Opinion category, Page 283
Sounding off: Biden, plastic bags, extremists, national debt, Trump, wildlife rules, money for migrants
Biden, a modern-day Nero So, according to most recent polling, President Biden’s approval rating bounces from just below to just above 40%. It’s hard for me to imagine that 40% of the country thinks he is doing a good job. Let’s leave Donald Trump out of the conversation. He’s been...
Letter to the editor: Biden, a modern-day Nero
So, according to most recent polling, President Biden’s approval rating bounces from just below to just above 40%. It’s hard for me to imagine that 40% of the country thinks he is doing a good job. Let’s leave Donald Trump out of the conversation. He’s been out of office for...
Editorial: Why did trimming executives take IUP so long?
Indiana University of Pennsylvania is making some staffing cuts. When this happens, people often expect to see the pain start at the bottom. Cut a few new hires. Freeze approval of replacements. Encourage some retirements. Let some openings go through attrition. It’s common in business. It’s very common in education,...
Letter to the editor: May a good time to learn about ALS
Each year, the American Hospital Association publishes a calendar of health-related dates so providers can plan relevant community events, create awareness about various health concerns and educate the public about prevention, signs and symptoms of health issues. May is no exception and includes Stroke Awareness Month, Mental Health Month, Melanoma/Skin...
Gary Franks: America is in an unconventional war
Wars come in many forms. Let us remember how some historic confrontations have been won. David beat Goliath — David had an unconventional weapon (a stone and slingshot), and he killed Goliath. Goliath clearly underestimated David. American early settlers used an unconventional weapon (a gun) to defeat the Native Americans....
S.E. Cupp: Why are Dems following GOP abortion extremism?
Never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity, as the old saying goes. As Republicans venture further off into the extremes, pushing regressive and unpopular culture war policies, Democrats have made the most of the GOP’s missteps. In three consecutive election cycles — 2018, 2020 and 2022 — Democrats have...
John W. Diamond: Banks, Fed preparing for U.S. default — and chaos to follow
Convening war rooms, planning speedy bailouts and raising house-on-fire alarm bells: Those are a few of the ways the biggest banks and financial regulators are preparing for a potential default on U.S. debt. “You hope it doesn’t happen, but hope is not a strategy — so you prepare for it,”...
Letter to the editor: Brighter intersection dividers could prevent wrong-way crashes
The letter “Route 30 needs attention now” (May 8, TribLIVE) reminded me of a suggestion to help prevent wrong-way accidents: If those “very low” dividers at intersections were painted bright yellow and “maintained bright,” it could make the drivers more aware of the direction they are traveling. Hope this suggestion...
Letter to the editor: No porn in Hempfield
I’m not a person who fights or gets involved in public spats. I’m a regular parent who can’t sit silent anymore on important discussions involving children and pornographic books. The other side is loud, organized and backed by mainstream media. I’m not for censorship, I’m for individuals making up their...
Letter to the editor: Effects of living in the MSM cavern
Might I suggest to the writer of the letter “Fox News isn’t ‘news’ at all” (April 26, TribLIVE) that he leave the mainstream media cavern that shields its occupants from the truth? The bane of living in the cavern is manifest in those Heaven’s Gate followers never to see/hear of...
Lori Falce: The ironic Venn diagram of Montana and China
I love a Venn diagram. You know, those charts made of overlapping circles that show what different spheres have in common? Take Democrats and Republicans, for example. The two parties have tons of differences that could make them seem miles apart on everything from taxation to regulation to immigration. But...
Letter to the editor: Lawmakers shouldn’t allow children to be exploited
It was depressing to read the article “States chip away at child labor laws” (April 23). This past century, we fought hard for laws to protect workers against unfair labor practices and to protect our children against exploitation. Stories of our youth in sweat shops, mills and mines still are...
