Pundits - 2009

This page was last updated on January 2, 2010.
 
Beaver County Times Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Miscellaneous

This section covers editorials, letters to the editor, opinion columns, and faux press releases on politician web sites.  Do not assume I agree with an editorial or other op-ed piece just because I don’t publish a critique.

I also submit letters to the editor.  There are limitations of that approach, however, and they include:

  • Out of necessity, newspapers place a limit on letter size.  For example, the Beaver County Times has a limit of 200 words.  Most other newspapers have a similar limit.  The problem with the limit is that thorough discussion of a topic is tough to do in 200 words or less, especially when trying to refute “drive-by” assertions.

  • There is no guarantee the newspaper will publish your letter.

  • Newspapers occasionally edit significant content in your letter.

  • Some newspapers limit the number of your letters they will publish in a given period of time.  For example, I believe the Beaver County Times has a limit of 12 letters per year.  I believe other papers have lower limits.

  • The papers generally provide the letter title, and sometimes the title is misleading.

 

For calendar year 2008 critiques, please go to Pundits 2008.

For calendar year 2007 critiques, please go to Pundits 2007.

For calendar year 2006 critiques, please go to Pundits 2006.

For calendar year 2005 critiques, please go to Pundits 2005.

For calendar year 2004 critiques, please go to Pundits 2004.

 

