Makeover of Point State Park erases vital history

Shame on those who have concluded that the Music Bastion of Fort Pitt must be filled in as part of the makeover of Point State Park ("Point State Park Makeover Starts with Utilities, Irrigation," Jan. 23). They have denigrated the historical significance of the Music Bastion (located in the area between the Hilton Hotel and the highway underpass) with erroneous remarks about its wrong location and imprecise reconstruction.

Are they not aware of the painstaking archeological excavations done in 1964-65 by James L. Swauger and Richard W. Lang of Carnegie Museum? As well as unearthing the foundation of the Music Bastion and several courses of the original brick facing, they also located the precise point of the bastion. This research is recorded in the report "Excavations at the Music Bastion of Fort Pitt, 1964-65," Article 2, Annals of Carnegie Museum, Volume 39.

Their work became the basis for the exacting reconstruction of the Music Bastion directed by Charles M. Stotz, architect for Point State Park, as summarized in his book "Outposts of the War for Empire," published by the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania in 1985 and again available for the observance of the 250th anniversary of the French and Indian War.

It is ironic that part of Pittsburgh's heritage will be buried during this anniversary, while public attention is being focused on the vital role Western Pennsylvania played in the war. An outline of the bastion in stone, as proposed, can in no way convey the immensity of Fort Pitt, the symbol of ultimate British control of the "Forks of the Ohio." We must preserve our past.

WILFRED T. ROULEAU
Edgewood

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Fair pay

Mark Roosevelt did not protest when he took the job of the Pittsburgh city schools' superintendent with an annual salary over $160,000. Nor did he protest when he hired others in management with similar salaries. Mark Roosevelt should do the job for which he is well paid and allow the teachers to do their job. They are the ones who teach the achievers and the many underachievers.

The fact-finder, Matthew Franckiewicz, knew what he was doing and did not try to milk the city ("Roosevelt Protests Fact-Finder Report on City Teacher Pay," Feb. 7). He knows that the system would not exist without the teachers. Most of the Pittsburgh Public Schools management staff came from the teacher ranks and they are well paid.

An Aug. 29, 2004, article by the Post-Gazette examined how some teachers earn a lot ("Paid to Teach, and More"). The article mentioned a teacher who also worked as a coach, earning over $96,000 for 2003-04 school year. Of course, the fact that he worked from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on four of his five work days per week was not highlighted. Teachers should not have to take on a lot of other duties to make a good salary. They have families and cannot afford to spend their whole waking day at school.

Mr. Franckiewicz, a neutral party, did his job. Now it's time for Mr. Roosevelt to do his job and show mutual respect for those teachers who help him keep his job.

The teachers are molding the people who are our future.

MERLA COVINGTON
Penn Hills

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About Betty Friedan

Congratulations to the Post-Gazette for publishing an extensive obituary on Betty Friedan ("Guru of Feminism, Betty Friedan, Dies at 85," Feb. 5), a writer, thinker and activist who had such a profound impact on dismantling obstacles to human progress. I was particularly pleased to note that the obituary (from the Los Angles Times) recognized her work, as Betty Goldstein, as a staff writer for the UE News, the official publication of the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America.

Betty Goldstein came to work for UE in the mid-1940s as the union worked to improve the conditions and gain basic rights for many thousands of women workers. Through her writing the young journalist helped advance the UE-led fight for women's equality.

Unfortunately, the obituary repeated the accusation that Betty Friedan was "fired" from her UE job when she applied for leave while pregnant with her second child. Such was not the case. Ms. Friedan's decision to mischaracterize her separation from UE has served to minimize and obscure the importance of a formative period in her career. And it detracts from the proud record of a union that took an early and strong stand on behalf of working women.

PETER GILMORE
Squirrel Hill

Editor's note: The writer joined the UE News staff in March 1977 and served as its managing editor until retiring in January 2006.

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Too close

I am appalled at the Post-Gazette's lack of emphasis on one of the key elements underlying Duquesne University's decision to oppose the Isle of Capri's plans to build a slots casino in the Uptown neighborhood.

