Opinion category, Page 245
Lori Falce: Chuck Schumer is no Neville Longbottom
At the end of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” the benevolent wizard in charge of the magic school took the opportunity to deliver an object lesson. He upended the annual competition between the school’s four houses by delivering a few last-minute points to the main characters for saving the...
Laurels & lances: Art and ammo
Laurel: To a beautiful journey. Art can be taken for granted. It can be locked away in museums and require a ticket to view. But a new art installation in Natrona is a way to promote community and provide an opportunity for exercise. The mosaic trail off River Avenue opened...
Letter to the editor: Follow the Pa. school money
Unfortunately, Nathan Benefield’s op-ed “Pennsylvanians deserve truth on education spending” (Sept. 20, TribLIVE) left out important information. Pennsylvania is highly ranked in the country for average per-student spending, but only 38% of school education funding comes from the state (which is below the national average of 47%), and we are...
Paul Kengor: RFK Jr. deserves Secret Service protection
Last week in Downtown Pittsburgh, the Institute for Faith & Freedom at Grove City College hosted a fascinating talk by Dr. Gene Kopelson. Kopelson is an oncologist, with credentials that include an M.D. from Columbia University, residency at Harvard University’s Department of Radiation Oncology, an affiliation with the Yale University...
Letter to the editor: Our senators making us a laughingstock
Congratulations, Democrats! You have succeeded in turning the state of Pennsylvania into the laughingstock of the nation. We have two U.S. senators, one who shows up about as often as Punxsutawny Phil and the other who dresses like a clown. J.R. Smith Penn Township, Westmoreland County...
Letter to the editor: What’s next, Democrats?
Is the Democrats’ war on America almost over? Their dramatic success was achieved with help from quisling Republican leadership, especially Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell. There will be no victory lap until Donald Trump is out of the picture. Skyrocketing food prices and unchecked inflation have 61% of American households...
Editorial: Arnold vote on manager skirts law
The people get to be a part of the process. That is why we have elections. It is why we have school boards made up of the people who live in the geographical area of the district. It is why we have local government instead of just ceding all responsibility...
Letter to the editor: Pa. should back innovative approach to blight
The article “West- moreland home repair program filled before program launch” (Sept. 9, TribLIVE) underscores the need and enthusiasm for this program. It’s the sort of innovative approach our Pennsylvania Legislature should continue to support — and to grow. As in Westmoreland County, the program is experiencing overwhelming demand statewide. The...
Jonah Goldberg: What the Republicans forcing a government shutdown have in common with 1960s radicals
This week, yet another government shutdown appears inevitable because a sizable chunk of the House Freedom Caucus believes, in the words of Otter in “Animal House,” that “this situation absolutely requires a really futile and stupid gesture be done on somebody’s part.” What situation? Before we get to that, it’s...
Letter to the editor: Fetterman making Pa. laughingstock of country
John Fetterman, the clown of this country. Once again the “one” dictates to the many. Pennsylvania is now the laughingstock of this country because of their great senator. Maybe try showing up in a suit and be an example for the young people you claim to represent. Dale Parker Jeannette...
Letter to the editor: Catholic school sports advantage
It is apparent that nothing will ever be done about the unfair sports advantage that Catholic and private schools have over public schools. I have a suggestion that might make it possible for that issue to, at least, not be forgotten: When an athlete lives outside of that school, his...
Letter to the editor: Speak up in support of EPA’s new pollution rules
Even taking a breath of air isn’t something Pittsburghers can take for granted. Allegheny County ranks within the top 2% of the worst counties nationwide for cancer risk from industrial air pollution, so it’s vital to protect our communities from these impacts. Allegheny County’s most polluting plant, U.S. Steel’s Clairton...
Editorial: Jails, police departments need to address losses in leadership
It’s hard to fill empty jobs when even the people on top are leaving. For years, the corrections field and police departments have faced challenges in keeping staff numbers up. Even before the coronavirus pandemic created a widespread upheaval in hiring across many industries, turnover and unfilled positions in these...
Letter to the editor: Game commission needs to act in best interest of humans, wildlife
On Aug. 30, Pittsburgh City Council met to discuss the city’s plan to hold a cull in two city parks this fall. This has brought up many concerns as to where the interest of the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) lies; after all, its mission is not only to promote hunting...
Cynthia M. Allen: Aging leaders like Biden, McConnell could take another path. This pope showed the way
In February 2013, Pope Benedict XVI did something truly remarkable: He resigned the papacy. In his letter of resignation he explained that physical strength “has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.” At 85, the...
John M. Crisp: Capital punishment — 2 choices for America
You wouldn’t think that it would be that hard to kill someone. History indicates that we’ve always been good at it. It took only one generation before Cain killed Abel in a fit of jealousy over divine approbation. Murder had been invented and we’ve never looked back. In fact, we’ve...
Letter to the editor: Questioning spending in Latrobe
Someone needs to really challenge why the Greater Latrobe School Board is approving heavy spending with a significant declining student enrollment. This doesn’t sound right. I guess those on the board aren’t listening or have another agenda. And there hasn’t been a public vote on this. I didn’t even know...
Letter to the editor: Flag flies in support of our veterans
In response to the humble opinion of the writer of the letter “Flags fly in support of Biden” (Sept. 24, TribLIVE), we do not fly our flag in support of President Biden. Our flag flew for many, many years before that man took office. We fly our flag in support...
Letter to the editor: Had enough of Democrats yet?
A famous politician once said “elections have consequences.” Are you happy with the consequences of the 2020 election? Unsecure borders, fentanyl and homeless epidemics, gas prices up 50%, food up 30% to 50%, utility costs highest ever, average family costs up $700 per month just to stay even, crime everywhere,...
Editorial: Change the language of bullying
Why do we use the word “bullying?” The roots are Dutch and German and go back to an origin that means “brother” in the 16th century, but it took just about 100 years to go from the kind of brother who is an ally to the kind who is an...
Letter to the editor: Deer hunting in Pittsburgh parks a good plan
I think the letter “Hunting in Pittsburgh parks” (Sept. 17, TribLIVE) is a bunch of made-up numbers. Lowering the deer population definitely lowers Lyme disease prevalence. There is no real research on how hunting kills show terrible suffering. I’ve killed deer with a bow and have had them drop on...
Tom Purcell: Love and honesty will get us through
It was a family event for the ages. Last weekend, my family traveled to Gettysburg to attend my nephew’s wedding. I drove my mother down Friday so she could participate in the rehearsal. We had a wonderful drive talking about a variety of things, mostly stories about my father, whom...
Ashleigh Deemer: Environmental priorities for Allegheny County executive’s first 100 days
Allegheny County will soon start a new chapter with the election of its first new county executive in more than a dozen years. It will be a big change and a new opportunity to prioritize environmental protection and public health in Allegheny County government. That’s why, earlier this year, the...
Greg Fulton: Remembering Stan Musial, one of Pa.’s finest ballplayers
It was 60 years ago this month when Stan “the Man” Musial appeared in his final game for the St. Louis Cardinals. It was the end of a career that found him chosen as league MVP three times, winning seven batting titles, being selected to the All-Star team more than...
Guy Ciarrocchi: The Cavalcante escape — a case study on the impact of Democratic policies
For weeks, the nation had its eyes on Chester County, Pa. — my home. The hunt for double-murderer Danelo Cavalcante captivated viewers, especially in suburban Philadelphia, because for us it was real life: helicopters zooming overhead, 911-alerts to shelter in place, body-armored police manning checkpoints and searching cars, schools closed...
