The Penguins prove skeptics, like Cook, wrong

I’d like to know what PG sports columnist Ron Cook would like as a side to his meal of crow he so richly deserves to be served. Recently, he assured readers that the Penguins sans Kris Letang had no chance of beating the Capitals, let alone making it to the Stanley Cup final (“Without Letang, Penguins Can’t Beat Capitals,” April 26).

I don’t think there is any doubt the Penguins would be a better team with Letang in the lineup, but they played the hand that was dealt them and demonstrated how unselfish teamwork can elevate an organization to achieve great accomplishments. The Penguins have had more than their share of key injuries prior to and throughout the playoffs but never made excuses or whined about how unfortunate they were; they just played on and won anyway.

I’m not quite sure why Mr. Cook writes about something of which he obviously has very little knowledge when there are reporters who actually do follow hockey and have much better insight into the sport than he does. Maybe Mr. Cook could reinvent himself as a food critic and write about restaurants in the Pittsburgh area. At least that way I’d know who serves the best dish of crow. BARRY PILE

Cranberry to worry about paying for their children’s college education. Nor do they have to choose whether to buy food or buy medicine or to pay the rent or pay the doctor.

Our government is not “for the people.” The new health care bill will take away insurance from 23 million people. The new budget will benefit the ultra rich and hurt the rest of us, especially those who need the help the most, the sick, the poor and the elderly. It will reduce money for food stamps, Medicaid, Social Security disability insurance, Meals on Wheels, environmental protection, medical research, student loans, public television, afterschool programs, subsidized lunches for schoolchildren and much more.

The new education budget will reduce or eliminate teacher training, class-size reduction, Special Olympics, gifted programs, after-school programs, Advanced Placement classes, school loans and grants and much more.

This nation is no longer “of the people, by the people and for the people.” We must have our voices heard and tell our government that it is to represent us anddo that which will help us. TASSIA PAGONIS McCANN

Adams

We welcome your opinion

Raphael’s on Chislett Street to bring my mother’s sensitive documents to Rep. Dom Costa’s annual shredding event. I was met by a young man, one of a dozen volunteers, who smiled and offered to help me get the paper from the trunk.

As I walked to the shredder, I noticed Mr. Costa himself carrying boxes and bags from one of the cars ahead of me. I hardly recognized him in jeans and a jacket, his hair mussed from the windy morning. I approached him and expressed my appreciation for amazing service I received from his office staff when I had difficulty receiving my food stamps.

I shared with him that he is no longer my representative but that calls and emails to my own elected official, Ed Gainey, had gone unanswered, and as a last-ditch effort, I called his office. He shook my hand and said, “I’m glad we could help. That’s what public service is all about.” Then he added, “My staff is amazing. They make me look good.”

Mr. Costa, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for restoring a smidgen of my faith in a political system that is so broken I fear it will need to collapse in on itself before it can change. You are a true leader. STACI BACKAUSKAS

Friendship