Thank you, Sen. Orie, for this bold turnpike bill

Congratulations to Sen. Jane Orie for calling for the merger of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.

It takes a lot of courage to call for the abolition of such a big, entrenched bureaucracy of duplication and patronage. Joseph Brimmeier's angry response to her ("Turnpike Boss Lobs Criticism at Orie," April 11) shows that she is not afraid to step on toes when it is for the benefit of Pennsylvania's citizens.

The next step is to call for the abandonment of the plans to finish the Mon-Fayette Expressway and instead widen the Parkway East.

ARTHUR FLEMING
Forest Hills

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Reverse this idea

State Sen. Jane Orie's proposal that PennDOT should take over the Pennsylvania Turnpike borders on the absurd ("Bill Would Kill Turnpike Panel," April 10).

PennDOT is, and has been, riddled with problems for years and still can't manage what it's supposed to manage. Adding the turnpike to PennDOT would make George W. Bush's handling of Katrina look like a success.

By now, we've all heard of PennDOT's winter wonderland fiasco that stranded vehicles for days during the February snowstorm. Contrast PennDOT's lack of reaction with the Pennsylvania Turnpike's fast action that kept its entire roadway open and clear. I was on it.

Also consider that no tax dollars are used to operate the turnpike. I ride it frequently and the road is in good shape. To create a new agency to run the turnpike, as Ms. Orie suggests, is adding even more bureaucracy to an already overloaded, bogged down, bureaucratic PennDOT.

Just imagine how many more PennDOT employees could lean on their shovels and talk to each other, if they got involved in turnpike construction.

I'm all for making things better and more efficient. Ms. Orie's proposal will do just the opposite. A more practical solution would be for the Pennsylvania Turnpike to take over PennDOT.

JOHN BANOVATZ
Marshall-Shadeland

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Politics and paving

Regarding Rich Lord's article on road paving in Pittsburgh ("Do Influential Connections Smooth Your Way Home?" April 18): When we start house hunting, if we stay in the city, I will make sure there is at least one politician or public works official who is living on the street.

Parts of Brintell Street in Stanton Heights look like the Khyber Pass in the spring. Previous sloppy patch jobs have done little to remedy the poor condition of this street. Councilman Len Bodack should get around his district a little more often and see a street that really needs some work.

It is hard to believe that some of those interviewed in the story believe a computerized system would be less effective and equitable than the political patronage that seems to determine which roads get paved in Pittsburgh.

SARAH McAULIFFE-BELLIN
Stanton Heights

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The roads we travel

As I've been watching the preparations to repave Beacon Street, it struck me as ironic that the current city public works director, Guy Costa, lives on the exact portion of Beacon Street that is being repaved. Thank goodness it seems unfair to others, too ("It's a Bumpy Ride Onto City Street Paving List," April 19).

Then I read the "Road to Ruin" editorial (April 19) and couldn't agree more. Perhaps the "politically connected" should take a road more often traveled by ordinary working citizens, such as the abysmal Panther Hollow route taken by thousands of University of Pittsburgh employees and students each day. I'd be happy to drive council members on roads less resurfaced.

JENNIFER POLLER
Squirrel Hill

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County intrusion

I am writing to show the displeasure I have toward the Allegheny County government. The new no-smoking law has made many people unhappy. When this law goes fully into effect (at bars and restaurants), I plan not to shop, dine or purchase gas within Allegheny County. I can just as easily travel to Washington County or Butler County.

My mother attends a bingo in Bellevue. It has now gone nonsmoking for fear of a large fine. She will now attend a bingo in Washington County.

I am not a smoker, but I feel there is too much government coming into my personal life. Some things should be left for the person to decide.

Allegheny County has lost 60,000 people in recent years. Government says we have to create new jobs. I do not think that is the real problem. I feel that government should give people back their right to choose. If you ask people today, they will tell you that they feel their freedom is slowly being taken away.

I am proud to be from Pittsburgh and will never leave, but, I'm sorry, I just cannot support the way the Allegheny County government is telling me to live.

DAVID A. WORKMAN
Brighton Heights

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Bingo is better now

This is a response to the letter by Jean Albensi ("Bingo Bullying," April 17). I am glad they quit smoking at the bingo I attend. But they do have an intermission for the smokers.

I attend more because it is smoke-free. I have lung disease and haven't smoked in 23 years. It's not fun breathing in secondhand smoke. So, if you do not attend bingo anymore because you can't smoke, you are saving money at bingo and have more money to buy cigarettes.

RUTH BERROTT
Plum

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End this practice

While UPMC Health System is explaining the egregious error of publishing personal records on the Internet ("UPMC Patients' Personal Data Left on Web," April 12), please ask an administrator to explain why they continue to use Social Security numbers for patient identity.

When checking into the hospital or a doctor's office one is always asked his or her Social Security number. This number appears on records, file folders and other documents freely distributed throughout the UPMC medical system.

I resent this breach of my personal information and would like the practice discontinued.

BETTY GOODWIN
Harmar

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Costly promotion

I continue to be amazed by the bucket loads of money that UPMC Health System spends on promoting itself ("UPMC Logo May Top Off U.S. Steel Tower," April 11). Is this where health-care dollars really go?

