The facts show that Ford is not a fading company

Without question, Ford Motor Co. is working its way through one of the most difficult times in its history. There have never been more competitors trying to slice up the American market; the cost of steel, fuel and health care has never been higher; and some of our vehicles have not been as competitive as they should have been. But Ford is fighting back, and we're doing it from strong positions in many segments of the market, both nationally and in Pittsburgh -- facts overlooked by Don Hammonds in his June 15 article "Ford's Fading Future."

For example, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury car sales are up 8 percent through May, and our share of the market is up from a year ago on the strength of hits like the Ford Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr and Ford Mustang. This is significant! These increases are coming from segments where foreign manufacturers have strong products and reputations. If we can do it here, we can do it anywhere.

In the full-size pickup truck business, Ford F-Series has been the leader for 29 going on 30 years. Even though sales have slowed recently because of high gas prices, our share of the market is growing at the expense of Toyota, GM and Nissan. In fact, here in Pittsburgh, F-Series outsells the GMC Sierra, Dodge Ram and Toyota Tundra combined.

In the fast-growing crossover market -- these are SUVs built from fuel-efficient car architectures -- Ford is strong too. The Ford Escape is the market leader nationally and here in Pittsburgh, outselling the likes of Jeep Liberty and Chevrolet Equinox. Our Ford Freestyle can carry up to seven passengers and still deliver 500 miles of driving on a tank of gas. And the Ford Edge, coming this fall, is bold, sporty and will launch with some of the most advanced safety features available.

We know there will be pundits who write the American auto industry has only itself to blame for its troubles, and we know that comebacks are never easy, but on behalf of the 3,600 individuals and their family members who depend on Ford Motor Co. and Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers for employment in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, we guarantee we have the will to fight and win. The facts about Ford hardly point to a fading company, and we will restore our North American automotive business to profitability no later than 2008 -- as promised.

JOHN SCHULDT
Ford Motor Co.
Pittsburgh Regional Sales Manager
Upper St. Clair
GEORGE BENSON
Chairman
Lincoln Mercury Dealer Advertising Association
Whitehall
DAN BIONDI
Chairman
Ford Dealer Advertising Association
Monroeville

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Helmet laws work

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's motorcycle accident has put a spotlight on the suffering caused by vehicle crashes. The predictable and preventable injuries he sustained caused pain for him and his family and anguish for the entire Steeler Nation.

Statistics prove the benefits of helmet use. States enacting helmet laws have seen a drop in both hospitalizations for brain injury and medical costs for motorcycle crash victims. The opposite has occurred in states like ours that have repealed their helmet laws. In a contest between an unprotected head and asphalt, your brain loses.

I have heard the argument that Pennsylvania's helmet law trampled individual rights. What price are we willing to pay for such freedom? When we drive on Pennsylvania roads we must be licensed. We must be sober. We must wear our seat belts and buckle up our children. Should we repeal those laws, too? Isn't it ironic that Ben Roethlisberger wears a helmet to play football but can legally ride his motorcycle bareheaded at speeds up to 65 mph? Operating a motor vehicle is a licensed privilege, not a right.

Because Pennsylvania does not require motorcyclists to have medical coverage, taxpayers pick up almost 40 percent of the astronomical cost of caring for these injured riders directly through Medicaid and indirectly through increased health insurance premiums. The motorcyclist's "choice" becomes the family's and taxpayers' problem.

Pennsylvania's emergency physicians strongly advocate that Pennsylvania's mandatory motorcycle helmet law be re-enacted and will work to see that happen.

MICHAEL A. TURTURRO, M.D.
Secretary
Pennsylvania Chapter
American College of Emergency Physicians
Mt. Lebanon

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Ben's assurances

I was tickled pink when I read Ben Roethlisberger's apology, as it takes a big man to eat humble pie ("Out of the Hospital, a Mending Roethlisberger Tells His Teammates, Steeler Fans: 'I Am Fortunate ... I Am Sorry' "). We can now rest assured that the next time he stops our hearts, it will be on the football field only.

ALLYSON DeLONG
Monroeville

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Smoking hazards

In response to Natasha Wasson's June 15 letter ("Pennsylvania Can't Afford a Ban on Smoking"): My viewpoint, and I am a nonsmoker, is smoking indoors (anywhere indoors) infringes on nonsmokers and their health. The secondhand smoke in bars/restaurants triggers my asthma symptoms -- sitting in the nonsmoking section doesn't offer any relief, because the smoke permeates the entire building. As a result, I have to make the conscious decision to go out that evening, suffer and end up using my inhaler, or just stay home.

Would I consider visiting that bar just because it was all of a sudden smoke-free? Absolutely, and I'm betting there are many others who would do the same.

Ms. Wasson mentions smokers outside a bar with their cigarette butts covering the sidewalk because they can't smoke inside. She makes a perfect point -- smokers as a rule are inconsiderate and discourteous and probably would litter all over the sidewalk, even though I'm sure the establishment would have the foresight to provide stand-alone ashtrays.

The bottom line is, just because you choose to smoke doesn't mean I do. If you want to smoke, have the courtesy to go outside.

RENEE A. PAWLIK
Greensburg

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Loving, stable adults

Passage of the Marriage Protection Amendment in the state House disheartens me ("Pa. House Passes Gay Marriage Ban," June 7). Not only is this legislation incapable of protecting family life, it appears to be grounded in discrimination and fear.

I am 70 years old, a retired teacher and one who has lived a celibate life for 50 years in a Catholic religious order, so I do not claim to be any authority on marriage. I do know something about families, though. I grew up in one, and over the course of a lifetime have taught hundreds of children and young people and interacted with their families.

The well-being of children and young people is threatened by a family context of violence and dissension, by parental alcohol and drug abuse, by narcissistic behavior in adults, by parental neglect or lack of interest in their activities. I've seen young people, both rich and poor, raised by loving and devoted parents, grandparents, stepparents, foster parents, gay parents, single parents and adoptive parents who thrive and grow into mature adulthood because of loving and stable homes. And I've seen youths raised by adults who, through their own limitations, handicap children psychologically and morally for life.

The formula isn't as simple as "a man and a woman." Building family depends on good, loving, generous, mature, self-giving and stable adults who are able and willing to parent. God makes those in a variety of patterns. Let's call upon society to lend support to all of the good people who give of themselves to build a loving and stable home life in parenting children and young people.

SISTER PATRICIA McCANN
Oakland

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Onorato's plan isn't the problem; school boards and teacher groups are

You are myopic to condemn Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato's 2002 base year property assessment plan ("Gross Assessment: A Lawsuit Exposes Onorato's Unfair Program," June 16 editorial). He is the only "leader" in the state to do anything meaningful about what had for decades been an arbitrary and confiscatory property taxation assessment scheme. "Fairness" is in the eye of the beholder.

The underlying problem in Pennsylvania is the nearly unchecked taxation power of hundreds of school boards and the political clout of the powerful teachers unions and lobby.

While the new state legislation attempts a minuscule step in the right direction by somewhat limiting tax increases, the exceptions eviscerate the rule. Meaningful reform would include: referenda on new school construction, major renovations and increases over inflation; consolidation of school districts to reduce overhead; prohibiting teacher strikes; and meaningful reform of public employee pay and benefits. Unfortunately, our state legislators have once again not listened to the voters.

Instead of complaining, why don't you do some meaningful reporting on what other states do to fund schools and how other states have effective "countywide" school boards? Believe it or not, there are programs that have proved to be effective elsewhere.

RICHARD MORGAN
Moon

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