Sounding off: Books, police, inflation, war on carbon among week's topics

On books, whose beliefs matter more?

When I read the article “‘It’s a small number of people who are very loud’: Local libraries grapple with book challenges, bans” (Aug. 22, TribLIVE), I was somewhat taken back by the headline and further by the story.

The story described how the number of people who had issues, especially with books on LGBTQ subject matter, were small but very loud. The librarian quoted in the story stated, “My role is to listen, no matter what the (patron) is saying.” I took that as an indicator that she disapproved of these patrons’ views.

In 2017, the percentage of LGBTQ people in the United States was 4.5%. It has ticked up to 7.1% in 2022, which I attribute to media/political attention. I, along with a large majority, would recognize these percentages as “a small, very loud number.”

A simple question could and should be asked: What makes these small number of people’s beliefs any more important than the number of people’s beliefs who challenged the books? But of course with the hypocrisy seen every day by the media and politicians, this should not come as a surprise.

Richard Bell

Ligonier Township

***

Citizen overwatch of police needed

Regarding two recent stories about police officer-involved shootings (“Use of force expert: Ligonier Valley police shooting ‘probably should have been handled differently’,” Aug. 20, TribLIVE; “Man killed by Philadelphia police never got out of his car, didn’t ‘lunge’ with a knife, police say in new narrative,” Aug. 16, TribLIVE): These two accounts of police behaviors are ludicrous. In the Ligonier incident, possibly, maybe, the shooting was justified — fearing for their lives?

In the Philadelphia incident, however — seriously? “Police say in new narrative … .”

I am sure the majority of sensible people reading the coverage of the Philadelphia incident would respond by saying the police were lying — period.

These two separate incidents show the very real need for civilian citizen overwatch of the police. People who blindly “Back the Blue” no matter what really need to see these incidents, and others like them, as reason for truly, sincerely and immediately putting in place some mechanism to hold every police officer and official accountable for their actions — starting with totally undoing the police union, the FOP.

John Fleischman

Vandergrift

***

Corporate greed causes inflation

According to U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, fully 54% of our current inflation is actually the result of corporate price-gouging of the American consumer. This corporate greed started in 1982 when the Reagan administration made stock buybacks legal, then Republican administrations allowed an unprecedented number of corporate mergers resulting in virtual monopolies. The last piece was President Trump’s corporate tax cuts allowing companies to keep a greater share of profits.

This lack of competition enabled companies to raise prices and blame supply chain issues. Then companies like Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Kimberly-­Clark, Kraft-Heinz, Tyson Foods, Nestle, Colgate-Palmolive and McDonald’s used stock buybacks to funnel the profits to shareholders.

CEOs appear uninterested in lowering prices for the consumer, raising wages of their workers or investing in their own corporations’ futures. Their primary concern seems to be to make more money for themselves and their shareholders.

There have been 27 anti-price gouging and anti-profiteering bills introduced in Congress since 2021. Corporations have lobbied hard against these bills, spending $820 million in one year. Corporate money and Republican obstruction have blocked these anti-price gouging bills from moving forward. However, these bills are wildly popular with consumers (80%), who continue to feel the squeeze on their pocketbooks.

Michael Garing

North Huntingdon

***

America’s war on carbon

Americans are constantly harangued about carbon emissions. We’re strongly encouraged to convert to electric cars, and accept restrictions on home heating and cooking systems. Industry has spent enormous sums to reduce its carbon footprint. Electric utilities are rapidly adding wind and solar power systems, and are phasing out coal.

Upon taking office, President Biden signed executive orders curtailing new drilling for fossil fuels in order to force the nation into renewable sources of energy. Solar cells and wind generators only work well in sunshine and windy weather. Even with large batteries, fossil-fuel systems are needed as backup.

We purchase much of the materials for solar cells and batteries from China, our adversary. The result — America is now dependent on foreign imports. Inflation has raged, causing severe pain on working families.

Americans are increasingly asking: Why the headlong rush to rid our nation of fossil fuels? It’s to combat global warming, we’re told. America has reduced its carbon footprint dramatically in just the last decade, yet we haven’t seen a positive result from our huge investments. Why?

The answer lies beyond our shores — in China. China emits very much more than America does, over 11,000 megatons per year compared to America’s 4,500 (2020 data, the latest available). The Chinese are still building dirty coal-burning power plants at the rate of two each week. When challenged recently by America’s energy czar John Kirby, China flatly refused to discuss the matter.

Until China cuts back, America is wasting its efforts and treasure!

Maury Fey

Murrysville

***

Two sets of laws?

OK, America, it’s time to wake up and see what is taking place in this great country. Everyone talks about favoritism, discrimination and pride for certain people.

The big thing now in the news is with former President Donald Trump. According to what we know, the classified documents that President Biden had in his possession is no issue. In the Army in the past, you were disciplined for doing less, according to the handling of classified material. We guess there are two sets of laws in this country now.

Another thing: When you sign that paper to obtain a handgun, you state you are not a drug user. If you falsify this, it is a federal offense punishable by prison. Is this favoritism at the White House for Hunter Biden?

Oh, and we wonder if our dog bit someone 10 times like the White House dog, would we be in court?

Doesn’t the law apply to everyone equally? We see the favoritism and discrimination in this country for certain people.

Again, Pride Month can be favoritism for certain people.

Paul and Agnes Henry

Springdale Township

***

Why so much firepower in Garfield?

By the Tribune-Review’s account, thousands of rounds were expended to get Garfield resident William Hardison to surrender (“Garfield shooter’s instability, extreme ideology likely contributed to violent confrontation,” Aug. 25, TribLIVE). Luckily, no policemen or residents were killed/injured, but the damage to the residents’ peace of mind and their homes is incalculable. When negotiations failed at the “siege” outset, a .50-caliber rifle should have been used to neutralize Hardison. Instead, scores of policemen and vehicles were utilized, at taxpayers’ expense. The policemen’s inaccuracies remind me of an old movie title — “The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight.”

Gerald F. Mazur

New Kensington

***

Ward correct on vouchers

In response to the letter “Waiting on Ward’s action on budget” (July 30, TribLIVE) I’d like to set the record straight. The writer is from Fair Districts PA, which I consider to be a left-wing advocacy group. In my opinion, the organization advocates for districts beneficial to Democrats.

Monopolies aren’t good in businesses, and monopolies certainly aren’t good in education. That’s why school vouchers and giving students a choice is imperative if we’re serious about helping our children.

Children shouldn’t be trapped in failing schools based on the ZIP code they were born in. This is common sense — unless you’re a left-wing Democrat or teachers union member?

Outside groups having influence on public officials is one thing; however, it appears the PSEA has outright ownership over Democratic politicians. The PSEA donated $775,000 to Josh Shapiro, and they obviously called in their favor given his sudden overnight reversal on vouchers.

Notice this letter mentioned nothing of the children, since PSEA’s agenda seems to be all about gaining more members and more dues which equal more political influence.

Maybe if private and charter schools pushed borderline soft porn to students disguised as literature, have drag queen reading sessions and agree to teach our children to hate our country, the left-wing Democrats would begin to support their efforts.

I appreciate Sen. Kim Ward for standing up for those without a voice and attempting to inject some sanity and competition into the public school system that has lost its way.

Jeannette Pavlick

Murrysville