For success Downtown, we must fix the Hill first

A look at the Hill District will reveal a major source of the problems of Downtown's Fifth-Forbes-Wood area. A search through the Hill will discover none or few supermarkets, pharmacies, newsstands, fast-food restaurants or other needed amenities so common elsewhere.

The logical and reasonable alternative for the residents is to go to the Downtown area that is so troubled. Those who do go are mainly of the below-poverty-line population, often on food stamps, welfare and unemployment benefits.

That is not the portion of our population that shops at better or moderate-priced shops. Facing stiff real estate taxes, the shops close. So, we are left with the Fifth-Forbes area being used as a low-income social gathering area.

Till we "fix" the Hill, we will not be able to rescue and upgrade the Downtown problem area.

JAMES FISHER
Squirrel Hill

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Glad he's going

I am delighted that Bishop Donald Wuerl of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh has been appointed archbishop of Washington, D.C. ("Wuerl Leaving for Washington," May 17). Unfortunately, it is 15 years too late.

When he rides off into the sunset from here, I hope he looks into his rearview mirror at the path of destruction he has left behind -- the padlocked churches, the closed parish schools, the disgruntled Catholic adults and the displaced Catholic schoolchildren.

Good luck, Washington. He's all yours.

CAROLYN FLAVIN
Brookline

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For our health

Last week's primaries gave us a preview of the upcoming races leading to the November elections. One of the most important races is the senatorial battle between incumbent Rick Santorum and challenger Robert Casey.

When deciding for whom you will pull the lever (or touch the screen), consider the vote held earlier this month on the Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization Act (S. 1955).

Had this bill passed, it would have eliminated key health-care protections including cancer screenings and treatments, child immunizations, maternity care, emergency services, mental health care and diabetes supplies and education.

This controversial bill was strongly opposed by both the American Cancer Society and the American Diabetes Association along with the attorneys general in 39 states. The bill's aim was to reduce cost, but thankfully, the Senate realized that reducing cost in this case would have left many without coverage for key things. The bill also would have inevitably raised insurance premiums for many because state restrictions on premiums would have been lifted.

Insurance companies would have been free to charge unaffordable amounts based on whatever criteria they wanted -- age, gender, location, etc.

My point is that Sen. Rick Santorum voted for this bill. I have an aunt who has been battling cancer. She requires a scope test every three months to check for recurrence. I am ecstatic for her sake that the shortsightedness of senators like Mr. Santorum has been overruled.

ERIN BYRNE
Castle Shannon

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Language update

It is a hopeful sign that intelligent reasoning is still possible in the United States regarding evolution, intelligent design, not-so-intelligent design and the integrity of scientific inquiry.

I thank you for your May 20 editorial concerning new discoveries about the human species ("Monkey Business: Science Blurs the Lines Again on Man and Beast").

Now, if the editors of the Post-Gazette can move their language into the 21st century by the use of inclusive language, we would all be the better for it. For example, in the last sentence, which completes itself, "... the whole measure of a man" to read more honestly, "... the whole measure of a human," they would join hundreds of writers, editors, teachers, grammarians and other wordsmiths who value precise writing.

The move has little to do with political correctness and a great deal to do with equality and the elusive virtues of being fair and just.

Again, thanks for your enlightened editorial.

FRED MOLECK
Highland Park

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Ethnic radio

Clarke Thomas is to be commended for his May 17 column, "Pittsburgh: Multicultural Before It Was Hip." It's indeed gratifying to be acknowledged as part of the cultural ethnic fabric that enhances the Greater Pittsburgh area.

But I wish he would have included in his column ethnic radio, which is such an integral part of the ethnic community. My Ukrainian radio program has been serving the Ukrainian community for more than 55 years on radio station WPIT every Sunday. There are other ethnic programs on WPIT and WEDO doing the same.

Ethnicity in Greater Pittsburgh is alive and active as evidenced by the annual Pittsburgh Folk Festival, which this year is celebrating its 50th (golden) anniversary.

MICHAEL KOMICHAK
Stowe

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A business resource

As a longtime subscriber to the Post-Gazette and as a professional librarian, I have been pleased with the coverage in your newspaper of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and its vast resources.

Many people who run businesses don't realize the valuable information available at the Downtown & Business location, 612 Smithfield St., right in the heart of Downtown.

One emphasis is small-business resources for people starting companies. The Business Department provides help in such areas as resources on starting a business, access to completed business plans and free access to business databases, such as Dun & Bradstreet. Users find the resources invaluable and the atmosphere inspiring.

I encourage fledgling entrepreneurs to remember Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and the power it brings to business in our region.

SUE O. MURDOCK
Manager
Downtown & Business
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Downtown

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Wealth and taxes

David Gray's May 15 letter ("Tax-Cut Sham") proves the theory that if you say something enough times it becomes true.

With the constant drumbeat of class envy promulgated by the Democrats and unions in this area for decades, it is not surprising that Mr. Gray believes that he is getting the short end of the tax relief. While his analysis of the numbers would indicate that the lower-paid Americans are getting less from a tax break, he conveniently misses one very important point.

They pay significantly fewer dollars in tax in the first place.

While he is quick to point out that the tax break benefits the much vilified top 1 percent of taxpayers, he ignores the fact that the top 3 percent of taxpayers in this country pay about 46.6 percent of the total federal tax burden. Those people should be planning a tea party in Boston.

So if Mr. Gray feels slighted that he gets only $110 in tax relief, I suggest someone show him the tax bill of some evil rich person and ask him if he would like to redistribute tax burden along with the wealth he feels he is somehow entitled to.

CONOR TOBIN
Upper St. Clair

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Keep them in jail

I demand that every state build a predator prison. Two warnings when caught, the third time life in one of these prisons. That's the only way to get rid of these maniacs. Protect our beautiful children.

FRANK MAZZOTTA
Verona

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Gen. Hayden can't be trusted as our nation's CIA director

In response to Jack Mennis' May 16 letter ("The PG Has Given No Good Reason to Oppose Hayden") regarding Gen. Michael Hayden's appointment to be director of the CIA, I can give two good reasons.

The first is that I watched "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" on May 15 and saw Gen. Hayden standing in front of a podium lying about the depth of the telephone surveillance, not once, but twice when he headed that program.

The second reason is that a wise man once said, "There can be no true freedom under the militarization of a nation." That man was Albert Einstein.

Gen. Hayden's appointment would be one more step in the loss of our freedom.

JOAN KOSINSKI
Baden

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