Captured British sailors disgraced themselves

As a veteran of the U.S. Navy, I was shocked and embarrassed for the British government by the comportment of the 15 sailors and Marines who were recently released by the Iranian president.

These young people knowingly appeared on worldwide television and seemed to be having a grand time while their leaders and the rest of the world watched and worried. Upon their release, they played into the hands of the Iranian president by thanking him, apologizing yet again and joking with each other.

What kind of training could these people have been given to result in such unacceptable behavior? I sincerely hope that our military leaders take notice and reinforce the critical quality of discipline in our troops to avoid any such future embarrassment.

PAUL O'BOYLE
Ross

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Iran's bad faith

The April 6 editorial "Iranian Gift" clearly demonstrates just how gullible your staff must be.

To read this editorial concerning the released British hostages, one would be led to believe that it was the Iranian government that acted in good faith and rightousness, while the British were the evil ones violating international law.

I found it amusing that the day of your editorial, the British sailors were able to appear at a press conference and finally give details of the event that completely contradicted your interpretation of the event.

I am perplexed. Is your editorial staff more inclined to believe a totalitarian regime that has consistently ignored international law? Or, rather, should you believe the view of a longtime ally who also respects the process of law and consistently acts accordingly? I guess I'm not sure.

DAVE HARHAI
West Homestead

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Moral low ground

In response to the April 3 letter "It's Time for Us to Rein in Iran": Patrick Kelly encourages public condemnation of Iran regarding Geneva Conventions violations.

Sadly, the United States no longer holds the moral high ground in any international disagreement over such violations due to the gross and public disdain for even the most basic rules of treatment displayed by the executive branch and the Department of Defense against those taken into custody in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, this country has gone on a wild spree of violations of international laws and treaties unprecedented in a country claiming it is founded on the rule of law. Perhaps Mr. Kelly should look to our failing chief executive and our current, precariously teetering attorney general to explain why the provisions of the Geneva Conventions are now considered "quaint" but not necessarily applicable to the United States and, by extension, any other country.

It is a sad moment when the truth of the matter is that when the United States looks to chastise another country for gross and flagrant violations of international law, the answer must ring back: Pot, meet kettle. May we see our way through to a new day and a return to our former prominence in the world through our actions, not only our words.

JENNIFER ALTMILLER
Mount Washington

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A good neighbor

Much has been made recently about the countywide smoking ban and the resultant lawsuit brought by James Mitchell (Mitchell's Restaurant) and John Petrolias (Smithfield Cafe).

While not offering an opinion one way or the other concerning the proposed Allegheny County ban, I simply want to say that, since our church fire on New Year's Day, our congregation has had no better friend than John Petrolias. He has graciously opened the doors of his establishment on several occasions so that we can enjoy fellowship and luncheon events. We are indebted to him.

And I believe that the opinions he brings to the conversation regarding the rights of business owners and public health are worthy of careful consideration.

J. DOUGLAS PATTERSON
Senior Minister
Smithfield United Church
of Christ
Downtown

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Casey's wrong

Sen. Bob Casey's recently stated opposition to funding stem-cell research with public dollars doesn't square with the campaign promise announced on his Web site -- a promise on which I relied in voting for him ("Specter, Casey at Odds on Stem Cell Bill," April 11).

He said, "Unfortunately, too many people in Washington are pushing a narrow, intolerant ideology that says to people 'I'm right, you're wrong, and you don't know better.' "

Yet his newly stated stance on stem-cell research proclaims loudly that he "knows better." Reminder: He was elected to represent us, not to be us. So he should explain why he feels better suited to decide what medical research will benefit society than our nation's best medical minds. Explain why our scientists feel the need to flee to Australia for research purposes, when Pittsburgh is being rebuilt as a leader in medical research and ethics. Explain why this is an exception in which he thinks he know better.

His quote in the Post-Gazette, "I have listened carefully, especially to those whose loved ones are suffering from serious diseases ... I deeply respect their views and hope they can come to understand mine," rings hollow in light of his aforementioned promise.

If he can reconcile the above two quotes (one in which he professes his intention to avoid pushing "narrow, intolerant ideology" and one in which he does just the opposite), then let him do so. Do so, or explain why he dictates to people what measures their doctors may take to save their loved ones.

RHETT METZ
Fox Chapel

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Co-equal Congress

Much has been said by the Bush administration accusing Congress of micro-managing the war in Iraq. Congress is a co-equal branch to the presidency. Its members are not micro-managing. Hopefully, they are following through on their mandate.

I think the president and his cohorts at PNAC (Project for a New American Century) micro-conceived the war even before Mr. Bush became a co-equal part of U.S. governance.

In fact, Congress is throwing out a lifeline in a situation that has become grave. Even Mr. Bush's own commission, the Baker-Hamilton commission, threw out a lifeline. What did Mr. Bush do? He analyzed the rope instead of grabbing it. So, the micro-managing goes on, from within, not from without.

I would like to throw out a few Shakespearian quotes that also might constitute a lifeline for Mr. Bush:

To thine own self be true.
There's a divinity that shapes our ends.
There's such divinity doth hedge a king.

ROBERT SVITEK
Harmarville

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Local congressmen need to heed global warming

Kudos for your Sunday editorial on the Supreme Court's decision to tell the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate greenhouse gases ("Court and Climate," April 8).

The last line of the editorial, though -- "It's past time all of America listened" -- could focus specifically on southwestern Pennsylvania's members of Congress and our two U.S. senators.

No Congress person from our area has yet co-sponsored the Safe Climate Act, HR 1590, even though more than 130 bipartisan members from around the state and country have done so since it was introduced last month. Neither Democratic Sen. Bob Casey nor Republican Sen. Arlen Specter have co-sponsored the corresponding S 309 -- the Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act. Of several bills in Congress, only this legislation is projected by the non-partisan World Resources Institute to prevent the worst effects of global warming, and only if we implement it very soon.

Pittsburgh's climate is projected to approximate Alabama's by the end of this century, without major reductions right now in carbon dioxide emissions. Two weeks ago the Pittsburgh City Council passed a "Will of Council " resolution calling on Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Forest Hills, and Sens. Casey and Specter to co-sponsor this legislation.

On behalf of my two toddlers, I urge all your readers to contact Reps. Doyle and Jason Altmire, D-McCandless, et al. and Sens. Casey and Specter to ask them to co-sponsor this critically important legislation.

BILL WOOD, M.D.
Highland Park