Opinion category, Page 157
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....
Letter to the editor: The dark side of ‘green energy’
The average lifespan of a solar panel is only 25 years. Afterward, will the user be willing to invest in all new panels, especially once all the government grants are gone and the green energy bubble has burst? Eventually, millions of burned-out, Chinese-made solar panels will end up in our...
Editorial: Add political rallies to the places we aren’t safe
Butler County has been Trump country from the beginning. North of the Democratic island of Allegheny County, Butler County is not hesitant in its support of former president and GOP nominee Donald Trump. In 2016, 66.7% of the county picked Trump over Hillary Clinton. In 2020, support barely wavered, dropping...
Letter to the editor: Secret Service incompetence troubling
It’s now apparent that Thomas Crooks, the person who attempted to assassinate former President Trump, was better prepared for the events that unfolded at the July 13 rally at the Butler Farm Show grounds than were the United States Secret Service personnel (“Secret Service is investigating how a gunman who...
Joseph Sabino Mistick: Assassins can’t steal our elections
We are all sickened by the attempted assassination of former president Donald Trump. Public policy is to be decided by the voters in this Republic, not by assassins. Those of us who were around during the 1960s remember too clearly the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. His...
Patricia Lopez: Republicans’ war on divorce is just Christian nationalism in disguise
No-fault divorce is an option available in all 50 states. But it might not be for long if Donald Trump wins a second term, further emboldening a surging Christian nationalist movement that has divorce reform in its sights. Already, several GOP-led states, including Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana, are moving...
Counterpoint: Assassination attempt will not be the end of leftist violence
Details are still emerging about the attempt to kill Donald Trump — about the shooter and how it was possible, and also what it says about America. The first is obvious: Political violence has no place in America. No matter our politics, Americans should never resort to violence to settle...
Point: Right-wing politicos must relinquish their violent rhetoric
Sadly, political violence is as old as politics itself, around the globe and, yes, in the United States. However, the last decade has seen a marked increase, especially in the United States. Rhetorically, one might argue — and those on the political right will — that heated words and actions...
Letter to the editor: Justice denied in Trump documents case
The phrase “justice delayed is justice denied” comes to mind with a conflicted and biased Judge Aileen Cannon throwing out the documents case against former President Trump. This is a case where an ex-president took highly sensitive and secretive documents to his home, stored some in the bathroom, some in...
Sounding off: Assassination attempt among writers’ topics
Assassination attempt an outrage All of the officers, staff and membership of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 92 in Lower Burrell pray for a speedy recovery, physically and mentally, for David “Jake” Dutch, his wife, Sheree, and extended family. Jake is a Marine Corps veteran and an active and valued...
Letter to the editor: New rule suggestions for PIAA
The PIAA (Profiting In Athletic Activities) has just announced another idea (oops, another stupid idea) to move teams up for success. If you win two state championships in a row, you get moved up. Wow. It’s incredible what rules executive director Bob Lombardi and his crew of merry men can...
