The answer is to eliminate the crisis, not the baby

Although I am a hybrid-driving Democrat, I could not vote for Barack Obama. My vote honored a child whose doctors pressured for her late-term abortion because she suffered from severe spina bifida. As I held my dying newborn daughter, I knew absolutely that every child deserves a peaceful life, no matter how "perfect."

More than a million American babies are aborted each year in panic -- their moms are unmarried, young, old, poor, abused and more. Abortion brutally ends an innocent baby's life and returns his mother back to her situation. The decent answer to a crisis pregnancy is to eliminate the crisis, not the baby. And for babies like my Mary, the disabled or dying deserve our love and comfort, not death.

In addition to supporting taking stem cells from unborn babies, President-elect Obama has promised the abortion industry he'll pass the FOCA (Freedom of Choice Act) -- which would wipe out parents' rights for teens, conscience clauses for Catholic hospitals, limits on partial-birth abortion and more.

I've listened as politicians, community leaders and even the owner of my beloved Steelers set aside their pro-life beliefs to vote for Mr. Obama. Heck, I saw an Obama button or two among those in my own Catholic Church!

On Nov. 4 I voted for those who will never get the chance.

Having housed a pregnant, abused mother and provided support for others carrying disabled children, I pledge to keep fighting for real choices. Facing the most pro-choice administration ever, can we count on all of you pro-life Obama supporters to help?

JEANNIE WALLACE FRENCH
Upper St. Clair

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Rooneys and taxes

In the Nov. 13 letters to the editor, the first four taunted Dan Rooney for backing Barack Obama, then hurrying to complete the sale of the Steelers before the end of the year. They show themselves to be uninformed because Dan Rooney is the buyer not the seller and will not save any taxes.

Of course this purchase is from his brothers and that may or may not influence why and when the deal should be done. But the family knew for a long time the structure of ownership was in violation of league rules, so it is their own fault for the rush.

MARIE SCHURR
Hickory

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Money is the key

A majority of recent studies have shown that cell-phone usage during driving has become a significant cause of accidents. Some states have passed laws prohibiting the use of hand-held cell phones and require the use of Bluetooth or other hands-free devices.

These measures have proved ineffective because any phone conversation detracts from a driver's concentration. Furthermore, most drivers ignore the laws, and our law enforcement personnel have much more pressing issues to deal with.

The majority of calls people make while driving are unnecessary. My personal experience is that I have nearly been sideswiped by drivers on phones drifting into my lane, and most recently I was almost run over in a parking lot by a driver backing out of a parking space while on the phone. Fortunately only my shopping cart was hit and I was unhurt. This particular situation was not a "pretty" one, but I cite it to emphasize the danger responsible pedestrians and drivers are being subject to. We have rights also. I have a cell phone myself for use in emergencies such as my car breaking down.

Pennsylvania could use other sources of revenue. Therefore, why not tax each phone call or text message (sent or received) five cents or even 10 cents? I would prefer to see a punitive cost of at least 25 cents per call or text message. The revenues could be used to lower property taxes in this state.

Something must be done. People only respond when it comes to money.

EDWARD M. GROSSMAN
Marshall

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Simplifying burial

The Post-Gazette and Marylynne Pitz should be applauded for raising awareness of green burial as a sound ecological and economical alternative to modern practices that infuse the soil with embalming poisons and nondegradable metal and concrete ("Ohio 'Green' Cemetery Graveyard of Future?" Nov. 17; "Now, There's a Green Way to Go to the Great Beyond," Oct. 28). Two local organizations, Green Burial Pittsburgh and Funeral Consumers Alliance of Western Pennsylvania, are working together to develop conservation burial options in this region as well as encouraging existing cemeteries to "go green."

FCAWP, in fact, has been working for more than half a century to help consumers find respectful, lower-cost, "healthier" ways of paying tribute to the dead while investing in the quality of life for their survivors. Such alternatives take on new significance in the current economic climate, and FCAWP's annual meeting on April 19 will address various options, including home funerals and green burial in addition to cremation and simple burial.

Simplifying these final rites of passage is becoming increasingly important not only to those of limited means but also to those who are concerned about the environment and/or prefer to be remembered with a contribution to a grandchild's college tuition or to a charitable cause rather than a bronze casket or an imposing cemetery monument.

MARGARET C. ALBERT
North Point Breeze

The writer is a member of Funeral Consumers Alliance of Western Pennsylvania and the Green Burial Pittsburgh advisory board.

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Sapp's fine photos

On Nov. 19 when I opened my paper and saw the absolutely beautiful photograph by Darrell Sapp on the front page ("Snowy Vista"), I was elated! Many times his photos have increased my enjoyment of the Post-Gazette and I have meant to write before. What a great photographer he is.

I read the paper every day and never want newspapers to go away. I like the in-depth features you publish. I am 85 years old and it is a pleasure to read this fine paper!

ELSIE LEWIS
Ross

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Hybrid hazards?

Just wondering ... with hybrid vehicles becoming ever more popular and numerous on our streets and highways, is anybody, anywhere studying the possible special consequences of collisions involving these cars? Are there fire or burn hazards for passengers or first responders (fire and paramedic personnel) resulting from crash-damaged batteries and electronic systems? Are these vehicles dramatically more expensive to repair when the drivetrain is damaged in a collision? If so, potential buyers ought to be made aware of these factors.

As usual, the mainstream media -- needing to be fashionable and politically correct -- have reported the benefits of these complex and expensive vehicles but have failed to do the most basic job of objectively inquiring about a possible downside in this emerging trend.

WILLIAM McCLOSKEY
Regent Square

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Why didn't UPMC notify agencies months ago about House of Hope?

I am writing on behalf of the board and staff of Lydia's Place Inc. to express our distress concerning the closure by UPMC of House of Hope in Braddock ("Lamenting the Loss of House of Hope," Nov. 14). Lydia's Place works with women who have been incarcerated. Most of our clients have substance abuse problems. We have referred many clients to House of Hope over the years.

Lydia's Place is, I am sure, one of the 14 agencies that the UPMC spokesman mentioned as one of those they will refer women to after House of Hope closes. However, neither Lydia's Place nor any of the other local agencies can provide housing to a pregnant woman who is methadone dependent. Women who are pregnant and have been heroin addicts must take methadone during their pregnancies. If they do not, their babies can die.

Recently we met a young woman who is incarcerated at the Allegheny County Jail. She is pregnant and methadone dependent. We have no place to refer her that can manage her pregnancy and recovery from heroin addiction when she is released from jail. So, she will probably serve a much longer sentence -- at a cost to taxpayers of $60 per day. She would have been an ideal candidate for House of Hope.

As an executive director I can appreciate that UPMC financial administrators may have been having difficulties in finding sufficient funding for House of Hope. However, I find it reprehensible that they did not notify the community of agencies serving their clients several months ago about the closure. Had the group of us known during the course of the last year that House of Hope was soon to close, we might have been able to develop an alternative plan of care for pregnant, methadone-dependent women. Perhaps UPMC might consider assisting these agencies in developing an alternative plan of care or even donating the facility to an agency that already provides similar housing services.

VICKI SIROCKMAN
Executive Director
Lydia's Place Inc.
Downtown

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