The Feb. 3 article "Duquesne University Supports Arena, But Opposes Casino Near Its Campus" only briefly mentions that "Glenn Mahone, a Downtown attorney who is an investor in a competing casino project proposed by Forest City Enterprises and Harrah's Entertainment at Station Square, is a Duquesne board member. However, Mr. Mahone was not involved in the decision to oppose the Penguins' casino project, university spokeswoman Bridget Fare said."

Is anyone expected to be naive enough to believe that a board member with financial ties to Isle of Capri's main competitor in billion-dollar proposals had absolutely no influence over that decision?

I have contacted Nick Hays, director of communications for the state Gaming Control Board, and asked him to confirm that the board was not only aware of this glaring conflict of interest but that the board will weigh this information accordingly in their deliberations.

I would urge anyone else who feels strongly about fairness in government, as well as this region's future, to do the same.

RUSS SCHNEIDER
Squirrel Hill

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That Zionist line

In response to your Feb. 7 editorial "Cultural Schism: A Furor Over Cartoons Thwarts Mutual Tolerance": Please, enough with spinning every story to make Islam and Muslims look bad. Muslims are angry about the fact the West is so very eager and willing to demonize Islam and Muslims more than anything else.

And keep it in context -- Muslims also aren't too thrilled with the fact that thanks to a plethora of Zionist propaganda and manipulations, Western money, power and weaponry has been making many Arabs and Muslims homeless in addition to harassing, harming, wounding and killing Arabs and Muslims all through out the Middle East.

Enough constantly putting the cart before the horse in order to help Zionist hatemongers blame and bash Arabs and Muslims at every opportunity. There is very little mutual tolerance in our own willingness to help empower a Zionist campaign of hate under the guise of free speech.

Yes, I keep using the word "Zionist" -- it should be a dirty word -- and all forms of institutionalized bigotry and injustice should be firmly condemned, and Palestine should be freed from the Zionist militancy that is at the bottom of this whole Israeli-made "clash of civilizations."

ANNE SELDEN ANNAB
Mechanicsburg, Pa.

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Pay to play

Hey, Steeler Nation -- send money! If you are a nation, you should pay a national tax, right? I propose the Steeler Nation Tax. (You are exempt if you live in Allegheny County and you pay the added 1 percent sales tax).

Imagine Steeler Nation tax money coming in from Miami, Denver, Los Angeles, Cranberry Township and all of those far-flung pockets of Steelermania. Money from the Steeler Nation tax would retire the stadium bonds so that we can free up RAD money to continue to revitalize our great Pittsburgh area.

Seriously, it's not just the fans who support the Steelers. We should never forget the extra tax burden the citizens of Allegheny County shoulder every day toward providing the world-class facilities that help make the Steelers a great team. I have not heard them thanked in any of the recent speeches. They should be.

ERNIE SOTA
Shaler

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Got lactose intolerance? You might not know it

As senior nutrition scientist for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, I'd like to clarify why our organization is taking legal action to educate consumers about lactose intolerance ("Milking a Cause: Nature's First Beverage Needs No Warning Labels," Feb. 2 editorial).

Lactose-intolerant people may suffer severe stomach cramps, diarrhea and other painful or distressing gastrointestinal symptoms without ever knowing that milk is the culprit.

In fact, African Americans, Asians, Latinos and Native Americans have high rates of lactose intolerance -- up to 90 percent in some populations. However, because the condition often comes on gradually, doctors and patients are often slow to suspect its cause.

Consumers deserve to know that drinking milk can have side effects. And lactose-intolerant or not, anyone can get plenty of calcium and other nutrients from leafy greens, beans and fortified juices and soymilk. These foods are healthy alternatives to milk, which is high in cholesterol and saturated fat and has been linked to prostate and ovarian cancer. A warning label about lactose intolerance will certainly help people make a more informed choice about drinking milk.

AMY JOY LANOU, Ph.D.
Washington, D.C.