Opinion category, Page 137
Gary Franks: Is it 1968 all over again, and will the results be the same?
Democrats think this election is about “joy” and “hope.” Wrong. It is about “peace and prosperity.” Democrats avoid talking about either because they have failed to deliver on both. We are financing two wars, and I will be discussing the economy. Will 2024 mirror 1968? It is on track to...
Letter to the editor: Trump is a real leader who cares
I wanted to reply to the letter “Doesn’t Trump care, or does he think we’re stupid?” (Aug. 13, TribLive), but I found I couldn’t because he didn’t give any specifics about what had upset him. But I can reply to the tone of it. I believe Donald Trump does care,...
Letter to the editor: Walz on weapons
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz adversely commented on the ownership of the AR-15 rifle by civilians, describing the AR-15 as a weapon of war. While the AR-15 resembles the U.S. service rifle, the M16, the AR-15 is a semiautomatic rifle, a type of arm first manufactured and sold in this country...
Lori Falce: Gus Walz was the real star of the Democratic National Convention
I was moved to tears Wednesday night as Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz addressed the Democratic National Convention, accepting his place as the party’s vice-presidential nominee. It wasn’t by Walz’s words — though the Midwestern cadence and rhythm were as familiar as a lullaby to my own native Minnesotan ears. It...
Laurels & lances: Police and pests
Laurel: To obvious opportunities. Irwin police Chief Dan Wensel wants his borough leaders to authorize the department to join the Westmoreland County SWAT team. The group assembles members from eight other departments: Allegheny Township, Greensburg, Lower Burrell, Murrysville, New Kensington, North Huntingdon, Vandergrift and Washington Township. There are 25 operators,...
Letter to the editor: Trump is stale, Harris is vibrant
In 2016, Donald Trump became a vibrant alternative to traditional politicians and won the presidential election. In 2024, he has become stale bread and an old Elvis. He should rename his plane “Whiner One” because it seems that’s all he does. From what I’ve seen, his crowds have dwindled. His...
Jackie Payne: Undecided moderate women could be the tipping point this November
After a wild few weeks, the top of the ticket once again is set for Democrats and Republicans. Polls show Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are neck and neck. Over the past several years, we’ve seen presidential elections decided by slimmer and slimmer margins, and 2024...
Letter to the editor: Politicians should improve quality of nursing home care
It’s an election year, and the campaign ads are all over TV. It’s a fact that you don’t really know what is true or false, but that’s the way the political system works. One of the problems I’ve seen is in a Kamala Harris ad; in one scene she states...
Letter to the editor: Pa. may decide America’s future; vote wisely
Pennsylvania, the Keystone State. Its moniker will never be more important than this November. Citizens of our commonwealth will probably decide the course of America this fall. It has become clear that the mainstream media is not doing citizens any benefit in educating its readers about the candidates for president....
Editorial: Tight lips on investigations of police are unfair on all sides
Why isn’t the Arnold police chief at work? No one knows. Well, the people of Arnold don’t know. The people who have placed Chief Josh Stanga on administrative leave obviously do know. What they won’t do is divulge the reason, beyond Mayor Shannon Santucci stating that he is the target...
Letter to the editor: Harris must support ceasefire
Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential bid has reignited something that had been sorely missing in national politics: a sense of hope and excitement. Coconut tree memes all over TikTok. Pop stars declaring “Kamala IS brat.” The chance to make history by electing the first Black and Asian American woman as...
Peter Morici: Biden leaves an impressive legacy — and a pile of budget and security challenges
Only a handful of U.S. presidents could boast Joe Biden’s range of legislative and foreign policy accomplishments. The Chips and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, for example, steered the U.S. economy in a much-needed new direction. But the 46th U.S. president will leave his successor with tough federal...
Jonah Goldberg: Kamala Harris wants to tackle corporate ‘price-gouging.’ Here’s what she’s missing
The best thing about Kamala Harris’ policy debut last week was the backlash. I don’t mean the political backlash; Harris’ attack on “price-gouging” was probably smart politics. It amplified her campaign’s message that she’s “fighting for the people.” That economists scoff at the tools she would use in that fight...
