He owes the vets and his constituents an apology

As a Cranberry resident for 40 years, I think it's sad that Rep. Daryl Metcalfe has disgraced us ("Metcalfe Defends Harsh Talk About Vets on Climate," Oct. 21).

I am a veteran of the Vietnam and Korean wars and an inventor of a device that saves energy. I am appalled that state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe is so ignorant and intolerant that he would call veterans "traitors" because they support growing a clean energy economy. Operation Free is touring 22 states on a bus to talk about the national security threats of climate change and the importance of clean energy. They invited Rep. Metcalfe to join them at their Pittsburgh stop. He responded in writing, calling these veterans "traitors" to our country.

The world's scientists have warned that climate change will exacerbate the geo-political and humanitarian crises in unstable countries. Food, water and health emergencies caused by increasing drought, flooding and sea-level rise will create refugees and border encroachments even into the United States.

The American military will have to respond to many of these crises. Our energy security is also intricately linked to terrorism. Common sense tells us that lessening our dependence on foreign oil will lessen our dependence on unstable governments that control that oil.

Rep. Metcalfe owes the brave veterans of Operation Free and the people of his district an apology. We should always be looking to proactively protect our country to avoid future conflicts that put our military in harm's way. Mr. Metcalfe's service as a public official is what is truly in question.

STANLEY M. BUDNEY
Cranberry

Better yet, resign

The late U.S. Sen. Joe McCarthy's commie-hunting idiocy and paranoia have been reincarnated in state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe. My commissioning oath as an Air Force officer included the words "support and defend the Constitution of the United States." That document includes the basic right of free speech, but does not say "as long as that speech favors one party or philosophy."

Rep. Metcalfe needs a lesson in the Constitution, the workings of a democracy and the oath of office of the U.S. military.

"Learn, Baby, Learn!!"

And he owes all U.S. vets and current active duty members an apology ... or better still, his resignation.

COL. THOMAS BOYD
U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
Cranberry

A substantive fuss

Why all the fuss about Daryl Metcalfe's calling veterans who believe in climate change "traitors"?

Although there's nothing new about right-wing bigots making public spectacles of themselves with atrocious attacks on those who don't agree with them, Pennsylvania would be better off if we got them out of our Legislature.

That's the reason for the fuss!

FRANK KERNAN
Mt. Lebanon

Dickensian system

I support a strong public option for health care. When I was in the Navy (I served on the USS Bordelon and USS Paiute), I had government health care. Welfare recipients have government health care. SCHIP, a government program, takes care of a lot of kids. Working poor who are underinsured or have no insurance show up at the ER and get (taxpayer-subsidized) health care. The well-off can afford health care. Who's left? The workers with health care from employers and workers struggling to make payments on their own.

I looked into the cost of COBRA coverage as of Oct. 21. How about $1,200 a month and it's going up! You folks know nothing ever goes down! It's supposed to double in 10 years.

You can call it socialism or anything you want , but the average Joes and Janes are getting creamed.

As for the right wing and the seniors who have been scared by them and are against the public option, give back the money from socialist programs like Social Security and Medicare.

Coming off what has been termed the American century, it is a shame we are more like or headed toward an England of the Charles Dickens classic "A Christmas Carol"!

To our representatives: Vote for the people, not the shareholders and the CEOs this time; make your mark for the American people. History awaits you, and we the people await you.

RONALD J. MALIK
Brookline

Celebrate at home

I'm as big a Steelers fan as anyone in Western Pennsylvania, but I am disappointed to hear of the behavior that two of their players are accused of ("Steelers' Reed Disputes Charges: He and Spaeth Cited After Run-In Outside City Tavern," Oct. 20).

So you beat the hapless Browns on Sunday. Great. Go home and celebrate. Don't go out, get drunk or otherwise act irresponsibly. You are the Super Bowl champs. Act like it!

BETH KELM
New Castle

The peace choice

Since my June 2 letter to this paper stating that we should end the eight-year George W. Bush Afghanistan War, I have detected no loud voice within Congress or the administration willing to admit defeat.

We need the president to declare the Barak Obama Afghanistan Peace now. Then he should order U.S./NATO forces to begin a careful and safe pullout.

And also, he should stop all those billions of U.S. taxpayer funding directed to that government and that country's infrastructure.

Right now, Mr. Obama is trying to decide what to do about Afghanistan. It is my hope that he, as commander in chief, will provide the "loud voice," decide on peace and convince Congress thereof.

SIDNEY BARNARTT
Monroeville

Why repeat it?

Regarding the article "Nurse Suspected of Urging Suicide" (Oct. 17): I find it in poor taste to print a story regarding a nurse who was urging people to commit suicide and then also to print the method that works best. It seems that you, with an even greater audience, may be aiding the perpetrator.

MELANIE A. PAMPENA
Pitcairn

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