The United States should back Taiwan fully

Regarding "Back Off: The U.S. Should Send a Message to Taiwan" (Oct. 11 editorial): Taiwan is not "provocative," but reactive. It is reacting to China's escalating military intimidation and international political suffocation.

China has nearly 1,000 missiles aimed at Taiwan and continues to deploy 100 more each year. China's so-called "anti-secession law" also claims that the Taiwan Strait, an international navigational channel used by American ships, is China's inner sea.

Meanwhile, Beijing continues to choke Taiwan's external relations so that even Taipei's request for mere observer status in the World Health Organization has been blocked.

Never has Taiwan been a part of the People's Republic of China. Please check again with the U.S. Department of State to see if it is truly the United States' position that "Taiwan is an integral part of China," as your editorial claims. If that were so, why did U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon correct his rhetoric regarding Taiwan's status in August, after being approached by the U.S. government?

Who should "back off"? Myanmar, North Korea, Sudan and Iran all have one thing in common: a solid alliance with China. On the other hand, Taiwan has developed from poverty to prosperity, from authoritarianism to democracy, all with the United States' support and encouragement.

Taiwan is striving to cling to its hard-won democracy. Rather than tell it to "back off," the United States should offer full backing to its star student and prove to the world that America's commitment to freedom and democracy exists in fact, as well as in name.

BEN SHAO
Director of Press Division
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office
New York, N.Y.

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Biasing DUQ

The PG reported that Duquesne University "ordered" WDUQ to stop airing underwriter support messages and refuse donations from Planned Parenthood because the group is "not aligned with the university's Catholic mission and identity" ("WDUQ Pulls Planned Parenthood Spots," Oct. 13).

Those of us who listen to and support public radio rely on its objectivity and evenhandedness. Duquesne President Charles Dougherty's actions have undermined DUQ's credibility and cast doubt on its ability to report fairly. If only "approved" organizations can contribute, a cultural bias can develop in that direction. If DUQ is beholden to Duquesne's "Catholic mission and identity," there's no reason to believe it can be objective in reporting in its news division. In tuning in to NPR, I'm not looking for news and talk aligned with anybody. Duquesne has, in effect, turned DUQ into a partisan organization.

If we cannot support WDUQ without "supporting" Duquesne University and the Roman Catholic Church, many of us will choose to support other, less partisan NPR stations.

DIANE PITTMAN
Lawrenceville

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Proud of Duquesne

As a graduate of Duquesne University, I am proud of the university's decision not to accept the funds from Planned Parenthood ("WDUQ Pulls Planned Parenthood Spots," Oct. 13). It didn't take the money and then refuse to take Planned Parenthood's position; it has respectfully not accepted the money from Planned Parenthood.

My donation of $35 should arrive today at Duquesne University. It's not much, certainly not enough to sway the university's opinion, which the $5,000-plus from Planned Parenthood might do. The university has taken a stand and drawn a line in the sand; it will not go beyond this point.

If another public radio station decided that it also will carry National Public Radio, fine. It's a free country, still.

JOHN W. VALENTINE
Seven Fields

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Signing off

As a past contributor to WDUQ, I had no idea that my contribution was supporting a mouthpiece of the Roman Catholic Church ("WDUQ Pulls Planned Parenthood Spots," Oct. 13). Never again.

The next time WDUQ asks for my support, I will suggest it ask the pope. As a strong supporter of Planned Parenthood's mission, I have to assume my contribution would not be welcome anyway.

DAVID BARNARD
Shadyside

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Diabetes, depression

Joe Fahy's Sept. 30 front-page story, "Watching Everything to Control Disease," notes the wide variety of strategies being tried to improve diabetes care, including the marvelous efforts of Dr. Bruce Block and of Healthy Hearts and Souls.

From a broad public health perspective, it is important to note that diabetes often coexists with depression. Indeed, each condition makes the other more difficult to control. A recent study in which we collaborated showed that diabetics who get good depression care are 50 percent more likely to be living five years later than those who get only care as usual -- hence, the need to screen for depression in primary care settings and to implement evidence-based guidelines for depression care management and depression prevention in vulnerable populations.

We are currently pursuing NIH-sponsored research into these questions, including depression prevention in overweight people at risk for diabetes and depression. Readers wishing more information may call us at the UPMC Late-Life Depression Evaluation and Treatment Center at 412-246-6006.

CHARLES F. REYNOLDS III, M.D.
Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology and Neuroscience
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Oakland

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Costly to the kids

The Seneca Valley School District strike only hurts the students. Both sides, Seneca's board and teachers union, are at an impasse ("Seneca Valley Strike Could Go a Month," Oct. 16). The time is now for binding arbitration. If they can't agree and in fact don't talk, an outside party is required.

How well do you think any of us would fare returning to school five weeks after our last class to finish out our nine-week grades? Who pays? The kids.

NANCY CHRISTO
Cranberry

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Neighborhood pride

Litter, trash, neighborhood pride and beautiful fall weather brought hundreds of adult volunteers and school kids onto the streets of Homewood, Squirrel Hill and Point Breeze this past weekend.

We thank one and all who participated in our Redd Up Coalition for making our neighborhoods cleaner and also for being the inspiration for Citizens Against Litter to organize 100 neighborhoods to do the same on the same weekend.

As usual, the efforts of the entire Public Works Department -- all over the city -- are appreciated.

ALIYA D. DURHAM
Executive Director
Operation Better Block Inc.
Homewood

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Congress, follow Al Gore's lead by taking strong action on energy

The awarding of the 2007 Peace Prize to Al Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ("Gore Shares Peace Prize," Oct. 13) was justly deserved. Mr. Gore's early recognition of the threat of global warming and his persistent call for government action has indeed been courageous.

However, while Mr. Gore's push for action is being heard by states and communities across the country, action by Congress is uncertain. Members of Congress such as Reps. Jason Altmire, Mike Doyle and John Murtha need to make clear to the Democratic leadership that they will support passage of a strong energy bill before the end of the 2007 session. Otherwise, the distraction of the presidential election will delay congressional action on global warming until well into 2009. That is a delay that Al Gore is unlikely to believe we can afford.

PETER J. WRAY
Churchill

The writer is co-chair of the conservation committee, Allegheny Group of the Sierra Club.

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Soured us on war

I believe that the Nobel Peace Prize should have gone to George W. Bush rather than Al Gore. He may have succeeded in convincing the American electorate that there is no such thing as a short glorious little war.

RALPH KLUG
Oakmont

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