Readers write: Marmalade origin, rugby injuries, correct punishment
Marmalade origin
The Dec. 19 essay in The Home Forum, 鈥�Marmalade worthy of Paddington Bear,鈥� mentions quince as only one of the fruits used to make marmalade, but it didn鈥檛 give the origin of the word 鈥渕armalade.鈥� Marmalade in Portugal, explains my husband, who was born and brought up there, is made from the marmelo, which is quince. But I don鈥檛 know whether Seville, Spain, with its oranges followed Portugal with its quinces or vice versa. Meanwhile, we have to buy marmelada (also labeled as quince) in Montreal on visits there.
Edith H. Miller
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Rugby injuries
The Jan. 16 Mix article 鈥�What鈥檚 behind the NFL鈥檚 ratings drop?鈥� refers to concerns over player safety as a possible factor in the National Football League鈥檚 declining popularity. Player safety is also an important issue in the Rugby Union. The high injury rate 鈥� including concussions 鈥� in professional rugby has resulted in changes in the sport鈥檚 tackling rules.
Football and rugby coaches need to address concerns regarding the viability of contact sports in which the risk of injury is high. Credit is due to rugby administrators who are seeking to ensure 鈥� through amendment to the rules of the game 鈥� that the sport is safer and more enjoyable to play.
Alistair Budd
London
Correct punishment
Regarding the Jan. 11 article 鈥�Death sentence for Dylann Roof: Charleston grapples with hate and grace鈥� (CSMonitor.com): Being perhaps in the 鈥渕oral minority,鈥� I don鈥檛 believe in the death penalty. Even though Dylann Roof is guilty of fatally shooting nine black church members, killing him will not prevent other crazed individuals from going on another shooting spree. Only stricter gun-control laws will help to accomplish that. An 鈥渆ye for an eye and tooth for a tooth鈥� mentality doesn鈥檛 speak well for a civilized society.
JoAnn Lee Frank
Clearwater, Fla.
