Please, Governor Corbett, Say 'No' to the Audacious Request for $4 Million in State Money for the August Wilson Center

Dear Governor Corbett:

As you are likely aware, Allegheny County Council has by a majority vote asked for state funding for Pittsburgh’s August Wilson Center, an entity which is in the process of foreclosure due to mismanagement of significant public funds that have already been “invested”.

At a time that every cent that can be wrung out of the state budget is under consideration for cost savings, this is a particularly inopportune moment to be considering the appropriation of more millions of dollars.  Additionally, the publicly-funded Wilson Center has been a place at which anti-Semites have been welcome to speak without opposition.  First it was “Reverend” Louis Farrakhan, then Farrakhan pal, the infamous Jeremiah Wright.  The appearance of Farrakhan dealt a deep wound to the Jewish community and to fair-minded individuals of all faiths, but the plea to reconsider the invitation fell on deaf and hostile ears.  I can imagine the response which would be generated in the African-American community were a white racist to be invited to appear at a publicly-funded facility, and I would be among those protesting such insensitivity.

I urge you not to succumb to political correctness to embark on an unjustified expenditure of state funds of which you have been a fine steward.

Thank you for your consideration.