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Letters to the Editor

Voting should be accessible to all

Recently, in a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court voted to uphold a Mississippi state law that allows for mail-in/absentee ballots to be counted after election day IF they were mailed on or before the state specific deadlines. This ruling ensures that the maximum number of citizens have their voices heard. Especially for those in the military or working abroad. Many states require that counting mail-in ballots can only start on election day. Only having one day to count these ballots would be a tight window. Now, factor in complications like if someone made a bomb threat to your elections ...

Vote to restrict president was wrong

Who in our national legislature voted to prove the Iranians right in their estimation that they could outlast us? That vote to restrict the president did just that and made it more difficult to end the war by military action or negotiation. It is one of the most ridiculous actions by a government since Neville Chamberlain stepped off a plane waving a useless scrap of paper. We seem not to have learned that one cannot negotiate with dictators because they are answerable to no one. As far as keeping Iran from nuclear weapons, they seem to have forgotten the unsuccessful negotiations ...

Praise, support for Operation Our Town

This short letter will try to get residents to support Operation Our Town. This group has been instrumental in investigating, arresting and prosecuting individuals who sell poison here in Blair County. There are a few ways to help in this effort, including attending fundraisers and by direct donation. Explain to your children and grandchildren how Operation Our Town is there for them. I personally thank the board members and District Attorney Pete Weeks and Blair County judges and all area district justices for their attention in the prosecution process. David Servello Sr. Altoona

A call for red, white and blue

I would love to see everyone who can fly an American flag in honor of our country’s 250th birthday. No political sign, not Republican or Democrat sign: just a symbol of our country and a sign of respect. Every business, every church and every home. Fly our flag. Let’s make it red, white and blue everywhere. Blessings to all. Marti Shiffler Altoona

Women, girls deserves support

Members of the Pennsylvania House Health Committee voted on June 15 along party lines to re-refer Senate Bill 9 (SB9) to the Judicial Committee for consideration. Sen. Judy Ward is the prime sponsor of SB9, also called the Save Women’s Sports Act. The Act prohibits transgender girls and women from participating in female athletics. SB9 passed the PA Senate over a year ago on a bipartisan basis and has not yet been brought up for a vote on the House floor. In fact, in the past year, SB9 has been re-referred to another committee for consideration five times. One might ask why ...

Gun violence affects everyone

June is both National Gun Violence Awareness and Gay Pride month. One way the two are connected is the amount of gun violence inflicted on the LGBQT community. On a per capita basis, LGBQT+ individuals are targeted for violent hate crimes at a higher rate than other minorities. Research indicates that LGBQT+ people are roughly nine times more likely to be victims of hate crimes than non-LGBQT+ individuals. According to the Trevor Project, 40% of LGBQT+ youth reported having a firearm in their home, and the odds of committing suicide were about 17% higher than those who did not have ...