Opinion category, Page 534
Letter to the editor: Those who think differently are not enemies
I was truly saddened by Michael J. Kardell’s letter “Toomey should be thrown out of Republican Party” (March 12, TribLIVE). “They” don’t think exactly like me, so “they” are my enemies. The fact is that no one else thinks exactly like we do in all things. (Even Sen. Pat Toomey’s...
Letter to the editor: Orwell, Bradbury warned us
Have you seen and heard enough yet? I certainly have. I never thought that we would witness big tech silencing free speech or de-listing books whose subject they disagree with. A “woke” administration and Congress that appear more intent on advancing socialism and rewarding their friends than helping to make...
Editorial: State lawmakers need daily expenses accountability
What does it take to get you through the day? The price of your breakfast. A mid- morning cup of coffee. Lunch, a snack, dinner. A room for the night. How much would that total? For some state legislators, it’s quite the figure. A Spotlight PA dive into the government...
Letter to the editor: Commissioners misguided on gun-rights resolution
I have spent a lot of my lawyering years practicing and teaching civil rights. The Second Amendment is something I know a great deal about. That the Westmoreland County commissioners, or any county commissioners, should pass a resolution in support of the Second Amendment strikes me as a rather meretricious...
Letter to the editor: ‘Boys will be boys’ must end
The allegations against New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo involving sexual misconduct, intimidation and coercion are only symptoms of a boys-will-be-boys mentality that pervades our culture, excuses sexual discrimination, justifies degradation, minimizes assault and protects predators. It’s why so many turned a deaf ear and blind eye to President Trump’s obscene...
Angelo McClain: Social workers critical in post-covid world
The covid-19 pandemic isn’t just a historic public health crisis. It’s an economic and mental health crisis unlike anything in recent memory. Millions of people have lost their jobs. Americans of all ages are reporting elevated levels of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, even suicidal ideation. Sadly, there is no vaccine...
Joseph Sabino Mistick: In government, not everybody gets a trophy
In 1832, as New York Sen. William Learned Marcy was defending the spoils system in politics, he used the phrase “to the victor belong the spoils.” In those days, thousands of jobs could change hands every time the political party in charge changed. Civil service eventually eliminated that, and it’s...
Sounding off: Our politically correct dinner tables
Liberalism always achieves the opposite of its stated intent. Proof is ever more government spending that yields less in return to taxpayers. This also is true for their politically correct, racial sensitivity ruse in terms of the “fairness and diversity” they claim to seek. Consider your pantry and grocery store...
Letter to the editor: Trump and Limbaugh
I hope everyone got a chance to see the latest reality TV show from the U.S. Senate, the theater of the absurd, Part II, also known as the acquittal of President Trump. I think it was the most brainless, spineless, gutless performance in the history of television. The vote was...
Letter to the editor: Remember Reschenthaler’s actions when voting
Once again Rep. Guy Reschenthaler has proved he has no interest in doing what’s right for the 14th Congressional District. He once again voted against the stimulus package. Numerous times since November he has voted against stimulus packages that would be beneficial to the people and businesses in the district....
Sylvia Rhor: Honoring the dead, one name at a time
I never met Peaster Richie. Or any of his descendants (that I know of). I can’t find a passing reference to him in history books, much less a biography devoted to him. Richie, the grandson of slaves, was one of the countless heroes of the Great Migration who made their...
Letter to the editor: Thoughts on Biden and more
We want to thank President Biden for the price jump in gasoline prices, which is on its way to $4 a gallon. In addition, it looks like we may have an open southern border once more, so we should get rid of President Trump’s wall. Now that we are defunding...
John Stossel: The Woke Awards
Oscar nominees were announced this week. The AP highlighted the record number of nominations of “actors of color” and “a record year for women.” Today, such declarations are important in this “woke” media world. Future Oscars will have actual quotas for minority groups. Actor David Oyelowo praised the new standards,...
Mona Charen: ‘Hillbilly’ J.D. Vance joins the jackals
The question of what will become of the Republican Party in the post-Trump era seems to be on everyone’s lips. A New York Times survey found that Republicans themselves have five distinct views of Donald Trump, including 35% who are either “Never Trump” or “Post Trump.” But 65% fall into...
Jonah Goldberg: GOP’s sudden embrace of earmarks is worrisome
A decade ago, one of the first things Republicans did after taking back the House of Representatives was get rid of earmarks. For those of you who don’t recall, “earmark” is the term of art for when members of Congress bring home the bacon to their district. The GOP was...
Letter to the editor: Antifa is unappealing
Huh? Frank Zalakar’s tautological composition affirming antifa as a “left-wing, anti-racist, anti-fascist, political movement relative with anarchy” (“Knowing right from left,” March 4, TribLIVE) is like saying fecal material on two pieces of white (racist?) bread is a sandwich. Crap sandwiches and antifa are equally unappealing. David A. Scandrol Lower...
Letter to the editor: Vaccine rollout failure shows need for competent candidates
Many times we have been let down by our public officials, but this vaccine rollout is their responsibility and their absolute failure. When candidates seek public office, they proclaim their desire to solve public issues; but instead of taking time to anticipate, investigate and address the issues, they quickly perfect...
Lori Falce: Do we need an equal rights law?
No one knows every law. Congress makes them. So do state legislatures. They are passed for each county, for each city, for each school district. Making them is a defining aspect of every level of government. And there are just too many to track. That’s why we have as many...
Letter to the editor: A pig is a pig, no matter his looks
In her letter “What if Andrew Cuomo looked like John Edwards?” (March 11, TribLIVE), Maria Maliszewski seems to indicate that if a man looks like Edwards, nerdy and dorky looking, that he can get away with being a pig. A pig is a pig. And for the Trib to print...
Letter to the editor: Biden right to rejoin Paris climate agreement
Letter-writer Bob Jacobs (“Destroy America is new agenda,” March 6, TribLIVE) harshly criticizes the United States rejoining the Paris climate agreement. It’s revealing, however, that the conservative-leaning U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which has a pro-business focus, welcomes President Biden’s move. The best response that I’ve seen to Jacobs’ position can...
Laurels & lances: Bye, believe, bike
Laurel: To a final farewell. For so many in the last year, the greatest theft of the coronavirus pandemic has been the ability to say goodbye. Maybe there was a hug in the emergency room or a last kiss when the ambulance came, but to limit the spread of covid-19...
Letter to the editor: Do our presidential votes count against us on vaccine?
Just asking, could the reason Westmoreland County is so very low on receiving the coronavirus vaccine be because we are mostly registered as Republicans and most likely did not vote for Joe Biden for president? Just asking. Mary Ann Badar Hempfield...
Letter to the editor: More conservative sources, not Associated Press
I have been a Trib subscriber for almost 50 years. There used to be newspaper choices, but now one must fit all. I subscribe mostly for the local news and obits. I have two questions: 1. Half of your letters to the editor seem to come from people of conservative...
Letter to the editor: People, not guns, responsible for crimes
More migrants are showing up at our borders. Now our president seems to want to make sure we cannot buy guns or ammunition to protect ourselves. He also wants those who are killed by assault weapons to be able to sue gun manufacturers. What about those other assault weapons that...
Letter to the editor: More like ‘Non-Equality’ Act
In everyday speech, to quote, “we often use the word equality to refer to much more complicated and, often, controversial subjects.” For example, several amendments to the U.S. Constitution (as well as the original document) legally establish equality of rights for all Americans. Today, all Americans of any gender, race,...
