Sounding off: Columbus statue should stay

As a retired history professor and Pittsburgh resident, I oppose the effort to remove the Columbus statue in Schenley Park. No statue that has had a prominent public place for more than 60 years should be removed without careful and lengthy consideration. Years of vandalism against the statue should certainly have no effect, nor are online petitions sufficient.

Rather than surrender to transitory activism, the Pittsburgh Art Commission should, at the very least, try to put together a set of criteria for public statuary, rather than acting on an ad hoc basis. Of course, assembling such criteria would be difficult, requiring the commission to consider that the most consequential historic figures generate the greatest controversy, and that respect for our ancestors requires us to understand, rather than condemn, the values they honored.

I cannot agree with the view expressed by University of Pittsburgh professor Kirk Savage that the statue “erases history” (“Schenley Park’s Columbus statue ‘erases history,’ Pitt professor says”). While no statue can offer more than a particular view of a particular piece of history, I would adopt the sentiment in the Trib’s editorial concerning the diorama at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History (“Carnegie diorama should represent evolution of science, history”) that the statue is part of the historical record and should be explained, rather than erased.

Perry K. Blatz, Regent Square

Demonizing others for different opinions

On Aug. 5, 6, 8 and 11 and Sept. 1 and 2, the Tribune-Review published letters to the editor that said or implied Democrats are all thieves, liars, heathens who want anarchy, hatred, Marxism, socialism and communism and want to destroy America and destroy freedom of speech.

I cannot believe Americans would write such hateful, intolerant, absurd words, would demonize their neighbors for having a different opinion. No American believes such sweeping, outlandish generalizations. No American talks that way.

Is the letters to the editor section an unwitting conduit for Russian trolls? Or is the culprit our 1%, the people who are addicted to money, who do not want to pay their fair share of taxes? Do they want to divide and conquer and distract us, while they have their hands in our pockets?

One of Woody Guthrie’s songs states, “some will rob you with a six-gun, and some with a fountain pen.” And we know how President Trump loves to use his Sharpie.

Joanne Garing, North Huntingdon

Don’t minimize covid-19 deaths with creative math

In reference to Ralph Ignasky’s letter “Do the math and open up Pa.”: There is a difference between math and statistics. The Centers for Disease Control and health departments across the nation provide data that correlates with the morbidity rate and the mortality rates. Ignasky’s math was correct, but how does he know how many recovered, how many are long haulers and the positivity rate?

Gov. Tom Wolf executed the shutdown according to counties. The rural counties with less population and many less covid-19 cases than the more populated counties have been green since May 23. At that time, he accelerated the opening of all counties according to morbidity rates.

Ignasky should be concerned about Westmoreland County. According to the county website, the population is 347,191, and 43,082 residents were tested for covid-19. That is only a 5% testing rate. Of those tested (2,122/43,082), 4.9% tested positive. Fifty-one residents who tested positive died, a mortality rate 0.01% (51/347,191 x100).

Is the mortality rate low? Yes, but please don’t minimize the death of 51 residents with creative math. Masks and social distancing by all residents can help to open up Pennsylvania — this includes those at large gatherings.

Anita Leonard, Greensburg

No logic to Pa. restrictions

Many bars, restaurants and businesses have been under restrictions for almost seven months. The governor’s early orders strongly discouraged church gatherings. Is it science? Is there some logic? Please answer me this:

1. What kind of germs grow on a bar top that don’t grow on a table top?

2. Does the food you have to order to purchase a drink have some mysterious properties to protect you?

3. How does leaving dirty dishes on a table until you leave protect you?

4. Why are bars, restaurants and businesses severely limited to capacity, but protests and elaborate funerals are not?

5. How are businesses supposed to survive all the restrictions?

6. What happens when it gets too cold to have all this outdoor dining?

7. When a lot of businesses cannot survive and close, where is the revenue stream for the governments? Higher taxes?

8. How is it that 20,000 people were allowed at a car show in Carlisle, but bars, restaurants, etc. are limited to 50% capacity?

And, finally:

9. Where does it end?

Virginia Heffernan, Hampton

Democrat feels like non-person in Trump’s eyes

One recent night someone came and took my Joe Biden sign. I had it duct-taped to a pole inside a shrub inside a fence. I figured it would be safer than putting it on the street side of the fence. I guess I was wrong. The thief took the sign and pole and broke the shrub down.

My neighbor has a Trump flag and several signs in her yard. I don’t like looking at them, but that is why we live in America, where we can have and tolerate different ideas.

I think Trump is morally bankrupt, and this sort of behavior starts at the top. I would feel this way no matter which party he belonged to.

I’ve lived in many cities up and down the East Coast, and experienced many elections. Never have I felt as if I’m a non-person in the eyes of the president, as I’m a Democrat. I’ve seen and heard him say as much; it is very disheartening.

There have been many Republican presidents I didn’t agree with, but nonetheless, I respected the office. I’m afraid this attitude cannot extend to this election and this president.

Sally Vrabel, Delmont

Trump vs. Harris

No, the election will not be Donald Trump versus Joe Biden. It will be Trump versus Kamala Harris.

If moderate Biden is elected, I don’t think he will finish four years because of physical and mental reasons, and then radical Harris will become president with Nancy Pelosi as vice president; Biden, if he remains in office, will be merely a figurehead with almost no participation in operating the executive office.

Harris had the lowest approval of all the candidates in the debates. With either Biden or Harris, expect the “wokes” who appeared in the primary to receive appointments to our highest offices. Biden has already mentioned a place for Pete Buttigieg.I expect the whole package: open borders, amnesty, eliminate ICE, defund police, etc.

The debates should be between Trump and Harris, not Trump and Biden.

George Wandell, Hempfield

We must respect the flag

The American flag represents all Americans, including all nationalities, ethnicities, ages and occupations. The U.S. flag is not a canvas for political expression or promotion of personal agendas.

I see examples of flag desecration on a daily basis; these include adding “off color” stripes to the flag, placing the face of a leader on the flag or placing another flag on top of the flag. The U.S. Flag Code is very clear regarding rules related to the privilege of flying the American flag.

These and other desecrations constitute a violation of the U.S. Flag Code. See U.S. Code 8 (G) concerning disrespect of the flag: “The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.”

These “flag editors” may or may not have good intentions, but their desecration is a violation of the U.S. Flag Code.

The American flag does not belong to any individual or group to change or modify. The flag belongs to all of us and should always remain in its traditional state and as intended. Displaying the flag is a privilege but it comes with responsibility. The American flag should be displayed properly or not displayed at all.

Thomas C. Spallone, Hempfield