Opinion category, Page 551
Leonard Pitts Jr.: Josh Hawley blind to irony
So last week, Sen. Josh Hawley complained that he was being “silenced.” He lodged this complaint on Fox “News” and in The New York Post. As social media observers promptly pointed out, that’s a level of media exposure that effectively refutes the senator’s claim. But Hawley is in a snit...
Tom Purcell: Sledding, snowmen, snowballs needed on Capitol grounds
Eleanor Holmes Norton, a Democrat and D.C.’s delegate in the U.S. House, is on to something big! A longtime champion of, and leader on, civil rights and free speech issues, she has a clear mastery of common sense. You see, the west side of the U.S. Capitol grounds has long...
Caleb Verbois: Trump, originalism and the purpose of impeachment
Donald Trump’s presidency had a powerful warping effect on American politics. The biggest example of this is the way that politically minded evangelicals moved, almost in lockstep, from a longstanding view that “character mattered,” to the belief that only “policy mattered,” to the conclusion that only “loyalty mattered.” Trump similarly...
Sheldon Jacobson: TSA firearm catch rate doubles, but are flyers safer?
The TSA announced that the rate of firearm detection at airport security checkpoints doubled from 2019 to 2020. At the same time, the number of passengers screened dropped by 500 million. Does this mean that air travelers were safer in 2020, or were there more firearms being carried onto airplanes?...
Letter to the editor: Elderly should have vaccine priority
It saddened me to read the article “Greater Latrobe School District starts vaccinating staff, sees ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ ” (Jan. 23, TribLIVE). My husband, a senior citizen, and I have been trying to schedule his vaccination. Most pharmacies aren’t even taking names to put on a...
Letter to the editor: A Reschenthaler apology would go far
I am the son of a Purple Heart recipient, and I honor Rep. Guy Reschenthaler’s military service. But Reschenthaler, R-Peters, my former state senator, has dishonored his office. At 12:16 p.m. on Jan. 6, Reschenthaler’s tweeted: “@realDonaldTrump is the BEST president since Lincoln.” He posted this 16 minutes into President...
Letter to the editor: Hissy fits costing our nation
Is the movie “Legally Blonde” worth quoting? Yes, in fact, when truth is subdued, children devoid of understanding rule. Millennia ago, Aristotle spoke what Elle Woods cited in her graduation address: “The law is reason, free from passion.” Today, reason is bad, and emotion is everything. Childish rants negate truth...
Editorial: Dermody’s upward fall is all-too-familiar in political world
Leaving an elected office is not the end of the world. Plenty of people go on to live rich, full lives after they depart the world of public service. They might retire to concentrate on things they never got to do before, like President George W. Bush, who has embraced...
Letter to the editor: When everything is free, we’re not free
Would you like your bills paid? Would you like someone else to provide your housing and food? That can happen — and soon! A new group wants to provide for your every need. They will decide what your children are required to learn in school. They will decide where you...
Letter to the editor: Say goodbye to fracking
In the campaigning for the presidential election, it was difficult to determine whether Joe Biden planned to move to stop fracking. He gave conflicting statements concerning his intent. With the canceling of the Keystone Pipeline construction permit, it is reasonably clear what direction his administration is taking on fossil fuels....
Mallard Fillmore cartoons for the week of Feb. 1
Mallard Fillmore cartoons for the week of Feb. 1....
Editorial cartoons for the week of Feb. 1
Editorial cartoons for the week of Feb. 1....
S.E. Cupp: After Trump, a chance to refocus
Five years ago, after teasing a potential run for the White House for years, Donald Trump descended down a golden escalator, and from that moment on, the news cycle was predominantly his. Trump hijacked our collective attention span and held it hostage for the duration of his presidency, subjecting Americans...
Letter to the editor: Government spending out of control
Another ongoing threat against America is taking place — and it has taken a back seat during these troubling times. This threat is government overspending, printing money and handing it out for free. While the Treasury Department prints the money, they sell bonds, usually to China, to back it up....
Letter to the editor: Biden should call off impeachment
As the vindictive congressional Democrats press on with the second impeachment of President Donald Trump, one must wonder why they insist on putting Trump and the country through the agony of another trial in the Senate, a trial that serves no useful purpose and which is apparently legally questionable. The...
Letter to the editor: Minimum wage questions
Our new administration is proposing a $15 per hour minimum wage. Sounds great! I had a few questions to propose to the readership: If I am currently making $15 an hour due to my performance, longevity, adherence to policy, etc., should I also be entitled to a 110% increase in...
Letter to the editor: Trump must be sanctioned
As I watch the news I notice how many GOP senators and representatives wish to stop the impeachment of President Trump and for any criminal charges to be dropped. Due to the fact they feel it will split the country more? Sorry, but in my opinion, they are just trying...
Letter to the editor: Teachers should be vaccine priority
I hear from so many politicians and parents that the kids should be in school. I agree. So, with all the complaining from politicians and parents, why were employees of public schools not first on the list to get vaccinated? Every employee at public schools should have been on the...
Letter to the editor: Dems’ path to communism
Three events occurred on Jan. 6 that I believe will forever shape the destiny of the United States. First, Democrats took control of the Senate when the results of the Georgia runoff elections became clear, giving the party total control of decision-making at the federal level. Second, the certification of...
Letter to the editor: Leaders who embrace Trump’s lies should resign
For over four years, Trump supporters have insinuated themselves into local, state and federal offices. I’ve seen borough councilors embrace this repugnant “movement” in insolent, arrogant fashion, and be dismissive of rational dialogue. They claimed patriotism, with outward displays but with no real understanding of its meaning. They demonstrate little...
Letter to the editor: Fees on hybrid/EVs
Regarding the ongoing letters to the editor relating to proposed fee on hybrids and electric vehicles, I would like to point out a glaring malfeasance on lawmakers’ motives. Their reasoning is that hybrid and electric owners use less gas and don’t contribute as much as pure gas engines to our...
Letter to the editor: Peduto’s plan to run again is good news
As a first-time voter and teenage progressive, I found a recent bright spot in the political news — Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto seeking a third term (“Peduto makes it official, seeks 3rd term as Pittsburgh’s mayor,” Jan. 14, TribLIVE). Although Peduto saw raucous protests in front of his house this...
Letter to the editor: Missing Trump
Your editorial “An assault on the American system” (Jan. 6, TribLIVE) should have included the pent-up anger that Americans feel for the politicians in Washington. I remember Nancy Pelosi tearing up the State of the Union speech last February. She was not censured by her colleagues; indeed, she was applauded....
Letter to the editor: Feeling sorry for Bob Nutting
I’m sorry for you, Bob Nutting. I’m sorry I can’t refer to you as Mr. Nutting ,because that is far more respect than you deserve. I’m sorry that with the latest salary dump you have not yet achieved making the Pirates payroll the lowest in all of Major League Baseball....
Letter to the editor: History lesson on impeachment
In 1998, President Clinton was impeached on two articles of impeachment: lying under oath and obstruction of justice. Both articles stemmed from his conduct and/or testimony before a grand jury regarding sexual relations with two women. It should be said that sexual relations are of a private matter and are...
