Instead of a ban, why not just warn sledders?

As an enthusiastic adult sledder for many years on the hill at Frick Park, I was saddened and angered to hear of the new ban on sledding there ("City Tries to Put the Skids on Sledding," Jan. 13).

I understand that safety is a concern and that the city is worried about lawsuits. However, rather than ban sledding, why not put up "Sled at your own risk" signs? This makes it clear to sledders that safety is their responsibility, not the city's.

It seems a shame to clamp down on an activity that has so many positive benefits to the neighborhood. Besides great fun and exercise, a true sense of community occurs on that hill when people of all ages, colors and creeds spontaneously come together to enjoy the winter sport of sledding.

Yes, there are risks involved, but no activity in life is ever 100 percent safe. Instead of banning such a unique and wonderful activity from the neighborhood, the city should give people the option to sled at their own risk.

LEAH ZANDE
Squirrel Hill

Thwarting thrills

No sledding? Are they kidding? The Frick Hill is perfect, and it's been a delight to this elderly newcomer to Pittsburgh to see the colorfully clad kids lined up with their parents, everyone full of excitement, creating memories of thrilling good times.

Sure, by all means, keep everyone so safe they never learn the skills to face danger or overcome fear (insert sarcasm). Don't you think the parents can figure out if their kids are safe? (I understand that the answer to that is not always, but sheesh ...)

If you must protect the city from liability, put up a sign that says, "Sled at your own risk."

JUDY HARTSTONE
Squirrel Hill

News we need

In the past three decades, one-third of the world's natural resource space has been consumed. In the United States alone, less than 4 percent of original forests remain and 40 percent of rivers, lakes and waterways have become undrinkable. Globally, 75 percent of fisheries are fished at, or beyond, capacity, and 80 percent of "old-growth" forests are gone; 30 percent of atmospheric carbon dioxide originates from the burning of forests.

Total U.S. corporate profits are about $500 billion per year; according to professor Ralph Estes of the Center for Advancement of Public Policy, the externalized costs (pollution, health and safety, natural disasters, acid rain, crime, etc.) come to about $2.5 trillion.

I'm sorry, here's the real news: the Pennsylvania Senate approves blackjack and poker in casinos; Google unveils the Nexus One superphone; a party promoter sneaks into a White House dinner; a Fox News senior political analyst urges Tiger Woods to convert to Christianity.

Whether we'd like to admit it or not, the Earth (and consequently, humanity) is facing a pivotal crossroads -- a precarious moment that requires an examination of the fundamental ideologies that govern our daily lives. Our children won't care whether we voted Democratic or Republican. Future generations won't be concerned with threats of terrorism, or how large the gross domestic product becomes.

Future members of this planet will care if they can drink the water and breathe the air. Even a revamped health bill cannot assuage the "ill effects" of an uninhabitable world. Humans are part of a biological community of life on Earth, and if there isn't a healthy planet on which to live, then nothing else matters. We cannot afford to utilize our media channels ineffectively, as the entire planet is depending on us.

SAM FREEDMAN
Point Breeze

Feeling the loss

I met Yvonne Zanos ("KDKA-TV Reporter's Genuine Nature Touched Many," Jan. 9 news obituary) a few years ago in a drugstore. She was wonderfully gracious to a flirting fan. I've never forgotten the moment.

Jim Zanos lost his companion of more than 30 years. His heart must be broken. I met her once, briefly. Mine is.

JOHN POLYAK
McKees Rocks

U.S. wrongdoing

In reference to the Jan. 6 World Briefs item "Cuba Protests Screening": The historical facts are that the CIA attempted to assassinate Fidel Castro 22 times. Following the fiasco of the Bay of Pigs, a CIA-backed invasion, JFK established a covert operation out of Miami of 500 CIA agents to destabilize the revolution, costing the lives of Cuban literacy workers.

Also, last week, the oldest living survivor of Hiroshima and Nagasaki died in Japan, where the United States incinerated 200,000 people in an instant.

Who are the terrorists, Secretary of State Clinton?

LIZ HUGHES
Squirrel Hill

Dems not delivering

The Democratic Party should no longer be supported. It is the party of war, large health companies and large banks, and not the voters. It is either totally incompetent, which I do not believe, or totally corrupt. It lies to its loyal base and helps those with money and power.

It's time for Democratic Party supporters to withdraw their money, time and hope from this party as it stands for nothing and delivers nothing except excuses. Until the Democrats actually deliver on what they are supposed to stand for, only then should voters give the party any consideration and view it as a legitimate party.

We as voters stand alone, we have no voice, no real choice, no democracy. We only have those in power who rule with one voice, against the people.

BARRY LIGHT
Squirrel Hill

The joke's on us

I understand that there will be yet another congressional hearing to investigate the multibillion-dollar bonuses that bankers will be dividing. I liken that to a group of judges gathered to haul in a bunch of thieves, but the judges are even bigger knaves than those upon whom they pontifically seek to render "justice." What a farce.

SID FEILER
O'Hara

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