Jeb Bush protesters can hold their heads high

I am writing in response to Robert Getz and Mildred Pfeifer's Oct. 14 Web letters ("Embarrassing Incivility" and "Horrible Rudeness," respectively) regarding Gov. Jeb Bush's unwelcome entry into Pittsburgh.

Mr. Getz seems to indicate that those protesting Mr. Bush are "bums," "zeros" and "losers" and that people using their civil rights are something Pittsburgh should be embarrassed about. Let's face it: Mr. Bush is a controversial figure who was in town to raise money for another controversial figure, Sen. Rick Santorum; did we expect him to be welcomed with open arms and candy? I am quite proud of those who were there not only to protest Gov. Bush but also to protest who he is supporting (Mr. Santorum) and what they both stand for.

Additionally, Mr. Getz says he wants America to "wake up and begin acting like a civilized nation once again," and Ms. Pfeifer echoes his appeal. Personally, I would rather be viewed as "uncivilized" and be free to exercise my rights as an American than be considered with the true "zeros" -- those who choose being "nice" and complacent over fighting for their rights and what is right.

And as for the apology Ms. Pfeifer asked for, perhaps the police should apologize for bringing out a canine unit and Tasers against, what has been described as, peaceful protesters. Or perhaps Gov. Bush should apologize for supporting a despicable candidate such as Mr. Santorum.

RICHARD A. MARMURA JR.
Oakland

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Proud of protest

I was one of the Jeb Bush protesters, along with my 10-year-old sons, and we are definitely not "knuckle-dragging thugs" ("Rude Treatment of Jeb Bush Was Embarrassing," Oct. 12 letters). In fact, most of the protesters were women and young adults.

This protest was not about Jeb Bush; it was about Rick Santorum. We were there expressing our views about our state's elected official. Jeb Bush did not come to visit our city; he came to do a fund-raiser for a political candidate. If he chooses to publicly endorse a candidate in our city, then we have the right to protest any political event that he attends. When did expressing your views, especially during election time, become a wrong thing to do?

Rick Santorum is no friend to working people. He has repeatedly voted against increasing the minimum wage, while voting to give himself a raise. He has voted for the Central American Free Trade Agreement, or CAFTA, which has lost Pennsylvania 181,000 good manufacturing jobs since 2001. He had the nerve to vote for the Iraq war and at the same time voted against an amendment to increase health-care funding for veterans. He has consistently voted with the rich over working men and women of this state more times than I can count.

So I am proud that my sons and I were able to participate in the democratic process by expressing our views about an elected politician. Silence is consent, and I definitely do not consent to what Rick Santorum and Jeb Bush are doing.

MARIA SOMMA
Westwood

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Santorum delivers

When standing in the voting booth this November, voters from this area must ask themselves one important question: Which candidate for U.S. Senate has the clout, the knowledge, the experience and the history with Western Pennsylvania so that our best interests are served? Let's look at the facts: Which candidate saved Veterans Affairs hospitals from closure? Rick Santorum. Which candidate saved the 911th Military Airlift Wing from closure? Mr. Santorum. Which candidate helped keep the Sony plant going? Mr. Santorum. Time and time again, as Ed Rendell has said, Rick Santorum has delivered for Pennsylvania. The recent debates have shown that even if you disagree with Mr. Santorum, he's extremely intelligent and knowledgeable on the issues, both foreign and domestic, and is looking out for us at every turn.

As I write this letter, the Dow just passed the 12,000 mark, as 6.6 million new jobs have been created in the past three years, thanks to the tax cuts that Sen. Santorum voted for and Bob Casey Jr. has said he will vote to roll back. Is that a "new direction" that people really want?

JAMES R. LANNIS
Squirrel Hill

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Devious possibilities

There has been much speculation as to whether the reduction in oil prices during the last few weeks has been manipulated so as to increase the chances for election of Republican candidates. There has been a letter to the editor in the PG, as well as numerous "experts" on TV and in the newspapers, stating that it is impossible for the president to do that.

It is true that the president himself cannot adjust oil prices. But the oil companies can, and those oil companies have enjoyed their highest profits ever during the present Bush-led, Republican-controlled administration. Therefore, the possibility does exist that those companies, wanting to see those profits maintained, have deliberately maneuvered oil prices to ensure the status quo.

The fact that President Bush was, himself, formerly employed in the oil industry and still has connections there must also be considered.

Oh, and on another matter, this time concerning our high-tech electronic voting machines: What would happen if electric power were to fail on Election Day? Worse yet, what if it were to selectively fail, in crucial voting districts?

PAUL A. ALTER
Wilkinsburg

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Hillary Clinton could provide the housecleaning this nation needs

I am writing to wholeheartedly disagree with Andrea L. Sciulli ("Hillary Clinton Will Help the GOP If She Runs for President," Oct. 8 letters).

She describes Sen. Clinton as fair, educated and strong and as having a cool head. She then goes on to say the United States is not ready for a female president.

Ms. Sciulli, there have always been those who say this isn't the right time for the different social reforms our nation has gone through in our more than 200 years of democracy. Lucky for us, strong leaders have stood up when the need was great.

Our country needs a good housecleaning, and who better to do that than a fair, educated, strong, cool-headed woman?

Ms. Sciulli, if not now, when?

ESTHER I. MILLER
Crafton Heights

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The North Shore Connector will be a wound that won't heal

Will the North Shore Connector be an asset or a liability?

The highly publicized debates, Port Authority director Jim Dodaro's caution on the money problems ahead and the most recent plan to reduce the cost of the proposed Gateway Station (what features will be compromised?) must have many taxpayers confused about the merits of the North Shore Connector.

The only rationale for the "under the river" decision seems to be "available" funding, which the region will lose if it does not charge ahead. What surprises me is that no one has discussed this subject with regard to the aesthetics of the city and how this connector could provide an enhancement.

