Letter to the editor: Pittsburgh, Paris and pollution

Pittsburgh, not Paris. It’s a metaphor (“Ted Cruz brings back Paris vs. Pittsburgh in criticism of Biden; Peduto scoffs,” Jan. 20, TribLIVE).

People of reasonable intelligence and those who use the English language in their profession should know the difference and not use the literal translation to make a political point. In doing so, it makes them look feeble and unprofessional.

Instead of concentrating on a metaphor, maybe the internet scolds and self-righteous environmentalists should look out their back door at the islands of human sludge in the Allegheny River and who is responsible for that debacle. These islands of sludge are not subject to interpretation; they are the real and tangible evidence of governmental malfeasance.

The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority board members are appointed by the municipalities it serves; virtually all are governed by Democrats. The board members and their lack of oversight at the PWSA should be held liable for this environmental disaster. However, given the current state of political tribalism, I doubt any Democrat of consequence will be held accountable or face charges.

Tom Gillen

Murrysville