Respect decisions of those choosing in vitro fertilization

As a woman experiencing infertility issues, I feel compelled to respond to your July 31 article "Pressure on to Limit Eggs in IVF Process." I am not writing to talk statistics, science or law, but I am writing from the heart.

It is hard to believe that people from the outside and just looking in would have a say in what happens in others' personal lives. So, how can the government or anybody else dictate what the "right guidelines" are on an issue that is so private to the ones actually going through the ordeal?

Those going through infertility issues have values and beliefs. Those values and beliefs help them in making their choices regarding infertility, IVF and extra embryos. Not everyone agrees, of course. We all have our choices and our places where we draw the line. Should we not be trusted to make our choices when we are aiming for something good and natural?

My husband and I have been trying to start a family for three years and decided on the IVF option a year ago. We attempted one cycle, and it failed. We are now in the process of a second attempt with our frozen embryos. We have eight of them. Those eight embryos that I think about daily are our hope. They are, at times when I want to give up and throw in the towel, what keep me going.

My husband and I do think about any extra embryos that we may have and what we should do with them if the time were to come to make a decision. We do have our limits as to how far we will go. But they are privately ours ... not yours, not the government's and not the doctors'.

I am asking that those who do not know what an ordeal this is not to judge, not to tell us what our limits should be as we can personally and privately decide that for ourselves, and not to squelch our hope. Some days it is all we have.

RENEE FRONCZEK
Crafton

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Cut it in half

Thanks to Brian O'Neill for his July 31 column about the state Legislature, "You Gotta Be Better Than They Are." I am so glad the Post-Gazette is continuing to hammer on the subject of the pay raises and reform of the General Assembly. The concern is, of course, that voters will forget all this by primary time next spring or election time in November 2006.

I hope there is some way to revitalize the issue in January, giving people in each legislative and senatorial district time to think about putting together one or more campaigns for primary nominations in both parties. It shouldn't be too hard to find one or two attractive potential candidates in each party in each district and gather together to plan a campaign for the primary, putting forward a believable, knowledgeable person with a stated platform: "Cut the Pennsylvania Legislature in Half."

If they get organized in each district in January, there should be no problem in getting 100 friends, colleagues and other enthusiasts to promise to sign their petitions in late February -- and then go on to get hundreds more signatures to show that the public cares about this issue.

If the "Cut the Pennsylvania Legislature in Half" message is spread widely enough, it can become the major issue in the primaries. It might even force some of the current legislators to state their views on the subject -- perhaps even push some to join the movement.

For heaven's sake -- and perhaps for the sake of our shaky democracy -- don't let this issue die without a real try.

CHARLES SWAN
Natrona Heights

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A real boondoggle

The July 29 article "Pennsylvania's Slice of Road Funding Pie Still Undetermined" by Joe Grata notes that "in most cases, the earmarked federal funds provide a fraction of the final costs to accomplish the work and merely keep projects moving along." For no other project could this be more understated than the Mon-Fayette Expressway. The portion of the road that would cut through Pittsburgh received nothing, and the other portions received about $6 million, not even a drop in the bucket of the over $2 billion needed for the massive project.

There comes a point where we need to ask ourselves why anyone is still fighting to keep this particular bad idea merely moving along. It's been on the books for over 40 years. The toll road is uniquely bad, especially in light of the hundreds of other projects that will have proven benefits and those we simply cannot do without.

We need to face facts. With dwindling dollars coming our way, it's more important than ever to set our priorities. We should be investing in our existing infrastructure first. The Mon-Fayette toll road costs too much, does too much damage and benefits too few people.

BREEN MASCIOTRA
Shadyside

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Needs to be fixed

I was absolutely appalled when I saw the exceptionally large type headline on the cover of the July 29 Sports section: "I Just Want Compensated." While it was a direct quote from Steelers player Hines Ward, your newspaper should uphold certain standards of the English language and not resort to using "Pittsburghese" in such a prominent place.

