2 weeks Ago
Ugly buildings a poor replacement on former Martin Tower landA lot of people in the Bethlehem area were waiting for buildings to be built on the former site of Bethlehem Steel’s Martin Tower, myself included, since I pass by that area multiple times each week.Well, finally we see two structures going up. Sadly, though, in my opinion, these are the ugliest buildings I ever saw.
The architecture, colors and styling are hideous and clash with each other and every other building in the vicinity. Maybe the idea was to make them unique and stand out. For sure, they do that.
Now, I wish that the old Bethlehem Steel buildings were still there, and in use.Francis M. BorsoFountain HillThanks to volunteers who help American Red CrossDuring National Volunteer Week, the American Red Cross Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter celebrates the selfless volunteers whose unwavering support make it possible for us to assist people in need every day.
Volunteers are the cornerstone of the Red Cross, representing more than 90% of our national workforce and their compassion helps to ensure that people are not alone during the most challenging times of their lives.In our chapter, more than 500 Red Cross volunteers supported blood drives, assisted veterans and military families and provided food and shelter after disasters of all sizes.Today, volunteers are more critical than ever as the Red Cross responds to a new major disaster about every two weeks.
These massive events, like storms and wildfires, are on top of the home fires which occur multiple times every day across the country.During Volunteer Week, join us in thanking all those who volunteer across our community, and consider putting on a red vest and joining our team. Go to redcross.
org/volunteer to get started today. Free online training will be provided.Peter BrownThe writer is the executive director, American Red Cross Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter.
The chapter is based in Allentown and serves Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Schuylkill, Snyder and Union counties.Column made excellent case for funding national parksKiera Shellhammer had a stellar Your View published April 11 in The Morning Call about national parks called “Preserving our parks invests in nature and the nation.” This comprehensive piece presented the various benefits that come from funding and maintaining our national parks, including education, preservation, climate change research and tourism.
The author framed her case around her personal experiences traveling the country and seeing these beautiful parks firsthand. Her defense of national parks was not founded on headlines alone; her approach was genuine and enlightening, an extension of her love for our planet.To me, the most powerful and extensive point in the column dealt with the economy.
Shellhammer cited a report from 2023 that found that our parks created $55 billion with a budget of only $3.1 billion. You’re telling me that the government can allocate funds to these beautiful and important lands and, as a result, we can generate more revenue to help with the deficit? This is a no-brainer, folks.
Last time I checked, bison can’t read, write or operate machinery, yet they still manage to basically print money. Americans must lean into this stable and lucrative vehicle if they are committed to finding ways to foster a healthy and diversified economy.Dylan CoffinFranklin Township, Carbon CountyA prayer that US avoids Germany’s exampleDuring World War II, an American psychologist analyzed the personality of Adolf Hitler.
In a 250-page report, he concluded that the characteristics of his personality type include holding grudges; low tolerance for criticism; excessive demands for attention; inability to express gratitude; a tendency to belittle, bully, and blame others; desire for revenge; persistence in the face of defeat; extreme self-will; self-trust; inability to take a joke; and compulsive criminality. Hitler was known for his sudden mood swings and his propensity for excessive anger. He was a risk taker who fit the profile of a compulsive gambler.
His inability to handle the stress and pressure of war contributed to his erratic decision-making and his progressive isolation from reality. When the tide of the war was turning against him and after a failed assassination attempt, he began showing signs of paranoia and fatalism along with a growing messiah complex. His white supremacy racism led him to strip many “others” of their humanity that led him to unleash unspeakable cruelty and violence upon them.
I pray that the United States veers from the path followed by the Third Reich in its final four years.John SmithBethlehemTrump should stop trying to control HarvardPresident Trump has now tried to control how Harvard University operates and has threatened to take away its tax-exempt status.Harvard was founded in 1636 and in nearly 400 years has grown to be one of the finest colleges in the world.
Tens of thousands of students apply every year, reflecting their personal choice (a phrase President Trump likes very much) of where they can get the best education. Its graduates include eight U.S.
presidents and it has been associated with Nobel Laureates in peace, chemistry, physics, medicine, literature and economics. During the nearly 400 years of its history, it has made mistakes and learned from them.On the other hand, President Trump founded Trump University, which wasn’t a real college: It wasn’t accredited and didn’t offer college credits or degrees, and Trump ultimately settled three lawsuits after being sued for major improprieties.
If President Trump still wants to control how a college or university operates, let him start his own — Trump University 2.0. In fact, since the learning curve for him will be so steep, we propose that President Trump immediately retire from his government position so that he can devote all of his energy to this new venture.
Philip and Carolyn Foster SegalBethlehemELECTION LETTERS Letters to the editor about candidates and issues in the May 20 primary election must be received by 10 a.m. May 12.
Election-related letters will not be published after May 15.The Morning Call publishes letters from readers online and in print several times a week. Submit a letter to the editor at letters@mcall.
com. The views expressed in this piece are those of its individual author(s), and should not be interpreted as reflecting the views of this publication..
