Why can't we admit we were wrong on Iraq?

"I'm sorry. I was wrong."

These are among the most powerful and creative words we speak, opening closed doors and closed minds, restoring and revitalizing broken relationships. They also are among the hardest words for us to speak -- threatening our core identity, putting us in jeopardy, posing unreasonable risk. It seems better to "stay the course," hoping others will forget or just "get over" whatever the issues happen to be.

If it is difficult for individuals to acknowledge and accept responsibility for wrongdoing or poor judgment, it seems all but impossible for nations to do so.

Instead, we cloak ignorance, arrogance and vice in the language of honor and virtue. We sacrifice youth and squander resources to produce death rather than acknowledge error and change direction to sustain and improve life. We "stay the course" of maximum destruction rather than stop pointless bloodletting.

But how do nations acknowledge that lives lost through hubris have been wasted? How would they justify the losses? How could our national leaders make a sincere public acknowledgment of wrongdoing in invading Iraq, resulting in thousands of Iraqi and American deaths?

But maybe restoration and reconciliation in Iraq will begin, not with more troops and more armored vehicles, nor with figuring out how to distribute oil revenues once the nation is stabilized and put back together, but with the simple heartfelt words "I'm sorry" or "We were wrong."

JOHN ROGER
North Point Breeze

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Wecht persecuted

Once again, Sally Kalson proved in her Sunday column that she really gets it. Her accurate assessment of "The Wecht Indictment" (July 22) certainly raises a lot of questions.

Does the 84-count federal indictment against Dr. Cyril Wecht, alleging he mixed personal and county business as coroner, really warrant the media attention or does the entire matter smack of a political witch hunt?

Has this case maligned his brilliant reputation as a forensic scientist and overshadowed the long and dedicated public service Dr. Wecht has rendered to this community -- as county commissioner, coroner and medical examiner?

In my opinion, he has not only been prosecuted but he and his family have also been persecuted. I confess that my husband, attorney John Feeney, was one of the lawyers who represented Dr. Wecht in a similar case in 1981, which resulted in an acquittal of all charges

I also must confess that, although the public only sees the bombastic, flamboyant and, yes, eloquent man on his frequent appearances on both local and national TV, I know a different Cyril Wecht. I know him as a loyal friend and a great family man who is never happier than when the entire brood of four kids, their spouses and grandchildren are all gathered under one roof.

Yes, it's too early to judge the guilt or innocence of Dr. Wecht. The trial, which is sure to become a media circus, has yet to begin. In my opinion, the case has dragged on much too long and the only people who have won so far are the lawyers. I can only imagine his legal bills.

ELEANOR SCHANO
Shadyside

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Color me appalled

I was appalled by the July 20 article "Pittsburgh's 'Livable' Label Called Lie for Blacks: A Tale of Two Very Different Cities." I knew there was a racist faction in this city but to bluntly state that there are two sides to Pittsburgh -- the wealthy white side and the poor black side --is unacceptable.

I am white and I grew up in a city neighborhood affected by its fair share of shootings and violence. If my skin color makes me wealthy, then "show me the money" because I don't see it. If my skin color makes this city more "livable" for me, then why did I have to work so hard to get where I am?

Perhaps I am just out of the loop. Maybe every Pittsburgher with light skin has some secret overflowing bank account that I just haven't been given access to yet. My mistake. I thought that you make your own destiny. If you commit a violent act -- that was your choice. If you stay out of trouble -- that was your choice, too.

Frankly, I am sick and tired of hearing about how skin color determines what kind of life a person will lead. Black or white, your life is your own. Take some responsibility and start living by your own rules. I applaud those who are working towards change. It is people like them who make Pittsburgh the most livable city.

KRISTY SIKORA
Carrick

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Demanding 'papers'

I understand that Homeland Security will now demand passports for those American citizens who wish to vacation, see family and friends or do business with our neighbors in Canada and Mexico. These are neighbor nations who welcome travelers and do not demand this onerous document in order to enter.

While the guards search our cars and luggage to be able to reenter our country, much of the Rio Grande will, of course, be open to all traffic and travelers, especially those "undocumented aliens" without any identification papers or proof of citizenship.

Does our government intend to force Americans to endure the annoyances and delays we experience at airport terminals at all points of entry? Will we be required to carry our "papers," like the citizens of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union had to do ?

Meanwhile, potential terrorists and criminals (along with hordes of hard-working people needed in a laissez-faire, low-wage, free-trade economy) can cross our borders with impunity. Makes me feel safer already.

MICHAEL GUY
Tarentum

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Where's the proof?

Regarding your July 22, editorial "Ban on the Run: The Legislature Fails the People on a Smoking Curb," wherein you criticize the Pennsylvania Senate for not passing a strong anti-smoking law banning smoking "in public places": Please cite me one scientifically valid study that concluded that secondary smoke is a health hazard. Do you know of even one such study?

Name two people who have been victimized by "secondhand smoke"? You say that "everyone" suffers "health ills and costs" because of "secondhand smoke." Who is "everyone"? Who has become ill from it? Who has sustained costs?

It may be appropriate for an employer to conclude that smoking disrupts his enterprise, and thus should be banned from his premises. But shouldn't that be the employer's decision to make?

And what about the bar, restaurant or store owner who wishes to allow his patrons and customers to smoke or not as they choose. Why shouldn't he be allowed to exercise his own judgment on this? No one is forced to enter or patronize any saloon, restaurant or store.

Pennsylvania has real problems that need the attention of the General Assembly and governor.

PAUL J. MCARDLE
North Side

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Don't blame U.S.

I was amazed but not surprised at the underlying thesis of Kamran Memon in his "Muslim Discontent" rant in the July 22 Forum section.

The United States is not perfect in its foreign policy. But here is the question for Mr. Memon: If the United States did not exist, would there still be Muslim discontent? Mr. Memon, like many, find it easier to blame the United States than to look at the real roots of discontent in the Muslim world.

Perhaps the real root of discontent is that the realities of the 21st century and the beliefs of Muslim fundamentalists do not mesh.

KENNETH BROWN
Deer Park, N.Y.

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Health care should be a basic human right

I am an American citizen appalled by the health-care system in America. I have a 25-year- old daughter who cannot afford health insurance and has tried on many occasions to apply for the basic-care program for low-income people. She was denied assistance because she does not have children and no disability. I would like to see universal health-care insurance provided for all Americans. I have other family members who cannot afford health insurance.

Even with insurance, the cost of medicine some members of family need is frequently not covered, which forces them to travel out of the United States for drug purchases at substantially lower prices. There has to be a better solution.

We are Americans. We should look out for each other and care for those who cannot care for themselves. Health care should be a basic human right regardless of individual economic status. I favor Ralph Nader's idea, whereby the government would finance health care but keep the delivery of health care in the hands of private nonprofits, allowing free choice of doctors and hospitals.

The health-insurance industry and the pharmaceutical companies are gouging us and I am sick of it. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Of all the forms of inequality, the injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane."

JACQUELINE D. SMITH
Forest Hills

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