If the field is weak, why endorse anyone?

In your editorial "For Mayor: Pittsburgh Voters Should Stick With the Incumbent" (Oct. 18), you cite the mayor's ethical lapses, lack of vision and close ties to the Democratic political machines as liabilities and then conclude that "In this weak field of candidates, Luke Ravenstahl is the obvious choice." In other words, the least of three evils?

If the Post-Gazette editorial board truly believes, as it has suggested, that a lack of viable opposition candidates (even within the Democratic Party) is reflective of a stagnant political climate, why endorse anyone? If the election is the sham that it appears to be, why not show some leadership and say that "we cannot endorse anyone because there isn't, truly, a race"?

Single-party rule is no cause for celebration in a true democracy and endorsements simply lend legitimacy to that which is not. Or, as our president is known to have said, "You can put lipstick on a pig ..."

SEAN McLINDEN
Glenfield

Monied interests

Although Rep. Daryl Metcalfe's prior comments regarding homophobia and his ethnocentrism toward non-Christians gives a sharp indication about the type of person and, by extension, the type of politician he is, his comments regarding climate change could not be more telling ("Metcalfe Defends Harsh Talk About Vets on Climate," Oct. 21).

He comments that climate-change activists are trying "to control more of the wealth." Is he really trying to make the leap to socialism? Well, sir, you couldn't be further off, but considering that in 2007, 475 people possessed more wealth than the poorest half of the planet combined, that doesn't sound like too bad of an idea.

Mr. Metcalfe also refers to a portion of the plan as "cap and tax." That's a convenient way of stating that companies and CEOs will pass on any cost they incur to customers. The CEO of Occidental Petroleum was the highest paid CEO of an energy company last year, $222.6 million. I make $25,000; the median U.S. household income is $52,000. Guess which is one of the states that falls below the national median? Pennsylvania.

Whom are you protecting, Mr. Metcalfe?

JOSH ZORICH
Forest Hills

Metcalfe's new low

Just when we think state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe can't possibly make a public statement more uninformed or insulting than his previous gems, he has managed to surprise us ("Metcalfe Defends Harsh Talk About Vets on Climate," Oct. 21). Apparently, in his twisted mind, U.S. veterans who believe that responsible steps need to be taken to publicize the risks of climate change somehow deserve the moniker of "traitors."

This man, who has with great glee insulted homosexuals, people who favor restrictions on assault weapons and Muslims, has truly outdone himself. When an elected official brands veterans who have served honorably as "traitors" merely for working for a cause they believe in, he has sunk to the lowest of the low.

Mr. Metcalfe's reckless statement is even more appalling given that he himself is a veteran of the U.S. Army (a fact he proudly lists on his House of Representatives Web page). It seems that his willingness to use his status as a veteran to prop himself up to his electorate doesn't require him to treat other veterans with respect.

Who is the real "traitor" here -- veterans who exercise their constitutional and hard-won right to speak out, or an elected official who flings insults their way because he disagrees?

Mr. Metcalfe has managed to insult every U.S. veteran -- and indeed the entire military -- by his statement. He is a disgrace to Pennsylvania and his constituents. An apology should be forthcoming, but since Mr. Metcalfe seems to be a charter member of the "there is no such thing as bad publicity" school of politics, I am not holding my breath.

LINDA ACHESON POOL
Fox Chapel

Bonus baloney

In response to the Oct. 17 editorial "Bonus Round: Extra Pay for Better School Results Makes Sense": It is the "people's money" and should not be used for any bonuses. The pay, benefits, perks and pensions all elected officials, government workers, school principals and academic administrators receive is enough. Teachers should be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses they spend on classroom supplies.

Regarding the $700 billion bailout (TARP) to AIG, banks, the auto industry and Wall Street: We know more than enough continues to go to bonuses. This is another broken promise of the Obama administration, which pledged unprecedented transparency in its accounting of these bailouts and stimulus. Until all the bailout money is returned to the taxpayers, no bonus. The claim that these bonuses are necessary to recruit and retain the best and brightest is questionable.

JANICE M. WHITE
DuBois

Alms for the rich

I heard the president is taking action to cut the salaries of some Wall Street executives by as much as 50 percent. Poor souls! I think we should take up a nationwide collection for them and call it "cash for clunkers."

Oh, we already did that -- we call it "paying taxes"!

SISTER SARAH CROTTY
Aliquippa

Back real reform

The PG editorial board has fallen into the insurance industry trap ("Clean Bill of Health," Oct. 13). Quibbling over "Cadillac" plans -- whether or not to tax "me or thee or the man behind the tree."

T.R. Reid has researched health-care plans around the world that cover everyone for half the cost -- with better results. When these plans were adopted, they faced the same opposition from the insurance industry and other entrenched bureaucracies.

There are bills in Congress that would bring about true reform. Please get behind them.

CARYL BEAL
Mt. Lebanon

Diesel-exhaust reduction is an important public health measure

The residents of Pittsburgh and of Allegheny County should feel proud, but not complacent, about the local accomplishments to reduce diesel-exhaust emissions by retrofitting the city's fleet of diesel-powered garbage trucks ("City to Reduce Emissions From Garbage Truck Fleet," Oct. 17). This achievement makes the air safer for sanitation workers and drivers and for residents who are exposed as pedestrians or as drivers who follow the trucks.

The county executive, the mayor, the Allegheny County Health Department and the Group Against Smog and Pollution deserve credit for their multiple efforts to reduce diesel pollution through retrofitting of garbage trucks and school buses, through anti-idling legislation and through public education.

Exposure to diesel exhaust serves as a cause of significant human illness, including asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease, lung cancer and cardiovascular disorders. While the recent accomplishments are praiseworthy, much remains to be done to reduce diesel-exhaust pollution emitted by buses, trucks, trains, working boats and diesel-powered construction equipment. This public health problem can be fixed through efforts of the local government, the Allegheny County Health Department, organizations such as GASP, diesel engine manufacturers and an educated public that insists on controlling these dangerous emissions.

At a time when we debate health-care coverage in our country, the discussion of improving health through the prevention of disease by measures such as the reduction of dangerous pollutants has not received enough attention. The retrofitting of the diesel engines in the garbage truck fleet is emblematic of the kinds of efforts that can improve health, reduce mortality and reduce health-care costs, each important ingredients in solving the delivery of health-care services and improving the well-being of our residents.

STANLEY J. GEYER, M.D
Fox Chapel

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