I had to laugh when I read the May 2 article "Onorato Says He'll Go to Mat for Drink Tax." Dan the Tax Man said the only other alternative to the drink tax is raising property taxes. Hey, Dan, here's another alternative: fiscal restraint. How about controlling your spending?

Get better management in the county government to negotiate tougher vendor contracts to hold the line on pricing, eliminate wasteful spending, get tough with the unions that have driven up the cost structure throughout Western Pennsylvania and have hampered the growth of hundreds of businesses, including the Port Authority. But, then again, if you did that, you'd lose your "blue collar" Democratic pull-one-lever voting base, so I guess that part won't be happening anytime soon.

And just so it doesn't seem like I'm "observing" from the other side of the fence, I am a former resident of Allegheny County now residing in Butler County who was tired of the Democratic machine and its terrible fiscal management making me feel enslaved by the tax rates I was paying.

BRIAN KELLY
Sarver

Restaurants and bars want to repeal the 10 percent tax on alcoholic drinks. Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato said he will fight them in court. We in Allegheny County already pay more tax than the other counties in Pennsylvania. No wonder people are moving to other counties.

I think Mr. Onorato should tighten the budget. No one should take a car home unless they need it for their job. If they work in an office, they don't need a car. They can use the bus for transportation to and from the office. Examine your payroll and see if you can cut back some jobs. All the boroughs in Allegheny County seem to be doing a good job. Why can't the county do better?

I did not know Allegheny County was in the lending business. I read in the May 3 Post-Gazette that Allegheny County has loaned Pittsburgh Brewing Co. $150,000 ("Iron City Rescue Plan Deadlines Evaporating"). Wow.

BOB KASCHAK
Pleasant Hills

In response to the April 28 letter "Try Again": I am amazed when I read some of the responses to the Cyril Wecht retrial, in particular those who feel that another trial is a good idea. They use the reasoning that there should be a new trial because he was not pronounced "guilty" through the last trial.

I'm not a lawyer, but it seems to me that in this country you are "innocent" until proven "guilty." It is not a jury's role to pronounce him innocent. Since he was not pronounced guilty, he is, by definition in our legal system, "innocent."

It is becoming evident that in this country now, we are presumed guilty unless found innocent.

DENO DE CIANTIS
Beechview

As a member of the field staff at the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, it is always a treat to hear compliments on work done in the parks. Therefore, Jill Diskin's portrayal of the trees planted in Schenley Park as "magical" was a wonderful find in the April 26 Post-Gazette ("The Magic Is Back," April 26 letters).

Indeed, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, with help from the city of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works, planted the three white pines in Schenley Park along with a number of other species native to southwestern Pennsylvania. These plantings are part of an effort to re-establish native canopy trees in ecologically sensitive areas within our parks.

We too were saddened to find one of these trees had been cut down and removed from the park during the holiday season, but it is encouraging to know that there are park users who appreciate these trees' place in our natural settings. Anyone who is interested in learning more about the magic of ecological restoration is encouraged to join our efforts through volunteerism, becoming a park advocate and PPC member, or contributing to these restoration efforts financially.

JAKE MILOFSKY
Field Ecologist
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
Uptown

Regarding "Faculty Members Fight High Cost of Textbooks" (April 14): As a Pittsburgh resident and member of the publishing community, I was shocked by the lack of balance in this article, which failed to include comments from any publishing representative and failed to explore what publishers are already doing to address student cost concerns.

Publishers work in partnership with faculty to establish the content that best supports their course goals and enables students to succeed. In many cases, we offer that content both as a traditional textbook and in a wide variety of additional formats including eBooks, loose-leaf editions and customized books. For example, "Psychology," by David G. Myers (Worth Publishers) is offered in more than 22 different versions giving faculty the option to use the content in whatever format meets their course needs. Some of these options allow students to realize a cost savings of 10 percent to 50 percent.

Information on content, format options, revision cycles and price of any product is also widely available on any company's Web site. In addition, the cited statistics for textbook costs include the costs of "supplies" as well as textbooks, inflating the overall number.

Finally, the Government Accountability Office report the article references said, "The college textbook has evolved from a standalone text to include a variety of ancillary products designed to enhance the educational experience for instructors and students." Publishers are committed to providing the highest-quality educational materials available in a variety of formats to meet the varying educational needs of students today.

KATE GERAGHTY
Director of Customer Development
Bedford, Freeman, and Worth Publishing Group
Point Breeze

Readers of the article "Turning a Page on the High Cost of Textbooks" (April 14) would have benefited if the reporter had represented the views of textbook publishers and what we are doing to address the issue of rising textbook prices.

