Opinion category, Page 310
Letter to the editor: Weeding out the ‘crazy’ gun owners
“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” All gun owners should know and protect this amendment. Please note the term “well regulated.” Unfortunately, a lot of people forget the regulation...
Letter to the editor: No comparison between Trump, Reagan
The letter “Trump, like Reagan, was a great president” (Jan. 23, TribLIVE) made me laugh. I wasn’t a fan of Ronald Reagan’s presidency, mainly because I felt he hurt working men and women, as well as the labor unions, when he fired the air traffic controllers in 1981. But there...
Lori Falce: Next train disaster is inevitable
The terrifying thing about East Palestine’s train derailment and the spill of chemicals into land and water and air isn’t just the twisted wreckage or the flames or the absolute pillar of black smoke that rose from it all. It isn’t the social media videos speculating about dangerous residue in...
Laurels & lances: Supporting and sneezing
Laurel: To coping with problems. Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli wants to expand efforts to help kids deal with trauma. The Handle with Care Program is a collaboration with New Kensington-Arnold School District, Allegheny Intermediate Unit, Highlands Family Center and police in Arnold and New Kensington using a $250,000...
Letter to the editor: Bushy Run and government’s hypocritical stand on violence
So the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission has come up with a new “no force on force” policy for demonstrations at historical reenactments of famous battles. This forces the Bushy Run Historical Society to cancel its annual reenactment of the Battle of Bushy Run, its sole source of revenue to...
Letter to the editor: Campaign, other signs are litter
I concur with the editorial “PennDOT should enforce right-of-way sign rules” (Jan. 21, TribLIVE). But the responsibility is not PennDOT alone, rather for municipalities to also keep their right-of-ways clear of litter and illegal signage that become an eyesore and a hazardous distraction for motorists. I take exception to the...
David Kennedy: Pa. has a growing crisis in recruitment, retention of police officers
As Pennsylvania families gather around their dinner tables, I hope they’ll say a small prayer for the three Pennsylvania police officers we’ve already lost this year: Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire, McKeesport Police Officer Sean Sluganski and Temple University Officer Christopher Fitzgerald. McIntire, Sluganski and Fitzgerald made the ultimate sacrifice....
Peter Morici: What America needs to hear from Ron DeSantis
American presidential politics needs a shake-up. Enter Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Democrats are nervous about President Biden’s age, but judging by the State of the Union address, he’s running for a second term. Former President Donald Trump remains viable among Republican voters, partly because DeSantis is not well known enough...
Letter to the editor: Let’s cut Congress’ expenses instead
Just saw a news clip of President Joe Biden talking about raising the debt ceiling. He was asking where cuts to the new budget would come from if we don’t raise it. He went on using his usual scare tactics: “Do we cut Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, veterans’ programs?” I...
Letter to the editor: Ziccarelli should use her own vehicle
My compliments to Rich Cholodofsky for his well-written article “Westmoreland DA crash racks up nearly $33,000 in SUV repairs” (Feb. 16, TribLIVE). This is what investigative journalism should be — unbiased reportage, allowing readers to form their own opinions. With that said, why is county District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli “claiming...
Editorial: Adult crimes and juvenile defendants pose unique challenges
In Allegheny and Westmoreland counties, significant charges have been pressed against kids who can’t even drive yet. A 14-year-old already on probation is charged in a fatal shooting in Carrick. A 16-year-old is charged with providing the gun to a 15-year-old for a planned robbery; the 15-year-old was subsequently shot...
Letter to the editor: Science or not, medical marijuana can help
Regarding the letter “Anxiety and medical marijuana” (Feb. 13, TribLIVE): Much like this paper’s cartoons Marmaduke and The Lockhorns, this made me laugh. I found myself questioning the motives of the letter-writer, a psychiatrist. I have never sought a medical marijuana card, and I have no reason to think he...
Eugene DePasquale and Kate Harper: Common-sense energy policy bridges political divide
“The people chose divided government” is a common refrain in Harrisburg and Washington that too often misses the mark. In truth, the people chose their leaders — from both major parties — to govern Pennsylvania and the United States because they believe they can get things done. They weren’t choosing...
