The death penalty puts us in an undesirable league

The Oct. 12 column by Ellen Goodman ("Death Watch") hits the nail on the head with the "we can't have our death penalty and our humanity, too." We in the United States are still talking about how to murder the murderers, usually under the guise of protecting the greater society. Rarely do we openly talk about the desire for vengeance and retribution, which lurk beneath the rhetoric.

A blue-ribbon panel of legal experts have just completed an in-depth study of Pennsylvania's death penalty and found problems with the state's death penalty that are so grave that executions should be halted while these problems are addressed ("Study Finds Major Flaws in Pa. Death Penalty Cases," Oct. 9).

The study found that our death penalty, among its many faults, risks executing the innocent. It is time for Pennsylvania to declare a moratorium on executions and see what that does for our evolving humanity. The rest of the industrialized world has long since done this, while the United States remains in a class with Iran and China when it comes to the death penalty.

DAVE OSTER
Jefferson

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Rid us of them

Regarding the Oct. 5 letter "No to Executions": I strongly disagree. There are a lot more people than ever in prison now in the United States. Many are there for murder, and some are vindicated and ultimately found innocent by DNA. This is fine and should happen to all who deserve it.

However, there are still human beings capable of heinous, abhorrent acts on their fellow humans -- witness in Florida, John Couey, a convicted child molester/murderer; the person who committed the execution-style killings of three New Jersey students; the D.C. snipers; the BTK killer; the assassin killer of the armored guards; cop killers and many others who have committed crimes of this gravity.

These people have shown they are worthless to humanity and have no redeeming value to society. I see no reason why the taxpayers should have to pay for their lifetime scholarship for living the rest of their lives in prison. These people are worthless and best watched in their graves. Get rid of them; I do not want to pay for their lifetime living expenses. They have been shown to have no redeeming value to humanity.

Or else put Couey among the general prison population -- that population somehow has the principles and a way of dealing with child molesters/murderers. They kill them.

Let all those against the death penalty sign a petition to support these killers, and keep their expenses out of my wallet.

LARRY OSWALD
Sewickley

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Defies standards

On Oct. 9, the American Bar Association released a report that reaffirms what should be common knowledge by now, that the death penalty is patently flawed and beyond fixing in Pennsylvania (and in the other 37 states in the United States that carry out executions). The death penalty is racially biased and defies international human rights standards. In addition the death penalty is an arbitrary and unfair form of punishment that has no deterrent value.

The findings by the American Bar Association create an even more disturbing picture in specific regard to Pennsylvania's system ("Study Finds Major Flaws in Pa. Death Penalty Cases," Oct. 9). Pennsylvania has the largest percentage of minorities on death row of any state in the nation. Minorities account for merely 14 percent of the state's total population, according to the latest Census statistics, and yet around 70 percent of the people on death row are minorities.

Since the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1973, six men have been proven innocent and released from death row in Pennsylvania. That is twice the number of people who have been executed. Biological evidence is often a crucial factor in determining a person's innocence; however, Pennsylvania does not guarantee that such evidence will be available for the duration of a defendant's incarceration.

A recent poll found that 62 percent of Pennsylvanians want to suspend the death penalty until questions of fairness can be addressed. Pennsylvania needs to listen to its majority and push for a moratorium on executions.

FOLABI OLAGBAJU
Director, Mid-Atlantic Region
Amnesty International USA
Washington, D.C.

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Not so Christian

The "death penalty" has all the legal credentials to be defined as premeditated murder. Instead of trying to outlaw this act of inhumanity, we are trying to figure out the best way to kill someone. Something is wrong.

When I read something like Ellen Goodman's column on how the Supreme Court is addressing how to kill someone nicely ("Death Watch," Oct. 12), I am embarrassed to be a human being. Genocide in Africa, torture in our prisons, execution of Iraqis, the death penalty -- and our political leaders want to refer to this as a Christian nation. What a farce.

RAYMOND WESTBROOK
Mt. Lebanon

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Hunting safety

First, I want to say that I hope 19-year-old Jason Davies is going to be all right ("Hunter, 19, Critically Wounded," Oct. 14), and that the coward who ran after shooting him is caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent. That said, let's look at why this happened.

First, the coward should have made sure of his target and not just fired at a movement. Second, Jason should have yelled at the other hunter instead of waving.

But the Pennsylvania Game Commission should bear a lot of responsibility here. Why in the world would anyone with any intelligence allow a fully camouflaged person to be in a tree when squirrel and grouse season is under way? Hey! Squirrels live in trees and birds fly.

Anyone who has hunted grouse knows that it is a fast-shooting sport. Most people use dogs. Most watch these dogs pretty intently. As it is now the rules are that a camo-clad deer hunter in a tree must display orange within several feet of his or her location. It should come as no surprise that this bit of orange can be obscured by branches, trees and leaves.

The Game Commission has set this problem up and should accept that it is a culprit in this accident. It is only surprising that this is the first incident. Archery hunters in trees must be made to wear orange during multiple seasons or the seasons must be separated. Or does someone have to die first?

