Opinion category, Page 478
Letter to the editor: Higher ed’s woke nonsense
Penn State sociology professor Sam Richards might be as dumb as the average tree stump. More likely, he’s just another academic who knows that spouting “woke” nonsense converts into currency in the world of higher education. In a video that’s gone viral, Richards tells his class that in the job...
Editorial: A federal vaccine requirement is not new
The coronavirus vaccine is no longer an option for many. With one announcement Thursday, President Biden removed the question of whether hospitals or factories or major universities would require employees to be vaccinated as a condition of employment. Work for any employer with more than 100 people on the payroll?...
Letter to the editor: Protecting our children, whatever it takes
As I read the paper and listen to the news regarding the controversy of vaccines and masks to prevent covid, and listen to vocal parents regarding mask mandates and their freedoms, I ponder what if … What if there was a vaccine to prevent childhood cancer; what if there was...
Stone Washington: Proposed legislation could revitalize cities, reduce crime
The signs seem to be popping up in city centers everywhere. “For sale,” “For lease,” “Vacant.” They lie posted on the walls of buildings in downtowns across the country, where large office structures once filled with thousands of employees would arrive each morning for work. These now-empty spaces sit quiet....
Joseph Sabino Mistick: Doing right by the victims of 9/11
Mike Comber was a young associate with a big law firm in Pittsburgh on Sept. 11, 2001. Like many Americans, Comber was changed by what happened that day. He decided to enter public service. Within months, he was appointed an assistant U.S. attorney. Not long after Comber changed jobs, Congress...
Sounding off: Vaccination is our moral duty
We have been dealing with the covid pandemic for nearly two years now, and it is becoming part of everyday life. When it first spread out over the country, schools closed and parents were responsible to teach their children or make it possible for remote learning. Before too long came...
Flora Cardoni and Michael Mann: Keys for Keystone State to tackle climate crisis
Tropical Depression (formerly Hurricane) Ida hit us hard, depositing torrential, flood-inducing rains across a huge swath of the eastern United States. Here in Pennsylvania, dangerous flash flooding and tornadoes destroyed homes and vehicles, disrupted and contaminated water supplies, devastated communities, and resulted in tragic and avoidable deaths. Unfortunately, Ida is...
Letter to the editor: Mayor should pay attention to homicides in Pittsburgh
The following appeared recently in a Real Clear Politics piece about Pennsylvania mayors: “Following last summer’s riots, homicides have about doubled in Pittsburgh in 2021 over the first six months. As recently as April, the city saw a 90% surge in violence, with police officers pleading for more programs and...
Letter to the editor: Work for peace to honor 9/11 victims
When the terrorist attacks were committed on this country 20 years ago, we had one shot to be the United States. One shot to honor the victims of the tragedy by clamoring for peace and restraint. Unfortunately, we blew it. We spiraled into belligerence and terror. We spiraled down the...
Editorial: To honor the losses of 9/11, remember together
For 20 years, America has had one shared cultural touchstone. Every Sept. 11, we are transported to the day when the whole country held its breath, watching and waiting to see what would happen next in an unbelievable day where things couldn’t possibly get worse, and yet they did, over...
Letter to the editor: What makes America great
I will never forget Sept. 11, 2001. I came home from work, and my wife said, “Something weird is on the TV.” There was a continuous loop of video showing a plane crashing into the World Trade Center. I immediately called my mom, and her first thought was that this...
S.E. Cupp: Texas, abortion and the forgotten middle
The frighteningly archaic, unworkable and very likely unconstitutional anti-abortion law out of Texas has thrust the issue back into the political foreground, and atop the heaping pile of policy issues President Biden is going to have to address — mostly without much help from Congress. One of the most deleterious...
John Stossel: Toxic victimhood
Are you a racist? All white people are, says “White Fragility” author Robin DiAngelo. Race explains everything, says bestselling “How to Be an Antiracist” author Ibram X. Kendi. “Every policy is either racist or anti-racist.” Kendi’s and DiAngelo’s books are now recommended reading at schools, corporations and in the military....
Letter to the editor: Will Gov. Tom Wolf give everyone proper masks?
Since Gov. Tom Wolf has mandated the wearing of masks by all people entering a school building to prevent the spread of covid, is he going to supply N95-rated masks to all schools for everybody to wear? Because a cloth mask is about as good as a piece of toilet...
Letter to the editor: ‘Right to life’ battle a familiar story
Sounds like an all-too-familiar story. Many years ago during President Lincoln’s time, the issue of slavery was foremost in people’s minds. The North faced the South in a showdown that cost approximately 750,000 lives. Presently another great battle that is never ending is the Republicans facing off against the Democrats...
Letter to the editor: Litter marring Shanksville
We live about a mile from the Flight 93 National Memorial, and try to keep our property litter-free so that visitors are left with a favorable impression of America’s county. Complaining about trash thrown out of cars and ending up in front of my neighbors’ lawns had no effect, so...
Lori Falce: Look back to lessons of Sept. 10, 2001
Sept. 11, 2001, was not just a day. It wasn’t a simple Tuesday. Kids went to school and people went to work and the day still started with alarm clocks and cereal and morning commutes, but the differences between that day and what came after were apparent as people took...
Letter to the editor: Good experience with electric vehicle
In response to Donald Nelson’s letter “Issues with electric vehicles”: I have owned a Chevy Bolt EV (electric vehicle) for a little over two years, and my comments are based on my experience. For most of the year with a full charge I can drive about 300 miles of range,...
Letter to the editor: Code of silence on Biden administration
When you read the paper or watch the local or nightly news (any channel) there is almost a code of silence about this administration’s fiascoes. When President Trump was in office, that is all you heard about 24/7 … everything the man was doing wrong. I am an independent voter...
Letter to the editor: Facts on wealth, taxes
It never ceases to amaze me how misinformed some letter-writers are. The writers of “We must continue to Build Back Better” (Aug. 30, TribLIVE) and “Corporations, wealthy should pay fair share” (Aug. 14, TribLIVE) complained about high income earners and corporations not paying their fair share. The truth is the...
Laurels & lances: Donation, departure, rescue and wriggling
Laurel: To a last bequest. It is always hard to lose family, but people often say that what they leave behind helps keep their memories alive. For Ken Hulst, that c0uldn’t be more true. A former Lower Burrell resident, Hulst lived with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the progressive, uncurable nervous system...
Letter to the editor: Gateway board needs strong members
There has been a great deal of contention on the Gateway School Board in recent months. Mask rules, in-person versus online education, equity director perceived need, critical race theory and Facebook and social media conflicts over policy are examples. The concerned voters of Monroeville and Pitcairn need to join together...
Letter to the editor: How can anyone praise Afghanistan withdrawal?
How can anyone in their right mind say this withdrawal from Afghanistan was good? I cannot comprehend how anyone human would condone what has been done. Not only did we abandon those people, we abandoned our own. Left equipment that will be used in whatever evil endeavors they may choose....
Letter to the editor: Critical race theory should go further
I believe critical race theory should be applied more widely. African Americans have suffered through slavery, greater prejudice and discrimination, and inexcusable police brutality. They face a much tougher battle. However, a lot of people historically have suffered racism, prejudice and discrimination. If you’re Native American, disabled, fat, a woman,...
Editorial: A dementia crisis looms as Pennsylvanians age
Government has a lot on its plate these days. The coronavirus pandemic dominates, but it is fighting for time with weather emergencies such as hurricanes that sweep from New Orleans to New York and the need to improve infrastructure. In Pennsylvania, local and state leaders juggle education, health care, transportation,...
