Featured Commentary category, Page 128
John Stossel: State’s byzantine laws licensed good people to fail
People who want to work should be allowed to work. That includes people who once went to jail. With President Trump’s support, Congress spends your money giving ex-cons “employment assistance.” Why bother? State laws often make such employment impossible. Courtney Haveman had an alcohol problem. When she was 19, she...
Walter Williams: High costs of crime on blacks in low-income areas
Criminal activity imposes huge costs on black residents in low-income neighborhoods of cities such as Chicago, Baltimore, Detroit, St. Louis, Philadelphia and many others. Thousands of black Americans were murdered in 2019. Over 90% of the time, the perpetrator was also black. Leftists and social justice warriors charge that what...
Colin McNickle: Pittsburgh, by the financial numbers
While Pittsburgh’s financial situation has made significant and positive strides, there remain substantial concerns about the city’s economic and financial structure, concludes an analysis by the Allegheny Institute for Public Policy. “Debt outstanding is down but retirement benefit problems remain,” says Jake Haulk, president-emeritus of the Pittsburgh think tank. “Revenue...
Pat Buchanan: Culture war comes to Virginia
Since 1969, “Virginia Is for Lovers” has been the tourism and travel slogan of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Advertising Age called it “one of the most iconic ad campaigns in the past 50 years.” But the Virginia of 2020 seems to be another country than the friendly commonwealth to which...
Randall Rutta: Discrimination against people with rare diseases
FDA officials approved a record number of rare disease treatments in 2018. One groundbreaking medicine treats an inherited bone condition that causes intense pain and immobility. Another treats Fabry disease, a genetic condition that can lead to kidney failure or stroke. Breakthroughs like these offer hope to 30 million Americans...
Jonah Goldberg: As with everything else, Trump is following his gut on Iran
President Trump often talks about leaving the Middle East, getting out of “endless wars” and spending our resources here at home under a policy of “America First.” So it was quite a moment when he threatened to impose “very big sanctions” on Iraq if the Iraqi parliament follows through on...
S.E. Cupp: Posturing to protect our culture, destroying theirs
One morning, back in August 2017, the gang on “Fox & Friends,” President Trump’s favorite news program, was in the midst of a feverish MAGA panic over nothing less than “the eradication of history,” as Laura Ingraham called it. It was just days after the Charlottesville, Va., protests, a violent...
James Thrasher: Can the self-destructing Antonio Brown be saved?
When you think life revolves around you, then destruction is waiting at your doorstep. In a recent YouTube video, NFL star Antonio Brown passionately reached out to share his self-absorbed life. The video captured how he views himself. “I get mad at it, but I love it — the game...
Zachary Barber: Pollution is U.S. Steel’s gift to Pittsburgh
There’s always something special in the air over the holiday season. This year, unfortunately, that something was a foul-smelling haze of dangerous industrial pollution. Even in an area known for dirty air, things have been especially bad lately. On Dec. 20, while most of us were doing our last-minute holiday...
William McCloskey: Specter of Westinghouse haunts the ‘Castle’
There’s a grand ghost story unfolding with the spirit of old George Westinghouse arising in the little town of Wilmerding as its principal landmark stirs back to life after decades in limbo. “The Castle,” as it’s been known locally for generations, soon will be reanimated as a specialty hotel of...
Walter Williams: The new racism
A voter may dislike a black, homosexual or female candidate, but it’s not likely that he would openly admit it. However, diversity-crazed leftist/progressive Democrats have openly condemned the physical characteristics of some of their 2020 presidential candidates. Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders are leading the polls despite...
Cal Thomas: It’s war — are we in it to win it?
Prior to Iran’s missile attacks on U.S. bases inside Iraq, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said, “We are not seeking war with Iran, but we are prepared to finish one.” Esper said the U.S. prefers a “diplomatic” solution to the escalation of tensions in the region. Yes, that would be...
Jonah Goldberg: Will EU’s genetic flaw lead to its demise?
