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Letters to the Editor

Second Amendment allowed guns that kill

The 2nd amendment was added to the US Constitution in 1791. Since 1791, we have had the right to remove this amendment under Article V of the Constitution or to pass gun safety laws to control the harmful use of firearms but never had the votes necessary in the U.S. Congress or state legislatures to take this step. But importantly, we have had the power to remove it or regulate it with our right to vote. On Aug. 27, an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old lost their future right to have a say on the 2nd Amendment when they were shot dead while praying in their school’s church. The madman ...

Problem solved: Keep hands to yourself

After reading the paper online and watching local news, I am compelled to write this letter. Almost every day, I hear about child molesters and abusers. Almost every day, I read about men who abuse their wives, girlfriends and children. And on some days, the genders are reversed. People, it is not that hard to keep your hands to yourselves. If you have an urge to harm anyone, in any way, talk to someone. You have to realize this is wrong. Doing anything to a child besides loving and nurturing them is wrong. Women were not made to be anybody’s punching bag. We were not ...

In-town tree loss noticeable

Altoona’s government and many local businesses and organizations seem to refrain from maintaining or planting new trees. A recent example is the front of the Jaffa Shrine where new sidewalks were just installed. The existing trees were removed and none were planted to replace them. April 2025, a Broad Avenue resident attempted to retain his frontal trees. The city was not willing to alter the replacement sidewalk that shared space with these trees. Trees provide multiple functions. Trees filter the atmosphere, provide shade, shelter birds and small rodents, and they beautify our ...

Mistakes repeated when history ignored

I was dismayed but not surprised to read the results of the Mirror’s poll to the query: “Do you think it was the right decision for President Donald Trump to call in the National Guard to police Washington, D.C.?” Fifty-six percent of respondents said it was OK. This is typical of the Mirror’s readership. Allowing themselves for generations to be snookered by the Republican party, and having been further brainwashed by Fox News, the majority of central Pennsylvanians are willfully and seemingly happily ignorant to both facts and history. Being obtuse when it comes to fascism, ...

Health insurance needs to be affordable

As someone living with a chronic health condition, affordable health insurance is essential. My family purchases our own health care through the individual health insurance marketplace because we don’t get coverage through an employer. Enhanced premium tax credits have made it possible for us to afford a plan that covers the care I need to stay healthy. These tax credits are set to expire in 2026. If Congress doesn’t act now to extend them, our premiums will skyrocket. We simply can’t afford that, and neither can the other Pennsylvanians who use these tax credits to afford ...

Legislators can help protect themselves

​I support the general premise of state Rep. Gregg Scott’s proposals to help protect legislator’s safety. In my opinion, and many people I know from both parties, our elected officials could greatly increase their personal safety with one simple change: Take a long look in the mirror and just do your job. Reach across the aisle, find consensus and improve life for all. Your posturing, entrenched rhetoric, unwillingness to compromise, and efforts for reelection (I don’t support Scott’s proposal to let incumbent lawmakers get a free pass on getting signed petitions for ...