Pittsburgh Schools Superintendent Mark Roosevelt's plan to close Schenley High School is a travesty of public policy and process. What possible justification could there be to destroy the most successfully integrated high school in Western Pennsylvania?
High school is about so much more than test scores (although Schenley's are higher than most other Pittsburgh high schools). It is a critical time in our children's development in all regards: academically, socially, athletically and artistically. Schenley excels in all of these areas, and it is one of the few safe spaces in this segregated city where children of all backgrounds get along.
How will anyone ever replace ...
• The location: in neutral territory between Oakland and the Hill District, it is a natural magnet for integration and for international students drawn by Oakland's universities.
• The building: rich in architectural and historic significance and built to last.
• The tradition: Whether it be the annual "magic" musicals (two more Kelly awards this year, including "Best Show") or the sports teams where diverse racial groups come together to work hard and to excel, this school has brought people together and has achieved excellence. What other city school will rise to challenge Allderdice's dominance?
No substantive debate has been held. Many parents and community leaders were ready and willing to raise private funds to save this architectural, academic and cultural gemstone. But Mr. Roosevelt never really listened.
DAVID R. BREWTON
West Oakland
Concerning the June 4 story "Districts Seek to Fix Imbalanced Charter School Costs": This isn't the first time I've heard school districts complaining about the budgets of cyber (or brick-and-mortar) charter schools -- an alternative form of education which operates more efficiently.
I find it interesting that school districts (and news reporters) characterize the tuition for students as being paid by the school district. Tuition is paid by the taxpayers. Parents who choose an alternative to the public school in their district, such as private school, cyber charter or home school, still pay their school district taxes and rarely avail themselves of district activities or educational services.
Any bill introduced by a group of state representatives to "standardize -- and reduce -- the tuition paid to cyber charter schools" should include a refund to taxpayers. Why funnel the money back to the school districts?
According to state Rep. Karen Beyer, parochial schools can "more than educate a child for $7,000." The parochial schools do a great job, and if that's all it takes, the public schools should be able to do the same.
BETH PHILLIPS
Crafton
After 16 months of a hard-fought Democratic primary why was the first group Hillary Clinton spoke to the American Israeli Political Action Committee; why did Barack Obama, who for months promised to speak to all leaders in the Middle East, speak to the same group hat in hand?
Why was former President Jimmy Carter on his peace trip to the Middle East refused security protection from Israel because he spoke with all parties involved, including Palestinian leaders?
Mr. Carter announced that Israel has 150 nuclear weapons (which some believe were developed with information stolen from America by Israeli spies and with the help of American traitors). Why isn't Congress demanding a major overhaul of the CIA and FBI? They allowed our nuclear secrets to be stolen and stood by while President Bush used false intelligence to invade Iraq.
TONY PITTORE
Penn Township
Gail Collins hits the nail on the head with her piece on loyalty ("Loyalty in High Places," June 3). It is fascinating to watch this administration and its supporters attack the messenger while ignoring the message. It appears that they prize loyalty to an individual over a person's loyalty and responsibility to the country.
I commend former Press Secretary Scott McClellan for having the courage to speak out. There is no doubt in my mind he knew what he was in for from the administration and its cohorts. What a refreshing change to see anyone from this administration, currently serving or not, be frank and honest with the people they claim to represent. It gives me hope that others in this opaque, dishonest and corrupt administration will finally have the character and courage to stand up for the truth and the citizens, instead of pursuing blind fealty to their masters.
KATHY PERLES
Washington, Pa.
Thousands of picky Pittsburghers can't be wrong. They picked up tons and tons of litter this spring for the right reason. They are turning Pittsburgh into the City of Glitter.
Every day Citizens Against Litter gets neighborhood reports confirming that our anti-litter revolution is the real thing. Many more than the 12,500 volunteers estimated earlier are participating. The amount of litter collected approaches 200 tons from more than 183 city neighborhoods and boroughs and townships in Allegheny and Beaver counties.
Examples: Homewood volunteers collected 19 tons; South Side/Uptown/ Hill District collected 12 tons; South Fayette collected 12 tons. Family and friends of Paul Shepherd, Jr. (killed in a car accident on Route 28 one year ago) marked the June 7 anniversary with a memorial cleanup of Route 28 between the 31st Street Bridge and the Heinz plant. Their commitment is to do this four times a year.
Thank you, Pittsburgh volunteers, schools, public works departments, PennDOT, Allegheny CleanWays and the Pennsylvania Resources Council.
BORIS WEINSTEIN
Citizens Against Litter
Shadyside
Dick Cheney's remarks to the National Press Club ("Cheney's Insult," June 6 Perspective column by Jerome Dobson) stereotyped West Virginians as being incestuous: "So we had Cheneys on both sides of the family -- and we don't even live in West Virginia."
Mr. Dobson aptly described the numerous derogatory terms applied to Appalachians and country people -- "the most scorned minority in America," called ignorant hillbillies for starters. Vice President Cheney suggests incest.
Mr. Cheney's recent speeches seemed sprinkled with harmless humor. This time he not only knew exactly what he was saying but to whom he was saying it -- nobody who would be offended? He knew that they, too, would "get it" and tacitly, if not volubly, accept his mean insult. Both speaker and audience would deny being prejudiced.
L. FRAME
Cranberry
It was disheartening to read about the consequences of the drug war in the Post-Gazette's June 3 editorial ("Drug War: In the U.S. and Mexico, the Casualties Pile Up"). There is no doubt the harm caused by this flawed policy is far-reaching and has dire effects not only on individuals but also nations.
This issue must be addressed if there is to be any hope of eliminating the tragic results of the drug war on people and communities. Fortunately, there is a candidate who will initiate a sensible approach to the issue, Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr.
That's right, Bob "Drug Warrior" Barr has realized there is a better approach and come out against the drug war. He would completely reorient federal law enforcement priorities. Clearly there is a better way to approach the issue of drugs, and I hope Bob Barr can bring some reason on this issue to Washington, D.C.
MICHAEL J. ROBERTSON
Sligo
I read with interest your June 3 editorial about Mexico and our failed "drug war," which is really a war against people and human nature. You noted the elephant in the living room -- the $400 billion U.S. recreational drug market.
While I don't use drugs other than caffeine and alcohol, and while I abhor unnecessary violence, I find it both refreshing and reassuring that many people still take action to do what's in their own best economic interest, rather than relying on government handouts.
I'll probably support the Libertarian Party presidential candidate, former drug warrior Bob Barr, who lately has been lobbying in favor of states' rights regarding medical marijuana and for ending the federal government's calloused role in keeping dying people from getting their medicine. It's not just cancer patients deprived of their medicine, slain government officials in other lands and children caught in the drug dealers' crossfire here at home who are the victims of this myopic repeat of Prohibition. Mr. Barr rightly recognizes that our privacy rights also are a casualty.
I'm encouraged that Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton also have vowed to let sick people obtain their medicine. And if Mr. Barr's candidacy does nothing more than prevent drug warrior and global interventionist John McCain from attaining the White House, I will consider it a resounding success.
HAROLD KYRIAZI
Schenley Heights
First Published: June 13, 2008, 4:00 a.m.
