Cutting off funds is a disgraceful Iraq strategy

U.S. Rep. John Murtha's plan to withhold funds to support our troops is flat-dead wrong ("Murtha Gears Up on War Funding," Feb. 16; "Murtha Could Splinter Dems," Feb. 27).

The Post-Gazette being a left-wing paper, as evidenced by its editorial board, supports Mr. Murtha in this plan ("The House Speaks: Next Step, Cut Off Funding for the War in Iraq," Feb. 20). I am a retired U.S. Army command sergeant major with 26 years' active duty, all of it served in the infantry while fighting in Korea and Vietnam.

Jack Murtha is a disgrace to Pennsylvania and the U.S. Marines. He states his plan will help the troops. Military history proves him wrong, as withholding money leads to more deaths, because of lack of equipment, reinforcements, replacements and other supplies.

Also, I would like to inform the PG editorial board that officers do not provide close supervision of troops, as stated in your editorial "Criminal Force" (Feb. 16). Noncommissioned officers provide close supervision of troops, as they work with their men closely daily.

Now to baby boomers and their children who respond to this by telling me that John Murtha is a decorated hero: Save yourself the trouble. I don't consider myself a hero, and I have the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars for valor, two Purple Hearts, 11 Air Medals and many other decorations, so don't give me that garbage. The real heroes are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan and the likes of Rep. Murtha and others are helping to kill them. The troops have enough trouble; they don't need this.

THOMAS WALMAN
Crafton Heights

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Re: troop readiness

U.S. Rep. John Murtha is right to draw attention to the inadequate training and insufficient equipment supplied to American troops who will be sent to Iraq ("Murtha Gears Up on War Funding," Feb. 16). If, as seems inevitable, more troops will be sent into Afghanistan, our obligation to support these troops enlarges.

Stateside, The Associated Press reported (Jan. 17) that material the Pentagon deems "surplus" has been given away to state and local law enforcement agencies. Would it not be prudent to recall these gifts where there is no demonstrable need in domestic law enforcement, to be put to work in training troops for overseas duty?

What better support can we declare for our men and women as they go into combat than to send them knowing that they have been given the best training and the best equipment? Let those who would attack America know that our troops are battle-ready.

ANN JACOBS
Monongahela

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Grieving families

I went to school with Todd Siebert, who was killed in Iraq ("Capt. Todd M. Siebert, Franklin Park: Killed After Just Six Weeks in Iraq," Feb. 20). I spent most of the rest of the day trying to figure out what I felt about it.

Aside from the sadness and frustration, I felt angry. I couldn't quite figure out why, though. I mean I know a lot of the readers will be angry with the administration over another Marine death in Iraq. I know a lot of people will be upset with Congress for trying to cut off funding and leaving the soldiers without proper supplies and reinforcements. Then there's the group who'll be upset with the terrorists and "resistance" in Iraq.

But I think I was most upset with myself. I really never took the time to get to know Todd very well. I was in the ROTC with him for four years, but I never got to learn much about him. Now I know that I never will get the chance. So while I could be angry about the chance that I missed in getting to know Todd, I also know that it's nothing compared to the things his family will miss without him.

So maybe every time we hear that another soldier has been killed, we could not blame everyone and just send our prayers and good thoughts to the families who are really suffering. I know I'll send mine to his family.

BRIAN WILDING
Hampton

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Just like the movies

After reading the Feb. 16 editorial "Criminal Force: The Military Is Admitting More Ex-Convicts," concerning the military enlistment of convicted felons, I said to myself, "I've heard of this act of insanity somewhere," but I couldn't remember ...

Who in his right mind would put an assault rifle and the security of men, women and children in the hands of felons?

That night, after everyone went to bed, I couldn't get this insane thought out of my mind. To relieve my frustration I decided to make some popcorn and watch a good action movie. I bundled up on the sofa with my popcorn in hand and pressed the play button; as the introduction to the movie started, I then remembered, "Is it possible the Bush administration and his military commanders are also watching 'The Dirty Dozen'?"

LESLIE B. DAVIS
New Castle

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A sensible approach

Patricia S. Lemer questions the "old-fashioned, outdated, conventional thinking" that advocates that children with disabilities should be "separated from the general school population and given intensive, relentless instruction" ("Don't Look to Past to Treat Learning Disabilities," Feb. 19 letters) and chastises Dr. Naomi Zigmond's ideas that "special education should be special."

However, Ms. Lemer fails to take into consideration that the "least restrictive environment" that is the "new-fashioned, up-to-date" thinking, enacted by lawmakers who are not active educators and have never worked in the educational classroom, is just not in the best interests of every student.

Ms. Lemer believes that regular classroom teachers should be taught to respect the needs of learning disabled students. Teachers in the real world need to respect all their students' needs, not just those defined as "special." All students are special, whether or not they have obtained that designation. Each student should receive information presented at his or her instructional level. In some cases, while "least restrictive," a general, inclusion classroom may not be the most suitable setting for students with wide-ranging abilities and learning styles to receive an appropriate education.

Perhaps the Learning Disabilities Association is attempting to step into the 21st century, accompanied by the common-sense approach of Dr. Zigmond.

Her remarks ran under the headline "Expert Swims Against Special Ed Mainstream" (Feb. 15). Soon, Dr. Zigmond may find that she is not swimming against the stream, but rather is accompanied by many other fish in the educational sea.

BOBBI SULLIVAN
Oakmont

The writer is the former instructional support coordinator for Shaler Area School District. She has worked in education for 34 years.

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Support your case

Regarding the Feb. 27 letter "No Serious Scientist Can Defend Electronic Voting" by Stephanie Frank Singer: I am willing to listen to arguments by Michael Shamos supporting electronic voting and Dr. Singer opposing the practice.

That being said, let's hear the arguments, not simply, to paraphrase, "I believe that more academics agree with me than with him." There was a time when 100 percent of academics thought the world was flat.

Consensus is fine, but it is no substitute for laying out your arguments with support and data. I have a problem with many "facts" that are "acknowledged beyond a shadow of a doubt." Such things exist, but they are few and far between. Often throughout history, the labeling of theories as "facts" has been used to shut out debate.

We need to have open and frank discussions in our country on everything from global warming to abortion to electronic voting. How does Dr. Singer's implied argument of "I'm right, he's wrong, and some unnamed yet large group of academics agree with me" foster debate and discussion?

Finally, there is no need to provide us plebeians with your academic bona fides before stating your positions. It is generally more effective to simply let the intelligence of your argument speak for itself.

MICHAEL HOLZWORTH
Washington, Pa.

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Carnegie Mellon joins the crowd in lowering societal standards

The article "CMU Allows Men, Women to Share Rooms" (Feb. 27) disturbed me because a wonderful school has stooped to a moral level below excellence.

These students who want to live together need to get apartments not connected to the school. Once more, I would say, we bow to the minority where we are told that tolerance is such a good thing. Then we wonder why our country is going down the tubes, because we are considered low and without standards or principles.

Our schools are becoming low in standards, but let us keep attracting those who tear down our status here and in the world.

Believe me, a good name can be destroyed in time! Wake up. This generation has lots to prove.

LOIS DEATON
White Oak

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