Families have good reason to move from the city

We commend the letters from Joseph Bute ("Pittsburgh Is Squandering the Asset of Education," July 7) and Kenneth S. Thompson ("Will the District Recreate Schenley's Value?" July 9) regarding the consequences of the Pittsburgh Board of Education's decision to close Schenley High School.

Like Mr. Bute's family, we moved to Pittsburgh in l989 because of its excellent schools. Sadly, we've also witnessed a persistent eroding of vision and opportunity offered city students, mainly through administrative blunders during the past five years. Even more dismaying, we've watched many friends with children under 10 -- at least six other families -- escape to neighboring districts.

Mr. Thompson's letter clearly articulates the problem: declining trust in district leadership. Dismissing growing parental concerns, the current superintendent has systematically begun to dismantle secondary schools. Declaring comprehensive four-year high schools a construct of the past, he's closed Schenley (historically one of the city's most attractive and successful), segregated its students to smaller "themed" schools (too small to support a full complement of extracurricular activities, athletic programs or academic electives) and insisted these schools eventually serve grades 6 through 12.

City parents who pay taxes should pay attention: Your high school may be targeted next (it undoubtedly contains asbestos). You, too, will be forced to pick a "boutique academy" for your 11-year-old. And God bless the child who doesn't fit a niche, or who would eventually thrive, given a full range of options to explore -- choices that soon won't be available in "reformed" Pittsburgh high schools. Is it any wonder our friends are leaving?

LARRY MEYERS
Squirrel Hill

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Business as usual

In reading about the reaction of Harrisburg politicians to the bonus scandal indictments ("Politicos, Activists React to a 'Sad Day in Pennsylvania,' " July 11), I am reminded of the line from the movie "Casablanca," where Captain Renault says, "I'm shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here" as the croupier hands him a pile of money.

JAMES J. PUHALA
North Strabane

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Too thin-skinned

I was quite amused by the first two paragraphs of Paul E. Vondra's letter ("They Can't Laud the GOP So They Obsess About Obama," July 12). He is crying after only a few months of attacks on Sen. Barack Obama.

As a Bush supporter in both of his elections (yes, he was elected twice), I have watched almost eight years' worth of attacks on him from all angles, kinda like what Mr. Vondra is whining about with Sen. Obama.

Should Mr. Obama win the race, it may be a long four years for his supporters who don't have thick enough skin to withstand such attacks.

ANTHONY BUZARD
Cranberry

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Neocon disrespect

Retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark's recent comments concerning Sen. John McCain's military background and his presidential qualifications have been grossly distorted by the McCain backers. Nowhere did Gen. Clark diminish the heroic background of the military service of Sen. McCain. He simply stated that being a fighter pilot and a prisoner of war do not on their own qualify one to be the president.

The hypocrisy of the Republicans is blaring. Have they forgotten about the "purple heart" Band-Aids that their patriotic delegates wore during the 2004 Republican National Convention to trash Sen. John Kerry and his military service? Didn't they realize that they tarnished the most prestigious medal any soldier can receive, the Purple Heart? And this is the party that promotes itself as caring for our fighting men and women.

Shame on the Republicans for allowing the neoconservatives to hijack a once-proud political party.

VICKI MITCHELL
Whitehall

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Now this is scary

On his recent stop in Pittsburgh, John McCain said on KDKA radio that he recited the names of the Steelers defensive linemen when he was asked under interrogation for the names of his squadron mates ("McCain's Mind No Steel Trap in Recalling Steelers," July 12). He said, "When I was first interrogated and really had to give some information because of the pressures, the physical pressures that were on me, I named the starting lineup -- defensive line of the Pittsburgh Steelers -- as my squadron mates."

Of course, it's untrue, and the sleaziest kind of pandering, because Mr. McCain was shot down in 1967, and the "Steel Curtain" didn't exist until 1972. He has repeated this story many times in different places, but in those instances, the Green Bay Packers were the ones who were named.

This is frightening to me, because this person is running for president, and to blatantly lie like that to Pittsburghers, to assume that they are not smart enough to notice, shows not only a complete lack of authenticity, integrity and judgment, but also calls into question his ability to govern.

SCOTT MANLEY
Carnegie

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Pandering pol

The Republican nominee for president of the United States of America is in violation of good taste and "truthiness" by prevaricating to us about the great Steel Curtain of the 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers.

He could not have given their names to his captors because he was released from captivity before they became famous. Also, in his book he reveals it was the Green Bay Packers defensive line he gave up as the remainder of his squad. Can you say pander?

JOHN BRIDGE
Shaler

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Ignoring our needs

Isn't it about time that this present Congress, which has an approval rating of 9 percent, starts listening to the American voters? It is time to start drilling for more oil since it is there and quite available.

Once again, it is time to vote the bums out before they make us suffer anymore.

JOHN T. STRAHSMEIER
Franklin Park

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Simply bewildering

I read and enjoy Reg Henry's column every chance I get, but I thank him for his July 9 column on Barack Obama's bewildering position on faith-based initiatives ("Mr. Obama, Build Back This Wall").

As if the wall of separation between church and state hasn't been weakened enough, this is a real jolt and a disappointment! My vote was for Hillary Clinton, and this makes it even more difficult to reconcile my voting for the Democrat.

So, as a Unitarian, I thank, um, God that Reg Henry expresses his enlightened beliefs to us all.

CAROL KARL
Bethel Park

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For the city's sake, we must support this casino financing plan

I found your July 16 editorial "Don't Bet on Him" to be somewhat shortsighted.

As controller of the city of Pittsburgh, I have been frustrated by the continuous delays and financial failures of Don Barden and his Majestic Star Casino. The future financial health of our city is, unfortunately, tied to the success of this project, and Mr. Barden's inability to gain timely financing has rightly caused great concern among anyone interested in Pittsburgh's finances. But to suggest the solution is to reopen the gaming license bidding process, without considering the full consequences of that decision, is irresponsible.

Unless the Majestic Star was fraudulent in its application, Mr. Barden was fairly awarded the Pittsburgh casino license. He was awarded that license, in large part, because his group controlled the most advantageous location. From the standpoint of access, traffic, parking and lack of community opposition, the North Shore site was found far superior to the other applicants' locations. Mr. Barden's group still controls that site, and there is nothing the Gaming Control Board or anyone else can do to force him to relinquish it.

The consequences of a new bidding process would not only delay the opening of the casino for years but would also require that a new facility be built at a less advantageous location. Additionally, it would leave our city with an unsightly building shell on a premier riverfront location and prompt countless matters of litigation. For Pittsburgh, this is unacceptable.

At this point, Mr. Barden has presented a financing plan that addresses the demands our community has placed on his license and has given up a majority share of this venture. Let's move forward, not backward, and support the new plan for the North Shore casino.

MICHAEL LAMB
Pittsburgh City Controller
Downtown

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