Letters to the editor
Readers respond
‘Revenge politics’ helps no one
There will be a whopping 22 Democratic candidates for Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas judge on the May 20 primary ballot. One stands above the rest: Bryan Neft. Bryan’s extraordinary qualifications were discussed in the Chronicle article, “Meet two Jewish candidates running for judge,” April 4. Bryan is rated Highly Qualified by the Allegheny County Bar Association, is a former judicial clerk, has been a lawyer at top Pittsburgh law firms for three decades and is a tireless community volunteer. Unfortunately, Bryan has been targeted by certain progressive groups, ostensibly because he was a member of the legal team that successfully challenged the proposed anti-Israel referendum introduced by Not On Our Dime. Those groups’ introduction of revenge politics into local judicial elections is disappointing and wrong. Local judges do not decide issues relating to Israel. We just need good judges. Making the election about Israel politics is a mistake and helps no one.
Adam Ennis
Pittsburgh
Shapiro’s strength shines through domestic terror
Amidst the shock and outrage that is felt over the apparent attempt to murder the governor, his family members and visitors to the Governor’s Residence, there is a great deal for which to be thankful (“Man arrested after Penn. Gov. Josh Shapiro’s home is firebombed hours after seder,” online April 14).
First and foremost, thank God that the Shapiro family and all who were present — although certainly traumatized — were not physically harmed. Although an obvious and serious security failure allowed the perpetrator to successfully scale the fence surrounding the home, to get into the residence to set the fire, and to get away, he turned himself in and will face serious charges. It is also gratifying to note the overwhelming condemnation of the act and concern for the Shapiro family from figures of public life on both sides of the aisle, including FBI Director Kash Patel, who spoke with the governor and offered all of the resources of his organization to aid in the pursuit of justice.
Whatever his motivation, and just as we saw in the two attempts on the life of Donald Trump last year, this would-be killer committed an act of domestic terror, the type of crime which poses a great threat and something which we downplay or de-emphasize at our own risk.
The governor’s statement to the media in addressing the incident was perfect. He displayed the emotion that any human being who was similarly targeted would feel. He went on to be appropriately resolute and defiant, stating without equivocation that this act would in no way deter him from serving the people of Pennsylvania as he was elected to do, as well as his plan to continue to mark the Passover holiday.
At the Oct. 28, 2018, memorial service for the victims of another act of homegrown terror, Tree of Life Congregation’s Rabbi and Cantor Jeffrey Myers pleaded with our elected officials, including the many who were present, to tone down their rhetoric. Many did not listen.
As Gov. Shapiro said, there is no place for this type of act: The inclination toward violence must stop. From his lips to God’s ears.
Oren Spiegler
Peters Township
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