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Wednesday, November 07, 2001
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
It's ridiculous that the city has wasted so much time on 'Mook'
Hip, hip, hooray! Police believe they have caught the feared and hated "Mook" (" 'Mook' Arrested at Last, Police Say," Nov. 2). Maybe our law enforcement should help President Bush catch Osama bin Laden now.
I can't believe Pittsburgh has spent so much effort, money and time in chasing down a graffiti artist. Evidently no money is spared in capturing someone exerting artistic free speech, but all summer I was afraid to leave my windows open because the "East End rapist" was free to express himself. Also, a number of our black citizens were being gunned down, but we were searching for Mook.
Maybe the city should concentrate on getting the deadly, truly threatening criminals off the streets (after it gets done being "poised to crack down on 'VK' and 'Jane,' " some other feared artists).
L. KINNEY
'Mook' makes us happy
I'm very upset at the city's response to "Mook" (" 'Mook' Arrested at Last, Police Say," Nov. 2). The people of Pittsburgh have not looked at his graffiti as vandalism; they see it and laugh at the boy who will do anything to get his name on the wall.
Mook has been a legend, and he has many qualities that we should be proud of, not punish. He is determined and skilled and has a sense of humor. Although Mook has committed a crime, everyone loves him and he makes people happy.
Is it possible that the only reason he is considered such a threat to the city is that he is smarter than the city officials? I sincerely hope that if the 18-year-old suspected of being Mook is convicted, his punishment will not be severe, and I hope Pittsburgh will support him.
AURORA SILVERMAN
Let's put the skids to this
The economic aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks has hit working people hard -- over half a million have been told they're losing their jobs this month. Now is not the time for a flawed fast-track trade bill that would cut even more much-needed jobs.
When it comes to our nation's economy, we need to get it right -- not fast. Fast-track trade negotiating authority is just a way for corporations to sidestep worker and environmental protections and lead the way in the global race to the bottom. Fast-track authority would rush through legislation like the Free Trade Area of the Americas -- an agreement that seeks to extend the failed policies of the North American Free Trade Agreement to the entire Western Hemisphere.
Americans need a Congress that will pass effective laws to stimulate the economy and provide relief to workers who have lost the means to support their families at this tragic moment. A rising tide may lift all boats but fast-track authority leaves us stranded on a sinking ship.
FRANK SNYDER
America's true heroes
It wasn't that long ago that some misguided local advertising wizards decided that sports fans were "heroes" when they had a few extra tickets to share with friends or family. The events of Sept. 11 have poked holes in this foggy misconception.
Our citizenry now realizes that those previously invisible men and women in uniform who serve as policemen, firemen and emergency medical services staff are the front-line troops in our new situation. Soon the men and women in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard will surface as our next, honest-to-God "real heroes."
We must stay alert and realize that beating terrorism is not a half-hour TV show or three-hour blockbuster by Steven Spielberg.
GEORGE BISKUP
It's good enough for us
If President Bush and the Republican Party think that using private companies for airport security is such a good idea ("Bush Pushes to Derail Federalized Air Guards," Oct. 31), why don't they take it to the next logical level and award Secret Service positions to the lowest-bidding contractor?
RONI PLAPPERT
Validly detained
I would like to comment on the Oct. 27 column by Dennis Roddy, concerning Muhammed Butt, the Pakistani national who died in jail while being detained by the Immigration and Naturalization Service ("Jailing Freedom Along With the Usual Suspects").
I retired from the INS in 2000 with 27 years of service as a special agent. First, the only thing I know about the case is what has been in the media, but I would like to add my perspective. It appears that Mr. Butt was being detained because he overstayed his visa by nine months, not because he was in "possession of the wrong religion."
The article indicated that Mr. Butt had immigration hearings and was accorded due process. It was found that he violated the immigration law and was waiting to be sent home.
The wait may have been to make travel arrangements or to obtain a valid travel document. That document can be issued only by the Pakistani government and can take weeks or months to obtain. The INS has no control over this. In the meantime, the alien must wait in custody if the INS and an immigration judge have deemed him a flight risk or danger to the community.
Given the events of Sept. 11, the government may be taking a hard-line position regarding aliens from certain countries who violate their immigration status. I contend to do otherwise would be negligent on the part of the government. While it is unfortunate that Mr. Butt died while in detention, I see no violation of his rights or evidence that he was home when his stay expired or obtained an extension of stay.
JEFF MARSICO
A case for court privacy
As a family law/criminal defense lawyer with a special perspective on juvenile delinquency and dependency, I was fascinated to read the "Open Justice" three-part series on the veil of secrecy in juvenile court (Sept. 23-25). I recently completed a unique delinquency case, successfully representing a polite, intelligent 13-year-old child who came to be unflatteringly nicknamed "the Baldwin Bank Bandit."
Whereas the court's focus appropriately was how to best rehabilitate (not punish) this girl, my biggest concern was how to avoid the potentially lifelong humiliation that this (one would hope) one-time event might have created for what would otherwise likely be a productive future for my client.
Fortunately, "nebby" people and media were prohibited by statutes from being in the courtroom, so my client's anonymity was theoretically protected. Unfortunately, the notoriety of the case and the easy access into a public building made it a practical nightmare to truly maintain any veil of namelessness or facelessness for this youngster.
I am grateful to the various journalists, news reporters and cameramen for their discretion. They had a job to do with such an unusual story, but they did it with professionalism, manners, patience and compassion.
As a lawyer, I continuously worried during interviews about the ethical issues of discussing a touchy topic that neither I nor my remorseful client ever wanted to share with the world for her proverbial 15 minutes of fame.
My client and I are glad that juvenile court limits its openness. To do otherwise would have guaranteed her loss of privacy and an inevitable, unfair stigmatization.
JEFFREY L. POLLOCK
Revise trick-or-treat
I am deeply saddened by the death of a 3-year-old child who was struck by a car on Halloween night in the West End ("Ingram Man Charged in Fatal Hit-and-Run," Nov. 2). I think it's also sad that trick-or-treating was canceled in some neighborhoods due to the anthrax scare.
I don't understand why local businesses wouldn't pull together and "treat" the kids on this supposed-to-be-fun night.
In Cambria County, a mall in Johnstown sponsors trick-or-treat night for the area children and the Wal-Mart in Ebensburg sponsors a trick-or-treat. The concept is the same: The kids dress up in their costumes and go to door-to-door at each store in the mall or each stop in Wal-Mart. It's safe and, most important, the children have a good time.
Just something for local businesses here to think about next year.
JENNIFER STEBERGER
Those who are too lazy to find a trash can are the litterbugs
I'm writing in response to Bill Vodzak's Oct. 29 letter, "Tract Litter." Too often those who are innocent of wrongdoing are blamed for the inconsiderate acts of others. People who are offered a religious tract and don't want one can refuse to take it.
I don't think those who are handing out tracts should be blamed for the litterbug mentality of the slobs who don't know the function of a trash can. If they leave tract litter, you can be sure they leave a plethora of other litter, too.
LOIS CONWAY
Whitaker
McCandless
Special Assistant to the Director
Northeast Region
Field Mobilization Department
AFL-CIO
Freedom
Irwin
Pleasant Hills
Moon
Squirrel Hill
Mount Oliver
Munhall