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Government should stay out of sports

I can no longer hold my tongue on this matter.

Why does the government (elected officials) feel the need to stick its nose into professional sports?

If the issue in sports doesn’t threaten our public safety or our ability to live, just butt out. Government is insulting the intelligence of the American people, who are educated and informed.

I read the Altoona Mirror from cover to cover just about every day, and to my dismay there wasn’t one but two articles in last Sunday’s paper with the attack on the Washington Redskins’ team name and logo.

For those that read or already knew, it was designed by Native Americans as an “expression of solidarity.”

Senators Casey, Cantwell and Reid have decided that they needed to take on this fight and remove the name since it is “insensitive.”

I think there is a plethora of other issues affecting our great nation. Why not investigate the recent VA scandal, the Benghazi scandal (people murdered and no accountability), the prices at the pump (highest ever in history), the Federal Transportation Bill and, of course, the lagging economy/unemployment?

The list goes on and on. Fix the important things. Don’t get involved in private industry/business unless there is an actual crime being committed.

A lot of politicians will, because they do have a hidden agenda.

Most reporters don’t bother to research who named the team and why. It was briefly described in the recent Associated Press article from which Bruce Allen (general manager of the Redskins) mentions the history.

There could be an argument made that every team’s mascot has the potential to offend someone in our ultra-sensitive society. Read the real polls, and you’ll see: The majority of the American people don’t have a problem with it, just some goof who wants to get re-elected.

Mark Moyer

Altoona

Harrison should be Bucs’ regular shortstop

With regard to the struggling Pittsburgh Pirates, one would expect for the bulk of the production to come from household names such as Andrew McCutchen, Neil Walker and Pedro Alvarez.

However, the Pirates have recently been relying on a utility infielder as their right-handed platoon in right field, and he has been the heart and soul of the Pirates throughout the month of May.

I am talking, of course, about Josh Harrison.

Harrison played in the infield throughout his entire minor league career, and because of his diminutive 5-foot-8 stature, he has been a question mark on making an opening-day roster every year of his career.

In spite of these things, Harrison has exceeded all expectations as the right fielder in Pittsburgh. He has shown consistency at the plate, consistency on defense and, most importantly, all-around hustle on the bases and in the field.

The hustle that we see from Harrison is something that is lost in Major League Baseball but has occasionally had a great impact on a win for the Pirates.

It is almost a given that Pittsburgh’s top prospect, Gregory Polanco, will be the starting right fielder in June as he is awaiting his call-up, but I pray that the Pirates use their heads with Harrison.

With Jordy Mercer and Clint Barmes struggling from the shortstop position and having little positive impact, I hope that Clint Hurdle and Neal Huntington are prepared to make Harrison the full-time shortstop after Polanco’s call-up.

Josh Harrison’s hustle and consistency could be a major asset in the quest for the Pirates making another pennant run.

Brennan Hurd

Hollidaysburg

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