Adults should learn from these students

Three cheers for Malik Washington. After reading the July 30 article "A New Series of Downs for Duquesne's High School Athletes," about the former Duquesne High School and now East Allegheny senior, I again realized that sometimes kids have more sense than adults. This young man along with his friend, Darrale Dunn, appears to have learned a life lesson that others need to grasp: "That is why my focus is on moving on. I'm going to make new friends and get to know new people and turn this into a positive experience." Good for them.

I know that change is difficult, but reading everything about the closing of Duquesne High School and the reactions of everyone involved, it occurs to me that a lot of the problems in the world are due to self-fulfilling prophecy. Everyone is so afraid "something will happen" that we don't let things play out naturally. We put ideas into people's heads before the fact, thereby making those facts what we knew they would be. No one gives anything a chance.

Good for these young men, the young men on the East Allegheny team and everyone who believes in giving things a chance. There will be problems. Every school year has them, but what about the benefits from this change? Who knows the friendships that will develop, the collaborations that will blossom, the good that will happen? Maybe the kids from all of the schools involved can teach us grown-ups a thing or two.

Thanks to PG staff writer Colin Dunlap for reporting some good news.

SUSAN McCOY
Brookline

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Tax the truckers

Regarding the July 27 article "State's Rural Stretches Carrying the Banner Against I-80 Toll Plan": Since the trucking industry is the biggest "for profit" user of the I-80 and I-79 interstates as well as I-76, tax the truckers and their companies. Don't try to pass the tax on to the average traveler. I already avoid I-76 because of fees; I will find an alternate route.

ALAN HARIG
Canonsburg

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Same ol' Harrisburg

What is the matter with the people in the northern part of the state? So they have to pay a few tolls ("State's Rural Stretches Carrying the Banner Against I-80 Toll Plan"). We all have to sacrifice.

The same with you people in Pittsburgh complaining about the Port Authority. We all have to sacrifice.

I point to our own state House of Representatives as a shining example. Did they not give up their catered lunches? Whenever you have a hard time accepting these problems, please think of them and all they have surrendered.

If we don't see true reform (and I don't mean a few rules changes) within the next 14 months, we have to do in 2008 what we did in 2006. This freshman class made a lot of promises; let's see some action, not just from them but from the old guard, too. Otherwise, the taxpayers and citizens of Pennsylvania must remember to vote "no incumbent" in the next election.

DON SHERIDAN
Cresson, Cambria County

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Our treasure

In response to the article "Many Tapped Oil and Gas Sites in Allegheny National Forest Are Fragile Areas, Say Officials" (July 22): The recent lease by the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management of public mineral rights in the Allegheny National Forest is downright appalling. Drilling companies lease mineral rights in attempts to explore and drill for oil and gas developments.

In order to drill, they construct roads, lay pipeline and build storage tanks that are needed to operate the machinery. New road construction alters the natural hydrology of an area and increases erosion and sedimentation into streams and other waterways. Additionally, roads, pipelines and machinery ruin the beauty of the scenic wilderness.

The Salmon Creek watershed supports a Class One trout stream and popular hiking trails for public use. In addition, it is considered a threatened landscape.

The Allegheny National Forest is a national treasure, part of our nation's fabric. Our land and mineral rights do not exist for the benefit of corporations to extract resources for profit. Those rights belong to American citizens and exist to maintain our heritage.

CHRISTOPHER SEYMOUR
South Side Slopes

The writer is Allegheny Group chair of the Sierra Club.

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Iran watch

Washington Post columnist Michael Gerson gives the administration line that the trouble in Iraq is due to Iran and Syrian interference rather than admitting that the war was a terrible mistake ("Iraq's Naughty Neighbors," July 23). The violence in Iraq against U.S. troops is primarily carried out by the people who live there, the majority of whom want the United States to leave.

There have been a number of reports that the Bush administration has been working on plans to attack Iran, which might divert attention from Iraq. This will be difficult unless there is a very good excuse for an attack.

This suggests the serious possibility that there will be a claim based on fabricated reports that Iran has attacked U.S. warships. There are precedents such as the Gulf of Tonkin incident, which was used to justify an expansion of the Vietnam War. An attack on Iran would probably have disastrous consequences.

It may well be that this possibility represents the most serious danger our country faces in the coming months leading up to the 2008 election.

LINCOLN WOLFENSTEIN
Squirrel Hill

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Campaign overkill

I believe in the future an absolute ban should be placed on campaigning for the presidency at least until the year of the election. Our key senators and others have been running around the country for about six months already and there is still more than a year until the voting. These important people should be focusing their efforts on the more urgent problems of the day, such as Iraq, Iran, Darfur and the many domestic issues.

Of course it is vital that we nominate the right people for this next most critical election, but they can do more to promote their candidacy with some relevant work now. There will still be plenty of time for the debates.

BILL SCHWARTZ
Scott

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Clueless president

That photo on the July 26 front page was obscene. There stands our president with two legs, flanked by two veterans of a war he initiated, one with no legs and the other with one -- young men who face their lives as disabled -- and the president is, as always, smirking and believing this shows his concern. He just doesn't get it, does he?

DAVID N. CAMPBELL
Monroeville

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Where's he been?

I usually enjoy reading the letters to the editor section because it gives people a chance to voice their opinions and helps stimulate debate on many topics, but after reading the letter from Paul J. McArdle of the North Side ("Where's the Proof?" July 29), I wonder if the PG will print just any rant.

In his letter, Mr. McArdle takes umbrage with the PG for its criticism of the Pennsylvania Senate for not passing a smoking ban in public places, questioning whether there is any proof that secondhand smoke is indeed a health hazard. Are you kidding me? Did you just wake up from a 20-year coma? Or do you hear only what you want to hear? It's been all over the news for the last 20 years. You want proof? Go to the American Lung Association's Web site. Google "secondhand smoke," or better yet, go ask a fireman about smoke inhalation. Just in case you're wondering, Mr. McArdle, the sun is hot and water is wet, but don't take my word for it.

I don't know what is more ridiculous, Mr. McArdle's letter or the fact that the PG decided to print it.

C.J. KERNA
Mt. Lebanon

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PG is unfair to a civic leader who wants to protect taxpayers, not lawbreakers

I was shocked and disappointed by your July 29 editorial "Victory for Reason." To call Hazleton Mayor Louis Barletta a "small-minded politician" is totally unfair.

He and the citizens of Hazleton have shown great courage in trying to enact ordinances to protect their city. People who have lived in that city for many years, and paid taxes to support it, are having their community services overburdened by those who have broken U.S. laws to come to this country and who are contributing to the crime rate in Hazleton.

Why should Hazleton have to suffer because the federal government has failed to protect our borders?

DOROTHY C. SMITH
Franklin Park

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