Laurels & lances: Selection and election
Laurel: To reaching a milestone. The slow march to justice for the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting achieved one goal Wednesday when the jury pool was settled. It took four weeks to whittle down hundreds of prospective jurors called for possible service in the death penalty case. The pool stands at 69...
Letter to the editor: Jail inmates deserve humane care
Another death occurred at the Allegheny County Jail. James Washington, age 42, was in intake on May 7, tested positive for opiates and died the following day. The recent National Commission on Correctional Health Care’s Mortality Report concerning the Allegheny County Jail stated the following: “The facility has a ‘detox...
Colin McNickle: The wrong kind of ‘growth’ for Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh’s office vacancy rate grew worse in the first quarter of 2023. And it likely will continue to do so for years, finds a new analysis by the Allegheny Institute for Public Policy. “It doesn’t appear the upward trend is going to change anytime soon,” concludes Frank Gamrat, executive director...
Letter to the editor: Is lack of maintenance to blame for derailments?
My first job out of college in 1964 was with the B&O, then owned by Chessie and now CSX. In those days a major problem was something referred to as “deferred maintenance,” a euphemism for not making enough money to afford to properly repair tracks. Today, when I read about...
Letter to the editor: Wildlife should stay wild
Last month, the Pennsylvania Game Commission voted to pass a change to menagerie regulations, thereby allowing wild animal exhibitors in our state to monetize public contact experiences with most wildlife. The vote ignored serious concerns raised by various organizations committed to wildlife protection and conservation. It was passed even though...
Editorial: Municipal Assistance Program funding is a common good
Pennsylvania is one of four states that differentiate themselves from their 46 American brethren by use of a different word. Like Kentucky, Massachusetts and Virginia, it officially goes by the lofty sounding name of “commonwealth.” In practical use, there is no difference. It is the difference between pancakes and flapjacks...
Letter to the editor: Trump, the ‘ugly duckling’
It’s not very hard to understand why they keep going after Donald Trump. If only people would open up their eyes and cast aside their prejudices. Trump was the proverbial “ugly duckling.” He didn’t belong. He was too radical. He didn’t fit in. But the average men and women in...
Jonah Goldberg: After Title 42, there’s a border crisis whether Biden admits it or not
The lifting of Title 42 — which allowed the government to use the covid-19 pandemic as an excuse to expel migrants for public health purposes — has not resulted in “chaos” at the border, according to most news accounts. Intended or not, this is a great example of managing expectations....
Letter to the editor: Money for migrants should be spent on Americans
In a May 5 news conference, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said the Biden administration has distributed $330 million more to communities and agencies to “address the humanitarian needs of migrants” coming across our southern border. Relocation help, housing, hotel rooms, meals, health care, etc. Where is the $330 million...
Danielle Acker Susanj: ‘Right to Organize’ amendment violates Constitution
This month, Pennsylvania House lawmakers approved legislation, House Bill 950, that purports to add a new fundamental right to the state’s Constitution: the right to organize. In practice, however, the measure would try to rob the commonwealth’s public-sector employees of rights they already possess under the First Amendment. Though the...
Letter to the editor: Soft-on-crime activists, legislators to blame for gun violence
I am a Marine veteran and member of the NRA. I am a registered Republican and owner of several firearms. Whenever a mass shooting or murder with a firearm happens in our country, the left is quick to blame the GOP, the NRA and law-abiding gun owners. I’ve grown tired...
Letter to the editor: Defaulting on national debt would be catastrophic
In response to the letter “Government should default on national debt” (April 30, TribLIVE): Well, I do agree that as citizens we have no input on the national debt and someone has to be responsible, but this is what you overlooked. Experts agree the following events would occur: • Unemployment...
Editorial: Springdale shouldn’t rezone Cheswick plant for housing
Recycling isn’t just for aluminum cans and water bottles. It is also how old properties find new uses. An old church can become a concert venue or comedy club. A school can become a luxury home with a multimillion dollar price tag or an affordable apartment building for seniors ....
