This war has spawned a generation's political awakening
Having failed to prevent a war that initiates George W. Bush's doctrine of pre-emptive wars without end, at least two promising consequences of America's brutal onslaught against Iraqi society have emerged: the birth of an unprecedented global peace movement and the political awakening of a new generation. The "shock and awe" numbers and determination of anti-war activists have clearly achieved several victories.
From forcing Bush to initially work through the United Nations to emboldening the Security Council to resist U.S. bullying and bribery, this moral and political alternative has risen to counter the imperial designs of rabid ideologues such as Richard Perle, an adviser to the secretary of defense, and Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz. This movement, already under way in the pre-9/11 anti-globalization demonstrations, has posited the hope that another world is possible.
The young people ushering in this alternative completely reject the Republican- and Democratic-sanctioned paradigm of America as judge, jury and executioner. Here in our town, the Pittsburgh Organizing Group and the Pittsburgh Association of Peaceful and Proactive Youth have infused the local culture with a new idealism and activism that have challenged the presumption that young people are too preoccupied with "Joe Millionaire" or the latest sneakers to make a difference. In other parts of the world, the overthrow of apathy among the young has been even more dramatic.
The American war machine will undoubtedly fully defeat the bestial Saddam Hussein. However, the largest peace movement in history being fueled by a newly politicized youth has served notice that the U.S. corporate drive to dominate the world's peoples and resources will not go unchecked.
ALBERT PETRARCA
Highland Park
Bravo, cartoonists
This is in response to the April 4 letter by Joe Sieber ("Disgusted by Cartoons"). Mr. Sieber says he's totally disgusted with the editorial cartoons by Tim Menees and Rob Rogers. I would like to remind Mr. Sieber that this is the United States of America, and for the time being there is still freedom of the press in this country. War or no war, these cartoonists have a right to their views and opinions, just as Mr. Sieber has the right to his opinions. Calling these men "card-carrying socialists" is just another example of the mindless chauvinism and jingoism that are running rampant in the country.
I myself would like to praise Mr. Menees and Mr. Rogers for the courage they are displaying and for standing by their convictions in the face of the pro-war sentiment that's eating away at the country like a cancer. They are not afraid to criticize a president who uses a "wag the dog" situation to distract people's minds from the miserable job he's doing on the economy and from the tax cuts for the wealthy who are his best boosters.
Again, kudos to Mr. Menees and Mr. Rogers for the courage of their convictions, and keep up the good work. There are many people who share your opinions.
SAMUEL ENCISO
New Kensington
What about minibuses?
I keep reading in the Post-Gazette about the Port Authority not being able to cope with its expenses. Raising fares just loses patrons. Limiting service just loses more patrons. Just what is the Port Authority's approach to running a business?
For years I've been watching huge buses going past my house late at night with only one or two passengers aboard. Huge buses burn lots of fuel. Didn't anyone ever think about having minibuses run at low patronage times of day? Less fuel, and maybe talk to the union about having a lower-paid person operating the minibuses. Other communities in other states are doing just that and it works.
Also, in an article last year, the PG mentioned some drivers making more than $100,000 a year ("Overtime Pays Off for Bus Drivers," Jan. 27, 2002). Most people with doctorates and master's degrees, along with most people who own businesses, don't make that kind of money. Is there something wrong there? I think so.
Since it is a public facility, aren't there any political people or auditors or consultants who could look at the authority's way of operating and give managerial and financial advice to this troubled operation? It's always nice to have the government come in with all kinds of monetary help, but how many privately owned businesses get this help? They have to cope with the problems themselves.
FRITZ GREGO
Millvale
Costly budget cutting
What were Gov. Ed Rendell and our legislators thinking when they eliminated the Human Services Development Fund? Did they not have any idea how they would be disrupting the lives of 10,000 people in Allegheny County alone?
Not only are they disrupting the lives of these individuals, but also the $4.5 million they save today will cost $31.5 million in a few years. According to Allegheny County Human Services Director Marc Cherna, the Rand Corp. did an independent study a few years ago and "for every treatment dollar you save today, it will cost you $7 down the road."
As the health program director for Community Human Services Corp., I have firsthand knowledge of what these cuts will mean to some of the people we serve through our In-Home Services Program, which receives funding from HSDF. Within the city, we have been maintaining disabled adults (18-59 years old) in their homes, avoiding early institutionalization, for the past 20 years, at a current average cost of $3,000 per year per individual.
We serve 110 clients per year. If these clients have to be institutionalized, we all know it will cost, for each individual, an average of $3,000 per month, or $36,000 per year. So, where is the taxpayer saving? Not to mention the quality of life for the individuals, and the loss of employment for their caregivers. How can we stand by and let this happen? This is a no-win situation unless this money is restored.
BEA CARUSO, R.N.
Health Program Director
Community Human Services Corp.
Oakland
Pleased with the plans
I was very glad to see that Gov. Ed Rendell has taken a courageous stand for the children and people of Pennsylvania. His proposals for the education budget will go a long way toward providing an equitable and better quality education.
Improved results will show when children learn to read in early elementary school, which will happen if we have more early childhood education, all-day kindergarten and lower class size in the early grades. Providing extra help for those who need it is absolutely where money should be spent.
I am very willing to have a higher state income tax and reduce the property tax. Relying heavily on the property tax creates an inequity and thus an educational injustice. It is the place of the state Legislature to provide for the educational needs of students. It is time to hold our legislators accountable.
NANCY MADDOCK
Observatory Hill
Investing in our future
I want to let you know how thrilled I am that we finally have someone in the governor's seat who is willing to make education a priority. Pennsylvania was quickly heading in the direction of the states across the country with bad reputations for funding public education. With a struggling economy and population losses, the last thing this state, and especially this region, should do is shortchange education.
Along with the environment, education should always be a priority; these are the savings accounts into which we pay to ensure prosperity in the future. I must also say, though, that I am not convinced that depending on gambling for revenue is a good thing; robbing Peter to pay Paul never seemed like a smart idea to me.
MARY BETH STEISSLINGER
Highland Park
The U.S. must not dominate in postwar Iraq
As a dual citizen of Italy and the United States and someone who has some personal and professional experience in the Middle East, North Africa and with the Arab culture, I wanted to express my opinion regarding the future of Iraq after the end of the conflict.
I am very concerned about the position, supported by some in the Bush administration, that in the aftermath of the war the reconstruction effort should largely be led by the United States and that there should be a large U.S. presence in Iraq for some time to come.
The United States went to war largely against the will of the international community but in the name of global security. Unless the international community plays a significant role in the reconstruction process, the war will simply remain in the hearts and minds of those who did not support it and those who were attacked as simply another attempt by the United States to enlarge its sphere of political, economic and strategic influence.
Whatever advantages might come to the Iraqi people as a result of having a dictatorship removed will be overshadowed by the sense that a new rule was imposed from the outside and by the very same people who attacked, even if those who are nominally leading the country are Iraqis. At that point, all talk about "liberating Iraq" will have become purely self-promoting propaganda, and impossible to believe.
The United States is not the only country in the world with a democratic government and it need not -- must not -- be the only model or guidance offered to Iraq. For the United States to believe that it should be the main or only country to influence the future of Iraq is an unpardonable act of arrogance with respect to the international community in general and to other democratic nations in particular.
VIOLETTA CAVALLI-SFORZA
Squirrel Hill
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