The PG editors seem unwilling to look beyond Pennsylvania's borders when it comes to understanding the debate over the proposed Pennsylvania Marriage Protection Amendment, SB 1250 ("Marriage Mischief," March 22 editorial).

They claim the amendment is unnecessary (because of the 1996 state law declaring marriage to be the union of husband and wife) and is a waste of the Legislature's time. Both claims are ignorant of current events and the fact that Pennsylvania sooner or later must deal with this key issue. It cannot be avoided.

Take New Jersey. Its legislature was ordered by that state's highest court in 2006 to legalize same-sex marriage (or its equivalent, civil unions) within 180 days. It didn't matter what else was on its agenda; they were told to just do it. The legislature complied and since has been roiled with controversy, with much time "wasted" on a legislative commission to follow the issue.

Or how about Iowa, a socially conservative state with marriage laws duly passed in a democratic process (like Pennsylvania's Defense of Marriage Act) toppled by the swing of a judge's gavel, now facing ongoing legal and legislative turmoil? Under questioning before the Senate Judiciary Committee, opponents of the Marriage Protection Amendment admitted that they would prefer that Pennsylvania's Defense of Marriage Act be repealed, and that same-sex marriage be legalized in Pennsylvania, although they haven't filed a lawsuit to make that happen "as of yet."

Thanks for the hollow assurance. Without a Marriage Protection Amendment, Pennsylvania's marriage law is at risk from a legal challenge that could arise at any moment. It's time for lawmakers to let the people decide and pass SB 1250. To the Post-Gazette, it may be bigotry, but to most Pennsylvanians, it's simply fair.

MICHAEL GEER
President
Pennsylvania Family Institute
Harrisburg

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The masquerade is over on the Democratic primary campaign, and we are finally realizing that racism is just as American as baseball, apple pie and Chevrolet.

Case in point: Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Sen. Barack Obama's pastor, was describing how he felt. This had nothing to do with Sen. Obama, yet it seems as though the public is now condemning him for what his pastor said.

Whatever happened to freedom of speech? Didn't Rev. Wright have the right to say these things?

He called no names and scandalized no one's reputation; he simply described his beliefs.

ESTHER WALLER
Hazelwood

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I would like to respond to Bill Tate, whose March 15 letter attempted to delineate between heroes and those who are simply doing "what they signed up to do" ("What We Owe Vets"). Mr. Tate makes it sound as if the sacrifice of draftees is greater than those who enlist. Far from it.

These men and women volunteered to serve our country. Other than the usual complaints about being in the service (superiors who are a pain, guard duty, etc.), I have heard nearly all of them say this present conflict, while costly in lives and finances, was honorable and the majority of the Iraqi populace is supporting us.

Sorry, Mr. Tate, but heroes are not limited to those with the Silver Star and the Congressional Medal of Honor ... they merely are the ones who were decorated. Our present military force is a class bunch, and they are all heroes!

BART ARLET
Crafton Heights

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As a lifelong resident of Pittsburgh, I always said our greatest resource was our people.

Recently, after an 11-hour delay at JFK airport, I arrived in Pittsburgh at 3:15 a.m. I went outside with a woman I met on the plane to hail a cab. As expected, not a cab in sight. There were several people waiting. When the first cab arrived, they said they were going to Squirrel Hill. The woman next to me was going to Greenfield. We suggested they share the cab. The driver said OK with him. It meant shared costs for passengers, extra tip for him and a savings on gas usage. The Squirrelys said "no."

The next cab arrived and the next group was going to Bethel Park and Upper St. Clair. I was going to Mt. Lebanon and asked to share. They said "no."

We waited at least 10 minutes between each cab due to the shortage of cabs in this city. My turn came, but a larger cab arrived. I had the good sense to offer it to a young family with a pile of luggage and a sleeping baby the mother had been carrying for hours. I finally arrived home at 5:10 a.m. By the way, the Greenfield woman and I are both grandmothers -- nothing to fear from us. I guess the others were never taught to share.

GEORGE ANN BOWER
Mt. Lebanon

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Human life will always be the first reason not to take war lightly, and following that, the list of casualties would be: America's good will in the world, a military stretched too thin, people in Iraq with electricity and water not up to prewar standards, little education and too few hospitals. This war has had adverse effects for the American economy and pulls much-needed funds from our schools, hospitals and other infrastructure.

With the death of the 4,000th soldier, we need as citizens to pressure our members of Congress to press for an early end to this war.

JEAN SWEITZER
Cranberry

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In "Belated Opposition" (Jan. 1 letters), I was attacked. Let me set the record straight. First, my opposition to moving the historic Allegheny Regional Library dates to Sept. 14, 2006, when I testified against this at the Urban Redevelopment Authority board meeting. I expressed similar sentiments at the neighborhood meeting later held in Bowdish Gallery of the original Buhl Planetarium.

Second, the Regional Asset District funds the overwhelming majority of Carnegie Library's operating budget. I pay the RAD tax like everyone else, so I help pay for all Carnegie libraries. Only 28 percent of the Mt. Lebanon Library's operating budget comes from RAD funds, but anyone, from any community, can speak before a Mt. Lebanon Library board of trustees meeting. Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh board of trustees meetings are not open to the public.

Third, not only do I carry a library card, but I also was a life trustee for the Andrew Carnegie Free Library in Carnegie from 1995 to 2000. As a frequent visitor to the North Side, I used the Allegheny Regional Library at least once a month.

Finally, I did not oppose the Children's Museum's use of Buhl Planetarium; I opposed its removal of several historic artifacts including the Zeiss II Planetarium Projector, now dismantled in the Carnegie Science Center warehouse. The science center has missed two deadlines to reassemble the Zeiss Projector, so it may remain in storage, indefinitely, educating no one.

GLENN A. WALSH
Mt. Lebanon

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