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Letters to the editor

When law enforcement hides its face

Mary Randolph Valencia We are witnessing a dangerous rise in lawlessness — from within our own government. Masked and unidentified federal agents from ICE, Homeland Security and other units have appeared in American streets, dressed in combat gear and armed with assault-style rifles. Their actions, often violent and unchecked, intimidate citizens rather than protect them. Poorly trained in civilian policing, they have repeatedly crossed the line into abuse. We saw this in Portland, where unmarked agents in camouflage pulled protesters into unmarked vans without warrants. In ...

Continuing to spread that old propaganda

Fred Bucheit Howard Cal Thomas continues to spread that old propaganda meme that the rich deserve to be rich and the poor deserve to be poor. (Express Oct. 22) Why is there so much homelessness in this country? Simply because too often an average person working an average job can’t begin to live in this country… unless they want to live in a swamp in the backwoods and grow their own food. A few years ago, I was in Seattle visiting our daughter. While there I did a bit of exploring. I walked miles and miles in the suburbs and the forests to get a flavor of the west. I often ...

Finding courage

Rick Thomas Lewisburg The U.S. House of Representatives is just one signature away from a vote to release the Epstein files. So far, 217 members have signed the petition that would force Speaker Mike Johnson to bring the bill to the floor. Only 218 are required. Let’s remember what is at stake. The Department of Justice has admitted that it holds more than 10,000 illegal images and videos of child sexual abuse linked to the Epstein investigation and that hundreds of victims have been identified. Some of the world’s most powerful men may be implicated. Yet the DOJ still ...

Ban electric scooters in Pa.

Tom McCarey Berwyn, Pa. If the Legislature does not ban electric scooters from Pennsylvania’s roads many children will be maimed and killed. Misinformed politicians and bureaucrats think that electric scooters are a viable means of transportation. Nothing could be further from the truth. There are no “rules of the road” for scooters, and no infrastructure for them. Electric scooters are toys, and, at best, belong in parks. They should be banned from the roads. Yet, Senator Kearney thinks a new law will protect the children. I’m sure he has good intentions, but good ...

Say grats at dinner

Gary Jump Itasca, Ill. When we read about problems and tragedies it’s easy to become distressed. To increase happiness, think about things for which you have gratitude. My family does this at the end of dinner when we say “grats.” This involves one person telling us three things for which she or he is grateful. Then we have a conversation about what was said. Being the old guy at the table, I often discuss how one of those things was different in earlier times. For example, if televisions are cited, I might talk about how, when I was young, we didn’t have one, and that ...

Retain our best judges

Alfred Jones, Jr., Esq. State College We have been very fortunate to have good judges in our Centre County court, and, in the upcoming election, we need to make sure we retain one of our best judges. Judge Katie Oliver is one of the best judges I have observed in my 53 years as a Centre County lawyer. She was an excellent trial lawyer before she became a judge and she brings that courtroom expertise to the bench. Our lawyers and their clients appreciate her fair and balanced manner. Judge Oliver is very aware that those who come to her courtroom are people, people in difficult ...