Sounding off: Pittsburgh needs plastic bag ban

Pennsylvanians use almost 4.6 billion plastic bags every year, and each bag typically only has a lifespan of 20 to 30 minutes, or the time it takes to drive home from the store. It is high time for Pittsburgh to ban the use of single-use plastic bags or, at the minimum, implement strategies to discourage their use.

Plastic bags are not easily recycled and are a common source of pollution. Plastic is produced from crude oil, so the continued use of plastics can contribute to the global release of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

There are already 10 states in the U.S. that have banned the use of single-use plastics, and they have seen a dramatic decrease in pollution because of this policy. By banning the use of plastic bags, Pittsburgh can lead the movement for the rest of our state in becoming more environmentally conscious.

Ellie Falk, Sewickley

The writer is a senior at Lehigh University studying mechanical engineering and environmental science.

What citizens should do during traffic stops

There’s been a lot of talk concerning police reform needed, but what about citizen reform on traffic stops?

A public service announcement is needed across the country detailing what police should (rightfully) expect from the citizen who has been pulled over on a traffic stop. Here’s what we need to do if pulled over:

1. Put your window down.

2. Place your license, registration and insurance card on your dashboard.

3. Place your hands at the 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock positions on your steering wheel.

4. Be respectful.

If you’re concerned that an officer may mistreat you, you can purchase a camera ($40) and record the incident like they do with their body cameras.

We need the police, not the crime. Remember, driving isn’t a right. It’s a privilege.

Rob DiSanti, O’Hara

Biden’s work is refreshing

Congratulations to President Biden and his administration. How refreshing to see government start working for all people of this country.

On covid-19, we see record-setting vaccinations and hear true medical professionals daily. Gone are the days of lies and silencing those same experts. This country now gets the truth, as difficult as it can be, to protect ourselves. Past laughable suggestions included putting light/disinfectant in our bodies to combat the virus. Biden’s massive plan puts America in a new light globally and demonstrates we can once again become a can-do country. Hopefully, we’ll get us out of this quagmire of nothingness.

Final passage of his infrastructure plan will be compared to the historic FDR New Deal. In addition, Biden’s broad agenda shows that guns, not just gun laws or mental health issues, need to be a top priority. Our country’s gun death rates are devastating and gut-wrenching to affected families. Not to mention embarrassing globally. Yet our federal, county and state politicians shout “Second Amendment,” woo-hoo! What will they shout when it comes to our schools, mall or theater?

Please, no more prayers, just political action. Biden has enormous challenges — climate change, hate crimes, fair taxation and an emphasis on the middle class for a change. I’m so proud of and excited by my Biden/Harris vote.

Frank Flori, Hempfield

Biden proving to be worst ever

I thought it was impossible to have in my lifetime a president who is even worse than Barack Obama. But in only three months. President Santa Claus has proven that he is that guy!

Aside from screwing up the border hideously and, like Obama, running as a unifier and then not spending four seconds trying to unify us or reach across the aisle, as Mike Lange says, he is “handing out checks like it’s the first of the month.”

Trillions here, billions there — hey why not another $2 trill? The problem, besides that I believe he’s a stone liar, is that the money does not exist. The Fed writes a check, lends the gubmint money, buys bonds. But the money … does not exist. It’s invented out of thin air. Abracadabra, we now have an extra $6 trillion.

They justify it by saying that we only have to be able to “service” the debt, not pay it off. It’s like maxing out a $250,000 credit card and only paying the monthly. Eventually, even the monthly becomes too much.

But Uncle Santa Claus is too dim to understand … or care. Hey, I’m announcing for president. My platform is that I will send every person a monthly check for $3 million. What’s that you say? The money does not exist? And that’s different from now, how?

James F. Cataldi, Moon

We shouldn’t ‘drop’ Black Lives Matter

In response to the letter “All lives, of all colors, matter”: The Black Lives Matter movement should not be “dropped” by the nation.

In the Bible, specifically in Luke 15, Jesus tells the parable of the lost sheep. There are 100 sheep, and one goes missing. The shepherd leaves the 99 sheep to go look for the missing one. This parable is not telling us that the 99 sheep do not matter or that the one matters any more than the others. However, the one that is missing is the one in danger.

Black lives are the ones being targeted and discriminated against, so they are the ones in danger, and people want to change that.

Many of the Black Lives Matter protests have been peaceful, but unfortunately the media often shows riots rather than the peaceful protests.

Racism is a serious issue in this country, and it is something that needs to be fixed. Saying we “are all the same color” or “I don’t see color” is harmful in that the struggles of people of color need to be recognized and acknowledged to begin to address the issue.

Ava Bailey, Hempfield

The writer is a senior at Greensburg Central Catholic High School.

Kudos to Liz Cheney

You go, Rep. Liz Cheney! For standing up to President Trump and calling out the “Big Lie” as Trump continues to claim he won the 2020 election.

This Trump Republican Party is greatly flawed. Truth seems to mean absolutely nothing to them. They are crucifying fellow Republican Cheney for speaking the truth. The 2020 election was won fair and square by President Biden. When did Republicans become such liars? Oh yes, I remember — when Trump was elected.

Trump remains active in the background controlling his minions to push the “Big Lie.” I predict Trump Republicans will continue to lie, pass vote restricting legislation and not address the real issues that are important to the American people (infrastructure, education, child care, climate change). It appears they stand for power at any cost.

Wake up. Our democracy is at risk.

Carolyn McConnell, Buffalo Township

Vaccinated sections will spiral

There is a real possibility that certain venues will have fully vaccinated sections at events such as hockey and concerts, to name two. If this happens, my questions are:

1. Where will my fully vaccinated bathrooms be located at these venues?

2. Where will my fully vaccinated water fountains be located at these venues?

And so on. Once something like this starts, where does it end?

Danny Davis, Penn Township, Westmoreland County