaining about it doesn’t get you anywhere. Helping other people is what really matters. Since it is the holiday season, why not help a family in need or volunteer your extra time?
I myself think that it was not the responsibility of the diner staff to get that person out of the parking spot marked handicapped. If you were so upset about it, maybe you should complain to the Philadelphia Parking Authority or the police.
You say that the diner has a lot of elderly and handicapped people that go there. Did you ever think that one of those elderly people may have parked there, even though they do not have a handicapped sticker?
Rebecca Roldan
Mayfair
MARC and CLIP
are A-OK
I would like to thank the Major Artery Revitalization Committee (MARC) and Community Life Improvement Program (CLIP) for their Christmas wreath and holiday centerpiece workshop held Dec. 9 at Holmesburg Recreation Center.
I have to admit that I was quite nervous about making a wreath from scratch, but the employees of these programs were very knowledgeable and more importantly, very patient with us. From the chatter among the ladies in the room, all seemed to really enjoy themselves. So kudos to all involved for their time and effort on a great workshop.
Roseann Elia
Rhawnhurst
Vandals desecrate
a religious symbol
I am heartbroken as I write this.
A beautiful statue of the Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Grace, honored my home on the 7900 block of Charles St. as it resided on the front lawn for many years. As I entered and left my home, it was a constant reminder to me and all who saw it of the Catholic devotion to our Blessed Lady — until recently, when several young vandals went to considerable trouble to break the statue off of its pedestal on my lawn and use it as a hammer to break the ice on the fountain at the funeral home next door.
I don’t know how anyone can desecrate a religious symbol.
Heartbroken in Holmesburg
Right on!
Regarding your editorial last week (Kill him already!): It’s about time Mumia meets his maker. This editorial is right on!
Charles Hamilton
Las Vegas
Border fence
is still a good idea
Just before the November midterm elections, Congress passed a law to establish a double fence on the borders of California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. The purpose of a fence would be to limit the amount of illegal immigrants that enter into the United States.
While the election failed to yield the results Republicans wanted, this fencing would still be good idea. With 12 million immigrants illegally in our country, does anyone truly feel safe? This is the argument presented by citizens of the border states that I highly support. We need a higher protection service along our borders to limit the number of illegal aliens coming into our country, whether it is using our technological advances and installing cameras or building double fences to secure the borders.
Also, having a weak immigration policy is like a welcoming mat to terrorists. They see it is not difficult to gain access into our country and conduct an attack.
I am not completely against immigration, I just do not like when aliens enter into the United States illegally. I highly support legal immigration, because all of our ancestors were immigrants of this country. Immigration is important for America, because the work performed by the immigrants will contribute $500 billion to our Social Security system in years to come. Being an 18-year-old American, I appreciate the importance of that.
The Democrats should keep in consideration a fence for the border to keep the illegal immigrants out. The fence would be fair to other immigrants that come here legally, and it will keep American citizens feeling safe from terrorism.
Anthony DeJesse
Oxford Circle
The voters proved
Honest Abe right
As ward chairman, I have worked many elections, but the midterm election was the most gratifying. At my polling place, I spoke with more than 500 voters who came out to vote not because their union told them how to vote, or their party leaders directed their vote, but because they sincerely wanted a real change in the direction of our government.
These seniors and working folk were sick of the Iraq war, offended at the arrogance of President Bush and annoyed at the way the Republican leadership tried to twist the rule of law that has governed this nation for more than 200 years.
In front of my eyes they proved what Abraham Lincoln said many years ago: "You can’t fool all of the people all of the time." God bless this great nation.
John R. FitzPatrick
56th Ward Democratic chairman
Say yes to a
Councilman Saidel
For many years, Jonathan Saidel has been an integral part of Philadelphia. In his position as city controller, he was a true watchdog for the people, filtering out wasteful spending of tax dollars. During these many years of dedicated service, no matter the political implications, he was forthright with the public. This fact was so noted and much appreciated by the loyalty of voters, ensuring his many re-elections. It is sad to think he will no longer be part of government in the city of Philadelphia.
I would like to suggest that Jonathan consider a run for councilman in the 10th district. His win would surely be a refreshing change.
Jay Chandler
Parkwood
Kenney: Thanks for
the support
I am writing to thank the residents of the 170th Legislative District for giving me the opportunity to serve as your state representative. It continues to be a very rewarding experience, thanks to all of the support and encouragement you have offered me.
As your state representative, I will continue to dedicate all my efforts to the betterment of Northeast Philadelphia, Abington and Rockledge. I will continue to do my best to see that you are informed of issues affecting our area through newsletters and by attending neighborhood meetings. Whatever your political affiliation — Republican, Democrat or Independent — I pledge to keep your views as the utmost priority as I cast my vote in Harrisburg. My office is your office. Please feel free to stop by or give me a call at any time. My staff and I are here to help. May your holiday season be blessed with joy and peace, and may you and your loved ones enjoy a healthy and prosperous 2007!
