Reduce oil dependence and harmful emissions

We share the concern for the environment voiced by John Patton's letter ("We Need Sensible Policies to Protect the Planet" Sept. 11). Mr. Patton correctly points out that there are challenges with all sources of energy, and solutions to climate change will require a measured and sustained commitment to a variety of low-carbon energy sources, including coal with carbon capture and sequestration.

However, his suggestion that we lavish subsidies on coal-to-liquids projects as a solution to climate change is severely misguided. Coal-to-liquids, or gasoline and diesel fuels derived through the indirect liquefaction of coal, have about twice the level of life-cycle greenhouse-gas emissions than regular petroleum-based fuels.

A far better option would be to encourage plug-in hybrid vehicles, which could run on electricity as well as gasoline and emit considerably less life-cycle greenhouse gases than coal-to-liquids-fueled vehicles. As we improve biofuels processes and reduce the carbon emissions in our electricity system by supporting renewables and other low-carbon technologies, the greenhouse gases from plug-in hybrids would continue to decline.

Sensible policies should encourage technologies that reduce oil dependence as well as greenhouse-gas emissions.

COSTA SAMARAS
Squirrel Hill

PAULINA JARAMILLO
Greenfield
The writers are doctoral students at Carnegie Mellon University.

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About oppression

Although I agree with Timothy Patrick McCarthy's article in spirit, ("Homos, Hypocrites and Haters," Sept. 9 Forum), his indictment of the "modern-day Republican Party" as haters may miss the mark.

I agree that some people -- Republicans and Democrats -- many of whom attend churches, temples and mosques to reinforce the message of love, compassion and justice of their faiths, are too quick to separate from and deny common advantages to those who are "different." It is disturbing, but I don't think its source is always hatred.

Instead of asking "Should we give gay people equal rights to everything heterosexuals take for granted?" could we ask a different question? "What is the cost to our souls and society when we oppress others?"

At different junctures of our common experience we have "called this question" with dramatic results. With slavery, women's rights and civil rights for African Americans we came to a point where the cost of oppression became unbearable. We could no longer look in the mirror of our lives together and be happy with its reflection. The sight was too painful and did not represent the best in us. The advantage of power and ignorance, not necessarily hatred, kept the status quo in place to the breaking point.

As an advocate for social equality for gays, I believe in the possibility that many opponents can be touched by education and by answering fearful concerns constructively. In order to break the cycle of oppression, perhaps care should be taken not to be oppressive in return.

MIKE FAZZINI
O'Hara

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Airline agony

As a frequent traveler for business, I have the opportunity (or curse, as the case may be) to travel all over the United States and abroad. Over the past 10 years, it has become quite apparent that the departure of US Airways from Pittsburgh as a major hub hurts not only the individual traveler but also the region in immeasurable ways.

As an individual, one cannot fly directly to key locations around the country without going through Charlotte, or (heaven forbid) Philadelphia. For our region, today's employers evaluate the cost of business, including ready access from the region's airport to other locations around the country.

When Pittsburgh was a major hub for US Airways, North American travel was highly convenient. Not today. Their flights have been cut by nearly 75 percent.

I urge our county and state representatives to take any measures feasible to bring US Airways back to Pittsburgh. Simply moving flight centers from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh would not only improve our region, but would improve on-time performance for the East Coast. If bringing US Airways back to Pittsburgh is determined to be not feasible, then our representatives should make every effort to lure in a new major hub airline for Pittsburgh.

We are currently building a state-of-the-art highway access network to improve accessibility to Pittsburgh International. Now all we need is an airline that is interested in serving this major community.

FRANK CULVER
Finleyville

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The real Islam

I am writing in regards to an ad I saw from FLAME in the Sept. 5 Post-Gazette. This organization claims to provide "facts and logic about the Middle East." After reading these so-called "facts and logic," I was quite appalled by ignorant statements such as "Islam's hatred against the West" and "any act of violence is permitted and encouraged" by Islam.

Islam as a religion does not have specific hatred of the West and war is only condoned when in self-defense. The Quran clearly states "And fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you but be not aggressive. Surely Allah loves not the aggressors." (Quran: Chapter 2, Verse 190).

FLAME fails to differentiate between terrorist beliefs and Islamic beliefs, which are contradictory to each other. FLAME combines Islam with terrorist ideology, thus leading readers to believe they are one and the same.

Terrorists take Quranic verses out of context and completely invent ideas, such as that suicide bombers will go straight to heaven. The Prophet Muhammad once revealed, "A man was inflicted with wounds and he committed suicide, and so Allah said: My slave has caused death on himself hurriedly, so I forbid Paradise for him."

I know Muslims and have researched Islam and am dedicated to supporting true-believing Muslims in any way I can. I wonder if the members of FLAME have even read a few verses of the Quran or visited a mosque. I also wonder what possessed the Post-Gazette to publish such propaganda.

EVE LYN BACHMAIER
Jefferson Hills

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Why no tax relief?

Lately there has been quite a bit written about shifting the burden of property taxes and school funding to other forms of taxation. That may be all well and good, but would someone please answer a question for me? Over the past several years the city school system has closed about 20 schools and laid off hundreds. So why aren't my taxes lowered? Why am I paying the same for less?

HOWARD S. SCHWARTZ
Squirrel Hill

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Ray remembered

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Ray Tannehill (Obituary, Sept. 14). Ray was the consummate professional and a hell of a nice guy.

Through a set of weird circumstances, I found myself at age 22 producing the 11 o'clock news at Channel 11. Needless to say, I was terrified nightly that I'd make a fool of myself. But Ray made it easy, suggesting improvement in my clumsy news copy. He also could easily speed up, slow down and engage his fellow newscasters on the set when I frequently mis-timed the broadcast.

Ray had very little ego. He was a professional and didn't need to have his ego massaged. The team of Ray and Adam Lynch was among the very best news teams I've ever worked with ... anywhere.

BOB YUNA
Buffalo, N.Y.

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How can parents save for college?

As the mother of a college sophomore and a high-school senior, the Sept. 12 front-page article "Americans Not Ready for Expense of College" grabbed my attention. As I made my way through the article, my interest in the topic quickly turned to a slow boil.

I would welcome the opportunity to speak with representatives from the College Savings Foundation to give them more than a statistical viewpoint of this issue and to put a human face on a dilemma that I personally have lost sleep over.

What exactly would they suggest the average American family do? My family still lives in a modest home, drives cars until they fall apart, takes one family vacation every few years and pays its bills on time but without much to spare. Once again, how would the College Savings Foundation recommend that we save for college?

Maybe it is time for everyone, from the federal government to this mysterious College Savings Foundation, to stop talking about the problem and actually take some action to ensure that all our children have an opportunity to obtain a college education, or at least guide parents who are average Americans with a few dollars left over on the day before payday.

And one last word: I have a news flash for the College Savings Foundation. American parents aren't heading for trouble in regards to assisting their children with their college tuition; American parents and their college-bound children are already in trouble.

ELIZABETH SHANNON
McDonald

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