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Who, and under what circumstances, should someone have a choice?

We all have experienced moments in our lives we’ll remember forever. For me one such moment occurred when my aunt was in the hospital, saying she couldn’t bear it anymore and if she had the physical strength, she’d jump out of the window. I so much wanted to help her jump. She died of cancer, and when she was dead, I felt deep sadness. But I also felt something else: happiness and relief - because she finally didn’t have to suffer anymore. Less than two years later her mother - my grandmother - died of cancer too. My grandmother never suffered loudly, never complained about ...

Campus antisemitism and the choice between honey, vinegar

A worn expression claims that, “You get more with honey than with vinegar.” There are more exceptions to that rule than, to use an old-fashioned saying, “Carter has little liver Pills.” College antisemitism is, unquestionably, a major problem and one largely left unaddressed. Attending various college events, one cannot help but be impressed with the outright fear expressed by many Jewish college students. Sometimes that fear turns into anger and other times the Jewish student merely runs for cover. As a result of the toxic environment on many college campuses, students have ...

Costly obstacles for broadband

Pennsylvania needs more broadband. Connecting underserved communities to affordable, high-speed internet will help rural communities prosper. Unfortunately, one misguided Pennsylvania policy makes the process needlessly expensive and ostensibly blocks internet access. This year, the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) will award almost $800 million in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) grants, once fully approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Sadly, Pennsylvania’s prevailing wage designations will limit how ...

Tenants’ rights include protections to live safely

I get asked a lot of questions from people renting in the city about what landlords are legally required to provide tenants in residential dwellings and apartments. Landlords must abide by certain rules and laws to safely have tenants. Having safe and healthy living spaces is your legal right ...

‘All of the above’ a responsibility

When Pennsylvania families flip a switch or businesses start operations, they expect the lights to come on. Warning signs, including power plants required to operate at maximum output, suggest that duty is increasingly at risk. “All of the Above” is a familiar phrase in energy debates. It means we must be open to using all energy sources to respond to increasing energy demand, collaboratively engage with stakeholders, and seek all ideas to drive innovation and maintain affordability. For Pennsylvania, “All of the Above” must be more than a slogan. It has to be a commitment to ...

Speak out now — if you dare

The philosophy “I disagree with what you say, but will defend unto death your right to say it” has been attributed to Voltaire (1694-1778). Subsequently, we have used it to paraphrase the First Amendment to our Constitution. In short, we simply call it “free speech.” Fast forward 250 years: two (so far) of the late night shows that millions of us have enjoyed regardless of who sat in the White House have been canceled because their hosts said mean things about President Trump. Stephen Colbert was first and his top rated show went on to win the Emmy for best talk show. But going ...