These outrageous killings happened in our good name

It was appalling to read the details of the brutal slaying of 24 Iraqi men, women and children, some as young as 1 year old, in Haditha, Iraq, by U.S. Marines ("Iraqi Witnesses Recount Marine Killings of 24 Haditha Civilians," May 27).

Even more alarming is the failure of the U.S. military to immediately address and penalize those who committed the Nov. 19, 2005, crime, being forced to take legal actions in March 2006, only after Time magazine presented details of its own investigation. Compensation payments made to families of the victims raises suspicion that Marine officers up the chain of command had knowledge about the details of the events.

The incident ranks as the worst case of deliberate killing of Iraqi civilians by U.S. service members since the war began.

What's to be said about a power that invades another country under the pretense of saving civilians from a brutal dictator but then uses its own style of killing and torture? What's to be said of a power that disregards international law? People in this country should be ashamed and outraged about what's happening in our name in Iraq.

FRANCINE PORTER
Shaler

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Another silly bill

I see that one of our esteemed legislators is taking the lead to solve Pennsylvania's most important problems. Am I referring to property taxes, health care, education, infrastructure? Heavens no. This is really important, more important than the doo-wop bill.

We must pass a bill to protect our state's paintball players ("Lawmaker Airs Paintball Safety Bill," May 23). Look, if people playing paintball don't know to use the proper protection or if parents are stupid enough to let young children play this "sport," I call that natural selection. Is this what our overpaid legislators are elected to do? I don't think so.

This is not an issue for government. This is just another example of the gross incompetence of our elected officials and the people who continue to keep them in office.

JEFFREY L. WIGTON
Edgeworth

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Invaluable assets

Many thanks to the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and the Post-Gazette for sharing the recent Library Impact Survey results with Allegheny County residents ("Carnegie Library Attracts Youths in Droves," April 28; "Sizzling Chapter: A New Study Shows the Impact of Carnegie Library," May 17 editorial). It verified what our local library practitioners have always known: Libraries are a good investment. In our recent presentation to the Regional Asset District Board, our information noted that in 2005:

Libraries answered 664,005 reference interviews.

Logged 1,133,636 computer logins.

Placed 1,133,967 holds for materials for library patrons.

Conducted 14,904 programs for residents of all ages.

There were 4,163,259 library visits in 2004 or the equivalent of 1,471 sold-out performances at Heinz Hall or 223 sold-out performances at Mellon Arena.

All of this occurred despite claims of the ascendancy of the Internet over libraries. With summer quickly approaching, our libraries will be preparing for their summer reading programs. These programs help keep students enthused about reading and prepped for their return to school. Not only are our libraries an asset, they are invaluable to keeping our communities literate.

JANET LOCKHART
Secretary
Allegheny County Library Association
West End

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Priesthood changes

As a lifelong, practicing Catholic, with 16 years of religious education, I hope our next bishop is not a staunchly conservative, priggish prelate whose main qualifications for the post are a sonorous voice, Cheshire cat smile and svelte figure. The devastating problems in the American Catholic Church will not be ameliorated by adult religious re-education, as one high-ranking Pittsburgh clerical pundit recently suggested in the Post-Gazette.

I am becoming increasingly uncomfortable belonging to an organization that outsiders view as chauvinistic, to the point of misogyny. Women are the backbone of our church. They are the majority of Mass attendees and, in most Catholic families, ensure that the children attend religious services and CCD classes. If pious Catholic women become disenfranchised, the church will not survive in this country.

It is imperative that new bishops foment the issues of female ordination and marriage for clergy. If these changes are ever implemented, the dwindling ordination rate will explode and the almost " unmentionable" abuses by the clergy will cease.

Maybe I am naive believing the soul is genderless and so should be the priesthood?

ROBERT BILLER
Fombell

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Cell-phone lots

It would be wonderful to park somewhere in the vicinity of the airport for a short time so that you could pick up an airline passenger when they call.

The Fort Myers and West Palm Beach airports in Florida both have such "cell-phone lots" where you can wait. Why can't we have a similar facility at the Pittsburgh International Airport? It would eliminate a lot of drive-through traffic and aggravation.

JOAN MARKOVICH
Mt. Lebanon

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Illegals do take jobs

Good news: Our president plans military assistance for border patrol workers. Let's back him up. President Bush's plan to use military forces to help our border patrol down South makes me jump for joy.

Americans on welfare, food stamps and benefits for the homeless can fill the jobs snatched away by illegal immigrants who have swarmed across our borders since former President Johnson messed up our immigration quotas.

I can speak straight from the horse's mouth. Back in early 1990s, I lived in a shelter for homeless women in New York City. I registered with agencies who receive calls for domestic live-ins. Neither I nor many other American citizens obtained employment through these agencies. The jobs went to immigrants from other countries. Is this fair?

That's why I support the lobbying groups that faithfully petition our federal officials for immigration control.

KATHLEEN McKESSON
Washington, Pa.

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