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Helen of Troy controversy is meritless

Opinion

It’s the controversy that has launched a thousand X posts. Elon Musk, who is a fan of Homer, has kicked up a fuss by objecting to filmmaker Christopher Nolan casting the black actress Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy in his forthcoming movie version of “The Odyssey.” The epic production presumably won’t rise or fall based on its depiction of Helen, the legendary beauty who precipitated the Trojan War. That conflict is portrayed in “The Iliad,” while “The Odyssey” follows the Greek warrior Odysseus on his return home after the war, a story that doesn’t feature ...

Proposed mega merger will hurt farmers

Letters to the Editor

The Cambria County Farm Bureau echoes the opposition of our parent organization, the American Farm Bureau Federation, to the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern mega merger: farmers will bear the costs if this goes through. My Brother Rick and I are sixth-generation beef cattle and grain farmers. The homestead has been in my family since 1839, so I understand the risks this merger poses to families across the state. Getting crops from Pennsylvania farms to market depends on a freight rail system that farmers can count on and afford. More than 5,000 miles of track move tens of millions of ...

Housing plan should consider preservation

Letters to the Editor

I commend the City Council and Redevelopment Authority for their comprehensive plan to improve housing and neighborhoods, but they should augment it to include historic preservation. Rebuilding Altoona’s tax base should include a Historic Preservation Board; provide tax breaks for the restoration of properties; educate the community about federal tax credits and deductions; and partner with a nonprofit, such as The Blair County Historical Society, to accept historic easements. Are you tired of seeing historic properties bastardized? Beautiful old homes and businesses wrapped in ...

Remember the meaning behind Memorial Day

Editorials

Each year, the Memorial Day federal holiday honors the men and women who died while serving in this country’s armed forces. This year, while honoring those who in past wars lost their lives, the holiday’s 2026 “version” is grasping the unwanted reality of having to honor brave military personnel killed during the current Iran war operations. And, in the days, weeks and months ahead, there is no guarantee that others’ lives will not be claimed during whatever other operations or defenses might be deemed necessary. The lives of many hundreds of thousands of American troops ...

Redistricting ruling a blow to democracy

Letters to the Editor

The announcement of the Supreme Court’s redistricting is a blow to our democracy. All that stands between us and tyranny are our laws and courts behaving in a non-partisan way to uphold these laws. This is a Supreme Court dominated by reactionary ideologues who allow their personal views to turn back time to a shameful period in our history when African American citizen’s right to vote was suppressed or denied. Passing the Voting Rights Act was a watershed moment, a cashing of our promissory note to fulfill the inalienable rights guaranteed to our citizens in the Declaration of ...

Climate movement needs your help

Letters to the Editor

So, you are concerned about the Climate Crisis and are sure what to do about it. Know that you are not alone. Also know that the Climate Movement needs you, it needs everyone, to do everything we can to address this crisis. Here are some ideas: — Learn more about how our world is warming; the causes, consequences and actions that need to be taken to stop it. Start by visiting NASA’s website on climate. https://climate.nasa.gov — Talk about it, a lot, with friends, family, neighbors, everybody and anybody. — Get involved; join a climate group or two. Ask how you can help. ...