Trump must get ready for blowback

March 5, 2026

It is a special kind of folly to make long-term predictions amid the fog of war. Nobody knows how Operation Epic Fury will end. But there are already a few things we can celebrate and condemn. On the celebration side: The professionalism and courage of the American military stand out. So does the just demise of Ayatollah Khamenei, amid scores of his murderous henchmen. Other things worth celebrating are merely possibilities at this point. If the nearly half-century of Iranian repression at home and terrorism abroad is poised to end, along with Iran’s nuclear ambitions, that would be ...

Support for HELPER Act urged

March 3, 2026

Every day in Blair County and across Pennsylvania, our first responders and educators show up for their communities. Police officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and teachers serve on the front lines — often quietly, always faithfully. They respond to emergencies, protect our neighborhoods, and shape the next generation. Yet too many of these dedicated public servants cannot afford to live in the very communities they serve. That is why I strongly support the bipartisan HELPER Act (H.R. 2094 / S. 978) — the Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder Act. This ...

Let’s finish the job on term limits

March 1, 2026

On Feb. 27, National Term Limits Day, Americans commemorated the 75th anniversary of the 22nd Amendment — the constitutional provision that limits U.S. Presidents to two terms in office. This landmark reform, born out of broad public demand for rotation in office and accountability in our highest office, was a critical step toward restraining the accumulation of power in Washington. And Pennsylvania played a meaningful role in that history. In the aftermath of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s unprecedented third and fourth presidential terms, momentum built across the country for clear ...

Officials need to think like electrons

February 24, 2026

Electrons are the lifeblood of modern society — and right now, America is bleeding them. From data centers and electric vehicles to industrial production, our demand for electricity is an ever expanding pie. Yet partisan disagreement and regulatory gearlock have left us short on generation just when we need it most. Have you been shocked by the increase of your electric bill? In Pennsylvania and across the PJM grid, wholesale capacity prices have surged since 2024. It’s not some abstract market shift — this means higher utility bills, jobs at risk and communities struggling to ...

Is Cabinet shake up coming?

February 23, 2026

Nearly a month into his second year in office, President Trump’s Cabinet has been remarkably stable. No Cabinet member has quit, been fired, pushed out or otherwise left the building. The question is whether that is a good thing. A president does not want to let his political enemies hound his top Cabinet officials out of office. On the other hand, by the end of an administration’s first year, it’s usually clear that one, or two or more of the president’s Cabinet just aren’t working out. That is the issue confronting Trump today. Compare the situation to Trump’s first term. ...

Year of the Horse: Year of assimilation

February 17, 2026

As we celebrate the Chinese New Year and enter the Year of the Horse, it is worth pausing to reflect on what this moment may quietly offer us. In Chinese culture, the horse represents strength, steadiness, and the courage to move forward even when the path is uncertain. A single horse, however, rarely travels alone. It moves with others, keeping pace and changes when needed so it will not be harmed by dangerous animals. This is essential for social bonding and survival. I write as a Chinese American citizen who has been shaped by both Eastern and Western traditions. In recent ...