We need sensible policies to protect the planet

I am very concerned about protecting the environment, so Nicholas Kristof's column "The Big Melt" (Aug. 17) attracted my interest. Most of his points make sense and are worthy of serious consideration. However, I want to take issue with his overly simplistic approach to reducing our dependence on carbon-based energy sources.

If we truly desire to come up with sustainable approaches to addressing environmental problems, we need to support policies that do not make the situation worse through unintended consequences.

For one example, we are learning that biofuels, like ethanol, are not the panaceas they once seemed to be. Producing ethanol requires tractors and fertilizers, all of which means burning fossil fuels. For another example, rejecting coal as an energy source just at the point when new technologies are emerging that will make this very abundant energy source less polluting is contraindicated, as a doctor would put it.

Pennsylvania has adopted a "renewable portfolio standard," which commits the state to have 10 percent of its energy by 2020 come from coal gasification and waste coal. The National Wildlife Federation spotlights this standard on its Web site. Emerging technologies such as carbon capture and storage, coal-to-gas and coal-to-liquid fuels deserve similar levels of support that biofuels are receiving.

Only by pursuing balanced and sensible polices will we be able to meet the world's growing demand for energy, advance Pennsylvania's and the United States' economic prosperity and promote the protection of our planet's environment.

JOHN PATTON
Regent Square

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Confidence waning

I am puzzled by Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's response to the Ethics Hearing Board's recommendations ("Mayor's Letter Sets Stage for Debate on Ethics," Sept. 6). As in all of his statements since the charity golf controversy began, he seems to confuse the act of attending an event with the act of supporting an event.

Charities and nonprofits hold events to raise money to pursue their missions. Individuals and businesses support these events by purchasing tickets. Money equals support.

Mayor Ravenstahl did not support this event, he attended it. Those who paid for his ticket supported it.

No one, as far as I know, is suggesting public officials should not support charitable events. In fact, it happens all the time. Public officials buy tickets to dinners, lunches, breakfasts and bingos, and pay for sponsoring youth athletic teams. This happens in every community, and often these officials do not actually attend the events. Their financial contribution signifies their support.

The mayor seems to be either: (a) attempting to shift the focus from his questionable acceptance of a valuable gift to the noncontroversial practice of supporting charities, or (b) just not getting it that accepting a valuable gift from entities that have financial connections to the city gives the appearance of a conflict.

In either case, confidence in the mayor's integrity is at stake, and I do not like what I have seen.

FRAN BERTONASCHI
Hazelwood

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Cut them loose

In response to the Aug. 29 article about Idaho Republican Sen. Larry Craig's admission to a charge of a homosexual advance in a restroom: Here we go again. The hypocrisy of the family values crowd is remarkable. Just like Richard Nixon (who ran a burglary ring out of the Oval Office) and said "I am not a crook," Sen. Craig said, "I am not gay."

Mr. Craig should resign immediately. I am sick and tired of all these scandals over the last six years. What disgusts me more is that all of these people who have resigned in the past six years will receive golden parachute pensions from us, the American people. I think this might be the solution: If you are forced to resign, you lose your pension.

RONALD HAMER
North Versailles

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Loved my visit

Just returned from my first visit to Pittsburgh in 40 years and concluded that your city gets undeservedly maligned by those who haven't been there recently.

Enjoyed the great, pedestrian-friendly Downtown area, Schenley Park and the gorgeous Pitt campus, the brilliant Andy Warhol Museum, the bustling Saturday morning Strip District and dazzling views from Mount Washington. I also made the day-trip out to Fallingwater.

Everyone I encountered was genuinely nice. The airport was a dream (I'm accustomed to dealing with the nation's busiest). Count me among the converts -- I love Pittsburgh!

ARNOLD SIMON
Atlanta, Ga.</<!--End address-->

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Math comfort

The Sept. 3 article "The Thinkers: He's Taking Unknown Out of Teaching Algebra" struck a personal note for me. As a student who has occasionally had trouble in math classes because I was afraid to ask a question, I think the Cognitive Tutor software seems like the answer to many struggling students' prayers. It not only lets students learn at their own pace, and hone in on troubling areas, it also allows students to feel more comfortable to ask questions.

Students, like myself, often feel as though their questions are foolish, or the teacher does not want to spend time answering them. With this program, however, all students should feel comfortable asking questions, working through their problems and taking the time they need.

Though I am in my senior year of high school and will never get the opportunity to use the program, I hope that it will be implemented into math curriculums nationwide so students will be able to face math with confidence and succeed.

COURTNEY STRAUSS
McCandless

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Dueling burgers

As one who enjoys Big Macs, I was interested to read Cristina Rouvalis' Aug. 22 article about the local opening of the Big Mac Museum ("Big Mac Museum a Cheesy Tribute to a Culinary Icon"). But while McDonald's deserves a tremendous amount of credit for making the Big Mac loved throughout the world, the double-decker cheeseburger is hardly an original invention of McDonald's, as implied by the article.

Before the Big Mac came along, we were enjoying the almost identical Big Boy hamburger invented in the 1930s and featured locally at Eat'n Park since 1949, according to its Web site. When Eat'n Park discontinued its relationship with the Big Boy chain, its changed the name of the Big Boy hamburger to the Superburger, which is how it appears on its menus today.

TONY POLOMBO
Delmont

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An open-minded fan

The Sept. 8 Saturday Diary by Post-Gazette staffer Matt Smith ("I'm a Cleveland Browns Fan. Got a problem with That?") enlightening us about his loyalty to the Cleveland Browns was well written and touching.

Since I consider myself to be a very open-minded Pittsburgh Steelers fan I have only one comment: Fire Matt Smith.

RICHARD M. CARPE
Shadyside

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Bottled water is a healthy choice when on the go

Nestle Waters shares Gary Rotstein's concern about the environment ("Nothing Pure About This Guy's Bottled Water," Sept. 3 Morning File). We are doing our part by constantly challenging ourselves to improve our footprint, from how we manage spring water sources for sustainability to LEED-certified environmentally responsible manufacturing plants, and cutting all waste and resources -- plastic and paper.

The best example is our new Eco-ShapeT half-liter bottle. The most popular size of bottled water, this half-liter bottle contains 30 percent less plastic than most other half-liter beverage containers and is the lightest half-liter plastic bottle currently on store shelves.

Even though plastic water bottles account for less than one-third of 1 percent of solid municipal waste in the United States, we advocate for more progressive programs that would recycle more plastic food and beverage containers, whether they contain ketchup, peanut butter or water, with greater convenience for people.

One important point missing in the article is that bottled water is a healthful, easily accessible alternative to bottled sugared drinks. On average, Americans get 226 more calories a day from beverages than they did a generation ago and the number of overweight and obese children is up an alarming 370 percent across the nation. Americans need to drink more water, whether bottled or tap. Nestle Waters provides an option for people who are on the go. Instead of grabbing a bottle of soda, people should drink zero-calorie water. Suggesting drinking bottled water is a waste can therefore have negative health impacts, especially when most of what Americans drink comes in bottles or cans.

BRIAN FLAHERTY
Greenwich, Conn.
Director of Public Affairs, Nestle Waters North America

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