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PrintThis is a golden opportunity for the Steelers to really be Pittsburgh's team ("Steelers Looking for More Investors," July 10). Steeler Nation should actually own part of the Black and Gold.
The Green Bay Packers fans can own a part of their team, so why not Steelers fans? The fear of our team leaving town could never exist if we were the owners. We could easily raise the money to pay off the current owners and give the Steeler Nation an even closer bond to our one true allegiance.
BARRY LIGHT
Squirrel Hill
IBM's labor policy
In a July 4 Perspectives column, Daniel Kovalik writes about an interpretation of the 13th Amendment that makes it legal for companies to hire prison labor ("Our Original Sin"). This is an accurate statement.
Unfortunately, when he listed several companies, including IBM, as examples of those that could employ prison labor, he left the reader with the impression that they do.
We can't speak for the others called out in Mr. Kovalik's column, but IBM does not use such labor. Several years ago, IBM amended its policies to state explicitly that IBM and its suppliers "will not use forced or involuntary labor (e.g., forced, bonded, indentured or involuntary prison labor); employment is voluntary."
FRED McNEESE
Director
IBM Corporate Media Relations
Armonk, N.Y.
Too many fliers
While I'm sure that we all sympathize with Nicole Currivan's predicament ("Lost Dog Signs Turn Out to be Fine, Not a Big Fine," July 9), I think that the city backed down a little too quickly. Posting 1,000 fliers on utility poles and "other surfaces" is most certainly excessive. Had a responsible public works employee not taken it upon himself to point this out to her, I doubt that any attempt would have been made to take down those fliers, even if the dog had later been found.
For the city to backpedal and fail to draw the line at this kind of blight, and for the Post-Gazette to publicize it in the way that it did in the news article, gives the impression that "anything goes" when it comes to the posting of bills. City Public Works Director Guy Costa should not be surprised when all available surfaces in the city are covered with fliers, most of which will stay there until they weather away. Is this the kind of city we want to live in?
I'm a pet owner, too, and if my pet got away, I'd feel terrible and would probably post some signs around my neighborhood, too. But 1,000 of them? It would be entirely appropriate for the city to levy some kind of fine under the littering ordinance in this situation, if for no other reason than to remind people that there comes a point at which this becomes unreasonable. And if a new ordinance that specifically addresses the posting of bills is required, then let's have one.
Just because a pet is involved doesn't mean we have to wallpaper the neighborhood.
DAVE JULIETTE
Swisshelm Park
Bus driver arrogance
While there is plenty of debate going on about the salaries of Port Authority bus drivers and those in upper management, I'd like to bring up another topic regarding the bus drivers: safety.
Almost daily, I'm nearly run off the Fort Pitt Bridge due to a Port Authority bus merging into my lane with no regard for whoever happens to be in the way. I didn't realize that Port Authority buses had the right of way over all other traffic. I've had one driver try to run me down after I blew my horn because he was merging toward me going down Green Tree Hill toward the tunnel. He went as far as to get in the lane behind me and tailgate me the whole way down the hill while blowing his horn and giving me the one-fingered salute! A scary situation when you're on a motorcycle and have tons of steel just a few feet behind you.
And the buses that refuse to yield coming onto the Parkway? Better move out of their way, because they seem to have the right of way due to their size and driver arrogance. A Port Authority bus turned left in front of me on Grant Street as the light changed. Good thing I was expecting it or I'd be 6 feet under. Complain to the Port Authority's hot line? What a joke! They will never call you back.
Maybe Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato should have steered the new drink tax toward driver safety, but it'll end up in the pockets of these arrogant, dangerous bus drivers while the rest of us have to subsidize bus riders. Maybe another drink tax to offset the cost of my gas, Mr. Onorato? How about it?
DAN SEIDLING
Monroeville
Sensible rejection
We applaud the state's decision to reject abstinence-only funding ("State Shuns Sex-Ed Grants Based Only on Abstinence," July 9).
Results of a scientifically rigorous study conducted by Mathematica Inc., a national research firm, indicated that abstinence-only programs showed "no significant impact on teen sexual activity, no differences in rates of unprotected sex and some impacts on knowledge of STDs and perceived effectiveness of condoms and birth control pills."
It also may be illuminating for readers to consider whether three of the eight mandatory Title V abstinence-only guidelines even should be within the federal or state government's purview. These three are:
• Teach that a mutually faithful, monogamous relationship in the context of marriage is the expected standard of sexual activity
• Teach that sexual activity outside the context of marriage is likely to have harmful psychological and physical effects
• Teach that bearing children out of wedlock is likely to have harmful consequences for the child, the child's parents and society
Source: Title V, Section 510 (b)(2)(A-H) of the Social Security Act (P.L. 104-193).
Is it appropriate for the government to set an expected standard of sexual activity or to suggest that sexual activity outside of marriage is psychologically and physically harmful? Is it appropriate for the government to claim that bearing children out of wedlock is likely to have harmful consequences, and is not this message demeaning to significant numbers of children and their parents?
We contend that the proper role of government with regard to teen pregnancy prevention is to promote public health through age-appropriate comprehensive sex education, and that an important, but not sole component, is abstinence education.
RICHARD BAIRD
President/CEO
Adagio Health
Downtown
Oil and ad planning
Watched any TV lately? Have you grown tired of seeing the bright, sunny "we're your friends in finding energy" commercials from Exxon Mobil. BP. Conoco-Phillips. Consol. Shell. Citgo. And that overplayed series with the lady walking and talking about having everything we need right here at home?
Sure, they all say that they are our "energy buddies" and will continue to be as long as we develop "resources" here at home -- meaning, of course, they want you to pressure the government to allow offshore drilling wherever an oil company wants. Pretty compelling -- given the price of gas right now.
Here's what I want you to consider: As an "ad guy," I was bothered by something in this deluge of advertising -- even beyond the creepy feeling that these companies are trying to extort from the American people. What's wrong with this picture?
All of these commercials are well-produced, well-financed, high-end TV spot campaigns. You may not know this, but it generally takes any large company at least six months to plan, develop, write, shoot, produce, edit and traffic such a slick effort. And to have so-called competing companies all run the same kinds of commercials at the same time?
It means that the oil companies were so certain about the "surprise" gas crisis that they all sunk millions into developing these ad campaigns over a half year ago. It makes you wonder what other "surprises" they know about, doesn't it? Especially with one presidential candidate already acting as an offshore drilling oil industry parrot?
DANNY EVANS
President
PUNCH Creative LLC
Dormont
Reopen the casino bidding process
Lots of scrambling going on with Don Barden and friends, the state Gaming Control Board and both Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, who are trying to work out some sort of deal -- to salvage what? The Barden bid was granted a casino license on the basis of specific promises and they have been broken. He has forfeited his rights in total and the bidding process should take place again ("Barden Gives Up Control of City Casino," July 11).
Bringing in some financial guy should be illegal. It is tantamount to selling forfeited rights. What's next? Selling the rights again to the next highest bidder.
If the gaming board puts the casino up for rebid, perhaps it can redeem its horrendous decision to give away a free arena. There can be no question: If the casino is up for rebid, a new tax-free arena can be part of the deal.
The original bidders should be talking with their attorneys about suing the state if the bid process is not reopened.
DON OPACIC
Franklin Park
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