Letters to the editor
Share with others:
We must get out of this war in Afghanistan
The war in Afghanistan now is the longest war in U.S. history. We won't lose and we cannot win. Why do we continue? There are three main reasons.
It does not cost the United States enough to make a noticeable difference in the economy -- it does not hurt the average American in the pocket. The country is not really at war, the army is at war. Our advanced weapons systems allow us to wage war without sizable U.S. casualties. No one here cares.
We need leaders who will discuss the war and lead us out of war to peace.
ART FLEMING
Forest Hills
Violates principles
I write in response to the letter by Scott Smith of Cecil ("Try Him as Adult," Feb. 22), in which he asks for "justice" for a boy who was 11 years old when charged with homicide and who might be tried as an adult. The problem is that justice for a juvenile is never the same as it is for an adult.
The first reason this is true is that juveniles simply do not have the same moral knowledge or brain function as adults. Tests done by UCLA prove that people under 18 are inherently much more impulsive than adults. Thus, even if they know something is wrong, they can't exert as much control over their impulses as an adult can. This decreases their culpability, which means an adult punishment could not be justly given.
If that were not enough, according to Locke's social contract, which the U.S. Constitution is largely based on, juveniles cannot be accorded full punishment unless they are accorded full rights. Basically, if society does not deem juveniles mature enough to vote, it cannot exert the full force of the law upon them.
The crime this young person is accused of committing was horrendous, no doubt. However, I am appalled that people in our community and the court systems find it so easy to sacrifice basic American principles of justice in order to satiate the public's appetite for blood.
EMILY GIBBS
McCandless
Royal humor
In a world filled with turmoil and uncertainty, the royal hype offers relief. And Gary Rotstein's Feb. 23 "Morning File" column ("The Royal Invitation: Bring Money, Mate, But Leave the Accent") did just that -- so much so, I laughed out loud as I read it ... in a doctor's waiting room. Oh, well, only the receptionist looked askance at me.
Although Mr. Rotstein spoofed the royals, our fascination with them and more, there's something magical about a prince marrying a commoner -- the sort of stuff that drives fairly tales. Yes, Virginia, there are real-life handsome princes who marry beautiful commoners and carry them off in chauffeur-driven motor cars.
NANCY GREGG
Murrysville
Arena greater good
Regarding "Civic Arena -- Crime Scene: But Don't Wipe Away the Evidence" (Feb. 11): Eminent domain is about the greater good, if government only could recognize it. Corporations see only profit, highly leveraged profit. Highly leveraged is important to understand: When the grandiose idea fails it's a small corporate loss, but the community is devastated -- remember East Liberty and East Hills.
First Published March 2, 2011 12:00 am
