Sounding off: Veterans, Mt. Pleasant, election among week's topics

Our veterans deserve better

There is an important day coming up that we should all reflect upon. It plays a significant role in our history and reminds us of where we came from and how we got here.

I’m talking about Veterans Day. As the last members of the Greatest Generation leave us, we should remember the sacrifices they made to preserve our nation and the freedoms the Constitution guarantees. Those of us who were lucky to be raised by these people understand their heroism and role in preserving our nation. As time, and interest in history, wane, we observe how little knowledge of their sacrifice is being passed on to recent generations.

Schools place less emphasis on history and civics in favor of more STEM education. There is no “H” or “C” in that acronym, and more time for STEM has to come from somewhere, so … .

Today, displays of the ignorance of history are left to clips on late-night TV and social media memes, where interviews of recent college grads tell us that Ben Franklin was the first president, Mexico is a U.S. state and the Constitution was written by some guy named Bob.

The culmination of this ignorance is being played out in our recent presidential elections, as lies and misinformation are easily passed out as facts, and many don’t have the interest or skills to seek the truth.

Apologies to the veterans who sacrificed so much and lived long enough to see this spectacle. Thank you, but you deserve better.

Tim Kaczmarek

Natrona Heights

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Mt. Pleasant’s reputation ruined

I was born in Mt. Pleasant. My great-grandfather established Mt. Pleasant Foundry. My grandfather and uncles served as volunteers in the fire department. I still have family living in the area, and I have maintained friendships established though my church, neighborhood and school.

I have waited to write a letter to the editor in hopes that my anger would subside after reviewing the hideous video depicting political violence in the Halloween parade, designed to entertain children and residents of Mt. Pleasant. The video was vile and has prompted negative news attention nationally.

I have always had such a tremendous sense of pride in my hometown. A small town that celebrates its history with festivals, and memorials that commemorate those who served in the military. When talking about my hometown I would describe it as a small community at the foot of the Laurel Highlands, an area known for hiking, biking, rafting, camping and skiing, and a tourist destination for Frank Lloyd Wright enthusiasts.

The outsider’s view of my hometown has been destroyed with a depiction of political violence. The reputation of Mt. Pleasant has been ruined. It will take years upon years to undo the damage done with a few seconds of video.

The mayor and fire chief have apologized. County political leaders have denounced the portrayal of political violence from any group. The perpetrators of this display now need to come forward. They have disgraced the citizens of Mt. Pleasant, their family and friends. Mt. Pleasant is a small community and by now everyone knows the bad actors.

Anna M. Helkowsky

West Bloomfield, Mich.

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Stronger laws, voter ID would give Americans faith in our electionsFaith in elections

During my tenure as judge of elections in Allegheny County for a number of years, I had many questions from people of both parties. If votes we’re going to be counted honestly. In my opinion, we must have strong election laws (begin ital)and (end ital) voter ID. This will help reduce possible fraud and give Americans faith in the election process. Only then will there be fewer accusations of cheating, and the winner can lead without any question.

Both Democrats and Republicans should support this. I think the U.S. should initiate a nationwide voter ID program just like the many other countries that require voter ID. When it’s easier to vote for the president of the United States, the most powerful position in the world, than it is to take out a library book or drive a car, we have a problem.

This will reduce claims made by both parties of fraud. Stacey Abrams, a Democrat running for governor of Georgia, made accusations of fraud, and Republican President Donald Trump has made the same claims. Everything should be done to make the election process as honest as possible so once elected a new leader can lead without any question.

Russell DeJulio

Mt. Lebanon

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2024 election marked by bad candidates

As the 2024 campaign unfolded, media consensus acknowledged that no party had a decidedly popular candidate. The Dems wavered over the tottering incumbent and overlooked their high-profile maverick West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin. The splintered GOP sat idly by as former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declined to pick up the gauntlet and primary voters gave feeble support to former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley.

