How can liberals
deify Hugo Chavez?
A recent account in The Press described former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's "coffin parade" in scary detail. The procession traveled through what the writer called some of the most "dangerous slums on the planet." Tens of thousands lined the streets to see Chavez pass by for the last time. Most of these people live in abject poverty, and the homicide rate is 20 times higher than in the United States. Food lines are long, and food is expensive due to government controls; much of the housing is crumbling. Yet, many still wore T-shirts with Chavez's picture on the front.
Go figure. This is the man who said he smelled sulfur where George Bush once stood, insinuating he was the devil. Chavez hated America and loved our fiercest enemies. Yet Hollywood losers like Sean Penn, Oliver Stone, Harry Belafonte, Danny Glover, and Susan Sarandon sang the praises of Chavez, before and after his death. Joe Kennedy called Chavez "our friend in Venezuela." This is a classic expose of the liberal mind in America. Radicals are to be deified and successful folks demonized.
It also makes it a little easier to realize how President Barack Obama was re-elected in 2012, thanks to huge numbers of low-information voters.
DENNY HANNIGAN
Absecon
Allow bike riding
all day on Boardwalk
Looking at old photos of the crowded Atlantic City Boardwalk, it's small wonder why Boardwalk bicycle riding was limited to a few short hours.
But that's a case of old and outdated thinking.
Tourists, families and locals enjoy biking the Boardwalk, but unless they wake up at 6 a.m., there's little time to enjoy what it really has to offer.
Breakfast on the boards is quite a treat for some but cuts into the short time available for riding.
Like many other jurisdictions, Atlantic City should become more bicycle friendly. Don't waste funds trying to make bike paths on busy streets. The Boardwalk is a natural bike path (as seen in the "DO AC" commercials). Bicycling on the boards should be available 24 hours a day with possible exceptions for summer weekends, holidays or special events.
Let's help everyone enjoy what we all brag about - the beauty of the Boardwalk and the beach.
LARRY WERBER
Ventnor
If only more in GOP
had own epiphanies
Last week we found out how to get Republicans to support legislation other than tax cuts for the rich. Sen. Bob Portman, a Republican from Ohio, announced he experienced an epiphany on same-sex marriage, similar to Dick Cheney when Cheney's daughter came out as gay. Portman, who supported the Defense of Marriage Act, was convinced by his son, who is gay, that homosexuality is not a choice but a genetic disposition.
Apparently, Republicans must be personally touched to understand America's needs. If only some House Republican family members would embrace Obamacare and a fair mix of revenue enhancements and program cuts, we could pass the necessary legislation for another American century.
HUGH HERRON
Egg Harbor Township
New pope bodes well
for the religious world
Congratulations and mazel tov to Pope Francis and the world's Catholics. After so much negative publicity, our religious world is justifiably shown in glowing terms.
As Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, the new pope exhibited rare qualities of humility, compassion and intellectual acumen. He used public transportation, lived in humble surroundings, personally answered telephone calls, cooked his own meals, washed and kissed the feet of AIDs victims.
As far as the Jewish community is concerned, Bergoglio was marvelous. The good cardinal co-authored a book with Rabbi Abraham Skorka called "Heaven and Earth" and wrote a forward for a book by Rabbi Sergio Bergman. Last November, he hosted a Kristallnacht Memorial at the Metropolitan Cathedral. As pope, he has already reached out to Rome's Chief Rabbi Riccardo Di Segni, expressing his desire to contribute to a spirit of collaboration.
The choice of the name Francis brings to mind the Italian town of Assisi. During the Second World War, Assisi was a place where heroic deeds were performed saving the lives of hundreds of Jews.
All this bodes well for the future. Let peace reign always and everywhere.
RABBI AARON KRAUSS
Margate
