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Opinion

Our opinion: Heighten penalties on violence

Our Opinion

Legislation introduced recently in the state House of Representatives is misguided, in our view. Rep. Josh Siegel, D-Allentown, introduced House Bill 1698 in the spring that would mandate a life sentence in prison for those who are convicted of violent acts against elected officials. The legislation comes after two such attacks in Pennsylvania in less than a year and shortly predates a shooting against Minnesota state representatives. “Our democracy is under siege,” Siegel said. “Extreme partisanship and inflammatory political rhetoric have fueled a dangerous culture of ...

Our opinion: Sharing can benefit rural students

Our Opinion

Course sharing across the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is one step closer to becoming reality. It’s a program that will make education easier for college students, particularly those who are attending smaller, rural state colleges in the PASSHE system. Many of the students within the PASSHE system opt to attend the school in or near their hometown, which can limit their studies depending on the strengths and individual course offerings of their respective schools. For some students, the availability of more classes can make the difference of whether or not they ...

Readers Speak

Letters To Editor

Get organized Dear Editor, It’s unfortunate that our Democratic country has a “Mafia”-like boss in Washington, D.C., along with a bunch who have fallen in line with the boss. Either they complied or faced a “hit “man. Their recent vote to confirm that Big Beautiful Bill is sufficient proof that their allegiance to the boss supplants their support to our nation and their constituents. The Boss has blackmailed certain university presidents, law firms and elected officials into submission. At the same time his wealthy supporters will benefit at the expense of you and I ...

Editor's corner: Can Stefanik conquer Big Blue wave of New York?

Our Opinion

Western New York Republicans know the clock is ticking when it comes to the 2026 election for New York governor. During a political fundraising event June 30 in West Seneca, party leaders and supporters came to hear from their potential great hope to be the next leader of the Empire State: ...

U.S. coming up short as great melting pot

Local Commentaries

By JAMES SPANGLER, OD A short time ago Times Observer ran a well deserved front page article on the book Rory Land by friend and Warren Area High School classmate TM Gay. It was about the ups and downs of a golfer, but also an honest look at the social mess of Catholic Ireland and Protestant England and the chunk of land in between Northern Ireland — Rory’s Land. England’s history is checkered with swings from Protestant to Catholic, acceptance to hatred, shifting to the whims and beliefs of royal regimes. The oppression of Catholics by Protestants was every bit as ...

Times have changed

Local Commentaries

I got a message on Facebook that said – and I am paraphrasing here- If you grew up in the era where you went out each morning and did not come home until dark you grew up in the best of times. I think that is true. When I think back to the way it was when I grew up, I am in awe of the things we did. When I got up, I had chores to do first. When they were done, I was allowed to do whatever struck my fancy. I had many neighborhood friends – boys and girls. We all played games together. In the evening when the weather got cooler, we often played kick the can. Someone raided their ...