Sounding off: Civil War, recreational marijuana, immigration

Lincoln has final word on cause of Civil War

Let’s finally kill that myth that several letter-writers are attempting to perpetuate regarding the cause of the Civil War. And we can let Abraham Lincoln settle it with his own words from his Second Inaugural Address, March 4, 1865 (emphasis mine):

”One-eighth of the whole population were colored slaves, not distributed generally over the Union, but localized in the Southern part of it. These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest. All knew that this interest was, somehow, the cause of the war. To strengthen, perpetuate, and extend this interest was the object for which the insurgents would rend the Union, even by war; while the Government claimed no right to do more than restrict the territorial enlargement of it. Neither party expected for the war the magnitude or the duration for which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with, or even before, the conflict itself should cease. Each looked for an easier triumph … .”

Jack Sillaman

Latrobe

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Which people are worth more than others?

I respond to the latest offering in the series of impassioned “abortion is good for the environment” rants by the same writer (“Backward steps on abortion,” Feb. 19, TribLive). Says he: “We have too many people in this world, and there’s no better place to start than those who aren’t here yet and are unwanted by the parents. They often end up being a burden on society, institutionalized, in jail or on the street.”

I wonder: Who are the “they” he speaks of?

On average, he takes up as much oxygen and other planetary resources as the next fellow. Which of the two of them constitutes one too many people in this world? Perhaps in his next letter to the editor, he will enlighten us with a deep dive into the specifics of his personal methodology for evaluating another person’s worth.

Julie Rebitch

Salem

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Not your parents’ pot

Gov. Josh Shapiro’s eyes were beaming at the thought of additional tax revenue from recreational marijuana sales to prop up our overpriced education system (we rank No. 8 in education spending). These facts come from Smart Approach to Marijuana:

• Marijuana has psychological effects.

• Marijuana is addictive.

• Marijuana doesn’t meet FDA standards as a medication.

• Adult legalization leads to a 25% increase in use by minors.

• Marijuana has 10 to 20 times more THC than it had in the 1970s.

• Marijuana leads to more opioid use.

• Marijuana increases car accidents and raises insurance rates.

• Marijuana does not reduce black market sales.

• For every dollar in revenue, there is $4.50 in associated costs.

• Production costs 4 to 5 times more than coal or oil production.

• Marijuana affects the brain structure and leads to increased suicides.

Like abortion, marijuana does more harm than good. How about teaching your children self-control and high standards instead?

John Ventre

Hempfield

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Thankful for Biden

It is encouraging to open the newspaper and see the large amount of economic development in our area. We have the airport modernization project, the upgrade of our waterways and improvement in our sewer systems. There are funds for the demolition of dilapidated structures, revitalizing of roads and bridges, improvement in public transportation, and, thankfully, the cleaning up of orphaned oil and gas wells. The billions spent to improve our infrastructure also improves our health and safety.

There is the investment in our rural areas by facilitating cooperatives to help our small to mid-size farms. Internet access is expanding in their areas.

New Kensington has its Advanced Manufacturing Park, and Pittsburgh is designated a workforce hub. Billions of dollars will promote training and manufacturing for robotics, clean energy and semiconductor plants to make microchips.

All of the above is the result of President Biden’s economic plan. It is called the Biden boom. Finally we have a president who is working for the middle class and not the donor class. He is not planning on a trillion-dollar giveaway to large corporations and the wealthy few like his predecessor did.

I am thankful for an empathetic, competent, emotionally and morally sound president.

Gloria Gralewski

Manor

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Can we all live by the Biden rules?

I’m as old as Joe Biden. Can I get the same stay-out-of-jail card he has? I occasionally call my kids, my wife and my pets by the wrong name. Bottom line, does the above-the-law rule apply to me?

Edward Biskup

Penn Township, Westmoreland County

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Immigrants who commit crimes should be deported

I am not against properly vetted immigration to the United States. I am opposed to the thousands of non-vetted immigrants that the Biden administration has let flood over our border.

The scenes of New York police officers being mauled by a gang of immigrants goes beyond words. Some of these people are kidnappers, extortionists, murderers, gang members, thieves and drug dealers with absolutely no respect for law or order. I fully support the governor of New York when she says when caught, they should be deported. What is sad is that there is bipartisan opposition to this. Shame on you political stooges.

I say when caught, they should be expedited to trial, and if found guilty, they should be deported within 24 hours. This would save the taxpayers from having to feed and house them in jail. These savings would outweigh the cost of a one-way ticket on “con air” out of the country.

It is time to step up, Washington. It is high time you start doing your jobs. Try it once; you might like it, and you just might feel credible for a change. If not, the voters will fix it for you at the polls ASAP.

Jack Juris

Buffalo Township

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Pharmacy closures a disgrace

The closure of pharmacies in Leechburg and Lower Burrell Jan. 31 was a gross travesty (“Pharmacies in Lower Burrell, Leechburg abruptly close,” Jan. 31, TribLive). Decades of loyal customers and employees only found out that day. No notice of any kind was given. One co-owner blamed Giant Eagle for wanting it that way, I assume because Giant Eagle wanted to quickly transfer the customer prescription lists to their store. If that’s the case, don’t sign the deal, because you could easily discern the repercussions. Quite simply, you don’t treat customers or employees that way. You don’t treat them like so much trash to be thrown out with the garbage.

I picked up my last prescription at the Leechburg Health Mart Pharmacy, and I’ll always remember the tears in the eyes of the two female employees at the counter, the entreaties of frantic customers and the chaos of a TV news crew roaming the store. May the repugnance of this deal and its aftermath lead the owners and Giant Eagle to realize that people’s lives do matter. Regretfully, they both ruined their reputations.

I guess the lesson here is that money always trumps righteousness. Two questions remain: Will the employees at least get some form of severance pay? And will the Vandergrift store eventually suffer the same fate in the same way? Stay tuned.

Tom Tarosky

West Leechburg