Opinion category, Page 238
Letter to the editor: Polio is still a threat
Since 1988, Rotary and its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative have reduced polio cases by 99.9% worldwide. That’s why we celebrate World Polio Day on Oct. 24. For us, it’s deeply personal because we’re polio survivors. We are asking everyone to help us finish the job and end...
Letter to the editor: Pa., municipalities must support EMS
Tawnya Panizzi’s well-written article “Unsustainable funding model, shrinking workforce leave ambulance services in critical condition” (Oct. 8, TribLIVE), detailing the emergency medical services funding crisis across Pennsylvania, brought much-needed attention to a grim reality: Vital, lifesaving mandated EMS will cease to exist without permanent, sustainable funding. Lower Kiski Ambulance Service...
Joseph Sabino Mistick: Politics is still a people business
The race for Allegheny County executive may still be Sara Innamorato’s to lose because of the heavy Democratic registration edge here, but her Republican opponent, Joe Rockey, appears to have a shot. There seems to be a lack of enthusiasm for Innamorato among traditional older Democrats, including many Democratic committee...
Peter Mansoor: 9/11 offers awful lessons for what could happen with a Gaza ground invasion
After the invasion of southern Israel by Hamas militants, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday vowed to destroy Hamas. “We are fighting a cruel enemy, worse than ISIS,” Netanyahu said, comparing Hamas with the Islamic State group, which was largely defeated by U.S., Iraqi and Kurdish forces in 2017....
Allison M. Prasch: Biden’s Middle East trip has messages for both global, domestic audiences
President Joe Biden’s decision to travel to an active war zone and the scene of an unfolding humanitarian crisis spoke volumes, even before his arrival. The White House has stated that Biden’s purpose is to “demonstrate his steadfast support for Israel” after Hamas’ “brutal terrorist attack” Oct. 7. But Israel wasn’t...
Letter to the editor: Police, stop signs needed on Arona Road
Here we go again, another wreck on Arona Road. When is it going to end? I live on Arona Road. What is the answer to this situation? The people who travel on this road seem to think it’s a raceway. No one goes the speed limit — trucks, cars, school...
Sounding off: Israel, county leaders, Biden, bag ban among week’s topics
Comparing Hamas, Nazis As one whose parents were Jewish Holocaust survivors, I find the behaviors of the butchers of Hamas eerily reminiscent of the descriptions relayed to me by my parents who witnessed the murder of their families by the Nazis. This current Middle East war, in part, is based...
Letter to the editor: Sen. Kim Ward’s nonsense
“The alleged offender remained in his influential role until he tendered his resignation, leaving the victim in an unsafe space, to fend for herself, with limited options. This is unacceptable.” Those are the words of state Senate President Pro Tem Kim Ward regarding the resignation of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s former...
Editorial: Elections board owed voters a real vote on drop box
If you were planning to drop off your ballot at the Westmoreland County Courthouse for the general election this year, you are going to have to switch things up. The three-member elections board has rejected the idea of placing a drop box for mail-in ballots in the courthouse lobby. The...
Letter to the editor: Comparing Hamas, Nazis
As one whose parents were Jewish Holocaust survivors, I find the behaviors of the butchers of Hamas eerily reminiscent of the descriptions relayed to me by my parents who witnessed the murder of their families by the Nazis. This current Middle East war, in part, is based on antisemitic propaganda....
Gary Franks: No speaker yet? The ball is in the Democrats’ court.
Today’s Democrats have an opportunity to make history and have a positive impact on America. With assistance, they can select which Republican will be the next speaker of the House. Well, a turnabout would be fair play. After all, Democrats brought about former Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s demise along with just...
S.E. Cupp: The right is broken, and no one is fixing it
As I write this column, it has been more than two weeks, and the House of Representatives still doesn’t have a speaker. Even in times of peace and stability, this would be a troubling development inside a political body meant to, you know, solve problems. But these aren’t times of...
