Opinion category, Page 302
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...
Letter to the editor: Vote Innamorato to end fracking
At every opportunity, it seems, Michael Lamb stated that he will ban fracking in Allegheny County if elected, but I still have questions. Fracking has made the corporate energy industry a big business in the U.S., but it has put us at much greater risk for negative outcomes. Evidence shows...
Letter to the editor: Make yourself heard in Freeport
It is that time of year when we vote for school directors, council members and mayor. Running for reelection on the school board in the Freeport Area School District are Adam M. Toncini, Greg Selinger and Michael J. Huth, all who voted yes to raise your taxes last year. After...
Peter Morici: Cracking down on banks now only makes them sitting ducks for next big hit
The drama surrounding Silicon Valley Bank, Republic Bank, PacWest Bancorp and other regional banks is provoking tough talk about implementing tighter banking regulations. Those could do more harm than good and won’t avert another crisis. Apparently both the White House and Federal Reserve want to reimpose on mid-sized banks stricter...
Letter to the editor: Yakopec should stay as judge
I am writing in support of Cheryl Peck Yakopec being reelected as district judge. She has been my judge for over 25 years, and I believe she should stay my judge. When my poodle was attacked by a neighbor’s pitbull, I had a hearing in front of Yakopec, and she...
Letter to the editor: Karaica has character needed to be judge
We have seen many opinions on the magisterial district judge race in District 05-3-03. My hope is that the public will be able to see beyond these personal perspectives and take note of the facts when voting for our next magistrate. The facts are that one does not need to...
Letter to the editor: Girardi best choice for judge
Michael Girardi is the clear choice for magisterial district judge for District Court 05-3-03. I first encountered Girardi through a Facebook ad. I posted a long list of questions, and to my surprise, he promptly and politely responded to all of them. His answers demonstrated a strong understanding of the...
Editorial: More musical chairs in Pennsylvania House special elections
When Pennsylvanians go to the polls Tuesday, for two regions, it won’t be just about nominating the people who will appear on the November ballot. In two areas on the eastern side of the state, the votes will have immediate impact. The state House of Representatives is facing its fourth...
Letter to the editor: An appeal to conservative voters in Norwin
Conservative voters of Norwin, we will be counting on you again. The conservative contingent of the school board has made progress in its first term. Ridding the district of CNN10, passing anti-CRT and anti-nepotism policies were great steps. But it was just short of a bloody battle, met with huge...
Letter to the editor: Fabian for commissioner
The May 16 Pennsylvania primary election for municipal, school board and county officials is most important because the decisions of local elected officials have a direct impact on the quality of our everyday life. As voters, we need to elect highly qualified candidates who will best serve the public in...
Rep. Tim O’Neal: When naysayers lead, Pennsylvania falls behind
In many ways, we live in a political world that operates more on denial than possibility, and to be honest, it’s killing democracy. Candidate quality has been replaced by ideological purity on both sides, while virtual cottage industries have sprung up around the idea of replacing the “loyal opposition” with...
David Arditi: The exploitation of Hollywood’s writers is just another symptom of digital feudalism
The current Hollywood writers strike has drawn international attention to the plight of TV and film writers in the streaming era. Much has been made of television’s golden age, during which streaming platforms have offered audiences an abundance of well-written, highly produced television shows, often called “prestige TV.” Whereas older...
Cal Thomas: Crowning Trump king
The crowning of Charles III as king of England and the shrinking realm of the United Kingdom was not the only coronation taking place in the world. Increasingly, evangelical Christians in the U.S. are treating Donald Trump as their king. While the scenarios are different, it reminds me of when...
Emily Miller: Another side to the school choice question
There is another side to the question of school choice. How does this fit in with our system of self-governance? How does this work with taxation and representation? Our system of self-governance, conceived by our Founding Fathers, is a constitutional republic in which, at each level — local, state and...
Letter to the editor: Bengel caring, compassionate
Judge Carolyn Bengel does more than hand down fair justice. She is a caring and compassionate member of the communities in which she serves. Over her many years in office, I’ve observed that she has always supported community volunteers, associations and first responders. She does this out of devotion and...
Letter to the editor: We’re fortunate to have Yakopec as judge
We are writing to show our support for District Judge Cheryl Peck Yakopec in her bid for reelection. We can write this letter because we no longer are employed by the county government and can now endorse a candidate. Yakopec is an extremely fair, understanding and compassionate judge — and...
Letter to the editor: Kertes, Chew should remain in office
In response to the letter “Don’t vote for incumbents” (April 23, TribLIVE) — don’t believe everything you read. The letter was full of incorrect information regarding ARPA and CARES act distributions. Not including the special earmark for Excela Hospital and the restaurant industry, the Westmoreland County commissioners spent a total...
Editorial: How to measure the gravity of a mass shooting
What is mass? It seems like a synonym for weight, but that isn’t quite right. Weight is how we measure the pressure that gravity exerts upon things. But mass? Mass is the actual presence of an item — its length and breadth and density. Mass has another meaning. It can...
Letter to the editor: Don’t vote for radical Franklin Regional board candidates
I appreciated the position statements of candidates for Franklin Regional School Board (“Candidates vie for 6 seats on Franklin Regional School Board,” May 3, TribLIVE). It is clear that residents should remove candidates Deb Bucciero and John Fallat from consideration. We do not need Buccerio’s moral arbitration, nor should we...
