Hate-filled rhetoric is more destructive than tanks
I take exception to the April 24 letter of Burhan Gharaibeh ("Hate Does Not Help"), which expressed disappointment with Jack Kelly's April 21 column "Peace Has a Chance." Gharaibeh asserts that Mr. Kelly's main theme is the hatred of Palestinians and Arabs. In reading that and other of Mr. Kelly's columns, I find that although he supports Israel, he does not espouse these hatreds.
Perhaps as a pacifist Arab American, Gharaibeh also should condemn the Palestinian and Arab voices that spew daily hatred for Israel and the Jewish people. This rhetoric is more destructive to peace than any Israeli tank. Moreover, this hatred that has been fostered by the Arab leadership does nothing to improve the lot of the Palestinian people.
The problems the Middle East is facing today are not the result of recent actions of the Israeli Defense Forces; these problems have been ballooning over 50 years of Arab countries doing little or nothing to help their Palestinian brethren in refugee camps, while Palestinian leaders themselves squandered numerous opportunities for peace.
While Israel is fighting for its very survival, she is fighting a war against terrorism for all of us. If we do not prevail in this battle, I fear for our children and future generations.
Be not naive, for the terrorist threat in this age can easily cross oceans. As noted philosopher Eric Hoffer warned, "Should Israel perish, the holocaust will be upon us."
GLORIA ELBLING
Squirrel Hill
Rusins' unique identity
The May 4 Associated Press article "New Archbishop Named to Lead Byzantine Catholics" (for which our church is appreciative) states that our church serves Ruthenians, who are "Ukrainian people who lived under Hungarian rule." This is offensive to many in our church for two reasons.
First, our church was in fact established in this country by Rusins (the name we prefer to Ruthenians) and by descendants of Rusins from other countries, but now our church incorporates people of all nationalities.
Secondly, Rusins are not Ukrainians (a visit to the Pittsburgh Folk Festival will bear this out). The communist governments of Eastern Europe attempted in vain to force Rusins to identify themselves at various times as Ukrainians, Hungarians or Slovaks. Many of these people died or were imprisoned for their refusal to submit to that. Although we love and respect these other peoples, Rusins are proud of their particular culture as well.
Our church's worship is mystical and transcends culture, but the church pervades all aspects of life. Since most of the founders and many members are Rusin-American, the Byzantine (Ruthenian) Catholic Church in America encourages and supports efforts to promote an ethnic pride. As we continue to be enriched with other cultures, we extend a similar support to them.
MOST REV. JOHN M. KUDRICK
Administrator
Metropolitan Archdiocese of Pittsburgh
Observatory Hill
How did this help?
A group of virulent anti-choice protesters recently made their descent into Allegheny County, promoting intimidation and hatred. They stood at intersections and bridges, campuses and hospitals and distributed anti-choice propaganda while wielding larger-than-life images -- images that are distorted, enlarged and manipulated to shock passers-by; images that outrageously compare the legal right to choose with the Holocaust; images that promote shame, guilt, intolerance, insensitivity and divisiveness in our community.
It has been 29 years since the U.S. Supreme Court decided the landmark case Roe vs. Wade, giving women the freedom to choose a safe and legal abortion in the United States. In the last three decades, we have seen anti-choice activists launch massive visual campaigns, including the recent demonstrations in Pittsburgh, to demoralize the rights of women.
In contrast, pro-choice organizations like the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League of Pennsylvania work diligently to protect the right to choose and to promote broader reproductive freedoms. Our public education initiatives work to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies, which often result in abortions. We advocate comprehensive sexuality education in schools to provide young adults with the information they need to make responsible decisions regarding their sexuality.
We promote affordable and accessible contraception for all women regardless of their age, race or economic status. In actuality, many of NARAL-PA's initiatives reduce the need for abortions in our society while maintaining the dignity and integrity of women and their legal right to choose.
How do demonstrations like those recently held in Pittsburgh reduce even one unintended pregnancy? And how is the dignity and integrity of any life displayed at these so-called "pro-life" protests? The truth is, rallies such as this one serve only to disrupt and divide a community. Let us not allow that to happen in Pittsburgh.
FRANCESCA CANTARINI
Western Pennsylvania Field Director
NARAL-PA
Downtown
Make no child a monster
Isn't it amazing how children tell the truth? Letter writer Carol Bender's child said what most people try to cover up with jargon ("Thanks to Protesters, Children Saw Horrifying Images," April 27). She thought the pictures of aborted babies looked like monsters.
Abortion is when a child is made into somebody's personal monster. The monster is feared because if he or she comes into the world, poverty and troubles may follow. So the child is killed even though many people would love to adopt this little one.
What we should really fear is the certain legacy that we will leave our "wanted" children if we permit abortion to continue. "We have sown the wind, and they will reap the whirlwind."
AMELIA R. LINK
Etna
You can't hide the truth
Concerning the effect of posters of aborted babies (shown in the metropolitan area April 22-27) on young children, little is said about the well-adjusted young children of the sign bearers themselves. These happy children also held signs. Why the contrast between these children and the irate parents who think hiding the truth from their children is a solution?
Children cut to the truth. They know the real victim is the child on the poster, not someone who was shown a poster. The answer lies in teaching your children the truth about abortion. Children identify with the slain baby in the photo. Thus, most important is that parents teach their children that the parents oppose abortion. Then things will be all right.
We cannot manipulate reality to hide people from the consequences of the very sin of abortion.
Graphic images save lives. They transform the debate from the abstract to the concrete -- what abortion actually is. A young woman entering Magee-Womens Hospital for an abortion saw the posters and didn't want the abortion. Another life saved. Another woman protected from the greatest betrayal a girl or woman can experience.
Many girls and women simply don't know what abortion is. On balance, many citizens thanked the sign bearers for this educational work.
WILLIAM DEPNER
McKeesport
Editor's note: The writer participated in the Face the Truth Tour and is a member of World Wide Members for Life.
Absurd and insulting
I am writing this in response to Sally Kalson's column on restricting the discussion of abortion in family planning clinics ("Legislators Insult Our Intelligence Again," May 1). I am not in favor of gagging the clinics in regard to abortion, but I am offended by Ms. Kalson's suggestion that legislators who support the gag want poor women to die.
I get very tired of hearing that conservative citizens and lawmakers actually want to kill homosexuals, starve children and force everyone, including themselves, to breathe polluted air. For others to suggest such a thing is ludicrous and insulting.
I think Ms. Kalson has a valid point about the risks involved when access to birth control is limited, but to resort to hate-filled name calling is childish and unnecessary.
MELISSA K. BOURDIUS
Ross
Murtha's record of dodging our debates is perfect
The League of Women of Voters of Greater Pittsburgh announces with regret the cancellation of its planned debate between U.S. Rep. John Murtha and U.S. Rep. Frank Mascara on May 10 on the Pittsburgh Cable News Channel.
Needless to say, the league is disappointed that the issues in this campaign will not be aired in a nonpartisan and fair debate. Voters in the new 12th Congressional District surely must also be disappointed. This is a hotly contested race for the Democratic nomination and voters will be poorly served without a clear presentation that will address the concerns of constituents.
The Murtha campaign is now three for three, as the leagues in Washington and Westmoreland counties also have been unsuccessful in pinning down Rep. Murtha as to a time and place or his willingness to debate ("Murtha Runs Scared: His Refusal to Debate Mascara Snubs the Voters," May 2 editorial).
We hope that the two candidates will post their positions on the League of Women Voters Web site, www.dnet.org.
CATHLEEN TRAINOR
Public Relations Director
League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh
Downtown
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