Opinion category, Page 713
Sounding off: How about a new amendment to protect all life?
I begin by pointing out what common sense tells us — that even after the tragedies of this month, a constitutional repeal of the Second Amendment would never pass. Too many conservatives would oppose it. It would have the same chance of passing as a constitutional amendment to reverse Roe...
George Will: Amash’s independence shows voters they don’t have to settle for binary choice
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. It is difficult to discourage and impossible to manage Justin Amash because he, unusual among politicians, does not want much and wants nothing inordinately. He would like to win a sixth term as congressman from this culturally distinctive slice of the Midwest. He does not, however, want...
David Urban: Trump has kept his promise to revive manufacturing
My late father was a lifelong steelworker at J&L Steel’s famed Aliquippa works. Growing up in Western Pennsylvania, I was witness to politicians of every stripe too easily accepting the death of the American steel industry, and manufacturing in general. We were told that it was simply the way of...
Antony Davies & James Harrigan: Balancing gun rights, preventing harm
Presidential hopeful Andrew Yang broke down in tears last week while discussing gun violence at a town hall in Iowa. Elizabeth Warren announced that she intends to reduce gun violence in this country by 80%. Her plan includes background checks (these are already required), revoking gun licenses for gun dealers...
G. Terry Madonna & Michael Young: Will Trump become ‘new normal’ in American politics?
Paradigms, sometimes called “world views,” are the ways we experience, think about and often measure particular ideas, subjects and institutions. Paradigms are notorious for “shifting” as described by a generations of scholars dating back to Thomas Kuhn in 1962. Paradigm shifts are fundamental changes in the way we look at,...
Joseph Sabino Mistick: Trump missed bipartisanship lesson during Monaca visit
Last week, when Donald Trump blew into town and toured the Royal Dutch Shell multibillion-dollar cracker plant under construction in Beaver County, he made one of his trademark laughable claims. The plant has created 5,000 construction jobs and will require 600 permanent industrial jobs when completed, plus thousands of jobs...
Editorial: Kudlow needs to see recession danger
Recession isn’t a blood-soaked word like murder or rape or stabbing. There will probably never be a slasher movie that starts with a dropping stock price or a devalued dollar. But that doesn’t mean recession isn’t a terrifying idea if you understand what it means. (And maybe more if you...
Letter to the editor: School’s almost in session — drive safely
Shortly, school will be starting throughout Western Pennsylvania. The motoring public is reminded of the increased traffic we will experience on the highways in the morning and in the afternoon. School buses, teachers, school employees and students in personal cars will take to the roads, creating more traffic, and we...
Letter to the editor: Serving one nation under God
My family has been here before it was a country. We never owned slaves. Family members were killed and captured by native Americans. My family served in the Mexican War, Civil War, and World Wars I and II, and I served during Vietnam. I support a president who doesn’t cut...
Letter to the editor: Talk to college freshmen about alcohol
First thoughts of back-to-college season typically involve endless trips to IKEA and Target, where dorm room accoutrements are agonized over and purchased. The days and weeks before classes start should also include conversations about alcohol and the risks associated with underage drinking. Underage drinking carries significant risks far beyond its...
John Stossel: Why shouldn’t we be able to sell our organs?
Have you volunteered to be an organ donor? I did. I just clicked the box on the government form that asks if, once I die, I’m willing to donate my organs to someone who needs them. Why not? Lots of people need kidneys, livers, etc. When I’m dead, I sure...
Walter Williams: How important is today’s racial discrimination?
There is discrimination of all sorts, and that includes racial discrimination. Thus, it’s somewhat foolhardy to debate the existence of racial discrimination yesteryear or today. From a policy point of view, a far more useful question to ask is: How much of the plight of many blacks can be explained...
Editorial: Don’t lose your Pittsburghese
We aren’t one nation of people that look alike and think alike. So why should we all sound alike? A class at the Community College of Allegheny County offers yinzers the opportunity to “lose your Pittsburgh accent.” “Come to this class and learn how to subdue your Pittsburghese,” the course...
