Our incarceration nation: Even after prison, many are held captive

July 14, 2021

Did you realize that there are more Americans on parole or probation than are held within the prison system? Yep, it’s hard to fathom but 1 in 58 American adults — about 4.4 million citizens — are currently under some sort of community supervision. Do they all need to be? Doubtful. And the status quo is costing taxpayers billions every single year. There have been a gazillion words written about prison reform, relaxation of stiff sentences and reduced incarceration rates, but there has been much less said about a larger part of our corrections system that costs you, the ...

Is Afghanistan a failed mission?

July 13, 2021

As in Vietnam from 1965 to 1973, the year our prisoners of war came home, America did not lose a major battle in Afghanistan. Yet we did not win the war. South Vietnam was lost. And contrary to the message awaiting President George W. Bush when he landed on the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, which was flaunting the banner “Mission Accomplished,” America did not accomplish its mission. President Joe Biden said as much Thursday, when he responded to a reporter’s question, “The mission has not failed — yet.” As the 20th anniversary of 9/11 impends, and with it our final ...

Peacock Major’s Tavern: Mifflin County’s 1st drive-thru

July 10, 2021

We imagine ourselves to be so innovational and ingenuitive. After all, with just a push of a button our car cruises down the highway. With a command from across the room to our ever-listening Alexa (via our Echo Dot,) we have a world of knowledge at our disposal. We can even pick up our morning coffee while still in our pajamas and slippers without anyone knowing, as we pull up to the drive-through window and place our order. It turns out, however, that the convenience of the drive-thru window came to Mifflin County long before the fast-food giants introduced them to our ...

Lather up: Your essential sunscreen guide for summer skin safety

July 9, 2021

If you’re headed on a long-awaited vacation this summer, hopefully you remembered to pack sunscreen. Sunscreen is especially crucial in the summer; however, it is important to remember to wear sunscreen year-round. Damage from the sun’s rays can lead to premature aging and skin cancer, regardless of your age or skin type. While the decision to wear sunscreen should be easy, deciding which sunscreen to purchase can be confusing. If you find yourself browsing the endless aisles of sunscreen, keep these things in mind: ¯ There are two types of sunscreen: mineral (physical) and ...

Why not investigate COVID’s origins?

July 8, 2021

Editor’s note: The op-ed by Rep. Fred Keller was originally published Wednesday in the Washington Examiner. ¯¯¯ One year, five months, and 16 days. That’s how long it’s been since COVID-19 was discovered in the United States. Since then, more than 100,000 small businesses have been destroyed, an entire generation of students have fallen behind, and, tragically, more than 600,000 Americans have died. The coronavirus pandemic devastated our economy, isolated us from one another, and affected every aspect of Americans’ lives. And yet, after all this time, we still don’t ...

EU to Orban: Back gay rights or get out!

July 6, 2021

Respect LBGT rights or get out of the EU, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte instructed Hungary’s Viktor Orban at last week’s gathering of the European Union in Brussels. According to Reuters, attendees described it as the “most intense personal clash among the bloc’s leaders in years.” What caused the clash? Hungary just passed a law that bans schools from using materials seen as pro-homosexuality. According to the AP, the new law “prohibits sharing content on homosexuality or sex reassignment to people under 18 in school sex education programs, films or ...