In response to the Feb. 23 article, "Gateway 'T' Stop to Close 2 Years," I cannot help but question the true intention of the Port Authority of Allegheny County. I understand the reasons behind the planned two-year closing of the Gateway T station but I hardly think they are justifiable.

In the past year, the commuters who depend on public transportation in this city have endured rate increases, severe cutbacks on routes, shuttle buses and overcrowding of the trains during the shutdown of the Beechview T line, not to mention the notorious 10 percent tax on alcohol that has recently been forced upon rider and nonrider alike because the Port Authority can't manage its money.

Now, we are being asked to walk "a few extra blocks" or to board a shuttle to get to work because our Port Authority can't afford its $435 million light-rail extension to the North Shore and seeks to cut costs.

Well, personally, Mr. Chief Executive, I am sick of service cuts and wait for the day that the public transportation in this city starts working for the public. The train station you are about to close for two years is quite a scene during rush hour. The double-car trains leave that station every 12 minutes, carrying bus loads of people. Do you really think that shuttle buses are going to be enough? Do you think having to walk four or five blocks in a blinding snowstorm at the end of a long workday will be easy? The answer to both of those questions is "no."

It's about time the Port Authority recognizes its obligation to work for the public, not against it. The Gateway Center station must stay open.

KRISTY SIKORA
Mt. Washington

I write in response to the Feb. 27 opinion article by Paul A. Ellis Jr. ("It's Not a Shakedown"). As a Penguin's season ticket holder, I have a vested interest in the new arena deal but as someone who came from a poor economic background, I sympathize with the people of the Hill District.

If the public is urged to take sides on this issue, we should be informed of all aspects of the arguments from all involved. The grocery store for the Hill District should be a nonissue -- it's a common-sense request and encouraging economic growth of any kind should not be ignored or discounted. If there is a history of "community benefits agreements" in other cities, a precedent has been established and the models to be followed should be printed and circulated so that all may see.

As to the issue of jobs, what type of jobs are being discussed? High-paying, highly skilled, general labor, after-market concession jobs that require training and long-term investment -- or jobs for Hill District residents just because they live there?

As someone who worked themselves up through the ranks in life, I have a problem with giving jobs to people who may have made no efforts to educate or better themselves, or didn't seek employment simply because they didn't like the job.

Hard work is the backbone of this country and I applaud everyone who has rolled up their shirtsleeves and jumped into the fray to better themselves in the long run.

I hope all sides can take time to fill us in as to the real story.

THEODORE KOVALL
Connellsville

Many times I have not agreed with the opinions of columnist Charles Krauthammer, but on Feb. 16, after reading his column about Barack Obama ("The National Swoon will Quickly Become a Rude Awakening"), I agreed with him wholeheartedly.

When I listen to Mr. Obama, I get an uneasy feeling that he is not what he seems to be (which is the savior of the United States) and is not conveying to the public what he really believes. He frightens me when I think that he might become our next president.

He constantly stresses the word "change." Change for what? Change can be very good or it can be very bad, and, although he spouts about the changes he'd like to make, I haven't heard how he wants to make them.

He is like a Svengali, who mesmerizes people to follow him. He is like an evangelist whose silver tongue captures the frenzy of the public at a revival meeting. He reminds me of the thoughtful movie "Being There," in which Peter Sellers plays a bumbling gardener named Chauncey Gardiner whose words made no sense but were interpreted as pearls of profound wisdom.

So, because of all these misgivings about Mr. Obama, my vote will go to Hillary Clinton, because she makes the most sense of them all.

RENNIE GREEN
Wilkins

Many jobs require some level of experience. Some jobs allow on-the-job training. The presidency is not a job for the inexperienced. However, there is much ado being made over the lack of experience of Barack Obama to be the president of the United States of America. How then do we define experience?

Sen. Obama holds a law degree from Harvard, where he was president of the Harvard Law Review. He served eight years as a senator in the Illinois state legislature. He has served three years in the U.S. Senate. That's 11 years as an elected official (Hillary Clinton, seven years). The rest of his experience has been earned in the trenches of community organization and other aspects of his professional life.

A quick review of the resumes of Sens. Obama and Clinton would suggest both have similar qualifications and experiences to be the leader of our great nation. What then is the difference? Leadership.

Leadership is the ability to envision a future that is unique and to inspire others to work collectively to bring that vision to fruition. Mr. Obama has amassed a 50-state organization to run a primary and a national election. Mrs. Clinton decided to run a national campaign focused on large states.

Which person seems to indicate a desire to lead the party and which seems to indicate a desire to lead the nation?

RICHARD L. FREEMAN SR.
Upper St. Clair

Please consider a "modest proposal" for the Carnegie Science Center to sustain and build on the celebrity, attendance and profit garnered by its current display, "Bodies ... The Exhibition." The center should establish the world's leading stand-alone "Carnegie Human Plastination Laboratory" as a center of excellence.

Use the subjects of U.S. capital punishment, donated and certified by U.S. prison wardens as unclaimed, to train Pittsburgh student volunteers in microdissection and utilize its products for permanent center exhibition and for distribution to our public schools for education, based on competitive fees-for-specimen.

Benefits accruing from adoption of this proposal include:

• A permanent increase in attendance, cash flow and assets for the science center.

• Education of youth about real bodies, leaving no child behind.

• Preparation of students for careers in body plastination.

• Education of people about the consequences of capital crimes, thus encouraging law-abiding behavior.

• Conversion of a former Chinese black market in body trafficking into a transparent U.S. free market.

• A clear paper trail, in place of the heretofore questioned documentation of body provenance.

• The placement of a real value on dead bodies and the replacement of the current "rental" of bodies by private ownership.

This proposal might cause great controversy, but as emphasized by David Hillenbrand, CEO of Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, controversy has great educational benefits ("Stirring the Pot," Sept. 9 Forum). But mainly it would permanently negate the current criticisms about Wall Street sponsorship of "Bodies" and questionable body sources recently publicized here ("Federal Probe of 'Bodies' Urged," Feb. 22).

DANIEL FINE, M.D.
New Kensington

My letter is in response to Amy Senkow's Feb. 21 letter ("Schools Ruin the Fun by Policing Snacks").

School wellness policies were enacted to ensure every child's health. School districts could not make decisions on the wellness policies themselves. They had input from a number of sources, including parents and students.

School districts are not telling you what you can serve at your child's birthday parties. They are, however, stating what you can bring inside schools to serve to other children. What you serve at your home is a completely different thing.

Someone had to come to the rescue of those children whose parents don't understand what a nutritious meal or snack consists of. I haven't heard yet of a child who died because he or she didn't eat a cupcake, candy heart or jellybean. There are other healthier and more appetizing alternatives to these kinds of snacks.

The wellness policy is a good thing. It ensures that our children have access to healthy foods in a healthy educational environment.

The school's job is to ensure the health, well-being and education of all our children.

SHAUNA PONTON
South Side

The writer is a child nutrition advocate for Just Harvest.