Trending
We know that we are not alone with feelings of horror, disgust, and sadness after witnessing the assault on democracy and human dignity on Jan. 6, 2021 at the Capitol building and in Washington, D.C.
And we feel it is of the utmost importance that we acknowledge and condemn this outrageous evil act by American citizens that led to murder, destruction and chaos, all behaviors that threaten the values we cherish and hold most dear, truth, justice and respect for our fellow human beings.
We condemn all those involved in this egregious event, including those who incited this violent act, as well as those who remain silent or indifferent, and support that all perpetrators be immediately brought to justice.
We will not be indifferent to hatred, and we reaffirm our commitment to call out hatred and bigotry wherever it exists and in whomever it exists.
In the words of Elie Wiesel from his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech on Dec. 10, 1986:
"Action is the only remedy to indifference: the most insidious danger of all."
"We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant. Wherever men or women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must -- at that moment -- become the center of the universe."
(This letter was signed by Michael Cohen, president of the Greater Altoona Jewish Federation, and Bill Wallen, executive director, on behalf of the federation's board of directors.)
Importance of masks
has not diminished
There is another spike in COVID-19 cases and just a few days after Christmas.The decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases was a temporary one-day thing on Dec. 28.
If everyone had been wearing masks and observing social distancing, keeping to just 10 or less people, not having huge gatherings and limiting the number of patrons in establishments, there would most likely have been no need for a ruling by the governor to enforce these things.
Unfortunately, there are people out there who flaut the rules and regulations and like to think that they can do as they please.
A pandemic is pandemonium on an epic scale combined with a virus epidemic. This is not a normal situation, and we constantly hear of those who complain that the government has taken drastic measures and limited their freedom. The rules that are imposed during a pandemic are for everyone's safety and they are not imposed upon a few but everyone, individuals and businesses alike.
The places that people are in close contact physically are the ones that need to understand that close physical contact is how this virus is mostly spread.
Are the anti-mask and anti-social distancing individuals going to refuse getting the vaccine also? Are they going think that they are invincible? Try to understand that all of us are in this together and this is a nationwide, not just a neighborhood, problem.
If everyone would have followed the rules and regulations months ago, we would most likely have had fewer cases and deaths. Rules and regulations are there for everyone, not just the other person.
Selfish disregard for our fellow man only leads to foolishness for the selfish and danger for everyone around them.
Gwen Black
Hollidaysburg
Constitution: Accept the election results
As Americans, we have a constitution as our guide as to how a democracy is to be run. It gives us many, many privileges, but insurrection is not one of them.
In other countries such as Russia, North Korea, etc., the citizens do not have the benefits of a constitution.
They must live by the words of one man. Is that the type of government you want to live under? It's one thing to have a choice for a leader, but it's another thing to idolize him to the point of following him in lieu of our constitution.
We have two parties to choose from and in the realm of an election process, one must win and the other must lose. That's a fact that we as Americans have always lived by.
If our choice for president loses, although we don't like it, we accept that fact and live by it until we get our chance in four years.
We don't do stupid things like trying to overthrow the constitution.
That is wrong and extremely dangerous.
Don't be like a lamb being led to the slaughter. God gave you a brain. Use it.
Oliver Smith
Hollidaysburg
Joyce's decision offends this voter
John Joyce is our 13th District U.S. representative.
He voted not to certify Pennsylvania electoral votes. His position lost. He voted to disenfranchise all Pennsylvania voters.
He said "I cannot in good faith certify electors that were selected under an unlawful process."
I take it personally that he voted to dismiss my vote.
Joyce ignored the fact that several state, federal and the United States Supreme courts flatly dismissed these allegations. These people took the same oath of office as Joyce.
They are experts in law.
Craig A. Eisenhart
Mill Creek
Legislature should keep Act 77 in place
I was very upset to read that some Pennsylvania state representatives are considering rolling back Act 77, which allows for no-excuse mail-in voting. We should be proud that such a law had been passed and that so many Pennsylvanian residents were able to vote in the 2020 election, and during a pandemic.
It is clear that any decision to roll back this law is pandering to former President Donald Trump's base or worse, voter suppression since the results weren't what was expected. This cannot happen.
We have the right to vote, and we should be doing more to make sure all that are eligible to exercise that right can and do. We should not be considering measures that would make exercising that right more difficult.
I urge my elected officials to keep Act 77 in place.
Rick Eger
Hollidaysburg