This move by US Airways will hinder investment here

US Airways' termination of direct flights between Pittsburgh and Frankfurt, Germany, effective Nov. 7, will directly affect our region's ability to attract German investment in Western Pennsylvania ("Airline to End Europe Flights," Aug. 13). Obviously, other international business development here will be affected by the termination of direct flights between Pittsburgh and London.

US Airways' decision is a serious setback for the region. Its impact needs to be addressed at the highest levels of government and among leading businessmen. Hopefully, community and business leaders will be successful in getting the relevant facts and message to Gov. Ed Rendell, Mayor Tom Murphy and Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato. If US Airways cannot be part of the solution, we have to come up with alternative approaches that preserve and enhance international economic development in this region. Action needs to be taken promptly, and proactive leadership is essential.

DAVID A. MURDOCH
Downtown
Honorary Consul for the Federal Republic of Germany

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Independent voice

You recently published a letter questioning Sen. Arlen Specter's independence ("Let's Retire Specter," Aug. 11). On judicial candidates, Sen. Specter has not hesitated to vote against Republican nominees when warranted by their records. Judge Robert Bork's nomination to the Supreme Court may be the most prominent example.

On the Federal Marriage Amendment, Sen. Specter voted for cloture so that Congress could finish the debate and move on to other matters such has the threat of terrorism. While the senator does believe in the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman, as evidenced by his vote in favor of the Defense of Marriage Act, he also believes the states are moving ahead to handle the matter. As he has repeatedly said, if the states are unable to preserve the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman, he would be willing to consider a constitutional amendment.

As for tax cuts, when President Bush proposed a $1.6 trillion tax cut in 2001, Sen. Specter and Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, offered an amendment to take out $250 billion for education. That was the critical vote that reduced the tax cut from $1.6 trillion to $1.35 trillion and the $250 billion went into education. That vote brought the wrath of the Club for Growth, which spent millions to try to defeat Sen. Specter in the Republican primary.

Sen. Specter does not hesitate to disagree with the administration when he thinks he is right on issues such as: 1) embryonic stem cell research; 2) a woman's right to choose; 3) striking the overtime regulation; 4) modifying the Patriot Act. His voice remains independent -- and strong.

CHARLES ROBBINS
Washington, D.C.
Communications Director for Sen. Arlen Specter

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The case against him

The Aug. 10 article "U.S.: Sharon Man an Ex-Nazi" consisted largely of statements that Anton Geiser, who is accused by the U.S. Justice Department of being a Nazi SS guard, is considered a nice neighbor. However, he is not being accused of being a bad neighbor. He is being accused of having helped execute the most despicable crimes against humanity ever committed.

The article said the innocent victims in the two concentration camps mentioned died from "starvation, torture, shooting, gassing, lethal medical experiments, exhaustion and other causes." An assistant U.S. attorney said, "Armed concentration camp guards played a critical role in ensuring the brutal deaths."

I was saddened that one neighbor said that even if Geiser is found guilty "it wouldn't change my way of feeling for him at all." She also complained about our government prosecuting Geiser 60 years after the fact.

On the contrary, I'd say that if the charges are true, Geiser should be grateful for having escaped prosecution for 60 years and that potentially losing the privilege of citizenship is a relatively small price to pay if he is found guilty of having participated in these unspeakable crimes.

KEN HERZ
Squirrel Hill

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Not erased by time

I am absolutely shocked by the attitude expressed by Diane Dach concerning her neighbor Anton Geiser, who is accused of being a concentration camp guard ("U.S.: Sharon Man an Ex-Nazi," Aug. 10). She can't believe that, "Sixty years later you're going to persecute this poor guy?"

Has she read any history at all? Does she realize that this man is accused of having worked for Hitler? Time cannot erase the atrocities that occurred. Would she feel so kindly toward Mr. Geiser if she had lost family members in the camps?

MARY K. YOUNG
Ross

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Guns and our youth

Is someone giving guns to black youths? Where are the guns coming from? Someone has to know something.

I've never seen such a surge in unnecessary killings and attempted killings in my life. What can I do as a mother, black woman and citizen other than express my discontent about the total disregard for human life these children, young men, are displaying? We have to help them.

JANET GRAY
Wilkinsburg

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About my future

I appreciate the sincere comment on my contractual status with the Arizona Cardinals (Aug. 8 Asides). At the same time, I also want to make you aware that the life (career) expectancy of a football player is 3.3 years.

Not only do I plan on continuing my education, but I also plan on using the education that I have to make our society a better place for all!

LARRY FITZGERALD
Phoenix, Ariz.

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Unfair to Fitzgerald

I found your Aug. 8 "Asides" piece about Larry Fitzgerald to be severely misleading. The writer tends to lump Fitzgerald in with other selfish, money-hungry athletes who leave school for the professional ranks before they are ready in anticipation of a huge payday.

By all accounts, on and off the field, Fitzgerald is anything but this. He is an extremely humble individual, which is unbelievable considering his skill level was far superior to anyone he was on the field with in the college ranks. He had nothing else to prove on the collegiate level and had the blessing of his coach and father to move to the next level.

To state that "the Panther star was part of a recent wave of NCAA players who sought to scrap their educations for the fast track to fame and fortune in the National Football League" is also inaccurate. According to NFL rules, a player must be three years removed from their high school graduating class. Fitzgerald spent a year at Valley Forge Military Academy prior to coming to Pitt. Therefore, after his sophomore year was concluded he was eligible (two years in college plus one year at prep school).

As for the comment as to whether "Mr. Fitzgerald will feel just as rich when he's 40, out of football and without a degree," your own paper printed the following on Feb. 10 when Fitzgerald made his announcement to enter the draft ("Fitzgerald Leaving Pitt Early for NFL"): "Although he is dropping out of school, he intends to finish his degree because he promised his mother, Carol, who died last April, that he would."

I predict that Larry Fitzgerald will have a highly successful career as a wide receiver in the NFL, and after his retirement I'm sure he'll do fine with his life's work.

DOUG KEKLAK
Munhall

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How can Catholic voters look the other way on abortion?
Professor Mark J. Rozell's perspective on the Catholic vote is disturbing, but, I believe, true ("," Aug. 8 Forum). Taking the facts one step further, I am personally aware of Catholic priests and sisters who will vote Democratic no matter who's running, in many cases because it is perceived that the Democratic Party takes better care of those who cannot care for themselves.

Considering that there are more issues of importance in this 'The Catholic Vote?' No Such Thingpresidential race than ever before, I'm not surprised that our country is split down the middle. What always surprises and concerns me, however, is that we as Catholics would vote in a way that turns our backs on life in its most fragile and vulnerable form, the human being waiting to be born.

We are heard stating far and wide that the greatest problem in society is lack of respect for life, as this problem manifests itself in murders and other crimes, but we don't seem to understand that this culture of death begins with our lack of respect for life in the womb. We worship the very creator of life but turn our heads while politicians talk about overturning the ban on partial-birth abortion and glorifying freedom of "choice."

I know there are other issues -- lots of them -- but to me the right to life represents the moral fiber of our nation. I am discouraged and saddened to think that so many of our fellow Catholics look the other way on this issue.

KATHY RAIMONDI
Castle Shannon