Opinion category, Page 626
Joseph Sabino Mistick: We can do this, a lesson from Stacy Smith
Stacy Smith has seen a lot. The award-winning KDKA-TV news anchor has met the pope, interviewed presidents and reported from the scenes of human disasters. He has covered princes and paupers. When interviewing a Missouri congressman in the U.S. Capitol, Stacy sat in the chair that a stunned Vice President...
Sounding off: Can’t be ‘pro-life’ and not oppose execution
As an ordained Roman Catholic deacon, serving as a chaplain to our incarcerated sisters and brothers in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, I most strongly urge Attorney General William Barr to immediately halt plans for the federal executions of Daniel Lee (July 13), Wesley Purkey (July 15), Dustin Honken (July 17)...
Letter to the editor: Councilman’s Levine remark front-page news?
In the midst of all the misery and divisiveness, you put the story about the Trafford councilman who wished Dr. Rachel Levine a happy Father’s Day on page 1 (“Trafford councilman criticized for transphobic joke about state health secretary,” June 24, TribLIVE). Really? You need to put that at the...
Letter to the editor: Why was ex-police chief armed for a stroll?
If there was ever a newspaper article that was the perfect example of why people don’t like or trust the police, it’s “Former Springdale police chief shoots dog belonging to Allegheny Valley Regional police chief” (June 27, TribLIVE). Every detail of this story is horrible. Why does ex-Chief Julio Medeiros...
Letter to the editor: Discussion, not protesting, can move America forward
The media often attributes the increases in coronavirus to “opening up” too early, President Trump’s rallies, people vacationing at beaches, etc. Hardly ever mentioned are the protests, which could cause spreading of the virus. Thousands of people protest from the early hours until the middle of the night, many without...
Letter to the editor: Good riddance, Roundup
Pesticides have been used for decades to manage invasive weeds and combat pests in homes, schools, early learning centers and public places. However, there is a growing body of evidence showing that exposure to toxic pesticides can cause both short- and long-term health risks, and children are especially vulnerable. In...
Letter to the editor: ‘King’ Wolf taking our freedoms
As another Independence Day is upon us, here’s a quick review of why we broke away from England. It seems that Thomas Jefferson had a poor opinion of King George III. The main problem — poor customer service. George never listened and he had no competition. Tom understood that competition...
Walter Williams: Thomas Sowell, underappreciated American scholar
Dr. Thomas Sowell has been both a friend and a colleague of mine for over a half-century. On June 30, he completed his 90th year of life, and I want to highlight some important features of that life. Sowell was born in Gastonia, N.C., in 1930. As part of the...
John Stossel: Time to end the war on drugs
Protesters say America’s criminal justice system is unfair. It is. Courts are so jammed that innocent people plead guilty to avoid waiting years for a trial. Lawyers help rich people get special treatment. A jail stay is just as likely to teach you crime as it is to help you...
Jacob Plott: Trump’s global tariff war trickles down to Pa. businesses
While President Trump has touted his tariffs and ongoing trade war as a tool to force manufacturers to return jobs to American soil, the reality in states like Pennsylvania paints a very different picture. Instead of strengthening America’s economy, it has weakened domestic manufacturers by raising their costs, thus making...
Presley Gillespie: Neighbors work together to aid Black community during covid-19
As the covid-19 crisis continues to unfold, new concerns continue to surface in the community. Health inequities. Food insecurities. Job losses. Achievement gaps. Digital divides. Isolation and anxiety. To name a few. Although covid-19 doesn’t discriminate, it does hit Black communities harder with a disproportionate number of diagnoses and deaths....
Letter to the editor: Fly American flag proudly, properly
I encourage everyone to fly the American flag proudly and properly on Independence Day. At the same time, do not dishonor the flag by wearing it or using a disposable object with the flag printed on it. These are violations of the Flag Code, which by Act of Congress on...
Letter to the editor: Human rights not up for a vote
In the days since the killing of George Floyd, many organizations (nonprofit and for-profit) have used their numerous social media platforms to express their support for protesters and their message. Fortunately, the negative response has been in the minority. Businesses and organizations are being told to mind their own business....
Letter to the editor: Can’t follow Christ and support Trump
I voted for Trump, just as I have voted for every Republican before him since I could register in 1992. I have been to eight of the last 10 Marches for Life in Washington. I was told by Sean Hannity on his radio show that I was his conductor of...
Letter to the editor: Dr. Rachel Levine deserves respect
Regarding the article “Trafford councilman criticized for transphobic joke about state health secretary” (June 24, TribLIVE): Zack Cole, who are you to judge Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine’s gender? Her name is “Rachel,” not “Richard.” It is called R-E-S-P-E-C-T. You are in public office and should be dealing with...
Letter to the editor: Not joining protest doesn’t make someone racist
In her letter “Our leaders must speak out on racism” (June 27, TribLIVE), Aileen Cunningham wrote that “silence on racism is complicity.” This does not apply in the current social/political situation. You are not a racist just because you choose not to join those who are protesting. Many Americans are...
Laurels & lances: Gift, grant, open, loss
Laurel: To the gift of learning. Many parents are weighing their choices for the coming school year as schools struggle to plan for educating in an age of social distancing. Should the kids stay in public school? Cyber charter? Should they just be homeschooled? About 250 students could have another...
Lori Falce: What will your last words be?
“I love you, too.” George H.W. Bush, who lost his wife Barbara seven months earlier, gave his last words to his son and fellow president George W. Bush. “Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow,” Steve Jobs said before being claimed by cancer. “Let me go to the house of the...
Colin McNickle: American Lung Association’s scientific malpractice
“Disingenuous and misleading.” That’s how a researcher at the Allegheny Institute for Public Policy characterizes the American Lung Association’s continual misrepresentation of air quality in the greater Pittsburgh region. “Why is such a large geographical area being labeled as having poor air quality because of three monitors situated in one...
Sarah Eileen Linder: Covid-19 claims lives of school libraries
The South Park and Greensburg Salem school districts are struggling with the harsh reality facing schools across the nation whose budgets simply could not withstand the financial consequences of a global pandemic; they have decided to make budget cuts. The loss of teachers, administration and programming is always upsetting, but...
Letter to the editor: Racism & voting
Don’t call me racist then ask for my vote. Jamie W. Maus Southwest Greensburg...
Letter to the editor: Derek Chauvin sold his soul to the devil
I always laugh when I remember one of my father-in-law’s favorite quips: “Everyone is entitled to their own wrong opinion.” Dare I write a letter to the editor expressing my wrong opinion? Or dare I write a letter seeking answers based on truth? What would possess a man, Minneapolis police...
Letter to the editor: I condemn officers that do wrong, but still support our police
Enough is enough already. Admittedly, the police officer(s) in Minneapolis committed a heinous, grievous criminal act in the killing of George Floyd. There is no excuse for that kind of behavior from any of our law enforcement officers. And there are other racist police officers who need to be removed,...
Letter to the editor: Sickened by destruction of our country
I watch the news on TV and see firsthand the sickening destruction of my beloved country. Our government seems to have abandoned us because President Trump is a threat to the entrenched corrupt politicians in the swamp. That so many citizens support his ouster, which, in my opinion, would destroy...
Letter to the editor: Trump should be removed from office
It was the summer of 1776 when 56 patriots signed their death warrants by ascribing their names to the Declaration of Independence. They elected George Washington, a handsome, swashbuckling young man, as the general of the ragtag Continental Army. He successfully led this small army against the greatest fighting force...
