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Bethlehem needs running track
Congratulations to J. William Reynolds on his recent mayoral primary win.
If there’s one thing I wish the city had, it’s a public city outdoor running track, lighted at night, unaffiliated with high schools or colleges. Maybe someone could put a call in to The Rock to help with funding.
Chris Lang
Bethlehem
Budget bill won’t address debt
The budget bill passed on May 22, 2025, by the House of Representatives will increase our national debt unless future growth offsets the deficit spending. The bill should be balanced between income and spending and future growth could be used to reduce our $36 trillion of debt. If Congress did its job it would pass a balanced budget amendment. Many of the most recent budget bill’s provisions are good but the excess spending gap just continues the saga of kicking the can down the road and limiting the ability to reduce interest rates. Shame on them for celebrating this as a victory.
Andrew Kahn
Salisbury Township
Biden’s diagnosis raises questions
Historian Barbara W. Tuchman states in “Practicing History” (1981) that in 1890 Congress authorized construction of three American battleships and a fourth two years later. Tuchman could not find how many of those ships were in service when the “Venezuelan Crisis” occurred in 1895.
Tuchman concluded that historians of the period apparently ignored “… what evidently seems to them an irrelevant detail. It was hardly irrelevant to policy-makers …” Turning now to historian Alistair Horne’s “Hubris: The Tragedy of War in the Twentieth Century” (2015). “In Greek tragedy, hubris is excessive human pride that challenges the gods and ultimately leads to the total destruction of the offender.” Although hubris may have plagued President Biden, I am not picking on him — he has plenty on his plate — but on his personal physician Kevin O’Connor and Biden’s just-discovered advanced Stage 4 prostate cancer.
I am personally acquainted with prostate cancer and the simple PSA blood test to assess the existence and progression of this disease. Did O’Connor never order this test for the most powerful man in the world or did he view the test result as just one of those irrelevant details?
My sincerest sympathies for President Biden.
James Largay
Upper Saucon Township
Meaning of Ascension Day and the Pentecost
Traditionally celebrated the 40th day after Easter, May 29 this year, Ascension Day commemorates the bodily ascension of Jesus into heaven in the Christian church, while Pentecost, June 8, is celebrated 50 days after Easter — commemorating the descent of The Holy Spirit upon the Apostles of Christ after the resurrection of Jesus. You may question the reason why these events are significant. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he reassured the Apostles he would send another comforter — The Holy Spirit — to be with them. This occurred on Pentecost — amongst the whirling wind and flames, as of fire — as St. Peter was speaking audaciously to a throng of people assembled in Jerusalem witnessing that awesome event.
Churches today are adorned in a myriad of red geraniums on Pentecost — signifying the flames of the Holy Spirit’s presence — celebrating the birth of the Church.
Our Lord’s eternal message never changes His love for each of us — as the Spirit enables us to use our talents and abilities to serve others. Yes, Pentecost still happens if we are open to the wind and fire of that love. May we be receptive to that special reminder of God’s presence among us today and go forth in love.
Jacqueline Quigley
Allentown
Oppose Fix Our Forests Act
Many of us cherish our magnificent forests, and for good reason. They offer shade, beauty, joy and countless ecosystem services (anchoring soil, preventing erosion and stormwater runoff, cooling and cleaning our air, wildlife habitat … endless gifts).
That’s why we must oppose the Fix Our Forests Act, which is a deceptively-named bill currently in Congress.
This is one of the worst forest policies we have seen in decades. Instead of preventing future wildfires, the bill would allow more logging of our oldest, most-fire resistant trees, potentially increasing forest fire risk.
The bill erodes bedrock environmental laws like the Endangered Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act.
One positive thing we can do is call our representatives in Congress and ask them to oppose this bill. Please speak for the trees — they enrich and benefit our lives, it’s time we show them some respect and long-term protection in return. And perhaps consider planting a tree to enliven your own little corner of the world.
Rebecca Canright
Asbury, N.J.
Sen. McCormick should vote against budget bill
Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” is projected to raise the debt several trillion dollars despite his pledge to reduce deficits. I do not support the president’s bill. I do not support Medicare cuts. I do not support Social Security cuts, and make no mistake, cuts to telephone contact staff, general staff and office closings are cuts this bill endorses. I do not support tax breaks to those with $500,000-plus incomes. I do not support abdication of congressional control over appropriation, oversight and disbursement of tax dollars. I implore Sen. McCormick to represent Pennsylvania and vote against this bill.
Thomas Schreiber
Lower Saucon Township
Mackenzie breaks promise
Throughout his campaign and in his first months in office, Rep. Ryan Mackenzie repeatedly promised that he would not vote to cut Medicare. Then he voted to cut Medicare. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the Big Beautiful Bill that he voted for would result in Medicare cuts of $500 billion.
So he failed to make good on his first big promise. What other promises are you going to renege on? It seems that Mackenzie is more interested in pleasing President Trump than in protecting the interests of his own constituents.
Tom Repasch
Bethlehem
Thanks for the flag displays
I am a resident at Luther Crest in Allentown and frequently travel east on Tilghman Street. I appreciate seeing many American flags on either side of the street for blocks. Thanks to the people who provide them and thank you to all our veterans who deserve them. God bless our military.
I am a proud daughter of a Navy veteran of World War II and Korea.
Barbara Kreidler
South Whitehall Township
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.
