The Salvation Army has been supporting needy families in Pittsburgh for more than 120 years. Thousands of families rely on us for food, clothing, shelter and spiritual support. The pending ordinance regarding panhandling in Pittsburgh ("City Proposes Restrictions on Panhandling," July 27) links religious and charitable organizations to its restrictions. The Salvation Army falls under both categories and it may be adversely impacted.

Giving cash to panhandlers may help prohibit individuals from acquiring a holistic support approach, provided by trained professionals. There are thousands of "hidden homeless" who periodically live with friends, families or even in cars. But, by the public directing their funds to the visible panhandler, they could be diverting support from those people who may be unseen, but who are in dire need.

The Salvation Army raises nearly $250,000 through its kettle effort in Pittsburgh annually. If we are impeded by these proposed restrictions concerning location and hours of operation, we stand to lose significant funding. And, if we have less to offer our clients, the higher the possibility that some may be compelled to turn to less desirable means to make ends meet.

There must be a better solution than lumping together panhandlers, churches and social service agencies in this ordinance. We encourage those who feel drawn to give to the needy and make a significant and lasting difference, to please direct their contributions to the agencies that can do the most good.

MAJOR JAMES LABOSSIERE
Allegheny County Coordinator
The Salvation Army
Downtown

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Binge drinking

The article about excessive drinking ("State College Underage Drinking Experience Is Sobering," Aug. 10) inspired me to share my story. I was a binge drinker and drank until oblivion on too many occasions. Several of those occasions ended with the police writing me citations for things I would have never done if I weren't drunk. On another occasion, I was raped while I had passed out from drinking too much.

Most alcohol education seems to teach "Do Not Drink." While this is what would be perfect in an ideal world, it is not realistic and evidently ineffective, as more and more kids are binge-drinking. Some youths are still going to drink.

I recommend adding "Harm Reduction" education in addition to abstaining from alcohol so those who do drink, will do it responsibly. I talk to as many young people as I can about my experiences to help prevent what happened to me. As a successful fashion consultant who splits time between New York and Los Angeles, I am still young and "cool" enough to not come across as giving them a lecture.

I also emphasize how "uncool" it is to be drunk (or to smoke) in the glamorous world I live in. It is unlikely that there will ever be a day when drinking does not exist on college campuses, but perhaps the number of lives taken and harmful incidents that occur due to alcohol can be reduced through effective and realistic education.

ANANDA CYGANOVICH
Los Angeles, Calif.

Editor's note: The writer is a Penn State graduate and former resident of East McKeesport.

Her kind of people?

I wonder how many people read "Parent-Trap Snares Recruiters" (Aug. 11) and noted the suburban mother's comment, "Military service isn't for our son. It isn't for our kind of people." What kind of people is it for exactly? She was wearing an American flag T-shirt and proudly displayed two American flags in her yard. What a hypocrite! I am sure she voted for George Bush, too.

I am a suburban mother, too. I have two sons, one a member of the U.S. Army, although not currently in Iraq, and one not in the military. I do not support George Bush and his war, and I certainly do not consider myself unpatriotic. If people like this woman's "kind" had family members at risk of dying or being maimed in war, perhaps our troops would all be back on American soil sooner. Since President Bush's daughters are eligible to serve in the military and do not, he obviously is like this mother -- the war is not for his "kind of people" either.

God bless Cindy Sheehan, the mother whose son died in Iraq, for trying to get George Bush to explain his noble cause.

NORMAJEAN GRAYBILL
Mt. Lebanon

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Not a family man

While our junior senator from Pennsylvania has made himself known for saying one thing and doing another, his latest incident of hypocrisy makes one wonder whether Sen. Rick Santorum has any morals whatsoever. After writing a book about family values and peddling it across the country, Santorum then defends a fellow congressman from Pennsylvania who admitted his adultery ("Scandal Shadows Congressman, Hometown," July 30).

Even after U.S. Rep. Donald L. Sherwood, a Republican from Scranton, said he cheated on his wife for five years, Santorum stands up for the adulterer. Santorum has not one critical thing to say about his immoral Republican colleague.

I guess all the outrage at Bill Clinton from Santorum was due solely to partisanship and not due to any moral considerations. It is disgusting that someone claiming to be the spokesman for strong families would defend an adulterer. If Pennsylvanians don't want another six years of such disgustingly hypocritical "leadership," we should replace Santorum next year with a truly moral individual, Bob Casey Jr.

MISCHA GELMAN
Squirrel Hill

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Punish vandals

I am writing regarding vandalism and damage to private properties, homes, buildings, cemeteries, some churches and automobiles including spray-painting of buildings and other structures.

The cities and states should enact laws to make culprits and their parents liable for these acts.

The individuals doing the damage should be required to perform community service for a year, cleaning areas where the acts were done, cutting grass and cleaning up cemeteries and churches. They should be required to help clean areas where the elderly and handicapped reside.

The parents should be bonded in case the guilty party does not complete his or her duties. All the individuals doing community service should be required to wear coverall uniforms so the public will be aware of the punishment.

I hope that these steps will make the parents aware of their children's behavior while they are away from home. This will also serve as notice to copycats.

The bonds parents must pay should be determined by the state or city relative to the amount of damage done.

MICHAEL TORBIC
Leet

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We're not duped

I find it amazing that both Democratic and Republican legislators think that the public cannot see through their "I voted no but decided to accept it and then give the raise to local charities" ruse. We are not stupid.

Giving yourselves a raise at 2 a.m. is suspicious, to say the least. Reprehensible is a better name for it. Isn't letting the state save the tax money a noble enough cause? Please don't treat us like children and expect us to believe anything that you tell us. We will not be duped by a bipartisan cash-grab.

The people of Pennsylvania will remember this.

BRIAN COLOSIMO
McKees Rocks