This administration vilifies those who seek change

The results have barely been certified in Connecticut and already the Bush administration has launched an attack on the Democratic Party and our nominee for senator in Connecticut, Ned Lamont.

Vice President Dick Cheney, Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman and White House Press Secretary Tony Snow have already begun criticizing and attacking Connecticut Democrats for their choice, stating that, inter alia, this sends the wrong message to al-Qaida and that the Democratic Party wants to retreat.

This is a weak attempt to mislead and draw attention away from the failures of this administration both at home and abroad.

Sen. Joseph Lieberman lost to Ned Lamont because he is too close to this failed administration. That is the clear and unequivocal message the nation has received from the Connecticut primary. If the Democrats will make such a remarkable and historic change with one of their own, Republicans can expect more extreme results and losses this November.

One should also query this administration's preoccupation with taking political potshots when it should be focusing on the war on terror, domestic security, rising gas prices, the Middle East conflict and the struggling economy.

What administration officials have done with their continuous politicizing of the war is to simply out themselves as nothing more than nickel-and-dime political operatives who are playing politics from the White House while the nation and world suffer.

JIM BURN
Chair
Allegheny County Democratic Party
North Side

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Scare tactics, again

It looks like Republicans are going to play the "fear card" for the third election in a row.

Vice President Cheney, Ken Mehlman and Tony Snow have all accused Connecticut voters of supporting al-Qaida with their votes for Ned Lamont. This might be the most desperate act in political history.

A recent CNN/USA Today poll (Aug. 9) showed that 60 percent of all Americans now believe that the Iraq war was a mistake. According to the Cheney logic, I guess 60 percent of all Americans support al-Qaida too.

Of course that is absurd. But when you have an approval rating in the 30s, you will say ridiculous things.

I hope when Americans go to the polls this November, they think of Iraq, Katrina, gas prices, health care and education. Don't let the GOP (Grand Oil Party) scare you again in 2006.

DAVID GRAY
Penn Hills

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Sheer lunacy

It didn't take long for Dick (last throes) Cheney to tie in Joe Lieberman's defeat to a win for the terrorists. I hope the American people don't fall for his lunatic rantings.

Rick Santorum has also become an expert on terrorism. With two like them, I am moving to Siberia.

SELMA FLEISHMAN
Squirrel Hill

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Amusing support

Ruth Ann Dailey's Aug. 14 column ("Lieberman Deserved Better From Party") was quite amusing.

I can't believe how many conservatives are jumping on the Lieberman bandwagon. Did they give him as many plaudits before his defeat?

Ms. Dailey's most amusing comment, however, was "pro-lifers who would support more liberal economic policies than Republican administrations pursue, were chased from the Democrats' tiny tent a long time ago."

Ms. Dailey, did you ever hear of Bob Casey, Democrat running for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania?

KEN BURKLEY
Greensburg

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War fabrications

In the Aug. 11 article "Santorum Accuses Dems of Politicizing Terror War," Sen. Rick Santorum made a statement that made me wince. He stated, "Our men and women are out there fighting and they're fighting not because some, quote, politician, decided to go to war. They're fighting because we were attacked."

The war in Iraq really had nothing to do with terrorism or 9/11. It was a fabricated war by the Bush administration. Does Sen. Santorum have a bad memory? Is he forgetting there was never a link made between Saddam Hussein and al-Qaida or weapons of mass destruction?

Our interference in that country brought about al-Qaida's infiltration into Iraq. The war has made Iraq a mess, and there will never be a successful democracy there.

So what have we done for Iraq? We have the people of that country living in fear on a daily basis. We have lost and maimed thousands of our soldiers, and there was still never any true justification for this war.

Mr. Santorum should be more careful of what he says. Oh wait, I forgot, it is an election year and he is running behind his opponent and could very well be left out in the cold in November.

It is that time of year when politicians will say anything to get elected. I won't forget how we got to Iraq, and I won't forget that Sen. Santorum voted for the war.

MICHELE JANOSKO
Robinson

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Ban carry-ons

Anyone who has ever flown has seen the delays and rage directly attributable to carry-on luggage. Simple math ... one carry-on bag per passenger allowed, overhead storage space for one carry-on bag for every two passengers available.

Such a simple solution to improve air travel comfort and timeliness -- ban carry-on luggage. (Helpful tip: When you arrive at your destination, duck into one of the thousand airport bars, down a beer, proceed to baggage claim and your luggage will be waiting for you.)

If the airline industry finally bans carry-on baggage as a response to terrorism, do I have the irrational to thank for such an obvious improvement to flying that the rational couldn't come up with?

K.V. MORIMANT
Trafford

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Not good homes

Dogfighting is a sadistic contest. Often pets are stolen or obtained through "free to a good home" ads.

Dogs used for fighting have been bred to be aggressive toward other animals, even people. Owners train their dogs to fight by using smaller animals, like cats, rabbits or small dogs as bait.

Please, never give your animal away "free to a good home."

MILDRED E. RALCEWICZ
Millvale

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Those who enjoy remote areas must learn to coexist with wildlife

Your Aug. 14 article discussing bear-human conflicts ("Black Bear Sightings in Pennsylvania Becoming More Frequent") is commendable. It is time that we begin to realize that human population expansion into remote areas can and will lead to increased wildlife conflict.

As noted in the article, the focus must be shifted from the perception that bears are the intruders to one of tolerance and willingness to coexist with these and other wild animals.

If people want to enjoy the beauty and seclusion of rustic living, they must be willing to take precautions to reduce wildlife conflict and modify their behavior when encounters do occur.

A strong public education program, in conjunction with communitywide ordinances to control wildlife feeding and garbage storage, are the best ways to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts.

LAUREN NOLFO-CLEMENTS
The Humane Society of the United States
Gaithersburg, Md.

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A human problem

In regard to the Aug. 14 article "Black Bear Sightings in Pennsylvania Becoming More Frequent": A black bear entered my home a few months ago while I was in my bedroom, on the computer, unaware.

My story made Channel 2's news. I would like to applaud Joe Stefko, wildlife education supervisor for the Pennsylvania Game Commission, for helping us understand wildlife and living with wildlife.

It was my desire to buy a home in a rural section of Leechburg minus the neighbors and traffic, a decision I will never regret but certainly had a few nervous moments about. It is a shame that people like myself, enjoying the serenity of rural life, spot a raccoon or bear and their first thought is, "Let's kill it."

As Frank Maykuth, game commission deputy wildlife officer, stated in the article, "It's not a bear problem, it's a human problem." More education, less ignorance is what we need.

What else can we expect when we have to erect buildings on farmlands and forests, all giving way to housing plans and Wal-Marts. What did you expect?

SHARON McKNIGHT
Leechburg

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