Letters to the Editor category, Page 200

I was disappointed to learn that Westmoreland County Commissioner Doug Chew told a Pennsylvania Senate committee that his constituents want to eliminate no-excuse mail-in voting (“Westmore­land commissioner says county voters want end to no-excuse mail-in ballots, another disputes that,” March 23, TribLIVE). He claimed that 20,000 county residents were “potentially”...

As people are tiring of covid, the mass gatherings are resuming, and so are the mass shootings. No other country has this problem, and no other country is so saturated with guns. Coincidence? I hear all the gun advocates’ arguments and scoff, like guns don’t kill, people do. It’s as...

I sincerely want to thank the Tribune-Review for the article “New book chronicles North Huntingdon soldier’s recovery from life-altering accident” (Nov. 5, TribLIVE). The book, “A Noble Knight: Dan Priatko’s Story of Faith and Courage,” is definitely a must read. During this pandemic, a lot of us have had our...

Easter is upon us. We may look at life from different perspectives, but in times of heartache we have the option to reflect on what Jesus endured for us. Many of us judge; however, like Jesus said, let he who is without sin cast the first stone. We are not...

I am writing to say thank you to the wonderful parishioners of Logan’s Ferry Presbyterian Church (Parnassus). I was told they are responsible for lighting the beautiful cross that sits high on the hilltop above the bottom of Coxcomb Hill (Route 909) for all to see, from dusk till dawn....

I recently explored my school’s campus woods for the first time in a year, and I saw some disturbing sights. There was plastic waste everywhere. Even after a year without students on campus, the trees, the soil, the water — it was all contaminated with plastic trash. PennEnvironment just published...

Mariah Fisher, a Democrat, is already effective as an elected official and now offers voters a real choice for Pennsylvania’s 59th District. Have you seen the beautiful new Diamond in Ligonier? Through Ligonier Borough Council, Fisher chaired the parks and recreation committee that guided that project. In the past year,...

At a recent virtual event on Catholicism and capital punishment, people with personal experience with the death penalty shared powerful stories. Vickie and Syl Schieber’s daughter, Shannon, a 23-year-old Wharton School doctoral student, was raped and murdered in Philadelphia. Kirk Bloodsworth, an honorably discharged Marine, was wrongfully convicted and sentenced...

It’s an absolute disgrace that, as you reported, the Pennsylvania state representatives and senators are collectively charging the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars each year for “per diem” expense without supporting receipts (“State lawmakers need daily expenses accountability,” March 21, TribLIVE). Any company or organization that I’ve ever been...

Thank you, President Trump: Thanks to you and your staff my wife and I received our first dose of the Moderna vaccine. Fortunately you were in office when this non-American virus was let loose on the world. Had a Democrat been in the White House, I bet we would still...

I believe in President Trump’s world, truth is a foreign word. Lies rule the day. He is a self-appointed king, minus the crown (his coiffure would be disturbed). It seems a perfect day for Trump is when he flaunts himself onstage before a highly motivated audience. More clapping and enthusiasm...

I must disagree with David Millstein’s letter “Commissioners misguided on gun-rights resolution” (March 21, TribLIVE). He wrote that the Second Amendment’s language is not absolute. That is incorrect. The intended scope and reach are binding forever. Absolute means total and complete, not diminished in any way. The Second Amendment is...

I write to strongly disagree with Westmoreland Commissioner Doug Chew’s comments regarding mail-in voting (“Westmoreland commissioner says county voters want end to no-excuse mail-in ballots, another disputes that”). Chew does not speak for all his constituency. I wager to guess he speaks for only a select few of his followers...

In response to letter-writer John L. Petrancosta Sr. (“Smoking marijuana detrimental to health,” March 14, TribLIVE): I have no idea where you people get this, that research shows marijuana is a gateway drug and affects your health. I’m 70 years old. I’ve been smoking weed since I was 16, and I...

In regard to teachers being moved to the front of the line for receiving covid-19 vaccines regardless of age: Others in Phase 1A still are trying to get vaccinated, often driving many miles, or being put on a waiting list. Teachers may be considered essential workers, but so are grocery...

Mossimo Giannulli, convicted with wife, Lori Loughlin, in the college admissions scandal, has a lot of nerve to ask to leave prison early. His term is short, and he was protected from covid for a short time in a solitary atmosphere for his own good. I have an idea for...

Please pay attention to the votes for and against legislation by our Pennsylvania representatives before you vote in 2022. For instance, the same eight GOP representatives — John Joyce, Mike Kelly, Dan Meuser, Lloyd Schmucker, Scott Perry, Guy Reschenthaler and Glenn Thompson — voted “no” on the Violence Against Women...

State Rep. Michael J. Puskaric, R-Washington/Allegheny, has introduced House Bill 25, “Abolishing the No Excuse Mail in Vote former HB 2971.” This appears to be the same modus operandi used by the Republican party — create confusion regarding no-excuse absentee ballots, followed by legislation to repeal no-excuse absentee ballots as...

There were two items in the March 13 Trib that caught my attention. First was the front-page story about our illustrious governor saying that he wants to further increase our taxes (”Gov. Wolf seeks to phase out Pennsylvania’s gas tax,” March 12, TribLIVE). No news here, folks — that is...

Regarding the editorial “A smart, phased-in return to more restaurant and bar service” (March 17, TribLIVE): Cautious optimism? Enough mumbo jumbo! It’s been over a year. We’ve got covid protocols, testing, vaccines, quarantine and Dr. Fauci rules … and so many hard-working, law- abiding small business owner remain financially wounded or...

They are up in my yard, and I hope the crocuses and daffodils are up in yours, too. Unfortunately, I’ve seen a few “Peduto for Mayor” signs. Imagine if flowers had a school board and union. Would they lock down kids and parents or open the schools? Heck, even the...

I am proud to report VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System is the provider of choice for more than 63,000 veterans in our region. Our providers and staff work hard to maintain veterans’ trust, using advanced technology to deliver the best care, often with shorter wait times than veterans see in the...

Question for letter-writer Cheryl Rossetti (“Disagree with election results? Return stimulus checks,” March 24, TribLIVE): We the disgruntled deplorables want to know, did you keep the $600 check President Trump approved? Being a morally superior Democrat, you gave it back right? If you didn’t, step away from your pedestal please....

The American people always have looked to their presidents to offer comfort and solace when the nation has suffered a grievous loss. We saw it in President Reagan in the aftermath of the Challenger disaster; we saw it in President Obama after churchgoers were slaughtered by a white supremacist in...

What are the metrics indicating a safe end to the covid-19 guidelines? Deaths, hospitalizations and case numbers are down. Natural immunity and immunizations are up. When is it safe to stop wearing masks, social distancing, limiting health care facility visits, etc.? The public health experts have been and are in...