In response to Jim Welch's letter "The Way to More Oil" (June 12) and to all those (mainly conservative) pundits who are pressing for opening up drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as a quick fix to high gas prices, I say stop looking for simple answers; they don't work.
Unless you are willing to nationalize the oil industry (which goes against the free-market ideals of those very same pundits), what guarantee do we have that one drop of that oil will come to the United States market? Oil companies will destroy our public lands (don't forget that places like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge belong to all of us) and put the oil on the "free" market, only to have it bought up and consumed by China and India. At the same time, for every barrel we would produce, Venezuela and Saudi Arabia will cut back a barrel to keep the prices set, and India and China will use our dollars to buy our oil.
What we need is a national effort to conserve and find nonfossil fuel-based energy sources that the United States can then sell to the likes of China and India. Let's start leading again, not looking for quick fixes.
SCOTT FINGAL
Swissvale
Boss politics is alive and well in Pittsburgh. Last week, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl vetoed a campaign-finance reform bill that would have limited the amount of money an individual or political action committee could contribute to local political campaigns ("Mayor Vetoes Cap on Campaign Donations," June 10).
By vetoing this bill, Mr. Ravenstahl has effectively put his stamp of approval on the special interests and cronyism that have dominated city politics for so many years -- all at the expense of the average Pittsburgher. Nearly every other major city in the country recognizes the importance of regulating campaign finance and has implemented contribution limits to reduce the impact of big, monied interests. Only Pittsburgh remains shackled by the old-fashioned, pay-to-play politics that stifle any real progress in our city neighborhoods.
Ironically, as Mr. Ravenstahl denounced the proposed ordinance as "fraught with problems," the Democratic State Committee officially endorsed almost identical reforms at the state level. Let's hope City Council sends a new, even tougher measure to the mayor. Pittsburgh deserves the same kind of ethical government that other cities now take for granted.
SCOTT TRUMBULL
Mt. Lebanon
Thank you to Ann Rodgers for her May 31 article "Vatican Moves Against Ordination of Women." As a Roman Catholic Womanpriest, I have received many phone calls and e-mails of concern and support. This is a time of transition in the Catholic Church, a time of optimism, but also of justified anger.
Anger because women in the Middle East are stoned for violating Islamic law; brides in India are burned for dowry; girls in Africa are genitally mutilated; women in war-torn countries are impregnated by enemy soldiers; and females in China are aborted simply because they are female. Around the world, wives are beaten by their husbands; female children are sexually abused by their fathers, uncles, brothers; women of all ages are raped and murdered. Single mothers are abandoned by the fathers of their children; hard-working women are unfairly paid; many females are denied education; and women in my church have no voice.
Anger because the all-male clergy have pronounced excommunication for women daring to be ordained to the priesthood, but there is no excommunication of Catholics committing crimes of violence against women. The refusal of the church to treat women as equals makes women in society vulnerable to violence in all its forms.
The church must affirm that a woman is holy, is a full human being made in the image of God and can image Christ in the priesthood. To affirm this, in justice, the all-male clergy must ordain women.
JOAN HOUK
McCandless
I am writing in response to the June 10 letter "Being Aware Helps." I also have been touched by glioblastoma. In January 2003, my father, Tom Wasel, was diagnosed with glioblastoma. It was discovered by a seizure he had. My father passed away three years later in April 2006. My family and I had no idea what glioblastoma was. However, we did a lot of research.
On April 20, 2004, I began to hold a brain cancer fund-raiser called "Tom Wasel Brain Cancer Awareness Day." We just held our fourth Brain Cancer Awareness Day. At Tom's Team, we take donations and send them to the National Brain Tumor Foundation. Also, I just received an e-mail from the National Brain Tumor Foundation stating that on May 21, the U.S. House of Representatives approved House Resolution 1124, declaring the month of May as National Brain Tumor Awareness Month.
Glioblastoma has been a part of my life for five years and will continue to be for the rest of my life. Through my experiences, I hope I can do my part in helping our country become more aware of glioblastoma and all cancers.
MAGGIE WASEL
Uniontown
Ironically, you decided to run the editorial "Hail to Hillary" (June 10) on the same day as Rob Rogers' cartoon about a Hillary Clinton supporter who would join Hillary's support of Barack Obama "over my dead body."
Now that the dust has settled, let's look at a few facts that I don't think you or the Democratic leadership has a handle on as you frivolously suggest it's time to show "magnanimity" and support Mr. Obama.
First, unless I've been duped by the Democratic Party, it's my understanding that the superdelegates get to vote at the convention. They are free to switch their "endorsement" at will, and many have done so. Did I miss another rules committee meeting after the last primary (when neither candidate finished with enough delegates to claim victory) that said it's the candidate furthest ahead who wins and the actual vote doesn't matter?
Take yourselves off the Kool-Aid for a second and see it from another point of view. If the Democrats really believe that "party unity" is sacrosanct and they can't wait until the convention, then change the rules to a winner-take-all system. Oh wait, who would be the nominee then?
The second fact ignored by everyone is the way Hillary's supporters were treated by the Obama supporters. Asking for support for anything associated with that mob is akin to saying, "Well, he said he was sorry for beating you, but he said he won't do it again. Just be a good wife and go back." Ain't gonna happen. There's a maverick Republican who's had Sen. Joe Lieberman's support for months who's winning us in droves.
STEVEN SATZGER
Lawrenceville
The apparent options for president have been very limited, especially for conservative Republicans. The Republican Party seems to be following the Democrats down the liberal path. That is why I joined the Constitution Party. Our candidate is Chuck Baldwin.
Those conservatives who feel they have no viable option should support Chuck Baldwin. Visit the Constitution Party's Web site at www.constitutionpartypa.com and read about our nominee and platform. You may be surprised to know that the Constitution Party is the third-largest political party in this country.
Many believe that a third party can never win and their votes will just be wasted. Conservatives have an option, and it just may be possible for us to win this time if we stick together. "If not now, when?" This is the time. We have a true conservative option with Chuck Baldwin.
JOHN IMPAVIDO
Indiana Township
Your June 13 editorial "Culture of Corruption: What Kind of Operation Served House Democrats?" concludes with a telling statement: "We're almost afraid to ask: Where will it end?"
I would like to offer a succinct response to that question. Simply put, it will end when Pennsylvania has the highest standards of public integrity in America. Anything else will doom us to repeat, like Groundhog Day, the same insults to democracy year after year.
As the indictments related to what has been dubbed "Bonusgate" begin to reach the arena of public awareness, we will be compelled to acknowledge that the abuses against our government go far beyond simple payments to staffers who did campaign work. It will become the obligation of the media to do everything in their power to help the public understand the severity of the offenses that have been committed against it.
The Post-Gazette has prepared the public for what will be shocking disclosures. But we will not be serving the interests of the citizenry by fearing to ask anything. It's time to address even the most unpleasant questions. Just as important, it's an unprecedented opportunity to enact permanent solutions.
TIM POTTS
Co-founder
Democracy Rising PA
Carlisle
We welcome your letters. Please include your name, address and phone number, and send to Letters to the Editor, 34 Blvd. of the Allies, Pittsburgh 15222. E-mail letters to letters@post-gazette.com or fax to 412-263-2014. Letters should be 250 words or less, original and exclusive to the Post-Gazette. All letters are subject to editing for length, clarity and accuracy and will be verified before being published.
First Published: June 18, 2008, 4:00 a.m.
