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Letters to the editor

The courage to speak out

Rick Thomas Lewisburg The most remarkable thing about Senator Cory Booker’s record-breaking 25-hour speech in the U.S. Senate wasn’t his stamina — it was his courage. Booker said what most members of Congress, including our own representatives, are afraid to say: that our democracy and economy are in grave danger. While others tremble to offer even mild criticism of the Trump administration, Booker boldly told the truth: “In just 71 days, the president of the United States has inflicted so much harm on Americans’ safety, financial stability, the core foundations of our ...

Who does Thompson represent?

Nora Chyle State College Thanks to Representative Glenn (GT) Thompson for his newsletters, showing he’s out of touch with constituents’ needs. In recent newsletters, Thompson said nothing about the chaos engulfing our country — high prices; fired government workers; canceled contracts providing food and health services to millions of Americans; threats to Social Security, Medicaid and supplemental nutrition aid; tattered global alliances; Trump’s revenge tours. So, what did Thompson say? He co-sponsored legislation to ensure that AM radio remains available on cars, so ...

Cutting federal funding for libraries hurts everyone

Elsa Winch Lock Haven On March 31, 2025, federal funding for our public libraries is being eliminated; gutted by a March 14, Executive Order by the President. This EO directs the new acting director of the IMLS (appointed by the President and DOGE) to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The IMLS is an independent federal agency staffed by about 75 federal workers, and is the largest, and only, federal agency dedicated to funding library services. President Bill Clinton signed the Museum and Library Services Act in 1996. The agency was established by a ...

Birthright citizenship

Paul Washington Salona There are only three ways of obtaining American citizenship: 1) being born in one of the 50 states (this is what is called “birthright citizenship” and is the original meaning of “natural born American”), 2) being born outside of the U.S. under circumstances that the law awards citizenship at birth, and 3) through naturalization. These categories have been the same for the entire history of the United States. Most Americans, including myself, are citizens through birth (i.e., we have birthright citizenship). It hasn’t mattered how long ...

Thank science

Bob Potter Boalsburg If you are alive today, be sure to thank science. Consider this: In 1900 the average US life expectancy at birth was about 47 years. Today it is over 77 years…30 additional years in just over a century. As Trump and his fellow Republicans attack science, remember that this dramatic increase in American life expectancy didn’t just happen. We’re living longer and better because of science, including: — Medicines for now-curable infections (such as strep) and ailments (such as diabetes) — Surgeries for now-treatable conditions (such as stents ...

The bad and the good

Sandy Warner Lock Haven Recently I was in a situation where I desperately needed transportation to an important medical appointment. Being a new member to my insurance, I wasn’t aware of all the benefits. I called a local taxi service and the owner said he was busy and didn’t have time to review the benefits that I should be aware of. He was very rude to me, a handicapped, 90-year-old citizen. He also informed me that he only takes cash. I won’t call on him again. He was a poor example of local business. Recently I received a beautiful cinnamon bun from a fairly new business, ...