Opinion category, Page 67
Lori Falce: Prisons, private prisons and foreign prisons
The term “on paper” acknowledges a good idea may be very different from a good reality. For example, open mic night at a club works in theory. The club gets entertainment, and new talent gets a shot at the stage. Win-win. In practice, however, open mic nights might be almost...
Letter to the editor: Kakistocracy’s consequences
It is difficult to keep up with the actions of the kakistocracy but it is important to pay attention, know the facts and understand the consequences. • Elon Musk’s actions have by some accounts cost the U.S. $500 billion. That is not what it saved; that is what they have...
NOTE: On election-related letters
Note on election-related letters: The Tribune-Review will accept submissions of election-related letters through Oct. 24....
Peter Morici: Trump’s tariffs boost Democrats’ prospects for winning big in the midterms
President Trump is wagering tariffs on Republican majorities in Congress. Even with most of his reciprocal tariffs temporarily suspended, these import taxes make a recession more likely, and Mr. Trump won’t be able to turn around the economy quickly enough to save the Republicans’ bacon. Trump’s tariffs and prices He...
Daniel Nelson and Phillip Suderman: ‘No Trespassing’ means government, too
Private Property. Keep Out. No Trespassing. These are all signs that your average American inherently understands: This land belongs to someone else, and the public has no right to enter. But to Pennsylvania wildlife officers, those signs rate as suggestions, not strict rules. That’s because Pennsylvania grants its wildlife officers...
Letter to the editor: Questions about tariffs
I don’t understand tariffs. I know they encourage Americans to buy American products, but are they also like when a church has a flea market and charges sellers $25 to sell their goods? The vendors don’t pass the charge to the customers. When a vendor asks 50 cents for an...
Letter to the editor: Celebrate an animal-free Easter
This Easter, let’s celebrate with compassion by leaving animals out of our traditions. Giving baby chicks as gifts or using real eggs for hunts may seem harmless, but these practices often lead to neglect and suffering. Instead, try reusable eggs and plant-based treats that everyone can enjoy. A vegan Easter...
Editorial: For college students’ sake, let’s be reasonable with visa enforcement
Imagine for a moment having your whole life derailed by a traffic ticket. You decided to study business in Mississippi, and, after getting that degree, you applied to graduate school. You looked at all of your options and picked Carnegie Mellon University. Just getting in is a coup. Carnegie Mellon...
Letter to the editor: A difficult time for democracy
One might argue Karl Marx was mistaken; it’s not, as Marx predicted, oppressed workers who are smashing capitalism, but bored billionaires. “Move fast and break things,” the guiding principle of Facebook, was adopted by billionaires across business and financial sectors. As I see it, an oligarchy composed of said billionaires,...
Jonah Goldberg: Whitmer’s party should learn from what she did in the Oval Office
Kudos to Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. She managed to generate the most negatively iconic photo of a Democrat since Michael Dukakis wore a helmet atop a tank. Whitmer, long considered a promising presidential prospect by Democratic insiders, was at the White House to discuss state business. But when President Trump’s...
Letter to the editor: O’Connor for mayor
I’m glad I didn’t jump into Pittsburgh’s mayoral race too early. Watching this campaign unfold gave me time to evaluate each candidate — not just their record, but their values and how they campaign. I respect Mayor Ed Gainey, and I’ve worked with him to deliver for my district. But...
Greg Fulton: Penn State branch closures would harm communities
The announcement by Penn State that it plans to close up to 12 of its 19 branch campuses, of which four are in Western Pennsylvania — Beaver in Monaca, Greater Allegheny in McKeesport, New Kensington and Shenango in Sharon — was disheartening to people in those communities and current and...
Letter to the editor: Support New Stanton firefighters
Dedicated volunteer firefighters are harder to come by today. The New Stanton Volunteer Fire Department conducts a seven-week fish-fry fundraiser during Lent each year. This past Friday, numerous volunteers spent eight to 10 hours frying fish, making cole slaw and serving our loyal customers to raise much-needed funds for a...
Letter to the editor: Politicians should talk to their constituents
In order for elected officials to truly understand the concerns of the communities they represent, it is necessary for them to interact with their constituents. According to the Council of State Governments: “A common thread shared by all constituents is their reliance on elected public officials to serve as their...
Letter to the editor: Schumer’s weakness means Pa. kids go hungry
In March, 10 senators crossed party lines to vote with Republicans on a budget resolution that razes public programs to pay for tax cuts for the rich. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer voted “yes” to the Trump/Musk budget that strips agriculture programs of $230 billion, potentially gutting the Supplemental Nutrition...
Editorial: Right to Know Law can be fixed, if lawmakers would do the right thing
A Pennsylvania court has decided the people don’t need to know about communications between state lawmakers and lobbyists who court them for influence. Nonprofit newsroom Spotlight PA asked for communications between some state senators or their staff members and lobbyists. It was part of a corruption investigation involving the city...
Letter to the editor: Tariffs and our national debt
Greetings, Mr. Guy Reschenthaler, How about being honest with yourself and your constituents? We do need a congressional representative who acts for us as well as for our beloved country. The No. 1 problem we have in the USA is still the debt that has accumulated and the need to...
Letter to the editor: Trump’s assault on natural resources
Supporters of Donald Trump who enjoy Pennsylvania’s outdoors likely did not expect him to launch policies so harmful to clean water, wildlife and public lands. If they are paying attention now, they’re fearful of our outdoors’ future. Trump’s gutting of natural resource and environmental agencies is something we’ve never seen...
Cal Thomas: Tax Day, time to again feed the insatiable beast
America’s annual rituals and observances include days we usually celebrate together (July Fourth, Memorial Day, Veterans Day) or as members of special groups (Passover, Easter and Christmas). The one annual ritual it can be safely said most Americans despise is April 15, when the half of us who pay federal...
Stephen Mihm: The atomic bomb set the stage for the college funding fight
In recent weeks, the nation’s most selective universities have been waking up to a new reality: the billions of dollars in federal funding that have long sustained them now come with strings attached. The Trump administration has put Columbia, Harvard and Princeton on notice, threatening to withhold research funds unless...
Letter to the editor: You and I will pay for Trump’s tariffs
Who does Donald Trump think he is hurting with these tariffs? We are going to pay for them. Do you wonder why no one else came up with the idea? This is a tax on the American people and that is that. Do you think these other countries are just...
Letter to the editor: Sadopolitics and the bullying of Lesotho
President Donald Trump plans to impose 50% tariffs on Lesotho, a tiny country entirely surrounded by South Africa. Why? Lesotho’s population is 150 times smaller than America’s, its land mass 324 times smaller, its gross domestic product 4,221 times smaller. It doesn’t pose much threat. But then why bash Lesotho...
Letter to the editor: Norwin nearing bond debt limit
What kind of society bestows huge amounts of debt upon their youth? The USA is $36 trillion in debt, $18 trillion of which was incurred during the most recent administration. Who can possibly pay this? Certainly not us senior citizens. It will be the burden of our children and grandchildren....
Editorial: Political violence must be decried every day
During Passover, the Jewish people remember the liberation of their ancestors from slavery in Egypt. It is a time of reflection and rejoicing. It is marked by solemnity and celebration. On Saturday, Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family celebrated at the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence with guests. At 6:07 p.m., he...
Letter to the editor: Saddened by removal of Bucco Bricks
My grandfather bought a Bucco Brick when PNC Park opened. His father was born in the early years of the franchise and was a lifelong fan. He would often make the trek from Westernport, Md., after his shift at the paper mill to root on the Bucs. He passed on...
