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PrintThis letter is in response to "Cecil Homeowner Rocks the Boat Again" (July 14): I find it appalling that these persistent utility companies are trying to force this 78-year-old man to tap into their services. Is his choice affecting surrounding neighbors, or what exactly is the problem?
This is America -- land of the free -- and if he so chooses to live a simple life on his property without all the conveniences that, shall we say, are far from free, then leave him be. It seems he has survived quite well without these skyrocketing utilities and their ever-increasing costs; I'm starting to wish I had his septic system as well as his courage to send these people packing.
In a day when so many Americans are living far above their means, this man's story of simple living was a refreshing change from the usual stories about personal, corporate and government greed. I for one would be willing to make a donation on behalf of this man's defense fund.
DIANA L. STOESSEL
South Fayette
Leave him alone
There are those who would pretend this is a great country. And there is 78-year-old William Williams of Cecil, who is a very independent person who seems to want to live hassle-free.
This man seems to be hassled by the petty bureaucrats (read: power corrupts) who demand he has to hook up to their township sewer line. When he refuses, he is threatened with fines and jail -- even if they find his septic tank is functioning properly and not leaking. He has already served time because of his independent streak in squabbles with other utilities. OK, he shouldn't have cut the guy wire on his property.
Where is some independent arbitration board that can objectively look at this situation, and determine this man isn't causing anyone harm, and decide to leave him alone to be who he needs to be, and stop hassling him over really nothing?
People like this founded our country; they left confining Europe for the freedoms here. I am sure Cecil has more useful and noble things to do instead of beating this stubborn guy over a sewage line. And I am sure this situation is happening in a lot of other places to many other independent people in this country.
LARRY OSWALD
Sewickley
Lost our business
I read the letter from Barbara Krause of Shaler about her experience with United Airlines ("Airline Rudeness," July 13). In January my wife and I and three friends were off on our trip of a lifetime.
We had booked reservations on a Hawaiian cruise through AAA starting with a United flight from Pittsburgh to Chicago O'Hare and then to Honolulu. We boarded the flight here only to be told the aircraft had a flat tire. It took two hours to replace the tire and by the time we arrived in O'Hare, our connection to Honolulu had left.
The five of us tried numerous times to get assistance from the United Airlines personnel at O'Hare, only to be given excuses: "I only handle international flights and am too busy" and "There are the planning terminals; figure it out!" Only one gentleman took the time to take care of the problem and help us.
Even after reporting the problem to United, it took months to get any satisfaction and that was in vouchers that we found would make us spend more to take another cruise than if we flew through another airline and paid full price. United has lost at least five potential customers and much sympathy for what the current economic situation is causing it.
BARRY WERBER
Stanton Heights
Underrating McCain
In his long-winded disquisition "Age Is Relevant" (June 20 letters), Jim Bogen, while boasting of his physical prowess and admitting at the same time that he sometimes has trouble remembering things as a septuagenarian, is troubled by Sen. John McCain's age and is greatly vexed because Mr. McCain sometimes repeats himself. Apparently Mr. Bogen doesn't listen much to other politicians because they all repeat themselves, for example, Ed Rendell and Mike Huckabee, to name but two.
I have been following John McCain's career since he was first elected to the U.S. House and find nothing wrong with his mental acuity at the present time.
People have been underestimating John McCain for a long time-- certainly his Viet Cong captors did, and as recently as last summer the talking heads who know everything said he was done and his Republican opponents in the primaries no doubt felt the same way.
If a candidate's age is the criterion by which Mr. Bogen decides who will get his vote, there are other candidates on the November ballot he can choose from. Presumably, it wouldn't be Ralph Nader. He's 74.
And just to set the record straight for Mr. Bogen: He stated that John McCain will be 72 next year. No, he will be 72 in August -- even older than he thought!
AL MATLACK
Dormont
Underrating Obama
I read with interest Charles Krauthammer's July 19 column regarding Barack Obama's alleged lack of modesty ("Barack Obama Significantly Overestimates Who He Is," July 19). It is obvious that Mr. Krauthammer is uncomfortable with change and, as a result, seems to deal with superficial aspects of the candidate's personality.
Mr. Obama is right in criticizing the lack of desire on the part of most Americans to learn foreign languages. Barack Obama speaks only English. At least he is willing to acknowledge that Americans have to learn how to communicate with other people. Of course, communication is easier with somebody from a different culture if you can speak his native language, no matter how haltingly. Mr. Obama's life has taught him how important it is to communicate with people who are different.
When it comes to dealing with other countries and nationalities, Mr. Obama as president will be successful. I have been reading the Latin-American and European presses over the Internet and find that many foreign political leaders like him. So far, his success seems to confirm the belief, in the minds of a lot of foreigners, that in America, the land of opportunity, people are treated as individuals, no matter where their ancestors came from. My experiences as an Italian immigrant who speaks four languages and travels often support this.
Another factor that favors Mr. Obama is his age; also he has the support of a large sector of young Americans. This will encourage foreign leaders to make commitments with the U.S. government with the understanding that he is young enough to continue to influence its policies into the future.
BERT H. MANZATO
Butler
Many who stayed
Donna Lund's July 19 First Person article "Human Life" sadly recalls the people who left the Catholic Church over Pope Paul VI's encyclical letter "On Human Life" promulgated 40 years ago.
On the positive side, there were a great many faithful American Catholics who would not be drawn away from Sunday Mass. They exercised their freedom of religion by staying in the church while they used artificial contraception.
JAMES CASEY
Upper St. Clair
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