Tim Murphy has good ideas and has worked hard

Your endorsement of Chad Kluko for Congress (18th District) is both surprising and disappointing ("Kluko for Congress: Rep. Tim Murphy Offers Only More of the Same," Oct. 29).

By your own admission, Rep. Tim Murphy's remedies for health care are sensible. His proposals to reduce health-care acquired infections and increase the use of technology to improve safety are the first steps toward making health care more affordable and available for all.

Admittedly, he has thus far been relatively unsuccessful in persuading enough colleagues to convert his goals to reality. But work in Congress is painstaking, and considering his lofty ideals and well-recognized work ethic, it is critical to return an experienced Rep. Murphy to Congress to complete the task of making health care safer for the citizens of Western Pennsylvania.

G. ALAN YEASTED, M.D.
Mt. Lebanon

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He addresses needs

In response to the Oct. 29 editorial "Kluko for Congress," the Post-Gazette got it wrong on the needs of the people of the 18th Congressional District.

Tim Murphy has been a nonpartisan congressman when it comes to the needs of the local people. Not only has he assisted us with funding and community projects, but he also has been part of our community. From visiting our churches and festivals to attending our high school football games, Tim is a friend and an important asset to our community.

When we need him, he is always just one phone call away.

MAYOR MICHAEL CAFASSO
Jeannette

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Kudos to Murphy

Regarding the Oct. 29 editorial "Kluko for Congress": It's been my experience that Rep. Tim Murphy has never hesitated to render his support or assistance when officials from Monroeville have asked for his help. He secured funds for our new community park and supported the replacement of the Northern Pike Bridge (80 percent was paid for by the federal government). He is an advocate of our Streetscape initiative, attended Monroeville Growth Alliance meetings and has interacted with Monroeville residents through various forums.

His attention to Monroeville and its citizens is greatly appreciated.

DAVE KUCHERER
Ward 2 Councilman
Monroeville

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Nothing out of line

I don't know if the timing and placement of the Post-Gazette's story about accusations against U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy ("Congressman Facing Ethics Flap," Oct. 28) are examples of media advocacy jumping from the editorial page to the front page.

I do know that I have been in immediate and sometimes lengthy proximity to Rep. Murphy no less than 10 times over the last four years. These encounters ranged from relatively small gatherings at charity-related functions to much larger meetings, conferences and tours within his district. At least a few occurred within months or even weeks of an election.

At no time did I ever see or hear him say anything that was in any way campaign-related. In both personal discussions and in his formal comments, his remarks were presented solely in the context of an elected official doing all that he can to effectively represent his district.

VAUGHN GILBERT
Elizabeth Township

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Uhric deserved nod

It saddened me to see that the Post-Gazette did not endorse Ray Uhric, a truly admirable candidate for the state Legislature in the 44th District ("Mustio in the 44th," Oct. 23). This man has the intellect and unique passion needed by us in these complex and dangerous times. I believe the only reason you did not endorse him is because you did not know him.

Ray Uhric has done his homework on why this nation is in such serious turmoil and has clear visions about how to settle complex problems nagging this nation. Apparently, no one took the time to evaluate this man.

Unfortunately, due to the fact that he worked alone to win a write-in campaign in the primaries, he did not have the financial resources that incumbents have -- known as taxpayers' money -- to generously shower on their districts during the run-up to Election Day to get elected.

Ray Uhric is the kind of person this country is yearning for to lead us in a new and better direction. You missed the boat on this one.

MARY L. KIENTZ
Collier

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About my photo

I read your PG Voters Guide and had to smile! In the Oct. 30 issue, you used an old and outdated photograph of 26-year incumbent Tom Petrone. In the photo, Mr. Petrone looks 43 years old. Today he is almost 70.

The photo you used of me wasn't the one you asked of me. Instead the PG used a photo taken during an Oct. 12 interview between Mr. Petrone and myself.

The photo you chose has a story behind it. It is my look of disgust. Please explain to your readers why you chose this one ... I'd like to know.

While you try your best at explaining, please allow me to explain why I look disgusted: Tom Petrone was asked by your reporters if he returned the 2 a.m. pay raise. Mr. Petrone responded that he hadn't.

I became disgusted ... SNAPSHOT ... gotcha -- my photo was taken! As Paul Harvey would say: "Now you know the rest of the story!"

BILL OGDEN
Candidate
27th Legislative District
Crafton

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Despicable Kerry

The words, according to the news video, came directly from the mouth of John Kerry ("Kerry Offers Apology for 'Botched Joke,' " Nov. 2). Unless he is a ventriloquist's dummy, they were his words. This not-so-swift boat passenger owes a better apology to the active-duty military from the lowest-ranking private to the highest-ranking officers.

"I made a bad joke" does not cut it. The idea that he thought he could be commander in chief makes me want to throw up.

GEORGE BISKUP
Irwin

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Thanks for support

I would like to thank Ryan Staiger for his letter ("Support This Brew," Oct. 31). His letter says it all. We the workers at Pittsburgh Brewing hope everyone in the city read it.

We are in our 145th year and hope to be here for another 145 years. Again, thank you.

DAVID F. KELLY
President
Local 144B, IUE/CWA
South Park

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Fight real problems

Here's the hot news for Allegheny County Council in relation to its workplace anti-smoking measure: Up until about 25 years ago 75 percent of the adult population in the United States smoked. If there was one word of truth in any study concerning secondhand smoke, we'd all be dead. Pretty simple stuff.

By the way, they might have noticed there is a drug war going on in the county. That's real, and it is genuinely deadly. Got any plans for that? Got any thought on protecting that "vast, vast majority"?

