State police should ID wounded trooper

It's funny how an officer of the law pilfers a couple of baseballs and a Popsicle, and his name is all over the paper ("Allentown police officer fired for stealing baseballs, ice pop from Coca-Cola Park," June 6).

Yet another highly trained officer shoots himself in the leg ("State police trooper shot himself accidentally at Belfast barracks," June 8) and not a peep!

The taxpayers have the right to know and deserve to know who the said officer is. After all, if he can’t ensure his own safety, how can he ensure ours? His superiors should take the appropriate measures in this matter.

One idea comes to mind. Like Sheriff Andy Taylor did in Mayberry, allow Trooper Barney Fife only one bullet, and make him carry it in his shirt pocket — for the safety of himself and others.

MIKE CHUNKO

Easton

Another kind of litter is dogging Palmer bike path

I enjoyed Nick Falsone's column ("Trash talking on the highway," June 10) about litter on Route 22.

To support him with some data, I submit that members of the Palmer Township Beautification Project have picked up 21 bags of dog feces since February along the Palmer/Bethlehem townships’ bike path.

What that means is small bags containing dog feces were left along the path by assumed dog owners who cleaned up after their dogs and just left the bags along the path.

Who has that kind of logic? Maybe the dog owners know that there are members of the Palmer Beautification Project who are just as determined to keep the treasure of the bike path spotless.

DAVID CARR

Easton

This conservative isn’t motivated by hatred

As a conservative Romney supporter, I feel it's my duty to answer Becky Bartlett's letter ("Romney, conservatives hate half of Americans," June 12).

I don’t hate gay people. I do believe in same-sex unions that would give rights and privileges to gay partners. I just don’t think we should call it marriage.

I certainly don’t hate women. I just believe if they want their sexual pleasure without the responsibility, they should pay for their own birth control. However, if they do become pregnant, I believe that unborn child has a right to live. Just ask any adopted person if they would rather have been aborted.

I don’t hate scientists and environmentalists. I do worry that some ruthless people have an agenda, and that some scientists invent or manipulate statistics to fit their own theories no matter the cost to human beings they hurt or to the truth.

I don’t hate sick people, but I do wish with all my heart that no government bureaucrat tells me what medicine or medical treatment I’m permitted to have.

As far as public employees are concerned, I appreciate their dedication and diligence in providing the necessary services we all need.

I just think their unions shouldn’t have the power to extort state and local governments for better pay, benefits and job security than the taxpayers paying their salaries and leading those state and local governments into financial ruin.

I really hate very few things.

One of the things I do hate is when people resort to name-calling and putting words into the mouths of the opposition instead of arguing ideas.

GARY DIPASQUALE

Easton

Celebrate the flag, pass amendment to protect it

Two hundred and thirty-seven years ago, our nation’s leaders established the Continental Army, beginning a rich heritage of defending this great country. Today we celebrate the continued honor, loyalty and bravery of our soldiers. It is appropriate the birthday of the Army and Flag Day share the same date.

We see spikes in flag displays after tragedies such as 9/11 or the death of a president. We celebrate our flag when we send astronauts to the moon, win Olympic gold or observe Independence Day.

But while the flag can give us great comfort and hope, we should appreciate the freedoms symbolized by Old Glory every day.

The flag is the embodiment of our Constitution that proclaims our absolute commitment to defending the freedoms given to us by our creator. It is the most revered symbol of our freedoms.

From the pictures of tattered flags during the Revolutionary War to the Marines raising the flag at Iwo Jima, to the flag-draped coffins of our ultimate heroes, it is America, it is our spirit, it is who we are!

Those who are using freedom of speech as an excuse are stopping Congress from protecting our flag, so unpatriotic “Americans” may burn and desecrate Old Glory under current law.

Call your U.S. representative and senators and tell them to support the Constitutional amendment to protect our flag from our own traitors.

Be grateful that those who died to protect our freedoms under our national symbol have kept us free for centuries.

BOB LOOBY

U.S. Army veteran

Former N.J. State Commander

The American Legion

Alexandria Township

Domestic abuse against men still unrecognized

Have you ever wondered why there are no domestic violence shelters for men? Have you ever wondered it out loud? If you’re like me, the answer you got was frightening.

Domestic violence doesn’t happen to men. Not in public. Domestic violence shelters simply do not exist. They are “battered women’s shelters” now.

“Violence against women” is another fine talking point. It is not more important than violence against men. Anybody with an ounce of common sense can tell you that throughout history more men have been victims of violence than women.

As U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy and the lobbyists at NOW have said, "a vote against VAWA — the Democratic Party's favorite piece of legislation, the Violence Against Women Act — is a vote against women."

Who could say no?

Has anyone ever heard it said that a vote for VAWA is a vote against falsely accused men because it denies them their due process rights? Has this even ever been allowed a vigorous public debate? I have not found any debate at all, really.

No wonder that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — the namesake and nephew of the most iconic Democrats of the last half-century — did not disclose the beatings he endured until after his abuser was dead.

ERIK B. ANDERSON

Independence Township

Don Cunningham a good choice to lead LVEDC

I was very happy to see that Don Cunningham was named the new executive director of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp.

He was the best Lehigh County executive. He will be great and do wonders at his new job.

CYRIL HIGGINS

Bethlehem