Opinion category, Page 686
Letter to the editor: Tired of impeachment coverage
We are all creatures of habit in one way or another. One of my habits, like many others, is to turn on the noon TV news and have my lunch or coffee and cookie. It seems that our TVs have be confiscated by the government lately. I had to stop...
Letter to the editor: Overuse of ‘democracy’ is concerning
Can you recall when such unusually frequent use of the word “democracy” was used and abused? Doesn’t the overuse of the word evoke concern — akin to the concern when repeatedly hearing “trust me”? Isn’t it amazing that elementary and high school children learned that the brilliant results of our...
Letter to the editor: Brian Shaw’s killer deserves fear, death
Regarding the article “Jury finds Rahmael Holt guilty of killing New Kensington police Officer Brian Shaw”: There is no other instinct stronger than the will to live. A murderer is fully aware of this fact as he commits the act. If the murderer were to be confronted with immediate death,...
Lawrence McCullough: Community colleges can accelerate immigrant assimilation
The fundamental immigration problem America needs to solve is not how to keep people out but how to more successfully and rapidly integrate them when they arrive. America’s community colleges are uniquely well-suited to play a vital role in helping immigrants become better equipped to achieve prosperity and contribute to...
Mark Hendrickson: Prevent Government Shutdowns Act a surrender
U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., is promoting the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2019. The goal of the act is to prevent disruptive government shutdowns. Since Johnson arrived in Washington in 2011, partisan congressional standoffs have led to “three government shutdowns” and “34 continuing resolutions to avoid shutdowns,” and Congress...
Joseph Sabino Mistick: The American treasure of impeachment
The impeachment of a president of the United States is serious business, but the fact that it is even an option should make every American proud. It can be gut wrenching, but this ability to call our most powerful leader to task is proof of the even more powerful role...
Olivia Bennett: Black women should be respected, paid fairly
Thanks to the “Pittsburgh’s Inequality Across Gender and Race” report, Pittsburghers are once again reminded that we live in the worst city in the country for black women. We are dead last in the categories of health outcomes, poverty and income, employment, and education. The September report, a collaboration with...
Sounding off: Safeguarding our prosperity
What causes poverty? Wrong question, since poverty is the natural state of humans. It’s been that way for 100,000 years. The correct question is “What causes wealth?” Quick answer — free-market capitalism. Since the late 18th century, a middle class has been forming, thanks to small-business owners depending on their...
Editorial: Law just part of youth vaping fix
A new law will not stop young smokers. Or vapers. On Thursday, Pennsylvania’s General Assembly moved ahead with legislation that would change the legal age to buy tobacco products — whether traditional cigarettes or the newer e-cigarette devices and their fluids — to 21. The House supported it 135-49. The...
Letter to the editor: Yovanovitch’s intimidation claim is laughable
Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch said during the impeachment hearings that she felt intimidated by President Trump’s tweet critiquing her performance as ambassador. As a retired Foreign Service employee, I find that unbelievable and laughable. Our ambassadors around the world are made of sterner stuff. Yovanovitch apparently is not. Irrelevant to impeachment,...
Letter to the editor: Let medical practitioners, not government, take care of us
Dr. Lawrence John (“Patients want physicians involved in their health care,” Nov. 13, TribLIVE) is probably correct that most patients would prefer to see a physician than a physician’s assistant. That does not mean that in many cases they would be as well cared for by a physician’s assistant. But...
Letter to the editor: Government failing our children
Our poor children. Parents always want the best for their children. For most parents it is their main purpose in life, to raise healthy, happy, honorable children. They want them to be able to live in a safe, prospering and honorable country. They know it is important their children get...
John Stossel: Debunking climate myths
“How dare you? You have stolen my dreams and my childhood!” insisted teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg at the United Nations. “We are in the beginning of a mass extinction!” Many people say that we’re destroying the Earth. It all sounds so scary. But I’ve been a consumer reporter for...
Walter Williams: On climate, are scientists dishonest or afraid?
The absolute worst case of professional incompetence and dishonesty is in the area of climate science. Tony Heller has exposed some of the egregious dishonesty of mainstream environmentalists in his video “My Gift To Climate Alarmists.” Environmentalists and their political allies attribute the recent increase in deadly forest fires to...
Editorial: Schools need to study travel costs
Educators appreciate education. At least, they should. It’s right there in the name. One would think that a teacher or a principal or a superintendent would be interested in learning as much as teaching, especially when so much is changing about how kids are processing information via new technologies. And...
Letter to the editor: Free is never really free
Democratic candidates love to use the word “free.” It appeals to uninformed voters. Free college, health care, cellphones. However, free is usually not free. It just means someone else pays for it. Maybe that someone is you. John, a 20-year-old man, is thrilled that his college education will be free....
Letter to the editor: Violating traffic laws as Olympic sport
When we moved here in 2007, we were warned by our real estate agent about people running the red lights on Route 30 near our home. I have been seeking an answer as to why this happens so often. We heeded her advice to never go as soon as the...
Letter to the editor: A dream for America
I have a dream … that America will become a strong nation and that Mr. Trump will become leader for life; that the disagreeable, weak and unemployable shall be sent to work camps until they are set free; that genocide is approved to cleanse the nation. A dream of one...
Letter to the editor: Trump & the Pharisees
Perhaps letter-writer R. Ritchey (“Jesus, too, criticizes the elite,” Oct. 23, TribLIVE) should read the Scriptures. The Pharisees had the mandate of teaching and safeguarding God’s laws as given to Moses. Our Congress is mandated to represent our people and to protect and represent our Constitution. Both groups have failed....
Paul Kengor: What Thanksgiving Day is about — 100 years ago, and today
Thanksgiving Day 100 years ago was truly a blessed occasion. President Woodrow Wilson’s Thanksgiving proclamation was significant because America and the world had enjoyed their first full year of peace since 1914. World War I had been a particularly vicious war, described by philosopher Sidney Hook as no less than...
Lori Falce: Conversation at Thanksgiving table
When I plan my Thanksgiving menu, I do it with the people who will fill their plates in mind. My mom loves turkey, so I give the bird its starring role with juicy brined meat and crispy skin. One sister wants her mashed potatoes pure and unadulterated by the sour...
Laurels & lances: Movies, fights, holidays and theft
Laurel: To a spotlight on a great neighbor. A little national attention on Pittsburgh is always nice, especially when it’s for everyone’s favorite nice guy, Latrobe native Fred Rogers. “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” is giving that wholesome glow with a little red-carpet flair. Thanks a lot, Tom Hanks!...
Letter to the editor: Voters’ dedication admirable
As a volunteer poll worker positioned near handicap parking areas, I assisted some of those struggling, dedicated voters. I didn’t know or care about their party leaning. I only know I admired and appreciated their patriotism. Bob Goehring North Huntingdon...
Letter to the editor: Federal budget, climate change
Impeachment: Am I the only one who has noticed that Congress never got around to building a budget? At least this time the continuing resolution will last the fiscal year. Climate: Don’t sweat it. Over half of the world’s population is already short of water, essentially all of the people...
Letter to the editor: A lot to love about Westmoreland
I grew up in not-so-safe neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens, where I quickly became street smart. I got a paper route and have worked ever since. There is pride of ownership when you earn and buy your own home. I have also never received any government benefits or privilege. When...
