Thank you for your story about the Public Utility Commission increasing its patrols of people who are transporting others for compensation, including those whose personal convictions prevent them from owning or operating a vehicle ("PUC Cracking Down on 'Amish Taxi' Drivers," Dec. 30).

The PUC views formal action against these drivers as a last resort. We undertake extensive education efforts to inform drivers how they can be properly certified to transport in Pennsylvania. Unlawful movements typically come to our attention by complaints from certificated drivers. Prior to issuing fines, we issue warnings to offending drivers.

I would like to emphasize to your readers that in enforcing the law, the PUC is trying to balance the needs of a specific community with the safety of the community as a whole. Our concerns revolve around safety -- not only the safety of those being transported but also that of other drivers on the road.

Having authority from the PUC reassures the entire community that the driver has met safety standards and has the proper insurance coverage to protect everyone in the event of an accident.

I appreciate the dialogue that has been started on this topic and encourage those who are interested to call the PUC for more information.

WENDELL F. HOLLAND
Chairman
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
Harrisburg

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Michael D. Kerlin's comments in the Dec. 30 Forum ("In Search of Peace?"), expressed my own deep concern for Pope Benedict XVI's message for World Peace Day, "The Human Family, A Community of Peace." This message emphasizing homosexuality as a major obstacle to world peace is so naive that it borders on absurdity in the face of the overwhelming issues of war, violence, poverty and enormous suffering throughout the world.

Mr. Kerlin says, "Most of the world's citizens will be too poor, too hungry, too surrounded by violence or too worried by this century's other basic challenges to pay attention" to what the spiritual leader of more than a billion Catholics has said for the faithful.

As one of those "faithful," as is Mr. Kerlin, I would like to make a strong statement of opposition for the pope's message. I am a well-educated convert to Catholicism, a mother and grandmother, with deep concern and compassion for those millions who are hungry and cold, homeless and ill. Millions face the daily struggle of just surviving. It is estimated that if you have food in a refrigerator, a roof over your head and clothes in a closet, you are richer than 75 percent of the world population!

It is most difficult to understand or accept the pope's message for World Peace Day or his lack of compassion for homosexuals, many of whom are Catholic. I have never been convinced that same-sex unions jeopardize the stability of marriage, especially when so many marriages end in divorce! And it severely taxes my intelligence to see them as obstacles to peace.

LILLIAN L. MEYERS
Bethel Park

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There are many reasons for celebrating Pittsburgh's 250th anniversary: honoring the work of Pittsburghers past and present, building pride and excitement among residents within the region and shining a national -- even international -- spotlight on all that the region offers. By galvanizing the attention of people both inside and outside our region this year, we have an unparalleled opportunity to create lasting legacies in several important areas.

The bricks-and-mortar legacies include the completion of the Great Allegheny Passage, a 335-mile totally accessible, multiuse trail linking Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C., and a revitalized Point State Park. Just as important are the less tangible legacies -- although they too are likely to have tangible results. When national and international media focus positively on Pittsburgh, it helps to dispel old myths and puts us in the consideration set for business decision-makers, talent and tourists. And when Pittsburghers appreciate how far we have come and commit to working together to take us even further, the future is truly limitless.

I want to thank the Post-Gazette for offering a voice to thought leaders in the region during our anniversary year to imagine the bright future ahead for us all. I look forward to the biweekly articles in Forum. It's a great way to give life to our regional rallying cry, "Pittsburgh. Imagine what you can do here."

MICHELE FABRIZI
President/CEO, MARC USA
Chair, Pittsburgh 250 Marketing Committee
Station Square

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Shame on the Post-Gazette for printing "Jesus Is the Reason I Don't Do the Season" by James Hilston (The Next Page, Jan. 6).

If it was meant to be funny, it missed the boat. If this is his reason for not celebrating the holidays then he should keep it to himself instead of wasting a whole page of the paper.

I feel sorry for his children, who have to be raised by a man with this kind of thinking. Children are forced to grow up so fast today. Do we really have to take away the "little" bit of magic they can enjoy as children?

As for the reason, if you are raising your children in your religion of choice, it will always be the reason.

S. MULLEN
Westwood

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Regarding "Jesus Is the Reason I Don't Do the Season" (The Next Page, Jan. 6): What in heaven's name were you thinking? Who cares what James Hilston thinks?

When I first graduated undergraduate school, I worked several double-time holidays -- for me it was all about the green in my paycheck and nothing to do with my personal religious beliefs, let alone presents!

As a night watchman at The Carnegie, I sang glorious songs with the seraphim and cherubim exalting one of the greatest and divine mysteries of our humankind -- the belief in something bigger and better than ourselves. The great halls reverberated with my exaltations, and I became one with the environment of conservation and preservation.

If we are to believe the laws of physics, I am still singing in the building, only the din of the daily audience overwhelms my early morning adorations ... just so with Mr. Hilston.

TOM FRALIC
Mt. Lebanon

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Over the last year I have been very disappointed in the Post-Gazette. The quality of the paper has been slowly declining. The news coverage is minimal and the pages are too busy with ads and snippets of articles. Where are the complete stories? There have been noticeable editing mistakes also.

Last Sunday, I was totally taken aback when I got to the Parade magazine and there was a picture of Benazir Bhutto with an article about her comeback. This was in poor taste and should have never gotten past your editors. You did just cover her assassination a few weeks ago, or did you forget?

I hope that your New Year's resolution is to cover the news accurately.

MARY C. WEBER
Hampton

Editor's note: Many readers missed the small note on last Sunday's front page about the Parade magazine story. It said: "Today's Parade magazine, featuring a story on Benazir Bhutto, went to press before the assassination of the former Pakistani prime minister. It is believed to be one of the last personal interviews with Ms. Bhutto and her comments then about the danger surrounding her renewed fight to lead Pakistan seem especially relevant now."

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Jack Kelly, in his Dec. 30 column ("A Great General"), gets it wrong again. He just doesn't see the big picture in Iraq since "the surge" began.

First, consider that many, including Colin Powell, warned that we had too few troops from the get-go. Either President Bush was too stupid to understand them or too incompetent to manage the situation. How many needlessly died because he fumbled for four years?

Second, what has the surge really gained? What happens when troop levels eventually drop? Little has been achieved yet by Gen. David Petraeus' "genius and leadership." Mr. Kelly, like his lot, is seduced by military power. True peace is unlikely without accompanying political and social progress in the Mideast. That requires negotiations -- surely not Mr. Bush's forte.

Shame on anyone who either supports or opposes this war for cynical political gain. In spite of my vehement opposition to this ill-begotten horror, I do hope we are successful, if only to save further bloodshed. Mr. Kelly clearly implies that the recent lack of attention is a sinister plot on the part of the obviously leftist American press -- the same people, you might recall, who gave Mr. Bush a free pass on fabrications like imaginary WMDs.

Jan. 2 news: 30 killed by suicide bomber in Baghdad. No news, Mr. Kelly, would surely be good news.

At least you didn't call anyone a moonbat this time.

JOSEPH F. McLAUGHLIN
Shaler

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We welcome your letters. Please include your name, address and phone number, and send to Letters to the Editor, 34 Blvd. of the Allies, Pittsburgh 15222. E-mail letters to letters@post-gazette.com or fax to 412-263-2014. Letters should be 250 words or less, original and exclusive to the Post-Gazette. All letters are subject to editing for length, clarity and accuracy and will be verified before being published.