Opinion category, Page 285
Joseph Sabino Mistick: Becoming American more difficult than ever
Chaos on our southern border and the failure of our immigration policies are leading the news again. The crisis is getting worse with the end of Title 42, the pandemic-era immigration provision that enabled the government to quickly turn people away at the border. It is a human disaster on...
Christian Appy: Ellsberg’s decision to release Pentagon Papers didn’t happen in a vacuum
In 1971, when Daniel Ellsberg arrived at a federal court in Boston, a journalist asked if he was concerned about the prospect of going to prison for leaking a 7,000-page top-secret history of the Vietnam War. Ellsberg responded with a question of his own: “Wouldn’t you go to prison to...
Letter to the editor: Reelect Kertes and Chew, proven county leaders
I received a mailer from a Republican challenger to Westmoreland County Commissioners Sean Kertes and Doug Chew, which stated if elected, he’d downsize from three commissioners to one and that he’d distribute the remaining covid Relief Funds to the people. I don’t think he has a clue. The county code...
Letter to the editor: Kopas, Hovis best choices for commissioner
As the May primary election nears, Westmoreland County residents need to pay attention to the commissioners race. County commissioners make decisions that impact our day-to-day lives. I am alarmed at proposals made by a Republican candidate running as a challenger to incumbents Doug Chew and Sean Kertes. In a campaign...
Letter to the editor: Keep Yakopec as judge
I support our current magisterial district judge, Cheryl Peck Yakopec, because of her experience. Yakopec worked with the Burrell School District to develop a plan to solve issues like truancy, handling them at the school instead of the courtroom . Parents, administrators and Yakopec worked together so that, instead of...
Editorial: The discouraging infighting among Democrats in Allegheny County
Allegheny County government is proof that political fights can have nothing to do with party lines. The 15-member county council is overwhelmingly Democratic. Only at-large member Samuel DeMarco and District 2 member Suzanne Filiaggi are Republicans. Every county row officer is a Democrat too, including County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. So...
Letter to the editor: Buccerio for Franklin Regional board
After reading the hateful characterizations made in the letter ”Don’t vote for radical Franklin Regional board candidates” (May 9, TribLIVE), I rushed to my computer to respond to his judgmental remarks regarding an outstanding candidate for Franklin Regional School Board, Deb Buccerio. I would be proud to have Buccerio representing...
Letter to the editor: Weinstein for county executive
I’m voting for John Weinstein for Allegheny County executive on May 16. Weinstein gets it. Under law, the assessment office is run by the executive as chief assessor. Is the assessment office prepared to reassess 585,000 parcels? Nope. Although I favor cyclical reassessment, Allegheny County government keeps moving the goal...
Gary Franks: Former Republican congressman regrets supporting Clarence Thomas
Last May at a conservative function held in Dallas, the Old Parkland Conference, where Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas was in attendance for the weekend event, along with dozens of minority conservatives, I had an interesting experience. I got “kicked out” of the conference because I challenged the views of...
Zach Kennedy: Dems in strong position to hold Pa. Senate seat
Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, Jr. has quietly built one of the most successful political legacies in Pennsylvania history. Prior to Casey’s 2018 reelection victory, never before had a Pennsylvania Democrat won three terms to the United States Senate. As the Scranton native eyes his 2024 reelection campaign, he not...
Cal Thomas: Trump and the old razzle dazzle
“The reason I talk to myself is because I’m the only one whose answers I accept.” — George Carlin Former president Donald Trump’s appearance at a CNN Republican Town Hall in New Hampshire stretched the truth beyond any standard by which that virtue can be measured. Trump told more lies...
Pat Browne and Jason Kavulich: Now is time to expand the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program
For more than 50 years, Pennsylvania has held the unique distinction of being the only state in the nation where proceeds from its state lottery are directed solely to programs that benefit older adults. This partnership between the Pennsylvania Lottery and our commonwealth’s seniors has generated nearly $34 billion in...
Letter to the editor: Keep Chew as commissioner
I appreciate all that Commissioner Doug Chew is doing for the overall well-being of people in Westmoreland County. I shout his praises any time his name is mentioned. In my 20-plus years working in the mental health field, he has been more present and involved than any other elected official....
Letter to the editor: Yakopec more than just a great judge
I am writing to support Judge Cheryl Peck Yakopec because she is a public servant who gives back to the community. She is an excellent judge, but it is all the other things that she does that make her irreplaceable. She has students do community service at the American Legion...
Lori Falce: Feinstein and Santos need to choose a new adventure
U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and U.S. Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., don’t have a whole lot in common. Feinstein will turn 90 next month, three months before the next-oldest member of Congress, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa. She is the senior senator from California, holding her seat since 1992. Only Grassley...
Laurels & lances: Sprucing up and cleaning up
Laurel: To gussying up. Prom season is upon us, and it’s important to remember, amid the fancy gowns and limo rides, that not every family can afford the cost of what can be a pricey milestone. For some, it can top $1,000. It’s hard to get in under $100 —...
Letter to the editor: Vote Zellers for new leadership
I am writing in support of Leslie Uncapher Zellers for district judge. The incumbent judge in District 10-1-04 is touting her 28-plus years in office as the reason we should vote for her. After nearly three decades in office from this career politician, it is time to give this office...
Letter to the editor: Keep Bengel as district judge
As an attorney for over 40 years, I have practiced before district judges across the state. I have observed four characterisitcs that make a great district judge. They must be available. Many district judges have other employment. This greatly decreases the time they and their staff are in the office....
Paul Kengor: RFK Jr.’s intriguing presidential bid
“I’m considering voting for RFK Jr.,” writes Henry, a reader of my columns. “He’s a very interesting alternative to both parties.” What’s intriguing about Henry is that the presidential candidacy of Democrat Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeals to him not as a Joe Biden voter but as a Donald Trump...
Colin McNickle: Allegheny County does not have Pa.’s worst air quality
Allegheny County yet again has been maligned for its allegedly dangerous air quality. But this time around, it’s not from the usual suspect, that being the American Lung Association (ALA) and years of misrepresenting local air quality. No, this time it’s the University of Wisconsin, which recently claimed that Allegheny...
Cal Thomas: Democrats and Republicans — not a dime’s worth of difference
When he ran for president a second time in 1968 on the American Independent Party ticket, Alabama Gov. George Wallace said, “There’s not a dime’s worth of difference between the Democrat and Republican parties.” Granted that Wallace, who had been a Democrat, was attempting to attract votes for that nascent...
Letter to the editor: We know Yakopec and she knows us
I have voted for Judge Cheryl Peck Yakopec every election. I met her when she ran for district judge the first time. She impressed me with her ability to listen to people, empathize with their problems and help them if she could. She has always had an open-door policy, and,...
Letter to the editor: Community needs Zellers as judge
I am writing to express my support for Leslie Uncapher Zellers for district judge. I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Zellers for almost 30 years. As a practicing attorney, I know how important it is to have a magisterial district judge who is unbiased, impartial and...
Editorial: Westmoreland DA’s Office needs to watch the clock on criminal cases
Do you remember the Hasbro game Perfection? It’s a bright red frame with a blue board you push down. A dial is turned, starting a timer when the switch is flipped. You get one minute to take the 25 yellow plastic shapes and fit them into their corresponding geometric spaces...
Letter to the editor: Ashamed of county GOP ‘machine’
I am so ashamed that this Westmoreland County commissioners race has come to such a fight as to take two worthy candidates all the way to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. I am exercising my right to support my candidates in what used to be a free election. I joined John...
