This beer measure would hurt many businesses

Regarding "Senate Panel Pondering More Six-Pack Beer Sales" (Oct. 4): It seems that the Senate Law and Justice Committee wants to liberalize six-pack sales, but whose best interest does it have in mind? Six-pack sales have a large impact on the sales side of many small businesses, and to take that away could prove disastrous.

This proposal would put the beer distributors in direct competition with their customers (restaurants and taverns). Distributors already buy their inventory at a discount from the wholesaler and would be able to considerably undersell the local tavern and restaurant.

Also, Senate proposals and even Senate bills have been made to undermine the small tavern and restaurant owner. It began with the distributors being permitted to sell beer on Sundays, and now with the proposal to allow distributors to sell six-packs. How about a proposal to help support taverns and restaurants, and small businesses in general? It's sheer economics: If local restaurants and taverns lose revenue they would have to lay off employees since they would not be able to support the extra costs.

I think the Senate panel should focus on creating jobs in Pennsylvania. How about the Senate proposing a bill that would help improve education or get kids off the street?

In Pennsylvania today there are much more important things that impact our society than the option of buying a six-pack at a local distributor. I think the Senate panel should get its priorities straight, and I hope the Legislature has the common sense to vote down this bill.

PASQUALE VARRASSO
Shaler

The writer's family is in the restaurant business.

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Energy action

I read with great interest the Sept. 26 editorial "Well-Spent Energy: Gov. Rendell Talks Up a Progressive Plan." As the CEO of BPL Global, a green technology company, I enthusiastically support the governor's Energy Independence Strategy and the Post-Gazette's endorsement of that plan.

Gov. Rendell's proposed program aims to achieve a 3 to 5 percent reduction in energy consumption during peak hours of the day when the power grid is overstressed. It is estimated that the initiative could save Pennsylvanians $230 million per year if the right energy-efficient technologies are implemented.

New demand management technology can play an important role in achieving these goals. For residents of Pennsylvania, doing their part to reduce energy consumption can be as simple as installing a demand management sensor on their air conditioner to curtail energy usage during the hottest days of the year. It is not inconceivable that implementing a sensor technology could avoid the need to build a huge power plant emitting harmful greenhouse gases near our neighborhood to better shoulder the load of an overtaxed power grid.

State government has a vital role in setting goals and providing incentives that accelerate the use of green, energy-efficient technologies. This needs to be a bipartisan issue, as it benefits everyone on both sides of the aisle to implement programs that will save energy, save money and, ultimately, save the environment.

KEITH SCHAEFER
CEO
BPL Global Ltd.
Downtown

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Help for victims

Once again, legislators in Harrisburg stalled on passing a victim's rights bill that would assure that all rape survivors who seek care at Pennsylvania emergency rooms are offered emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy. Many rightfully didn't agree with the delay.

For example, Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-Montgomery, said with 20,000 women raped each year in Pennsylvania, this was an issue that couldn't wait. "Do the math," he said. "That is 500 women in Pennsylvania that are raped each week. If we continue to move the ball down the court without addressing this issue, we are jeopardizing the safety of women in Pennsylvania at a very dramatic rate each week."

While more than 80 percent of surveyed Pennsylvanians believe emergency contraception should be offered to rape victims in an emergency room, more than half of Pennsylvania hospitals do not follow the medically recommended protocol of offering emergency contraception. Since emergency contraception can only prevent pregnancy, not end one, timeliness is extremely critical in this matter.

Hospitals have an obligation to make all information on standard of care available to victims and should try to avoid putting a rape survivor through the trauma of addressing a pregnancy. Speaking as a clinician who has worked with rape survivors, it is incomprehensible that any health care provider purposely prevents a woman from reducing the risk of unintended pregnancy after a rape.

It is time for Pennsylvania to join other states that have spoken out to make sure every woman in every hospital receives appropriate care.

MELISSA M. BELL
Forest Hills

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Destructive decisions

The war in Iraq is over, and we have lost.

Our intelligence agencies allowed us to believe that there were weapons of mass destruction. They were so sure that we bet our reputation, American and Iraqi lives and the region's safety upon it.

Our military allowed the disintegration of Iraqi society to occur, as it had no plan after the initial invasion.

Our standing in the world's eyes has suffered as we allowed Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay and secret prisons around the world to torture suspected enemies.

Our economy has suffered as we have spent in excess of $455 billion with no end in sight.

A nation that makes so many destructive decisions will be fortunate to save itself, let alone save another country. How many more lives will be lost before we return to reality?

BARRY LIGHT
Squirrel Hill

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Beyond this dig

Regardless of what your position is on spending more than a half-billion dollars to extend T service to the North Side, the fact remains it's being done. As such, I hope our regional planners are working on leveraging this North Side access to extend the T to the northwest communities via the unused railroad beds along the Ohio River and to the northeast communities via the unused railroad beds along the Allegheny River. The cost per mile for these extensions would be a pittance compared with what's being spent on the "Big Dig" and would serve a much larger area.

The cost also would be offset by the fuel savings realized from commuters switching from cars to rail service.

JONATHAN ZELL
Franklin Park

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Runners need water

In response to Mandy Pagano's letter ("An Unpleasant Finish," Oct. 3):

I participated for the first time in the 10K race of the 30th running of The Great Race. I loved the Pittsburgh pride, the camaraderie and the wonderful weather.

But imagine my dismay and utter disbelief when I crossed the finish line, thirsty, and was told that there was no more water. What budget snafus happened here? Unlike previous road races in North Carolina and New York that I have run in, there has always been water for all runners. That is just a basic need in a road race and to deprive people of water is simply inhuman and cruel.

It was infuriating to walk past the winners' tent and the sponsors' tent and be told we couldn't have the bottled water. Thank God, I had extra money for parking so that I could buy a bottle of water. No wonder people carried bags while running; they knew more than I did. If people are hoarding water bottles, restrict one bottle per runner, but don't deny people water.

Hmm, The Great Race ... not this year.

SARAH L. LAW
Point Breeze

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Here's a project that can help with discussions about race

Regarding Darlene Durrwachter Rushing's Oct. 3 letter ("We Must Encourage Conversations About Race"), which referenced Tony Norman's Sept. 28 column ("Bill O'Reilly's 'Race Problem' -- and Ours"):

Ms. Rushing asked the question: "Now, my dear fellow Pittsburghers, where do we go from here?"

I have a suggestion. In another city where I lived for many years, I participated in a project called "Study Circles on Race." This is a process for small-group deliberation that is voluntary and participatory. The groups are typically eight to 12 participants, led by a facilitator (or two) who is impartial, who helps manage the deliberation process, but is not an "expert" or "teacher" in the traditional sense. There is a syllabus that provides ideas and helps move the process along. It works especially well when there is a mix of races and ethnic groups.

This process considers many perspectives, rather than advocating a particular point of view, and uses ground rules to set the tone for a respectful, productive discussion. It's rooted in dialogue and deliberation, not debate. It provides an opportunity for citizens to talk to each other in a real way in a protected atmosphere.

It was a great experience and led to long-lasting friendships that would have seemed incongruous previously. Google "Study Circles on Race."

JANET ARONSON
Oakland