The various renaissances of Pittsburgh have resulted in a remarkable urban center that continues to wow first-time visitors as they burst through the Fort Pitt tunnels. Wouldn't it be great to have a new vantage point from which to see the Golden Triangle, the ballparks, the convention center and the newly launched riverfront development of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust that promises to be "world class" while crossing over the river?

Many cities have transportation systems with roadways above and below ground. My experience tells me there is no question that the above-ground sections are most enjoyable and the below ones are boring.

Can you imagine going under the River Seine to visit Notre Dame in Paris? Or getting to Frank Gehry's Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao by a tunnel rather than by crossing over the elegant Santiago Calatrava bridge? Should we compromise our environmental opportunities simply because money is available for what many of us consider an ill-conceived project?

Twenty years from now, we will have forgotten the debates, the initial cost, the compromised design features, cost overruns, time delays, traffic disruptions and the many headaches. What we will own is a wound that will not heal. Boston's "Big Dig" gives a clue of what the problems can be.

I predict that the maintenance and security issues of our "little dig" will challenge Pittsburgh forever.

SYLVESTER DAMIANOS
Damianosgroup PC
Edgewood

The writer is a former national president of the American Institute of Architects.

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We receive more letters than we can fit into the limited space on the editorial page, so we'd like to share some additional letters with our Post-Gazette Web site readers.

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Florida on the downslide

Regarding the Oct. 16 letter "A Good Governor" by Sharon Turk of Largo, Fla.: I live in the next town over from Largo and got a chuckle out of Ms. Turk's letter.

Since being transferred here from Pittsburgh in 1994, and especially from 2000 on, when Jeb Bush took office, the quality of life has gone way down. Home prices are out of reach for police, teachers, firefighters and all of the other middle-class workers needed to run this state. Developers, the insurance industry and the phone companies write their own legislation.

Insurance costs for people lucky enough to own a home have almost tripled under Jeb Bush. Sure, he makes an appearance when there is a hurricane, and then he never comes back. Blue tarps from 2004 are everywhere. People are being forced to move out of here instead of retiring here.

Jeb Bush has done nothing for the state of Florida for the last six years except tear it down and put up McMansions for the rich. I am also a Republican but will not be voting that way come November.

GARY RYAN
Seminole, Fla.

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A shameful situation in Iraq

Beyond shameful is the only way to describe the attitudes of U.S. military commanders and certain members of Congress regarding Iraq.

Iraq is a killing zone, yet our commanders continue sending troops on meaningless patrols while we wait and hope for the Iraqi government to take control. We're doing all we can militarily, but the carnage continues because we don't control the battlefield.

Under similar circumstances in a small-scale firefight any junior lieutenant knows to withdraw his troops to live and fight another day, and knows he would be subject to court martial if he continued taking meaningless casualties. The same criteria must apply to our generals -- they need to put the lives of our troops ahead of blind obedience to the misguided, politically motivated, maniacal ambitions of George W. Bush.

Add other major issues such as the significant increase in Iraqi casualties, the recent report that total Iraqi deaths may be close to 600,000, the internal relocation of Iraqis from previously integrated neighborhoods and the recent discussion regarding possible partition of the country, and it is clear the overall situation is disastrous and in the end will not produce the free, stable, democratic state that was promised.

Yet there is not one word even acknowledging these truths on the Web sites of Tim Murphy, Rick Santorum or Arlen Specter, nor do they offer honest discussion. These men, with the power to change the course and save the lives of our troops, instead choose silence. As I said -- beyond shameful.

BRIAN RAMPOLLA
Whitehall

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Truth frees us

The truth will set us free. So, the truth within us makes freedom free. Free to any who admits the truth.

Unfortunately many in the GOP (Global Oil Protection party) don't seem capable of telling the truth. How are they going to make Iraq free?

It's not emotions and feelings (patriotism, etc.) that will make us free. It's not even my aversion for the GOP that will make me free. Above all, propaganda will not make us free.

It's truth that will make us free. It will, as a fringe benefit, probably make our feelings more palatable in the process, as we pull away the curtain from the real truth.

ROBERT SVITEK
Harmarville

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One person's impact regarding life's worth

A big "thank you" to the Post-Gazette and Mark Roth for the excellent article about Alison Lapper's statue in Trafalgar Square ("The Story Behind the Statue: In Trafalgar Square, Sculpture Pays Tribute to Woman Born With No Arms," Oct. 8).

Ms. Lapper provides a remarkable testimony of the precious value of every human being. Large or small, disabled or not: The impact that one person can have, inspiring millions around the world, is priceless. Whether she intended it or not, Alison Lapper bears a remarkable and hopeful witness to all people with disabilities and their families.

In this day and age, when people are being euthanized for being disabled, as in the case of Terri Schiavo, and when millions of babies around the world are being abandoned or aborted for the same reason, Alison Lapper provides the world with a much-needed reminder that each and every one of us is precious. We all have worth, and we deserve a chance at life. It is our most fundamental right.

BRYCE C. McMINN
Mt. Lebanon

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Judge not

Can letter writer Gail Bouvy really be that naive to think that "you should have to use some kind of device to get around or use oxygen" to qualify for handicapped parking ("Handicapped Parking Spaces Are for People Like Me. (Care to Trade Places?)," Oct. 9)?

So I guess the friend of my mother who has had three open-heart surgeries and is receiving a disability pension because she cannot perform the duties of her job isn't qualified in Ms. Bouvy's eyes to have "earned" a handicapped placard. I bet my mother's friend would trade places with Ms. Bouvy just to have the energy to complain the way Ms. Bouvy did in her letter.

HELEN CALDWELL
Cranberry

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