Letters to the Editor category, Page 73

The letter “We can’t police ourselves out of opioid crisis” (May 4, TribLIVE) says “making medication-assisted opioid detoxification (MAOD) widely accessible should be the top priority” vs. hiring police to use opioid settlement money to reduce overdose deaths. Additionally, the article states the “CDC recommends evidence-based strategies for preventing opioid...

Who is responsible for the deterioration of bridges in Pittsburgh? Is anyone taking responsibility for their maintenance? Is anyone in authority reading the inspection reports? This needs to be addressed and corrected. It is a public safety issue that is being ignored. Thank God lives have not been lost. Money...

The child care staffing crisis, caused by the sector’s low wages, is rapidly diminishing working families’ access to child care. Unfortunately, programs all across Pennsylvania are closing classrooms and further limiting families’ options as they look for a safe, high-quality learning environment for their child while they work. Across Pennsylvania...

The article “Shapiro talks mental health, budget plans with Hempfield Area High School students” (May 17, TribLIVE) cited students “asking for help” to deal with stress at school by seeking to start classes later and decrease class workloads, etc. Mental health is not achieved by decreasing the stress of life...

As an Army veteran, I believe the transition to clean energy is essential to our national strength and prosperity. I’m so baffled to see Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., attacking the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), a bill that finally gave us the tools we need to tackle the climate crisis and...

In response to the letter “Questions for Christians” (May 21, TribLIVE): As a Roman Catholic Christian, I know that church clergy and members repeatedly advocate on behalf of migrants, from Pope Francis on down. Some examples: 1. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on May 12 issued a “Statement from...

Regarding the article “Show me the money: Teachers, education experts advocate for financial literacy” (May 21, TribLIVE): Kudos to the school districts that are teaching this important and valuable class. It should have been taught beginning many years ago. Monica Yuhas Smock...

Sensible gun laws will help us back the blue A recent feature article regarding law enforcement line-of-duty deaths was truly disheartening and speaks to our culture of gun violence. Eight local officers who lost their lives while serving our communities were highlighted. Five of those eight officers were fatally shot...

Just about everybody on Wall Street knows that the Biden administration’s economic policies are driving our economy into a deep recessionary ditch. Since President Biden took office and began reversing President Trump’s policies on fossil fuels, energy independence, the southern border and government spending, the inflation rate has surged to...

Regarding Yarone Zober’s op-ed “Innamorato needs big action for an Allegheny County that has been thinking small” (May 20, TribLIVE): Let’s hope the probable future Allegheny County executive is not only able to think big, but also is far-sighted enough to identify the talent necessary to move Pittsburgh into the...

Regarding the article “PIAA will sponsor high school girls wrestling after unanimous approval” (May 17, TribLIVE): Today, 14 “boys” declared their transgender status to challenge for capturing all of the first-place medals in the newly franchised PIAA “girls” wrestling. Dante “Killer” Kowalski, a 240-pound sophomore, spoke for the entire group:...

I am tired of people calling AR-15s “assault weapons.” In the case of a rifle, an assault weapon has a selective rate of fire … semiautomatic (one shot fired for each time you pull the trigger), to fully automatic (many shots fired with a single pull of the trigger). Some...

When will the Steelers wake up and fire Coach Mike Tomlin?? Tomlin continually gets out-coached in the playoffs as evidenced by now going six years without a playoff win. Under Tomlin, the Steelers have only had three playoff wins in 12 years. I am so sick of hearing the mantra...

I believe President Biden is in direct violation of his oath of office by allowing practically unfettered access to our southern border; by not better protecting the border , he has opened a path for criminals, terrorists and agents of foreign countries who want to destroy the United States and...

After 48 years as a Republican, I’m really questioning who they are. I know who I am and what I believe. The local Republican Party finally “grew a set” and took me on for exposing them. Should I have had to battle Westmoreland County Republican Committee Chair Bill Bretz all...

The writer of the letter “Why Trump was a great president” (March 7, TribLIVE) asked writers who argue that Donald Trump was the worst president need to be more specific in their reasoning. Here are some facts on why he wasn’t a great president. Putin and Ukraine: Putin was clearly...

The letter “Biden a traitor?” (May 15, TribLIVE) was a disgrace. To call President Biden a traitor is the writings of an uneducated person. If you want to call someone a traitor, look to Donald Trump. He called for an attack on our capitol. He and his followers should have...

President Carter, now in the twilight of his life, will be remembered as a bad president but a good man. His presidency will be remembered for record inflation, high interest rates, high unemployment, the humiliating embassy takeover in Iran and subsequent failed rescue attempt resulting in eight dead servicemen and...

Did you know that the Norwin School District has one of the lowest tax rates in Western Pennsylvania? Probably not, as the squeaky wheel doesn’t like to make the general public aware of this. Did you also know that Norwin has the lowest cost per student in Westmoreland County, let...

In the seven years I’ve been at Westmoreland Community Action (WCA), I’ve witnessed firsthand the overwhelming struggles of families in Southwestern Pennsylvania. New mothers in need of support, children falling behind in school and families going hungry because they don’t have enough to eat. However, I’ve also seen our community...

The letter “Ending gun violence” (May 14, TribLIVE) advocated for new gun laws under the guise of the “Common Agenda to End Gun Violence.” It states that the laws are “broadly popular” and “bipartisan.” I believe both characterizations are false. The bills are supported by the usual anti-gun crowd led...

Our community is so happy for the new Aldi store coming in Natrona Heights. With inflation and possibly a recession coming, us middle-class people — or poor, as they call us — are struggling with groceries and necessities. We welcome Aldi and jobs, jobs, jobs. Get off your rich high...

Could the labor shortage be structural? Too few people to take over for the baby boomer retirements? Then add covid-19 making people realize that their health is more important than their job. Might also be a contributing factor to people participating in work. Life-work balance, and protecting nurses from abusive...

If the average person lies on an employment application, he or she can get fired. If people lie under oath, about their taxes, to the police or on a mortgage application, it is a criminal offense; they can be fined and face jail time. Why do we hold our elected...

Early this month, Sen. Pat Stefano introduced the 2022 Bituminous Coal Queen, Brianna Hensh, on the floor of the state Senate. The coal queen, Stefano said, “represents the coal industry, which is a major economic driver in our region.” Indeed, Brianna is an excellent candidate to receive a major award...