It was a “down arrow” for our country and perhaps the free world. The Biden/Harris/Walz act coulda gone to a vaudeville stage or circus tent. Donald Trump woulda been history. Now, no matter the outcome, speculation has risen about another physically contested election result. Our country shoulda steered a different course.

Bernard Borza

Greensburg

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Pittsburgh Mills should never have been built

Regarding the article “Namdar Realty profits from Pittsburgh Mills, ‘dying’ malls” (Oct. 19, TribLive): More power to Namdar for figuring out how to make a profit. The real story, however, is that the mall should never have been built in the first place.

Construction of the mall was discussed back in 1990 well before the internet age, and back then and to this day, the Alle-Kiski Valley does not have the financial capacity to support such a large project. Monroeville Mall was bustling with activity, then decided to replace its ice skating rink with a food court, which made it less desirable. Century Three Mall arose on the steel mill slag heaps of West Mifflin, another mall that should have never been built, and is now being demolished.

The once peaceful countryside of Frazier Township was destroyed by the construction of Pittsburgh Mills and now it sits as a monument to the stupidity of greed. Today, even Monroeville Mall and the surrounding community is a ghost of what it once was. Pittsburgh and the surrounding area have difficult decisions to make; let’s hope they make the right ones.

John Pierce

Cocoa Beach, Fla.

The writer is formerly of Springdale and Monroeville.

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Free speech denial in Norwin

This letter depicts my deep concern regarding the continued denial of free speech by the Norwin School District. The recent unilateral decision by the administration, sustained by the “no” vote of school board President Matt Thomas, has once again denied our students the opportunity to hear a nationally popular presentation by a highly qualified Black man, Stephen Davis, on leadership (“Conservative Norwin board members lament cancellation of Turning Point USA speech,” Oct. 24, TribLive).

It’s reminiscent of three prior occasions when free speech was denied to Venezuelan legal immigrant Daniel DiMartino. It is sad to see that freedom of speech is dead at Norwin.

Norwin’s excuse of fear of violence is absurd. The setting at the University of California Davis (when Davis spoke in 2022) in front of an audience of free-roaming adult activists was in no way similar to our school district.

Director Shawna Ilagan made the correct argument that the security of our locked buildings provides a secure and safe setting for the presentation. The only thing that is in danger is the First Amendment guarantee of freedom of speech.

Freedom of speech has nothing to do with eloquence and everything to do with substance. It guarantees the listener and speaker the right to share even the most reprehensible of ideas. Not just the speech that makes us feel good but the speech that we do not want to hear and especially speech that challenges us to reflect and think.

Our students deserve much better.

Shame on you, Matt Thomas and directors Ray Kocak, Tim Kotch and William Bojalad.

Rich Walczak

North Huntingdon

The writer is a committeeman for Westmoreland County Republican Committee’s District 3.

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Protect pharmacy benefits

Recently, I participated in a symposium hosted by the Pittsburgh Business Group on Health to discuss the key health care issues facing local employers. One takeaway was that rising prescription drug prices remain a significant challenge for small businesses as they work to attract and retain talent and protect the health of their employees.

As a wellness coach who works with businesses to help keep their workforces healthy, I believe access to affordable medication should be a priority for state lawmakers. The best way to do this is to help small businesses provide affordable pharmacy benefits, which are essential for holding down costs. Employers and unions provide prescription drug plans to their employees and their families to reduce medical costs and offer benefits tailored to the unique needs of their employees. Pharmacy benefits also allow many patients to get prescriptions delivered to their homes at a lower cost — a crucial service for Pennsylvanians in rural communities and those who can’t get to a brick-and-mortar pharmacy.

Unfortunately, drug manufacturers and other special interests have pushed lawmakers to prohibit unions and employers from offering certain affordable prescription drug benefits, forcing everyone into a more expensive, one-size-fits-all health care plan. Health plan sponsors should be able to choose the benefits that work best for them and their members.

Policymakers should protect pharmacy benefits and reject proposals that would increase the cost of prescription drug coverage. Instead, they should look at the real cause of high costs: out-of-control drug prices set by drug manufacturers.

Niki Campbell

Pine