Breaking News

Opinion

Democrats need to take car keys away from Bernie

Editorials

The Platner fiasco has unleashed something of a brawl in the Democratic Party over how the sexting candidate with a Nazi tattoo came to be their rival to Susan Collins, now in her 5th term as Republican senator from Maine. Bernie Sanders thought his socialists could pass off blue-collar impersonator Graham Platner — a product of the elite Hotchkiss prep school — as a hard-working "oysterman." Sanders had been waving off concerns about the guy. Then suddenly, he called on Platner to leave the campaign. Two problems with Bernie's new directive: One, Sanders is why Democrats got ...

Lewistown’s progress deserves notice

Editorials

As plans move forward to redevelop another prominent downtown property, Lewistown residents should pause to recognize something that can get lost in the debate. The community is changing. Not every decision has been easy. Not every project has been perfect. Concerns raised by residents, preservationists, and business owners shouldn’t be dismissed. The loss of historic buildings should never be treated lightly. A town’s older buildings carry its memory. They remind residents who came before what was built here and what kind of place Lewistown has been. Whenever possible, that ...

Readers' opinions

Letters to the Editor

Governor’s inability to represent Pa at National Mall disappointing To the Editor: In response to Gov. Shapiro’s inability to find any sponsors for the PA booth at the National Mall in D.C. over the Fourth of July is, in my opinion, a disgrace to all Pennsylvanians. PA is a beautiful state, full of beauty, entrepreneurs, farming, on and on. The Declaration (of Independence) was signed here and many of our statesmen were there. I’m embarrassed and angry. I think we can do better. Mark Knepp Lewistown Juniata has opportunity to move into future To the Editor: Juniata ...

Feds own too much real estate

Editorials

The federal government is the largest owner of U.S. real estate, including more than half a billion square feet of office space. That is far more than it needs, and the cost of maintaining it has ballooned to unsustainable levels. The Public Buildings Reform Board recently identified 26 buildings across 15 states — totaling more than 7.3 million square feet — as potential candidates for the government to dispose due to poor usage and high maintenance costs. It’s the third set of disposal recommendations since Congress created the board in 2016. That’s a great start, but the ...

The grand experiment is still working

Editorials

America is often described as a grand experiment. That’s true. The hypothesis of the Founding Fathers was unlike anything found in the monarchies of Europe. It was new and exciting. It took British common law and bonded it to the Magna Carta’s liberties. It agitated the idea with John Locke’s social contract. It heated it all over the flame of French philosophy. Then it asked a question: Could a government derive its authority not from a crown but from the consent of the people? It was a daring idea, and that is where the experiment lies. It was in the creation of a ...

Readers' opinions

Letters to the Editor

Revere and rejoice in God’s holiness To the Editor: The the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge and of wisdom and gives us understanding (Prov. 1:7, 9:10). These two scriptures in Proverbs tell of the fear of the LORD bringing wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. So what is the fear of the LORD? The fear of the LORD is recognizing the sovereign majesty of the LORD. It is affording Him the respect and reverence He deserves because He is our Creator and the sovereign authority over all His creation. The fear of the LORD is honoring Him in His holiness and ...