Since I am in Europe — Spain, to be precise — I shall do as the Europeans do and fret over the future of the European Union. As my tepid opening sentence suggests, I don’t really care much about the future of the EU. In this, I’m a lot like...
Pat Buchanan: If Baghdad wants us out, let’s go!
Almost 17 years after the U.S. invaded Iraq to turn Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship into a beacon of democracy, Iraq’s Parliamentmid shouts of “Death to America!” voted to expel all U.S. troops from the country. Though nonbinding, the expulsion vote came after mobs trashed the U.S. embassy in an assault that...
Cal Thomas: As we move into new decade, a look at life 100 years ago
It can be useful and instructive to observe the turning of a decade by looking back on what life was like in America a mere 100 years ago. On Jan. 2, 1920, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was 108.76. Today it is over 28,000 points. In 1920, the U.S. had...
Jonah Goldberg: Get ready for a nasty presidential campaign
Here’s a fun New Year’s prediction for you: The 2020 presidential campaign will be even uglier than the 2016 contest. In part, that’s due to President Trump’s incumbency. In 2016, Trump almost surely did not think he’d win. Throughout his campaign, he would drop hints about an “exit strategy.” Exiles...
S.E. Cupp: Anger is eating at Americans from the inside
In the days between Christmas and New Year’s, our country suffered a double tragedy: a shooting at a Texas church and, on the seventh night of Hanukkah, a stabbing at a rabbi’s house. Whether fueled by mental illness, irrational anger, pure unadulterated hate or a combination of those things, these...
Peter Morici: Don’t miss out on another banner year for stocks
The U.S. equities are wrapping up a banner year. The S&P 500 index is up well more than 25% but sadly many small investors bailed out too early. In 2019, the financial press was full of warnings about Trump’s tariffs, estimates of job losses instigated by Chinese retaliation, and criticism...
Andy Carter: Pa.’s hospitals are fighting for nurses’ safety
There are some stories that haunt you for a long time. I’ll never forget one from Laura, a registered nurse, who shared about a time one of her patients strangled her. Or, one from Elizabeth, also a registered nurse, who recalled times when she was hit, had objects thrown at...
Mark Hendrickson: What’s wrong with a tax on billionaires?
Among the many radical economic plans offered by various Democratic presidential candidates, Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren have proposed an annual wealth tax on billionaires (and other “ultra-rich” Americans). Sanders has bluntly stated, “There should be no billionaires.” These proposals are hugely problematical. They probably are unconstitutional and certainly...
John Stossel: Popcorn, iPhones & butter all better in 2020
I learned three new things this year that made my life better! I share them with you here, hoping they make your 2020 easier. My “life hacks” are about popcorn, iPhones and butter. Weird? Maybe. Now I report on how politicians wreck just about everything, but at ABC’s show “20/20,”...
Walter Williams: Colleges dupe parents & taxpayers with ‘diversity’
Colleges and college students have also been around for centuries. Yet, college administrators assume that today’s students have needs that were unknown to their predecessors. Those needs include diversity and equity personnel, with massive budgets to accommodate. According to Minding the Campus, Penn State’s Office of Vice Provost for Educational...
William Kerr: Remembering Apollo Patrolman Leonard C. Miller
Jan. 3 marks the 40th anniversary of the death of Apollo Patrolman Leonard C. Miller, who sacrificed his life for the community. This date is celebrated not because Leonard Miller died, but because he lived. Miller was a friend and colleague, and the life of this young man — who...
Pat Buchanan: Is ‘Little Rocket Man’ winning?
As of Dec. 26, Kim Jong Un’s “Christmas gift” to President Donald Trump had not arrived. Most foreign policy analysts predict it will be a missile test more impressive than any Pyongyang has yet carried off. Kim cannot want war with the United States, as this could result in the...
Kristin Buccigrossi: NFL, how could you honor Michael Vick?
My blood has been boiling for the past few weeks toward the NFL with its choice to honor Michael Vick as a captain at the Pro Bowl. While some say that time can heal all wounds and that people can learn from their mistakes, I do not believe that Vick...