Matthew Yglesias: The federal deficit matters now more than ever
A decade ago, the U.S. was deep into a misguided elite-driven freakout about the federal budget deficit. Back then, inflation was low, interest rates were low, and unemployment was high. In other words: There was no urgent reason to have a debate about ways to reduce federal borrowing. Now the...
Matt Mackowiak: Steel industry consolidation threatens American workers and our security
The average American may spend little time thinking about the domestic steel industry, but despite its low profile it remains vital to the American economy (especially in manufacturing) and to our national security. According to BDO, “annual (steel) production was approximately 1.25 million tons in 1880, 10 million tons in...
Letter to the editor: Peck Yakopec best candidate for judge
I am writing to recommend Judge Cheryl Peck Yakopec for reelection in Magisterial District 10-1-04. I have known Peck Yakopec for more than 30 years, and she had been an effective magistrate. When I took students into her office for various incidents, she was fair and consistent. She always worked...
Letter to the editor: Why no outcry to remove Biden?
Where is the outcry to immediately relieve President Biden of his office? It was too easy to dump the guy who is two heartbeats from the presidency (speaker of the House). The current unbelievable happenings in Israel could come to our soil because of Biden’s weak enforcement of our immigration...
Letter to the editor: Fetterman not the laughingstock
The letter “Fetterman an embarassment” (Oct. 6, TribLIVE) seems to be nothing more than a way to disparage someone who was able to win an election. Some people can’t accept the fact that Sen. John Fetterman beat Dr. Oz. Most people I know admire Fetterman, for his battle and the...
Lori Falce: Words matter, but actions behind their meanings don’t
I often lament the way people try to harness language like a horse that just needs to be broken in an attempt to solve a problem rather than addressing the problem. Take the vocabulary surrounding people with developmental delays and other challenges. The words we have used over the years...
Laurels & lances: Board members & big screens
Laurel: To a full board. After two months of stalemates, Norwin School Board is poised to be able to accomplish things again. On Monday, Matthew Thomas, 49, of North Huntingdon was named as the replacement for board member Joanna Jordan, who died in August. Thomas was appointed by Westmoreland County...
Letter to the editor: Westmoreland needs new leadership, more transparency
With this election season, it is time for a change. I don’t believe County Commissioners Sean Kertes and Doug Chew have been working in Westmoreland County’s best interest. Rather than using the covid-19 American Rescue Plan funds to help residents most impacted during the pandemic, they spent the most of...
Cal Thomas: What a Palestinian state would look like
On “60 Minutes” last Sunday, President Biden said he thinks it would be a “mistake … for Israel to occupy … Gaza again.” He also conceded that eliminating Hamas and Hezbollah in Lebanon “is a necessary requirement.” At the same time, the president said, “There needs to be a path...
Bruce Ledewitz: Does God want his children to kill each other?
The struggle between Israel and the Palestinians is a religious struggle. That is why compromise is so difficult and peace so elusive. Israel and Hamas are not equivalent. Hamas sent its forces into Israel specifically to kill and kidnap as many civilians as possible. That is barbarism, not warfare. In...
Letter to the editor: Bengel deserves reelection in Harrison
I wholeheartedly endorse the reelection of Harrison Township Commissioner Eric Bengel. I worked at the township and have followed local politics very closely over the past 30 years. Bengel exemplifies honesty, fairness and thoughtfulness. His willingness to examine the issues and listen closely to the public’s concerns differs significantly from...
Letter to the editor: Karaica best candidate for district judge
While I hope never to find myself or a loved one in a scenario where they must appear in district court, I have some thoughts about whom I’d want to hear the case. As a citizen’s first exposure to the judicial system, I’d prefer a magisterial district judge who is...
Editorial: Hydrogen hubs coming, and that’s a positive
A summer with record high temperatures — attributed by most experts to anthropogenic climate change — once again drove home the need for this planet to break its fossil fuel habit. While we need to make that transition as quickly as possible, we also need to be mindful — especially...