TOM KERIN
Bethel Park

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An asset for all

A recent letter asked for an explanation of a proposed Allegheny Regional Asset District grant to Upper St. Clair ("What Regional Asset?" Oct. 6). The township is the owner and operator of Boyce Mayview Regional Park, a 400-acre site that the township took over when Allegheny County decided not to carry out its plan for an 11th county regional park in the fast-growing south county area.

The township is in the process of constructing various facilities including trails, athletic fields and other amenities that will be available to people from the region. Most of the proposed grant will go toward these specific projects with some funds allocated for operations.

RAD is the funder of some 16 qualifying (200 acres or more) regional parks, including those owned by Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, Mc-Keesport and Upper St. Clair. Funding for parks and libraries represents more than 60 percent of the district's budget, recognizing that while these services are located in one jurisdiction, people from all over the county use them. Visit radworkshere.org for more information on the budget and parks.

JULIE GOETZ
Communications Manager
Allegheny Regional Asset District
Downtown

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Cracking down on illegal aliens would help our economy

The Post-Gazette editorial board again attempts to sway the public with its liberal stance on illegal aliens ("Blocked Enforcement: An Immigration Ruling Should Spur Congress to Act," Oct. 15). The board puts forth the opinion that to deport the 12 million illegal aliens would not be practical and would be a blow to the economy.

Illegal aliens are already leaving this country due to new crackdowns on their status here by local and state authorities, and in fact are illegally entering Canada in an attempt to gain free medical, housing and educational benefits. The Canadians are currently attempting to block these privileges as it has become a burden on their economy.

If the laws in place now were enforced, it would not be an economic burden but rather an economic boon to the U.S. economy, which is now suffering from the free programs given to this group of lawbreakers.

DALE B. LARSON
Peters

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We receive more letters than we can fit into the limited space on the editorial page, so we'd like to share some additional letters with our Post-Gazette Web site readers.

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DUQ's future

To the good folks at WDUQ: I'm disheartened by the actions of Duquesne University President Charles Dougherty ("WDUQ Pulls Planned Parenthood Spots," Oct. 13). From my understanding, this has left WDUQ running damage control in the middle of a much-needed funding drive. Longtime supporters of the station are pulling their donations, and the staff is scrambling to assure donors -- for what it's worth -- that it's not WDUQ that decided to pull the ads, but the university.

I wonder what could become of the station. Does university policy conflict with means, services or ventures the station would like to pursue to generate funding? Perhaps I'm naive, but what are the options now?

Do nothing -- a quick death to the station, and staff is either absorbed by other local stations or people move away?

Damage control -- a slow death to the station, progressive downsizing ?

Encourage Duquesne University to sell the station -- possibly become at least another BOB-FM or at most a private version of its current self ?

The staff can strike a deal with WQED, and simply leave DUQ -- Wow. Wouldn't that be a powerhouse of public media?

Any positive outcome must first be cured by wanton worry.

NATHANIEL HAYES
Lawrenceville

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Independence now at issue

Recently, WDUQ (a major outlet for National Public Radio), turned down a contribution from Planned Parenthood ("WDUQ Pulls Planned Parenthood Spots," Oct. 13). The question now is how much independence does the station have from Duquesne University?

By turning down the contribution, this station risks alienating the listenership of NPR (who tend to have more liberal views on social issues). WDUQ states that 87 percent of its revenue comes from the general public.

Perhaps the station should find a new source of funding -- the Vatican.

DAVID ISH
Sheraden

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Hands off my truck!

I'm writing in response to the Oct. 4 article "City to Crack Down on Abandoned Vehicles." The last paragraph: "State Sen. Jim Ferlo, D-Highland Park, said the Legislature is now considering a measure that would allow municipalities to remove abandoned cars from private property under the same expedited procedures."

I hope Mr. Ferlo has the guts to vote no to such a mean-spirited piece of legislation. Not every vehicle having expired registration and/or inspection is "abandoned." Many are viable but in need of repair or restoration.

My own pickup truck was damaged by a neglected pothole on Wenzell Avenue, which the city of Pittsburgh had allowed to deteriorate to the condition of a battlefield. While awaiting towing, windows were broken. And now the state Legislature wants to allow the motor-vehicle nazis to steal my vehicle from my property?

What about collectors and restorers of motor vehicles, many of which await restoration? Are the motor-vehicle nazis going to make off with their collections? I can understand this if the owner moves away and truly abandons his or her vehicle. But keep the motor-vehicle nazis off my property.

JOSEPH G. BRANDTNER
Beechview

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Leaders' lip service regarding the young

While I applaud the fact that voters have a choice this year in our great city's mayoral election, Republican candidate Mark DeSantis has proved he is just a part of the "old school" problem, not the future. Mr. DeSantis' recent comments that our economy is failing miserably ("DeSantis Talks Business," Oct. 14) and his doom-and-gloom assessment of Pittsburgh are flat-out wrong and perpetuate what many of us young professionals and entrepreneurs have known for many years, which is that most of our leaders simply pay lip service to "keeping young people in Pittsburgh."

