Opinion category, Page 722
Pat Buchanan: Is Putin new king of the Middle East?
“Russia Assumes Mantle of Supreme Power Broker in the Middle East,” proclaimed Britain’s Telegraph. The article began: “Russia’s status as the undisputed power-broker in the Middle East was cemented as Vladimir Putin continued a triumphant tour of capitals traditionally allied to the US.” Yes, Putin has played his hand skillfully....
Editorial: Declined penalty may teach lesson
Maybe no punishment is the best penalty. On Tuesday, the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League came to a couple of decisions about Connellsville and Allderdice. The boys soccer teams from the two high schools became the subject of an investigation in September after they leveled allegations of racial and anti-gay...
Letter to the editor: Media ignoring Democrats’ corruption, lies
Even his supporters know it. Many of the attacks on President Trump are justified. The poor guy hasn’t learned that if he ignored the goading, we’re talking easy re-election and continued economic gains, especially for minorities. He can’t, so we’re left with an adolescent mentality bent on self-mutilation. That rarely...
Letter to the editor: Republicans and voter suppression
As another voting opportunity approaches this Nov. 5, I offer a few thoughts for those who don’t fully grasp the importance of this precious right. A common misconception has it that you can’t legislate morality. Hogwash! That is the only thing you can legislate. Likewise, you can legislate immorality. Witness...
Tom Purcell: Red Rover, Red Rover, are childhood games over?
I’m on the fence about this, if you want the truth. You see, more school districts are banning childhood games that were staples when I was growing up in the 1970s. Some say dodgeball, kickball, keep-away, tug-of-war, Red Rover and other games are teaching children the wrong lessons. This past...
Jonah Goldberg: In betrayal of Kurds, Trump was winging it — again
In one sense, the Syria debacle is a singular moment in the Trump presidency, and arguably in American history. I can’t think of another momentous decision by a commander-in-chief that was instantly recognizable as a disaster for which the president was entirely to blame. Even if you think the Iraq...
Editorial: Can communities combat crime?
Four shot in Duquesne. Standoff with armed man in Pittsburgh’s North Side. Police seek man who fled Larimer shooting. One dead and two injured in Wilkinsburg shooting. And that was just Saturday and Sunday. Just in Allegheny County. The hard truth is, crime is a consistent neighbor for many in...
Cal Thomas: The Hillary-Tulsi smackdown
A new wrestling league is being promoted during TV coverage of Major League Baseball’s post-season. The ad promises more action, more spectacle and includes women as well as men grappling with each other. I have two candidates for their consideration: Hillary Clinton and presidential candidate Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii. Last...
Letter to the editor: School bus safety week
This week, Pennsylvania joins the nation in celebration of National School Bus Safety Week. The school bus transportation community is proud of the safety record and reputation that shows school buses are indeed the safest way to get children to and from school every day. Many factors go into making...
Letter to the editor: Trump on nationalism, socialism
It was odd that President Trump spoke in favor of nationalism at the U.N. Sept. 24 as the investigation into his possible impeachment began for outsourcing his political campaign to a foreign nation. Apparently he believes each nation should isolate itself from interference from others unless he can use another...
Letter to the editor: Read between lines for our final chapter
Once upon a time in Promisetown, Pa., there was an ordinary man who was duly elected the town’s fire chief by just one vote. A number of firemen who opposed and disliked him decided to try every possible thing they could imagine, or create, to replace him, even though he...
Editorial: Fentanyl strips shouldn’t be illegal
Driving recklessly is illegal. So is speeding. So is driving without a license or insurance. A Pennsylvania driver can understand getting cited for those infractions. But could you imagine if the cop, at the same time, gave you a ticket for wearing your seat belt? That might seem like what...
Mallard Fillmore cartoons for the week of Oct. 21
Mallard Fillmore cartoons for the week of Oct. 21....
Editorial cartoons for the week of Oct. 21
Editorial cartoons for the week of Oct. 21....
Editorial: Payouts show volume of victims
The Greensburg Catholic Diocese announced Thursday the amount of money paid out of a compensation fund for victims of clergy child sexual abuse. The local totals came to $4.35 million distributed among 57 adults. That breaks down to an average of $76,315. That’s a significant amount of money. It’s more...
Jay McDonald: Children’s encounters with police are positive
The saying goes that children learn what they live. If children meet police under normal circumstances, they’ll be set for life. That’s because they’ll experience encounters that are positive. Encounters like school resource officers being there to assist students if there’s danger. Officers providing safety tips during school assemblies. DARE...
Heaven Sensky: How many more of my friends have to die before Pa. takes action?
Nearly 2,000 deep shale gas wells have been drilled and fracked in Washington County. Earlier this month, the Pennsylvania Department of Health held a public meeting at Canon-McMillan High School to defend its claim that there is no cancer cluster in our region. Twelve children and young adults have been...
Letter to the editor: Americans want to be ‘united’
Americans want to be ‘united’ Do any Americans actually like fake news? I would think not. Do most American want a “UNITED” States of America? I think yes. Do any Americans like that the FBI has sunk so low? I would think not. Do any Americans think the country should...
Letter to the editor: Columbus Day feature biased
Your front page Columbus Day piece (“5 facts you might not know about Columbus Day,” Oct. 14, Trib LIVE) was a disservice to your readers. Your effort appears to be more of an editorial or opinion disguised as balanced historical reporting. While you refer to colonization, you fail to acknowledge the...
Letter to the editor: Say no to Westmoreland County ‘squad’
You can’t be an elected member of the Democratic Party and not eventually align yourself with the left on some issues. Earlier this year, Westmoreland County Commissioner Gina Cerilli posted a picture of her hand-picked candidates for row offices and sheriff. The photo excluded Commissioner Ted Kopas. The “Cerilli squad”...
George Will: ‘Texodus’ bodes badly for Republicans
WASHINGTON “I am a classically trained engineer,” says Rep. Will Hurd, a Texas Republican, “and I firmly believe in regression to the mean.” Applying a concept from statistics to the randomness of today’s politics is problematic. In any case, Hurd, 42, is not waiting for the regression of our politics...
Joseph Sabino Mistick: Nobody’s fooled by Trump’s ‘hero’ moves
Not unlike the strange phenomenon of a volunteer firefighter who starts fires so he can rush to the scene to put them out — and be seen as a hero — Donald Trump has caused the crisis in Syria, and he is now hoping somehow to show that he saved...
S.E. Cupp: Big government was winner at Dem debate
At the first Democratic primary debate since the American political landscape tectonically shifted, it’s no surprise the potential impeachment of President Trump was a significant focus of the night. How, why and when Trump should be impeached drew creative and passionate responses from the people vying for his job. It...
Antony Davies & James Harrigan: PLCB not the way to go for marijuana
Gov. Tom Wolf recently came out in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana in Pennsylvania, and legislative support followed quickly in the form of House Bill 1899, introduced by Rep. David Delloso of Delaware County. The bill would legalize recreational marijuana, but it also calls for expunging marijuana possession convictions from...
Victoria Betsill and Thomas Reiter: Black Catholics’ faith inspires in challenging times
What do novelist Toni Morrison, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, basketball coach John Thompson, gymnast Simone Biles and acclaimed Pittsburgh jazz pianist Mary Lou Williams all have in common? If you guessed they’re black, you’ve got it half right. The correct answer is that they, together with approximately 3 million...
