http://www.post-gazette.com/forum/ All Opinion en-us Copyright 2012, post-gazette.com. Tue, 7 Feb 2012 08:39:33 -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/12038/1208505-192.stm?cmpid=opinion.xml Pittsburgh, which owes its existence to its beginnings as a frontier garrison town, has always had a close, historic relationship with the military. In great numbers, men and women from Western Pennsylvania have served to help the nation fight its wars. Tue, 7 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12038/1208506-192.stm?cmpid=opinion.xml The dangers of lead-based paint have been well-established for more than 30 years. The knowledge that even low-level exposures to lead can affect mental capacity led the United States to ban the use of paints in this country with lead content above 600 parts per million since 1978. Tue, 7 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12038/1208507-192.stm?cmpid=opinion.xml All he is saying is give peace a chance. No, not John Lennon -- Fredrik Heffermehl, a Norwegian jurist and critic of the Nobel Peace Prize selection process. It could mean trouble for the committee, which faces a formal investigation into its selections. Tue, 7 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12038/1208508-110-0.stm?cmpid=opinion.xml I felt I had an obligation to "weigh in" on the ongoing discussion about the Weights and Measures Bureau in Allegheny County ("Two in a Measured Dispute: County Executive, Controller Each Want to Monitor Meters," Feb. 1). I had the privilege of supervising this group during my five years in county government under the three commissioners and then Jim Roddey. Tue, 7 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12037/1208380-192.stm?cmpid=opinion.xml Just as the state Supreme Court is stepping into the modern era by tweeting its rulings and allowing TV broadcasts of some sessions, its rules panel wants to take a big step backward. Mon, 6 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12037/1208381-192.stm?cmpid=opinion.xml The Congressional Budget Office has not been in the habit of handing out valentines, and so it was last week when it offered its latest annual outlook on the federal government's economic health. Mon, 6 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12037/1208382-192.stm?cmpid=opinion.xml At the height of his popularity in the early 1970s, "Soul Train" creator Don Cornelius was more influential as far as young people were concerned than Congress, the president or the press. Mon, 6 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12037/1208383-110-0.stm?cmpid=opinion.xml In his Jan. 30 column "Onward Civilian Soldiers," George F. Will proceeds to read President Barack Obama's mind, finding him "aspiring to command civilian life." Mon, 6 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 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