Does Catholic Church discriminate, demonize?

Regarding the letter “Pick a side, good or evil” (April 10, TribLIVE): How dare the writer declare “you cannot be Catholic and vote Democrat.” Who made him pope?

According to him, you can discriminate against God’s children who he made LBGT, and still be Catholic. According to him, you can demonize immigrants, and still be Catholic.

Can you support fascism in the form of those governors who retaliate against corporations and private citizens who disagree with them, ban books, restrict the speech of teachers, doctors and Democrats, support the proliferation of guns, sue to prevent health care to diabetics, those with HIV, pregnant women in crisis and the poor, and still be Catholic?

My Catholic Church is much more loving than that. Maybe instead, those who love America and democracy would never vote Republican.

He cries that his side is labeled “racists, sexists and homophobes.” Maybe it’s because their actions and policies expose them as such.

Mary Beth Walling

North Huntingdon

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Free Narcan will always be available

The article “Western Pa. recovery experts celebrate over-the-counter naloxone, voice concern about cost” (April 6, TribLIVE) discusses how free distribution of naloxone will still be important even when it becomes available over the counter. However, it did not mention where agencies obtain their free Narcan, or how any Westmoreland County resident can obtain free Narcan.

The Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission (WeDAC), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, contracts with Pennsylvania’s Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs to act as the Single County Authority for substance abuse intervention, prevention, treatment, case management and recovery support services in Westmoreland County. WeDAC has been recognized as being the Centralized Coordinating Entity for naloxone distribution and overdose prevention training through a grant through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency .

WeDAC distributes free overdose prevention kits and training to community agencies such as those mentioned in the article, treatment providers, those suffering from substance use disorder, families, agencies, businesses, libraries, schools/colleges, hospitals and first responders.

Since 2017, WeDAC has distributed 16,158 free Narcan kits throughout Westmoreland County. Free naloxone is also available by mail by visiting WeDAC’s website (www.wedacinc.org) and completing a request form.

WeDAC will continue to provide area residents free access to lifesaving Narcan regardless of when it becomes available over the counter.

Colleen D. Hughes

Monessen

The writer is executive director of the Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission.

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Many things can be called ‘assault weapons’

The term “assault weapon” can be applied to anything that is used to kill, injure or maim another person The FBI statistics show that more people are attacked and murdered with kitchen knives than by AR semi-automatic rifles and pistols every year.

If the far-left Democrats have their way, then I guess we will have to ban and confiscate all knives, forks and spoons because they can be fashioned into weapons and used to assault someone. We will also have to ban cars trucks and trains for the same reason, as well as our hands because they can be used to assault with the fist and be used to strangle someone to death.

But the problem is that we would then have to use a knife or surgical instrument in order to sever our hands and that would mean using an instrument that must be banned. Oh and I guess that would at least solve the abortion argument because the instruments used in that dispicable procedure would have to be banned.

The real problem is (begin ital)not(end ital) the weapon used to commit these atrocious crimes. It boils down to two problems within the person committing the crime: They either have a sinful nature or a mental problem that even if treated usually goes unreported to the authorities and are not put on a “do not sell” list to keep them from purchasing a pistol or rifle of any kind. In any case

We as a nation must return to God if we are to survive as a free society.

John Watson

North Huntingdon

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Climate ‘consensus’

The writer of the letter “Humans have changed the climate cycle” (April 4, TribLIVE) disguises climate dogma as academic rebuttal citing the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) “scientific consensus.” By definition, consensus is nothing more than general agreement, and it’s certainly not scientific. The United Nations IPCC advances “anthropogenic” climate change only. It starts with the premise that humans cause it, therefore only humans can control it; non- conforming opinions are excluded.

Originally, the UN’s Advisory Group on Greenhouse Gases (AGGG) was founded by a Swedish meteorologist and Canadian climatologist. It quickly was replaced by the IPCC, which today is chaired by a South Korean economist. Economists recently assumed inflation was “transitory,” and couldn’t agree on the definition of recession. Why is one leading the charge on climate change?

Assumptions about atmospheric carbon levels 3 million years ago are questionable. Temperature records only begin 150 years ago. Dire predictions about the ice caps have been folly, and poor Greta Thunberg recently deleted a 5-year-old tweet because the world has not ended.

Human vulnerabilities lead man to believe he can control the weather. Primitive tribes performed ceremonial dances to make it rain, and ancient civilizations pleased their gods with virgin sacrifices to ensure a fruitful harvest. Today, elitists arrogantly want us to dance around limitations on our freedom, and sacrifice quality of life, to maintain their economic bounty. I’ll trust in God to make it rain on their parade.

Joe Schmidt

Lower Burrell

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We’re lacking leaders on both sides

I have read my share of letters written here by those who condemn Democrats or who denounce Republicans. Such criticism can lead to a vacuum of leadership. What young and bright upcoming politician would want to step into the vitriol of the partisan divide that affects our politics today? What we are sorely lacking are good leaders.

Good leaders are not good because of their political party. They are good in spite of their party. Is a lawmaker who always votes the party line a leader? What about those who refuse to communicate with the other party on important issues?

If smart young people refuse to enter politics because of its nastiness, who can blame them? What happens then is those people on the extreme rush in to fill the leadership void, making the political divide even worse.

But then the fault is our own if we keep voting in the same lawmakers time and time again. Shame on us.

Richard Patton

Franklin Township, Beaver County

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Guns in the great outdoors

Ah, the love of nature, to be in the woods, in orange. The hunters natter on about which day is best to begin deer season; some are “sickened” at the thought of a Saturday start, while others are “appalled” by a Monday starting gun. A recent letter stated that the “guys” would probably buy something on Saturday, a sandwich or a raffle ticket. Well, heck, maybe the gals would, too.

Look, I am not against hunting, but, when my spouse and I go to the forest, we are armed only with binoculars, daypacks and sturdy shoes. The great outdoors of Pennsylvania are not owned solely by the ones with firearms. There was a time, not long ago, when hunting was not permitted on Sundays. I presume this was a truce for God’s creatures. Certainly, it was a day in late fall when we thought we could freely enjoy the outdoors without hunters. But that is no more.

Sadly, the arguments back and forth are beside the point. The reality is that the sound of gunfire rings out in the Pennsylvania wilds every day of the year.

William Graves

Etna

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Who’s profiting from our high utility bills?

Electricity and/or natural gas affects every household in Pennsylvania in one way or another. Aren’t we fortunate to live in a state that produces more natural gas through fracking than nearly every other state in the nation? If that is indeed the case, do you wonder why our prices have risen so dramatically in the past two years, and what is the purpose of the Public Utility Commission?

In April 2021, our Peoples Gas bill was $50.35. In April 2023, it is $94.35, an increase of 79.5%. In April 2021, our West Penn (First Energy) bill was $60.99. In April 2023, it is $88.23, an increase of 44.7%. So the record amount of natural gas that is being fracked and produced is obviously generating huge profits for someone. Those profits appear to be on the backs of Pennsylvania renters and homeowners.

If our representatives want to do something worthwhile, and not simply pay lip service, they can call to task those responsible for the price hikes and profiteering. If they can’t solve the problem of natural gas bills rising 40% per year and electricity increasing 22% per year in the face of record production, perhaps we need to consider our choices when we next elect our lawmakers or choose PUC members.

Joe Marasti

Penn Township, Westmoreland County

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