Opinion category, Page 662
Thomas Palley: Bernie Sanders — nothing to fear but fear itself
“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Eighty-seven years ago, those were the words of Franklin Delano Roosevelt in his 1933 inaugural speech. Today, they resonate with Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign, which confronts a barrage of attacks aimed at frightening away voters. Fear is the enemy...
Editorial: B. Smith’s story worth remembering
Barbara “B.” Smith was a lot of things to a lot of people. A native of Everson in Fayette County who graduated from Southmoreland High School, she went into modeling and became a groundbreaker for black women in the fashion industry. She was a restaurateur and cookbook author. She was...
Letter to the editor: Mike Bloomberg’s money
If you haven’t seen a political ad promoting mega-billionaire Michael Bloomberg yet, just hold on — you will. Bloomberg suddenly prefers to be called “Mike,” perhaps to appeal to the working class. Bloomberg’s campaign proclaimed last month he would spend up to $2 billion to highlight his ideas so he...
Letter to the editor: Electoral College is archaic
Americans will vote this year using the same archaic method for choosing a president, the Electoral College, which does not necessarily allow the person who wins the most votes, aka the popular vote, to become president. Because of this anomaly, both George W. Bush and Donald Trump, instead of Al...
Letter to the editor: President has power to pardon
Here we go again — the president is abusing his power. Yeah, but why is it always the president named Donald Trump that is continuously accused of abusing his power? Now before people start screeching “impeach Trump” again, go to Wikipedia and look up “list of people pardoned or granted...
Tom Purcell: Kids have to make names for themselves
Get this: New parents are giving newborns outlandish names — so they’ll stand out on social media. That’s according to a new survey of British parents by ChannelMum, which found 72% of respondents “believe a unique name will help their child stand out from the crowd,” StudyFinds reports. So, what...
Editorial: Tech teaches life lessons
Technology is often demonized in the lives of kids. Too many phones. Too many screens. Kids need to pick up a book. Kids need to try to use their brains instead of relying on a device. Kids have too much technology and not enough creativity. But technology is as creative...
Letter to the editor: Trump brought hatred on himself
I am continually amazed by the number of people who either support President Trump or are too blind to see him for what he really is. I refer to Dale Parker’s letter “Can’t understand hatred of Trump” (Feb. 4, TribLIVE). Does Parker not realize that whatever hate is given Trump,...
Jonah Goldberg: Bernie Sanders too often sees only what he wants to see
Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who did not have a great performance in Wednesday’s Democratic debate, nevertheless said something interesting. “We’re not going to throw out capitalism,” Bloomberg said. “We tried. Other countries tried that. It was called communism, and it just didn’t work.” I’m unclear on when...
Letter to the editor: Celebrating African American contributions
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA is the oldest Muslim organization in America. The United States branch was established in 1920 when Ahmadi missionary Mufti Muhammad Sadiq arrived in Philadelphia. Ahmadis practice a message of justice, peace and tolerance, with our motto reading “Love for All, Hatred for None.” In our...
Letter to the editor: Outcomes of impeachment
After watching a good bit of the sham impeachment procedure, I’m so glad to see it wind down. To me, it has been a three-year Democratic campaign commercial against President Trump financed by the American taxpayer. Trump’s attorney, Jay Sekulow, said at the Senate trial that the president’s lawyers were...
Mallard Fillmore cartoons for the week of Feb. 24
Mallard Fillmore cartoons for the week of Feb. 24....
Editorial cartoons for the week of Feb. 24
Editorial cartoons for the week of Feb. 24....
Eric Falk: 2020 may be one of our most important elections
Elections, particularly for such high-profile offices as president, governor, and United States senator and congressman, are usually an interesting combination of highly contested and yet innocuous affairs. Candidates try to sharply draw differences between themselves and try to “activate” their respective bases, motivating them for the necessary turnout. Yet when...
S.E. Cupp: On breastfeeding and Michael Bloomberg
He may have hoped his billions would speak louder than his baggage, but Michael Bloomberg has experienced a cavalcade of bad press over the past two weeks that should make him a painfully hideous choice for any voter, but Democrats in particular. There’s his support of stop-and-frisk, an anti-crime policy...
Editorial: Are fewer divorces good news?
For decades, we have heard the troubling statistic about American families. Half of marriages end in divorce. Well, the odds are improving. Especially in Pennsylvania. A 2017 Psychology Today study reviewed those numbers and found a new bride and groom had a 75% chance of staying together. Aw. We knew...
Letter to the editor: How about reducing seniors’ property taxes?
In her letter “Property taxes ruin seniors’ ‘golden years’ ”, Barbara Markle asked, “Anyone out there feel this way?” Yes, Ms. Markle, I’m sure there are thousands of us who agree with you. Officeholders and politicians, please take note: The single best thing you could do to improve the lives...
Letter to the editor: Lies, promises & arguments
I believe that there is no one person to blame for what’s wrong with politics and government. Lies and deceit plague government decision-making. In my opinion, most people in government tend to lie or twist words to meet the situation. Most, if not all, presidents have lied to the American...
Letter to the editor: Chill out; elections come every 4 years
An anticipated coronation turned out to be an election. The long-suffering palace princess was not chosen to lead the multitude into the promised land. A presidential election happens in the USA every four years, a process dreamed about in most other countries. I recently read an article that quoted the...
Joseph Sabino Mistick: Democrats’ ugly debate forgot about party
No one seems happy with half a loaf anymore. And that was the big takeaway from the Democratic Party’s presidential debate in Nevada last week. Half a loaf for Democrats would be defeating Donald Trump, even if it means that some Democratic candidates have to put their personal glory on...
Matthew Brouillette: The truth behind the turnpike nightmare
It’s like a recurring bad dream. A new year, a new Pennsylvania Turnpike toll hike. Now, driving the length of the highway costs upwards of $65.70 — not counting the return trip. Only, this nightmare is real. We know the usual suspects: infrastructure needs, mandates that the turnpike fund mass...
Colin McNickle: Legislature must act to salvage PASSHE
Problems continue to grow worse for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). And there remains little doubt that dramatic changes are needed at several of the universities in the 14-school system, says a scholar at the Allegheny Institute for Public Policy. “It is time for the Legislature and...
Rev. Sandra Strauss: Lawmakers should clamp down on illegal gambling
There is no question that Pennsylvania is under siege from an out-of-control explosion of illegal gambling that is occurring in gas stations, convenience stores, corner stores and pizza parlors where teens gather. Currently, there are at least 15,000 so-called “skilled games” machines in operation in communities across the state. Despite...
Editorial: Legislation strangled by partisanship
The political landscape is as partisan as a war zone, but “bipartisan” seems to be every politician’s favorite word. If a legislator does something with even one member of the opposing party, you will hear crows of “bipartisan support.” Without that one member, there is a great wailing and mourning...
Sounding off: No ‘gray area’ on guns
Lori Falce’s column “The black and white of guns” starts out lumping seven hot topics with gun rights/control as having “gray area” that must be understood before both sides of any issue are settled. When it comes to gun rights/gun control, it is black and white. Because the “gray area”...
