The New York Times provided lessons in both journalism and television Sunday night, by way of bad examples.
Five times more
In trying to correct a weakness in Pennsylvania’s distracted-driving laws — drivers are still permitted to use hand-held phones, except for texting — lawmakers demonstrated last week that they can’t leave bad enough alone.
When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced that they were “stepping back” from their duties as senior royals, it triggered a number of interesting reactions on this side of the pond.
Money unspent
Attorney General William Barr wants to get into a terrorist’s iPhone. The way he’s trying to do so could make everyone’s phone more vulnerable.
When my childhood home got a phone call, it was an event.
They all lie
Prescription drug price reduction is supposed be one of the policy areas on which Congress and the Trump administration agree. But an array of proposals from the administration and legislators of both major parties, from Canadian drug imports to Medicare price negotiations with the pharmaceu…
You’re excused if you didn’t hear about the latest impeachment “bombshell” that exploded in the media on Wednesday.
To the editor: On Jan. 20, Geisinger joins the nation in honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his courageous, inspiring crusade for civil rights and equality — including the right to accessible, quality health care for all.
Banking windfall
The News-Item’s cheers and jeers from the past week of news:
Critics of the United States have argued for decades that our foreign policy, beneath its showy cloak of spreading freedom, is, and always has been, naked imperialism. In “A People’s History of the United States” — among the most influential books of the past 40 years — Howard Zinn populariz…
A good ‘Signal’
To the editor: After three years in office, it’s time to review the promises Trump made when he became president:
As we reach the middle of winter, the dreaded flu season is heating up all over Pennsylvania, including Berks County and nearby areas.
On Friday, Jan. 24, for the 47th consecutive year, the March for Life (MFL) will end its trek upon the steps of the U. S. Supreme Court.
Several years ago, Neflix produced a political thriller called “House of Cards,” in which a shrewd politician named Francis Underwood made his way to the White House through a ruthless, but initially successful campaign of murder, lies, corruption and betrayal. When the cards turned against …
Three years into the Trump administration seemed like a good time to evaluate progress on the number one issue for Trump voters: Illegal immigration. Unfortunately, progress is nil.
To the editor: Yes, I am confused, upset and need an explanation how the Coal Township Uniform Construction Code Board of Appeals denied opening of the 200-year-old historic McWilliams tavern and restaurant by Route 54 across from the Roaring Creek Weiser State Forest.
Scout cookies
Attacks on U.S. elections should not surprise, given the power they convey.
As comedian Ricky Gervais said so pointedly during the Golden Globes, Hollywood is full of people with no experience in the real world who think they should tell the rest of us how to live.
Don’t need them here
For the past two fiscal years, Pennsylvania taxpayers have had cause for cautious optimism about the Keystone State’s financial condition for the short and longer terms, going forward.
We have urged the passage of a strong federal red flag law (in addition to stronger federal background checks on gun sales).
Autocrat
Avid watchers of Netflix’s “The Crown” and PBS’ “Victoria,” produced in Britain and streamed on Amazon Prime, demonstrated that millions of Americans have a taste for multi-episode television series that are built on history as much as “Game of Thrones” was built on fantasy. (Amazon founder …
Before Donald Trump began to slur his words and concoct fake verbs like “tolerize,” he declared on Wednesday that “as long as I’m president of the United States, Iran will never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon…Their pursuit of nuclear weapons threatens the civilized world. We’ll never le…
Lead by example
Washington seemed to be working, for once. Last month, key members of the House and Senate — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J., Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., Senate Health Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., and Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. — had negot…
Don’t support Iran
Have I benefited from nepotism and cronyism? Sure. But at least I feel guilty about it.
Scary city
The News-Item’s cheers and jeers from the past week of news:
The shortest world war in history is history.
Not owning a TV, when I moved to Tioga County I followed Richard Nixon’s impeachment hearings through radio and newspaper. Initially, Republicans supported their president, but as testimony revealed the extent of lies, cover-ups and obstruction of justice, Nixon’s impeachment became a bipart…
To the editor: With the recent rollout of the Act 47 Exit Plan for the City of Shamokin to the public, one thing is for certain. The strategy does not fit realistic possibilities for the future of the City of Shamokin.
‘Real world’
Before Congress departed for Christmas, they pulled another Scrooge on America’s future. Rather than deal with an impending government shutdown, they saddled the nation with more debt by passing a 2,313-page spending spree to the jingle of $1.4 trillion. It was yet another bipartisan spendin…
I’ve never met him in person, but they say the devil is a fine barber and a master of deception. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about deception.
Boogie man media
In 1936, in the midst of a the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered a campaign speech in Chautauqua, New York. In his address, Roosevelt famously said: “I have seen war. I have seen war on land and sea. I have seen blood running from the wounded... I have seen the agon…
A surprising development is occurring among staunch members of the left at The Washington Post and elsewhere. These woke scolds have come out strongly against sanctuary cities and counties. Before it was either silence or tacit approval for government sheltering a population that was “in the…
How about a new New Year’s resolution: To more appreciate a free press, in whatever brand, flavor or medium you prefer.
Video game spending
There’s a crisis in higher education.
With former housing secretary Julian Castro departed, the oversized Democratic presidential field reaches a critical point: More candidates have dropped out than remain in the race. But that still leaves 14 — a bulky ballot as the marathon moves closer to actual primaries and caucuses beginn…
Growing list
Russian President Vladimir Putin likes to put the hype in his hypersonic glide vehicle, named Avangard. In 2018, he said it was like a “meteorite”and a “fireball,” and he declared last month that it is “invulnerable to intercept.” Russia has deployed the first of these weapons atop two SS-19…
Rich getting richer
The statistics are devastating: In 2019, more than 260 officers were shot in the line of duty and more than 40 officers made the ultimate sacrifice — which is why on Thursday the Fraternal Order of Police Pennsylvania State Lodge is encouraging you to take the time to say thank you in honor …
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