Anything but withdrawal now is continued slaughter

Most Americans are now convinced that President Bush, bolstered by the unconscionable complicity of the Democratic Party leadership and heralded by an obedient corporate media, led us into a military and political disaster in Iraq. In light of that, the Post-Gazette's Nov. 20 editorial "Murtha's Mettle" continues to provide succor to Mr. Bush by describing Rep. Murtha's proposal "better as a heartfelt expression of frustration than as sound practical advice." Really?

What Mr. Bush proposes and what is implicitly endorsed by your editorial amounts to an indefinite period of continuous slaughter until some undefined future moment when conditions will allow America to withdraw with honor. Are any children of the PG's editorial board going to be sacrificed until that time arrives? Will Chelsea Clinton be in fatigues during this period? Might Mr. Bush's twin daughters enlist to help save Western civilization?

If the leadership of the Republican Party wants to characterize withdrawal in six months as "surrender" then so be it. Most other Americans are likely to classify it as a return to common sense and decency. We need to immediately end this insanity, initiate impeachment proceedings against this war criminal and begin the process of reordering our values and priorities to make America a beacon of freedom and equality and not one of torture and conquest.

ALBERT PETRARCA
Highland Park

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Murtha's courage

We should thank U.S. Rep. John Murtha for having the courage and integrity to stand up and say what is honest and right and truly moral ("Murtha Wants Troops Pulled Out Now," Nov. 18). Instead, Americans are shamed anew by the mudslinging Cheney-Bush team -- elected "leaders" who could not care less about regular American people or our soldiers and are always at the ready to attack honest, moral people who do not agree with their selfish, power-driven whims.

It is at this point quite evident that Rep. Murtha is correct: We are the cause and the target of the horrific attacks in Iraq. We need to follow Rep. Murtha's plan to remove America's troops to outlying areas, where they can intercede only as necessary. The effect this will have on "Iraqis assuming responsibility" is evident to anyone with the slightest sense of human psychology. Yet our "leaders" fail to see it.

Furthermore, the personal attack on Rep. Murtha, a man of fine character, for speaking out is just another indication -- in a litany of them -- of the cowardice of the amoral "aristocrats" who have taken our White House and our country by the throat. No one deserves these juvenile Swift-boat attacks on their character, least of all Rep. Murtha, an American who has served his country far beyond those who hide behind the wall and sling their mud.

DAR THOMAS
Whitehall

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Senior whining

The Nov. 15 letter of Barbara Gelzhiser ("If Young Mothers Get Good Parking Spaces, What About Senior Citizens?"), complaining about young mothers getting preferential parking, was yet another example of seniors whining for preferential treatment. Despite years of this generation getting proven economic breaks (lower Social Security tax rates, decades of low assessments, higher return on savings), this generation continues to demand discounts and special treatment. I know there are elderly poor out there, just as there are those in poor health, but by and large this is the wealthiest and healthiest set of senior citizens ever seen.

The rapid propagation of handicapped plates and permits and the ease with which they can be obtained have eased the burden of parking problems for many disabled and elderly.

While Mrs. Gelzhiser is correct that walking is good exercise, mothers parking also have to deal with juggling their children as they take them in and out of car seats, steering a cart with a toddler ready to dart into traffic and other hazards of a society where drivers are more concerned with their cell phone calls than watching where they're driving. For the most part, mothers with families are buying more groceries than the elderly, which also should be considered.

While the question of "who needs the exercise more, the expectant mother or the senior citizen trying to remain self-sufficient?" can only be answered by an individual's doctor, remember that mothers in parking lots are also responsible for the safety of their children present and expected.

JUNE BRANDT
Jefferson Hills

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Give moms a break

I disagree with letter writer Barbara Gelzhiser about parking spaces for senior citizens versus spaces for expectant mothers. No, I am not a young expectant mother with children. I am an 86-year-old senior citizen who raised five children. There are spaces now reserved for any citizen with disabilities. If you are a senior citizen with no disabilities, you should be walking to maintain good health. I remember what it was like being pregnant with small children. I would have appreciated then to have a space saved for me. Now I walk for my health.

ROSELLA CLAYTON
Jefferson Hills

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About book review

The Nov. 13 review by Allison Schlesinger of "Goodnight Nobody" ("Chick Lit With a Twist Is Weiner's Winning Recipe") takes a gratuitous and egregious slam at me when she writes, "When Kate learns Kitty was a ghostwriter for a conservative pundit named Laura Lynn Baird -- a character undoubtedly inspired by talk-show host Dr. Laura Schlessinger ... ."

First of all, I am not a conservative pundit; I am a psychotherapist. Second of all, I have written seven best-sellers by my very own self. There is nothing that could possibly lead anyone to "undoubtedly" think that the author could possibly have meant to misrepresent me -- other than some existing animus of Ms. Schlesinger's.

DR. LAURA SCHLESSINGER
Sherman Oaks, Calif.

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Next on the agenda

Repealing the legislative pay raises is just the start: Now the Post-Gazette and columnist Brian O'Neill should use their newfound power to do something that will help all the people: Demand a solution on property taxes. Tell the Legislature we are tired of assessments, appeals and court costs every year. Get a bill through for an "educational income tax" to fund schools.

Then I'll say you really did something worthwhile for the people. Incomes should be assessed, not properties. Strike while the iron is hot for something that should've been done a long time ago.

TOM MARTIN
Robinson

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Flags weren't flying

What happened to the 9/11 spirit? On Nov. 11 (Veterans Day), a bright sunny day, between 10 and 11 a.m. I drove from Bloomfield through parts of Millvale, Etna and Shaler, along Route 8 and Mount Royal Boulevard, and back through Lawrenceville, and I saw only two flags flying in front of homes.

DONALD C. BUDZINSKI
Bloomfield

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Voting machine fair and hearing were successes on several counts

Last Thursday I witnessed a wonderful phenomenon as hundreds of Allegheny County voters turned out Downtown for the voting machine fair and County Council's hearing on the Help America Vote Act ("Voting Machine Samples Tested," Nov. 18). It was refreshing to see so many well-informed citizens from all walks of life, gathering to learn and speak out about the new technologies available to count our votes.

Allegheny County voters and officials are becoming aware of the importance of voting machines producing voter-verified paper records (VVPR) to ensure that everyone's vote is counted accurately. Pittsburgh City Council passed a resolution for VVPR, and Rep. Dan Frankel introduced HB 2000 in the state Legislature to provide all Pennsylvanians with the protection of voter-verified paper records with audits. Citizens, municipalities and legislators are wise to support these bipartisan bills and the purchase of machines with easily readable voter-verified paper records.

Last Thursday's events clearly underscored how all voting machines are not created equal and that usability is only one of many factors to be considered in choosing them. Voters can learn more by contacting votePA.us or the national organizations VotersUnite.org, VerifiedVoting.org or VoteTrust-USA.org, all of which are nonpartisan and dedicated to accurate, accessible voting.

Kudos to the Allegheny County Board of Elections and County Council for sponsoring these public events and to everyone who turned out to support secure, accurate, recountable and accessible elections for all!

MARYBETH KUZNIK
Executive Director
VotePA
Penn Township