What is the goal of extending the sex abuse window? Is it to punish the Catholic Church? Perhaps to leave it in bankruptcy? I agree with punishing offenders. But extending this window does not hit the nail on the head. Let’s look at the story in a different light: Say that the ...
As I scan all the letters to the editor and the replies posted on the Mirror’s website, I often get distressed. The divisions that exist are so clearly on display that it is at times troubling. Regardless, one of the things I see are individuals arguing about policy issues — taxes, jobs, ...
Congratulations to the Altoona Water Authority on its success in obtaining a Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant to acquire 2,000-plus acres to protect our water supply. This will preserve a large area of watershed land around Kittanning Run, which is now a non-useable, ...
Recently I shopped at Ollie’s in Hollidaysburg. As I placed my items on the counter to check out, the woman beside me placed her credit card on the counter while telling the cashier to put my items on her card. I tried to protest, but she insisted. She then put her arms around me as I ...
It’s time to lower prescription drug costs in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program is paying billions more than it should for prescription drugs, due to the growing influence of pharmacy benefit managers. Designed to save Medicaid dollars, PBMs have seen their payments from the ...
Huntingdon County residents are about to lose an investment of $89 million for a new resort on Terrace Mountain. For the resort to be built, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers needs to add a small recreational access site on parcel #5303 in the Raystown Lake Master Plan. It is a travesty that ...
(This letter was updated on Dec. 5 to correct an editing mistake.) Some recent editorials are back on the fabrication track. Benghazi, Fast and Furious and millions of dollars going overseas, Hillary Clinton went before Congress numerous times, and Congress found no fault or wrongdoing on ...
As a registered nurse at UPMC Altoona with 40 years of experience, I have dedicated my career to providing my patients with the highest quality of care possible. When UPMC first purchased Altoona Regional Hospital, it promised our community world-class health care, investment and civic ...
I do not understand how my Republican Party can support Donald Trump as our president. I cannot support a person who routinely breaks the third, seventh, ninth and tenth commandments. I cannot support a person who exhibits no sense of decency. I cannot support a person bent on destroying ...
It seems that it was just yesterday that buying marijuana was a legal offense. Drunk driving is still punishable. Buying and selling drugs is illegal. All of these things cause judgment impairment, and users have become dependent on the effects that these things bring to them. Here we are ...
Let us all Americans keep our democracy alive. The United States Constitution has served us well for 230 years and will continue to do so only if we remove President Donald Trump. Otherwise, Trump will make this country a monarchy. Trump’s actions on a daily basis make him unsuitable ...
We are in the midst of celebrating American Education Week, a great opportunity to appreciate the amazing public-school educators and support professionals who work hard every day to prepare our students for future success. Our educators introduce students to the wonders of reading. They ...
Turn on your TV, and you can’t miss an ad for the latest fitness equipment or diet fad. You would think we were a healthy, fit nation, but the tale of the tape tells a different story. Nearly one-third of all Pennsylvanians qualify as obese, up 50 percent since 2000. This is costing ...
On Oct. 9, Blair County author and educator Jared Frederick gave a review of his book, “Dispatches of D-Day — A People’s History of the Normandy Invasion.” During the presentation, I experienced a flashback of my own reaction to visiting the site of the invasion with remnants of barbed ...
I am writing in response to the Nov. 3 article, “Spread of CWD remains unclear,” written by Russ O’Reilly. While those of us working to slow the spread of CWD across the country appreciate coverage on this important topic, the headline and subsequent article was misleading and in some ...
As a result of the most recent election, three candidates who were seeking re-election will be leaving the Altoona Area School Board, and two new members will be added. Over the past few years, the elephant in the board room has been the new building project. Discussions of such resulted ...
Alzheimer’s disease is devastating — not only for the more than 5 million Americans living with the disease, but also for the more than 16 million family and friends serving as caregivers. The caregiving needs for someone living with Alzheimer’s are extensive and increase over time — ...
I returned home from Vietnam on Feb. 5 and was in a train station in Trenton, N.J. A group of anti-war protesters with signs and chanting slogans walked through. There I sat in my Army uniform and a nice tan. My back was turned to them so I don’t think they noticed me. I felt like I ...
Why is it that every time you hear the news, the Democrats want to impeach President Donald Trump? The president has done more good in three years than the previous presidents did the whole time they were in office. Look at unemployment, the lowest in 50 years, wages are up and stocks are ...
At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, the Armistice ending World War I was signed. In 1938, legislation was passed declaring Nov. 11 as Armistice Day; this new legal holiday was set aside to honor those Americans who fought in World War I. By 1954 (after American ...