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• Friday, April 18, 2008 11:56 AM

  To my fellow yinzers

  Wednesday's farcical proceedings in Philadelphia have prompted me to send this entreaty to all the Democratic voters in Pittsburgh, my hometown.

  I'm the son of a sheet-metal worker and a remarkable woman who raised seven kids in a tiny two-story, three-bedroom home in Carrick. My dad died last year at 82; we honored my mom with a surprise party on her 80th birthday just last month.

  Although work and wanderlust have taken me to California, I love my birthplace, its history, and, most important, its people. Specifically, I love Pittsburghers' reputation for neighborliness and plain speaking (albeit with the filigree of that distinctive accent).

  It is our innate desire to dispense with humbug that I appeal to here. With this reputation in mind, I feel certain that you are as appalled as I am about the wasted opportunity that was Wednesday's "debate."

  Those of us living outside my home state have some recourse; me, I'm sitting here in my Pirates jersey writing to you. However, unlike those of us in California who have already voted, you have a more direct course of action. You can send a strong message at the ballot box next Tuesday.

  By voting for Obama you will accomplish two important goals. One, you will be voting for the next President of the United States. Two, you will be emphatically stating to ABC News, the rest of the media, and cynics in both parties that you reject having your intelligence insulted and more important concerns about gas prices, Social Security, the Iraq war, and education tossed aside in the superficial pursuit of pins and preachers.

  Make me proud. Make yourselves proud.

  —Westside Johnny Read Westside Johnny's other letters
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