Declassifying documents stems from politics

Declassifying documents from an ongoing investigation is not the natural order of the investigative process (Sept. 25, “Declassify the Documents”). If the Justice Department were investigating a mafia criminal conspiracy, no one would expect it to publicize its judicial requests for wiretaps or other information seeking procedures. The only reason for asking for the declassification of such documents associated with the special counsel’s probe is political. The feds are looking at some people because they may or may not be involved in something shady.

In order to hamper the inquiry, the political supporters of those being investigated seek to declassify documents in an ongoing investigation. Documents may turn out to be speculative and dangerous, not only to the investigation, but also to the very people they are seeking to protect them.

That does not even address the danger to others who are caught up in investigative threads that do not turn out to be productive. But politicians, and apparently the PG, don’t care about those people. The jobs and reputations of politicians can be exposed in the ruthless cause of possible political advantage.

If this were an investigation of John Gotti or his ilk, there would be no such pressure from the PG. For shame! MARY ROEHRICH

O’Hara

We welcome your opinion

I would have been more convinced by your “grand bargain” solution (Sept. 26, “A Way Out”) if the argument began with the concluding statement: “Mr. (Merrick) Garland should have been confirmed when President Barack Obama nominated him two years ago.”

That one glaring injustice has brought us to the sad need for any bargain. Denying Mr. Obama the right to have his nominee even considered for a vote, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell swept away years of accepted procedure and civility and brought us to this embarrassing and unprecedented fiasco we face today.

The solution is not to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg with a liberal, nor is it to automatically elevate Judge Brett Kavanaugh, now the subject of serious questions about his character. The solution is to stop the hearings and call in the FBI to investigate the allegations against Judge Kavanaugh. If Judge Kavanaugh is found unfit to serve on the Supreme Court, then let’s proceed to the observation you so rightly made in your editorial — let’s confirm Merrick Garland, who “should have been confirmed when President Barack Obama nominated him two years ago.” MARY ED RAHUBA

Munhall

For over 50 years, the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) has provided funding for the construction of baseball diamonds and swimming pools, maintaining state and local parks, and establishing wildlife refuges across the country. However, LWCF has not only been essential to protecting Pennsylvania’s environment, but also in preserving its most important historical sites.

In Pennsylvania alone, the LWCF has invested $315 million in protecting historic places. Washington’s Crossing Park, Gettysburg National Military Park, Bushy Run Battlefield and the Flight 93 Memorial all received funding from the LWCF for the creation, preservation and maintenance of these historical sites.

Few would argue the importance of this funding; it is necessary that Pennsylvania have spaces to contemplate the legacy of the events that occurred on these sites, honor those who came before us, as well as educate future generations.

Despite bipartisan support the LWCF, without Congressional action the program will expire on Sept. 30. Allowing the LWCF to expire will leave Pennsylvania’s historical sites vulnerable and at risk. Congress must act now to permanently reauthorize the LWCF, in order to protect and preserve the places that matter most in Pennsylvania. COURTNEY WEAVER

South Side