Clean both houses of the state Legislature

In last Sunday's editorial "The Pay Grab: Public Anger Needs to Focus and Make a Point," the Post-Gazette questioned whether my motives in setting up the Operation Clean Sweep Web site were pure. Please allow me to clarify that point.

I am not seeking a seat in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. I have already contacted other competent individuals within my own legislative and senatorial districts in an attempt to convince them to run.

The only way I would consider such a run is if no other qualified candidate from my own districts shows the moral fortitude to step up to the plate, so to speak.

To clarify another point that may be somewhat ambiguous to readers, all candidates listed on www.pacleansweep.com have signed an affidavit declaring their intent to repeal the pay raise, subject all future pay raises to voter approval and adopt a 10-day cooling off period for all legislation. The statement also declares that these three goals will be priority No. 1 once they are elected.

Further, we must view every legislator who voted no on the pay hike with a discerning eye, as it is now common knowledge that most, if not all, votes were pre-arranged in caucus. Until those legislators take firm action to back up their no votes, all Pennsylvanians have a legitimate reason for serious doubt. Otherwise, we must view them as no better than the yes voters. Operation Clean Sweep asks them to stand up -- or stand down.

I applaud the PG for its call on Gov. Ed Rendell and his opponents to make similar declarations.

The good people of Pittsburgh have a golden opportunity to embark on a course to take their commonwealth back and set their sights on genuine prosperity. I urge them to join me on this journey. It's now or never.

RUSS DIAMOND
Annville

---

Get it straight

In the last paragraph of his absurdly optimistic perspective on the state of our economy ("Why the Deficit Is Falling," July 17 Forum), Joshua B. Bolten, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, blatantly asserts that economic growth is "helping reduce the deficit."

The stark fact is that the overall deficit is increasing! What is happening is a mere reduction in the monumental growth of this deficit.

However, in Ann McFeatters' White House Watch column in the same issue, "Hold on Tight," David Walker, the official auditor of the federal government, is quoted in detail depicting our true dismal economic reality.

ANDREW MODRZEJEWSKI
Mount Washington

---

Don't sidetrack talks

On July 26, Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., called for a full hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee to review various immigration reform proposals. One of these immigration bills, the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act of 2005, aka the McCain-Kennedy bill, was introduced over five weeks ago.

Immigration policy on U.S. soil is now clearly broken and cries out for a just and swift remedy. We cannot simply stand by and allow millions of persons, some say in excess of 12 million, to stay in this country without the same benefits and protections that were hallmarks of our cherished democracy for over 200 years.

But we should take the time to be deliberate and clear-headed in our thinking during the Senate hearings this week. When many Latin-American immigrants, mostly from Mexico, come here, they frequently live side-by-side with others who could not escape earlier housing discrimination in urban centers like Los Angeles, Chicago and New York. They share the urban landscape most frequently with African Americans who historically demonstrated the need for increased education, job training and social services.

In the coming media exposure over immigration legislation, what the national debate doesn't need is a reminder of racial antagonism brought on by the latest Memin Pinguin controversy. Memin Pinguin was the offensive black comic-book personality from the 1940s who has recently been featured on a postage stamp issued by the government of Mexico. Mexican President Vicente Fox praised the new philatelic issue and once again drew pointed criticism from the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.

Several prominent Latin American civil rights organizations like the League of United Latin American Citizens have joined national African-American leaders in their rebuke of Memin Pinguin and the decades of pain similar cartoon characters heaped upon the African-American psyche.

I hope that the congressional hearings on new immigration legislation will purposely avoid being sidetracked and hijacked by shrill voices that would derail any thoughtful debate on meaningful resolutions of our immigration challenges.

Thoughtful observers of the national immigration debate should be wary of attempts, straightforward or otherwise, to muddle the waters by divisive racial controversies that garner headlines but miss the point.

EZEQUIEL MOBLEY
Highland Park

Editor's note: The writer hosts the weekly bilingual cable television show "Hola!"

---

Find out for yourself

I read four articles regarding Scientology in last Sunday's Post-Gazette: "The New Religion in Town," "Bridge to Total Freedom a Lifetime Commitment," "From the Outside Looking In" and "Scientology Comes to Town."

I am a Scientologist and have been for the last 15 years. I have done services in organizations in Clearwater, Fla., Washington, D.C. and Pittsburgh.

When I first became a Scientologist, I was very shy and had trouble with relationships. As a result of the training and counseling I have received, I can stand in front of a crowd and give a speech with no discomfort, and I'm married to the most wonderful man I've ever known -- among other benefits I never dreamed of.

For me, Scientology is a way of life. Its technology can be used to improve every facet of life. For anyone who wants to know more about Scientology, I suggest stopping by the organization on Carson Street in South Side and finding out for yourself what it's all about.

DIANE BIANCHI
Charleroi

---

In poor taste

By printing the "turd blossom" language in "Doonesbury" last Sunday, the Post-Gazette has shown gross disdain toward its decent readers. No surprise when considering its offensively nude strip-club ads in the Sports section. Hey, the Constitution says you can make a buck that way. ... So why not?

RICHARD W. KELLY SR.
Highland Park

---

Don't cover them

Last Sunday, I was walking through Downtown Pittsburgh admiring the historic architecture that so many of us just walk by and never notice. I always take a few moments to look up and think of all the skill, time and money that went into creating such great buildings.

On Fourth Avenue, a very historic street in Downtown, I was upset to see construction workers at the bank tower on the corner of Fourth Avenue and Wood Street installing huge, orange Parkvale Bank signs on the century-old building. Not only are the signs out of character with the rest of the building, but worse yet they cover two sets of sculptures enclosed in the space beneath the arch known as the Tympanum.

It is sad that Parkvale Bank decided to cover the sculpture by John Massey Rhind, who would have never imagined them being covered. I hope Parkvale Bank reconsiders and restores the building's facade by getting rid of those hideous orange signs.

CHUCK ALCORN
Charleroi

---

This principal inspired teachers and treasured students

Educational research has shown that the most influential factor for the educational tone of a particular school building is set by the principal. As a classroom teacher for quite a few years, I know this to be true. And so this letter is written to honor the spirit and leadership of Ben Robertson, a long-time principal in Churchill Area Schools (Forest Hills Junior High) who died recently at the age of 85.

What lessons Dr. Robertson taught us all!

He believed that every student deserved strong educational experiences, both academic and extracurricular. And so he encouraged his teachers to be outstanding.

He fostered creativity and innovation, even if at times an idea proved less than successful. Academic classes were highly interactive and experiential for students. Every student had the opportunity to participate in club activities three days a week, an assembly on the fourth day and a homeroom meeting on the fifth. Every student participated in their homeroom's play once a year.

On the last day of school when most students are eager to leave for the summer, many students in his school stayed as long as possible because they loved the interaction with his teachers and staff.

Happily, his retirement was long and rich, and he went on to make civic contributions in Latrobe and Ligonier.

Thank you, Ben Robertson, for the positive impact that you had on the lives of hundreds of students, teachers and communities. You taught us well.

CARLA DEPPERMAN
Wilkinsburg