The drink tax shows bad financial planning

Just a few observations about the drink tax debacle.

It was my understanding that this tax was to help fund the Port Authority. Apparently the entire Allegheny County budget is based on this tax as well! And, with the threat of property tax increases by the chief executive, it would appear that the county budget is based on the drink tax.

This is akin to someone basing his/her financial status on how many hours of overtime are being worked. The only guarantee is your base salary and that's what you should use for your economic well-being. I don't live in Allegheny County but trying to run your budget with questionable funding is rife in most surrounding counties; just not on such an overbearing system.

E.J. ROTHERMUND
Washington

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Graffiti is vandalism

I don't understand or agree with Dylan Pezzulo's Aug. 4 letter on the sentencing of repeat graffiti offender Daniel Montano ("A Real Example"). In my opinion, Mr. Montano's defiance could only be met with a stiff prison sentence and restitution. The message rather than "You don't have to write graffiti" is "You're not allowed to write graffiti on the property of others because it's against the law."

I have talked to kids who think Mr. Montano is cool and have tried to explain to them that he may be cool but what he does is not. They don't seem to get it until I offer to paint their iPods, cell phones and computer monitors.

It escapes me how and why so many people think it's ok to trespass on and deface someone else's property. I have read the pleas from those who see graffiti as art and think the "artists" should be given an outlet. These graffiti apologists should put their money where their mouth is and register to clean up illegal graffiti with first-time offenders and mentor them by teaching them legal modes of artistic expression. Repeat offenders like Montano need to learn that there are real consequences to anti-social and illegal behavior. Maybe then, he and others who can't control their behavior will learn how to use their gifts on paper, canvas or their own property.

HAROLD LOVE
Highland Park

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Seen but not heard

The current concern about cell phones and cancer is well founded. A sideline fact, however, might be interesting. A cell phone emits a local radio frequency field of concern when one is talking (transmitting), but does not emit a significant field and is of no danger when listening (receiving). With children and cell phones, the old adage that children should be seen and not heard may be appropriate.

KEITH H. SUEKER
Penn Hills

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Middle class gap

Thanks to Kevin Caruso and Jerry Morton, the two United Steelworker local presidents whose op-ed "Save Our Middle Class" (July 30) so well demonstrated the huge gap that has grown in income at the top and the rest of us -- especially in the eight years of the Bush control of the White House.

Their lockout experiences, both with employers who excel at profits and whose top management need only concern themselves with wealth management, tells much about the "leadership" of many of our corporate giants today.

Much has been said about the middle class and the working class during the recent primary season. Some Republican strategists have suggested that their party and its candidate-to-be become the "party of Sam's Club rather than the country club."

In this they betray their ignorance of just how Sam's Club and its parent, Wal-Mart, treat their own employees.

Wal-Mart/Sam's Club have had corporate lawyers and workplace hit men dispatched from Bentonville, Ark., within 48 hours to locations that have dared to indicate that they would like to organize a union, literally shutting down retail and warehouse sites so they would not have to fight a representation election. Great choice, GOP!

RUSSELL W. GIBBONS
O'Hara

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Supporting Obama

Columnist Dan Simpson's attempt to downplay the positive reception Barack Obama received overseas ("Obama's Excellent Adventure," July 30) in stating that "foreign leaders had to make him look good" is illogical. The Pew Global Attitudes poll in June showed overwhelming support for Mr. Obama throughout the world. Did 200,000 Germans show up to see Mr. Obama just to make him look good?

Here is an example of the difference in the attitudes of Mr. Obama vs. John McCain: When each candidate was asked how he felt about Hezbollah "endorsing" Obama: Mr. Obama said, "I find that surprising, considering that I condemn the tactics of Hezbollah." He condemned the behavior, but not the people -- very tactful. Mr. McCain said, "That figures, since they know I'm their worst enemy." This was more chest thumping, reminiscent of President Bush's arrogant attitude.

Mr. Obama graduated at the top of his class from Harvard Law School, rising up from a poor background. Mr. McCain, with all the privilege of wealth and having a father and grandfather who were both admirals, graduated near the bottom of his class from Annapolis. The whole world can see the difference in attitude in a truly intelligent person. The whole world -- including the United States -- yearns for a calm, wise leader. That a large number of Americans grasps at straws to denigrate Mr. Obama for no apparent reason is just sad. Hey, we have endured seven-plus years with an underachiever at the helm. How's that worked for us?

MARTHA HERP
Cranberry

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A deserving award

Mayor Lou Barletta stuck his own neck out to curb lawlessness and crime in his city of Hazleton, Pa., by convincing the board to enact an ordinance against renting or hiring illegal aliens in accordance with the wishes of his constituents. Although this has been struck down, it is being appealed at the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals. As many of us await an overturn of that decision we applaud the strength of conviction that Mayor Barletta has shown.

For his courage and principles he has been awarded the "Mayor of the Year" title by his peers in the Pennsylvania State Mayors Association (News brief, July 21). I cannot think of a more deserving man. Mayor Barletta has never had the pall of questionable ethics to cloud his reputation as he has stood for the principles demanded by those he represents. As he now runs for the seat in the 11th Congressional District, I wish him the very best and hope that his success is contagious to others of integrity and sets an example to those now in office.

NANCY TILTON
Mt. Lebanon

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Leaving Iraq

It is, indeed, high time to get out of Iraq. Even those who buy the latest Bush administration alibi for invading and staying in Iraq -- stabilizing the region -- surely understand that "stabilizing Iraq" translates, politically, into "access to cheap oil."

But after months of an uncontrollable rise in oil prices, it has been proven that no one country or military occupation can truly control the price of oil on the global market, except, perhaps, to destabilize the price and send it soaring by creating fear of more war. Short of invading and occupying the entire Middle East, and diverting Arab oil directly to pumps in Pittsburgh and other American cities, there is no justification for staying in Iraq.

We need to get out of Iraq now and control America's need for oil by conservation, developing alternate fuel sources and de-emphasizing the crazy materialism that grips our savings-phobic culture. We need a maglev train public-works project (on par with the Eisenhower interstate system push) connecting the U.S. population centers with super-fast, efficient electric trains to supplement the broken airline industry.

Then, once again, America will be strong and independent and will lead the world by example.

JOHN KICHI
Sewickley Hills

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Torture is not a deterrent to terrorism

Bravo to the Rev. John H. Thomas and Retired Adm. Donald J. Guter ("Torture: A Test of Our Faith," July 20 Forum) for verbalizing what is a concern not only of people of faith (i.e. Christian, like me), but of all Americans who believe in fairness and common decency.

The practice of torture -- isolation, sleep deprivation and general degradation, primarily outside the borders of our country, which have been adopted by the current administration as a "deterrent to terrorism" -- are contrary to our country's traditions as well as the ethical standards imposed by our religion.

The bipartisan coalition supporting an executive order for a "Declaration of Principles on Prisoner Treatment, Torture and Cruelty" deserves the support of all Americans, beginning now and not waiting for a new administration.

PATRICIA J. EVEY
Bethel Park

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