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Letters to the Editor

Committing crime out of ‘pain’ is still a crime

Some years ago, I stood in my office facing a terrifying moment: a pain patient had brought a gun to his appointment. I know firsthand the horror of being targeted by people navigating the exhausting burden of chronic suffering. This reality was hammered into the national spotlight, involving our Altoona community with the tragic case of Luigi Mangione. Mangione was young, intelligent, but woefully inexperienced in life, dealing with severe intractable pain following an unsuccessful spinal surgery. His despair transformed into a violent, symbolic attack on the healthcare system. Yet, ...

Blood crisis: Donors needed now

The American Red Cross has declared only the second national blood crisis in its history — and patients may already be feeling the impact. Blood donations have fallen to a four-year summer low, worsening this summer’s emergency shortage. Donors are asked to act immediately to help save lives. All blood types are needed, but the situation is especially dire for type O blood as the Red Cross is now limiting distribution of these blood products to hospitals. The supply of type O positive blood has now fallen below a one-day supply. There’s also an emergency platelet shortage. ...

Return of phone restores faith in others

I just wanted to share some positive news that happened in our community. I had lost my cell phone in Hollidaysburg around St. Mary’s Adoration Chapel area. I did not realize I had lost it. It had a pocket on the back which contained my license, two credit cards, my debit card and some cash. The young man who found my phone returned it to my house. Absolutely everything was returned intact. Thank you so much for returning my phone and all the contents. It was very much appreciated. This restores my faith in humanity. There are good people in this world and in our area. Ramona ...

A better time capsule location warranted

I read, with interest, the article about the unearthing of the Tyrone time capsule and have a suggestion for future time capsule endeavors. Consider placing one in a similar location as the 1996 Blair County Sesquicentennial time capsule. It is housed in a niche in an interior wall of the Blair County courthouse — safe from damage from outdoor elements and from being forgotten. William Minter Bookbinding & Conservation and Valerie Metzler Archivist/Historian prepared the contents from public submissions gathered by the Sesquicentennial Committee. A label on the wall indicates when ...

Democrats can bring stability

With President Donald Trump’s blessing, the Republican propaganda machine is going full force after the working class. If you want a decent place to live, to be able to afford food for you and your family, if you want access to medical care and a small share of the American dream, you’re branded a communist or a socialist by the Republicans. Instead of focusing on rising costs and affordability issues, the Republicans persist in childish name calling. But Trump and the Republicans are happy to spend your tax dollars. They’ve spent over $113 billion dollars on an unnecessary ...

Democratic party at a crossroads

Democrats should now be called “socialist democrats.” Many democrats are self avowed socialists, support self avowed socialist candidates, elect and appoint state and local socialist officials and give socialist candidates money from the Democrat party’s coffers. Just in case you are not sure, Bernie Sanders, AOC, Mandami, Tlaib, Casar, Cori Bush, Saval and hundreds of others on school boards, state legislatures, mayors, law enforcement officials, etc., all self avowed socialists. There are likely thousands of other politicians who support socialist policies/agendas but are ...