These leaders, both Republican and Democrat, are more interested in maintaining the "ol' boy" network of power than making the tough decisions necessary to improving the city. The simple fact of the matter is that the city is teeming with young vibrant energy. From the South Side to the North Side to Shadyside and Lawrenceville, old row houses are being brought back to life, parks are filled with little kids and we are growing a new sense of community. Small business is cropping up everywhere.

Does the city have problems? Of course. The two boards charged with oversight of the city's finances did an analysis of what we need to move forward, but the state Legislature provided only half of the revenue. Despite these hurdles, we will overcome.

Mr. DeSantis and his suburban supporters love to criticize from the sidelines. Ironically, however, those of us in the city would welcome them with open arms back into the city. The only stipulation: be a part of the solutions, not the problem.

This is a great, cultural and, yes, young city. We just need to spread the word, and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl is the right man for the job.

KIRK B. BURKLEY
North Side

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No excuse for mayor's SUV misuse

In the first century, Quintilian stated that "a liar ought to have a good memory." Mayor Luke Ravenstahl should heed this advice when he explains his misuse of a police intelligence vehicle, paid for by the Department of Homeland Security ("Citing National Security, Mayor Mum on SUV Specs," Oct. 5). He took this vehicle out of service to attend a concert with his wife and friends. They obviously saw the vehicle interior, its apparatus, and had access to its antiterrorism technology.

He then defended this misuse, stating "I am going to continue to ? go to concerts like I always have, and go to have a drink with my wife in bars. That's what 27-year-olds do."

Many 27-year-olds volunteer with local EMS/fire departments. If one of them took an official vehicle out of service for personal use, they would be severely sanctioned, if not fired. This misuse puts lives at risk. It ties up resources. If there were a mass-casualty incident, less than the maximum response could be mounted by EMS.

Now, the mayor refuses to release "sensitive Homeland Security information" about the appropriate use of this vehicle. Did his passengers to the concert have "Homeland Security" clearance to view the inner workings of a state-of-the-art antiterrorism surveillance vehicle? In citing national security, the mayor has proved that he prioritized his own entertainment before national security and local safety.

The mayor has entangled himself in his own web of deception. It is time for the mayor to step out of the driver's seat. Someone else should promote Sgt. Mona Wallace.

CHAD ELLIS
Morningside

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'Inconvenient' babies

Recent letters writers stated "no one is proud of abortion." Well many certainly are not ashamed of it. It is a crime to destroy a bald eagle's nest, but a human being is apparently worthless. They tried to make the case that it was necessary for the safety of those who had to choose abortion.

It has been clearly shown that the coat hanger and back-alley abortions, etc., were nearly nonexistent. But now the "rare" case of an abortion rings up 1.5 million babies killed each year. Now, the law says that's OK. I find it strange that we can have any law stand that was based entirely on admitted false testimony of a rape.

They said liberals stand for the right to make personal decisions such as this. Really? Where do we draw the line? It is OK to kill a child in the womb. And with partial-birth abortion, it was OK to kill the child as it was delivered. And when an individual wants to kill his or her born child for personal reasons that would be OK as well under that "logic."

Think it can't happen? If you could have told the nation when the court was deciding Roe v. Wade that the decision could and would lead to 1.5 million babies being aborted every year, would the shock and revulsion have caused an outcry? I think so. They would not have believed it possible. But remember, the courts were trying to allow the few and seldom abortions for the small group who "needed" them because of a rape.

The inconvenient truth of this nation is that when unborn babies are deemed inconvenient by their "mothers," it is OK to kill them.

RICK CATIZONE
Scott

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A worthless war vs. children's health care

Ruth Ann Dailey's columns epitomize the fraudulence that is the essence of conservatism in America today, none more so than that of Oct. 8 defending President Bush's veto of the children's health insurance bill ("Bush Bravely Battles a Bloated SCHIP," Oct. 8). She rails against the $35 billion increase required to bring health insurance to children of the working and middle classes that currently lack it or have inadequate coverage, calling it "eye-popping."

Yet how many columns has she written cheerleading for the four-year, half-trillion-dollar worthless war in Iraq? A war that costs us $35 billion every four months? (Excuse me while my eyes pop.) A war that was based on lies, paid for on credit, accompanied by a huge tax cut for the rich, fought by the children of the same working and middle classes whose children themselves would benefit from the SCHIP increase that Ms. Dailey and other conservatives despise. A war whose only benefits have gone to politically connected corporate interests typified by the traitorous Halliburton (soon to be moving its headquarters from this country to the United Arab Emirates). A war whose own leading general, David Petraeus, could not say had helped our national security in the slightest.

As Ms. Dailey's columns show, conservatism is nothing but a deceitful fraud to benefit 3 percent of the population at the expense of the other 97 percent. Its power is maintained only by lying, corrupting and conning at least half of that 97 percent into voting against their own interests.

Hopefully, exposed for the scam that it is, the days of conservatives in power will soon be over, and we the people can get our country back. To this end, Ms. Dailey's columns will surely help.

PAUL E. VONDRA
Bellevue

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