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Teacher has the right to free speech, too

Letters to the Editor

There was an article in the Sept. 12 edition of the Mirror about a teacher in Spring Cove facing backlash after posting a comment on Facebook regarding Charlie Kirk. I, for one, agree with her 100% and defend her right to voice her opinion, no matter who she works for. To start a petition to have her disciplined or removed says more about those signing the petition than they realize. What are they afraid of? Do they think some of the students might see the comment? So keep your kids off Facebook. Believe me, they will see much worse online on any given day. If it’s against ...

RFK Jr.’s vision of CDC should alarm Congress

Editorials

Susan Monarez’s 28-day tenure as the nation’s top public health official was doomed from the start. Her boss, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., wanted her to do two things: champion his dubious anti-vaccine agenda and uphold “gold-standard science” at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recognizing the conflict, Monarez chose the latter and was fired last month. Monarez’s departure from the CDC highlights a dilemma that any successor will face: Under Kennedy, no serious scientist can hold the job. The risk this vacuum of expertise could pose to Americans’ health and safety ...

Wolford shows experience for bench

Letters to the Editor

This November, voters have an important choice for Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court. I urge support for Matt Wolford, a candidate with more than 30 years of legal experience and a proven record of fairness. Wolford has served both in government and private practice, giving him a rare perspective on how state agencies impact citizens. Throughout his career, he has consistently stood up against government overreach, ensuring that laws are applied fairly and that individual rights are respected. The Pennsylvania Bar Association has rated him “Highly Recommended,” their highest ...

Tired of political games, division

Letters to the Editor

What if we had no political parties? What if we had to form our own opinions? I guess we would not know who to hate. Now, if you pick one team, you kind of automatically hate the other team. I’m not really sure how you pick your team. With this much hatred in the world, it should be easy? If you’re pro-choice, you’re on this team. If you’re against guns, you’re on this team, etc. It’s confusing to me because there are folks on both teams who like some of these things, but not all. I’m not really into politics. I vote for who I like. It’s obvious many people ...

Kick off holidays with giving

Editorials

First thoughts of the end-of-year holiday season emerge for many people as summer gives way to autumn. This year autumn begins on Sept. 22 and, by then, many other residents of this area already will have turned their thoughts away from summer’s hot, sultry days and refocused on the cooler conditions evolving and the beauty of the changing leaves. Mention the phrase “season of sharing” and Christmas comes to mind, as well as something else that has become important here amid all else that the holiday season delivers. That “something else” is the Altoona Mirror’s annual ...

Old Crow wetlands being degraded

Letters to the Editor

I am writing to express my deep concern over the degradation of the Old Crow wetland in Huntingdon, a place once teeming with salamanders, turtles, frogs, insects and native plants. Recent sediment pollution from the Rutter’s construction has already begun to choke this fragile ecosystem — an outcome many of us predicted when the truck stop project adjacent to the wetland was first proposed. Despite the clear risks, permits were hastily approved and planning corners cut, leaving this invaluable natural area vulnerable. Wetlands are not wastelands; they are living systems that ...