Letters to the Editor category, Page 205

I have a modest proposal. We’ll get to it in a moment but, first, let’s talk about “Maus.” That, of course, is Art Spiegelman’s two-part graphic novel of his father’s experience in the Holocaust, which was banned last month by the school board in McMinn County, Tenn. Sadly, that in...

I am a Christian, and I believe if God thought we could destroy his planet with the use of fossil fuels, he would not have given them for us to use in the first place. Only God can destroy his planet, like the time Noah had to build an ark....

I was shocked to read in Mona Charen’s column “Are Democrats trying to lose elections?” (Jan. 16, TribLIVE) that mayors in the United States apparently have the power to allow noncitizens to vote in elections in their cities and towns. Charen noted that New York City’s new mayor, Eric Adams,...

What have we done? What are we leaving to our children and grandchildren? In the last two years, we have watched over 900,000 Americans lose their lives, over a small virus that has deadly consequences. Mostly because some doubting Thomases just can’t or will not see the necessity to vaccinate....

As we continue to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, now is the time to set our city on a path that will meet our reputation as the most livable city while maintaining the innovative drive that has created jobs and fostered innovation over the last decade. As mayor, Ed Gainey...

The right likes to demonize the word socialism and conflate ordinary public policies with authoritarian regimes in Venezuela, Cuba or Nazi Germany, which are socialist in name only. But a detailed look at some of our democratic socialist policies paint a more nuanced picture. Social Security, Medicare, roads and bridges,...

It has been nearly a year since the Wendel post office was closed. Wendel residents on our side of town now must go to Manor to pick up our mail. A two-minute trip has turned into a 20-minute expedition. In a letter dated Jan. 20, 2021, Curtis Williams, manager of...

Regardless of what happens with the proposed merger of Wilkinsburg and Pittsburgh, the need to consolidate the number of government entities within Allegheny County endures. At present, the townships and boroughs of Allegheny County more closely resemble the Kleinstaaterei of the Holy Roman Empire than the government structure of a...

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its draft decision on coverage for monoclonal antibodies targeting amyloid for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. This draft proposes a coverage decision that is so restrictive, it can hardly be considered coverage at all. It effectively denies access to all current...

Throughout the covid-19 crisis, there has been intense debate about the course of action that policymakers should take to fight the disease. However, the common goal across the spectrum has been unwaveringly consistent: Minimize the number of deaths and severe outcomes. Early on, state and federal subsidies were offered to...

The “stupid light” is flashing again. The weight limit on the Fern Hollow Bridge was 26 tons. The weight of a fully loaded fire truck can be 30 tons. The weight of a fully loaded garbage truck can be 32 tons. The weight of a fully loaded tractor-trailer can be...

Gone are the days when second opinions from another doctor were required or recommended. It had been standard practice for insurance companies to actually insist you get a second opinion before proceeding with surgery or treatment. Why was that practice abandoned? It is heart-wrenching to watch a loved one not...

I read with interest Betty Harp’s letter “Avoiding abortion” (Jan. 20, TribLIVE). Harp’s rudimentary understanding of modern social dynamics was on full display when she stated, “So, young women, keep yourself clean for that special man when you are old enough to get married. My mother was a wise lady.”...

I am beginning to resent our Pennsylvania legislators relying on the courts to have the final say on issues they have legislated. This is also true with recent movements to amend the state Constitution by sending referendums to voters. Whether it is creating new legislative districts or changing the way...

Do you know about what happened to the Jews in Germany in the 1930s and 1940s? Do you know about the German concentration camps? If you read and know the historical facts, you know that because of their religion, Jewish men, women and children were taken from their homes. Many...

How would you like a job where when you made a mistake, a big red light goes on and 18,000 people boo? That’s a quote from Jacques Plante, goalie of yore for the Montreal Canadiens. Unfortunately, it’s like that for today’s cops, who are being scrutinized on the way they...

I’m so confused after Trump’s recent statement that if he is elected president in 2024, he may pardon the Jan. 6 insurgents. I thought, according to many MAGA followers and Fox/Faux News, that those rioters were actually antifa and FBI agents. Is that what Trump meant, he will pardon these...

Regarding Lawrence Josephs’ letter “Socialism in line with Christian faith” (Jan. 16, TribLIVE): No, it is not. Nowhere in the Gospels did Jesus implore anyone to take money and material possessions from one and give it to another. That’s called theft. He asked the wealthy man to give his wealth,...

Regarding Steve Kokette’s letter “Reducing violence, starting with schools” (Jan. 30, TribLIVE): Stop adding to educators’ responsibilities. Adults who are raising children should teach the children to be less violent, not teachers! Believe me, teachers have enough on their plate. Monica Yuhas Smock...

Watching the media coverage of the bridge collapse in Point Breeze, I thought the reporters did their best to provide all the information involved in this collapse, but they left out at least one piece of information. Several years ago, our esteemed governor, Tom Corbett, was able to pass a...

In reference to the article “Declining workforce amid pandemic cited as Westmoreland County’s top issue” (Jan. 19, TribLIVE): At the State of the County event hosted by the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce, Economic Growth Connection and Industrial Development Corporation, the Board of Commissioners provided an informative forum on important...

It’s well past time for the GOP to shed Donald Trump and his insanity. Principled conservative values are lost amid the bluster and hate he raises. Trump was nearly the death of us all. Come on, Republicans: Show some spine and dump the Donald. Dan Skantar North Fayette...

Regarding the article “Pennsylvania casinos shatter record, generate $4.7 billion in revenues in 2021” (Jan. 21, TribLIVE): The Pennsylvania Lottery brought in record revenues last year, too — $1.3 billion. I remember when Pennsylvania homeowners were promised a huge reduction in their property taxes if we voted in favor of...

Regarding Edward A. Svitek’s letter “Trump has done enough damage” (Jan. 19, TribLIVE): I would be ashamed to ever admit that I’m a Democrat now, or ever. Hateful people (Democrats) will continue to blame President Trump forever, even though we currently have an unqualified president and vice president who are...

When the Central Pennsylvania Republican State Committee Caucus gives him only seven votes out of more than 100 cast in a straw poll for governor, what does Jake Corman, the current president pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate, do? He suggests impeachment of the Philadelphia district attorney. As he has...