Letter to the editor: Mueller did not exonerate Trump
Regarding Rep. Guy Reschenthaler’s op-ed “Mueller show’s over; it’s time to move on”: Robert Mueller does not do “shows.” He investigates and makes recommendations to courts, Congress and the Department of Justice. Mueller did not exonerate Donald Trump of collusion. As a former JAG officer, you, Mr. Reschenthaler, certainly know...
Letter to the editor: Diocese should support schools
I’m still a practicing Catholic despite the findings of the grand jury. I’m working through it, but that’s a conversation for another time. My issue today is with the Catholic school system. The July 26 edition of the Pittsburgh Catholic newspaper had an article describing financial hardships in the Diocese...
Letter to the editor: Look in mirror to ‘do something’ about violence
If hate truly has no place in America, if we truly want to “do something” about violence in our society, we each need to look in the mirror. It is only through individual responsibility that we will begin to turn back the tide of violence. How are your relationships? How...
Donald Boudreaux: Do business people make better government officials?
Is it better for high-ranking government officials to have experience in the private sector as business owners or executives? Many people answer “yes!” But my answer is that of the economist: It depends. The characteristic that, above all, is best in a politician is humility. Unlike business executives who must...
Lori Falce: What about safety?
On Wednesday night, I sat in the auditorium with other parents whose kids were about to embark on the adventure that is middle school. We learned where the buses will pick the kids up and why our teachers won’t give us packets of schoolwork for sick days or vacations. We...
Laurels & lances: Cookie-eating, knife-wielding, fair-going
Laurel: To a whole lot of baking going on. Last week’s overwhelming response by cookie bakers during the Monongahela Area Historical Society’s 250th anniversary celebration brought the city a sweet honor when Guinness World Records adjudicator Christina Conlon announced that the number of cookies on display had established a new...
Letter to the editor: Excellent letter on Democrats & racism
For years I have enjoyed reading your letters to the editor, but Mary Beddingfield’s letter “Democrats’ racist rhetoric appalling” (July 30, TribLIVE) was among the best. This self-described black woman from Homewood did a masterful job of countering the tired old Democratic tactic of calling everyone who disagrees with the...
Letter to the editor: Trump will get my vote
Here are my opinions about some recent news items. Unlike many writers, I feel that President Trump is the best thing to hit Washington since President Reagan. He has done more good for our country in two years than most presidents have done in eight. Regardless who the socialist/Democrats choose,...
Letter to the editor: Why Dems call Trump racist
There is a very good reason why Democrats and the mainstream media keep calling President Trump a racist/bigot/whatever. If Trump gets 10% to 15% of the African-American vote in the 2020 election, the Democratic Party is toast, and Trump is re-elected. It’s that simple. Joseph F. Marmo Cheswick...
Letter to the editor: Don’t use balloons to honor the dead
I feel sad every time I see family and friends gathering after the loss of someone who died because of violence, drugs or medical problems. It’s nice to see them honoring the departed with special T-shirts and lit candles. What I don’t understand is why they think they are honoring...
Letter to the editor: Megan Rapinoe’s courage applauded
Regarding Jim Benford’s letter “Shame on Megan Rapinoe” (July 27, TribLIVE): I wasn’t aware that President Donald John Trump ever did officially invite the world champion U.S. women’s soccer team to the White House. Did he? Shame on who? Deriding anyone for having the courage of their convictions isn’t really...
Letter to the editor: Tunnel vision
Regarding Carl Mochak’s letter “Disagreeing with Trump supporters” (Aug. 1, TribLIVE): Mr. Mochak, if you just learned the meaning of the word “inept,” you must have slept in your English classes. You are probably like the cheering and chanting Democrats as well — liberals, socialists and abortion-loving . If you...