I wonder how much less expensive health care would be if UPMC began to care less about its image and the image of its top brass and more about channeling precious resources into patient care. What will UPMC space in the U.S. Steel building cost the patients?

I would prefer to see a for-profit organization's name in lights over Pittsburgh, not that of this behemoth "not-for-profit."

THOMAS J. PAPPALARDO
McCandless

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How many of us could withstand such treatment if held hostage?

This letter is in response to comments by Paul O'Boyle ("Captured British Sailors Disgraced Themselves," April 12 letters). As a former Brit, I too had a very bad initial reaction to the behavior of the British sailors captured by the Iranians.

I contrasted this with the examples of British courage exemplified by Admiral Nelson and Winston Churchill and also shown by American sailors captured by North Vietnam.

I spoke by telephone to my British brother-in-law of my concern, and he informed me that what was emerging from the freed sailors of their early days of captivity was a tale of shocking psychological torture. Among other things, the sailors were kept isolated in darkness, were blindfolded and were led before mock execution squads before being given prepared texts to recite.

I wonder how many of your readers could withstand such treatment without caving. I might at 72 -- l certainly don't think I could in my 20s with most of my life ahead, even with military training and discipline. I understand also that the sailors were only complying with broad guidelines issued by the government concerning behavior in case of capture. I am not happy that these sailors behaved the way they did, but I do understand them.

JOHN MELLOR
Plum

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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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This type of journalism benefits no one

When are we going to wake up and realize that no one prospers from "in-your-face" journalism when it concerns something so horrific as the massacre at Virginia Tech? Does our knowing the gory details of any murder help society in any way? Does it help in solving the case? Does it offer solace to loved ones? No, it serves no purpose but to sensationalize something that should never be given credence. Publicity gives it a life that it should never have.

Print and TV media put their "breaking story" ahead of all the agony loved ones of the victims must repeatedly bear. I believe our "right to know" and media's freedom of speech are contributing to the loss of many lives.

There are others like Seung-Hui Cho out there who are drinking all this in and embrace the fact they, too, will get their fame from a horrendous crime. Don't you think there are some who actually empathize with Mr. Cho and agree he had the right to take innocent lives in exchange for whatever crisis to which he reacted?

I hope legislators will work to force all media to keep the identity of the murderer and facts surrounding the incident from ever being released or severe penalties should be imposed. Gag orders must sometimes be enforced for the greater good. Pertinent information can be disseminated to anyone directly associated with the incident -- in this case, staff, students and parents.

When will we realize we are making heroes of the dregs of society? If you agree, contact your legislator.

GIGI BEATTY
Brentwood

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No prime time for murderers

I see that there are many people as upset as I am about NBC's decision to show the Virginia Tech gunman Seung-Hui Cho's video rant.

The moment the national media ceases sensationalizing mass murder and quits giving air time to cowards like Mr. Cho, the safer our country will be. Why give idiot terrorists like this prime time? To boost ratings and sell more advertising? I wouldn't be surprised.

LARRY ZALEWSKI
Mt. Lebanon

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The case for term limits

I try catch up on news from "home" (Kittanning) and read you online on a regular basis. I agree with your editorial about term limits ("Speak Now: Pittsburghers Can Give House Reformers an Earful," April 17). At least here in Maryland we have part-time legislators (but no term limits), and they are in session only 90 days a year, which cuts down on the mischief.

I wanted to point out that many legislators counter that each election is a chance for the voters to pick their representatives and so term limits are not needed. But they forget that prior to the elections, they pick their voters via gerrymandered districts.

BOB DAVIS
Columbia, Md.

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Conscientious objectors shouldn't have to pay for war

As a conscientious objector to war, I cannot in good conscience pay taxes that will support war. Instead, I wish to pay my full share of taxes without funding war.

Since 1940, the Selective Service Act recognizes the right of conscientious objectors to perform alternate service instead of participating in war physically. However, income tax poses a dilemma by forcing me to participate in war financially.

War taxes are an inordinately large part of income tax. The War Resisters League Web site (www.warresisters.org/piechart.htm) indicates that 51 percent of income taxes fund current and past wars.

The Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund bill would allow us conscientious objectors to direct our federal income taxes to a special fund for nonmilitary purposes only. Legislative analysis shows that this bill would bring in more money than it would cost. Taxpayer compliance with the law would increase. Religious freedom would increase. This is a win-win bill.

George Washington recognized freedom of conscience for Quakers during the revolution. We conscientious objectors wish to pay our full share of taxes without violating our consciences, without funding war.

Let Congress know your thoughts on the Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund bill.

TIMOTHY A. PEARCE
Squirrel Hill

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Chivalry should not be a lost concept

My 4-1/2-year-old son instinctively offers his seat on the trolley to women, other children and/or the elderly. His father and I have taught him that this is how young men with manners conduct themselves.

I am sorry to say that the same cannot be said of the grown men who ride the Overbrook trolley. Day in and day out I see pregnant women, women with infants, elderly individuals and even children struggling to maintain their balance while seemingly healthy, able-bodied men feign narcolepsy or appear to be so engrossed in their reading material that one would think they were studying for the bar exam.

In light of their rudeness, I implore the parents of young boys of all ages to instill a sense of decency and chivalry in your children, for, obviously, it has skipped an entire generation.

LUCY FITZGERALD
Mt. Lebanon

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