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Local Peace

Project

To the editor:

The initial public forum of the McKean County 5th District Peace Project was attended by dozens of citizens who desire an end to this vicious war and the beginning of peace and healing within Iraq.

Although an overwhelming majority of Americans cry for the abolition of war and our withdrawal from Iraq, there remain those who support the fear tactics and lies that the administration used (all documented) to convince Congress to, in the name of democracy, invade and occupy a country that was no threat to our republic.

The Peace Project is an ongoing endeavor. We welcome and encourage all who, in their hearts, yearn for a peaceful nation to join us. We must continue to grow, to communicate and to remind Congressman Peterson that we will not give up.

Please stand with us. We hold a Peace Vigil each Saturday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the traffic light near the entrance to Wal-Mart, Foster Brook, just outside of Bradford.

Susan Butler McCartney

Smethport Everyone Should

Test For Radon

To the editor:

Radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers.

Persons who have smoked also are at much greater risk of developing lung cancer if exposed to high levels of radon gas over a period of years.

Very few of our citizens know anything about radon gas or of its harmful effects.

Buying a test kit and conducting a test can determine if a home has high radon gas. Mitigation is not complicated and can be accomplished in a few hours.

I had no idea what radon gas was and certainly didn't think it was in my house. On Feb. 8, 2006, my husband Joe died of lung cancer. Joe's doctor had told us that smoking and radon gas causes lung cancer. Joe hadn't smoked in 27 years.

On March 8, I saw on TV that Dana Reeves, a non-smoker, had died of lung cancer. Again, radon gas was slightly mentioned as a cause of lung cancer.

I tested our house, and found high levels. Needless to say, I had it mitigated. My goal is to prevent other deaths due to radon by having every house tested for this killer. We can save thousands of lives.

Gloria Linnertz

Waterloo, Ill.

Cell Phones And Driving Don't Mix

To the editor:

The new national pastime is traveling with a phone in your ear.

Recently, a friend was run into by a driver who had a phone in the ear. It cost him a great deal, as the insurance companies have refused to pay for the damage to his truck. The driver admitted that she was distracted by the phone.

It is time the entire U.S. bans telephones in the car.

A hoax that recently circulated in Pennsylvania actually isn't a bad idea. Recently, an official-looking "Legislative Brief" showed up that stated, in very government-speak, that as of Nov. 10 it would be illegal for drivers to use handheld cell phones in Pennsylvania.

Like wth all good rumors, there's a kernel of truth somewhere. In this case, House legislators have, in fact, approved for discussion a measure that would prohibit most drivers from using handheld cell phones. HB1827 is before the House Transportation Committee.

New York recognized this problem in 2001 and enacted the first law in the country banning the use of hand-held phones while driving. Now the issue for New York has become how to enforce the law. Many drivers still aren't obeying the law.

The maximum fine for illegal cellphone use in New York is $100. With a $50 surcharge, that's a $150 lesson. Hiking up the fine even more and posting the penalties on major highways is a start. Increasing enforcement of the law could make a difference, too.

Educating drivers about what can happen when you're distracted is another avenue to pursue. Seeing pictures of horrific wrecks caused by distracted drivers may cause at least some to pause and pull over before trying to dial family or friends.

So, what started as hoax could become something real, and that could be really good for drivers.

Richard Easton

Warren