Robert Steffes – 12/16/09

This page was last updated on January 2, 2010.

Weak case shows Corbett’s agenda; Robert Steffes; Beaver County Times; December 16, 2009.

For a little more background, a Post-Gazette letter indicates Mr. Steffes believes the only scientists who don’t believe humans are causing global warming are those who work for the energy industry. In another letter, Mr. Steffes tried to get us to sign a petition so Bob Edwards could keep his job at NPR. According to Mr. Steffes, “Mr. Edwards’ calm baritone stands alone in the sea of slime that has become commercial talk radio.” I could be completely off base, but I suspect Mr. Steffes really meant “conservative talk radio.” In one letter from Mr. Steffes, he sang the praises of a woman on a crusade against electronic voting machines and offered to send her a check. I wonder if he ever followed through?

Recent Steffes letters I critiqued were entitled “State budget is too generous on drilling” and “Health care effort gets powerful voice.”

Below is a detailed critique of the letter.

“As a former constituent of state Rep. Sean Ramaley, I was pleased that he was exonerated of all corruption charges brought against him by Attorney General Tom Corbett.”

[RWC] As I explained in a previous critique, Mr. Ramaley was not “exonerated.”

“Ramaley was not my original choice when he ran for a vacant seat in my district, but over the two terms he represented us he earned my appreciation for his excellent service. I found him and his staff to be responsive and respectful.

“I feel we lost a decent public servant, but Ramaley lost his political career, and I am sure he is facing a massive legal bill.”

[RWC] Perhaps I’m not being fair, but when you lie with dogs, you get fleas.

“The whole sorry incident lends credence to claims that Corbett’s investigation has more to do with advancing his campaign for governor than seeking justice. It is telling that Corbett refuses to step down from his position despite the obvious conflict of interest.”

[RWC] If you’re familiar with Mr. Steffes’ body of work, you’re aware he would never have written a similar letter had Mr. Ramaley been a Republican and Mr. Corbett a Democrat.