Don’t focus on other cities’ faults in Amazon bid
I agree with the Sept. 10 editorial touting Pittsburgh as a good choice for Amazon’s new headquarters (“Amazon’s HQ2, Right Here: Pittsburgh Cannot Rest on Its Merits to Win This Prize,” Sept. 10). However, the editorial board included some cheap shots at our competition that may backfire as arguments to locate here.
Worst is the insensitivity of noting the standing water in Houston and Philadelphia’s “East Coast weather” (presumably a reference to risk of hurricanes, since our weather is otherwise almost the same) while millions struggle to recover from Harvey and Irma.
While the editorial rightly noted the criticality of Pittsburgh solving its water and sewer woes, “moving quickly to address the problems” will take actually decades and billions of dollars. St. Louis’ race problems (which are not nonexistent here) and Chicago’s murder rate are likely to be less difficult and time-consuming to resolve.
Lack of a reliable public water system is more of a nonstarter for a corporate relocation than any of the splinters the board pointed out in our competitors’ eyes. The newspapers in any of those cities have every right to counter that Pittsburgh is at risk of becoming the next Flint, Mich., or any Third World country. We had better stick to positive arguments in this competition. GREG FUHRMAN Spring Hill of our differences. We know it is the diversity of thought, background and ability that is the backbone of Squirrel Hill’s strength and endurance. The invaluable contributions of our Jewish neighbors have built a foundation rooted in pluralism and equality, enabling all neighbors to continue to build upon and stand up against any threats.
Everyone in our community deserves dignity and respect, and freedom from discrimination, bigotry and bullying. We celebrate our diversity. Moreover, we acknowledge our common humanity and the most basic desires we all share — to be able to provide for ourselves and our loved ones, to have opportunities that match our abilities, to live free of fear.
We appreciate local and national organizations stepping up security during this time. We encourage the general public to say something to the police or the FBI if they see anything of concern.
RICHARD FEDER President of the Board
MARIAN LIEN Executive Director Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition
Squirrel Hill
Is it really possible that the PG’s editorial board does not recognize the great difference between choosing not to pay to view a performance and denying the right of an artist to dissent (“Free to Kneel,” Sept. 9)?
We welcome your opinion
The NFL is in the entertainment business, and the players are akin to musicians, actors and other performance artists. No one doubts that artists — and NFL players — have full rights to publicly dissent by kneeling during the anthem, and no jurist has denied that!
Equally true is that art patrons — and prospective ticket purchasers — have full rights to choose not to pay to view the performance. Could your editorial board really disagree with this? RICHARD WINSCHEL Mt. Lebanon