Opinion category, Page 516
Letter to the editor: Lives vs. jobs — what’s more important?
Letter-writer Carol Carion of Harrison (“Voting for Biden was critical mistake,” March 31, TribLIVE) “thanks” voters for voting for President Biden and describes all the “bad” he has done so far in his term. Let’s ask the over 500,000 families who lost loved ones — in my opinion, because of...
Letter to the editor: Why are Pa. residents still paying?
During my lifetime as a resident of Pennsylvania, events happened that we seem to still be paying for. Why are Pennsylvania taxpayers still paying for the Johnstown Flood? Why is the Pennsylvania Turnpike still a toll road? When this idea was sold to residents, it was to become a free...
Letter to the editor: Not missing Trump
There was a yard sign on a lawn I passed the other day. It had a depiction of former President Trump groping a U.S. flag with the caption, “Miss Me Yet?” I thought to myself, absolutely, no! Here are just a few of my reasons why. President Biden: • Has...
Editorial: As solemn task of redistricting begins, Harrisburg flashes rare bipartisan signal
The partisan stew that is Harrisburg has made Pennsylvanians expect everything to be painted in shades of red and blue. Budget battles that erupt into screaming matches and government ground to a halt. Emergency gubernatorial declarations that result in lengthy back-and-forth court appearances. Even a simple swearing-in of a longtime...
Letter to the editor: Vaccine appointment incompetence
Don’t waste the ink printing the link to the Allegheny County Health Department patient portal for scheduling covid vaccines, because it is next to impossible to get an appointment. I spent hours online before finally getting an appointment for a first dose through ACHD at the DoubleTree Hotel in Monroeville....
Letter to the editor: Defend your rights on May 18
Be the voice to be heard. May 18 is the primary election. I encourage all eligible voters to defend their rights regarding the two constitutional amendments concerning our governor’s emergency powers. In addition, I earnestly suggest those ignorant of political verbiage make sure they comprehend the gun control bill House...
Letter to the editor: We don’t deserve the wealthy’s money
President Biden’s new plan to fund American public programs is by taxing the wealthiest Americans. It’s not a question of if they should, but how much. Yet the question that is never asked is, “Why do we deserve their money?” The seemingly overlooked answer is we do not. Elon Musk,...
Letter to the editor: Gun violence prevention laws effective and a moral imperative
Regarding the letter “Base gun decisions on facts, not emotions”: The author’s claims are based on outdated studies and directly contradict extensive data that demonstrate the broad efficacy of gun violence prevention laws. In addition to correcting the record, this response letter is to state clearly: As a Presbyterian pastor,...
Joseph Sabino Mistick: Politics and corporate America
There has not been much to laugh about in politics for a long time now, but last week Sen. Mitch McConnell broke the dire mood when he said corporations “should stay out of politics.” If you follow politics and were having your morning coffee when you heard that, you might...
Sounding off: Many voters want, need mail-in voting
I don’t know where Westmoreland County Commissioner Doug Chew gets his idea that voters do not want mail-in voting (“Westmoreland commissioner says county voters want end to no-excuse mail-in ballots; another disputes that” ). There are many of us who are old, ill, frail or physically handicapped, or lack transportation,...
Leonard Pitts Jr.: Chauvin trial cannot vindicate America
America is on trial. Or at least, that is the conviction of many observers as Derek Chauvin, a white former Minneapolis police officer, faces judge and jury in the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African-American man. America on trial: it’s a headline in Time, the Toronto Star and Agence...
Letter to the editor: Citizens, not ‘anybody,’ have right to vote
In his column “Republicans consider ballots more dangerous than bullets,” when he states that “in America, you see, everybody should have the right to vote, period,” Leonard Pitts Jr. misses one very important item: Our Constitution states that “citizens of the United States” have the right to vote, not anybody...
Editorial: Keeping a community intact when ‘gentrification’ beckons
Pennsylvania is a state that struggles with blight. From city neighborhoods to small towns, the falling population and the changing manufacturing landscape have created communities where closed businesses and smaller tax bases have started a downward spiral in areas that are sometimes euphemistically called “once proud.” That’s a term that...
Letter to the editor: Our rights are for everyone
I’d like to address two “opinions” that were so “eloquently ” stated in these pages. Here’s my question to the writer of the letter “End of the virus or end of Trump letters?” (March 28, TribLIVE): People on your side of the aisle spent four years pouting and doing anything...
Letter to the editor: Any satisfaction with presidential election?
I have chosen to not divulge an opinion regarding the unfolding of current events. With the hostility on exhibit in the divided world of today, it doesn’t seem to be worth the exposure. Recently, I read Carol Carion’s letter “Voting for Biden was critical mistake”). It was succinct, elucidating and,...
John Stossel: Biden’s California dream
I was surprised to read (in The Los Angeles Times) that the Biden administration’s “role model for America” is … California! He wants to “Make America California.” That’s is a terrible idea. Californians now rush to move out of California. Some hopeful folks still move there, but so many more...
Mona Charen: Are we doing our best for trans kids?
Seventeen legislatures are considering laws that would dictate how medical personnel can treat transgender youth — the latest flash point in the culture war. Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson surprised observers this week when he vetoed one of those bills. It would have outlawed puberty blockers, cross-sex hormone treatment and “gender...
Jonah Goldberg: ‘Jim Crow’ criticism of Georgia voting law doesn’t fit
The debate over Georgia’s new voting law has been deeply depressing to watch for a number of reasons. The first is that it hasn’t really been a debate so much as a lot of performative shouting from all directions. The second is that many of the law’s harshest critics don’t...
Dr. Gillian Beauchamp and Jessica Hessler: Syringe programs can save lives
Rosa had been diagnosed with endocarditis, a heart valve infection, and had undergone valve replacement surgery to repair the valve that now threatened her life. When released from the hospital, she lacked adequate housing, food and support to cope with the trauma of childhood abuse. She returned to injecting fentanyl....
Letter to the editor: We should be protecting our police
As far as I’m concerned, this state seems to be going to hell in a handbasket. Regarding the article “A bill that criminalizes spitting on Pa. police includes extra penalties for people who are sick” (March 28, TribLIVE): The bill is punishing people for being sick when they spit on...
Lori Falce: When an opinion isn’t worth spoiling with facts
There isn’t much that can make someone bristle like fact-checking. As it’s part of my 9-to-5 job, it’s not something I like to do in my free time. Still, sometimes it needs to be done. If my mother was about to make a cake with a cup of salt instead...
Laurels & lances: Art, justice and Peyton Manning
Laurel: To artistic expression. Public displays of creativity are nothing new. They were statues in ancient Greece and frescoes on the walls of medieval Europe. But art that doesn’t just decorate the community but represents it might be even more valuable. On Sunday, a new mural will be dedicated in...
Letter to the editor: No excuse for littering from vehicles
It’s a sad and disgusting state we live in when vehicle drivers and passengers have absolutely no respect for others’ property, winding down their windows and tossing out trash. The food wrappers, cans, bottles and plastics that litter our roadways show what our culture has become. There is no excuse...
Letter to the editor: Idiotic covid reasoning
This whole covid thing has put the idiots in charge. I had to submit a release-of-records form to my doctor. I offered to hand-deliver it to the office. I was told that was unacceptable, and they would not accept it. I would have to mail or fax it (email not...
Letter to the editor: Why we need to join RGGI
Fires, floods, once-in-a-century storms coming every few months — for those not in denial, the climate crisis is already upon us, demanding action now. The Biden administration has plans to cut greenhouse gas pollution quickly, and here in Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolf also is taking important steps, such as having...
