Issue One: Dan Rooney as ambassador
Never so proud
I was never so proud of being Irish as I was this St. Patrick's Day when our president appointed Dan Rooney to be ambassador to Ireland ("Steelers Owner Dan Rooney to Be Ambassador to Ireland," March 17). All of Pittsburgh can be proud. God bless the Rooney family, and bless America and Ireland, his second home.
KATHLEEN CUSICK
Bethel Park
Betraying values
Congratulations to Dan Rooney; it took him only 76 years to compromise his conservative values for an ambassadorship to Ireland. I'm sure his father would be proud.
ROBERT A. VARGO
Hazelwood
A great choice
What a mean-spirited letter about Dan Rooney by Tom Joyce ("Misplaced Honors," March 19). I do not know Mr. Rooney, but I have read about how much he is respected in the National Football League. I am not Irish, but how could anyone not know what a wonderful choice he is for ambassador to Ireland? He has given freely of his time and money to work for peace in Ireland.
I will try to "put two sentences together" to support Mr. Rooney. Pittsburgh is very proud of Dan Rooney! Receiving the ambassadorship to Ireland is another Super Bowl for Pittsburgh!
LOIS W. JOHNSON
Monroeville
Moving on
I am a die-hard Browns fan married to a die-hard Steelers fan. I am actually very sad to hear that Dan Rooney will be moving on ("Dan Rooney: Goodbye to a Way of Life," March 25 Sports). As much as I hate the Steelers from a football rivalry standpoint there is not a more professional and classy organization in football than the Pittsburgh Steelers. If the other organizations could be only half the level of Pittsburgh, the league would make a quantum leap.
I am certain that the organization is in very capable hands with Dan Rooney's son at the helm, but it will not be the same. Fans will say that they hate everything about a rival, but deep down I would think it would be impossible to actually hate the Rooneys.
Personally I wish nothing but success for Mr. Rooney in his new capacity. President Obama could not have selected a better representative of our country. Good luck, Mr. Rooney.
DAVID CHANDLER
Kernersville, N.C.