Evil sneaks up on civilized societies that allow it

President Bush states that he will not close Guantanamo Bay prison ("Bush Decides to Keep Guantanamo Open," Oct. 26).

Guantanamo is an interrogation camp. Interrogation camps are illegal according to the Geneva Convention, revised in 1949 in response to Nazi practices in World War II. Our government unilaterally decided to disregard the Geneva Convention.

Furthermore, the Eighth Amendment states, "Excessive bail shall not be required nor cruel and unusual punishment inflicted." There are reports on what has occurred at Guantanamo Bay prison, incidents resembling Abu Ghraib.

Somebody asked me recently how Hitler's rise in civilized Germany was possible. Since I was there, I assured him that it sneaked up on us gradually.

First the fear of external and internal threat was invoked. Secret prisons and a paramilitary force were established. Ordinary citizens were spied upon, and citizens' groups were infiltrated. People were arbitrarily detained and released. The press was restricted. A few other countries were attacked. Criticism was regarded as treason or espionage. Economically Germany was in dire straits, trying to provide for "guns and butter." Finally, the rules of law were subverted and there was a dictatorship. No one dared to speak out, and a neighbor could no longer be trusted.

Evil happens when enough good people do nothing. Let's make sure that it can't happen again.

EDITH BELL
Highland Park

---

The Fulton I know

This is one more letter in defense of Fulton County. I enjoyed the fine letters of Glenn Hiller ("Extreme Views Do Not Define Fulton County," Oct. 12) and Michael Poleto ("Fulton Co. Values," Oct. 17). These gentlemen's writings are typical of the outlook I always found there.

My family, on the Patterson side, were farmers and merchants going back to the early 1700s. I am named for my father, who was named for Col. William M. Patterson of the Revolutionary War and later, a justice on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

My grandfather, David H. Patterson, was a feed merchant, a representative in the state House and owned a still-existing grist mill called Webster's Mills, which is 7 miles South of McConnellsburg. In his memoirs, he proudly recalls registering the first black voter in the county. He was born in 1846 and vividly recalls confederate raids, which destroyed the store they owned, but also how the confederate colonel spared their lives. He had also lived on the North Side of Pittsburgh and was a grocery store owner, but missed Fulton County and moved back. He died in 1938, so I vividly remember him.

My dad, at 17, taught in a one-room schoolhouse "over the meadowlands" where he was paid by the student. He recalled that he would carry sick kids on the horse so that he would earn an extra dollar. He too came to Pittsburgh at 18, but stayed and later became CEO of the Frick & Lindsey Co., a large industrial supply firm that is now the Andy Warhol museum. He died suddenly in 1948.

All of the time I spent there as a child and much later, while selling industrial supplies in the Mercersburg/McConnellsburg area, I found all the people -- friends, relatives and customers -- to be kind, friendly and without racial prejudice.

WILLIAM M. PATTERSON
Shadyside

---

Healthier habits

I agree with Eileen Karl that healthier treats for Halloween are a good idea; however, I must correct information that she provided in her letter ("Healthier Treats," Oct. 28).

I am a certified diabetes educator and a registered nurse. Eating too much sugar does not cause diabetes, but if you have diabetes, it can make it worse. If you eat a lot of sugars and starches, this will cause blood sugar to rise in a diabetic. Having high blood sugar over a long period of time is what causes problems with eyes, kidneys, the heart and nerves.

There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 occurs in children and teens, rarely in others. About 5 to 10 percent of diabetics are Type 1. The cause is still a mystery, but what happens is that the cells in the pancreas that make insulin are destroyed. Type 1 diabetics always need insulin shots because they can't make insulin.

Type 2 diabetes is the type that 90 to 95 percent of diabetics have. This is caused by the body not making enough insulin and/or not using the insulin it makes properly. Often people with Type 2 diabetes are overweight and don't exercise. If they change their habits, the diabetes does not go away but they can control it, sometimes without medications.

There is an explosion of Type 2 diabetes in the United States, especially in children, because of overeating and lack of exercise. All families should eat healthy meals, limit sweets and fats and get regular exercise. This is especially important if you have family members with diabetes or heart disease. Parents can exercise with their children and set an example of healthy habits.

These habits, not just limiting sweets on special days, will do much more to prevent diabetes.

MARI DEVENYI
Ross

---

A first step

Type 1 diabetes is a devastating disease affecting young and old alike and costing Pennsylvanians millions of dollars a year in health-care costs. Scientific studies show that the key to reducing complications such as blindness, kidney disease, heart attack and stroke, is keeping one's blood sugars under control.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation clinical trial results in the October issue of the New England Journal of Medicine show that new continuous glucose monitor technology can now automatically report blood sugar levels. CGMs will help diabetics control their blood sugars, reduce complications and do away with multiple, painful fingersticks. Unfortunately, the promise of better health offered by CGMs remains elusive.

Many insurance carriers do not provide reimbursement for CGMs. Fortunately, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield has just adopted a limited coverage policy which will provide CGM reimbursement for Type 1 diabetics, but only for those who repeatedly experience severe low blood sugars (hypoglycemia). On behalf of all of those with children, parents and other loved ones battling this disease every day, I thank Highmark for taking this first step in the battle to defeat diabetes complications.

I also strongly encourage it to continue their leadership and permit reimbursement of CGMs for all patients with Type 1 in need of this lifesaving technology. Expansion of the current policy will save Pennsylvania millions over time in reduced health-care costs and further help reduce the complications of diabetes.

JAMES B. CUMMINGS
Mt. Lebanon

---

Eliminate principals

I agree with Carolyn M. Hess in her letter titled "Teachers, Not Principals, Deserve the Credit" (Oct. 24). In education the role of boards of education and administrators and principals has been exaggerated and overvalued.

My granddaughter, who is in Denmark on medical studies from Northwestern, gave me some insights into their educational system. She said that teachers get six weeks paid vacation per year. They really place a high value on teachers.

In regard to principals, she discovered that a lot of the schools are basically run by the teachers instead of a principal or director. Someone might hold the title but in reality decisions are made after discussions at staff meetings in which everyone has an opportunity to participate. That makes a lot of sense; professionals don't need administrators.

So, instead of rewarding principals, we should be eliminating them. That would be a way of saving some wasted tax dollars.

BERNARD J. GMYS
Carrick
The letter writer was a Pittsburgh public school teacher from 1955 through 1986.

---

Let's do the right thing with Mayview

Mental illness can land on any doorstep. There is no specific address. There is no warning when it arrives. Some try to hide it. Some try to keep the "family secret." Some think mental health is contagious. Truth is mental illness can happen to anyone at any time. The loss of a job, a home, or a loved one can send a person into deep depression.

I'm a consumer, family member, friend and, most importantly, an advocate. The closing of Mayview State Hospital compels us to know our history. Without needed funding, resources for recovery become unavailable. When Woodville State Hospital closed there was no financial plan to help the patients transitioning into community. There were a number of people without services and supports, which lead to more persons being homeless and a higher concentration of people in prisons. We can and must do better.

Over 100 years ago, Mayview State Hospital was built for and dedicated to the health and well-being of persons living with mental illness. The property must be sold at fair market value so that our mental-health community can receive necessary mental-health services and supports that make recovery possible. Fair market value will be determined by having the property fairly assessed by an independent entity.

We have an opportunity to do the right thing. This time may we put people before profits.

DENISE WEIS
Munhall

---