Sounding off: Overturning Roe v. Wade

The Supreme Court seems about to overturn Roe v. Wade. Just when you think the whole world is going to hell, something important, beautiful and wonderful happens. God is real, present, aware and involved. And he never loses in the long run.

P.S.: Thank you, President Trump.

Richard J. Krauland, Kittanning

On abortion, we need less fear and speculation, more truth

I read with some enjoyment the letter from Brian Luce (“Don’t let your rights be taken away.”) Clearly, he was joking by regurgitating the talking points of Joy Reid and other “journalists” on CNN, MSNBC and other left-leaning “news” shows.

I laughed at “My body, my choice.” After all, I have been saying that for two years concerning the covid-19 vaccines. I know the arguments for getting the shots, so don’t waste your time responding.

Apparently, it’s too much for some people to understand that overturning Roe v. Wade and returning the abortion question to the states is not outlawing abortion. It will become the choice of “we the people” of every state to make that decision.

As for gays returning to the closet and forcing Christianity on the nation … well, as far as I am concerned, that is fear mongering from the left. Fear to drive up voter turnout but not based on reality. We as a nation can do better: less fear and more truth, not speculation.

Jim Konopka, Madison, Ohio

The writer is formerly of Greensburg.

How far does pro-lifers’ care extend?

I find the logic of those in the pro-life movement misguided and hypocritical. These conservatives seem to care so much about unborn human life. They most likely apply the same loving principles to living, breathing human beings.

I can imagine they care deeply about a pregnant Mexican mother crossing the southern border to give her child a better future. Never mind that wall she has to jump. Without a doubt, they apply the same empathy to an American mother who receives government help while raising the actual humans in her care. Because they value the sanctity of life, they cannot possibly object to providing free health care to all children. Never mind those pesky taxes that make that all possible.

One of the most defining principles of conservatism is the belief in limited government. In this respect, these pro-life chaps are also inconsistent. During the covid pandemic, they raged against government mask and vaccine regulations, and the Gadsden “Don’t Tread On Me” flags waved en masse. Logically, it follows that the same right to liberty applies to my ovaries, and no politician should tread on an organ inside my own body.

Steliana Vassileva, New Kensington

Losing our rights means losing our freedom

On April 8, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden Jr., during his news conference regarding gun violence, proclaimed that “no amendment to the Constitution is absolute,” and remarked that gun violence is a public health issue. Earlier this year, Biden proposed $5 billion in funding for the Department of Justice and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to “invest in community violence interventions;” to me, that means promulgating regulations on gun ownership. Biden was attacking the 2nd Amendment, which states that “the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”

Will Biden issue a presidential order, proclamation, mandate, decree or fiat banning all of your rights listed under the Bill of Rights, such as freedom of religion, speech, press, peaceful assembly, life, liberty, property ownership, pursuit of happiness, and being secure in your home by declaring them as not absolute?

Ranking Democratic Party members in Congress are also attacking America. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, a multi-millionaire achieved through the American enterprise system, last year declared that the American system of capitalism has failed America. U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer shouted, “Now we take Georgia, then we change the world!” A shocking statement indeed. Former President Barack Obama once implied that we don’t need a revolution as long as we are making incremental changes.

Once you lose your rights as enumerated under the Constitution, you, your children, your grandchildren and future American generations will no longer enjoy freedom and the pursuit of happiness.

John Kostelac, White Oak

Don’t believe the Biden sales pitch

I continue to see intermittent “advertising” pitches touting how well President Biden’s economic plan is working for us Pennsylvanians. If achieving near record inflation for all goods and services, rising interest rates on personal debt, and a lower and weaker financial market is the plan, it’s working.

Well, as a taxpaying Pennsylvanian, I must take exception to those “sales pitches.” What the Biden economic plan has accomplished is having everyone reaching further into their already near-empty pockets, now and in the future.

The flush of cash intended to simulate the economy in turn contributed to higher costs, which consequently contributed to an even higher inflation rate. Higher interest rates, an attempt to cool inflation, affect us now in our ability to meet our financial responsibilities. The losses seen in pension and IRA accounts, because of the downturn of the market, is a setback in future income potential needed for our retirement years that cannot be recovered.

Despite what liberals are attempting to have us believe, the Biden economy is hurting everyone. All Pennsylvanians deserve better than lies.

Dennis Traeger, Murrysville

On death penalty, what about the innocent?

Letter-writer Jeanne Snyder (“Can killers be reformed, forgiven?”), responding to the letter “If we respect life, we must end death penalty,” is correct in describing murder as barbaric. If there was any evidence that the death penalty would somehow solve this problem, that would be wishful thinking at best.

Maybe through all the statistical information we may have forgotten the hundreds of inmates on death row who have been exonerated because of DNA evidence. Remember, the evidence presented at trial was overwhelming and led to their convictions. Many were incarcerated for most of their adult lifetimes. Had they been executed and this DNA evidence been presented afterward, we can all take heart in the words that “we don’t have a perfect system.”

Many people believe in forgiveness, even with the loss of a loved one. But one thing that we all agree on is that we don’t teach our children that two wrongs don’t make a right.

Chris Hartig, Port Vue

New rules for women

BREAKING NEWS: Leaked emails from the Supreme Court have revealed the following draft:

Individuals containing a uterus will now be referred to solely as “birthing vessels.” Also, since the Constitution doesn’t mention “women’s rights,” they technically don’t have any, so we had to refer to the Bible. Specifically, Leviticus 15:19-33: “Whenever a woman has her menstrual period, she will be ceremonially unclean for seven days. Anyone who touches her during that time will be unclean until evening.”

So, individuals with a uterus who are currently on your periods, first of all, you should be ashamed of yourselves. You dirty, dirty birthing vessels. Pack your overnight bags and your tampons. You’re sleeping in the shed tonight. Unless you are an unhoused individual with a uterus who is already sleeping in a shed. In that case, please clean up your space and go. Somewhere where we can’t see you. Thank you.

Christine Snyder, Penn Township, Westmoreland County