Opinion category, Page 576
Jonah Goldberg: Listen to science — but listen carefully
Behold science, the sword and the shield of progressivism. Over the course of the pandemic (and before that, in debates over climate change, stem cells, etc.), liberals have insisted that we must listen to science and heed the scientists. It was a cornerstone of President-elect Joe Biden’s campaign and a...
Letter to the editor: North Huntingdon solicitor’s reckless comments
After reading that Westmoreland County reported 90 covid-related deaths in the first 12 days of December, I was appalled to read the North Huntingdon solicitor’s comments (“North Huntingdon says ‘no’ to Wolf’s limits on indoor crowds,” Dec. 11, TribLIVE). In response to an upcoming open township meeting, his comments that...
Letter to the editor: Calculating electric car fees
I believe letter-writer Kenneth Nath (“Electric car owners’ fair share,” Dec. 13, TribLIVE) has his math wrong. The state needs tax money to pay for road upkeep and maintenance. The gas tax of $0.587 a gallon is based on an average gasoline car. The average miles per gallon is between...
Editorial: Pittsburgh police leaders show serious commitment to reforms
Pittsburgh police Chief Scott Schubert says he is committed to doing better. That is the place every improvement should start. Now seems to be the perfect time for such a commitment. After all, the new year is just days away. “We’re always evolving, always striving to be better,” Schubert said...
Letter to the editor: Election fraud? Get real, folks.
In science, there is something called “Occam’s razor,” a proposition which supposes that the simplest explanation for a phenomenon is usually the correct one. So I ask: Which is more believable, that President Trump has told one more lie after 20,000 already documented, or that there is a massive conspiracy...
Letter to the editor: Shut up and enjoy your $600
I got a message from Congress the other day. Funny that it was a coded message and needed a bit of decoding skill to translate. Here’s what my message said: “We are excited to inform you that at nearly midnight on the last day of our 2020 session, we were...
Letter to the editor: Disrespecting our country
When I was 19, I was drafted into the Army. I didn’t run to Canada to get out of it. I felt when your country calls to serve, it’s not only your obligation but an honor. For us to live in a free and safe country, someone has to sacrifice....
Editorial cartoons for the week of Dec. 28
Editorial cartoons for the week of Dec. 28....
Mallard Fillmore cartoons for the week of Dec. 28
Mallard Fillmore cartoons for the week of Dec. 28....
S.E. Cupp: What will this year look like a century from now?
Finally, we can say it: 2020 is almost over. Good riddance. As we look to finally bring a close to this annus horribilis, America will be living amid the detritus for years — a devastating economic downturn, a generation of students behind in education, the collective psychic trauma of prolonged...
Letter to the editor: Trump woke up America
Some people feel that President Trump divided our country. I say he woke up our country. Knowing the truth, exposing so much corruption, and calling out all the fake news was definitely an awakening for all Americans. And those who disliked it the most were the very ones he was...
Letter to the editor: Join RGGI for sake of grandkids
Regarding the letter “RGGI hikes energy costs” (Nov 20, TribLIVE): Do you believe gas- and coal- burning utilities when they say fighting greenhouse gas pollution will raise your electric bill? Long before we ever heard of greenhouse gases, utilities were raising our bills because, they said, the cost of coal and...
Letter to the editor: What’s the thinking on ‘living our lives’?
Headlines in the Dec. 13 Trib included “Calls flood ambulance services” and “Hospitals plead for public’s help.” Excela Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Carol Fox describes staff holding the phone for a dying covid patient to hear a hymn sung by a pastor, and others holding the hands of patients...
Editorial: The PIAA can’t dodge the Right to Know Law
The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association is not a simple, powerless recreation organization. It is more than a club. To pretend otherwise seems like it should demand a flag on the play from an impartial referee of some kind. The call might be termed “offsides.” The specifics of being offsides vary...
Letter to the editor: Capitalism vs. mixed enterprise
Peter Smith’s op-ed “Community capitalism would strengthen markets and people” (Dec. 14, TribLIVE) is another example of the redefinition of terms so frequently used in contemporary political discussions. First, this country long ago recognized the shortcomings and harms of pure capitalism with passage of the Sherman and Clayton anti-trust legislation....
Letter to the editor: Bad time for big raises in Westmoreland County
Regarding the article “Westmoreland department heads earn raises for pandemic- related work” (Dec. 17, TribLIVE): The county solicitor received an $11,000 per year raise, and has seen her salary increase 70% since 2015. She is considered a part-time employee. A 70% raise over five years — that is quite an...
Mary Schmich: Light returns after dark year
And now the light comes back. On Monday the winter solstice arrived, marking the moment we begin the slow climb out of the darkness, like weary miners exiting the pit. This year more than ever, the shift feels psychological as well as astronomical, so it’s a good time to take...
Eric Epstein: Three Mile Island cleanup must be fully funded
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recently granted approval for the transfer of the license of Three Mile Island Unit-2 (TMI-2) from FirstEnergy, a public utility, to TMI-2 Solutions, a limited liability corporation based in Utah. The NRC approved the license transfer without holding a hearing. TMI-Alert speaks in opposition to...
Joseph Sabino Mistick: This Pittsburgher is a much-needed ‘Buddy the Elf’
Chris Webb wore his “Buddy the Elf” costume again this year, right up until Christmas, on the job at Nordstrom in Ross Park Mall. Webb is a natural in a Buddy costume. At 6 feet 4 inches tall with an easy smile and a knack for astonishment, he could have...
Editorial: Restaurants need multiple lifelines to survive the pandemic
There is something about eating at a restaurant that is so different from eating at home. Maybe, it is a special occasion. Maybe, it’s a chance to catch up with friends Friday night. Maybe, Mom just wants a break. Whatever the motivation, the reason we gravitate to these public tables...
Letter to the editor: We gave Trump a chance
Rearding Susan Nease’s letter “Biden deserves same chance Trump got” (Dec. 6, TribLIVE) responding to my letter “Give Biden a chance” (Nov. 29, TribLIVE): First, I am a registered Democrat. Second, I voted for Donald Trump in 2016, hoping an outsider would shake things up. Which he did. I was...
Letter to the editor: Pennsylvanians want climate change action
Climate change is one of the greatest threats we face as a nation. Stronger storms and more frequent flooding are already happening in Pennsylvania, and severe weather is expected to get worse. Taking steps to address the climate crisis isn’t just a good idea, it’s what people want. A recent...
Letter to the editor: Representatives aimed to subvert democracy
Seven Republican U.S. congressmen from Pennsylvania — Reps. Guy Reschenthaler (District 14), John Joyce (13), Fred Keller (12), Mike Kelly (16), Dan Meuser (9), Scott Perry (10) and Glenn Thompson (15) — signed on to the lawsuit filed Dec. 7 in the Supreme Court by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton....
Mona Charen: Lou Dobbs debunks himself
Two news organizations issued corrections recently. One was The New York Times. The other was Fox Business. One concerned an honest mistake. The Times admitted to having been scammed by the subject of one of its podcast series. Fox Business did not admit to anything but instead ran an interview...
Sounding off: Families have right to visit nursing home residents
I am writing to all families who have loved ones residing in nursing facilities in Pennsylvania. If your loved one is terminally ill or emotionally struggling, you have the right to in-person visits. On Sept. 17, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released memorandum QSO-20-39-NH to provide new...
