http://www.post-gazette.com/forum/ All Opinion en-us Copyright 2012, post-gazette.com. Sun, 5 Feb 2012 15:39:47 -0500 15 http://www.post-gazette.com/includes/2007design/images/150x30pg_now_logo.gif http://www.post-gazette.com/ 144 39 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12036/1207965-110-0.stm?cmpid=opinion.xml I have to reply to Evan Harr's letter ("Pittsburgh Transit Woes Are Not My Problem," Jan. 29). It appeared to be another shortsighted rant from a non-Pittsburgher or non-Port Authority user who doesn't feel he has to solve "our" problems. First, public transportation exists to move people, not to turn a profit. Sun, 5 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12036/1208012-192.stm?cmpid=opinion.xml WEATHER forecasters are the Rodney Dangerfields of the prognosticating arts -- they get no respect. But the greatest blow to their prestige comes on Feb. 2 each year, when thousands assemble in the frigid dawn outside Punxsutawney, Pa., to hear a groundhog named Phil pronounce on whether he saw his shadow. Sun, 5 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12036/1208013-192.stm?cmpid=opinion.xml It's been too long since the phrases "unemployment rate" and "cautious optimism" could be found in the same sentence. That changed Friday with news that the nation's jobless rate fell to 8.3 percent in January, the lowest level in three years while the economy saw a net gain of 243,000 jobs. Sun, 5 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12036/1208014-192.stm?cmpid=opinion.xml On-again, off-again relationships can be so uncomfortable for friends and associates of the partners, a condition that is especially true when there's been acrimony, talk of betrayal, fights over money and circumstances that leave little doubt that one party was wronged by the other. Sun, 5 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12036/1208015-110-0.stm?cmpid=opinion.xml My response to Judy Wertheimer's Jan. 29 Forum piece regarding cuts in state funding for education ("Not Concerned About Budget Cuts to Public Education? Then You Are Not Paying Attention") is as follows: It's about time! Sun, 5 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12035/1208063-192.stm?cmpid=opinion.xml The African Union, by not being able to agree on a secretary general, has showed new cracks in continental unity. The AU was formed 10 years ago to try to cure some of the flaws in the old Organization of African Unity. Sat, 4 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12035/1208064-192.stm?cmpid=opinion.xml When legalized casino gambling was being pushed in Pennsylvania, one of its selling points was sizable tax relief for property owners. But in gambling you put your money down and take your chance -- and that also applies with public policy. Sat, 4 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12035/1208066-110-0.stm?cmpid=opinion.xml Recent news coverage by various media has distorted two decisions by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and it is important to set the record straight. We recently changed how we support our citizen advisory council. This is now handled by existing agency staff instead of a full-time director. Sat, 4 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12034/1207753-192.stm?cmpid=opinion.xml Americans who believe the United States has put enough lives and money into Afghanistan should be pleased by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta's statement Wednesday that the U.S. role will be shifted from combat to training sooner than planned, to mid-2013. Fri, 3 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12034/1207754-192.stm?cmpid=opinion.xml President Barack Obama has not declared war on the Roman Catholic Church, no matter what the faithful may be hearing in church. Fri, 3 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12034/1207755-192.stm?cmpid=opinion.xml After a blizzard of criticism on its proposal to reinstate an asset test for food stamp eligibility, the administration of Gov. Tom Corbett decided Wednesday to replace its harsh initial standard with something humane. It was the right thing to do. Fri, 3 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12034/1207756-110-0.stm?cmpid=opinion.xml A Post-Gazette editorial Monday concerning the pledge to discourage special interest group attack ads made by the candidates for U.S. senator in Massachusetts ("Positive Pledge," Jan. 30) claimed that the League of Women Voters was among three organizations that "have already sunk $3 million into the campaign's saturated media market." Fri, 3 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12033/1207531-192.stm?cmpid=opinion.xml Hold the coronation for populist emperor that amazingly seemed plausible after Newt Gingrich won the South Carolina primary. Mitt Romney is back as the front-runner in the Republican presidential race, maybe to stay, after drubbing his three rivals on more hospitable turf in Florida. Thu, 2 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12033/1207532-192.stm?cmpid=opinion.xml The Obama administration wants to become more flexible in providing tourism visas, in a way that will not compromise border security. Encouraging more international travelers to visit the United States could boost the tourism business, and that could be a boon for Pennsylvania. Thu, 2 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12033/1207533-192.stm?cmpid=opinion.xml Few people gave the Allegheny County Bureau of Weights and Measures a thought before former Controller Mark Patrick Flaherty started posting stickers emblazoned with his name on every gas pump in the jurisdiction. Suddenly, every customer who filled his or her own tank knew who the controller was and that his office was responsible for making sure the pumps properly measured a gallon. Thu, 2 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12033/1207534-110-0.stm?cmpid=opinion.xml In regard to recent transit funding letters with the general theme of "I'm not near a bus line, so why should I care?" I would like to reply in three succinct points: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500