George Kenney
Outgoing chairman,
Health and Human Services Committee
The roadside memorial
is only about Nikki . . .
Regarding Katherine Catalano’s comments she made in the Nov. 23 edition (Road memorial could be a distraction) about the roadside memorial on the 9500 block of State Road and about my earlier letter, I find her comments pathetic, inconsiderate and unmoral, and she has no conception of life and death, happiness and pain (tragedy).
She wants to compare herself to my dear friend Nicole (Nikki) Lee Schwartz, whose life was shortened by a drunken driver traveling at excessive speeds. She states that as a child she was in a fatal car accident and understands.
Maybe Ms. Catalano is seeking attention because she had none as a child. This is about Nikki’s memorial and not her. It’s about the way I and Nikki’s family choose to celebrate, grieve, pray, dance or whatever at the memorial.
I never stated in my prior letter to the editor about my religion or beliefs. If I choose to go there and pray while visiting Nikki’s memorial, it is my business. If I feel like driving 20 miles from my home to decorate, celebrate or clean the area up surrounding the memorial, it is my business. That is what brings comfort to me. Yes, I did state that there is an angel watching over State Road. I did not state it any other way (read, in-between the lines. Angels are symbolic. They come in all forms, they are not of any race, color or creed.)
Whatever you believe in is that person’s business or mine, I should say. Ms. Catalano, what should be your business is in knowing the facts. I do know them. Since Nikki’s memorial has continued to grow in her honor, there have been a decent amount of accidents within a five-mile radius of it, but none on account of it. Quite difficult to look at while most travel at excessive speeds beyond the 35 mph zone. No accidents have been reported on account of it.
I have made phone calls and sent letters to the following offices of the mayor, Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz, City Councilwoman Joan L. Krajewski and other state and city officials, and heard nothing back other than some of their secretaries passing the buck onto others for me to call or to write. I should have known we live in the City of Brotherly Love and they showed it.
I have even posted letters in the Northeast Times on how to make State Road safer in Nikki’s honor, but no one cares until it hits home.
I urge all the non-believers and critics to do their homework, know their statistics, know that angels do come in all forms (Ms. Catalano). If the memorial still bothers you or anyone, let’s form a march on State Road, at the mayor’s office or in front of City Hall….then you have accomplished your rights.
On Nov. 19, just two days prior to the second anniversary of Nikki’s tragedy, 75 to 80 people celebrated at her memorial in her honor on State Road, and on Dec. 10, we did the same, as it would have been her 24th birthday had it not been for the stupidity of a drunken driver traveling at excessive speeds more than double the 35 mph limit as she stood by her car alone waiting to across the street.
After singing Happy Birthday to her, there were a cake and 24 pink balloons that her grandparents brought there. Each were individually handed to 24 family members and friends to be released into the sky. It was a picture-perfect evening and beautiful.
I urge you, Ms. Catalano, to close your blinds just in case one of those balloons travels to you, some 20 miles away, paying you a visit in South Philly. Then you might just realize the comment I made about an angel watching over State Road is true and has come to see you!
Ron Crudele
South Philadelphia
. . . But the tacky stuff
belongs in the cemetery
In defense of poor Katherine Catalano and her responders in the Dec. 7 Northeast Times, why shouldn’t she be upset to have a gravesite right outside her door?
Who would want the soggy stuffed animal, tacky plastic flowers and giant poster board signs in front of their home or street? I don’t know too many people who tell their Realtor, "Hey, I want a three bedroom, two bath, and make sure there is a giant tacky memorial outside the house for me to stare at every day."
Didn’t grief used to be private and personal? Does everyone have to view your pain? Are you advertising for a cause or showing your feelings? Does everyone have to be shaken from a nice day they may be having to see someone’s grief splattered all over an otherwise beautiful tree?
Someone driving along is thinking, "Wow, I finally got that raise and my wife and I are excited over the birth of our first baby, I feel great! Whoa, what’s that?
It looks like the tree threw up...oh, no...it’s just that someone died violently right there on that tree and someone felt compelled to cover it with leftover holiday crap. Well, that’s terrible, now I feel like crap, thanks."
My brother died in a park on the football field. Should I erect something at the 50-yard line for all the spectators and players to ponder while they play?
The thing I remember feeling angriest about was that while I was grieving, the rest of the world was going about their seemingly happy lives. Well, that is what happens — your grief is yours, making others feel bad won’t help you.
There is a place for stuffed animals and those tacky plastic rectangle flowers made into words. It’s called a cemetery and it’s a personal and private place to go and grieve.
Leave the houses and streets for the rest of us, who either don’t care or can’t imagine your pain.
