The possibility that so-called "superdelegates" could overturn the popular choice of the voters in the Democratic primaries should disturb those Democrats who value representative democracy and who are aware of the long struggle to attain it.

The American ideal of one person/one vote has evolved importantly in the past 250 years. Few now realize, for example, that the Founding Fathers generally supported property qualifications for the vote. Consider how even the thoughtful John Adams responded in a letter to fellow revolutionary James Sullivan's position that Massachusetts should abolish all property qualifications for the vote:

"There will be no end to it," Adams warned. "New claims will rise. Women will demand a vote. Lads from 12 to 21 will think their Rights not enough attended to, and every Man, who has not a Farthing, will demand equal voice with any other in all Acts of State."

Not without considerable struggle over the past 250 years have the primary barriers to a more inclusive representational electorate -- property, race and gender -- been removed. The voting age was even lowered in 1971 from 21 to 18 by the 26th Amendment, as it became clear that the nation should not send to die the young who could not even vote.

Which brings us again to the "superdelegates." Will we now permit a group of "superdelegates" -- created, as the animals in Orwell's "Animal Farm," "more equal than others" -- to overturn another popular vote, on the argument that these "wise old men/women" or "party professionals" somehow know best?

Is that the message we wish to send to that "young demographic" and to all those other voters packing the primaries and the lecture halls?

DONALD A. PETESCH
Squirrel Hill

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The results of last week's primaries and caucus have made it clear that, based on pledged delegates, Barack Obama will be the Democratic nominee for president, and despite rhetoric from the Clinton campaign, Sen. Hillary Clinton has no chance of winning the Democratic presidential nomination based solely on pledged delegates.

To have any chance of winning, Sen. Clinton's campaign must refocus on winning the votes of unpledged superdelegates, which will undoubtedly lead to bashing Sen. Barack Obama at the hands of the "old guard" of the Democratic Party, Sen. Clinton, President Clinton and friends. Clearly, this will provide fodder for the Republican campaign and Sen. John McCain and will damage the Democrats' overall campaign for president.

Unpledged superdelegates have a unique opportunity to display leadership within the party by endorsing Sen. Barack Obama and stopping the infighting before it damages our campaign for president. Therefore, I call on Rep. Mike Doyle, Rep. Jason Altmire and former Mayor Sophie Masloff to endorse Barack Obama now. Waiting will only delay the inevitable and damage Democrats' chance to regain the White House.

CURTIS WADSWORTH
Squirrel Hill

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The news of the presidential election campaign is mostly concerned with the tactics that must be used by the candidates to achieve a victory. It is somewhat similar to the hype that precedes a big football game: This team has to depend upon its superior rushing game in this situation and control the opponent's passing attack.

There is more at stake for our country than how clever a candidate is at securing votes.

There are times that a leader must place the will of the people at the forefront of policy. There are other times that the leader must take the people along a path to goals that are above and beyond that which they envision. For this purpose, the leader must possess wisdom and follow ethical and moral concepts that are of the highest order. It is up to the people to choose a president who, to them, embodies these high standards.

It is what they consider such standards to be that will determine the person they choose, and it is by such means that they will get the kind of president they deserve.

JOE F. STIERHEIM
Ligonier

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I'm writing in regard to the conditions imposed on those entering the Allegheny County Courthouse.

Tuesday morning at 8:20 a.m., I entered the courthouse to file documents at the sheriff's office. I stood in line for 15 minutes, while people passed through metal detectors on the Grant Street side of the building. People had to remove their coats, watches, belts and shoes to go through the security checkpoint. The security guard was discourteous. Why?

As we stood in line -- lawyers, jurors, taxpayers, et al. -- county employees were permitted to pass ahead of us and proceed through. Why? Are they paying more taxes than the rest of the entrants? Is their time more valuable? Why can't the county set up an employees' entrance at the basement/courtyard level on the Ross Street side of the building? Why do the entrants to the courthouse have to remove belts, watches and shoes? It is ridiculous.

I walked back to the courthouse for more business at 9:30 a.m. The line for entry on the Grant Street side of the building then extended out to the Grant Street sidewalk. People stood in the rain. I turned and walked back to my office.

Back in the day, people entered the Allegheny County Courthouse to do their business without unnecessary security measures. I have been around since the early 1970s, and I don't recall any serious courthouse incidents that could not have been prevented by a simple firearms check. Did people have more guts then? Or has our local government been infected with paranoia?

PAUL J. McARDLE
North Side

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Jim Emanuel's letter (March 2) mentions the mentality of Archie Bunker, who suggested that the solution to diverting skyjackers is arming everybody on the plane. As far-fetched as that might sound, the idea of law-abiding citizens on a campus, legally carrying, isn't "bunker mentality." His letter says 35,000 armed students would be "scary." Well, exactly. If I were a criminal knowing that every potential victim was armed, I would definitely reconsider my profession.

If Mr. Emanuel's belief is against gun ownership itself, the right to legally carry and that it is guns that kill people, I disagree. Much like when Archie Bunker's daughter, Gloria, made a comment that guns are used in the majority of murders, Archie summed it up best: "Would it make you feel any better, little girl, if they was pushed out windows?"

J. BOROWSKI
Plum

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I am astonished at a quote attributed to a World Wildlife Fund representative concerning the "necessary" culling of elephants ("S. Africa to Allow First Elephant Kill Since 1995," Feb. 26): "... we don't have the luxury to allow one species to dominate and alter the composition of our natural assets."

It's a good thing the elephants, along with tigers, polar bears and others, aren't in a position to apply that same logic to the human species.

ELAINE HERMAN
Shaler

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It's getting to be that time of year when "everyone wants to be Irish." The St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee consists of community-spirited volunteers, active in many Irish-American organizations. We are proud of our heritage in Pittsburgh and have contributed to the character that our town is famous for. We work hard to present a parade to the community that honors St. Patrick and pays tribute to our ancestors.

We hold our parade on a Saturday so that everyone in the Pittsburgh area, and beyond, can attend. Our marchers are made up of many Irish groups, but they also represent many other ethnic heritages in our region. When the weather cooperates, we've seen crowds of close to 250,000.

However, we are aware of an increase in undesirable behavior in and around the parade, and we are very concerned about it. Too many people come Downtown for early morning festivals that promote excessive alcohol consumption. It is important that you know that events such as these are not organized by our committee and have nothing to do with our parade. We are also unhappily aware of the negative stereotypes that follow people of Irish descent, especially around St. Patrick's Day, and these events only contribute to that.

Before the parade begins at 10 a.m., many partygoers are already beyond control, which has led to negative consequences for thousands of our spectators. We want to assure you that we are taking action to try to correct this problem, with assistance from city leadership and law enforcement. This year we are working to increase police presence around the parade route, watching for underage drinking, open containers and antisocial behavior.

We welcome you to come Downtown this Saturday and celebrate with us, but we hope that everyone will do so responsibly.

JIM GREEN
Chairman
Pittsburgh St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee
Brentwood

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