The smearing of John Murtha is beyond reprehensible
No one in the country should be put down or shouted down because he or she expresses views and opinions different from the mainstream or majority.

U.S. Rep. John Murtha has even more right to speak his mind about military issues than most people in the public eye of late ("Murtha Wants Troops Pulled Out Now," Nov. 18). His record of service to this country and the government and his staunch history of support of the military is as impeccable a record as we are going to get in politics in this day and age.

I am aware that the present administration in Washington is trying to do whatever it takes to draw the American people back to supporting a war we should have never gotten into in the first place. I am even aware that politics can sometimes get very dirty. But no one has the right to question another citizen's right to express an opinion about anything we may be involved in as a country.

It is especially wrong to dirty a man's reputation with accusations that he is unpatriotic, lacks courage and is giving comfort to the enemy because the things he says don't agree with the administration.

The Bush administration is cutting its own throat by engaging in the kind of smear campaign that is being waged against Mr. Murtha. I fully support the congressman, whether I agree or disagree with his stance (and by the way I fully agree with him) and am henceforth committed to doing whatever I can as a voting citizen of this state and country to remove or reduce the power of political leaders who would participate in or condone such dastardly behaviors as have been exhibited in the past week in Washington.

CLAUDIA KREGG-BYERS
Highland Park

bout Murtha critics
It angers me to see all of the criticism that U.S. Rep. John Murtha of Johnstown has taken over his view that we should withdraw from Iraq ("Murtha Wants Troops Pulled Out Now," Nov. 18). First, it is his right as an American to voice opinions regardless of his political position. Second, as a combat veteran and a retired Marine leader, he has knowledge of the subject and has earned the right to talk about war and the United States.

As I recall from my days in the Air Force, a force multiplier for the United States was our ability to think for ourselves and not be subjugated to ground controllers during combat. If people and our leaders do not like Rep. Murtha's views because they are not the party line, then they should move to an autocratic or dictatorial country where everyone is "in step."

We should never have leaders who universally and blindly charge into the pointy end of every conflict. I am not advocating that all his views are correct, but free thinking and different views are what set our country apart from most. God bless John Murtha, God bless the president, and God bless the United States of America.

THURMAN GARDNER
Mt. Lebanon

Absurd rejection
Instead of criticizing state Rep. Frank LaGrotta for requesting a decision from the state Harness Racing Commission ("Hold Your Horses," Nov. 14 editorial), the Post-Gazette should question the dubious evidence that was used to deny a license to Bedford Downs. After two years of proposals, studies and expensive hearings, the commission found the applicant was unworthy of public trust because of his grandfather's "connections."

In Lawrence County, an upstanding businessman, Carmen Shick, has been maligned and slandered because of the alleged organized crime connection of his long-deceased grandfather. In the feudal age, people were persecuted for the sins of their parents, but this is 21st-century America, and the governing body of Pennsylvania horse racing is practicing ethnic discrimination because of some Mafia rumors about Mr. Shick's family tree.

The Lawrence County racetrack site would be an ideal location. Finally, there would be a substantial attraction off the Route 60 corridor that runs from the Pittsburgh airport to Mercer County. The New Castle area needs the 1,500-plus jobs the facility would provide. Since the '50s, the area has been hemorrhaging citizens who move on from their family roots in search of better opportunities.

The racetrack and casino would be a boon to the area. Businesses such as restaurants, hotels, gas stations and especially the area farms that supply the horsemen would thrive. The track has the potential to be the catalyst for economic growth and attract even more business to this scenic area of affordable housing populated by a motivated and educated work force.

To deny the citizens of Lawrence County this opportunity based on hearsay and unfounded allegation is mean-spirited and totally un-American. I urge the racing commission to reconsider its decision, and if it continues to maintain its wrongheaded position, the governor should remove its members from office.

EVELYN P. WARD
PresidentNAACP
New Castle Branch
New Castle

More aid in progress
I wanted to provide an update to readers on the Nov. 9 editorial regarding the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, more commonly known as LIHEAP ("Deep Freeze: Pennsylvanians Need More Heating Aid This Year"). Recently, I voted to support, and the House of Representatives passed, an extra $1 billion in funding for the LIHEAP program. The Senate is now considering similar provisions, and it is my hope the Senate passes it quickly.

As your editorial correctly points out, too many Pennsylvanians have trouble paying their heating bills, and this will be especially true this year as natural gas prices are likely to increase for some by as much as 40 percent. The additional LIHEAP funding we recently passed will play a critical role in ensuring that those who can least afford spikes in heating bills are not left in the cold.

I am also concerned about the volatility of natural gas prices and have urged the House Agriculture Committee to enact more transparency in futures trading of natural gas and put harsher penalties in place for individuals who attempt to manipulate trading to artificially raise prices.

Continued rising natural gas prices will also negatively impact our local businesses. Prohibitively high prices potentially could limit their ability to hire new workers, expand their business and invest in research and development.

I believe that elected officials at all levels have an obligation to make sure that the most vulnerable among us are not faced with the reality that they can't afford their heating bills this year. The funding level the House of Representatives has passed for LIHEAP goes a long way in ensuring this will not happen.

U.S. REP. MELISSA HART
Washington, D.C.
Editor's note: Rep. Hart represents the 4th Congressional District.

All must respond
We would like to thank you for bringing to light the need for increased funding for home heating assistance this year in your Nov. 9 editorial ("Deep Freeze"). This issue impacts thousands of Western Pennsylvanians each year, and considering what consumers are facing this year -- double-digit increases in gas costs, predictions of a severe winter and increases in shut-offs -- your stance could not be more timely.

The $1 Energy Fund has already seen the impact of these influences. Requests for our services have tripled over previous heating seasons, as has our giving. This indicates a huge increase in demand, not just for $1 Energy grants, but for LIHEAP, weatherization and other energy support programs.

We couldn't agree more with the idea that our legislators must step up to address this matter, both on the state and national front. Federal funding remains at levels established 20 years ago, and Pennsylvania remains one of the few states not contributing to LIHEAP funding. But there is hope. Sens. Arlen Specter and Rick Santorum continue to back higher appropriation measures at the federal level. Gov. Ed Rendell's Stay Warm Pennsylvania plan, which includes overtures to support state funding, along with several state funding initiatives point to awareness for the need to protect low-income households from this year's "Perfect Storm."

We hope the entire region responds to the challenge of meeting the needs of those who struggle to keep the heat, lights and water on this winter by giving generously to the $1 Energy Fund.

JEFF JAMESON
Director of Development
$1 Energy Fund Inc.
South Side
Editor's note: The $1 Energy Fund is a nonprofit organization that provides utility grants to low-income families and individuals.

Citizens, use your political power
What an amazing turn of events for the Legislature to rescind its pay raise and to apologize! What power we have!

Before opening my PG each morning, I grimace and gird myself. What is being done in my name today? No bid contracts to Halliburton? Sanctioned torture? A decrease in civil liberties? Obscene oil company profits? Weakened environmental standards? Minimum-wage raise rejected?

Recent news? The House passed a budget that would impose new fees on Medicaid recipients, squeeze student loan programs, cut child-support enforcement and push thousands of low-income families off food stamps. ("Budget Cut Bill Barely Passes," Nov. 19). Is this truly reflective of our values? If the answer for you is no, if you know that we are on a wrong course, please take one small political action each day (a phone call or an e-mail take just a minute), and things will change. They must.

MARY KING
West View