Data center a bad idea for Upper Macungie Township

I am writing with deep frustration about the data center proposal for the old Air Products site. I have attended both Upper Macungie zoning board hearings regarding the matter. The proposal itself is a concerning issue, but the actions of the Upper Macungie zoning board have made it worse. We’ve seen what happens when data centers come to a community. Electricity and water bills will skyrocket across the Lehigh Valley. Also, data centers use up and pollute large amounts of freshwater, putting a strain on communities, especially farmers who need the water for irrigation. In addition, data centers create very few jobs. I would love to express these concerns directly to the zoning board, but both hearings were postponed at the applicant’s request and no public input was allowed. Both meetings were packed with concerned residents and yet we were not heard. To the zoning board, listen to your community. To other Lehigh valley residents, join the fight against data centers. Our communities and livelihoods are at stake.

— Gwen Dietrich, Lynn Township

Resolution on fascism was right thing to do

In a March 25 Your View in The Morning Call, an author expressed opposition to the resolution by the Lehigh County commissioners concerning the rise of fascism in the country. He opined that the comparison was inaccurate. I believe that the present situation in our country is a foreboding that citizens must face now. Who knows how many lives could have been saved if Germans had fought back before the Nazi takeover of their country. Good people who do nothing are as guilty as perpetrators of injustice.

— Sara Ann Thomas, Allentown

How will history judge us?

Many of us baby boomers at some point asked our fathers, uncles or other relatives the question “what did you do during World War II?” hoping to get an answer highlighting brave escapades in jungles or on beaches. The day will come when many of our children and grandchildren will ask “what did you do during the Trump administrations?” Let’s hope that our answers will not be “nothing.”

— Allan Bevevino, South Whitehall Township

Israel’s death penalty law a human rights violation

Israel’s parliament recently passed a law introduced by Itamar Ben-Gvir, the country’s national security adviser, mandating the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of deadly terrorist acts, a penalty that does not apply to Israeli citizens convicted of the same crimes. In the run-up to the vote, Ben-Gvir and some of his fellow lawmakers wore noose-shaped lapel pins to show their support for the controversial measure. Ben-Gvir called the law “historic” and said, “Soon we will count them one by one.” Limor son-Har-Melech, a legislator in the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, celebrated the vote and publicly stated there is “no such thing as a Jewish terrorist.”

This measure represents a grave violation of fundamental human rights and raises serious moral, legal and humanitarian concerns. The death penalty, widely criticized across the international community, is irreversible and prone to misuse, particularly where due process and fair trial standards are questioned.

I urge people of faith to speak out against this apartheid law and to advocate for policies that uphold human rights, fairness and justice for all people, regardless of their identity or background.

— Nayyer Shokrani, Upper Macungie Township

Plumber needed on space missions?

Shortly after the launch of Artemis II, it was reported that there was a problem with the toilet and that it had to be repaired after instructions from mission control. Thank God that the mission did not have to be scrubbed.  We can put a man on the moon but have trouble building a workable toilet?  On future missions, I propose that a new astronaut position be created and included with the crew: Joe the Plumber.

— James P. Lenahan, South Whitehall Township

Remember President Reagan’s warning about government

I had to smile this morning when seeing Stacy Garrity, the Pennsylvania treasurer, who is running for governor, on page 4 of the April 1 edition of The Morning Call. She is smiling behind a lectern adorned with a banner assuring the gullible that help is on the way. Ronald Reagan said, “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are ‘I’m  from the government and I’m here to help.’ ” I miss Republicans in the legislative branch of the federal government, i.e. Congress. America was never not great.

— Walter Johnson, North Whitehall Township

Higher prices for gas not a huge sacrifice

Time has arrived for people to sit back and assess the balance between higher gas prices and dealing with a nuke capable of landing in Los Angeles or New York City. On one hand, millions of Americans are crippled or killed. On the other we pony up a dollar or two more for gas. Today gas is selling around $4 per gallon and can be found under that at many stations. We were paying near $3 per gallon before the war with Iran. Most cars have a 12-gallon tank, so we are really dealing with an extra $12 per tank versus the threat of a nuclear bomb attack.

There seems to be a gas station on every corner these days with unlimited amounts to be sold. No rationing like there was during the five years of World War II.

Face it, Americans have become soft and spoiled. God bless us if war ever reaches our shores. During World War II, 18-year-olds lined up to fight Nazi Germany and Japan. Today’s 28-year-old can’t get away from their computer in mom’s basement.

— Terry Murphy, Bath

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.

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