As a leading publisher, we empathize with the concerns of students, policy-makers and consumer advocates about college affordability and increasing financial burdens. While it is true that textbook costs have risen, the increase has not been anywhere near the high levels cited in the article. Independent research conducted by Student Monitor shows that in 2007, students spent on average $650 on textbooks, which was actually down from the previous year.

Pearson and other publishers are using technology, alternate print editions and custom publishing to offer students and faculty flexibility, choice and value.

The more alarming statistic about college today is that one-third of all first-year college students do not make it to their second year. College textbooks and all of the learning materials and resources that publishers provide are an important and, at times, costly part of the higher education experience. But students who read and use their textbooks and other course material, who attend class and who study are the ones who go on to earn college degrees and find successful careers.

SANDI KIRSHNER
Chief Marketing Officer
Pearson Higher Education
Boston, Mass.

In the almost seven-and-a-half long, horrible years that he has been in office, George W. Bush and his administration have done numerous and regrettable things to this country. As we look at the shape things are in right now, aren't we glad we didn't let him privatize Social Security on top of everything else? May it never happen!

JEFF HARRIS
Squirrel Hill

I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders after reading the article concerning the SATs ("SAT Passes Test of Predicting Freshmen Grades," April 25).

As a junior who took her SATs last weekend, I'm glad that the test is going to help me figure something out like what kind of grades I'm going to get in college. Before reading this article, I thought that all the SAT was good for was deciding whether one is good enough to get into college.

I really do hope that the study is right and that one's SAT scores are a better predictor than high school GPA because my GPA changes more than I'd like it to and is never consistent, despite my working hard all year. I'm also glad that the writing portion of the test has become such an important tool since writing is one of my strong suits, followed closely by reading.

MIRRIAM MULENGA
Jefferson Hills

Dan Onorato has shown us the way. Let's buy the Pirates with a drink tax. Since most Pirates fans must consume alcoholic beverages to quiet the voices in their heads, reminding us of how bad the Pirates are today and how storied a winning franchise the Pirates were a generation ago.

I suggest combining our efforts and imposing a 25 percent drink tax for the next three years to pay off the $250 million value of the team. In six years we could have enough money to pay talented players and we'll be able to stumble around the North Side like with the delusion that they will improve in the next few years.

Since the Allegheny County chief executive has proved that Pittsburghers need to drink to keep the Port Authority running, we should "tap" into what makes us drink today so we won't have to when the Pirates turn the corner. Granted, some of us will ride the bus more, due to our attempts to pay off the Pirates quicker, but Port Authority ridership will be at an all-time high and the county could use the current drink tax to fill in the tunnel going to the casino that will open once "we" own the Pirates in three years.

JOEL C. BORSH
McMurray

Recent news that U.S. military propagandists deceived us about the Middle East war strengthens my resolve not to fund war. We conscientious objectors agonize as we realize income taxes fund the very wars we oppose. An inordinately large fraction (51 percent) of U.S. income tax funds current and past wars (www.warresisters.org/piechart.htm).

As a conscientious objector to war, I cannot in good conscience pay taxes that support war. Consequently, I risk fines and seizures by the Internal Revenue Service, which is wasted effort because I would readily pay my full taxes if I could without funding war. Since 1940, the Selective Service Act recognizes the right of conscientious objectors to perform alternate service instead of participating in war physically. However, income taxes force us to participate in war financially.

Under the pending Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund bill, conscientious objectors could direct federal income taxes to a fund for nonmilitary purposes only. Legislative analysis shows that this win-win bill would bring in more money than it would cost. Religious freedom and taxpayer compliance with the law would increase.

Help conscientious objectors like me pay our full taxes without violating our consciences. Let Congress know your thoughts on the Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund bill.

TIMOTHY A. PEARCE
Squirrel Hill

It is common knowledge that the Arabs and the Israelis, supposedly cousins by ancestry, have been at odds with each other for ages due to political and religious issues. Hopefully, as unlikely and unrealistic as it may seem, the two foes will resolve their issues and get along some day.

Up until that happens, it is understandable for people here of Middle Eastern origin to pick sides for whatever reasons and offer their support. But I find it odd for those of non-Middle Eastern origin like myself to do the same, especially if their support is based solely on religious affiliation.

By the same token, contrary to what the politicians may claim, we will be fooling ourselves to believe that the 9/11 attacks happened because the terrorists are jealous of our lifestyle. What's crucial is to acknowledge, regardless of whether anything will or can be done about it, that based on statements by those associated with the terrorists themselves ("from the horse's mouth"), those attacks were because of U.S. unilateral support for Israel. In that regard, it is counterproductive to bury our heads in the sand and detract from the facts.

NASH KHATRI
Irwin

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