Letters to the editor
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We're digging a hole in more ways than one
So the cost of the "T" extension is over budget, as reported by Joe Grata on Oct. 16 ("Final Contracts Push Cost of 'T' Extension Over Budget"). And the Port Authority refused to answer any questions about how much over budget the project will be as a result of the latest bids. I don't know whether to laugh or cry about this project any longer. Does no elected official have the courage to step forward and declare this project out of control? More important, does no one in the Port Authority's management or board of directors have the courage to do it?
As our presidential candidates discuss the need for Americans to begin living within their means, and argue whether Sarah Palin approved or stopped the "Bridge to Nowhere" in Alaska, our region is digging not one but two holes to nowhere. The difference is that we have no idea where the dollars to pay the cost overruns will come from. There's a critical lack of sense -- and soon dollars and cents -- in this entire project.
RICH McHALE
Shaler
Level the field
After reading Jim Mitchell's letter concerning the smoking ban and what it is doing to his 100-year-old business ("A Fight for Survival," Oct. 9), I thought since I was the friend from Virginia quoted by Jim that I would write in support of his well-founded complaint. Make it a level playing field! All restaurants or none at all.
There is way too much government control over our lives, and each day we seem to find just another place where the big hand is reaching down to take over one more thing in our lives. I am not a smoker and I do not like the smell of cigarettes, but it is my choice when I walk into a bar, knowing there will be smoking.
Here in Virginia there is no "state law." The places I go to make their own choices as to smoking or no smoking. These are privately owned businesses that already have way too much control over them. What is fair in government control is that all restaurants, no matter how much food they sell, fall under this new law to control a small business.
BRETT THOMPSON
Waynesboro, Va.
Hatred unleashed
So Sen. John McCain does not like the comparison that Rep. John Lewis of Georgia recently made regarding the hateful comments of McCain and Sarah Palin to the hatred felt during the civil rights movement? Sen. McCain said Rep. Lewis' comments were shocking and beyond the pale!
This, from a campaign that is generating so much hatred for Barack Obama at GOP rallies that the crowds are screaming "liar," "off with his head," "kill him" and "traitor." Mr. McCain unleashed this type of extreme reaction and then denounces it!
What a frightening turn from a desperate campaign. Talk to Gov. Palin about the word traitor. She sent videotaped greetings to a rally for Alaskans who want to secede from the United States, and her husband belonged to that party for years. Yet, it is she who questions Mr. Obama's prior associations. The contrast in words and deeds is amazing and quite ironic.
LAURA LOWE
Oakmont
Divisive labels
Regarding "The Next Step in Post-Racial Politics" (Oct. 13): Ruth Ann Dailey again wrote a column that was long on anger and short on examples. It is disappointing that Ms. Dailey insists on seeing such a black/white world ... sorry, us/them world, that ignores the fact that we're not the caricatures she insists on denouncing.
Democrats who elected Barack Obama as the party's nominee after a long primary season are described as "ardent leftists" or "power-hungry leftists." The Democratic primary that ended with his nomination is called a "bold anointing." I'm tired of all these labels that only serve to divide us.
It must be nice to live in Ms. Dailey's post-racial world. But I think most of us can accept that racism exists and have honest discussions on race without turning to language such as "symbolically lynched" and "racial exploitation." We can certainly continue the dialogue of this election without the over-the-top characterizations of people with whom we disagree politically.
The "us/them" dynamic that has developed over these past eight years is destructive. Enough.
M. JOHNSON
Mount Washington
So what will it be?
Now that we are just a couple of weeks away from the election, I wish people would educate themselves! This election is much too important to let your emotions do your voting for you. You must educate yourselves on the issues, not on a campaign promise. As we all know, politicians will say anything to get elected. Here is something that is for sure: The liberal Democrats in the House are directly responsible for the mess we are in now. Government intervention in the free market got us here, not George W. Bush!
By not allowing drilling and forcing the banking industries to do things that the free market would never do, that put us in this situation. Do some research; you will find the answers to this mess. Look at Pelosi, Reid, Dodd, Frank and Obama, all liberal Democrats; these people and government dictating policy are the problem, not the free market.
Politicians blame everyone else but themselves. More people are more concerned with what their favorite sports teams are doing or who won "American Idol" than what the government is doing. Again, all you have to do is some research. Less government intervention or more government intervention? You decide.
A. CUDA
Plum
Pittsburgh rocks
My husband and I recently visited your lovely city for the first time. I was expecting an old downtown area. What I found amazed me. Pittsburgh absolutely rocks. What a great city to visit.
The people were awesome and friendly. We saw new construction everywhere we looked. We stayed at Station Square and watched the Steelers fans board the ferries to go over to the stadium. We had a fantastic sandwich at Primanti's and walked all over the Strip District. We got caught up in all the fun. Your city is alive and booming. I would recommend it to all my friends. I just can't find the proper words to describe how much fun we had.
I proudly hang a Steelers flag in my front yard. "Here we go," Steelers -- all the way to the Super Bowl. We will be back!
JULIE DOYLE
McKinney, Texas
Picking Sides: Barack Obama
On TV and in three presidential debates, we have observed John McCain and Barack Obama in action. I get the impression that while McCain is angry, condescending and boastful, Obama is articulate and caring to the vast majority of our lower- and middle-class people. The choice of running mates, Sarah Palin by McCain and Joe Biden by Obama, shows McCain's lack of judgment and Obama's farsightedness. In this difficult world with multiple power centers, we need an intelligent and politically sagacious backup as a vice president, not a pretty face. Obama is my choice because he is forward-looking with a caring heart.
MOMINUL HOQUE
Monroeville
Picking Sides: John McCain
I'm a Democrat voting for John McCain. I'm tired of being called a racist, because I'm not. I voted for Jesse Jackson years ago. I decided on McCain when the Democratic Party decided to take the democracy out of the party and negate 18 million Hillary voters. I don't trust Barack Obama. He has no history. I really would like to know who is funding him. I don't believe that it's the little people. He's way too liberal and I don't believe in the redistribution of wealth, which amounts to social welfare. I work too hard every day getting up at 4:45 a.m. to make a buck. I don't want to give it to someone who prefers to live off the government.
KATHY TAYLOR
Carnegie
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First Published October 22, 2008 12:00 am
