Heroic rescue of near-death Katrina survivor inspires

I thank the Post-Gazette for featuring the photograph and story of the remarkable rescue of Edgar Hollingsworth by the California National Guard ("A Miracle Rescue and Rising Death Toll in New Orleans," Sept. 14).

It is worth noting that the heroic guardsman who rescued Mr. Hollingsworth did so against orders: The units were instructed to simply knock on the doors and not enter if nobody called out for help. Thank goodness for the brave soldier who decided to trust his instincts and break into the house. Mr. Hollingsworth would be dead otherwise.

It is a sad commentary on this country that lives may have been lost because orders were given to protect private property over the search for survivors. Anyone remaining would no doubt be too weak to call for help after two weeks in the heat, toxic waters and hopelessness in New Orleans' flooded neighborhoods. Shame on those who made that order. Lives are more important than property.

This photo, which should be titled "American Pieta," deserves a Pulitzer Prize. I've seen nothing that better illustrates the determination to save a life, despair amid devastation and the beauty of human compassion.

JAMIE FRITZ
Penn Hills

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Grief is private

A heartfelt thanks to Dr. Cyril Wecht, St. Paul's Seminary and everyone else involved in the Sept. 15 memorial service ("Memorial Service Held for Fetuses Found in Garage," Sept. 16). Dr. Wecht's speech was thoughtful and respectful. His comments about the ongoing investigation were far more reassuring than the platitudes mouthed by the other three speakers.

Sure, Job suffered, but did he ever experience the joys of pregnancy or the pain of miscarriage? (I do not intend to single out Rabbi Alvin Berkun because two of his other selections were good.) And I enjoyed the Rev. James Simms' deep, soothing voice.

The lack of representation from Magee-Womens Hospital was glaring. Their insensitive response and denial of culpability angers me. They should stop fretting about lawsuits and apologize to the families.

To the reporters who thought none of the families were there, we were. We just avoided you, even though your photographers and camera crew blocked the only exit after the service. We didn't want our faces or our grief splashed across the evening news or in the paper for all to see.

JENNIFER OPFERMAN
Whitehall

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Methadone works

To understand drug crimes and treatment ("Understanding Drug Crimes, Treatment," Sept. 15 letter), one must start with accepting what studies from around the world have shown for 40 years.

With respect to opiate addiction, the overwhelming evidence and the unanimous conclusion of the World Health Organization, the U.S. government and knowledgeable clinicians and academicians everywhere is clear: methadone maintenance vastly improves (and saves) lives.

ROBERT G. NEWMAN, M.D.
Director
International Center for Advancement of Addiction Treatment
Beth Israel Medical Center
New York, N.Y.

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Parade was a sham

In 1934 the Nazi Parteitag in Nuremberg was planned for the cameras of Leni Riefenstahl, who directed and edited the propaganda documentary "Triumph of the Will," a false and poisonous but overpowering film with images of Hitler coming out of the clouds like a god, brownshirts marching with banners and ecstatic townspeople giving the Hitler salute.

On the anniversary of 9/11, the Bush administration had its own phony event: a march ending with a country music concert on the National Mall. The Department of Defense called it a Freedom Walk. Some freedom. People could not join unless they had registered in advance. They were supposed to muster in the Pentagon parking lot. The route was lined with snow-fencing to keep it off-limits. The media were not allowed to walk along the route; journalists were restricted to three enclosed areas.

The point of the whole craziness was to convince us again that the war in Iraq had something to do with 9/11 (although most of us know better now) with a concert at the end featuring country music star Clint Black. The Bush administration has no shame.

JOHN ALFRED TAYLOR
Washington, Pa.

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No help at all

I recently went through the Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation system and found it woefully lacking. Laid off from a full-time professional position in April, I applied for unemployment and was granted a weekly benefit. I accepted part-time work at a nearby store where I worked about 15 hours a week for $6.25 per hour. But I continued to seek full-time, professional work.

In late May, I found a position in my field, which required leaving the Pittsburgh area and moving to New Jersey. So I quit my part-time job.

My entire experience with unemployment compensation was plagued with bureaucratic incompetence.

I attended a mandatory job-seeking seminar that was condescending to the point of offensiveness. I arrived in a business suit to be greeted by a computer lab full of jeans and T-shirts. I was given the most basic, cursory resume-writing tips I have ever seen and was required to post my resume on a Web site that I had already rejected as it contained no jobs I was even remotely qualified for.

After I completed a customer-satisfaction survey that expressed my displeasure, I was contacted by a CareerLink employee who regaled me with descriptions of the professional-level services available upon request. But the survey was only sent to me after I had found my new job.

After my move, I was informed that my unemployment compensation was being revoked for my last two weeks and I would have to repay $540. (Because I had quit my part-time job, I was ineligible for the compensation.)

I appealed my decision, was denied, appealed that decision and was denied again. (The commonwealth of Pennsylvania undoubtedly spent the lion's share of my earnings on the administrative costs of my appeals.)

Had I foreseen the draconian measures that awaited me, I never would have sought or accepted underemployment. This set of regulations, applied in this manner, has no positive effect for the state of Pennsylvania or the Unemployment Compensation Bureau; its only result is to encourage people who are on unemployment to milk the system and avoid any compromise in their job search.

SONJA L. OLSON
Voorhees, N.J.

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Power plant watch

On Sept. 6, I attended the planning commission meeting for Robinson, Washington County. Representatives from the company that wants to build a waste coal power plant there were supposed to attend but cancelled.

However, we did hear from Lisa Graves Marcucci, a Jefferson Hills resident who has two power plants and a fly ash dump in her neighborhood. She reaffirmed the hazards and the consequences of a power plant.

I don't think that people here realize what this will mean to the community. It certainly will not raise up this community. It will literally bury it. I cannot believe we would do something so dangerous to ourselves, our children, grandchildren and the generations to come. I've been a resident here for almost six years. I moved here to enjoy clean healthy air and just cannot believe the almighty dollar means more to Robinson than the health and well-being of its citizens.

ARLENE RUPERT
Bulger
Editor's note: Three other residents of Bulger also signed this letter.

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Help rebuild the houses destroyed by Katrina

First responders. Short-term relief. Long-term recovery. Each has a significant place after a natural disaster such as Hurricane Katrina. The Red Cross and The Salvation Army are wonderful organizations as first responders and short-term relief organizations, and contributions to them are encouraged and supported.

In his address to the nation last Thursday, President Bush mentioned Habitat for Humanity as one of the primary long-term solutions to the housing problems now facing the poor in New Orleans, the Gulf Coast and communities where evacuees have relocated. Habitat's response is a bold and innovative program called Operation Home Delivery. In anticipation of the time when rebuilding will be possible, Pittsburgh Habitat for Humanity will coordinate local efforts in partnership with the national organization.

The plan is to assemble the materials needed to build a house locally, either through purchase or donation, and work with faith communities, corporations, foundations, civic organizations and individuals in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County to pre-build the frame of a home. The house will be tacked together, disassembled and then shipped, along with other necessary construction materials, to an area along the Gulf Coast or New Orleans where families, volunteers and builders will reconstruct the home.

To participate in this team effort, Pittsburgh Habitat needs contributions now. Please consider both the immediate needs and long-term benefits of donating to Habitat for Humanity. Habitat is a zero-interest mortgage program, not a handout, and helps communities via long-term investment.

For more information, contact Pittsburgh Habitat at 412-466-6716, info@pittsburghhabitat.org or visit www.pittsburghhabitat.org.

MAGGIE WITHROW
Executive Director
Pittsburgh Habitat for Humanity
Duquesne