Mr. Bush, hungry children have trouble learning

I'm very disappointed that President Bush failed to request an increase in funds for child nutrition programs for fiscal year 2005 ("Bush Planning Deeper Budget Cuts Over the Next Five Years," Feb. 6). Millions of families are struggling during this jobless economic recovery; the president's failure to prioritize child nutrition does more than deny food to hungry children. It undermines his claimed education goals.

Hungry children can't learn, have lower math scores and are more likely to be absent or tardy and repeat a grade in school. If the president and Congress are truly committed to leaving no child behind, they will act this year to increase funding for federal child nutrition programs.

School meals, summer food and other child nutrition initiatives make an enormous difference. With 34 million hungry Americans, it's inconceivable that our lawmakers aren't making these programs a priority.

The current budget situation here in Pittsburgh is a hard enough pill to swallow. More Pittsburghers are going to feel the effects of both Mayor Tom Murphy's and Bush's budget disasters. Families find it hard to feed their families already. Child nutrition programs work best when they help feed children who don't eat nutritiously at home. These programs give every child the proper nutrition so they can learn, live and grow.

Instead of spending money on Mars exploration and fighting wars, spend it on our most valuable asset: our children. President Bush states, "Leave no child behind," but his actions are saying, "Leave every child behind and hungry." By investing more in nutrition programs, Congress can help feed America's children.

DeSHAUNA PONTON
Child Nutrition Advocate
Just Harvest
South Side

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Deserves hot seat

Praises be! Someone else has finally said what I have been feeling more and more over the last few months. In the Feb. 13 letter "A Sex Scandal Outraged Us, But Not A War?" Ian Leyda discussed how totally amazing it is that we Americans showed so much fervor and outrage over President Clinton's sexual indiscretions but we have allowed our current president to lie and admit us into a war where I suspect the waters are so muddy that we will have a very difficult time escaping with our honor intact.

I am talking about world opinion and the cost of our young American lives. Add to that the fact that Vice President Dick Cheney quite possibly could make money on this war. A grand investigation is certainly called for and should report back before our presidential election. Why aren't we outraged over how clever President Bush thinks he is by scheduling the report for after the elections? If Bush is indeed not guilty of these charges, why not have the report before the election?

Each week we hear that more Americans have died in either Afghanistan or Iraq. I hope we do not become hardened to this as we were in the early time of Vietnam. These soldiers are honorable -- absolutely -- but the decision to place them there was less than honorable. Let's put this president on the hot seat where he deserves to be.

LUCI MILLER
Churchill

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Headed for the mud

To their credit, Democratic presidential primary voters have sent a message through the demise of the Howard Dean candidacy, that one cannot win the party nomination solely on the basis of the message, "Elect me because I hate George W. Bush, his rich friends and all tax cuts."

While Democratic frontrunner John Kerry has demonstrated an ability to be every bit as much a bellicose, vulgar attack dog as Dean, Kerry brings a more well-rounded, balanced, reasoned package to his party and will be much tougher for George W. Bush to beat than Mr. Dean.

The upcoming Bush/Kerry race will be fascinating. In an era in which being a skilled communicator is everything, we have two major-party candidates who are poor public speakers. While the bright and educated Mr. Kerry will seek to win over Americans on an intellectual level, President Bush will seek to curry favor through making an emotional connection. Before we know it, the full-scale mudslinging will have begun!

OREN M. SPIEGLER
Upper St. Clair

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Neighborhood loss

The architects and the developers of the Rite Aid building, at the corner of Forbes and Murray avenues in Squirrel Hill, have done a disservice to all of us who work, shop or just stroll through the business district. The superstructure of the new three-story building has been erected, and clearly it is going to blot out an area landmark.

The tower of the Jewish Community Center has a "four face" clock that could be viewed from various places, both in and outside of the business district. What makes the clock really unique is that instead of the usual Arabic numerals, it has Hebrew letters running around the clock face.

This clock tower and the present building were constructed in 1987 and 1988. I am fortunate enough to both reside and work in Squirrel Hill. For more than 15 years, I have enjoyed both the clock's beauty and its function. Now, from the corner of Forbes and Murray, heading up Forbes Avenue toward Shady Avenue, the clock can no longer be seen. This is a loss to the neighborhood!

I, as a real estate attorney, understand that landowners such as Rite Aid can do what they want with their property, so long as it conforms to zoning, occupancy and building restrictions. Like any other for-profit corporation, Rite Aid wants to maximize its profits. However, since it's a new neighbor, it would have been both thoughtful and beneficial for Rite Aid to have planned its building so as not to conflict with such a landmark.

I do not know how Rite Aid got the permission to add a third story to its building, when almost every modern building in the business district is two stories or less. But I do know that I share some responsibility as a citizen for what Rite Aid has done. If I had paid more attention when Rite Aid was seeking approval from the city for this building, perhaps I could have made my voice heard.

MIKE SABLE
Squirrel Hill

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Worth the effort

I have noted and read with interest the articles and letters concerning the death of a young woman crossing South Braddock Avenue. It is always a tragedy when someone is hit by a vehicle, and worse when the person dies, especially a young person.

I've not seen in any of the articles or letters the fact that there are two traffic lights, one at South Braddock and Forbes avenues, and one at South Braddock and Hutchinson avenues. Both are equipped with pedestrian features that stop all traffic to allow one to cross either South Braddock Avenue, Forbes Avenue or Hutchinson Avenue.

South Braddock Avenue has heavy traffic, morning, noon and night. Yet, I see, two or more times a day, vehicles attempting to make a left turn onto South Braddock Avenue elsewhere than at the traffic lights. I can only shake my head at such stupidity.

I suggest to any Regent Square resident, and those who wish they were, to walk or drive a block or two to use the pedestrian and vehicle lights to safely cross or enter onto South Braddock Avenue.

The young woman might have saved her life by using the pedestrian light at Forbes and South Braddock avenues, just two blocks away; after all, she was walking her dog.

ED GANNON
Regent Square

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Encourage independence but enjoy the connection

In her insightful commentary "Parents, Cut the Wireless Cord" (Feb. 15), Anne G. Faigen warns parents of the insidious use of cell phones as a "24-hour on-call helpline home." While I agree with many of her observations -- that college students need to develop their coping skills, become independent and value their own judgments -- I've found the cell phone to be a successful tool in the development of my ever-growing adult relationship with my son.

Ben calls us as often as we call him. We talk to each other several times a week, about restaurants, newspaper articles and movies. Ben and I share a passion for film and encourage each other to think deeply about what we've seen. The cell phone allows us an immediate link -- "So what did you think?"

The spontaneous calls frequently lapse into the mundane chatter, but sometimes they take a meaningful twist. One night, while he was out walking, he called me to talk about movies, life, career plans and how to get stains out of his white shirt.

I advise parents of high school students to help your children develop confidence, good judgment and coping skills while they are still under your roof. When your children are away at school, enjoy the technological advantages of the cell phone. Life is short and their voices sweet.

ELAINE WERTHEIM
Mt. Lebanon