Letters to the Editor category, Page 9
Letter to the editor: We Are Penn State — or not!
Penn State’s closing of seven commonwealth campuses because of declining enrollments is its own fault. However, it fails to acknowledge its camouflaged complicity in that decline. University Park is the gatekeeper for all campuses. It favors student placement at University Park to increase revenue to support its own growth. Since...
Letter to the editor: Why the turnpike toll hike?
A 4% Pennsylvania Turnpike rate increase as of Jan. 1. How is it that the Ohio Turnpike can charge only about $0.09 per mile and New York about $0.045 per mile with E-ZPass while Pennsylvania charges about $0.18 per mile with E-ZPass? Pennsylvania is about $0.35 per mile without E-ZPass...
Letter to the editor: Those who use the most electricity should pay more
Pennsylvania residents are being told that rising electricity costs are partly driven by the massive power demands of data centers and other high-volume users. If that is true, then the way electricity is priced needs to change. Under the current flat per-kilowatt-hour rate, households and small businesses that conserve energy...
Letter to the editor: Resolutions for 2026
As a terminally diagnosed ALS patient unlikely to see the end of 2026, I offer the following New Year’s resolutions from the wisdom and experience of my 64 years of life. First, lose weight. Whatever is weighing you down — envy, jealousy, grudges, past hurts, guilt — lose it! Shed...
Letter to the editor: Nuclear is the answer
Regarding the letter “We must focus on renewable energy sources” (Dec. 29, TribLive): You’re right — climate change is a massive threat, risking water shortages, food crises and global tensions. That’s exactly why nuclear is the slam-dunk solution you’re overlooking. Worried about “enormous” environmental risks and water contamination? Nuclear’s lifecycle...
Letter to the editor: Thank a law enforcement officer today
Law enforcement officers are often seen only through the lens of the uniform they wear. Before the badge is pinned on and the shift begins, they’re people just like everyone else. They wake up early, tie their shoes and drink coffee before heading out the door. The difference is that...
Letter to the editor: Trump continues to show his cruel side
Rather than promoting compassion like other presidents, President Donald Trump chose to post an ugly rant regarding the murders of Rob and Michele Reiner as being caused by “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” illustrating his self-obsessed persona. Nothing is sacred with this guy. Nobody should have respect for him because it seems...
Letter to the editor: Deluzio ‘doesn’t get it’ on Venezuela
In his Jan. 3 statement concerning our two-hour military/justice action in Venezuela, Congressman Chris Deluzio touts his Navy and Iraq experience as the lead-in sentence. He also states that “young people” should not participate in our actions in Venezuela. And that our military action is unconstitutional. Then he states that...
Letter to the editor: Trump must prove that Venezuela action justified
Last time I checked, kidnappings by military force were contrary to international law. Can anyone credibly say that this wreckless unilateral action reflects anything more than presidential ego? That America’s reputation and world trust are improved by it? The Senate must demand proof from President Trump that this action in...
Letter to the editor: 2025 was a success
The Dec. 30 political cartoon stated that the year 2025 was “defective.” Well, our border was finally put in control (after four years of basically ignoring American laws and allowing chaos). The two years of “major” conflict in Gaza has ceased. The amount of illicit drugs smuggled into our country...
Letter to the editor: Vulgarities unfortunately now the norm
When my grandma would hear words she thought to be inappropriate for the age of the speaker, she would always say, “They don’t suck that out of their thumbs.” To her it mattered not whether it was profanity, a racial slur or a lie, nor who said it. Grandma wouldn’t...
Letter to the editor: Moving the A-K Valley forward
As 2026 begins, the Alle-Kiski Valley faces a choice. We can continue managing aging systems, stretching them, patching them and hoping they hold, or we can decide, deliberately, what kind of region we want to be going forward. For generations, our communities carried the weight of industry and adapted when...
Letter to the editor: Be mindful of seniors’ mental health
Thank you for highlighting the issue of senior citizens and suicide, loneliness and depression in the editorial “High suicide rate among seniors is a tragedy for entire community” (Dec. 15, TribLive). Southwestern Pennsylvania has a large senior citizen population. In 2024, 20% of Allegheny County residents were 65 or older....
