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Union democracy? Not so much

Another rowdy student group recently took over an Ivy League school, driven by outside agitators who neither attend nor care about the university’s success. But these students weren’t advocating for a ceasefire or divestment. Instead, they demanded a union. Despite lacking majority support, these students successfully unionized — and their actions were entirely legal. Led by Shawn Fain and the United Auto Workers (UAW), about 4,000 graduate students at the University of Pennsylvania finally unionized after a 20-year campaign, forming the Graduate Employees Together – ...

Biden lawsuit against Sheetz Gas will enrage Pennsylvania voters

ALTOONA — The oldest gas station in America still in operation, Reighard’s here in this Blair County city, got its start in 1908 when a local blacksmith decided to sell gasoline out the back of his shop when the Model T was introduced. It has been open ever since. While architecturally it is underwhelming, the service is good because the people who work there care about the work they do, whether it is pumping gas, washing your windshield or doing minor fixes on your car. It is important to them that you return. While Reighard’s holds the title of the oldest gas station in the ...

Government by the people

As Abraham Lincoln said, we have a government “of the people, by the people and for the people.” But what exactly does “by the people” mean? Simple – VOTING! In order for us to have a true democracy, every person who is a citizen of the Unites States and 18 years of age or older should be able to vote if they choose. There should not be any other restrictions. You do not have to be a landowner as it was back in the early days. You should not have to have a photo ID or proof of residence. You don’t need to pass a specific test. If you are an adult US citizen, you should have ...

Anti-Semitism on campuses is shameful

Shortly after one of the worst terrorist attacks perpetrated against Israel and its people last October 7th – the Israeli 9/11 – it seemed throughout most of the world and certainly here in the United States, there was nothing but universal outcry for Israel. Indeed, the resolution I introduced in the Pennsylvania Senate shortly after that terrible event, condemning Hamas and pledging support for Israel and its people, received bipartisan, unanimous support, as did similar measures across the country. It is nearly incomprehensible that we are seeing college campuses continuing to ...

The role and history of the First Amendment

The Lycoming Law Association was looking for someone in the Bar willing to go into Williamsport Area High School and talk with the sophomores in civics classes to talk about the First Amendment. The opportunity fired me up because I have been talking about the First Amendment in colleges and law schools. Why should sophomores in high school be any less challenged by the role of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution in our historical journey as a nation? My talk began with quoting George Washington’s letter to the Jews. In his famous letter to the Jews of Newport, ...

Bird flu: How concerned should we be?

There are 36 known infected herds across 9 states. The last identified herd was on April 25. Is this fizzling out? Could be. Or, more likely, it’s continuing to spread without us knowing. Testing animals and humans is still voluntary, and asymptomatic testing is not happening. We are flying blind. This is nicely demonstrated in wastewater. There are quite a few areas where Flu A is “high” or “medium” in wastewater– indicating H5N1 since we are out of flu season– but where herds have not been identified. There is still just one confirmed human case. I would not be ...