Senator backs responsible bill on climate change

The July 19 letter "Failing to Act" calls on Sen. Arlen Specter to sponsor legislation to regulate greenhouse gases. Rather than co-sponsor legislation that has little hope of passing due to its extreme potential cost -- and even less hope of receiving a presidential signature -- on July 11, Sen. Specter and Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., introduced the "Low Carbon Economy Act" (S. 1766).

This bill, introduced with the support of an impressive bipartisan group of co-sponsors, industry CEOs, union leaders and sportsmen/conservation groups is the result of an extensive two-year process of gathering information and working constructively with stakeholders and congressional staff.

The Low Carbon Economy Act sets forth a reasoned approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the range called for by scientists while still protecting our economy, spurring advanced energy technologies, and engaging key developing countries. The bill includes mechanisms to ensure that its effect on energy and electricity prices is modest, and, in doing so, ensures a smooth transition to a low carbon future.

The bill responds to the urgency of the climate change challenge with a politically viable, economically responsible, technologically feasible, and scientifically justifiable strategy. This historic bill represents a golden opportunity for balanced legislation on a very complex issue. At a minimum, it is an important first step.

KATE KELLY
Deputy Press Secretary for
U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter
Washington, D.C.

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No shining light

Letter writer Andrea Chester took the Post-Gazette's Dan Simpson to task over his July 11 column "Doctors With Bombs," for blaming America and Israel "when terrible things happen anywhere in the world." ("America Is Not to Blame for Others' Barbaric Actions," July 17).

There is a lot wrong with Ms. Chester's letter but nothing more so than how she ends with the debatable claim of "America and Israel, two of the world's shining lights of freedom, decency and humanitarianism."

America is currently raining death upon innocent Iraqis to the tune of more than 600,000 killed since the 2003 invasion (according to The Guardian newspaper).

This is not a shining light of freedom; it is mass murder. Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo are neither decent nor humanitarian; likewise for Israel's brutal 40-year occupation of the Palestinians, supported fully by the United States.

A good deal of the world sees how much the actions of America and Israel differ from their empty rhetoric. Those on the ground seldom confuse an Apache attack helicopter looming over Anbar or Gaza with a helping hand.

If we don't bother to take the time to consider how others see us we'll never get past the platitudes and decide if our countries actions really reflect our purported values.

JOHN M. RICE
Mt. Lebanon

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Dialogue needed

In response to "Israeli Soldier killed in Clash in Gaza," (July 13): Implementing a total closure of the territory by cutting off electricity, water and fuel as former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has suggested and depriving 1.5 million people in Gaza would be nothing more than collective punishment. Just because Hamas is in control of the Gaza Strip, whose ideology Israel feels threatened by, it is not a wise solution in dealing with the general population.

The Palestinians have been deprived of their chance for self determination from the illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, numerous checkpoints, lack of access to water and medical attention, and the construction of the separation wall uprooting homes and agricultural fields.

Israel experienced a drop in PR from last summer's ill-conceived war against Hezbollah, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Lebanese civilians.

The Holy Land is home to Muslims, Christians and Jews and it is time for Israel and the United States to accept the equality of the Arab Christian and Muslim populations who also possess the right to live in the region of their ancestors. Three peace initiatives (The Road Map, the Geneva Plan, and the Arab Peace Plan) have been proposed and direct dialogue is the best solution for implementing a just and lasting peace. There is a need for both parties to promote dialogue with one another instead of continually resorting to violence.

Will both the Israelis and Arabs put their differences aside and sign the much-anticipated peace agreement that our government refuses to work toward?

TIMOTHY SOFIS
Mt. Lebanon

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Publish on

Bradley Minoski's July 17 letter ("PG Not a Shill") spoke for me and, I would dare say, many other Post-Gazette readers, when he defended the paper against one more rant about its anti-Republican bias (July 3 letter).

I am grateful for what I view as liberal-leaning, since that is truly my own stance. But I also see writings by David Brooks, a thoughtful conservative, I can read without having my hackles rise.

George Will, Jack Kelly -- forget them, for me: How can anyone call the PG a Democrat "shill" with those writers appearing on a regular basis? And how many papers would even bother to print the number of letters of criticism I read with seeming frequency?

It would never be my intention to cost the PG any subscribers, but, for my money, the conservatives have their "shill" in the other Pittsburgh daily paper. I would simply ask those members of our population whose leanings are conservative to recognize that we liberals deserve a forum for our dearly held beliefs.

Pittsburgh is fortunate to have the Post-Gazette, a paper which does speak for us, but which also gives the other side a voice, as well. Can that be said of the competition? I think not.

Long may you publish, PG!

JOYCE MOON STROBEL
Ross

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Slanted headlines

I'm writing to comment on the continuing unfair negative practice of your newspaper's headlines and placement of stories. I am certain that many of your more recent political reporting of stories ("U.S. Fails Against Al-Qaida," July 17, and "Pa. Climate Could Be More Like Alabama's," July 12) are postured to the left-wing liberal viewpoint.

That said, these type of articles belong on the editorial page as opposed to the front page of your newspaper. When an issue is factually slanted towards the bias of a political agenda, your newspaper loses its credibility (and subsequent subscribers). Furthermore, uneducated readers, who do not read analytically, read your headlines as factual information, which is unfair to them because your newspaper is being unethical and disingenuous.

BOBBY BERTOLINA
Castle Shannon

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Caregivers cheated

I am responding to your July 10 editorial, "Family Value: Home Health-Care Workers Deserve a Decent Wage." The Supreme Court disappointed caregivers and their clients when it decided to let agencies deny minimum wage and overtime to home-care workers. Congress should amend the Fair Labor Standards Act to improve the pay status of home-care workers, and we are pledged to make that happen.

But it takes more than good laws to achieve what caregivers and their clients deserve. Pennsylvania is a case in point. Unlike the federal FLSA, Pennsylvania's wage and hour law already obligates agencies to pay both the minimum wage and overtime to home caregivers.

Unfortunately, employers rarely comply. In some cases, caregivers have been cheated out of millions in wages and overtime. Even employers willing to abide by the law find Pennsylvania's skimpy reimbursement rates inadequate to pay workers what they are owed.

With the help of SEIU, workers at the two of the state's largest for-profit agencies have filed class-action lawsuits to recover what their employers owe them.

By all means, let's have good laws. But only the action of people who care will deliver quality jobs and services.

JESSE WILDERMAN
Executive Vice President for Long Term Care,
SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania
Harrisburg

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My cat can beat up your dog

Regarding the licensing of cats, Twanda Carlisle of Pittsburgh City Council responded to a statement that dogs are more likely to cause injury than cats by claiming, "That was yesteryear. In 2007, cats are more aggressive than they used to be." ("Purr-fectly Even," July 19).

Can Ms. Carlisle back up that statement with any facts? Perhaps I missed the study she had conducted by her relative or friend, who was then paid thousands of taxpayer dollars.

MARY BEERMAN
Robinson

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