When one side can’t argue with facts, it’s easy to find oneself getting angry
By Rich Heiland, Columnist, The Times
Am I angry? Well, I guess I am but more than that, I am concerned at the inability of those who want to deny history, science and the rights of others to really participate in a discussion about what they believe
For the far-right, it seems name-calling and hurling emojis has replaced explaining your positions, or why you disagree with someone.
I have had more...
While far-right, big-money school board candidates struggled in the primary, it was just a rehearsal for Nov.
By Rich Heiland, Columnist, The Times
SOME QUICK REFLECTIONS…..on our recent primary elections…
Schools…The billionaires who poured money into area school board races to try to turn public education into a straight, white Christian Nationalist brain-washing experience ought to be a bit disappointed. Granted, this was only a primary and the real test will come in November, but Tuesday’s results...
Democrats: there are a lot of Republicans on your primary ballot, know what to look for
By Rich Heiland, Columnist, The Times
It’s going to be critical for Democratic voters to take their “cheat sheets” into the polling place and be absolutely sure the candidates they vote for really are Democrats. If you are concerned about far righters taking over school boards, county elections, boroughs and towns, you need to understand the law suits the far-righters file start in our Common...
Some local school board candidates are not what they seem
Editor’s Note: Rich Heiland is a veteran, award-winning news reporter, editor and columnist. We were alerted to Rich’s column on local education and felt it deserved wider distribution beyond his personal Website. With his permission, we present this column — with hopes that Rich’s work will appear here semi-regularly.
By Rich Heiland, Special to the Times
I was told this was...
The May primary election matters, but not everyone gets to vote — which needs to change
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa
In a few weeks, Pennsylvanians will go to the polls in what can be the most overlooked election we have: the off-year municipal primary, May 16. You may have your mail in ballot — as I do — don’t lose it or disregard it.
Even with much easier mail-in voting, too many people will pass on their chance to vote. Additionally, as these are primary elections...
It’s not about ‘parental rights,’ it’s about greed
By Mike McGann, Editor, the Times @mikemcgannpa
You’ve probably heard a lot about “woke” “CRT” and “DEI” relating to public schools. And like most people, you may not be entirely sure what these terms mean and how they might impact your kids.
And maybe this might be a good time to offer a primer on what these terms mean, as it seems increasingly likely they will be thrown around a lot...
PA is a third-world state because of funding issues
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa
Pennsylvania has a funding problem. Yes, right now, there is a budget surplus, but for decades state government has slowly been starving essential services such as police, education and roads/infrastructure.
There are a lot of issues — too many loopholes and tax exemptions for corporations (a shocking number of profitable companies pay nothing in tax),...
Ignoring the will of the voters won’t end well for GOP
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa
“Voters? We don’t need no stinkin’ voters.”
As it self-immolates into the dustbin of history, the Republican Party in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C. seems to really only stand for one thing: ignoring the will of the voters.
Sure, it’s bad politics and bad policy, but ignoring the will of the people seems to be just about that trick left to...
Op/Ed: Resolve to keep your personal data safe in 2023
By Liz Terwilliger, Special to The Times
Liz Terwilliger
I considered repeating the usual New Year’s resolutions this year – eating better, exercising, listen more than talking, reading that stack of unopened books…all worthy goals. But this year I am prioritizing personal data safety by reducing my exposure to electronic surveillance.
Most of us are concerned with how much electronic...
Where will you be Friday afternoon?