As we prepare for the future, what questions should we ask ourselves? There are so many. For example: Are you surprised at the percentage of Americans who have embraced the idea of having a single, all powerful leader? This question should scare us because there are apparently a good ...
The way the politicians are acting, that old promise we have all heard over the years — that your son or daughter could be the president of the United States — is not true today. If they are not first a career politician and are a sure candidate as a swamp member by thinking along the ...
Our independence from Britain started in 1775 — 244 years ago. Since then, tens of millions of Americans, have served in the military honorably and proudly. Many of my generation can trace family members who served in World War I or World War II, Korea or Vietnam. My father-in-law was a ...
Let’s present some facts on a couple recent letters to the editor. We’ll start with Martin Baronner’s Jan. 8 letter (“Obama set table for Trump success”) in which he mentioned Benghazi. The state department is responsible for security. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton turned ...
Regarding Martin Baronner’s letter to the editor published Jan. 8: Is he lying or just “drinking the Kool-Aid?” He continues to follow the worn-out mantra of “It’s Bush’s fault,” and his statements about the failures in Benghazi are misinformed. First, “There was no ...
Although it is nice gesture on Congressman John Joyce’s part to give up his pay during the shutdown, considering that he voted “nay” on the House bill to re-open the government and that he has the financial resources to tide him over until the shutdown ends, this gesture seems very empty. ...
Could you imagine how powerful the USA could be if the Democrats would just work with President Donald Trump? The Democrats have been upset since Hillary Clinton lost. I don’t have to ask why, the politicians’ paychecks have shrunk because there are no more payoffs from other countries ...
I often think what is wrong with people? Is there no common sense anymore? I reference the article in the Dec. 29 Mirror titled “Court rules moms-to-be using drugs is not abuse.” Really? You have a child that is at the mercy of his/her mother and she chooses — yes, chooses — to ...
On the morning of Dec. 31, we and our special-needs son went for breakfast at the Cracker Barrel Restaurant in Altoona. Having finished our meal and preparing to leave, the waitress, instead of presenting us with the bill, informed us that our bill had been paid by an anonymous person. We ...
Jury duty is a high duty of citizenship. Jurors help maintain law and order and uphold the principles of justice. In a very real way, jurors protect life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Working together with the judge, jurors form a team to put into practice the principles of our ...
The border wall will affect the natural environment. The national debate about border security doesn’t often focus on the natural environment. Hundreds of miles of public lands, including six national parks, sit along the U.S.-Mexico border. Barriers along the U.S.-Mexico frontier can ...
The Mirror’s call for a closer look at Pennsylvania’s pension systems and the many news stories published in reaction to the review commission’s recommendations are welcome developments on an issue that’s too often overlooked by Pennsylvanians. However, transparency and attention ...
Last week, Altoona’s own John Joyce was sworn in to the United States Congress. From my research, Joyce is the first member of Congress born in Altoona. Proudly, I read that Joyce is not accepting his pay until the government shutdown is resolved. If the rest of Congress follows his ...
The article in the Dec. 29 Mirror showed the importance of voting in judicial elections. In recent years, many voters of our state have elected judges who were committed to denying that the unborn child has any legal status in our courts. According to this recent ruling, the mother has no ...
Every day, thousands of law enforcement officers across the country leave their families and loved ones at home while they faithfully protect the communities they serve. Every law enforcement officer throughout Pennsylvania says goodbye to their families, not knowing if, when or in what ...
An editorial in September by Clifford Johnson was full of misleading statements. He started with Benghazi. The reason for Benghazi’s failure was the federal government’s passage of Sequestration under Republican control. This bill cut government spending, including security for our ...
Recent letters to the Mirror, once again, have presented opinions as facts. That is merely an attempt to influence the uninformed populace with one’s political views. It’s true that the government borrows from the Social Security Fund, but they always pay it back with time honored ...
This is in response to a Dec. 19 column in the Mirror by John Stossel titled “Some gifts to help keep your liberty.” In this column, Stossel, who is a fanatical libertarian, attempts to convince us that we should give certain books to friends, even socialists, as gifts this holiday ...
I’m a community member of Altoona, and I know firsthand how individuals who use mobility devices are affected by the poorly plowed roads. I use a wheelchair that I don’t often use for transportation outside of my home. PennDOT is required to plow side streets and main roads, but it does ...
The Mirror’s Dec. 22 editorial inaccurately refers to the Luddy case as a 1999 case. This error was obviously due to the fact that Bishop Mark Bartchak, in his published statement, incorrectly used this date. The Hutchison vs. Luddy, Bishop Hogan, Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, case was ...