Letter to the editor: Ditch Tomlin and his defenders
Looks like George Pickens is having a Pro Bowl season in Dallas. What kind of genius brings in a Hall of Fame quarterback and at the same time trades away the most talented receiver on the team? We all understand Pickens was a problem child and disruptive influence. But there...
Letter to the editor: Since when do we root for the powerful?
Look what they’ve done to us. Look at how they’ve turned us on each other. Where Americans once would have stood together and done anything for their country, they are now willing to go to war against other Americans for an idea we’ve been sold — the idea that we...
Letter to the editor: Suggested reading for Hegseth
Open letter to Pete Haggis, I mean Pete Hegseth: Hey, Pete. I know you like shooting boats in the water and also the survivors in the water. I suggest you read about Franz Stigler. He is best known for his role in a December 1943 incident in which he spared...
Letter to the editor: Too many politicians
It is my opinion that we have far too many politicians. They don’t play well together and are continually fighting or suing each other rather than doing their jobs. President Trump is spending unnecessary millions foolishly. Italian marble bathroom, extravagant addition for his gala parties and golf trips to Florida...
Letter to the editor: Why does Shapiro need a raise?
One thing that I cannot understand is why Gov. Josh Shapiro gets a 3.3% raise, $8,000, when he was already making almost $250,000 (“Shapiro poised to become nation’s highest-paid governor,” Dec. 26, TribLive). But the people that are on Social Security that make maybe $18,000 to $20,000 get a 2.8%...
Letter to the editor: Pittsburgh residents who vote Democrat get what they want
I do not understand why reporter Julia Burdelski is so concerned about increased levels of taxation faced by Pittsburgh property owners (“Tax trifecta: Pittsburgh property owners take it on the chin,” Dec. 22, TribLive). The vast majority of Pittsburgh property owners either vote Democrat or do not vote. As a...
Letter to the editor: Lest we forget — Apollo Patrolman Leonard C. Miller
“Kill for Thrill: The Crime Spree That Rocked Western Pennsylvania” by Michael W. Sheetz details the fatal crimes involving four victims in late 1979, early 1980. The families and friends of the victims will always remember those who lost their lives under heartbreaking circumstances. Apollo Patrolman Leonard C. Miller, the...
Letter to the editor: Tomlin lacks fire, passion — it’s time for him to go
I’ve been a lifetime Steelers fan since 1974. Back then, we had three channels and rabbit ears on the 12-inch screen. My grandfather and father introduced me to football and the Steelers. They loved Joe, L.C., Franco and Mr. Noll. Not only because they won, but because of the way...
Letter to the editor: Ukraine’s execution
In my letter “Ukrainians political pawns” (April 24, 2024, TribLive) I stated that we should either save Ukraine or abandon them to their fate. We appear to finally be making that choice. President Barack Obama watched as Russia seized Crimea in 2014, 11 years ago. His administration signed Ukraine’s execution...
Letter to the editor: Family key to joy and goodness
This past Sunday was the Feast of the Holy Family. The following is from the Magis Center’s daily reflection: “Jesus, Emmanuel, ‘God with us,’ chose to be born as a member of the human family. More than this, however, He chose to have a mother and a father, and He...
Letter to the editor: Who cried for Israel?
The writer of the letter “Who cried for the children of Gaza?” (Dec. 3, TribLive) uses the metaphor of the shedding of tears to accuse various individuals and organizations of callousness and complicity in the destruction and suffering of the people of Gaza. I cannot help but notice that the...
Letter to the editor: Trump Derangement Syndrome
The term “Trump Derangement Syndrome” is not examined properly. A more accurate definition might be demonstrated in the opinion of Jared Whitely (“Counterpoint: It’s real, and it’s spectacular,” Dec. 20, TribLive), who believes that the opponents of President Trump are allergic to facts. It’s no secret that the president and...
