How can you endorse a candidate who 'snubs the voters'?
I read the Post-Gazette's recommendation of Jack Murtha in the 12th Congressional District Democratic primary ("Murtha in the 12th," May 13 editorial) with total confusion and amazement. Do you think that your readers have no memory? This is the same publication that only two weeks ago stated that Rep. Murtha is "running scared" and that "his refusal to debate snubs the voters" ("Murtha Runs Scared," May 2 editorial).
The PG also pointed out in that editorial that "the Johnstown-area representative has not shown any interest in participating in an endorsement interview alongside Rep. [Frank] Mascara with the Post-Gazette editorial board." Are your readers to assume that he did finally participate in an editorial board interview? Or did your editorial board endorse him without even so much a single opportunity to ask Murtha a question concerning the issues that are important to southwestern Pennsylvania and the 12th Congressional District?
Perhaps Murtha used that same arrogance and tactical calculation that you spoke of in your endorsement to avoid an interview with the editorial board because he knew that "it was in the bag."
Frank Mascara has a very long record of creating jobs and sustainable economic development, and as the PG pointed out, he "is close to his constituents," working for the people he represents. Frank Mascara is the only candidate in the race who has consistently voted against sending our jobs to China and other foreign countries, and is also the only candidate to allow unfettered access to his candidacy and positions through public forums and the offer to debate. He is also the only candidate in this race to agree to an editorial interview with your paper to discuss the issues in a vigorous way with your editors.
The choice in the 12th Congressional District is clear to me, as it should be to anyone who observes the fact that there is only one candidate who represents his district and his constituency and is willing to allow the public and your editorial board the opportunity to evaluate his positions on the issues that matter to the people -- and that person is Frank Mascara.
LARRY M. CELASCHI
Stockdale
Editor's note: The Post-Gazette editorial board did not meet with U.S. Rep. Murtha after the May 2 editorial.
My John Wayne
Who really knows the secret of being a real hero? Jack Murtha is my John Wayne! Sure, he may be quick and I know he is busy (sorry, League of Women Voters) and maybe he could be better-tempered. But, I also know from watching him for 20-plus years that he works and he works hard for real people.
Maybe he does "zoom-zoom" into towns and delivers checks. Guess what? Those checks support tons of efforts that translate into helping real people. Jack Murtha may actually help a scientist or a clinician "con" breast cancer or "cure" a defective gene.
It is too bad that political contests have shrunken into bullying matches. I write to say it is impossible to "shrink" Jack Murtha's accomplishments. He is bigger than life and, like John Wayne in his best role, he serves best in his current role as a great public servant.
ANN GLEESON
Shaler
Editor's note: The writer is a former staff member of U.S. Rep. Bill Coyne.
Don't dwell in the past
History: It was once a subject taught to youth throughout their early days in school. It is also the place that houses the past and all of the important parallels that converged to produce unforgettable events. Those events are what history is truly made of.
Historic structures are simply places where those historical events occurred. Structures such as stadiums or arenas or even the empty or converted elementary schools where history was once taught are merely walls that surrounded the historic event. A historic structure, such as the Mellon Arena, is not what this city of historic events needs ("Mellon Arena Labeled Historic," May 7). Growth, urban renewal and expansion of a narrow and depressed employment market are what Pittsburgh needs.
Previous and future event makers in science, education, medicine and technology will not be drawn to the region on the premise of viewing an empty dome, which, as historic events go, has rarely operated with its sliding half-sphere ceiling open to the stars. Individuals and corporations are drawn to cities that are building for the future, providing new and innovative working and living environments, and expanding the opportunities for career growth and family enjoyment within a metropolitan area.
As a city, we should keep the historic events that occurred in Mellon Arena alive in memory and text and move on to the new: new opportunities, new growth and a new understanding of what history is.
JACK VASALANI
New Stanton
O'Connor and Kenya
I have two compliments and one complaint. First, the compliments are for publishing a letter that was not complimentary to your delivery process ("I Long for the Return of the 'Paperboy' -- and a Dry Paper," May 7). I wholeheartedly agree with the author that the current process is not the best way to ensure that you get a dry paper in a place that is easily accessible. But I understand that the people delivering the paper provide the service in accordance with the remuneration that they are receiving.
The second compliment is for printing City Councilman Bob O'Connor's response to the May 3 editorial "O'Connor Gets an 'F'." He was right on the money in his piece (" 'F' Is for Failure," May 8), and his statements are not limited to the Pittsburgh Public Schools. The editorial should have addressed the problem rather than the possibly insensitive way that Mr. O'Connor originally stated the problem.
Finally, how in the world does the series of articles on women in the "new" Kenya deserve five days of front-page attention ("Fast Forward," May 5-9)? There are immediate local issues that need to be addressed, such as those with the schools, as raised by Mr. O'Connor. The Kenya series is appropriate for The New York Times Sunday Magazine, because it is a very thoughtful, well-researched and intelligent piece of writing, but hardly worth five days of front-page attention in one of America's "great" newspapers.
HENRY J. CRAIG III
Forest Hills
Keep such work coming
I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the "Fast Forward" series of articles by Lori Shontz and Martha Rial on Kenya's women runners (May 5-9). Please continue to come up with such interesting topics and please continue to put them on post-gazette.com. It was a real delight to see the black-and-white photos from the paper in color on the Web site!
CATHY CHAPARRO
Monroeville
For 'the people'
I read the May 14 editorial "Trigger-Happy?" with interest. First, it should be mentioned that the Second Amendment is part of the Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments added to our Constitution in order to get it ratified by the states. The Bill of Rights was added to ensure that the federal government did not usurp the rights of the states or the people. We should always keep this in mind.
It should also be mentioned that the words "the people" used in the Second Amendment are identical to words used in the First, Fourth, Ninth and Tenth amendments. Generally, "the people" means "individually and collectively." Why should the interpretation of these words be different for the Second Amendment?
Does this mean that the Second Amendment is less important to our freedom than the rest of the Bill of Rights? I don't think so. Or, to state it another way, if we can have "reasonable limitations" on the Second Amendment, why not have "reasonable limitations" on the First Amendment or any other right guaranteed by the Constitution?
Perhaps it is time to recognize that the Bill of Rights was not written frivolously, that it means what it says regarding "the people" and it is important to all of our freedoms.
MICHAEL A. McGINNIS
West Leechburg
More could take advantage of this federal help
While reading Morton Coleman's May 8 column, "This Year, 'What About the Kids' Must be a Central Campaign Issue," I realized that many Post-Gazette readers might be unaware of one way in which the federal government helps low-income working families. In Pennsylvania, only 500,000 of an estimated 665,000 families who qualify, just three out of every four, actually claim this financial help.
Working parents who earn less than $34,781 may qualify for the earned income tax credit. Eligible parents generally claim this tax credit as part of their annual federal income tax refund. However, rather than wait until next April, many families can take advantage of the advance earned income tax credit right now.
Through the advance earned income tax credit, they receive a portion of the credit in each paycheck. A working mother who earns $15,000, for example, could receive about $50 extra every two weeks in her paycheck. This extra money could help her to make ends meet.
The EITC does not generally affect eligibility for Medicaid, Supplemental Social Security Income, food stamps or low-income housing.
To receive this boost in their paychecks, parents who qualify should complete Form W-5 and give it to their employers. Information about qualifying for the EITC can be found on the IRS Web site, www.irs.gov, or in Publication 596, which can be ordered by calling (800) 829-3676.
EVELYN R. FISHER
Tax Specialist
IRS Wage and Investment Division
Pittsburgh Office
Downtown
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