Featured Commentary category, Page 47
Colin McNickle: Data lacking on benefit of PIT’s international flight subsidies
An outre, as in curious, thing has happened in conjunction with all the happy talk that Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is rebounding just fine, thank you, from the covid-19 pandemic: No data have been released to support the contention that taxpayer-subsidized international flights have boosted the local economy, says Jake...
Point: Record production means energy and economic security
America’s oil and natural gas producers are innovating to produce more oil and gas than ever while generating less emissions and bringing reliable, affordable energy to Americans and our global allies. In its latest short-term energy outlook, the Energy Information Administration estimated that U.S. crude oil production reached “an all-time...
Counterpoint: A fossil fuel export economy is wrong for America
America is producing more oil and gas than any nation at any point in history, and it’s an accomplishment that fails to give U.S. families energy security or lower prices. At the same time, U.S. exports of oil and gas have surpassed every other country on earth, enriching oil and...
Carl Golden: Should Biden follow Lyndon Johnson’s example?
Nearly 56 years ago, President Lyndon Johnson, in a nationally televised address, shocked the country with a straightforward 20-word declaration: “I shall not seek and I will not accept the nomination of my party for another term as your president.” Elected in a landslide — 61% to 38%, 486 electoral...
David McCall: Proposed sale of U.S. Steel puts America’s security at risk
Several hundred members of the United Steelworkers (USW) operate U.S. Steel’s Irvin Plant, producing flat-rolled sheet for the GE refrigerators, ovens and other appliances that keep American households running. USW members at other U.S. Steel locations across the country make tin for food cans, pipe for natural gas distribution systems...
Sarah Olexsak: EVs to charge ahead in 2024
The 2023 numbers are in: Plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) contributed to 9.1% of light-duty vehicle sales in the U.S., up from 6.8% in 2022. This means more than 3 million EVs were on roadways across the nation last year — with over a third of those bought in 2023 alone...
David Dzombak: Going to the moon and renewing inspiration
I have always felt highly fortunate to grow up in the 1960s with the inspiration of the intense and ultimately successful effort of my country to land a person on the moon by the end of the decade. The Gemini and Apollo programs inspired me and many others of the...
Scott Hadland and Joseph Friedman: ‘Just say no’ can kill kids. Teach them how to stay safe in the fentanyl era
Melanie Ramos was only 15 years old when she died of a suspected overdose in a high school bathroom in Hollywood. Police reported that she and a friend had purchased pills they thought were prescription painkillers but which were likely fakes containing fentanyl, a potent opioid incorporated into counterfeit pills...
Rachel Marsden: Trump’s idea of using Putin to shake down allies isn’t shocking — it’s already reality
PARIS — Former President Donald Trump just suggested that he’d use Russian President Vladimir Putin as a shakedown artist against allies in a sort of protection racket. Those criticizing the remarks, and even Trump himself, may be surprised to learn that this is already effectively happening. Speaking at a campaign...
Jill Lawrence: Why doesn’t South Carolina love Nikki Haley?
Nikki Haley titled her 2022 book after the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s assertion, “If you want something said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman.” She’s made a point of projecting that Iron Lady toughness in the 2024 race, from her Reaganesque foreign policy...
Terrance Mintner: American pessimism is on the rise – What can we do about it?
“Americans are far too pessimistic about the future,” declared CNN’s Fareed Zakaria in an op-ed published last month. Zakaria focused on economics, arguing that a “profound sense of despair” among many Americans (“around three-quarters of those polled”) does not match up with positive stats — 5.2% growth in the third...
Jody Boulay: Romance during recovery
Valentine’s Day can be challenging for people in early recovery from drug or alcohol addiction. Most health professionals recommend that people in early recovery wait a year before pursuing a new relationship, and instead focus on recovery. Those in recovery may not have reached a level of emotional stability and...
