Letter to the editor: Mask mandates political tool

It’s apparent that the mask mandates have served their purpose. The Sept. 18 edition headlines “Mask mandate questioned by some Kiski Area parents” is placed on the front page, above the fold, while “Pentagon: Kabul drone strike ‘tragic mistake’ ” rests comfortably on the second page, below the fold.

The U.S. drone strike in Afghanistan, killing 10 Afghan civilians, including seven children, was in retaliation for the 13 U.S. soldiers killed at the Kabul airport. It was reported at the time as a victory by the Army, as a successful elimination of ISIS-K terrorists threatening to strike again. Why wasn’t this mistake, this tragedy, reported as a front-page story, above the fold?

It is apparent to anyone with eyes to see that official mandates to combat a very real virus are being exploited as a political tool to divert our attention from the U.S. betrayal of our allies in Afghanistan and across the globe, and our news media is complying with the political strategy: to use the threat of the pandemic to divert our citizens’ attention from the debacle in Afghanistan.

Unfortunately, it is working. After reasonable precautions were taken by school boards in August, the Afghan debacle occurs, and our schools are saddled suddenly with unreasonable, distressing mandates against young, healthy children, excited to be returning to school. Of course, you will get a reaction … and front-page coverage. Voila! Attention diverted. Mission accomplished.

Trish Lindsay

South Buffalo Township