Opinion category, Page 234
Sounding off: Flag, Fetterman, secondhand smoke among week’s topics
Flag flies for vets, not Biden Regarding the letter “Flags fly in support of Biden” (Sept. 24, TribLIVE): No, I do not fly the American flag to support Joe Biden. I fly it to support and remember all the people who fought and died to preserve the greatest country on...
Letter to the editor: Deer hunting in Pittsburgh
I hate to be a Gloomy Gus. It’s too easy to lay into all the horrible, depressing, negative things that are happening worldwide. Russia. Ukraine. Our uniquely American relationship with uniquely multifarious China. Fortunately, for most people, there isn’t enough information presented on the evening news to act upon. World...
Editorial: Is Westmoreland Co. DA’s fusion center right for law enforcement collaboration?
Collaboration is a great way to maximize public resources. It puts everyone together on the same footing. It shares information. It reduces workload. It prevents redundancy. On Thursday, Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli announced an effort to promote better collaboration between detectives from her office and state and federal...
Letter to the editor: Shapiro should restore funding to Real Alternatives
The move by Gov. Josh Shapiro to defund Real Alternatives and pregnancy centers will be to the detriment of the health and safety of women and unborn babies throughout Pennsylvania. Pregnancy centers offer non-judgmental support and direct women to resources for housing, addiction, health care, insurance and supplies. Clients are...
Jason Altmire: Manufacturers need pragmatism from EPA on upcoming air quality rule
When I was growing up in Western Pennsylvania in the 1970s and ’80s, the region’s rich industrial heritage was a point of local pride and known the world over. Many of the men and women working on the shop floors in and around Pittsburgh were your quintessential Nixon and Reagan...
Colin McNickle: Pa. taxpayers being railroaded again
A much-vaunted agreement to spend $200 million of public money to upgrade a Pennsylvania rail line — ostensibly to facilitate the expansion of Amtrak passenger rail service between Pittsburgh and New York City — sounds like a great deal. For the Norfolk Southern Railway, that is. But it’s a raw...
Christopher Baxter: Support of free and fearless journalism can help preserve our democracy
The challenges and threats facing our democracy can seem so enormous and systemic that you might think one person, one article or one vote couldn’t possibly make a difference. But the biggest threat of all is giving in and believing all is already lost. This month we celebrate Democracy Day...
Letter to the editor: Pa. should have 1 school district per county
The letter “Fixing the teacher shortage” (Sept. 22, TribLIVE) addressed the shortage of teachers in Pennsylvania. Many changes may be necessary to address such a complex problem. However, one may be to reduce the number of school districts. There are 67 counties in Pennsylvania, but there are 500 school districts!...
Letter to the editor: Does Biden know what striking auto workers build?
I saw on television that our President Biden went to Michigan to protest with the auto workers on strike. I was just wondering if he knew that they mainly build gas-powered vehicles. Lou Gregovits North Huntingdon...
Letter to the editor: Our flag doesn’t represent one man
The writer of the letter “Flags fly in support of Biden” (Sept. 24, TribLIVE) thanked people for flying the American flag. He regards this patriotic display as a show of support for President Joe Biden. Needless to say, I don’t fly my flag in support of Joe Biden. “Old Glory”...
Lori Falce: Chuck Schumer is no Neville Longbottom
At the end of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” the benevolent wizard in charge of the magic school took the opportunity to deliver an object lesson. He upended the annual competition between the school’s four houses by delivering a few last-minute points to the main characters for saving the...
Laurels & lances: Art and ammo
Laurel: To a beautiful journey. Art can be taken for granted. It can be locked away in museums and require a ticket to view. But a new art installation in Natrona is a way to promote community and provide an opportunity for exercise. The mosaic trail off River Avenue opened...
Letter to the editor: Follow the Pa. school money
Unfortunately, Nathan Benefield’s op-ed “Pennsylvanians deserve truth on education spending” (Sept. 20, TribLIVE) left out important information. Pennsylvania is highly ranked in the country for average per-student spending, but only 38% of school education funding comes from the state (which is below the national average of 47%), and we are...
Paul Kengor: RFK Jr. deserves Secret Service protection
Last week in Downtown Pittsburgh, the Institute for Faith & Freedom at Grove City College hosted a fascinating talk by Dr. Gene Kopelson. Kopelson is an oncologist, with credentials that include an M.D. from Columbia University, residency at Harvard University’s Department of Radiation Oncology, an affiliation with the Yale University...
Letter to the editor: Our senators making us a laughingstock
Congratulations, Democrats! You have succeeded in turning the state of Pennsylvania into the laughingstock of the nation. We have two U.S. senators, one who shows up about as often as Punxsutawny Phil and the other who dresses like a clown. J.R. Smith Penn Township, Westmoreland County...
Letter to the editor: What’s next, Democrats?
Is the Democrats’ war on America almost over? Their dramatic success was achieved with help from quisling Republican leadership, especially Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell. There will be no victory lap until Donald Trump is out of the picture. Skyrocketing food prices and unchecked inflation have 61% of American households...
Editorial: Arnold vote on manager skirts law
The people get to be a part of the process. That is why we have elections. It is why we have school boards made up of the people who live in the geographical area of the district. It is why we have local government instead of just ceding all responsibility...
Letter to the editor: Pa. should back innovative approach to blight
The article “West- moreland home repair program filled before program launch” (Sept. 9, TribLIVE) underscores the need and enthusiasm for this program. It’s the sort of innovative approach our Pennsylvania Legislature should continue to support — and to grow. As in Westmoreland County, the program is experiencing overwhelming demand statewide. The...
Jonah Goldberg: What the Republicans forcing a government shutdown have in common with 1960s radicals
This week, yet another government shutdown appears inevitable because a sizable chunk of the House Freedom Caucus believes, in the words of Otter in “Animal House,” that “this situation absolutely requires a really futile and stupid gesture be done on somebody’s part.” What situation? Before we get to that, it’s...
Letter to the editor: Fetterman making Pa. laughingstock of country
John Fetterman, the clown of this country. Once again the “one” dictates to the many. Pennsylvania is now the laughingstock of this country because of their great senator. Maybe try showing up in a suit and be an example for the young people you claim to represent. Dale Parker Jeannette...
Letter to the editor: Catholic school sports advantage
It is apparent that nothing will ever be done about the unfair sports advantage that Catholic and private schools have over public schools. I have a suggestion that might make it possible for that issue to, at least, not be forgotten: When an athlete lives outside of that school, his...
Letter to the editor: Speak up in support of EPA’s new pollution rules
Even taking a breath of air isn’t something Pittsburghers can take for granted. Allegheny County ranks within the top 2% of the worst counties nationwide for cancer risk from industrial air pollution, so it’s vital to protect our communities from these impacts. Allegheny County’s most polluting plant, U.S. Steel’s Clairton...
Editorial: Jails, police departments need to address losses in leadership
It’s hard to fill empty jobs when even the people on top are leaving. For years, the corrections field and police departments have faced challenges in keeping staff numbers up. Even before the coronavirus pandemic created a widespread upheaval in hiring across many industries, turnover and unfilled positions in these...
Letter to the editor: Game commission needs to act in best interest of humans, wildlife
On Aug. 30, Pittsburgh City Council met to discuss the city’s plan to hold a cull in two city parks this fall. This has brought up many concerns as to where the interest of the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) lies; after all, its mission is not only to promote hunting...
Cynthia M. Allen: Aging leaders like Biden, McConnell could take another path. This pope showed the way
In February 2013, Pope Benedict XVI did something truly remarkable: He resigned the papacy. In his letter of resignation he explained that physical strength “has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.” At 85, the...
