Time for Hempfield to get its own police force

I’m curious about Hempfield Township’s decision to secure a state grant to demolish an unused state penetentary for $3.5 million (“Demolition plans advancing for former state prison,” May 6, TribLive). Wouldn’t that money go a lot further in securing their own police force in order for our Pennsylvania State Police to patrol less well-to-do neighborhoods?

Hempfield has a population of over 40,000. I think it is way past time for residents to pick up the tab on their own police and end the welfare of the state to continue to pay for it.

Wayne Wagner

Bethel Park

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Casey spending and taxing

To Sen. Bob Casey:

Watching your latest commercial blaming corporations’ “corporate greed” for the rising costs we are all bearing made me laugh. Here is an easy lesson for you and your staff. Even a first-grader can understand it.

Place two apples in a bucket. Each apple is worth $1. Now place 50 more apples in the bucket. Are the original two apples still worth $1 each? Of course not. So the original $1 is worth less. Now, ask yourself, where did all these additional apples come from? Answer: From the Federal Reserve creating all the apples.

Who told them to create more apples? You did — as a spend-and-tax Democrat. So please cut all the bologna and come out and say what it is you like to do. If it’s spend and tax, so be it.

Pete Mamula

Venetia

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Protesters’ outrage is shortsighted

George Washington University students are calling for Israel to be destroyed. The growing antisemitism and Islamophobia at our colleges tell me that 6 million Jews killed in World War II means nothing to them. Their outrage is shortsighted, to say the least. The following are outrages they seem to have forgotten, or maybe don’t mean anything to them:

• The butchering of innocent men, women, children and the elderly, and the horrific action by Hamas on Oct. 7.

• The plight of the Native Americans.

• The atrocities done in Ukraine.

• The brutalities inflicted by Hezbollah on Jewish citizens.

• The hate crimes and harassment of Jewish citizens in this country.

• The war in Sudan that killed 15,000 and displaced 6.5 million people.

• The brutality Hamas has inflicted on the people of Gaza and the international law violations they have committed.

The list goes on. Meanwhile, their version of free speech is a hate-filled crime, and there is no room for it anywhere. Ethnic killing and hate is wrong by all standards. In years to come, the lesson they might learn will be a hard and cruel one, but they shouldn’t look for sympathy or understanding because they will reap what they sow. To them, I say buy yourself a one-way ticket out of America and don’t move to my neighborhood, because you aren’t wanted.

Jack Juris

Buffalo Township

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A Middle East peace solution

About 3,600 years ago, God instructed Moses to lead his people to the “promised land,” the land that is Israel today. This was long before Palestine was even thought about. Since then, this land has been controlled by many different nations, kingdoms or empires. In 1948, Great Britain gave up control and in concert with the United Nations, the state of Israel was formed. There has been turmoil in the region ever since.

The total square miles of Israel and occupied territories is about 11,000. All Arab nations total over 5 million square miles. So, if true peace in the Middle East is the objective, why doesn’t the U.N. step in and relocate the Palestinians to a carved-out portion of one of the Arab nations? The Jewish people were forced to relocate after World War II and form a new nation (which was their original homeland established by God), so why not do the same to the Palestinians and stop the continuous conflicts in this area?

Steve Swencki

Hempfield

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Seniors shouldn’t be penalized for working

If you are collecting Social Security and both you and your spouse are working, look at line 6 (a and b) on your IRS 1040 return. This is where the IRS code determines how much they will penalize you for working and drawing an income. A portion of your Social Security is determined to be included in your earned and taxable income.

To me, this is clearly double taxation and something just doesn’t smell right.

Last year, I sent a letter to both of our senators regarding this. I felt a letter would be more apt to be recognized. I didn’t expect a response from Sen. Pat Toomey because he was retiring. There was no response or acknowledgement from Sen. Bob Casey or any of his offices. I realize he only appears every 5½ years at election time, but I thought I would get a response that a letter was received.

Our elected officials have their own retirement packages and are not subject to Social Security. They only care about Social Security when it is used for voting purposes. Every election cycle the subject comes up, and each side accuses the other of looking to cut benefits.

How many citizens drawing from this fund have never contributed to it and have been included to garner votes?

I am disturbed by this part of the tax code and by being ignored by our representatives. How about looking after middle class seniors and representing them instead of penalizing them for working?

Patrick Caffrey

Laughlintown

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We aren’t that different

Expressing opinions in this day an age is very difficult. There is such a lack of respect for differing opinions that expressing yourself is difficult. The vulgar hatred of the Jews being expressed makes me realize how corrupt our society has become. It scars me to my core. I fight my anger at those who hate so I am not like them.

We have lost our way. This country was founded on principles that should lead us to have conversations to express ourselves so we can come together, not tear each other apart. It is easy to believe that there is a sinister group of people who are causing this strife. The fact of the matter is being silent contributes to the problems that we are having. I have witnessed people who I love and respect absolutely reject others who they don’t agree with. I just happen to be one of those people. How do you tell someone you love that you are excluding me?

This is a time to listen and understand one another and not be taken in by sound bites and hatred for those who are different than you. Our country is crumbling before our eyes because radicals control the narratives. We aren’t that different. While I may differ from you, I will listen and be respectful. I vote no to woke radicals trying to control the narrative.

Raymond Schratz

Butler

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Bikers — stay safe and enjoy the ride

This is the time of year when everyone is reminded to “watch for motorcycles.” Great advice. A driver neglecting to pay attention earned me an unplanned helicopter ride. Sadly, there were several local fatalities in the past few weeks.

Drivers are distracted, but riders have the largest role and the most to lose when it comes to their safety. Almost daily I see riders taking huge risks, some riding in excess of 100 mph while weaving between cars. Speeding and aggressive lane changes are just one risk factor. How about all the bikes parked at bars on Saturdays and Sundays?

As riders, we have to decide which if any risks we are willing to take when we get on a bike, with the goal being to have as few risk factors as possible (speeding, drinking, riding at night, aggressive riding, riding in bad weather, not wearing a helmet, riding a bike that is too big or too small). Unlike distracted drivers, these are all things we can control.

Hopefully, the casualties in the first few weeks of spring are not a reflection of the number of tragedies this season. Enjoy the ride!

Thomas C. Spallone

Hempfield

The writer is an Iron Butt Association rider who has ridden through each of the lower 48 states.

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