I read with horror the May 3 article in which the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has introduced a proposal to store liquid carbon dioxide under our public forests ("Plan Calls for Storing CO2 Beneath Pa.'s Public Forests"). This is an appalling, misguided idea.

Why do we continue to allow the energy industry to threaten our health and taint our few vestiges of unspoiled sanctuary? This action, if actually undertaken, would surely disturb and possibly irrevocably damage the wild and plant life in these areas and make our ground water vulnerable to contamination, and, ironically, CO2 may still leak into the atmosphere even when buried underground.

It just doesn't make sense; the DCNR has this one all wrong. We've all seen the PBS shows detailing cockamamie industrial endeavors gone bad: Love Canal and the hexavalent chromium debacle in Hinkley, Calif., to name the most infamous. We already know the repercussions of industrial shortcuts such as this.

We need to reduce our carbon emissions, not find better ways to hide them. Other states are doing a much better job than Pennsylvania at keeping pollution down; we need to look at those states and see what they are doing successfully and start doing it now.

For once, let's think of our children's health and quality of life, and not the bottom line.

TERRY SEFCIK
Squirrel Hill

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Interesting article in the Post-Gazette about carbon sequestration in Pennsylvania's forest ("Plan Calls for Storing CO2 Beneath Pa.'s Public Forests," May 3).

And it got me thinking: Why not store nuclear waste underground in Pennsylvania?

The people of Nevada are up in arms about Yucca Mountain. It seems vastly improbable that nuclear waste will ever be stored there.

So why not consider Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania has many underground caverns that are very stable and ideal for such storage. And Pennsylvania voters are a practical lot. The nuclear waste industry is safe, and it would bring in tons of money and jobs. That's something Pennsylvania really needs right now! Also, Pittsburgh is the home of Westinghouse nuclear industries. We have considerable expertise in nuclear plants and working safely with nuclear technologies.

Let's go for it!

MATT FETTERMAN
Blawnox

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Regarding stories about the Wielechowskis ("Wedding Night Brawl Lands Couple in Jail," April 28; "Newlyweds Give Their Side of Brawl," May 3; "Just Horsing Around, Brawling Newlyweds Say," May 6): Enough already! How much longer are we going to have to read and hear about this young couple?

I have seen less coverage on murder cases. It looks like the police and media have tried and convicted them. I always thought that you were innocent until proven guilty.

And how come the other people involved in this case, the sucker punchers, are not identified? I would think that the media would like to give them as much publicity as the Wielechowskis. I think we should all take a step back until the hearing and see what transpires there.

ART MASSIMIANI JR.
Ross

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Although I am deeply saddened that Eden Hall Farm has closed to the women of the H.J. Heinz Co. and the women from various facilities who were eligible to vacation at the farm for so many years, I was very happy to see that the property has been given to Chatham University to build a suburban campus ("Gifts Allow Chatham, St. Vincent to Become Bigger," May 2).

In keeping with the tradition that Eden Hall Farm would be used for the betterment of women, the foundation could not have chosen a greater recipient of Sebastian Mueller's gift than Chatham University. My daughter is a graduate of Chatham College, and it would make me so happy if some day her own daughter attends Chatham University at Eden Hall Farm.

I will never forget all the wonderful times that I shared with my "sisters" at Eden Hall Farm during the many, many years that I vacationed there. Good luck to Chatham University and its students, and when you graduate from your new university at Eden Hall Farm, please never forget the wonderful gift that Mr. Mueller gave to you.

LINETTE BRILL AMMER
Ross

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With regard to "Reward Offered in Shocking Death of Blind Mercer Pony" (May 3): I am completely appalled and disgusted with what we call humanity in our society. The article describes a blind pony apparently tied and dragged to its death. What a horror!

There have been entirely too many instances of animal abuse in this region. We are inundated with stories of people harboring all kinds of animals that are mistreated and in many cases "living" in deplorable conditions. Now, this poor creature is found mutilated by its heartbroken owner in Mercer County.

What does this egregious act tell us about ourselves? Parents need to realize how important it is to teach their children to respect the creatures with which we share this Earth. It has been proved that there is a direct correlation between those who mistreat and kill animals and crimes against fellow humans.

Perhaps it is time for our criminal justice system to deem these crimes against our animal friends with punishments as severe as they are for people doing the same to each other.

TONY FASCIANI
Bradford Woods

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I read the May 3 article "Reward Offered in Shocking Death of Blind Mercer Pony" and through my tears I could hardly see to finish reading. How could a person do such a terrible thing to such an innocent creature, let alone a poor blind pony? I felt ill and still can't shake what I read.

This kind of violence is becoming more and more prevalent in our world today. How very sad for all of us, because we could be the next victim. We should all be concerned about this kind of thing. It is time parents started teaching their children how to be kind, caring people instead of being their friends. They need guidance, but we are more concerned about what we can "buy" for them. Enough materialism -- let's see more of teaching children right from wrong. We need to get back to the basics in our world.

The person or persons who did this horrific thing to this poor pony need to be severely punished -- and not just a slap on the wrist.

God forbid their next victim is a human being!

JUDY WERTELET
Baldwin Borough

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I often find it amusing to debate with Republicans the ideals and differences between the two major parties. Letter writer Michael Evans ("Handout Mentality," April 24) is typical of most Republicans I've come across.

One of Mr. Evans' statements made me laugh out loud while I read it on my lunch break. Mr. Evans said that if a Democrat becomes president, the rest of us Democrats should not expect checks to start showing up in our mail. It would appear that a check is on its way to my house and the check is from our Republican president!

Thanks for the laugh, Mr. Evans. As a lifelong Democrat, I did not ask for this "handout." Perhaps Mr. Evans, along with other like-minded Republicans, would like to deny their checks from the Internal Revenue Service or give them back since they are not interested in handouts.

PATRICK MYNAHAN
Turtle Creek

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I am glad to see the editorial staff remains so predictable on all issues ("A Vote for Trouble," May 1). Your knee-jerk response to the recent Supreme Court decision regarding photo identification for voters is just as I expected. I have yet to see the staggering numbers of those in this country without some form of adequate identification or the ability to obtain same.

Your editorial identifies the poor and the lame as being consistently without ID. How are these people getting public assistance? I have a severe vision impediment but have had ID since I was 16. Even illegal immigrants somehow manage to obtain IDs and garner public services on a daily basis.

To deny voter fraud is the very height of ignorance, lest we forget the election of John F. Kennedy over 40 years ago. I challenge the Post-Gazette to produce more than a handful of individuals who have no ability to obtain an ID in this county, let alone across the nation.

Is this too high a price to pay for the freedom we enjoy and to honor those who have sacrificed so much for our ability to select our leaders?

MARK BRUSH
Bethel Park

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