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Wednesday, November 14, 2001
Candidates, stop slamming the opponent and tell us about you
Election Day was a chance for Americans to come together and choose people to represent them.
The fabric of what makes our country so strong -- its independent freedom and inalienable rights, of which we boast internationally -- was, for the most part, discarded by more than 70 percent of registered voters in the Pittsburgh area ("Turnout May Be Lowest Ever," Nov. 7).
A majority of the media shook their fingers at those of us who chose not to cast our ballots during this time of war, when our values and beliefs should matter. I think there is a perfectly good reason why the numbers were not higher at the polls. I am a Republican, and this was the first time I have not voted since I turned 18. It was not because I was so distracted by the war or because I was so depressed at the current political agenda. I chose not to vote because I had little to no idea what any of the candidates stood for.
I watch TV and listen to news and talk radio; I heard the commercials many of the candidates issued and was left, for the most part, with only back-and-forth bickering rhetoric. One candidate says the other is unqualified; the other candidate responds saying he is qualified and the other candidate is not -- back-to-back commercials that left me uninformed.
I want to know who you are, what you stand for, your goals and what things you have voted for and against in the past. You can surround yourself for 15 seconds with as many children as possible, or an elderly woman, or even some cute baby animals if you would like, but come on, guys -- don't waste your time or ours. Let's stick to facts. Commercials are for candy bars and video games, not politics.
Next time, how about skipping the commercials and sending out something that clarifies you as a candidate and doesn't tell me about the other guy? Instead of telling me why I shouldn't vote for him, tell me why I should vote for you.
I only want my vote to count if I know I'm picking someone who really represents me. This year I left the picking to someone else, hoping there was anyone out there who could make an educated choice.
MELISSAH J. FALAVOLITO
Move Election Day
I have voted in virtually every election for 40 years, but until the date of Election Day is changed, I will never vote again! The pundits decry the voter apathy in this country, and there are many reasons for it, but I firmly believe that the day of the election is a major one.
Apparently, no one realizes we are no longer an agrarian society and no longer must wait until the harvest is over to vote. The vast majority of voters work during the day, of course with the exception of our wonderful government employees who have this day off. Most people don't get home until 5 or 6 p.m., and by the time they run the kids to Little League and other places, they have no time or desire to vote.
For example, wouldn't it be simple to change Election Day to the second Saturday in May? This would ensure that all voters have equal opportunity to participate in the wonderful right/duty to vote that we have so long cherished as citizens of this great country, and no longer afford it to just a select few who are given this day off to exert an undue influence on the outcome of every election.
ANDREW V. ALLEN
Voters who inspire
Inspiration comes in many forms these days. As a candidate for a local school board, I was at the polls for 13 hours on Election Day and was inspired by the significant number of voters who came who were gravely ill and those who came with wheelchairs, walkers, oxygen tanks, etc.
For them, voting was done with great effort and commitment. What an example they are of our precious right to vote!
JOAN W. MURDOCH
Not vandalism? Come on
How hideous can one letter to the editor be? I'm referring to the Nov. 7 letter "Mook Makes Us Happy."
The writer, Aurora Silverman, says the people of Pittsburgh don't view the Mook graffiti as vandalism. Did she question people while they poured gas and turpentine on their walls and scrubbed off the spray paint with wire brushes?
She says, "Everyone loves him and he makes people happy." Who?
And Mook is a legend? Granted, as a city resident I found it somewhat amusing that his mark made it to some of the places that it did. Too bad he can't put that determination and skill to something that would make the city proud. I recall seeing the New York Yankees wearing caps that read "FDNY" and "NYPD," not "Mook." If Mook is your kind of hero, Ms. Silverman, I think you need to get out more often.
I don't think Mook should or will do hard time; maybe he'll get some community service and some fines and have to clean his name off everything. That would probably suffice.
Then I say we strap a 10-gallon drum of paint on his back, send him to McCandless and let him spread his love all over Ms. Silverman's neighborhood -- apparently, he's appreciated there.
STEPHEN J. MATAKOVICH
Graffiti criminals
Obviously letter writers Aurora Silverman and L. Kinney have never been victims of vandalism (" 'Mook' Makes Us Happy" and "It's Ridiculous That the City Has Wasted So Much Time on 'Mook,' " Nov. 7 letters). I live in an area of the city that has been taken over by graffiti criminals.
I can assure Ms. Silverman that I was not happy and I was not proud when my brand new car was "tagged" by one of these so-called artists.
I can assure Ms. Kinney that if someone had expressed his right to free speech on her personal property, she would not be so quick to defend his freedom of speech. Obviously, neither woman has had her personal property vandalized by these delinquents.
I am glad Pittsburgh's finest have spent whatever effort, time and money it has taken to arrest a suspect in the Mook case. I hope his punishment, if he is convicted, is long and severe so that any other little hoodlum out there thinking about taking up this hobby will think twice.
LINDA MAZZARINI
Park cost considerations
The Oct. 28 Post-Gazette supplement about the proposed Three Rivers Park was an impressive piece, detailing much of the forward planning that has taken place that will transform our great city into a world-class attraction. One important point was not explained, which doesn't surprise me: Just how this ambitious project would be funded.
A vague reference was made to "private and public partnerships," much like those that cost taxpayers hundreds of millions in stadiums and convention center construction -- the partnerships where we, the taxpayers, foot the bill for sports entrepreneurs and grossly overpaid athletes with the promise of "lots of new jobs."
I only hope the firms that profit most from the Riverlife Task Force's development plan share proportionately in its cost, and, in light of the current world situation, I trust that our civic leaders will have the good sense to place public safety above the profit motivations of the private sector.
HARRY CHODER
Barge traffic is up
I'm writing in regard to the Oct. 28 insert in the Post-Gazette sponsored by the Riverlife Task Force.
We have enjoyed working with the task force and applaud the spectacular blueprint it has given the region for Downtown riverfront development. Unfortunately, we detected an error in the insert that we would like to see corrected.
On Page 10, under the heading "Principle 5," it states, "Commercial barge traffic has decreased over the past decade." According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, commercial traffic has, in fact, increased in the last seven years by 19 percent. That 19 percent represents an 8.44 million ton increase.
To avoid any misinformation being used by businesses contemplating a move to our rivers, we would appreciate setting the record straight.
JAMES R. McCARVILLE
Perhaps we need holiday greetings now as never before
In response to the Nov. 6 letter "Postal Prudence," I say "Bah. Humbug." Deciding not to mail a holiday greeting because of recent terrorist threats would give the perpetrators a double-edged sword. It would glorify the death-giving power of the evildoers and nullify the life-giving messages of the upcoming season.
It is just such a time as this that we would do well to mail greetings of faith, hope and love to people of all ages who are alone, sick, disabled or just plain shaken by recent events. These greetings would acknowledge God's blessings to America (Thanksgiving); commemorate God's miraculous power to provide (Hannukah); and celebrate God's sacrifice in sending His love to redeem us from evil (Christmas).
This is not a time to shrink back in fear; this is a time to move forward in the wise mix of courage, caution and faith.
THERESA A. GRUENER
Unnecessary mail
How necessary are Christmas cards this year? My sister, who lives in Florida, mentioned she would not be sending Christmas cards. It just doesn't seem right to add millions more pieces of mail to our already overburdened postal employees. After thinking about it, I have also decided not to send cards. To me, they aren't really necessary this year.
MARGE RYCHEL
Mt. Lebanon
Mount Washington
Sewickley
Beechview
Mount Washington
Squirrel Hill
Executive Director
Port of Pittsburgh Commission
Downtown
West View
Moon