Opinion category, Page 146
Letter to the editor: Democracy or hypocrisy?
If you are a viewer of MSNBC, CNN or one of the other major networks, you have been told ad nauseam that our “democracy” is at stake. On June 27, the first presidential debate was held between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. It was evident that night that what was...
Letter to the editor: Republicans’ violence
In a healthy society, politicians wouldn’t be targeted with violence. No one would. Anyone who openly advocates violence — against protesters, political rivals, his own vice president, a legislature and more — would be ineligible for public office. A party that condemns violence against their candidate and supporters would condemn...
Jonah Goldberg: Is replacing President Biden as his party’s nominee an attack on democracy? Hardly.
Alas, the coronation of Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee is complete. Democrats are surprisingly ecstatic with the decision, and Republicans, or at least the Trump campaign, are very cross about it, complaining that democracy has been subverted. This is something of a reversal, given that Republicans argued Biden was...
Solomon D. Stevens: When our politics turns apocalyptic, we all lose
The assassination attempt on Donald Trump was terrible and a stain on our republic. In our government, “we the people” are responsible for choosing our leaders. No individual has the right to take that away. But, as wrong as the assassination attempt was (and it was wrong), it is essential...
Jeff Coleman: Trust elections and good neighbors
It was 1986 when a presidential election first captured my imagination — the contest between incumbent Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos and challenger Corazon Aquino. As an 11-year-old American living in the Philippines, for me it was the ultimate master class in democracy. Marcos risked his dictatorship by declaring a snap...
Letter to the editor: Harris as president Dems’ death wish
Kamala Harris for president? Does the Democratic Party have a death wish? She has been in charge of President Biden’s disastrous failed border/immigration policy since 2021. ’Nuff said? Gerald Schiller Penn Hills...
Letter to the editor: Calling on the Founders to respond to Project 2025
One answer from our Founders that I could offer in response to Project 2025, to those installing a version of the Ten Commandments in public schools, to those who want to “teach” the Bible and Christianity in American public schools comes from Thomas Jefferson’s Jan. 27, 1800, letter to Joseph...
Editorial: ‘Unacceptable’ is an understatement regarding security failures at Butler rally
Members of the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security did something Monday that lawmakers rarely do. They did not meet in a formal room, sitting at glossy wood desks, perched behind nameplates underscoring their importance to a political process. Instead, a group of lawmakers from both parties went into the...
Letter to the editor: Rodeo and legislative accountability
If you live near Pittsburgh, you may have noticed a rodeo tour here. In 1992, the city of Pittsburgh banned practices used at rodeos, like electric prods and bucking straps, which inflict intense pain and cause injuries to animals. This effectively banned rodeos from the city. This local law is...
Philip Klinkner: Picking vs. electing candidates
Now that Joe Biden has dropped out of the 2024 presidential race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the nominee, it will ultimately be up to Democratic National Convention delegates to formally select a new nominee for their party. This will mark the first time in over 50...
Bruce A. Antkowiak: Federalism and separation of powers — a double security?
Two cases, both involving former President Trump, have captured headlines recently and, like everything else connected with the upcoming presidential election, stirred virulent emotions on all sides. In one case, the Supreme Court afforded the Office of the President immunity from prosecution in certain circumstances and, in the second case,...
Letter to the editor: Why is Westmoreland County adding staff?
Regarding the article “Westmoreland OKs new jobs, more pay for human service staffers” (July 18, TribLive): Why is the county adding staff when population continues to drop? Time to challenge the county commissioners as to why they’re growing the government. Dave Bonazelli Unity...
Letter to the editor: County Republican moves
Not one Westmoreland County Republican Committee member had the courage or ambition to oppose Bill Bretz for county chair on July 9 after all the outrage over how he treated Republican commissioner candidates Paul Kosko and myself, and committee members who helped us. In 2023, Bretz called for an endorsement...
Editorial: Gershkovich conviction could spark prisoner deal, but don’t forget Fogel
On Friday, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was convicted of espionage by a Russian court. He was sentenced immediately. The penalty was 16 years in a maximum-security prison. The sentencing has given rise to speculation about negotiation for Gershkovich’s release. Russia likes to trade prisoners only after they have...
Letter to the editor: Presidential race, a sad state of affairs
They stood, two old men arguing over who was the worst U.S. president, and then, which of the pair occupying center stage in Atlanta was the better golfer. It could have been a pair of geezers sitting on a park bench. But no. It was called a presidential debate and...
Steven Hill: Soaring grocery prices are not acts of God
Since the pandemic, going to the grocery store has become a jarring experience. On a recent visit, I packed my purchased items into my tote bag and then gawked at the receipt in disbelief. I’m not alone. Griping about the high cost of groceries has become a national pastime. It’s...
John R. Kasich and G. William Hoagland : Lawmakers 5 decades ago passed a big budget fix. It made a difference (for them)
Fifty years ago, Congress tried to rein in deficits and fix the budget process — or, perhaps, lawmakers were mostly just trying to wrest back some spending power from the White House. If the goal was fiscal responsibility, the results have been mixed at best. But if the goal was...
Letter to the editor: Democrats are cowards
Love Donald Trump or hate him, he’s a man with guts and courage. No Democratic president in my lifetime can say that. Just look at the facts: hostages in Iran — Carter; no air support in Mogadishu — Clinton; no support or reinforcements in Benghazi — Obama; the cowardly withdrawal...
Letter to the editor: Who needs presidential immunity?
I believe everything you need to know about the upcoming presidential election can be determined from the two candidates’ reactions to the Supreme Court’s presidential immunity decision. President Biden bitterly condemned the ruling as a violation of separation of powers and the law under the Constitution. Apparently, Biden isn’t contemplating...
Editorial: What does Biden’s withdrawal mean for Pennsylvania voters?
On Sunday afternoon, President Joe Biden posted to social media a letter that was both surprising and anticipated. He bowed out of the presidential election. It was surprising because it is really unheard of at this point in an election year. The closest analog is when Lyndon B. Johnson stepped...
Editorial: Hiding medical debt won’t make it go away
Paying for health care in America is a complicated business. In recent years, the government has taken valuable steps to reduce the harm that unexpected medical bills and unscrupulous debt collectors inflict on consumers. But a newly proposed rule, which would strip all health care bills from credit reports, is...
Letter to the editor: Economy is top issue for voters
Many Americans are struggling to feed families and put gas in cars. “It’s the economy, stupid” says it all! That phrase was coined by James Carville for Bill Clinton’s presidential campaign. Today, President Biden supporters tell us Bidenomics is working and things are just fine. But are they? The average...
Editorial cartoons for the week of July 22
Editorial cartoons for the week of July 22....
Mallard Fillmore cartoons for the week of July 22
Mallard Fillmore cartoons for the week of July 22....
Letter to the editor: Let’s protect the South Side
The perpetual problem of the South Side once again begs a call for some sort of redress. I submit a couple ideas that might be fruitful. The time has come to ban public urination during daylight hours. The ban could be from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. over the winter....
