The no-parking-plan Steelers have a lot of nerve

I have trouble spelling "chutzpah." Others may have trouble pronouncing it (the "ch" sounds like you're clearing your throat). But the Pittsburgh Steelers apparently have no idea what it means. For their benefit, the definition of "chutzpah" is "nerve," and they've got lots of it.

It takes chutzpah to cast aspersions on the traffic impact of the proposed casino whose 5,000 patrons would arrive and depart at various times and be more likely to use buses or other public transportation than the 60,000 Heinz Field patrons who arrive during the three hours before the game and leave in the hour after ("Steelers Want City to Delay Vote on Casino Master Plan," April 24).

It takes chutzpah to criticize the parking plans of the casino, when the Steelers' parking plan apparently consists of "Park wherever you want. And don't count on us to provide transportation to a parking garage in town."

It takes chutzpah to ignore the negative impacts that the consumption of alcohol by Steelers fans has on the adjacent neighborhoods: litter, obscenities shouted across a street, public urination and drunken drivers on our roads. The Steelers have never, ever, addressed any of these impacts. A patron of the casino might leave with less money in his or her pockets, but with much more dignity than a drunken guy waving his shirt yelling "Cleveland s**ks."

Yes, it takes chutzpah to ask (demand?) that the city planning commission delay approval of the casino's master plan when the Steelers' own master plan consists of "Just let us do want we want."

MIKE COLEMAN
North Side

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Show our support

The local politics that are set in motion to delay Don Barden and his PITG Gaming from developing Pittsburgh's first-ever casino are a joke.

Forces should be joined to assist Mr. Barden in any way possible, just as if the more locally supported Isle of Capri had been given the opportunity to develop a new arena/casino in the Hill District, despite objections from the community. The Penguins are getting their much-needed arena across from The Igloo, thus eliminating preliminary concerns.

If Pittsburghers truly want to send a positive message to other potential companies that are considering relocation here, get on board with Mr. Barden and show that our city is open and diverse enough to accept that PITG Gaming was awarded its license after a very thorough process and stands to assist in promoting our city as a destination for out-of-towners. Get on board with Mr. Barden. He deserves our support.

R. MALIK MORRIS
Stanton Heights

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Missing the Point

I'm not a historian or an archaeologist, I play the guitar. But it's clear to me that people are missing the point regarding the plot of land that lies at the Forks of the Ohio. I don't think it takes any special knowledge to realize that this plot of land, the one we call The Point, is hallowed ground ("Point State Park Find May Be Part of Fort Pitt," April 13).

If you know anything about our area, then you know and respect that this particular site is a famous landmark. It's an area that represents the very roots of our freedom. It's an area of major importance in the development of our nation.

So the place we call The Point or Fort Pitt or Fort Duquesne is a place we should all cherish and want to display for all the world to see.

How this area, and the treasures that are buried beneath it, could ever be viewed as an obstacle to recreational activities is at the heart of what's going wrong there now. There is plenty of space for recreation. One can only assume that all Pittsburghers would be proud to restore and display this hallowed fort's remains to the fullest.

When my wife and I visited Italy, we observed that the Italian people spare no expense in the care and protection of their historical treasures and landmarks. Why? Because it's an investment that pays dividends -- and it's the right thing to do.

We, the people of Pittsburgh, must find a way to save and restore the land and the remains of old Fort Pitt's Music Bastion. Restoring this impressive piece of our past would greatly enhance the image of Pittsburgh.

JOE NEGRI
Scott

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A student showcase

A recent letter promoted science fairs as vital opportunities for students to grow personally and educationally. We couldn't agree more. Carnegie Science Center's SciTech initiative, along with hundreds of volunteers and sponsors, produces the annual Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair. The event provides a forum for students to showcase their original research projects and explore careers in the fields.

This year's science fair saw a record number of students -- 922 -- in grades 6-12 from more than 100 schools. Students competed for more than $500,000 in cash prizes and scholarships. The variety and sophistication of the students' projects were astounding -- everything from constructing a sustainable solar-powered water generator to testing leaf spinach and lettuce for bacterial contamination. After seeing the caliber of these projects, I assure you that the future of our region is in good hands.

In addition to a record number of students, a record number of judges and volunteers participated in this year's event. Many of the region's leading companies, such as Bayer Corp., U.S. Steel Corp., PPG Industries, FedEx Ground and others, invest their time and resources to support it.

They understand, as do we at Carnegie Science Center, that programs like this help to cultivate the future work force in science and technology that is so vital to our region's long-term success.

JOANNA E. HAAS
Director
Carnegie Science Center
North Side

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He's a fraud

Upon reading about presidential candidate John Edwards' "pricey" haircuts (April 20 National Briefs), I have two comments:

Mr. Edwards stated that "I knew it would be expensive. I didn't know it would be that expensive to have him come over. The cost was ridiculous." The cost was $400 per haircut -- he had two, so surely he knew the price of the first haircut before scheduling the second.

His wife, Elizabeth, has been tragically diagnosed with a recurrence of breast cancer in an "incurable form." While she has supported his decision to pursue his presidential candidacy, I cannot help but believe that if Mr. Edwards were a Republican, and not a Democrat, the entire mainstream media would be condemning his presidential pursuits over his need to be with, and support, his wife in this most difficult time.

The senator is a fraud; he is a prime example of the liberal agenda: "Do as I say-- not as I do." Think about it.

KATHLEEN KELLINGER
Baden

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Right on the issues

Who cares how much of his own money John Edwards pays for a haircut, and what does it have to do with the quality of his proposed health plan?

The April 21 editorial cartoon the PG printed from The Columbus Dispatch is another instance of focusing on the personalities of the candidates instead of the issues. That tactic is what gave us our present macho president, who has embroiled us in a terrible and unending war, put us into serious debt, given tax benefits to the super-rich and tilted the Supreme Court to the far right.

John Edwards, by contrast, understands and cares about the needs of the less fortunate.

ELIZABETH S. STERN
Oakland

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Let's see stories promoting traditional marriage

It is very unfortunate that the Post-Gazette had such an obviously slanted/biased story in the Magazine section about a gay marriage presentation given by Evan Wolfson ("Native Returns for Marriage Equality Event," April 18).

The Post-Gazette needs to be more balanced in its story selections. The vast majority of people in Pennsylvania feel that marriage is only between one man and one woman. Traditional marriage, as understood for thousands of years and all societies, is the way to bring up the next generation (children). Many studies have found that the best way to raise children is in a traditional marriage with a committed father and mother.

If we allow gay marriage, why not threesome or foursome marriage? Why not bigamy or why not have any marriage arrangement that any two, three or more adults agree to? We can call it the "anything goes" marriage. We do not need to go down the slippery slope of gay marriage. Traditional marriage is the best way for raising children, period. It has worked for thousands of years; we do not need to redefine marriage in Pennsylvania.

MARK SANTUCCI
Ross

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