Sounding off: Flag, Fetterman, secondhand smoke among week's topics

Flag flies for vets, not Biden

Regarding the letter “Flags fly in support of Biden” (Sept. 24, TribLIVE): No, I do not fly the American flag to support Joe Biden. I fly it to support and remember all the people who fought and died to preserve the greatest country on the planet. I read the letter three times, each time thinking “this has to be sarcasm,” as the current occupant of the White House is clearly at the bottom of the list of America’s greatest presidents.

Cheryl A. DeLong

Delmont

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Fetterman shows disrespect for our institutions

So now newly elected Sen. John Fetterman is turning the Senate chamber into a gym class, I guess because he thinks he’s too good to dress like a professional. He shows no respect for our institutions, parading around the halls of Congress like he just got off the basketball court, and fools like Sen. Chuck Schumer think they are obliged to change the dress code rules to suit him. This is how nutty these Democrats are behaving, and no matter how foolish they get, it all seems OK.

I for one think he should have never been elected, should never get coddled and should not get to act like the fool that he does while supposedly representing the people of Pennsylvania. If this is representation, you can have it.

This is your Congress, America. How do you think they rate? A “2” would be my guess. How long will it be before they’re going to work in their PJs? Will you even care? Welcome to the most disrespectful gym in America, thanks to one man!

Dwayne Buffer

Youngwood

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Smoking, vaping in public spaces must end

In 2008, Pennsylvania passed its first statewide smoke-free air law restricting smoking in most public places. The law is outdated and doesn’t include e-cigarette devices that are being used in public spaces. Furthermore, 1,300-plus venues across the commonwealth still allow smoking indoors. This means thousands of workers are exposed to the chemicals, carcinogens and toxins of secondhand smoke. Research consistently tells us: There is no safe level of secondhand smoke exposure.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports the impacts of secondhand smoke on the body are immediate and that even brief exposure can damage the lining of blood vessels, increase the risk of heart attack and damage the body’s cells in ways that “set the cancer process in motion.” Imagine what an 8-hour work shift can do.

State and local governments have a responsibility to protect the health of their citizens.

A comprehensive smoke-free air policy that ends smoking and vaping in all public spaces, like the one proposed by Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Squirrel Hill, would allow everyone in Pennsylvania to work in a safe, smoke-free environment. No employee should have to choose between their health and their paycheck.

Lauren Chappel

Bridgeville

The writer is a health promotions specialist with the American Lung Association in Pennsylvania.

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Pa. should have one school district per county

The letter “Fixing the teacher shortage” (Sept. 22, TribLIVE) addressed the shortage of teachers in Pennsylvania. Many changes may be necessary to address such a complex problem. However, one may be to reduce the number of school districts.

There are 67 counties in Pennsylvania, but there are 500 school districts! Consolidate school districts so there is one school district for each county. Just consider the savings in personnel and administrative costs alone. Those savings should then be distributed to increase teacher pay and reduce taxpayers’ burden.

Kenneth Powell

New Kensington

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Shapiro should restore funding to Real Alternatives

The move by Gov. Josh Shapiro to defund Real Alternatives and pregnancy centers will be to the detriment of the health and safety of women and unborn babies throughout Pennsylvania.

Pregnancy centers offer non-judgmental support and direct women to resources for housing, addiction, health care, insurance and supplies. Clients are offered ultrasounds and parenting education programs. We have rooms filled with free baby supplies. We empower women with knowledge on all options so that they are fully informed before making a decision.

Everyone who values women’s health should pay attention to what’s happening with the push to promote self-administered abortion with the “abortion pill.” A decision that was once “between a woman and her doctor” and once considered “safe, legal and rare” has moved to a DIY method. The pill takes less than three minutes to order online, and there is no requirement for an exam, prescription or ID. Anyone can order these pills for under $50. Go to PlanCpills.org for a very eye-opening experience.

I call on our governor to restore funding to Real Alternatives. I call on our pro-life communities to reach out and learn how to partner with pregnancy centers so that we can help empower women to choose life. Other organizations can offer free diapers and baby clothes, but pregnancy centers are the only organizations that will stand for life 100% of the time and empower a woman to know and embrace the life within her womb and walk with her in compassion.

Andrea Pritts

Connellsville

The writer is executive director of Alternatives.Yes Pregnancy Support Center.

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Catholic school sports advantage

It is apparent that nothing will ever be done about the unfair sports advantage that Catholic and private schools have over public schools. I have a suggestion that might make it possible for that issue to, at least, not be forgotten: When an athlete lives outside of that school, his address should be printed on the back of his jersey above his number. I doubt this will occur; the inequity will continue.

John K. Folmar

California, Pa.

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Game commission needs to act in best interest of humans, wildlife

On Aug. 30, Pittsburgh City Council met to discuss the city’s plan to hold a cull in two city parks this fall. This has brought up many concerns as to where the interest of the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) lies; after all, its mission is not only to promote hunting and trapping but to manage and protect our wildlife. In my opinion, policies being brought forth and supported by the PGC are not in the best interest of our wildlife, let alone human health and safety.

The PGC is composed of nine commissioners, and each one of them identifies as a hunter and/or trapper, while only about 7.3% of Pennsylvania’s residents hold hunting licenses. I understand that the PGC is exclusively funded by hunting fees, but this creates a big misrepresentation for the 90% of Pennsylvania residents who are not hunters or trappers.

One commissioner’s term expires on Nov. 23, and I urge Gov. Josh Shapiro to use this opportunity to appoint a wildlife biologist or professional rehabber — a commissioner whose commitment is to the conservation of Pennsylvania’s wildlife and ecosystem and the well-being of our residents and visitors. An appointment of such magnitude would mark a new opportunity for Pennsylvania to modernize PGC and its commitment to properly manage and protect our wildlife.

Natalia Rosario Zapata

Lower Burrell