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Opinion

Know the truth about energy and the world

Columns

Lynnda and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary last weekend. Effective and honest communication was one of the most important things we had to learn and develop. Trust is essential in any strong long-term relationship. We tell each other the truth ALL the TIME. Dishonestly of any kind is dangerous. A “white lie” is still a lie. We had a former daughter-law who lied to us about stupid minor things that made little difference like her running a half-marathon. When I asked the grandchildren, “How did Mom do in the race?” They responded, “What race?” When important ...

Climate change

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Recently we have read about devastation from wildfires and strong storms. Climate scientists say we will see more of this as a result of climate change. To reduce air pollution that causes climate change we must reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Senator Lindsey Graham said, “CO2 emissions generated by man is creating our greenhouse gas effect that traps heat, and the planet is warming.” Our government needs to do much more to promote clean energy, such as wind, solar, and geothermal, and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. This includes maintaining tax ...

Alt-right rant

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The recent alt-right rant from Shadysides’s self-professed political guru deserves a rebuttal: No, Democrats are not communists, the ICE protesters are not financed by the Chinese communist party, and deporting immigrants will not guarantee Republican dominance in elections. As a matter of fact, illegal immigrants cannot vote. The writer concludes with his usual obscure Biblical quote (Babylon??); I offer a more relevant quote, a recent statement from Pope Leo XIV: “You cannot follow both Christ and the cruelty of kings. A leader who mocks the weak, exalts ...

Accepting reality and making the most of it

Columns

My dream of raising supercharged hostas that will independently overpower all the grass and weeds around them has faded away, and reality has set in. Just about a year ago, I shared in this space what I thought was a brilliant landscaping scheme. I planned to use hostas alongside our old Belmont Markethouse building to mitigate a couple of issues there. That strip of grass between the foundation and the sidewalk gets battered by rain water running off the metal roof overhead. The soil is rocky, and because it is on the north side of the structure, it is spongy and partially covered in ...

Helping our neighbors

Editorials

As the rain kept coming down over the weekend, West Virginians and others across the nation watched in horror while the number of deaths ticked up and damage mounted because of flash flooding in the northern part of the state. At this writing, eight people are dead; on other is missing. Buildings have collapsed; thousands are without power; homes, businesses and cars have been washed away — the devastation is painful to witness primarily in Ohio and Marion counties. Gov. Patrick Morrisey wasted no time declaring a state of emergency to get what resources are available to where they ...

Curbing impact of social media

Editorials

Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, has thrown his support behind an effort to keep kids safer when it comes to social media. But the Stop the Scroll Act isn’t about the kinds of online dangers some parents may be thinking. It would create a mental health warning label requirement for social media. “As more and more children and teens use social media, a warning label should be prominently displayed highlighting the potential harms of using social media platforms. The Stop the Scroll Act would help young people grasp the mental health risks that come with social media. I’ll continue to back ...