Jason W. Park: Commonsense thoughts on gun rights, gun control, gun violence
Jennifer Crumbley’s conviction for her son’s school shooting is a sea change in the public’s view of gun violence. My own parents could have suffered the same fate as hers had not fate intervened. Shortly after a diagnosis 25 years ago for bipolar disorder, I was mis-medicated when I got...
Francis Wilkinson: Pa. Supreme Court takes aim at politics of cruelty
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court delivered a victory to abortion-rights advocates in directing a lower court to consider a challenge to the state’s 1982 prohibition on Medicaid funding for abortions in cases other than rape and incest. The 3-2 decision was widely viewed as an invitation to declare the ban a...
Sheldon Jacobson: This year’s Super Bowl offers something for everyone
Super Bowl LVIII will be held Feb. 11, with the San Francisco 49ers out of the NFC facing off against the Kansas City Chiefs out of the AFC. This is rematch of Super Bowl LIV, when the Chiefs rallied from a 10 point deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat...
LaVar Arrington: After the Super Bowl, restaurants and bars can count on skill games
There is nothing quite like Super Bowl Sunday. It is that one day when devout football fans mix with agnostic game watchers, packing tables in bars, restaurants and social clubs. As a former NFL player, it is awesome to see the craze around my favorite sport. Beyond the entertainment, it’s...
Gary Franks: Yes, our border crisis is an invasion
Do weapons need to be involved for there to be an invasion? Border states and numerous other states run by Republican governors say no. They would argue that an invasion can be an unwanted overflow or steady stream of people entering your property illegally. If you agree, then President Joe...
Meredith Elizalde: State leaders disdain gun victims
Six years ago, my son, Nick, and I were standing in the cold for hours, waiting for the Super Bowl championship parade to begin. Our beloved Eagles had won. The energy was electric. I’ve felt nothing like that connection before or since. Nick was wearing a fuzzy, plush hat in...
Mark Holman: We are — and always will be — the Steel City
My career with former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge has taken me to Washington, D.C., but I couldn’t be more Pittsburgh. I’m a Gateway Gator, IUP alum and proud Steelers season ticketholder. I even bought a six pack of Washington Capitals tickets just so I could get the best seats for...
Peter Morici: Why Trump’s appeal endures
Progressives are aghast that former President Donald Trump may recapture the White House. Some lament that President Biden should step aside for someone younger like California Gov. Gavin Newsom or Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota. Biden’s age is not the primary problem. Rather, his program is incorrectly focused and hurts...
Cynthia Shapira: Transforming Pa. higher education
To say that higher education is in a state of flux would be an understatement. Around the world, colleges and universities are racing to adapt to the changing needs and demands of students, and to do so in ways that provide relevant and affordable education. At a time when more...
Lee Fang: Homeland Security cited inaccurate allegation to censor New York Times journalist
As the 2020 Election Day count dragged on into the next morning in the crucial swing state of Wisconsin, New York Times campaign reporter Reid Epstein reported a hiccup at 4:52 a.m.: “Green Bay’s absentee ballot results are being delayed because one of the vote-counting machines ran out of ink...
Kevin Frazier: Literacy, news form base of hierarchy of democracy needs
When you’re stuck in the wilderness, Bear Grylls wouldn’t suggest you prioritize searching for Wi-Fi. Instead, survival experts would likely tell you to focus on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. In other words, you should be trying to address physiological needs before you start thinking about self-actualization. There’s also a hierarchy...
Guy Ciarrocchi: How Shapiro can help ‘every child of God’
“I believe every child of God deserves a shot here in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” Gov. Josh Shapiro said last year, “and one of the best ways we can guarantee their success is making sure every child has a quality education.” Referring to the issue of school choice, he has...
Stephen L. Carter: Too many security cameras, not enough safety
Civil libertarians are celebrating the recent announcement by Amazon that law enforcement agencies will no longer be able to obtain Ring doorbell camera videos just by asking. Henceforth, the company will require a subpoena or a search warrant. That’s great news. One needn’t be anti-cop (I’m certainly not) to agree...
