WDUQ reporting is objective; that won't change

The Post-Gazette used strained logic in "The Public's Radio?" (Oct. 17 editorial), which denounced Duquesne University's instructions to WDUQ-FM to decline payment and a commercial from Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania. The Post-Gazette's logic was faulty for two reasons.

First, sensible WDUQ-FM listeners know that this one, local commercial ban will not compromise the reporting of "objective, accurate world and national news."

Second, Duquesne's commercial ban will not lead to a new WDUQ-FM policy of "no reporting on pedophile priests," as the Post-Gazette fears. For some years now our local Catholic institutions have publicly and objectively acknowledged pedophilia and publicly instituted procedures to remove pedophiles from ministry. That objective, open approach won't change.

RICHARD WERNER
Ross

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W.Va. beckons

Kudos to Daniel Noam Warner on his opinion that public radio station WDUQ should assert its independence and reject the censorship of Duquesne University ("WDUQ: Don't Back Down," Oct. 16 Perspectives).

Surely the station's management knows that West Virginia Public Broadcasting also serves southwestern Pennsylvania, at 90.9 FM, and donors can just as easily send their money there.

The university's mission proclaims it has a "commitment to excellence in education" by maintaining an "ecumenical atmosphere open to diversity." How does censorship fit into that?

BOB WILLISON
Crucible

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It's an obligation

Concerning Daniel Noam Warner's "WDUQ: Don't Back Down" (Oct. 16 Perspectives): Mr. Warner supposes that Duquesne University, through its connection to WDUQ, was recognizing itself as "simply one thread in the American tapestry ... ." To a Catholic, however, the moral convictions expressed by the church are far greater than a thread in the American tapestry. With this in mind, the church has not only a right but in fact an obligation to avoid association with a group that it finds itself squarely opposed to.

Within the limits of the law and whatever Federal Communications Commission regulations may apply, National Public Radio has a right to choose its affiliates as it sees fit; similarly, the church has a right to choose its associations as well.

Duquesne administrators may or may not be woefully out of touch with the daily realities of life at Duquesne, as Mr. Warner charges, yet they are demonstrating that they are in touch with the church, whom they ultimately represent. It is proper that they should choose their associations in this manner.

WAYNE MULLER
Ross

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My donation

WDUQ's decision to enter the "culture wars" ("WDUQ Pulls Planned Parenthood Spots," Oct. 13) has forced me to choose sides. This year, my contribution to Planned Parenthood will be increased. As the pledge drive announcers always say, "vote for the programming of your choice!"

ERIC MARCHBEIN
Squirrel Hill

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Business freedom

It is difficult to imagine defending Pennsylvania's archaic, bizarre, convoluted, customer-punishing distribution system for beer, but such an endorsement is made with the Oct. 9 letter from Pasquale Varrasso ("This Beer Measure Would Hurt Many Businesses").

Mr. Varrasso argues against any modification of current law, under which distributors may sell this legal product only by the case. Legislation currently under consideration would permit some enlightenment to shine through the darkness by allowing distributors to sell beer in six-packs.

Mr. Varrasso argues that new competition from beer distributors would be harmful to his family's restaurant business and to other businesses. Is American free enterprise not built on competition and risk, the merchant with ingenuity and talent succeeding where others may fail? Is this not a nation in which opportunity is ripe for the taking by those with drive rather than a place where the government ensures that certain merchants receive a business entitlement through government fiat and the squelching of competition?

Prohibition ended in 1933, but one would be hard-pressed to prove it in Pennsylvania, where the status of alcohol as a controlled product has always been used against the responsible liquor and beer customer as a cudgel, the consumer subjected to inconvenience, fewer choices and higher prices than are imposed in virtually every other state in the nation.

Sale of alcoholic beverages should occur in a manner that is reflective of the freedom and competition that are hallmarks of our nation.

COLLEEN SPIEGLER
Upper St. Clair

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The other side

I applaud the Post-Gazette's stand on the worthlessness of a congressional resolution concerning the Armenian genocide issue ("Reckless Resolution," Oct. 12). But I disagree with the editorial's claim that "there is no question that the 1915 genocide took place. It included ethnically and religiously based killing of civilians and was deplorable."

In fact, a great deal of doubt exists among scholars as to whether the events in 1915 constitute genocide. Armenian nationalists launched a bloody revolt against the Ottoman Empire in the 1890s; it lasted until about 1920. This political struggle for a "greater Armenia" became a full-blown civil war, worsened by the outbreak of World War I in 1914.

While the Armenian diaspora focuses on the tragedies of its ancestors, the innocent Muslim population also suffered greatly from atrocities, massacres, exposure and starvation. Armenian soldiers, rebels and gangs murdered about a half-million Muslim civilians from 1890 to 1920. Shall we also call this a genocide?

Our understanding of this issue is molded by a one-sided explanation by the Armenian diaspora, which has chosen to link its cultural identity with the claim of genocide. The fact remains that historical records do not substantiate the political claim of Armenians that they were the victims of genocide. Legislating history is never a good idea, and the tragedies of our ancestors have no place in the political process.

MARTY CALLAGHAN
Clarion

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Trashing our world

Recently I participated in a cleanup day for the "Keep Collier Beautiful" campaign. It was a very heartwarming experience to see more than 100 people gathered into groups to head out to their assigned streets and roads to pick up someone else's garbage! These groups consisted of families, individuals, youth and senior citizens.

But why should we have to organize and spend our time to pick up someone else's garbage? Some people must not have a conscience when they dump garbage along the road or throw trash out of a car window.

And you smokers, why do you think it's all right to toss your cigarette butts out of your car window or onto the sidewalks and streets? How gross is that? Who do you think should pick them up -- or is it that you just don't care? They don't disintegrate, you know. They just stay there until someone who cares about the environment comes along to pick them up. If you have to smoke, be a little considerate.

Please, people, think twice about our beautiful land before throwing your trash and cigarette butts on the ground.

BARB RIEDL
Collier

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Lawmakers live well on our tab but refuse care for struggling families

Well, to no surprise not enough Republicans in the House of Representatives changed their votes to override the president's veto of the State Children's Health Insurance Program bill. How can they sleep at night?

They can spend trillions on an endless war. They have no problem taking their own free health care (paid for by taxpaying Americans) while they make six-figure salaries. On top of these salaries, they receive perks like car allowance, meal money, travel expenses and let us not forget all the lobbyist money that they get from insurance companies. Yet, they will not hesitate to block children of low- or middle-income parents from getting health care.

Millions of Americans have jobs and cannot afford health care. There are millions without health care because they have lost their jobs to foreign countries. Why don't these elected officials who voted against this expansion of SCHIP offer to pay for their own health care, car payment, food, etc., just like every other working American?

Remember, these cold-hearted, spineless jellyfish on Election Day. Better yet, I'm sure these actions will be brought to their attention on the real judgment day.

JOHN SCHNEPP
Reserve

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