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Letters to the editor

Trump’s real agenda

Margie Swoboda Julian Donald Trump promised Americans a booming economy: “…the best jobs, the biggest paychecks, the brightest economic future the world has ever seen.” As egg prices reach a new high (just in time for Easter), he’s now bracing Americans for economic turmoil. His chaotic and destabilizing trade war will dramatically increase costs on a broad swath of products, including toys, clothes and electronics. Trump’s overhaul of the federal workforce has targeted scientific research and international aid. Cuts also hit central Pennsylvanians — farmers who supply ...

Lest we forget

Joseph R. Fischer Northumberland Death found four Third Infantry Division soldiers in a nighttime training accident in Lithuania on March 25 when their M88A2 Hercules armored recovery vehicle sank into 15 feet of bog mud. It was a lethal non-combat accident, the kind that makes military life many times more dangerous than most civilian careers. For the record, their names were: Staff Sgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins, Sgt. Edvin F. Franco, Sgt. Jose Duenez, Jr. and Pfc. Dante D. Taitano. May the diversity of their surnames be noted and may we remember them among our fallen. Hundreds of ...

Chaos, not efficiency

Patty Satalia State College Who doesn’t support increasing government efficiency? Efficiency makes sense, but wholesale dismantling of government won’t make it more efficient, and it certainly won’t make it more effective. When it comes to managing our home budget, we don’t haphazardly slash expenses (we can’t eliminate rent or mortgage, or stiff the babysitter), we collect what’s owed us and don’t spend frivolously. Trump’s war on government is anything but efficient. The chainsaw approach to cutting the federal workforce is already impacting the economy with ...

Francis: Pope of today’s outcasts

TIM MANNELLO Williamsport In first century Palestine, women were relegated to the margins of society; the poor were marginalized; tax collectors and sinners were despised; lepers were shunned and forced to live outside populated communities; Samaritans were thought of and treated with contempt; the sick and the disabled were viewed as being punished for their sins or the sins of their parents; and children were pretty much overlooked and considered unimportant. These were the outcasts of society when Jesus walked the earth. Jesus showed special love for all of them. And for doing ...

This is National Volunteer Week (April 20-26)

Sherry Nealon-Shrive Wilkes-Barre During National Volunteer Week, the American Red Cross Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter celebrates the selfless volunteers whose unwavering support make it possible for us to assist people in need every day. Volunteers are the cornerstone of the Red Cross, representing more than 90% of our national workforce and their compassion helps to ensure that people are not alone during the most challenging times of their lives. Here in Northeastern PA, more than 450 Red Cross volunteers supported blood drives, assisted veterans and military families ...

Turning personal discomfort into a crime

Paul Nelson Tonawanda, NY Hitler did it. Not many knew, but it was one of his first horrific decisions. He locked people with mental issues in prison camps. Out of sight and out of mind. It was a part of his maniacal plan to make a superior race, and it seems to be part of the current lunacy of trump. (No, I don't capitalize his name and I never will.) As an autism dad, I live in a constant state of incurable anxiety. My son is severely autistic, non-verbal and absolutely lovable. He's not only my son; he's my best friend. As we walked this morning, I saw a parked vehicle with ...