A discount for PATCO riders is unlikely, letter writer Carol Rhodes suggests.
To the editor:
PATCO riders shouldn't hold their breath waiting for a discount from the DRPA.
The DRPA has accumulated significant legal expenses (over a million dollars so far) in connection with the ongoing grand jury investigation into their awarding of a half billion dollars in economic grants.
There's no telling how much the investigation will wind up costing commuters, especially if the investigation results in indictments. And don't forget the $1.6 billion in debt on the books; those debt payments come from commuter fare money.
Carol Rhodes
Barnsboro, NJ
To the editor:
South Jersey Times admonishes Southwest airlines for overreacting to a passenger's worry about Arabic speaking passengers.
Heck, this passenger was just looking for a "safe space." And it makes a lot more sense than college students demanding protection from ideas that they do not agree with 100 percent.
One might suggest that since these travelers own a pizza shop in Philly, it can be assumed they speak English. Perhaps, considering the attacks in Paris and the bombing of the Russian airliner, they might want to speak it the next time they travel. That way their fellow passengers may be assured they are not saying, "On my signal, rush the cockpit."
A little respect for their fellow passengers' natural fears might go a long way. Moreover, this was one instance on one flight from Chicago to Philadelphia. The individuals involved were at worst inconvenienced (I have been delayed reentering the country and double checked by security). This hardly amounts to a threat to the civil rights of all Muslims or Arabic speaking people.
We all have to go through airport security, not only at airports but also at sports stadiums, concerts and the National September 11 Museum at the World Trade Center.
Our security and loss of freedoms after Paris is only going to get worse. Profiling is not the problem. Bigotry or prejudice by Americans is not the problem. Terrorists, who all, by the way, shout "Allah Akbar!" before they kill people, are.
Michael Burke
Bronx, New York
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