Opinion category, Page 697
Letter to the editor: Let medical practitioners, not government, take care of us
Dr. Lawrence John (“Patients want physicians involved in their health care,” Nov. 13, TribLIVE) is probably correct that most patients would prefer to see a physician than a physician’s assistant. That does not mean that in many cases they would be as well cared for by a physician’s assistant. But...
Letter to the editor: Government failing our children
Our poor children. Parents always want the best for their children. For most parents it is their main purpose in life, to raise healthy, happy, honorable children. They want them to be able to live in a safe, prospering and honorable country. They know it is important their children get...
John Stossel: Debunking climate myths
“How dare you? You have stolen my dreams and my childhood!” insisted teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg at the United Nations. “We are in the beginning of a mass extinction!” Many people say that we’re destroying the Earth. It all sounds so scary. But I’ve been a consumer reporter for...
Walter Williams: On climate, are scientists dishonest or afraid?
The absolute worst case of professional incompetence and dishonesty is in the area of climate science. Tony Heller has exposed some of the egregious dishonesty of mainstream environmentalists in his video “My Gift To Climate Alarmists.” Environmentalists and their political allies attribute the recent increase in deadly forest fires to...
Editorial: Schools need to study travel costs
Educators appreciate education. At least, they should. It’s right there in the name. One would think that a teacher or a principal or a superintendent would be interested in learning as much as teaching, especially when so much is changing about how kids are processing information via new technologies. And...
Letter to the editor: Free is never really free
Democratic candidates love to use the word “free.” It appeals to uninformed voters. Free college, health care, cellphones. However, free is usually not free. It just means someone else pays for it. Maybe that someone is you. John, a 20-year-old man, is thrilled that his college education will be free....
Letter to the editor: Violating traffic laws as Olympic sport
When we moved here in 2007, we were warned by our real estate agent about people running the red lights on Route 30 near our home. I have been seeking an answer as to why this happens so often. We heeded her advice to never go as soon as the...
Letter to the editor: A dream for America
I have a dream … that America will become a strong nation and that Mr. Trump will become leader for life; that the disagreeable, weak and unemployable shall be sent to work camps until they are set free; that genocide is approved to cleanse the nation. A dream of one...
Letter to the editor: Trump & the Pharisees
Perhaps letter-writer R. Ritchey (“Jesus, too, criticizes the elite,” Oct. 23, TribLIVE) should read the Scriptures. The Pharisees had the mandate of teaching and safeguarding God’s laws as given to Moses. Our Congress is mandated to represent our people and to protect and represent our Constitution. Both groups have failed....
Paul Kengor: What Thanksgiving Day is about — 100 years ago, and today
Thanksgiving Day 100 years ago was truly a blessed occasion. President Woodrow Wilson’s Thanksgiving proclamation was significant because America and the world had enjoyed their first full year of peace since 1914. World War I had been a particularly vicious war, described by philosopher Sidney Hook as no less than...
Lori Falce: Conversation at Thanksgiving table
When I plan my Thanksgiving menu, I do it with the people who will fill their plates in mind. My mom loves turkey, so I give the bird its starring role with juicy brined meat and crispy skin. One sister wants her mashed potatoes pure and unadulterated by the sour...
Laurels & lances: Movies, fights, holidays and theft
Laurel: To a spotlight on a great neighbor. A little national attention on Pittsburgh is always nice, especially when it’s for everyone’s favorite nice guy, Latrobe native Fred Rogers. “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” is giving that wholesome glow with a little red-carpet flair. Thanks a lot, Tom Hanks!...
Letter to the editor: Voters’ dedication admirable
As a volunteer poll worker positioned near handicap parking areas, I assisted some of those struggling, dedicated voters. I didn’t know or care about their party leaning. I only know I admired and appreciated their patriotism. Bob Goehring North Huntingdon...
Letter to the editor: Federal budget, climate change
Impeachment: Am I the only one who has noticed that Congress never got around to building a budget? At least this time the continuing resolution will last the fiscal year. Climate: Don’t sweat it. Over half of the world’s population is already short of water, essentially all of the people...
Letter to the editor: A lot to love about Westmoreland
I grew up in not-so-safe neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens, where I quickly became street smart. I got a paper route and have worked ever since. There is pride of ownership when you earn and buy your own home. I have also never received any government benefits or privilege. When...
Cal Thomas: Whatever happened to teaching history?
According to a report by the National Assessment of Education Progress , the teaching of U.S. history to American students lags behind all other subject matters. The latest NAEP survey finds that proficiency levels for fourth-, eighth- and 12th-grade students are in the 20th, 18th and 12th percentile, respectively. Part...
Editorial: Gift limits are good policy
As Black Friday approaches, everyone is thinking about gifts. Kids. Parents. Department store Santas. And state representatives. On Tuesday, the Pennsylvania House State Government Committee unanimously approved an annual limit on what a public official, employee or candidate can receive. The value of limiting gifts should be obvious for anyone...
‘Harmful therapy ban’ bill would allow minors to pursue their own therapy goals
In March, Allegheny County Councilman Paul Klein proposed a so-called “conversion therapy” ordinance that would ban “any attempt” by a mental health care provider to assist an individual who seeks help managing their same-sex attractions or gender identity/expression. This blanket counseling ban would include efforts to “change behaviors” or to...
Letter to the editor: Trump will make America even greater
Why are Democrats so hell-bent on removing our president from office 12 months from the next election? If he is the most miserable, lying, racist, sexist, homophobic, communist-loving, American-hating, power-hungry devil who ever walked the Earth, won’t the voters remove him? Therein lies their problem: The people will not reject...
Letter to the editor: Presidential accomplishments
President Donald John Trump loves to boast that his administration has accomplished more than any other in our storied past. OK. But may we take a stroll down history lane? Thomas Jefferson subdued the Barbary pirates, authorized the Lewis and Clark expedition, and negotiated the Louisiana Purchase. James Polk extended...
Pat Buchanan: What’s behind our world on fire?
When the wildfires of California broke out across the Golden State, many were the causes given. Negligence by campers. Falling power lines. Arson. A dried-out land. Climate change. Failure to manage forests, prune trees and clear debris, leaving fuel for blazes ignited. Abnormally high winds spreading the flames. Too many...
Vince Mercuri: Establishing boundaries
Quite often, even before we awake each morning, it begins to happen: The guideposts that define our behaviors and interactions start to present themselves. Alarms, schedules, tasks, timelines, speed limits, job descriptions, appointments, etc. — many typical expectations and dos and don’ts provide the external boundaries for our internal conduct...
Editorial: Judge is right on Toner Trust
Robbing Peter to pay Paul is a familiar saying. It refers to the idea of meeting one obligation at the expense of something else. Pay your light bill by putting off a credit card payment. Buy gas with the grocery money. Use the Christmas savings to take care of the...
Letter to the editor: Bills will help lower prescription drug costs
It’s time to lower prescription drug costs in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program is paying billions more than it should for prescription drugs, due to the growing influence of pharmacy benefit managers. Designed to save Medicaid dollars, PBMs have seen their payments from the commonwealth increase by more than $1 billion...
Letter to the editor: Pirates fans beware
With 2020 approaching, so is another season at PNC Park. The new schedule is out, along with new ticket plans and promotional schedules. Pirates fans beware: Don’t get caught in the bobblehead and “Free Shirt Friday” traps that “Trapper Bob” Nutting lures his prey into. He can set traps that...