Mary Anderson
Wissinoming
Using the ‘n’ word is
abuse of free speech
Regarding Gertrude Pottichen’s letter to the editor in the Dec. 7 edition (Why the double standard on the ‘n’ word?):
Dear Gertrude: Your analogy as stated is misplaced. The fact that some people use this term among themselves as you have observed should not mean that the larger societal condemnation is not warranted. It’s not very difficult to find anonymous people who will, of their own choosing, conduct themselves in a manner that test the limits of society’s norms.
As far as its use being an endearing term, I don’t think so. However, it’s the intent of the user of such language that must be condemned here, therefore, all right-thinking people react similarly with disdain.
It was widely reported that Jerry Seinfeld stated that, "he was sick over Michael Richards’ horrible, horrible mistake." It was also reported that Mr. Seinfeld urged Michael to call the Letterman show on which he was appearing and apologize for his comments.
As we now know, Mr. Richards did call the Letterman show to explain that he lost his temper on stage and quote, "For me to flip out and say this crap, I’m deeply, deeply sorry."
Neither instance is acceptable from my point of view; however, unlike the anonymous individuals you referred to, it’s never acceptable when someone famous misspeaks in public, as they are held to a different standard and not a higher standard.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson was recently asked a question concerning the Richards racist tirade and he answered that, "This was a private case of racism and that Mr. Richards is a symbol and not an aberration." He’s symbolic of the climate of anti-black mania, whether it’s in Los Angeles, Atlanta or Philadelphia. Moreover, the use of the term is hate speech and should be declared as such. It’s disrespectful and hurtful.
I support freedom of speech, but this is unprotected speech, and one should expect that there are consequences for going on a racist tirade in a public setting against people you don’t know and it’s unexpected. Therefore, I would conclude that we shouldn’t compare the actions of anonymous people, with those who have benefited from society’s affirmations.
Likewise, we should never rationalize the use of language that inflicts harm and defames and dehumanizes other people, because once we have reduced ourselves to a racial epithet or racial slur, we have lost our self-respect, our dignity and our humanity. There isn’t much left after you have lost these precious gifts, and getting them back will prove to be a formidable task.
Ted Haskins
Modena Park
Bush’s wrongdoings
are obvious
Regarding Jerry Foglia’s boast that he’d vote for Bush a third time (Don’t waste taxpayer money, Dec. 7 Letters), as Jesus said, "There are none as blind as those who will not see."
Foglia is blind to, or perhaps doesn’t care about, the administration’s many wrongdoings. He can’t or won’t see Bush is destroying the middle class, bankrupting the country and has made the U.S. the enemy of the world. He wants to privatize Social Security and rescind our civil liberties.
Anyone who would vote to continue the disastrous course we’re on is truly without sight. Thank God we won’t have to endure a third Bush term.
Elena Farina
Rhawnhurst
Pro-lifers give a peace
of their mind:
Call it what you want,
it’s still human life
I am writing in response to the letter written by Judilyn Brown, R.N., BSN (Pro-lifers ignore the facts, Nov. 30 edition) regarding the pictures of the aborted fetuses displayed at the Northeast Women’s Center on Comly Road.
The photos are indeed revolting — how could they be otherwise when you realize these tiny babies were once alive before the abortionist began his work?
It was difficult for me to follow the logic and reasoning in her letter. She states that pro-lifers ignore the facts. That’s not true. Pro-lifers do realize that the majority of abortions are done in the first trimester. We are also well aware of the fact that at eight weeks the developing baby is now termed a fetus. She seems to be implying in the last three sentences of her letter — "a typical suction abortion would look like a small amount of shredded pink Kleenex floating in a bowl of water. If passers-by noticed such a picture, they might be mildly intrigued or simply confused" — that an abortion done in this early stage is not really a matter of concern.
I would strongly urge anyone reading this to type in the words "ultrasound" and "pregnancy" in a search engine on the Internet and see and read the facts for themselves about the growth and development of the baby occurring in the mom’s womb at this early stage of life.
Does Ms. Brown realize that babies are destroyed at this abortion site until the 18th week of pregnancy and up until 24 weeks at other facilities in this city? Please check the facts on the Web about a baby at this period of pre-natal life and then question for yourselves the validity of the photos. There is no need for them to be "sprinkled with ...gore."
I don’t think any woman who has been trying to conceive a baby month after month and year after year and has suffered a miscarriage would like to hear that the baby she lost only looked like a "small amount of shredded pink Kleenex."
No matter how tiny the embryo or fetus is, we all know the facts — that it is a human life — so why would one put up photos to be viewed by passers-by that would cause them to "be mildly intrigued or simply confused" to their meaning and purpose? That would not be educational.
"Heaven forbid, they may even be educated" could very well be the cry of the abortion industry personnel.
