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Opinion

What other newspapers are saying: Celebrating 250 years

Editorials

As our country celebrates not just any Independence Day, but the 250th anniversary of one of the boldest declarations in human history, the festivities give us an excellent opportunity to look back on two-and-a-half centuries of this American experiment and check ourselves against what the founders hoped they were setting in motion. Draped in red, white and blue and surrounded by flags and fireworks, it is easy to forget how we got here and why we are free to celebrate as flamboyantly as we’d like. Richard Henry Lee made the motion to declare independence in June 1776, but not ...

Data centers

Letters

I attended an informational meeting on June 23rd at Straughn Auditorium on the Mansfield campus. It was primarily about zoning codes, which municipalities/townships have them, which don’t, and what the limitations are on zoning codes as far as regulating data centers is concerned. I live in Rutland Township, which does not have zoning codes in place. In fact, only 16 of 39 municipalities and townships in the county do have any form of zoning code. And without zoning codes, Data Center developers can pretty much do what they want in those places. I also learned that “landsmen” ...

The late, great America

Letters

Two hundred fifty years ago America became a country. By the 7th of November, 2028 its existence may be over. In its place will be a new America. One that will be comprised of a multitude of races and religions; people of moral and immoral character; and a philosophy that expounds: Every person, group, and organization is equal. A country where the government provides for all by, controlling industries, businesses, educational establishments, medical facilities, and the media. A crime free country, since the only guns allowed belongs to the national police. A country, whose ...

Time outdoors creates memories, develops appreciation

Editorials

We hope readers enjoyed our Outdoors section’s recent article on the common snapping turtle — we found it a reminder of how varied and interesting the wildlife of our beautiful state can be. From whitetail deer to fishers to porcupines and opossum, from eagles and grouse to, yes, the ...

Why punish the honest?

Letters

I just read online where an appellate court upheld the Colorado August 1 requirement of a police Permit to Purchase and training course of honest citizens at gun buyer’s expense before an honest citizen can exercise their Second Amendment Right to keep and bear arms. The current gun control laws background checks at $30 each “churns” 20 + million honest gun buyers annually to what good purpose? No criminal attempts to try to pass so they get a friend to be a “straw purchaser” for a gun. Now, after August 1, in Colorado, an honest person must pass a test to exercise their ...

An attack on our most vulnerable species

Letters

On July 10, the Trump administration finalized a rule that removes the longstanding regulatory definition of “harm” from the Endangered Species Act. This is the most monstrous attack ever on our nation’s most vulnerable species. For decades, that definition recognized that wildlife can be harmed not only through direct physical violence, but also when habitat destruction prevents animals from feeding, breeding, sheltering, or raising their young. Destroying an animal’s habitat is harm. Removing habitat destruction from the definition of harm will make it easier for reckless ...