Maggie Rose Macar: Layoff, and off, and off — major tech job cuts and the ‘recession’
There’s no way to say it nicely, so I’ll rip it off like a proverbial Band-Aid — layoffs, especially in the tech sector, are rampant. Hundreds of companies, many of whom originated in Silicon Valley, are cutting jobs at an alarming clip. Strangely, these layoffs happen at a time when...
Timothy J. Kunselman: Wanted — serious people for leadership positions
As we contemplate the end of a glorious life on earth for former President Jimmy Carter, whose greatest achievements perhap came after his presidency, a stark contrast is obvious between past leaders of character and present leaders who are characters. It’s painfully obvious who they are, and the danger to...
Letter to the editor: Biden won’t be intimidated
On Feb. 7, I was fortunate to witness one of the most impressive State of the Union addresses I have ever experienced. If any Republican fascists are reading this, keep in mind that, even though you may be a lot younger than our president, your wild-eyed craziness will never intimidate...
Letter to the editor: What’s the plan for blight in Westmoreland?
Westmoreland County has $10.4 million available to remove blighted homes and businesses (“Addressing blight requires planning and action,” Feb. 7, TribLIVE). I wonder if the county or cities of Greensburg and Jeannette have an overall plan/strategy to replace these buildings and homes with other businesses or housing. It won’t just...
Letter to the editor: Condescending attitude toward communities of color
In her letter “We must address our gun violence problem” (Feb. 8, TribLIVE), Edgewood Council member Bhavini Patel stated, “We must recognize the historical disinvestment in communities of color and low-income neighborhoods. We must respond with investments to support after-school programs, job training, educational opportunities, homeownership programs and more.” During...
Editorial: Why does Pa. Department of Health want to keep marijuana data secret?
Privacy and transparency can be natural enemies. People have an assumption of privacy when it comes to their information — financial, legal, business and especially medical. However, the public has a right to transparency regarding the decisions that are made in their name and the expenses that are charged to...
Letter to the editor: Ted Kopas deserves vote as next Westmoreland County commissioner
I want to encourage the citizens of Westmoreland County to vote for Ted Kopas to be our next county commissioner. He absolutely will get the vote from my family and myself because he is the most deserving candidate. I say that for these reasons: • He served our county as...
Letter to the editor: Pa. needs cleaner energy
In his commentary “In Pa., will Shapiro unlock decades of affordable energy?” (Jan. 24, TribLIVE), Gordon Tomb of the Commonwealth Foundation presents a biased picture, ignores basic physics and, for good measure, contradicts himself. Tomb doesn’t seem interested in energy production unless that production comes from burning fossil fuels. He...
Letter to the editor: Pipelines safer than rail cars
After the train derailment in Ohio, now is the time for the conservatives to push for more pipelines, as transporting dangerous materials by pipelines seems safer than by rail cars. Clem Zahrobsky Delmont...
Letter to the editor: Shell must do better for Monaca community
In the article “Activists: Shell cracker plant not living up to ‘good neighbor’ promises” (Feb. 2, TribLIVE), spokesperson Curtis Thomas claims Shell alerts the community about flaring events. This flaring, seen miles away, is apparently just a part of the plant operating, but Thomas’ statement is inaccurate. Shell Monaca has...
Editorial: In wake of train crash, Norfolk Southern reps must be seen to be believed
East Palestine, Ohio, is not the only place where Norfolk Southern has tracks and runs trains. The Georgia-based railroad company is the fifth-largest railway in the country. It operates about 19,500 miles of track crisscrossing the eastern United States. It pulled in $11.14 billion in revenue in 2021. The company...
Letter to the editor: State of the Union rudeness uncalled for
To write or not to write, that was the question. The reprehensible display during the president’s State of the Union address is what necessitates this letter. Like Joe Biden or not, I expected silence from the audience, not crude outbursts. The office of the presidency deserves courtesy even if you...
