Sounding off: Flying flag upside down is disrespectful

I noticed some local residents have been flying the U.S. flag outside their homes upside down. I believe some people feel this a way of protesting or expressing dissatisfaction with current U.S. officials and policies.

While it is legal to express yourself in whatever way you so choose, it is disrespectful to fly an American flag upside down unless in a life-or-death situation, according to the United States Code.

I don’t know if these people have ever served this great nation of ours in uniform. If they had, maybe then they would understand the message this act conveys and the disrespect they are exhibiting to our national flag and to citizens like me who served overseas under it.

I doubt they or their house are in dire distress or experiencing “extreme danger to life or property,” as described in the U.S. Code. There certainly are other ways to express one’s political unhappiness and frustration. Before commencing such displays, ask yourself: How did you feel when athletes were kneeling in front of this flag? How would you feel if someone was burning this flag? Flying it upside down without “extreme danger to life or property” is a political stunt, just as kneeling and burning our flag are.

To those flying our flag upside down, I politely ask that you reraise it and display it in a respectful manner, in accordance with the U.S. Code.

Bill Marx, Delmont

The writer is a former Marine and currently is serving in the Army. He is a member of Delmont Borough Council.

Pitts’ attack on unvaccinated missed some facts

Leonard Pitts Jr.’s column “No vaccine? Goodbye, and good riddance” to me showed that facts don’t matter. The article attacked Americans that are not adhering to the vaccine mandates.

Among the many reasons for not complying are that those who had covid-19 have immunity and some are not being vaccinated due to their doctors’ recommendations.

Pitts didn’t even mention reasons for not complying. Just do as I say, and get vaccinated.

We already have a worker shortage, and now mandates are making matters worse, causing employees to quit or be fired. It’s especially damaging when affecting health care workers.

What about all the illegal immigrants coming across our southern border who aren’t vaccinated, some of whom are shipped across our country? I guess that’s OK. It’s just like the liberal progressive left to ignore the facts and then demean those who don’t agree with them.

Gerry Dillon, Fairfield

Americans are being played

There is plenty of blame to go around for the catastrophe that is current day America. Is it the fault of the guy who spent four years in politics, or the guy that’s been in government for 48? The increasing power of lobbyists? Maybe it goes deeper?

Maybe the endless congressional deadlock? The lack of term limits? Reckless spending, cancel culture gone mad? Perhaps the neverending focus on every incarnation of diversity and multiculturalism has taken the American out of America? What happened to the “great melting pot”? Division has replaced unity.

The game is rigged. The peasants have been trained to battle constantly, at their handlers’ bidding. Many are satisfied believing what suits their preconceived notions, while the truth and facts take a back seat. Much of the division is fed by the media (in various forms). Lies and misinformation are rampant yet believed, providing they support one’s position. Add in deep faked photos and videos, and you have a hot mess of misinformation.

It’s hard to admit you’re a pawn in the game, or to realize that information you receive, from your “trusted sources,” may be partially or completely inaccurate.

Until we wake up and realize that we are being played by both parties and their patrons (who are pulling the strings, and benefiting most from the division) don’t expect any improvement.

The collateral damage is everywhere, billions wasted, body bags, internal strife and division. Worst part? This merry-go-round can’t stop because the driver has abandoned the controls.

Tim Kaczmarek, Natrona Heights

Ideas to end labor shortage

I have not been tutored in government performance and organization, but it appears that the current shortage in the labor pool may be related to certain well-intended government initiatives gone awry. I cite a brief encounter with a customer service representative who was confined to a wheelchair. Certainly there are current social service programs that would have paid this young lady to stay at home. But she chose to contribute rather than take.

Perhaps if we purged the rolls of marginally eligible workmen’s comp, disability and unemployment claimants, we could probably fill all the existing vacancies. Just saying … .

Don Scott, Mt. Pleasant Township

No one has privacy anymore

In response to letters to the editor such as “GOP’s invasion of privacy is dangerous”: I believe election audits should absolutely be performed when enough American people question the integrity of an election. If it is all legitimate, like some people believe it is, then why would anyone want to block an audit? Do people really believe, in this age of information and all the data collection, that anyone still has privacy?

Breaking news … you have no privacy, not anymore.

David Cassidy, Penn Township, Westmoreland County

Anti-maskers, anti-vaxxers — ‘Live Free or Die’

Some anti-maskers and deniers of a truly deadly virus will never change their minds about covid-19, and those same people have, in my opinion, a warped view of the vaccine. Nothing will change their minds, outside of death or near-death experiences.

I, too, have become tainted in how I view these people. I live in the “Live Free or Die” state. So be it. If you are one of those people who doesn’t want to wear a mask and now oppose the vaccine, that’s your choice, but if you get sick, stay home. If you get so sick you can’t breathe, stay home. If you get so sick you feel like you are drowning, stay home. If you get so sick you probably will die, stay home. Your cavalier attitude is putting many health care workers at risk, and after over 18 months of working to save lives, they could use a break. My sympathy for you is all but gone.

Those of you who for some reason would rather try dangerous and ridiculous cures, I say take them, take all of them, but don’t go to the hospital to save your butt after you have poisoned yourself or someone you love. You didn’t believe in science before, why should you now? If you would rather believe someone on the internet than actual scientists, your choice. If you make it through these dangerous games, great, but if you don’t, so be it.

Kim Leone, Alton, N.H.

The writer is a Herminie native.

Biden has put America last

When Americans choose a candidate from the opposing party to replace the incumbent, it is because they hope he or she will rectify the mistakes of his or her predecessor. Instead, President Biden has spent his first nine months in office criticizing and reversing President Trump’s policies and agenda.

Trump claimed he was putting “America first,” and many disagree on whether he accomplished that, but he is consistently blamed for our country’s woes.

Biden has chosen to put “America last” in Afghanistan, in energy and in sovereignty through what I see as an open-border policy. Instead he focuses on environmental issues, ignoring the fact that China, India and even third-world countries are winning competitively while polluting our air and water.

His vice president is out of touch on both domestic and international events, and often missing in action.

Speaking of gone missing, to where has the much-celebrated first lady disappeared? Is Vogue consuming her time with preparations for another cover page, or is she visiting fully masked schools and zooming in on virtual sessions? Is it time to organize an FBI search?

They certainly could put Biden’s son Hunter’s drug-fueled sexual antics and alleged illegal payments by foreign entities on hold for another year.

Ed Klein, Shanksville