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Words at difficult times inspired nation forward

Editorials

The Fourth of July — our nation’s 250th — is a day away. As we have noted over the past two editorials, we are proud to celebrate our nation’s achievements with a special edition today. We hope you enjoy it. Within that edition are several noteworthy speeches. “We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live,” President Abraham Lincoln said at Gettysburg on Nov. 19, 1862. “It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate, we ...

What is the Declaration of Independence?

Other Commentaries

I frequently answer constitutional questions from individuals who want to know more about the relationship between the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. Most of them understand that the Constitution is a statement of positive law—that is, man-made law—but they ask whether the Declaration is law as well. During the 18th century, an official declaration was an announcement of a particular event, often after the event had occurred. In addition to the announcement, a declaration might explain the event or justify action being taken. For example, in cases of offensive ...

Failure and blame

Letters

President Trump loves to talk about all the renovations he has initiated. The Ballroom, the Arches, The Kennedy Center, the black granite walkway leading to the Oval office, the new patio cover the rose garden, the bathroom done in white marble, the gold detailing covering the Oval office. The Reflecting Pool is a good metaphor for the Trump presidency. President Trump talk about the plans he had for the Reflecting Pool. He bragged how much cleaner and beautiful it will be after he gets done with it. He talked endlessly how the pool would be paint blue not just any blue but flag blue, ...

Diversity of American experiences makes country richer

Editorials

As we noted in Wednesday’s edition, our nation’s 250th anniversary is two days away — and we are proud to share a special edition with our region to celebrate the occasion. We addressed how writing and editing this edition prompted us to reflect on the value of hard work to our nation ...

Claiming credit for others’ accomplishments

Letters

Governor Shapiro’s recent re-election commercials featuring students praising his “Universal Free School Breakfast Program” are misleading. This program was actually launched in 2022 under former Governor Tom Wolf before Shapiro took office! Despite spending over half a million dollars on television airtime in Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to claim credit, the administration should focus on Pennsylvania’s educational rankings. According to U.S. News and World Report, the Commonwealth ranks 39th in education and 41st overall, with nearly 70% of 8th ...

The controversy around data centers

Other Commentaries

I’m old enough (as are many of you) to remember UNIVAC, the huge computer which filled a whole room that correctly predicted President Eisenhower’s victory in 1952. But advances in technology have enabled us to hold in our hands a device that is many times more powerful and much faster than UNIVAC. According to the Pacific Standard, “...the iPhone in your pocket has over 100,000 times the processing power of the computer that landed man on the moon 50 years ago.” In order for these tiny devices to perform all the everyday tasks that we’ve gotten used to, like checking the ...