Opinion category, Page 317
Editorial: Did Tom Wolf understand politics?
Gov. Tom Wolf is about to close out his two-term tenure. It’s been quite a ride. Over the years, we have not been shy about laying criticism at the governor’s door. We have castigated him for budget issues. We have harangued him for administrative hiccups and staff pay raises. We...
Letter to the editor: Blessings in bitter weather
Last Friday, I walked down my long driveway, laden with snow and amidst the howling wind, to retrieve my Tribune-Review and the mail, because I knew both likely had been delivered and the least I could do was make the effort to get them. Earlier that day I received a...
Jonah Goldberg: Trump has supplanted Nixon as the saddest figure in post-presidential politics
“The tapes are the real man — mean, vindictive, panicky, striking first in anticipation of being struck, trying to lift his own friable self-esteem by shoving others down,” Gary Wills wrote of Richard Nixon in the 2017 preface to his book, “Nixon Agonistes.” Wills added, perhaps unfairly, that “Nixon’s real...
Joseph Friedman: Finally, some promising news on opioids for patients in severe pain
The U.S. remains in the midst of an ever-worsening drug overdose crisis. Because prescription opioids drove its earlier phases, the nation responded by drastically reducing access to those drugs — with prescriptions dropping by nearly 50% over the last decade. But it’s now clear that approach was ineffective at combating...
Letter to the editor: George Will has become a Trumper
George Will, fool on the hill. President Biden and Vice President Harris have done nothing wrong. They are a great team. Instead of giving support to Biden and Harris, you have turned into a Trumper with your negative waves. Go away. Francois Vukosic Bridgeville...
Letter to the editor: Free speech is critical
Why would anyone oppose a social media platform supporting free speech and open debate? Unless of course your position is indefensible and can’t withstand scrutiny, or maybe you’re intentionally hiding facts to achieve an agenda; otherwise it makes no sense. The censorship and disinformation we’re now experiencing is antithetical to...
Letter to the editor: Time to reform legislative rules
On Jan. 3, Pennsylvania state legislators will begin the new session by establishing procedural rules governing their operations. This is where, behind closed doors, a handful of majority leaders and committee chairs assume control over all state legislation. It’s where our elected reps are pressured to permit their “leaders” to...
Tom Purcell: Best 2023 resolution: Get a pet
It was late December of 2020. Covid cabin fever was hitting me hard. As a writer and communications consultant, I’ve long worked from an office in my home. I was used to working alone at home, but covid isolation was pushing me beyond my limits. Family issues were also weighing...
Tom Ruscitti: Pittsburgh lost a treasure in Franco Harris
I grew up in Aliquippa, the son of a steelworker and a Steelers fan as long as I can remember. Franco Harris transformed an entire city in nine seconds — the “Immaculate Reception” gave an entire city hope, hope that we could be more than a dirty, smoky mill town...
Letter to the editor: Abuse of power
In 1908 an investigative bureau of 34 special agents was formed that later became known as the FBI. At the time, Congress was leery of creating a “national police force.” Their concern was that the bureau would become a political tool for whomever was in office. It now appears those...
Letter to the editor: Keep the peace and free speech
Most people do a few silly things they regret. Submitting a letter to the editor, “Looking at logic on Trump” (Nov. 21, TribLIVE), was one such. The point of the letter was to encourage people to consider the actions of a president on merit rather than party platform. Since the...
Editorial: Use blighted properties to fight housing problems
There is seldom just one way to solve a problem. Instead, there can be a menu of options that can take you down different paths. The question is priorities. Do you want your task done quickly, cheaply, efficiently? Do you want it done green, or is supporting local business important?...
Editorial cartoons for the week of Dec. 26
Editorial cartoons for the week of Dec. 26....
Mallard Fillmore cartoons for the week of Dec. 26
Mallard Fillmore cartoons for the week of Dec. 26....
Letter to the editor: Grateful for dialysis clinic
Are you aware that we have a dialysis clinic called DCI in New Kensington? Capable people take very good care treating those of us who need dialysis. I wish to express gratitude to each of them in appreciation for their love and care. They make dealing with a difficult situation...
Sounding off: Immigration, Musk, Trump, kindness top topics this week
Immigration partnership could work I have a lot of ideas. Sometimes I’m the master of the obvious, and others have thought and written about the same thing. Sometimes, I come up with a good one. I think the following represents a good one. I raise ideas with our legislators, and...
Letter to the editor: We can all ‘give birth to Christ’
Christian mystic Meister Eckhart wrote that “We are all meant to be mothers of God; for God is always needing to be born.” As we celebrate the birth of Christ, let us resolve to be mothers of God in our families, in our neighborhoods, in our workplaces and in our...
Letter to the editor: Let’s follow third-grader’s example and be kind
Regarding third grader Ava Kostewicz’s letter “Kindness keeps us connected” (Sept. 4, TribLIVE): When I read your letter (which I clipped and kept), it brought tears to my eyes. It wasn’t because it made me sad, but that this was coming from a young lady who could see the needs...
Letter to the editor: Remembering the generous heart of Franco Harris
It is with a heavy heart that I write this memory of Franco Harris. It is a unique glimpse into his heart. A few years ago, in my position as executive director of a drug treatment center during the height of the opioid epidemic, Franco agreed to be the keynote...
Joseph Sabino Mistick: O Holy Night
It turned out to be my last chance to shine at Christmas Eve Midnight Mass with the boys’ choir of St. Robert Bellarmine Church in East McKeesport. By the next year, my voice would be changed, one more sign that I was moving along in life, aging out of things....
Paul Kengor: ‘Home Alone’ — a truly Christmas movie and message
If you’re looking for a family Christmas movie this year, I’d like to suggest an obvious favorite, but for reasons perhaps less obvious. The movie is “Home Alone,” and the unexpected reasons? Well, read on. And as I share these explicitly Christian elements, please understand that it is, well, a...
Gary Franks: A Trojan horse at our border?
Could America be engaged in a Trojan horse war? If so, we are losing badly. I am referring to the crisis at the Mexican border. Do Democrats really want to fix it? Many have said that politics is not rocket science. They would be right. After all, numerous occupations are...
S.E. Cupp: Mike Pence is a man without a prayer of winning
“We’re giving it consideration in our house — prayerful consideration.” That was former Vice President Mike Pence, telling ABC News last month that he’s contemplating a run against his former boss and the only entry in the 2024 presidential election thus far, Donald Trump, a man he served dutifully for...
Brian Backe: Use your head, not just your heart, when making charitable donations
It is that time of year when a little voice in our head reminds us that it is time to start thinking about giving to charitable nonprofits doing good work in our community and world. Sometimes there is another voice in the background asking, “How do I know they are...
Letter to the editor: Mr. President, take action on gun violence
President Jimmy Carter tried to get the hostages out of Iran from 1979 to 1981. If you’re sincere, President Biden, about stopping gun violence in America, I’m advising you that every public building — stores, schools — and even homes should have metal detectors at all entrances to detect guns....
