Letters to the Editor | July 15, 2025

Overly aggressive trade wars, indiscriminate deportation, inhumane treatment of immigrants at “Alligator Alcatraz,” political retaliation, lawsuits against media and individuals who criticize the far-right agenda, favoritism for red states over blue states, defiance of court rulings and orders, depriving the poor of food and health programs, eliminating funding for rescue programs, demonization of the Democratic Party, using one’s office to acquire wealth, stripping the LBGTQ community of rights, taking control over educational institutions.

There is an irrefutable pattern in our country’s leadership today of hostility, destruction, antagonism, and prejudice. Is this what good and decent Americans have called for? Is this making America great?

Sandra Detweiler, West Chester

Why are the Marines and the National Guard in Los Angeles? Why did the National Guard and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement march into MacArthur Park, where there were no arrests, deaths, or missing people? But no troops were sighted in the rescue of the workers trapped in the collapsed tunnel. No troops have been seen in any search and rescue efforts in Texas, where there have been deaths and there are missing people. Our military — yes, it is our military, not Donald Trump’s personal vendetta army — has taken an oath to protect American lives. If we are going to deploy military on American soil, shouldn’t they be deployed in areas where they can fulfill that oath instead of marching in full gear and exiting from armored vehicles at a public park? If Trump can do this in California, he will most certainly do it here in Pennsylvania. This awful show is an insult to our democracy and our intelligence. We are better than this.

Ellen McGuigan, Clarks Summit, Pa.

I am writing in response to the recent article highlighting the troubling resurgence of measles in the U.S. amid declining vaccination rates, public mistrust of health experts, and a tenuous healthcare infrastructure. As a newly practicing pediatrician, I have only ever encountered vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles in textbooks and clinical case discussions. Like many clinicians trained since measles was declared eradicated in the U.S. in 2000, I have never personally seen children with measles or many other vaccine-preventable diseases.

As a pediatric resident, my goal during residency training is to get hands-on experience with conditions benign and dangerous, common and not, so I can provide thoughtful and comprehensive care to children. I am eager to learn by treating patients with rare or complicated medical conditions — but I fervently hope to avoid gaining experience in treating illnesses that are entirely preventable with safe vaccinations. I fear my scope of practice is about to grow.

Freda Coren, Philadelphia

WNBA team name: Philadelphia Dawn.

Andrew T. Greenberg, Bryn Mawr

Join the conversation: Send letters to [email protected]. Limit length to 20 words and include home address and day and evening phone number. Letters run in The Inquirer six days a week on the editorial pages and online.