Opinion category, Page 543
Leonard Pitts Jr.: ‘I do not believe unity is possible’
Uh-oh. Joe Biden is talking unity again. It came last week at a CNN town hall in Milwaukee in response to a question about how he will bring Americans together. “I take issue with what everybody says about the division,” he replied. “The nation is not divided. You go out...
Pat Buchanan: Biden — no new cold wars or democracy crusades
“What is America’s mission?” is a question that has been debated since George Washington’s Farewell Address in 1797. At last week’s Munich Security Conference, President Biden laid out his vision as to what is America’s mission. And the contrast with the mission enunciated by George W. Bush in his second...
James Greenwood: American Rescue Plan offers helping hand to struggling Americans
Poverty in America is defined for a family of four as less than $70 per day. That’s about $2,100 a month for food, rent, utilities, transportation, clothing and everything else. The good news is that between 2015 and 2020, the poverty rate in America gradually declined to 10.5%, the lowest...
Letter to the editor: Remembering Hammerin’ Hank Aaron
Thank you to the Tribune-Review and Mark Madden for acknowledging the greatness of Henry “Hammerin’ Hank” Aaron (“Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Hank Aaron was one of sports’ most important figures,” Jan. 23, TribLIVE). It’s incredible that Aaron maintained his poise in light of almost constant racism. He was superior in...
Editorial: In West Deer, youth in politics is an inspiring reality
When Pew Research Center asked people in 2014 how many had ever run for elected office, only 2% said yes. Not just 2% that were representatives or council members. Not just 2% that had served previously and had left office. Only 2% had ever raised a hand and said, “I...
Letter to the editor: Senators, representatives must stop supporting Trump
Notice to Republicans voting to censure those courageous Republican senators and representatives who voted to impeach and/or convict former President Trump: You do not represent all registered Republicans! Trump deserves to be punished in any way our society is able. He incited an insurrection against our government. What is wrong...
Letter to the editor: Shame on Wolf, teachers unions
So now it seems that our illustrious governor wants to raise taxes substantially to fund the teachers unions. The teachers unions are a great money laundering organization. They fund the Democratic Party, and in turn the Democrats give it back. How wonderful! If I were in charge and said I...
Letter to the editor: Task force needed to improve Pa. vaccination plan
LeadingAge PA renews its call for Gov. Tom Wolf to form a broader task force to quickly improve Pennsylvania’s lagging vaccination plan. Forming a bipartisan legislative group to address vaccinations was a start, but we can do more. Our organization represents more than 370 quality senior housing, health care and...
Letter to the editor: Dems will return House, Senate to GOP
I have to give Democrats credit for imposing the mail-in vote, because I think that’s the only way Joe Biden could get elected. My dead Republican relatives (there are many) are gleeful that the Democrats have revived their voting rights and are looking forward to future elections. I hope the...
Letter to the editor: When will Trump supporters stop believing?
It sickens me to see that, even after the terrorist attack on the Capitol and on democracy that I believe was incited by President Trump, people are foolish enough to still believe in him. Recent letter-writers have claimed the election was stolen, that it was Democrats dressed as Trump supporters...
Tom Purcell: The puppy solution
Coffee. I need coffee. And sleep. And food. I picked up my Lab puppy, Thurber, four days ago. I have spent every waking moment since happily tending to the little guy’s considerable needs. Before I got him, I was cocksure I’d mastered the proper training techniques to bend my little...
Colin McNickle: Trouble ahead for Allegheny Co. retirement system?
It was seven years ago this month that pension reforms for the Allegheny County Retirement System took effect. But it is not out of the woods yet and additional steps would be prudent, concludes a new analysis by the Allegheny Institute for Public Policy. There has been no talk of...
Mark Schwartz: Remembering Rabbi Abraham Twerski — recounting just one miraculous deed
I was a young Pittsburgh lawyer in the early 1980s, over my head in most things, let alone a no-win criminal case. For God knows what reason, a young man had been referred to me, facing a three-year mandatory minimum jail sentence for vehicular homicide while drunk. When I eventually...
Steven Reske: Bruce Castor needs lesson on the First Amendment
Pennsylvania’s Bruce Castor choked on the First Amendment. Unfortunately, while his performance was nearly universally panned, no critics mentioned one jarring error. His gaffe occurred in the very first moments of his opening salvo and was on an issue foundational to President Trump’s defense. While at first blush his factual...
Letter to the editor: Transportation key to returning to school
Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) parents want a return to school, but are they asking the right questions? The focus has been on teachers, but the issue is more complex. To return now, a school district as large as PPS would have to modify the CDC 6-foot distancing guidelines in order...
Letter to the editor: Toomey heading off liberal boycott
Regarding the article “Pennsylvania GOP may meet to discuss Toomey impeachment vote” (Feb. 15, TribLIVE): He is going into private business, and he does not want to be boycotted by the liberals like they are doing to others who supported President Trump. Clem Zahrobsky Delmont...
Letter to the editor: Right to keep Trump signs on display
Dear Rose Guerra (“Take down your Trump signs,” Feb. 8, TribLIVE): I don’t have my Trump sign anymore, but if I did, I would display it to let you and others know that it is my right to do so. If that embarrasses you and others, I’ll treasure that! Hannelore...
Editorial: Don’t bark at higher fees from state Bureau of Dog Law
Man’s best friend can be priceless — but isn’t always cheap. Dog food costs more than one might expect. So do rawhide bones and rabies shots, toys and treats. And that doesn’t even take into consideration the way all those chewed-on shoes add up. But the cost of a Pennsylvania...
Letter to the editor: State leaders must fight climate change
I became aware of climate change at a young age. The rising temperature of our planet has caused extreme weather in Pittsburgh. One winter we would get a foot of snow, the next we would get none. Heat waves have become more common. Seeing these changes made me passionate about...
Editorial cartoons for the week of Feb. 22
Editorial cartoons for the week of Feb. 22....
Mallard Fillmore cartoons for the week of Feb. 22
Mallard Fillmore cartoons for the week of Feb. 22....
S.E. Cupp: The new nihilism — actually, almost everything matters
“Nothing matters.” It’s a popular and versatile phrase that can be reassuring, a reminder that despite how overwhelmed you feel, nothing matters so go ahead and enjoy that fourth doughnut. It also can be discouraging, lamenting the feeling that while a precious few are attempting to keep order, the great...
Letter to the editor: Thankful for support of Salvation Army
2020 was a historically challenging and, for many people, devastating year. Families and households coped with the loss of jobs, income, homes and, in the worst cases, the lives of loved ones. But together, we did not lose hope. The Salvation Army Western Pennsylvania Division is grateful for the support,...
Letter to the editor: Remembering, mourning Butterball
Butterball was a wild turkey who made her home in the town of Forbes Road (“Forbes Road residents shocked gobbler ‘Butterball’ shot by game warden,” Jan. 16, TribLIVE). The people of Forbes Road accepted her and took her in as one of their own; they fed her and looked after...
Editorial: The dollars and sense of toll bridges
Toll roads are not a new concept. There were tolls collected in Babylon. Aristotle spoke of them in the ancient world. During the Middle Ages, they were common tools of both official and criminal collection. But now PennDOT is planning to expand its network of toll roads with the Pathways...
