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Ukraine’s war cannot be just Europe’s war

An article in the April 25-26 edition of the Wall Street Journal began with the headline “The Ukraine War is Europe’s war now.” “With Russia determined to continue its four-year invasion until it dominates its neighbor, and President Trump pulling back from Europe and focused on the Middle East,” the article said, “Ukraine finds itself reliant on the traditionally wary EU (European Union) in its war for survival.” Although some nations and their people see beefed-up EU political and financial support as confirming the main premise of the April article, especially the ...

Losing Spirit is bananas for Latrobe airport

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Gros Michel bananas may have been the perfect fruit. They were not just tasty. They grew in bunches ideal for shipping, with thick skins that protected the creamy white flesh all the way to American tables. Unfortunately, they were not resistant to disease. After decades of dominating the international produce market, they were all but wiped out by fungal blight more than 50 years ago. The bananas on shelves today are the Cavendish variety — still brilliantly yellow but somehow a pale imitation of their more flavorful cousin. The problem was not ...

FISA is not for illegally spying on US citizens

The Washington Post America’s spy programs are complex, but the Fourth Amendment is simple. It says the government cannot collect and search through the private communications of United States citizens without a warrant. Congress is deadlocked on renewing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), and the Fourth Amendment points to a straightforward compromise. That is: Keep up overseas surveillance to protect U.S. national security, but require a warrant whenever the resulting database is used to look through a specific American’s communications. The ...

Blair County Courthouse clock plans are a breath of fresh air

The clock on the clocktower of the Blair County Courthouse doesn’t exactly match the clock that was mentioned in the 1967 hit “Twelve Thirty” by the musical group The Mamas & The Papas. That ’60s hit referred to a clock on a steeple outside the window of an apartment in New York City where “everything was dark and dirty,” according to the song lyrics — a stalled clock that always said 12:30. Of course, Hollidaysburg isn’t dark and dirty — not by a long shot — but, for some older residents of Blair County, the courthouse clock might conjure up musical memories from ...

New treatment for heart issue requires thought

Great progress has been made in treating aortic stenosis, a heart problem that reportedly affects at least 1.5 million Americans. In severe cases of aortic stenosis, calcium buildup has narrowed the opening of the aortic valve to the point where, if left untreated, can lead to heart failure and death. There apparently have been no statistics presented publicly about the prevalence of the condition to people in the six-county Southern Alleghenies region, or even statewide, but no doubt the condition has a local presence. It might be puzzling to some people why this topic has reached ...

Rigid public comment rules do more harm

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Public comment periods are meant to let people talk to the government. Sometimes it’s about actions that are happening or decisions that are pending. Sometimes it’s about bringing problems to the government’s attention. A comment period is one mechanism municipalities, school boards and other agencies can use to make that process tick by with clockwork efficiency. It prescribes when a speaker can speak. It sets up the format. It establishes the time frame. It also moves the blame. It isn’t council’s fault you only get a few minutes to speak. It’s ...