Only we are responsible for our unhealthy choices

Would that Trice Whitefield's lead article in last Sunday's Forum section be mandatory reading for all PG readers and editors ("It's Not the Food, It's the Exercise [or Lack Thereof]," Aug. 17).

Unwittingly perhaps, the PG, in publication of this article, has squarely put the fundamental issue of health care where it should be, on personal choice and lifestyle, not government's role in managing it.

Debate as we may on universal health-care strategies, how best to deliver these and the public role in providing health care, the fundamental issue comes down to society's responsibility for the lifestyles, personal choices and consequences of those behaviors for its members.

Beyond the statistics cited in the piece, the percentages of Americans who are overweight, obese, don't exercise, smoke or practice other high-risk behavior, along with the relentless march of aging demographics, paint a picture of exploding health-care costs far beyond the guesses of those running for office.

The Forum piece somewhat indirectly questions the role of government -- which leads through political-correctness PR and dictates through food product regulations -- in trying to alter the personal behavior of those whose poor lifestyle choices lead to ill-health and excessive care requirements.

Should all of us bear responsibility for those choices?

The answer is obvious.

ALBERT F. LUTZ JR.
Bell Acres

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Food connection

Is Trice Whitefield correct in stating that America's obesity problem is directly related to a decreasing amount of activity in our lives? You bet ("It's Not the Foods," Aug. 17).

However, I take issue with the idea that "the dietary difference between generations isn't significant enough to explain the difference in weight." Meat and potatoes may have been around for generations, but artificial ingredients like trans fats and (especially) high fructose corn syrup started to become prevalent in the American diet over only the past 20 to 30 years. Many significant dietary researchers have shown that there is a parallel between the introduction of these ingredients and skyrocketing obesity rates.

Cleaning, gardening and walking the dog will help burn calories, but their effects are nullified (and then some) by rehydrating with sodas and sports drinks.

JENNIFER SZYMANSKI
North Huntingdon

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A real worry

I enjoyed reading Bill Toland's engrossing front-page piece "Steelers' Suitor Stanley Druckenmiller Has Always Been Good at Making Money" (Aug. 17). No ownership change is completely innocuous, and, if Mr. Druckenmiller's lustful pursuit of the Steelers franchise is consummated, I hope, after the honeymoon ends, we, the fans, feel loved and not violated. Perhaps the ostensible new owner of the Steelers will discontinue the lucripetous Rooneys' practice of picking the taxpayers' pockets to line their own.

Whether Mr. "Golf Nut" becomes "St. Stan, the fans' main man" or "Devil Druckenmiller, the franchise killer" is beyond our control and not worth worrying about because an avoidable crisis is looming: If Pittsburgh, and its environs, continue to lose population, professional football and baseball and, perhaps, hockey are doomed. Tiny markets can't compete!

If you agree with me that the people of Western Pennsylvania are honest and hard-working, and our local colleges and universities rank among the best in the world, then the area's stagnated growth probably can be blamed on incompetent elected leadership.

By spending a little less time on sports, and a little more time reviewing political candidates' qualifications and inclinations, we might save our professional sports franchises and revitalize Western Pennsylvania.

ROBERT BILLER
Fombell

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Unacceptable view

Tom Ridge said "we need to accept both points of view" in the debate over abortion ("Republicans Would Accept Abortion-Rights VP, Ridge Says," Aug. 18). Did antebellum America need to "accept both points of view" in regard to slavery? Was Frederick Douglass wrong when he told the American people that slavery "brands your republicanism as a sham ... and your Christianity as a lie"?

Since Roe v. Wade, our nation has stood by while 49 million unborn babies were killed. Thus we proclaim our commitment to human rights while allowing one set of human beings to take away the God-given right to life of another set of defenseless human beings. And, in December some celebrate the birth of Christ, after they've come out to vote in November for the modern day King Herods -- like Sen. Barack Obama -- who defend the "right" to kill the unborn.

KRIS SANDERS
Squirrel Hill

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Speaking of English

While I agree with the sentiments expressed in Bill Toland's article regarding English and its status both here and abroad ("In the Game of Words, We're No. 1," The Next Page, Aug. 10), I must point out a few factual errors for the benefit of your readers.

Mr. Toland says Modern English is "a grab bag of favorite words from older languages sewn together by Latin" and that it is "built upon the grammar rules of Latin." Briefly speaking, English is a Germanic language, not a Romance language. Its core vocabulary, syntax and grammar have nothing to do with Latin. Actually, the language considered most related to English, historically, on linguistic grounds, is Frisian, spoken on the coast and sea islands of the Netherlands.

One point omitted from the article is the difference between spoken and written forms of English and how they relate. In other words, there is "grammar" and "Grammar." Take one example, the double negative. The double negative has always been "grammatical" in speech, that is, the meaning of the phrase "I don't have nothing" has always been understood by English speakers. Since it was part of the spoken language, it also was "Grammatical" to write double negatives in Old and Middle English.

During the 17th- and 18th-century Enlightenment, literati, emulating everything Greek and Roman again, tried to make English fit their ideas of how an educated person should communicate, which, of course, meant that (written) Latin and Greek became their models of refined language. Since Latin grammar prohibited a double negative, then, by reason, English should also prohibit it. Some Latinate "rules of grammar" may have been imposed upon English by those with an agenda, but saying that it is "sewn together" and "built upon" Latin is false.

STEVEN BANKS
Carrick

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Bill DeWeese is a man of honor who has served his district well

State House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese and I arrived in Harrisburg in 1976 and served together for 20 years until my retirement. I've met his parents, who both served in World War II, and know he comes from a fine family and good upbringing. Bill and I were in the U.S. Marine Corps at different times, Bill as a young officer.

He is a man of character and integrity and a "stick to his guns" guy. Where he came from and where he served prior to Harrisburg certainly have a lot to do with Bill's strong leadership ability.

The media have been calling for him to quit his leadership position due to the House Bonusgate investigation. Due to the drumbeat of your newspaper and others, public opinion has been prejudiced against Bill and caused his colleagues to run for political cover. By and large they are saying just what you printed -- that he should step down "for the good of the Democratic caucus and the good of the General Assembly institution" -- hogwash! By the way, "quit" is not even in Bill's vast vocabulary.

Legislators are mere human beings subject to fail when placed in positions of power and authority. There were scandals, indictments and wrongdoing before Bill and I came to the General Assembly and while we were there and will continue as long as there is a General Assembly in Pennsylvania and governing bodies everywhere.

Bill DeWeese does not fit in any of these categories! He has done nothing wrong!

As majority leader he is responsible for about 900 employees. If 12 of them decide to change Christmas bonuses into something illegal via the computer, it's quite a stretch that he would find out or that they would tell him. He said he didn't know, he did nothing wrong, and I believe him.

The Bill DeWeese I know always played hard but straight. We were miles apart philosophically -- he the liberal and I the conservative -- but there was always mutual respect between us.

Don't let political innuendo undo Bill DeWeese. The people of his 50th District should stand by their man. He has served them well and with honor for more than 30 years.

RON "HUCK" GAMBLE
Oakdale

The writer represented the 44th Legislative District.

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