Congress is right not to rush the bailout

Regarding the recent defeat of the bailout bill before the House of Representatives, I think the right thing was done ("Defiant House Sinks Bailout," Sept. 30).

I remember in the past when Congress approved legislation faster than most of its members could read the text, no less understand it, they passed something known as the Patriot Act. Our representatives also gave a free pass for wars and countless other forfeitures of responsibility and oversight under pressure for speed above rational discourse.

Responsibility in this situation calls for a full review and debate of the pros and cons of this rush to bail out businesses that pay their executives to measure the risks of their investments.

Doing nothing is also inappropriate, but the adage to look before you leap and to learn from history tells me that caution is in order here. This crisis did not occur overnight and will not be resolved that quickly either.

ANTHONY E. ROSCOE
Kennedy

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The mess we're in

Last week's attempt at approving an economic recovery plan appeared to be moving down the track -- albeit slowly -- until John McCain, in a thinly veiled attempt to postpone a debate, decided to inject a little presidential politics. The good old "maverick" designated himself as the one to unite the parties and, in no time, that train came off its track and headed south. Beware this other uniter!

In eight years, we've seen monumental job losses, record unemployment, the highest number of personal bankruptcies and home foreclosures in history, a budget surplus pilfered into a deficit from which we may never recover, deregulations that created a $700 billion bailout of irresponsible Wall Street wizards, bank failures, "zero" economic growth, soaring energy prices, two wars (one of which was bogus, costing the lives of more than 4,000 soldiers), and middle-class working families in financial abyss -- often unable to meet their most necessary household expenses, much less think about sending a child to college. Those are just to name a few.

And as if that reality check isn't enough to scare the death out of all of us, add the fact that there remain voters who, apparently, place more importance on the color of Barack Obama's skin than in saving their own skin. Which begs the question: Can we afford to put another uniter in the White House?

KATHY KATZ
Lawrence

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He was doing his job

Regarding "McCain's Move: He Cheats the Voters With His Campaign Ploy" (Sept. 25): This editorial regarding John McCain's request to postpone the presidential debate, because of a potentially disastrous national economic emergency, is a poor, totally biased and unfair opinion of Sen. McCain's intentions.

First and foremost, is not Sen. McCain paid by the taxpayers of this great country to provide solutions for its problems? Would it not be his job to go to Washington and provide his assistance in the solution of this crisis, which involves every man, woman and child in America and potentially the world?

Your finger-pointing as to the blame for this catastrophe is strictly politically motivated to sway voters away from Sen. McCain and is without merit. Seems to me that you forgot to mention that the Democratic Party has a large hand in this crisis because of its pork-barrel spending on its self-fulfilling programs.

EDWARD URBAN
Munhall

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Shouldn't be close

Traditionally, when there are economic problems, the incumbent party loses the presidential election. In 1980 and 1992 the incumbent party was ousted as a direct result of economic problems, which now look like mere child's play compared with the economic crisis we currently face. Based on this precedent, why is this election so close? If incumbents Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush didn't stand a chance, why is it even a possibility that John McCain could be our next president?

PETER HORTON
Squirrel Hill

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A worthy benefit

No less than four Philadelphia police officers have been killed in the line of duty since last October. Thankfully, this hasn't happened to officers in Pittsburgh, but officers in both cities have something in common beyond their sacrifice and heroism -- the lack of what is called a "100 percent killed-in-service benefit," which is equal to 100 percent of the officer's salary. That isn't the case everywhere in Pennsylvania.

Right now, state law mandates that the families of officers in smaller townships and boroughs receive the 100 percent killed-in-service benefit. That is unfair to officers in Pittsburgh who often encounter some of the most dangerous law enforcement situations anywhere.

Fortunately, Senate Bill 1112 can correct this, but it is awaiting action in the Senate. With only a few session days left for our Legislature this fall, I call on both chambers to pass this legislation swiftly and for Gov. Ed Rendell to sign it into law.

All police officers put their lives on the line. When they make the ultimate sacrifice, their families should be treated equally to other law enforcement families. This is the least we can do to help families through the horrible loss of a loved one. It's time for action.

LES NERI
President
Fraternal Order of Police
Pennsylvania State Lodge
Harrisburg

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Lovely flower power

I don't know who to thank first. It might be the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership or just individuals who respect our Downtown streets ... but the planters and hanging basket displays this year are just beautiful.

Many people tell me they haven't been Downtown in a long time and I have been assuring them they are missing a visual delight.

I can appreciate how hard it is to show such greenery in an area where there is so much construction, but that makes it all the more special. Flowers have power, you better believe it.

While finding those displays awesome this summer, I thank anyone who has shown pride in a garden or yard. It does make a difference.

The display of pink begonias spelling out PGH 250 on South Braddock Avenue in Regent Square deserves additional applause for its lovely floral nod to our anniversary year. You can still see it in all its glory, but hurry ... with your camera!

Golly gee ... I'm glad I live here!

BARBARA CLOUD
Squirrel Hill

The writer retired earlier this year as a Post-Gazette columnist.

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We must do more to raise awareness of HIV's reality

It is no surprise that men comprise the majority of newly infected cases of HIV ("Most New HIV Cases Among Men," Sept. 14). As a long-term survivor of HIV (infected in the early 1980s) and a consistent member of community outreach, I often see and hear messages of despair and shame from those recently infected. This comes not only from those in their 20s or 30s but also from those 50 and older who confirm they should know better.

All experience shame by accepting the reality that this disease is still preventable. Many have long forgotten the lessons from the past. Some have not been educated or do not fully understand the ramifications of HIV. The general apathy regarding HIV disease here in the United States leads to complacency so that those most at risk then start to let their guard down. We have failed to educate the youth of today about the dangers of HIV, especially the suppression of the immune system leading to debilitating illnesses, such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, blindness, cancer and other exponential progressions of aging.

Consumer leadership is desperately needed to fill in where service agencies and mental health professionals are stretched to their limits by the continued reduction in available funding. Unfortunately, these individual survivors are already leading full and varied lives serving within the AIDS service organizations and those living with HIV. It is time to come together to create a greater awareness of HIV in every circle of life. I am committed to this cause. I challenge the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transexual community to continue talking about and raising awareness of HIV in area clubs, in member organizations and at every opportunity to save lives.

MICHAEL HELLMAN
Morningside

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