Rose D’Adamo, R.N., BSN
Holmesburg
Human life begins
at conception
It seems that nurse Judilyn Brown is in need of some education herself. In her letter she uses scientific terms to describe the development of an unborn child to make her point that most abortions occur early in pregnancy.
Her purpose, on the face of it, is to "prove" the pro-lifers that demonstrate outside the Northeast Women’s Center are misleading the public by displaying photos of aborted babies.
But her resort to science reveals a more sinister goal: to make abortion appear morally insignificant by describing an early unborn child in clinical terms.
This reliance on science fails on one common-sense ground: human life is in actuality a continuum that begins at conception and ends at death. Any attempt to divide it into segments (like "fetus," "embryo," etc.) are mere conventions devised by biologists to help them do their work.
Nevertheless, what most people do not know is that this scientific view of human life lies hidden in a very large ideological box devised long ago during the so-called Enlightenment.
The goal of the fashionable thinkers of that era was simple: they assumed that human life could be made more fulfilling and rewarding if the distinction between happiness and pleasure-seeking (drawn by the classical thinkers of antiquity and Christianity) was erased.
To do this, the men of the Enlightenment redefined human knowledge to include only what could be perceived via our senses; this meant, by deliberate implication, that God and anything spiritual, being literally "non-sense," were not knowledge or did not exist. And this supported the goal of the whole enterprise, namely, that any notion of God-given morality or restraints upon sexual behavior could be ignored. And in turn, this ushered in our modern notions that freedom and happiness consist of being tolerant of, and even engaging in, what is termed a wide diversity of lifestyles.
Unfortunately, elemental biology clouded this pretty picture in the form of unintended pregnancies. No problem, the "enlighteners" told us. Legal abortion was the solution. But there was a catch: the undeniable humanity of the unborn child stood in the way. And so, the enlighteners went back to work and came up with a way to depersonalize the unborn by defining him or her in clinical or scientific terms.
Now, when this long ideological machinery reached nurse Brown, she may sincerely believe that an early unborn child is nothing more than a "fetus," an "embryo," or a raspberry, but to do so she had to deny common sense and implicitly accept a very flawed ideological view of the world that was skillfully palmed off on the public as unquestionable truth.
George Tomezsko
Fox Chase
A gestating baby
is not a vegetable
The "facts" are not being ignored, nor are they being distorted. Northeast Women’s Center on Comly Road performs abortions to 18 weeks, only three short weeks in-utero less than those posters. Even at eight weeks gestation, this tiny human life, "the size of a raspberry" as per Ms. Brown’s description, has all his rudimentary organs and systems in place. By 12 weeks — still the first trimester — all the organs and systems are functional in this tiny human life, "the size of a jalapeno," as per Ms. Brown.
According to Ms. Brown’s calculation, approximately 63 percent of the abortions at the Northeast Women’s Center are done between the eighth and 12 weeks gestation. This is indeed human life! And they continue to perform abortions for six more weeks, to 18 weeks gestation!
Ms. Brown states that, "depictions of younger embryos and fetuses are enlarged … and sprinkled with enough gore to render them revolting." Since they are revolting enough on their own, it is not necessary to sprinkle them with gore. And yes, they are enlarged (the coin in the picture represents this enlargement) but does that make the reality of the procedure any less horrifying?
Those posters are fairly accurate descriptions of what actually takes place in the Northeast Women’s Center. Perhaps those who are so deeply disturbed by those posters should be more disturbed by the terrible reality of what goes on behind the doors of the Northeast Women’s Center. And yes, "America must see abortion in order to reject abortion."
When the public saw the gruesome pictures of the Vietnam War, it was quickly brought to an end. The terrible pictures of the Holocaust indicted the Nazi war criminals.
As an afterthought: If anyone has a pretty picture of an abortion, the pro-lifers would be happy to display it.
It is regrettable that Ms. Brown resorts to the usual pro-abortion rhetoric that attempts to dehumanize life in the womb by describing it as vegetable matter.
Need she be reminded that she, too, was once that small? I doubt that her mother ever once referred to her gestating baby as a "pea," a "raspberry" or even a "jalapeno."
Elizabeth W. Maier, R.N.
East Torresdale
Abortion is
morally wrong
Judilyn Brown accused pro-lifers of ignoring the facts of life regarding pre-born humans.
Based on my experience with the pro-life community, that charge has no foundation. They are well-informed and accept the truth of biological science. They know that when the ovum is fertilized successfully, the life of a new human being has begun. As reasonable people, they know that human rights begin at the beginning of each life.
Ms. Brown suggests that the age or size of a person determines the rights of that person. Wrong! Her comparison of various fruits (raspberry) and vegetables (pea) to humans in the womb is an ugly indication of how pro-abortion people attempt to explain away the barbarism of abortion.
No, Judilyn, abortion is morally wrong at any time and totally defies medicine and nursing. We are to cure and heal.
Harriet Stanton, RN, BSN
Jenkintown
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