Letters to the editor
Readers respond
Warwick defends vote on council bill
This letter is to address concerns raised about my “no” vote on City Council Bill 1426. (“Pittsburgh must not be a pawn for ideological extremists,” Feb. 7.)
I voted “yes” on Bill 1425, introducing a ballot referendum to amend the Home Rule Charter to prohibit discrimination in who may conduct business with the city. But given the current climate in Washington D.C., its companion bill, 1426 — which prohibits the use of the Home Rule Charter Amendment process to “add duties or obligations beyond the lawful scope of the city’s authority” — gives me pause.
The current administration and the Republican legislature supporting it are doing everything in their power to normalize and codify discrimination and bigotry at the highest level of government, with the intent of overriding the power of states and local municipalities. We are watching it happen in real time with neo-Nazi salutes at federal ceremonies, “anti-DEI” policies, executive orders against trans kids playing sports and the elimination of due process for undocumented immigrants — just to name a few. For this reason, I believe it is ill-advised to proactively hamstring Pittsburgh voters’ ability to pursue ballot referendum measures to amend the Home Rule Charter in ways that a higher body of government may deem illegal. Also, 1425 and 1426 will have no impact on whether the Not on Our Dime referendum measure appears on the ballot, as all three measures would appear together for voters in May — leaving it in the hands of the courts anyway.
In short, basic protections for all sorts of disenfranchised and minority groups are at risk of being outlawed nationally by the Trump administration. If Pittsburghers want to address that through the Home Rule Charter referendum process, we should preserve our ability to do so.
I hope that helps clarify my vote.
Barb Warwick
Pittsburgh City Councilmember, District 5
Regarding Warwick, Judaism counsels to ‘judge favorably’
I know Councilwoman Barb Warwick as a diligent and careful representative, who attends many of our community’s events for meaningful conversation, not photo-ops. I’m comfortable with how she pledged to not support the ridiculous upcoming anti-Israel proposal, cautioned against its enforceability even if successful, then voted to approve one of her colleague’s two ventures to insure against it.
So I was dismayed by the vitriolic guest column accusing her of “failing to forcefully oppose” the group of citizens who brought the proposal, and “remaining silent” on their motivations (“Pittsburgh must not be a pawn for ideological extremists,” Feb. 7).
The Torah warns against political calumny often, and harshly.
When Miriam and Aaron were overly critical of Moses out of some resentments, the Lord rebuked them for not considering the unique relationships and difficulties of his leadership position and inflicted Miriam with leprosy for a week.
When Korah led 250 prominent Israelites in rebellion, preying on doubt to cloak their own ambition in a guise of justice, the Lord made the earth swallow them up.
And when the 10 spies badly exaggerated the dangers awaiting Israelites in Canaan, fear-mongering and causing unnecessary strife, not only did the Lord punish their whole generation, but those misrepresentations set back the entire Jewish nation 40 years!
I don’t believe that opinion article merits quite those censures. I share in the rage and anxiety that this war and the ignorant antisemitism it has stirred inflict daily. I just feel most grounded responding to Jews’ adversities with timeworn Jewish values.
Dan L’Chaf Zechut, or “judging others favorably,” means giving people benefit of doubt when judging their intentions. Machloket L’Shem Shamayim or “disagreements for the sake of heaven” means noting the distinction between constructive debate and destructive egocentric conflict. Much of politics is about conversation, but I fear we’ve been terrorized out of using those helpful tools. Let’s strive to center them again.
Bram Reichbaum
Squirrel Hill
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