The GOP has no new ideas, so it turns to scare tactics

There are many serious issues facing our nation: the war in Iraq, Iran, immigration, gas prices, the deficit, rebuilding New Orleans, environmental issues. It is unbelievable that the only trump card the Republicans have is to try to scare people into believing that gay unions will somehow destroy the institution of marriage. Are gays responsible for the 50 percent marriage failure rate? Absolutely not. Republicans trotted out this same idea in 2004 along with the lies they told about John Kerry. What a disgrace.

We are bogged down in an immoral war that is destroying thousands of Americans and Iraqis. The Republicans have no solutions or new ideas except tax breaks for the wealthy and scaring people who they hope will vote for them in November.

And while I am on my soapbox, why are our religious leaders not speaking out against this unjust war that is destroying so many lives and wasting billions of our tax dollars? What are these people thinking? Aren't they supposed to be moral leaders? I would like to hear from some of them.

KATHY BRENNAN
Squirrel Hill

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Not their business

Shame on the Pennsylvania Legislature and President Bush for wasting our time and money on an issue that is none of their business ("Pa. House Passes Gay Marriage Ban," June 7; "Bush Tells Senate to Ban Gay Marriage," June 6).

No one has ever proved that marriage between same-sex couples hurts or discourages traditional marriage. If marriage between a man and a woman is in trouble, it is not because of same-sex marriages.

They should be solving real problems that legislatures can deal with, such as health-care costs and coverage and our crumbling infrastructure.

AMY KELLMAN
Oakland

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For sanctity's sake

The president's fervor to amend the Constitution to ban gay marriage isn't quite right. I believe any two consenting adults, whether the same sex or opposite sex, should be permitted to marry.

What is needed is an amendment banning divorce. Of course, the homicide, abuse, adultery and suicide rates will skyrocket, but you can't have everything. Most important, the "sanctity" of marriage will be preserved.

GERRY WALKOWSKI
Brookline

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A party astray

Gov. Ed Rendell and the Democratic Party have lost sight of what unions and Christian workers want from the party.

The Democratic Party was built by union people to have a say in our government, not to back gays or immigration. Our country was built on Christian values, not two people of the same sex being together. It's time maybe the Democratic Party listens to all its members instead of a few, because anyone backing gay marriages will not receive my vote, and I know other Christians feel the same way.

Union members are the backbone of this party, but you never hear one politician sticking up for unions. And any nonunion person who thinks you don't need unions better not ask for sick days, vacations, retirement packages and health care. It was unions that helped give everyone a chance to receive these things. What have nonunion workers helped provide us with?

Oh, isn't it wonderful how we have to make English our national language? Sad what our country has come to.

GEORGE HUNT
West Mifflin

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Faithful to his calling

I take great exception to Robert Biller's June 3 letter "Priesthood Changes" concerning Bishop Donald Wuerl and the Catholic Church. Mr. Biller describes the bishop as "staunchly conservative." He confuses conservatism with the bishop's faithfulness to his calling.

Mr. Biller belittles the bishop. He fails to recognize how the bishop spent himself in tremendous service to the Pittsburgh Diocese and the city. The church teaches that the bishops have by divine institution taken the place of the apostles as pastors of the church.

Mr. Biller calls the church "an organization" that he is "becoming increasingly uncomfortable belonging to." However, the church is so much more as "the visible plan of God's love for humanity" (Catechism of the Catholic Church 776). It is the source of grace and salvation, the holy priesthood, the Mass, the Eucharist and so much more!

He thinks the Catholic Church should have women priests. As explained by Pope John Paul II, the priesthood is divinely restricted to men. It is not an option that the church is free to change.

He thinks the church needs married clergy. There are many beautiful reasons why the Roman Catholic Church has the tradition of priestly celibacy. We, as faithful Catholics, follow the direction given by the magisterium. We Catholics are blessed to have this leadership because we are not blown about by every whim and fancy of each new modern age.

Regardless of the number of years we received Catholic education, we need to continually deepen our knowledge of the truths of our Catholic faith. The reading of the catechism is a good place to start.

CHUCK LAVEZOLI
Upper St. Clair

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A crazy merge

Every morning I take the West End Circle from my North Side home to my office on the South Side. I merge across two lanes of rush-hour traffic into the Downtown lane on the far right to get to East Carson Street.

Anyone who has experienced this merge knows it is confusing and unsafe. I have taken to calling it the West End Circle of Death. I see fender benders weekly. No surprise -- there are more arrows than were at the Battle of Little Big Horn, yet the lanes aren't clearly defined or lined up.

That only a few yards are given to drivers to merge across two lanes of extremely heavy traffic from 51S increases the danger of this merge. There are only two ways this merge can be made: 1) wait for the three seconds between the lights and shoot across, or 2) wait for oncoming traffic to allow drivers through.

Similar merges, such as the merge from 51N onto West Liberty Avenue have lights at the intersection -- so why not the West End Circle? Drivers going Downtown need more than a yield sign.

Delaying the lights from the major roads for a few seconds would make traffic safer for drivers who make this merge.

Commuters who take the West End Circle could be mindful of this crazy merge and slow down.

KRISTEN HAAS
Allegheny West

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