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States should decide Roe v. Wade

Recent conversation regarding Roe v. Wade would be enlightened by placing it in an historical perspective. The founders established a small federal government subject to the will of the people. The constitution enumerated the specific powers of the federal government and specifically delegated everything else to the individual states to be dealt with as their constituents expressly desired. Lacking immortality, the founders put into place a process for adding powers to the federal government through congressional legislation. In that way, the founders died believing that ...

Toll scofflaws within projections

For decades, the Pennsylvania Turnpike has been a cornerstone of our economy that now provides safe travel to 500,000 customers daily. Over time, our roadway evolved to reflect customers’ needs and those of our commonwealth. When consumers were turning to electronic payments, we implemented All-Electronic Tolling. Even before that, travelers expressed a preference for automated payment by getting E-ZPass. Today, more than 85% of our customers use E-ZPass. The decision to convert to AET was a measured one that began in 2010. Ten years later, this preparation allowed us to ...

PSU: Stop the cuts, save the programs

Penn State Altoona is facing a devastating 10% cut to the campus operating budget. These cuts will eviscerate the integrative arts program by removing faculty and cutting classes that can be taught next year. These cuts also make live performances impossible with the loss of technical faculty and staff. The administration is also cutting faculty in Arabic, Korean, Russian, music, theater and communications and is intending to close majors in math, science, political science and integrative arts. Losing these faculty and programs hamstrings Penn State’s ability to provide ...

Sunshine Protection Act misses mark

Last month, the U.S. Senate passed legislation that would make Daylight Saving Time (DST) permanent starting in 2023. The Sunshine Protection Act is now in front of the House of Representatives for approval before it can go to the president to sign into law. However, this act is not what is best for our health. The Sunshine Protection Act would end the twice-annual changing of our clocks and, according to supporters, would advocate brighter afternoons, more economic activity and allow children to play outdoors later. However, DST increases sleep deprivation, causing on ...

Good time to heed Jesus’ words

Scriptures say that the two revolutionaries who were crucified with Jesus Christ on Mount Calvary on the day known now as Good Friday joined the chief priests, elders, scribes and others in the crowds in taunting, mocking and otherwise verbally abusing Jesus. When one of the two implored Jesus to “save thyself and us,” however, the other rebuked him, saying both of them deserved their punishments but Jesus had done nothing to deserve his. According to Scriptures, Jesus responded to the one who had defended him, saying, “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Jesus’ words ...

On Passover, a new cry for redemption

At tonight’s Passover seder, the ritual festival meal at which we share with family and friends our story of God’s redemption of the Jewish people from slavery and violent oppression in ancient Egypt, we read the following: “In each and every generation, each one of us is required to see ourselves as though we personally were redeemed from Egypt.” The seder meal is a sensory experience meant to stir such emotions: the sharp bite of the horseradish as a symbol of the bitter lives of our enslaved ancestors; the density of the “charoses,” the mixed fruit-and-nut salad that ...