LZ Granderson: Coach Tim Walz took a stand when queer kids desperately needed an advocate
Harrison Butker, the Kansas City Chiefs player whose “Me Tarzan/You Jane” commencement speech caused an uproar last spring, was back in the news recently after signing a contract extension that made him the highest-paid kicker in the league. Well deserved, considering he’s the second most accurate in NFL history, but...
Robert Perkins and Wesley Caines: Holistic defense can change lives
Everyone agrees that the right to a lawyer, even if you cannot afford one, is a necessary condition of justice. Yet funding for public defense lawyers in Allegheny County has never been enough to protect this right. Local defense spending is roughly a third of the national average — putting...
Letter to the editor: Free-market economy is the answer
Tired of high prices for food, gasoline, prescription meds? And the list goes on. The concept of price fixing is a first step to socialism. It has been tried in other countries and it has failed. A free-market economy is the answer. Bill Burdett West Deer...
Letter to the editor: Sue-crazy people like Mammoth sliders ruin the fun
I read about another person getting hurt on the slide at Mammoth Park (“Hunker woman is latest to sue over Giant Slide safety concerns at Mammoth Park,” Aug. 9, TribLive). I remember flying down the older slide in the ’80s and at the end landing on my feet but doing...
Letter to the editor: All have right to free speech
It is sad to see a letter from someone who wants to have law enforcement officers fired for free speech, engaged in when they are not acting in official capacity (“Hate-filled letters by law enforcement alarming,” Aug. 14, TribLive). All Americans are entitled to form and express opinions without fear...
Editorial: Back-to-school safety: Everyone has a role to play
The first harbinger of autumn’s arrival is upon us, with public school students preparing to return to their classrooms for the 2024-25 school year. Over the next two weeks, classes will begin throughout the area — in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties, in public and private, parochial and charter schools. That...
Letter to the editor: Greensburg bishop owes priest an apology
On May 28, Bishop Larry Kulick of the Diocese of Greensburg announced the forced resignation of Father John Moineau, pastor of Immaculate Conception and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parishes, because he believed there was a “conspiracy” to hide the prior criminal record of a worker who had been hired by...
Tyler Fisher and Carlo Macomber: Independents will decide the election. What do we know about them?
Whichever party wins independent voters will win the presidency and other key races this fall. A poll Unite America commissioned this year provides clues for how Democrats and Republicans can appeal to these swing voters — including embracing their right to participate in all primary elections. Nearly 90% of independent...
Bethani Cameron: Bipartisanship closes EV road use tax loophole
Pennsylvania has two important goals when it comes to the future of transportation: maintaining our infrastructure and reducing emissions. But until recently, those two priorities were at odds. Thanks to bipartisan leadership in Harrisburg, a new bill increases funding for roads and transit, while making it easier than ever to...
Dave Breingan, Crystal Jennings-Rivera and Jala Rucker: Addressing Pittsburgh’s affordable housing crisis
Like cities across the country, Pittsburgh is in the midst of an affordable housing crisis, as rental expenses have skyrocketed and the prospect of owning a home becomes further out of reach for working families with each passing year. As the city works to respond to this crisis, leaders must...
Letter to the editor: Whose head should be examined?
Donald Trump has said on numerous occasions that Jewish Americans should have their heads examined if they vote Democrat. As a Jewish American, here are some reasons why I vote Democrat and would never support someone like Trump. 1. In 2017, when white supremacists marched on Charlottesville, Va., and chanted,...
Letter to the editor: Casey must remain in the Senate
This November, it’s crucial that we vote for a senator who exemplifies integrity and honesty and has the knowledge of what is imperative for growth and prosperity in Pennsylvania. Sen. Bob Casey is a product of Pennsylvania. His character and beliefs are demonstrated in the number and type of bills...
