The Port Authority must make the difficult choices

What a sleazy bunch of politicians we have in Pittsburgh. A large group of voters finally gets together and makes enough noise to get a vote on the drink tax. So our political leaders have it put to a vote in such a way as we have two choices: the drink tax or higher property taxes ("Make It a Double: 2 Drink Tax Referenda Likely," Aug. 5). How about neither?

Why should one select group of people pay higher taxes for the good of another group? If the Port Authority is in financial need, it should have two choices (1) cut costs and (2) charge more for their product. These should be the only two choices. If the authority can't figure out how to do it, then it should shut down and we can privatize it.

Of course we tried voicing our disagreement with the Regional Asset District tax and the two stadiums. It does not matter what we the residents say. The Democratic leadership will continue to shove their choices down our throats. Like it or leave it! And we are!

Allegheny County continues to shrink while Washington and Butler counties continue to grow and thrive. Just look at the malls, entertainment venues and restaurants. Washington and Erie counties have their casinos open and running while our political leaders have accomplished nothing in this area. While casino developer Don Barden may have been a financially poor choice, all of the extra entitlements local leaders hoisted on his back only served to hasten his downfall.

Voters, wake up before it's too late.

D. DOUGLAS CAMPAS
South Park

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Get it right

I have lived most of my life in the Pittsburgh area, and it continues to astound me how the city and county leaders allow greed and ignorance to outweigh common sense for the long-term good of the region.

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's and Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato's public comments supporting Neil Bluhm's ownership group after meeting with the gaming board ("County, City Back Bluhm With an 'If,' " July 30) are just another fine example of how our civic leaders can't wait to get their hands on the cash without a proper vetting of the parties involved.

It took months for this supposedly educated and informed gaming board to select Don Barden, and now the mayor and county executive want this same board to make its decision on transferring the gaming license in a month, no matter what the consequences are years from now.

I can't help but feel that one day I'll be reading in the Post-Gazette how the casino is in financial straits and will be in danger of closing without an influx of public money. Why can't we take the time to get the process and selection right for once?

JAMES HAMMER
Hampton

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Federal disrespect

In response to "Federal Government Overstepping on Siting of Power Line, Casey Says" (Aug. 1): Our economy is floundering, energy prices are out of control and we hear more and more every day about the negative effects of global warming that are already setting in.

So why is it that the federal government is turning a blind eye and pursuing a billion-dollar power line project throughout the mid-Atlantic? As Andy Loza, executive director of the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association, stated in the article, "It is a special interest electric transmission corridor -- the result of special interests seeking to reshape the electricity regulatory structure to enrich their bottom lines."

That's why this administration is willing to overrule state decisions on the placement of these transmission lines and even seize private property in regions of interest (which include Greene and Washington counties) -- for the benefit of its buddies in the coal industry.

It's a shame that this administration acts like this, disrespecting the democracy of America to put some change in its friends' pockets. How long will it perpetuate corruption? It's time for alternative energy. It's time for healthier air. It's time for a more promising job market via a new energy economy. America is asking for help and for a change; why won't George W. Bush respect it?

LAUREN GRISWOLD
Hampton

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Onus on drinkers

In response to Donna Bird's letter ("Holding Bar Owners Accountable," July 31), while I am certainly sorry for her losses, I do not think bar owners should be the ones to take the responsibility for the actions of all drunken drivers.

Many times in a bar, a friend buys a round for many people and it becomes impossible for bartenders to know if someone is extremely drunk. Also, some people can drink many drinks without appearing to be drunk. Bartenders do their best to make sure no one is driving drunk after they leave the bar, but it ultimately should not be their responsibility.

Additionally, it's simply not true that people consuming alcohol lose the ability to know when they've had enough -- if that were the case, every casual drinker would be drinking to excess. No one wants to see drunken drivers on the road, but we need to make sure these people take personal responsibility for their actions. If we start punishing establishments for the acts of these individuals, then the individuals also will feel that they can pass the blame along.

LAUREN GANSER
Fairywood

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Face traffic

I've written this letter in my head a million times, but recently while with my former marathon training group in San Antonio, I was encouraged to put pen to paper. I'd like this not to come across as a lecture but rather something to consider.

The first day I had the pleasure of running around the lake at North Park, I followed some other runners and was thrilled to have found such a perfect venue for my long, if not slow, distance training. Suddenly a cyclist zipped by, the breeze from his speed touching my arm. I suddenly came awake! What was I doing? Running with my back to the traffic? Had I gone insane?

I quickly turned around to face the oncoming traffic. Now I could see whatever danger might come my way.

Each day I see parents with strollers, individuals with headsets, kids doing their cross-country training all with their backs to the bikes as well as the cars. If for some reason the bike or car were to veer into the pedestrian lane, none of these people would have any idea what was about to hit them.

Why don't the powers that be at North Park do more to encourage all pedestrians to travel facing toward the traffic? In some cities, it's the law and for one reason only: It's safer than facing away.

We tend to call for change once there has been a tragedy. In this case we can all take the initiative. I'd like to encourage all who walk and run at North Park or anywhere to go against the traffic. It's your best chance to avoid injury.

ELIZA SONNELAND
Ross

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A campaign playlist for Obama?

I read the July 31 Maureen Dowd column ("Obama's Odyssey"), which repeated the news item that in London, British opposition leader David Cameron gave Barack Obama "a box of CDs by British bands, including the Smiths ... ." One of the Smiths' major contributions to rock music was its use of ironic (and often lengthy) song titles. Well, I wonder which Smiths songs were selected by Mr. Cameron for Mr. Obama and whether they were specifically made to aid Mr. Obama as he contemplates what might happen next during the 2008 presidential campaign.

And so, even though Morrissey wrote these song titles more than 20 years ago during the reign of Margaret Thatcher in the UK, I came up with these current matches (stop me if you think that you've heard any of these before):

"This Charming Man" and/or "Handsome Devil" -- potential fall campaign theme songs for Mr. Obama;

"You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby" -- the overarching campaign theme in Republican attack ads;

"Panic" -- the current feeling in some Republican circles that has prompted these ads to run so many months before Nov. 4;

"Miserable Lie" -- one way to describe the way Republicans have portrayed Mr. Obama's energy (or pick any issue) policy;

"Bigmouth Strikes Again" -- for use against Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, etc.;

"That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore" -- for use against The New Yorker magazine, Stephen Colbert, etc.;

"A Rush and a Push and the Land Is Ours" -- a description of President Bush's Iraq surge;

"Barbarism Begins At Home" -- a description of President Bush's torture policy;

"What She Said" or "I Don't Owe You Anything" -- justifications for Mr. Obama not selecting Hillary Clinton as his VP;

"How Soon Is Now?" -- the exact date when Mr. Obama wishes the presidential campaign would end.

JAY HORNACK
Schenley Farms

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