I attended the Symposium on Handgun Violence at Duquesne University ("Gun Violence Symposium Draws 300 to Duquesne University," April 10). Alan Korwin spoke as a "Second Amendment advocate," a description that misleads the public. Mr. Korwin believes that people who want common-sense regulations applied to gun ownership are ultimately out to destroy the right of an individual to own a gun. The reality is that we simply want to make it harder for a gun to come into the hands of a potential criminal or a despondent person, especially young people.

For example, I support "one gun per month" legislation, limiting handgun purchasers to one per month, allowing a two-adult household to amass 24 handguns per year. Any reasonable person would deem that sufficient for self-defense.

Recently the Pennsylvania Legislature defeated "lose it, report it," which required gun owners to report weapons that are lost or stolen. After Columbine, Tom Mauser, father of murdered student Daniel Mauser, bypassed the Colorado Legislature to take a referendum to the people of the state who voted to close a loophole that allowed guns to be purchased without a background check. He said the gun used to kill Daniel was purchased that way.

All our children are beautiful children. All adults are morally, ethically and intellectually charged with the protection of children. There is a need to close loopholes permitting irresponsible gun access and behavior without taking away the right of gun ownership and self-defense. Any responsible person would be for the Second Amendment and for common-sense gun legislation. Please ask your legislators to support these common-sense restrictions.

CHRISTINE A. GRZYB
Stanton Heights

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I think it's just awful that Don Barden thinks that because he wants to develop the old Mellon Arena property that it's OK to go back on commitments made to the people of the Hill District ("Casino Owner Decries Being Left Out," April 23).

The Hill District needs this money. The Hill is beautiful. With that funding we could have made it even better. Cleaning up the Hill in certain places would make it a very desirable place to live and work, but if Mr. Barden breaks his promise and just builds the casino, I fear the Hill will have another couple of decades of gloom.

PETER AURICH
Robinson

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Regarding the March 27 editorial "Taiwan Detente? Its Election Results Suggest a Thaw With China": The victory of Ma Ying-jeou in Taiwan's recent presidential election was caused less by Taiwanese voters' desire for closer ties with China, and more from their dissatisfaction with the way the current administration has handled Taiwan's affairs. This is evidenced by the fact that the losing candidate, Frank Hsieh, also favors a working relationship with China, provided that China itself is willing to be responsive.

Foreign media are understandably inclined to observe the election from an international perspective, and because of this the domestic issues that were actually at the center of the campaign are easily ignored.

Above all, the election of Mr. Ma represents the desire of the Taiwanese people to actively take part in Beijing's economic "orbit" in order to strengthen their own economy. But they will not yield even an inch of their hard-won democracy and freedom to move in Beijing's political orbit; they will always stay firmly democratic.

For this reason, among others, Taiwan stands for U.S. political, economic and strategic interests in East Asia. Like the Marshall Plan after World War II, which helped the European countries on the surface but actually benefited the United States, supporting Taiwan's cause actually consolidates U.S. values at home and its leadership abroad.

BEN SHAO
Director of Press Division
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office
New York, N.Y.

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This is in response to the news item about Alcosan picking up more than four tons of refuse from the river banks ("Alcosan Workers Collect Trash Near Waterways," April 19): Although I myself have never littered, it would be a very easy thing to do. I think if the city would provide a facility that is open 24/7 to the general public to drop off all refuse, people might not resort to the easier route of abandoning their large disposals near the rivers and the highways.

I realize there is curbside garbage pickup, but bulk is picked up once per month, and people may need a convenient facility where they can take their trash at any given time.

MICHAEL P. CARPATHIOS
Brighton Heights

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Kudos to Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Kevin Quigley, Redd-Up Campaign manager, for the wonderful job they are doing in the Hazelwood area ("City's New 'Green Team' to Spruce Up Vacant Lots," April 21). I have been traveling through Hazelwood for more than 10 years every day to go to work. I think that removing the condemned houses has made a huge improvement.

There is no reason why Hazelwood cannot be a vibrant neighborhood. It has so much character and the main drag pulls people into the heart of the business district because it is a thruway to all parts of the city.

Keep up the good work. Don't worry about the grass needing to be cut on the vacant lots. I would rather see long green grass growing than old, ugly boarded-up houses.

KATHLEEN FORSYTHE
Lincoln Place

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In an attempt to be "green," wind farms are being started in various places, but they tend to ruin the environment where they are and injure or kill migrating birds and other species. Why not nuclear energy? Why are people so afraid? In this country we have the expertise to make plants safe. Other countries such as France use nuclear energy for their power needs.

Instead of starting wars, our government should be investing in research to harness the sun's energy, but we have the technology for nuclear energy now and should be using that technology.

DeWAYNE KANAGY
Bethel Park

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George F. Will's April 7 column "Compassionate Conservatives," stating that liberals contribute less to charitable organizations, is quite misleading.

Where in the world does he get his figures? Conservative Mormons give 10 percent of their income to their church and this is charitable giving; however, how much of those contributions goes to help the poor and disadvantaged or those struggling to get a college education?

Wealthy conservatives donate to conservative "think tanks" (considered charitable giving under the law), but how much of those donations helps the poor? The rich conservatives give to their charities so they do not have to pay taxes on this money.

Conservative giving to the arts is considered charitable giving, but again, how much does that help the poor of our country?

I don't care who gives or why they give, but we should all try to help the poor, the homeless and the struggling lower class in this country and not just the arts, the churches, the "think tanks," etc. The future of our country is at stake.

JOSEPH W. GARGIULO
Robinson

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As secretary of health, I strongly agree with the Post-Gazette's editorial "Health Exempt: The Rise in Skipped Vaccinations Is Worrisome" (April 4).

Vaccinations are one of the greatest public health achievements of human history. They protect children and adults from potentially debilitating and fatal diseases, and their use has resulted in the near eradication of most vaccine-preventable diseases, such as smallpox. Because of vaccinations, Pennsylvania has not had a case of polio since 1979. And, because of vaccines, the number of reported cases of the measles has fallen from 552 in 1990 to just two in 2006.

However, no one should be complacent, especially parents. In recent years when vaccination rates fell or vaccines were discontinued, disease rates increased. For some parents, misinformation about vaccines causes concern. While vaccinations are required for school-age children and children in child-care facilities, a growing number of parents are using exemptions to avoid having their children vaccinated. It is a dangerous decision.

Children who do not get vaccinated are at much greater risk of becoming ill. Parents must ask themselves if it's worth the risk.

Parents should talk to their doctor and educate themselves about vaccinations using accurate and reputable sources, such as the Pennsylvania Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control. Information is also available at www.health.state.pa.us. Vaccination is an important decision with enormous consequences.

CALVIN B. JOHNSON, M.D., M.P.H.
Secretary of Health
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Harrisburg

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