The omission of the infinitive "to be" is not the correct speech pattern of your educated readers. That includes native Pittsburghers. We readers should not be verbally assaulted with such improper use of English. Perhaps it's time for a grammar in-service session for your headline writers!

I hope that higher standards will be maintained in the future.

CAROL ADLER
Peters

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An era passes

Your July 29 front page brought the official announcement of Kaufmann's impending name change to Macy's. The focus of both your articles that day seemed to be the name change itself. But it's not necessarily about the name or its history.

Horne's department store, Palmer's restaurants and now the Kaufmann's transition, perhaps to oblivion, signify something different to me. I see the demise of the woman at the cosmetics counter who knows you by name and the disappearance of the waitress who remembers how you like your coffee. Over the years, these people provided personal service to the common man, something soon to be available only to the well-to-do.

Judging from the comments of the people interviewed in your articles, though, this kind of service is no longer valued or perhaps not even remembered. That's what's disappointing to me, not simply the name change.

CAROLYN COUNCILL
Squirrel Hill

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Canine caring

Your Aug. 1 article about a cross-country effort to transports dogs that are vital to an autistic boy, "Dog Relay Hits Snags, But Crosses Finish Line," reflected the kindness that complete strangers can have for one another. In addition to helping a young man reunite with his dogs, these generous people allowed the dogs to live out their lives with the family that they know and love.

As an aside, I wanted to mention that many breed rescue groups do dog transports very frequently. I've personally driven dogs across the state or to other states, and passed the dog (or dogs) to another driver to continue their journey. Normally, these are dogs rescued from neglect or abuse situations and they are being driven to their new adoptive home. Usually, the time I have with these animals is no more than 2 to 3 hours, but it makes me feel good to know that I've assisted in saving the life of an animal.

I encourage anyone with a free Saturday or Sunday every once in a while to sign up to be a transporter. I registered through Boxer Canine Underground Railroad at www.ladywind.com/rescue/boxercur.html, but all breed rescues find me through there, and there are other transport organizations that can be found with a simple search on the Internet.

The dogs, the rescue organizations and the new adoptive parents will appreciate your help!

CHRISTINA GILPIN
Swisshelm Park

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Bless them all

Reading about the group efforts to transport Josh Kuehn's dogs Daisy and Trikzy from Pittsburgh to Phoenix was a reminder that there are indeed good people in the world ("Extra Mile for Boy's Best Friend," July 29). With all of the bad news we read about everyday, this story was a pleasant change.

The volunteers driving across country with the dogs are simply angels. And to the Kuehn family, may they find happiness and prosperity in Phoenix. Also, I hope that Josh adjusts well to the upcoming changes in his life. I will keep them all in my prayers.

CAROL EDKINS
Mt. Washington

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The horrible, yet inspiring, story of Thomas Doswell

I just finished reading about Thomas Doswell ("He's Free, Forgiving," Aug. 2), released from prison Monday after serving 19 years for a crime it was proved he did not commit. What an inspiration!

I don't know if I could be so forgiving in his case. There are so many people who have axes to grind, chips on their shoulders, and seem to be just plain mean. Then you come across someone like Mr. Doswell, who after being incarcerated for so long for committing a crime that he didn't commit. Well, I can only say that he is my hero.

Mr. Doswell is truly an example of his faith and what is taught. We are taught to forgive, and sometimes that is so hard. His faith and love shine through all the terrible things that he has had to endure. I will use Mr. Doswell as an example to my children, and mostly for myself.

BETH WARKENTIN
Elrama

What a wonderful way to start my day .... sharing in the joy for Thomas Doswell and his family. I was so deeply touched by this story and I am personally sharing in the happiness for them all. Thomas is my hero for he believes in God and is able to forgive all who wrongfully accused him. You are a wonderful man, Thomas.

CHARLENE CHIRUM
Mars