PSO musicians enrich our city; please back them

Pittsburgh has become a city of superlatives. One only has to look to any newsstand to see another accolade added to our “most livable city.” Our fame extends internationally, and a large part of that fame is due to one cultural treasure: the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and its world-class musicians.

Internationally, the PSO has been nominated for Grammys and performed sold-out European tours. More valuable than its international importance is the impact it has in our community. The symphony has attracted artists of world renown to our city such as Yo-Yo Ma, John Williams, Alec Baldwin and James Earl Jones. This is not to mention the countless community performances the musicians give to ensure anyone, regardless of income, can enjoy live classical music.

Few people are aware that Pittsburgh is in grave danger of losing this treasure. PSO musicians are facing a battle in labor negotiations (“PSO Musicians Go on Strike,” Sept. 30).

The loss of this organization would have immediate and immeasurable impact, not only to our cultural landscape in Pittsburgh but to the world. The Cultural District will be darker without the lights of Heinz Hall glowing in anticipation of another show. Weekends will be quieter without the sounds of a BNY Mellon Grand Classics concert.

As a regular symphony-goer, I encourage readers to support the PSO musicians in any way possible. I implore the management team to consider the consequences of their actions on this city as a whole should they allow this world-class orchestra to fail. RENEE E. WILLIAMS Highland Park

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As I read the Sept. 11 frontpage article “Americans Safer, But Terror Grows,” I could not help but wonder how wrong we might be in our attempt to combat terrorism.

We Americans value our sovereignty above all else. The vast majority of our citizens would deeply resent any effort by a foreign nation to force their system of government upon us. With our military superiority, we need not worry about foreign domination — even if our political system is corrupt and nonresponsive.

History records that more than 200 years ago, we had a tea party and fought a revolution to end domination, even though the dominating country was our Mother Country, which believed it was acting on our behalf.

How, then, can we expect the Muslim nations of the Near East to willingly accept our militarily enforced domination without resistance? They know they cannot match our military might on the battlefield; so what alternative is available to those who choose to resist? Terrorism is the most obvious answer, even though it is engaged in by only a segment of their population. It is effective, destructive and embarrassing to us.

Unfortunately, the charisma generated by our vast military superiority has a greater influence on many of our political leaders and their supporters than the expediency of getting things done. I wonder if it ever occurred to them that we might diminish terrorism more effectively by returning to the policies of the Truman and Eisenhower administrations, when we led by generosity and example rather than by military domination. Both Germany and Japan willingly adopted our form of government and continue to be responsible world leaders in harmony with us.

We need to understand that negotiated settlements require give and take from both sides and domination will always ferment resistance. JOHN H. EISENMAN

Oakmont