Letters to the editor
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GOP moderates, rise up against the loudmouths
Rush Limbaugh the voice, the face of the entire Republican Party? Saints preserve us!
As one for whom the voice, the demeanor, of George W. Bush (what a relief to say "the former president") often prompted hitting the mute on the TV, or a quick move to the volume control on the car radio, I honestly do not know how I could abide being verbally and visually assaulted on a regular basis by this pompous, egotistical windbag.
He will debate the president? I truly shudder at the thought! Rush Limbaugh does not debate. He denigrates, he diminishes, he insults -- but he does not debate. Rush Limbaugh respects no one except those who think the same way he does.
Thank God, literally, for people like David Brooks. May the party members for whom such a person is their mouthpiece rise up and wrest control from the loudmouthed, negative minority, who would, if they could, spit upon any person who is not of their political ilk. When, and if, that were to happen, perhaps, just perhaps, we could have a true majority of representatives and senators who would forget party affiliation and work to get our beloved United States of America back on its feet.
Now wouldn't that be world leadership?
JOYCE MOON STROBEL
Ross
Horse connections
The Post-Gazette has provided a great service to its readers by publishing both a feature on the Carnegie Museum of Natural History's marvelous new exhibit about horses, including our longtime, loving partnership with them ("Horse Tales," Feb. 25), and a disturbing report on abused and neglected horses rescued in Washington County ("Washington Humane Society Looking for Help to Care for Horses," Feb. 26).
I hope that thousands of people visit the Carnegie exhibit and come away affirmed in their sense of wonder. I hope many more will discover a new "connection" with horses -- and animals -- that lasts a lifetime.
And I truly hope that upon reading or hearing about abuse of animals -- including the slaughter of horses for food, which is legal in Pennsylvania -- they will turn their anger and sadness into compassionate action by volunteering, contributing or speaking out, such as contacting their representatives in Congress about the importance of the Conyers-Burton Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act, HR 503, to ban horse slaughter in the United States.
Thank you, Post-Gazette, for reminding us that there are two sides to the story of the lives of animals who share their world with people.
BECKY BURDICK
Lancaster Township, Butler County
19th-century gift
We currently have many little-used and unused railway lines just rusting away. Why not give them new life via electrification?
For example, the Brilliant cutoff and trestle across the Allegheny River to Aspinwall could be hooked up to the Martin Luther King Jr. Busway. Built in 1903, this trestle and line to it would be a natural fit to the busway and the Allegheny Valley Railroad.
Similarly, we could use the old B&O line through Glenshaw, Hampton, Allison Park and Richland to Mars, Evans City and Zelienople and maybe even hook up Cranberry and Seven Fields. The South Hills and Mon Valley, too, have numerous old rail lines just waiting to be used, not to mention the hot metal bridges and trestles across the Mon.
Built between 1890 and 1920, they are in great shape and could be paved. The rail lines could accommodate police and emergency vehicles as well as buses if need be.
Let's make use of this! A gift from the 19th century serving us well in the 21st!
FRED STEARE JR.
Bellevue
Societal cornerstone
We are a country that is founded on Judeo-Christian beliefs and values. The majority of Americans are still Christian and have spoken on their desire to have marriage remain a union between one man and one woman. Is this not government by and for the people?
Somewhere along the way in our country we have come to believe that we have to change all of our laws and social institutions every time a small group of people wants it that way. Where will we draw the line? You cannot change every law and value upon which a culture is founded and still have a viable culture. To do so has been the demise of many great cultures in the past.
The sanctity of marriage is one of the most important of those values that must be upheld. It has well been known since the dawn of man that family is a cornerstone of society. This is even reflected in the natural order of nature, where we also have the family as a cornerstone of the animal kingdom. This seems to be an inevitable truth to me.
Marriage is the union of one man and one woman. Let others who are seeking to do things a different way than has always been since the beginning of time create their own society and social institutions to suit their lifestyle. Our society and our country are fine the way they have always been, and the foundations of such should remain unchanged.
A. ALTMYER
McCandless
Investing in people
Thank you for your Feb. 10 insert on the importance of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education. Team Pennsylvania Foundation lauds you for recognizing the value of STEM education and focusing on how we can invest in building up our nation's most important asset -- our people.
Our nation and our commonwealth's industry leadership are challenged by the brightest minds from across the globe, and now is the time to develop a new generation of STEM workers.
A coalition of public and private sector leaders, led by Team Pennsylvania Foundation, the governor's office and the National Governors Association, have been working diligently over the last 18 months to understand how we can drastically improve the commonwealth's entire STEM education and work-force system. This group of CEOs, superintendents, college presidents, teachers and policy leaders is called the PA STEM Initiative.
Team Pennsylvania Foundation is building a core group of CEOs who can lead this program and aid us in improving the state's STEM education system. You can learn more about our efforts, including how you can get involved to make a difference in this extremely vital endeavor, at www.pasteminitiative.org.
RICH HUDIC
President and CEO
Team Pennsylvania Foundation
Harrisburg
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First Published March 14, 2009 12:00 am