You people weren't elected to tell the rest of us what to do. You were elected to take realistic action in response to real problems. If you find that too hard, then resign. In the meantime, mind your own damned business.

JAMES RETZER
Beechview

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The mysteries of navigating Pittsburgh

I recently returned from one of my frequent trips to Pittsburgh, where my boyfriend is pursuing a Ph.D. I always enjoy walking around your city, sampling restaurants and shops -- and, of course, learning to respect the Steelers. Pittsburgh residents are always friendly and helpful, and I usually leave with a smile.

But that's usually in spite of the fact that it's a remarkably impossible city to get around. I have yet to be able to find a full map of the bus system; the bus system may be extensive, but it's almost impossible to navigate unless you've been taking the same line your whole life.

My friendly suggestions: put up signs at every bus stop showing where the buses go and where to connect to other buses in the area, post the bus schedules at every stop as well as the number to call for directional help, and end the baffling and antiquated practice of changing when you pay for the bus and when you can use the back door.

I've traveled the world and have never seen such arbitrary rules, even in developing countries.

Finally, please dramatically improve the walking and bicycling experience; the current setup of the majority of your streets says, "People not in cars unwelcome here."

I look forward to many more trips to Pittsburgh and very much hope that it will become easier to explore more of your great city.

KIT HODGE
Chicago, Ill.

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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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The fear factor

In recent days in the print and electronic media I have read and heard some of the most astonishing statements in my life.

On Oct. 24 letter writer Robert L. Wingert ("Values to Support") took the Rev. Chris Stillman's Oct. 18 letter ("Sick of Partisan Preachers") to task for telling the truth about James Dobson and his ilk, who attempt to hold their particular followers together with a good old dose of fear ? hear me or suffer the fires of hell, but don't forget to mail your check before you go.

Mr. Wingert was right about one thing: James Dobson has been harping about the traditional family for a long time ? that being Adam and Eve. What a disaster that traditional family turned out to be. Coming right down to Noah, it got so bad that God had to flood the world to get rid of what He created. The biggest story here is that if you believe the Noah and the Ark story ? you should not be permitted to vote.

Second, play this on your right-wing harp: Rush Limbaugh called Michael J. Fox a shill for the Democrats. What would you call him? A once-drug-soaked shill for the Republicans ? two very sick people here. Mr. Fox's troubles are visible. Mr. Limbaugh's are self-imposed and mental.

Then we still have that 38 percent who think everything has just been jolly for the last six years ? they also should not be permitted a vote especially on the electronic machines. That 38 percent will go to 50 percent (see 2004 Ohio). The only things this 38 percent are aware of are guns, blacks, gays, abortions, stay the course, Fox is a shill for Parkinson's and we are the good guys. James Dobson and others like him keep telling us so.

RAY FIGOLA
Liberty

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Drastic action at the polls

I normally do not bother listening to those annoying political recorded messages that we all receive, but I did hear one today that fascinated me.

It was from the Republicans and the message basically said: Do not vote for the Democratic candidate for the House because, if you do, the Democrats may gain control of the House and then -- a liberal from San Francisco might be elected as speaker. There was none of the usual "don't vote for them because of their stance on any issue," just . . . horrors . . . a liberal from that place might be speaker.

I am a registered Republican. On Election Day I will do something that I once thought impossible. I am going to vote a straight Democratic ticket. Why? To drive out of power those stupid, incompetent, corrupt bigots who have seized control of my Republican Party.

The Republican powers-that-be are apparently aware that a lot of Republicans may do the same, and they are now running for their political lives. It's their fault that I have to take such a drastic action.

PAUL HINNEBUSCH
Shaler

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Stop politicizing abortion; be pro-life in the fullest sense

At this time before an election, we hear a great deal of rhetoric and misuse of words. Perhaps we would all be well-served if we did a review of basic terms that have become politicized, such as "pro-life," "pro-abortion" and "pro-choice."

Pro-life -- not a synonym for anti-abortion. To be pro-life means: to stand for life, rather than death, life from womb to tomb, both before birth and after birth. Pro-life means:

To respect all individuals, regardless of age, religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, disability;

To support health care for all;

To refrain from exploiting the Social Security Trust Fund, which provides the only income many senior citizens receive;

To work to pay down the national debt (not distribute the possible surplus to the richest of American citizens) so that our children's children will not suffer the consequences of our debt;

To save the environment for our descendants, not pollute and destroy it;

To oppose war, which has never, in the history of humankind, brought about peace;

To oppose capital punishment;

To help to reduce the incidence of abortion -- for example, by developing societal systems to assist and support women who are pregnant but who lack economic and family support.

Pro-abortion -- there is no such thing. No one advocates for women to have abortions. This is a political term.

Pro-choice -- position of people who believe that abortion should not be criminalized; not a synonym for "pro-abortion"; people who are pro-choice abhor abortion, which has consequences for the mother, as well as for the child.

If abortion were made a crime, what should the punishment be? The death penalty? A prison term? A fine? Who should be punished? The mother? The father? The doctor? The nurse? Why? Deterrence? Does anyone really believe that abortion will end if it is illegal? (It was illegal before 1973.) What is the status of the late-term abortion law (politically known as the partial-birth abortion law)? How many abortions has that law prevented?

What is the ultimate goal here, to end abortion or to punish? If the goal is to end abortion, then let's stop politicizing it and start doing something about it. Let's start being pro-life. We will be a better nation for it.

SISTER MARY TRAUPMAN
Brighton Heights

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