Beaver County Times

Editorials
Long haul December 31, 2009  
Too late December 31, 2009  
On-time delivery December 30, 2009  
Amnesia December 27, 2009  
Fear and hatred December 24, 2009  
Troop support? December 23, 2009  
War bonds December 20, 2009  
No appeal December 15, 2009  
Black clouds December 13, 2009  
Short-term fix December 13, 2009  
Stay out December 9, 2009  
Pill poppers December 6, 2009  
Double-dip recession December 4, 2009  
Shared sacrifices December 4, 2009  
Children of light December 3, 2009  
Judge not December 3, 2009  
Drama queens November 29, 2009  
Slacker state November 20, 2009  
Real bloat November 19, 2009  
Souped up November 11, 2009  
College counts November 8, 2009  
Mad as hell November 6, 2009  
Thought police November 1, 2009  
Penny wise October 30, 2009  
Starting early October 28, 2009  
Heating up October 27, 2009  
Beer, near here October 25, 2009  
Front and center October 25, 2009  
Waking up October 23, 2009  
Road to ruin October 21, 2009  
Payback time October 20, 2009  
News: Crowd gets vocal at town hall meeting on health care October 17, 2009  
Heating up October 6, 2009  
Cold War redux October 4, 2009  
Incomplete grade October 2, 2009  
Losers October 2, 2009  
Falling apart September 30, 2009  
A reminder September 29, 2009  
Smoked out September 29, 2009  
Ginning up controversy September 27, 2009  
Stopping a killer September 25, 2009  
Dirty work September 24, 2009  
Shaking off the rust September 23, 2009  
Candid cameras September 20, 2009  
No excuses September 20, 2009  
Bad bet September 18, 2009  
Digging out September 18, 2009  
There’s no going back September 17, 2009  
Distorted picture September 16, 2009  
Repeat September 16, 2009  
Cool down September 13, 2009  
The facts September 13, 2009  
Losing ground September 10, 2009  
If not now, when? September 9, 2009  
Unbelievable September 8, 2009  
I was on vacation from June through August.    
Empty pews May 31, 2009  
Tortured logic May 31, 2009  
A slow go May 29, 2009  
Fear factor May 28, 2009  
Winner’s circle May 28, 2009  
Credibility gap May 24, 2009  
Sin taxes May 24, 2009  
Power play May 17, 2009  
Dire straits May 15, 2009  
Work to do May 14, 2009  
Then and now May 12, 2009  
We’ve heard it before May 10, 2009  
Rust removal May 8, 2009  
Middle ground May 6, 2009  
Sore losers May 6, 2009  
Off the rails May 5, 2009  
Merger move May 3, 2009  
Spending priorities May 1, 2009  
Clueless April 30, 2009  
Moderates matter April 29, 2009  
Never ever April 29, 2009  
Bush’s blunders April 28, 2009  
Taxing matters April 26, 2009  
Trust, but verify April 24, 2009  
Paltry April 23, 2009  
Pump up the savings April 22, 2009  
Exercise in futility April 21, 2009  
Sore losers April 21, 2009  
Small step April 19, 2009  
The same old same April 19, 2009  
Middle ground April 17, 2009  
Primary fight April 17, 2009  
China watch April 16, 2009  
Spending hypocrites April 16, 2009  
Don’t go there April 15, 2009  
Sign up April 15, 2009  
Secular vs. sectarian April 14, 2009  
Culture counts April 12, 2009  
Get moving April 10, 2009  
Harsh judgment April 10, 2009  
Old news April 8, 2009  
Terrorists within April 8, 2009  
Bottom line April 7, 2009  
Fools’ paradise April 5, 2009  
Off base April 5, 2009  
Lighten up April 3, 2009  
Falling apart April 1, 2009  
Down to size March 31, 2009  
First step March 31, 2009  
A BIG deal March 29, 2009  
Sad passing March 29, 2009  
Fair deal March 27, 2009  
Bailout bucks March 26, 2009  
Check it out March 26, 2009  
A big gulp March 25, 2009  
Ex post facto March 24, 2009  
Health and safety March 22, 2009  
Specter-lation March 22, 2009  
Buckle up March 20, 2009  
Mergers ahead March 20, 2009  
Reality based March 18, 2009  
The dark side March 18, 2009  
Puppet master March 17, 2009  
Tone deaf March 17, 2009  
Wrong road March 15, 2009  
Absurd March 13, 2009  
Falling short March 13, 2009  
Earmarks March 12, 2009  
Brain drain March 11, 2009  
In denial March 10, 2009  
New wave March 8, 2009  
Test takers March 8, 2009  
No give and take March 6, 2009  
Close call March 5, 2009  
Confused March 4, 2009  
Presidential decision March 4, 2009  
An innocent mistake March 3, 2009  
Move it along March 1, 2009  
Beer here February 27, 2009  
History lesson February 27, 2009  
Lip service February 26, 2009  
A small step February 25, 2009  
Sinful February 25, 2009  
A start February 24, 2009  
Deep impact February 22, 2009  
Stiffed February 22, 2009  
History will judge February 20, 2009  
Lush funds February 19, 2009  
Storm clouds February 18, 2009  
Looking ahead February 17, 2009  
Duty bound February 15, 2009  
Huge gap February 15, 2009  
Bleak outlook February 13, 2009  
Fair play February 12, 2009  
Wrong target February 12, 2009  
Chain of events February 11, 2009  
History lesson February 11, 2009  
Little privacy February 10, 2009  
Look who’s talking February 8, 2009  
Good start February 4, 2009  
Up to snuff February 4, 2009  
Failing grade February 1, 2009  
News: Impact of 1930s Works Progress Administration still seen in Beaver County January 31, 2009  
Budget crunch January 30, 2009  
Making the grade January 30, 2009  
Revenge factor January 29, 2009  
Blame game January 28, 2009  
Police action January 28, 2009  
Money matters January 27, 2009  
Sinking January 27, 2009  
Lighten up January 25, 2009  
Smoked out January 25, 2009  
Solid investments January 22, 2009  
Holy Toledo January 18, 2009  
Reality check January 18, 2009  
Raze the roof January 16, 2009  
Test ban January 16, 2009  
Too late? January 15, 2009  
Staying afloat January 14, 2009  
Tough sell January 11, 2009  
Running on empty January 9, 2009  
Reality check January 8, 2009  
Over the top January 7, 2009  
Security risk January 7, 2009  
Third World January 4, 2009  
Outside agitators January 2, 2009  
     
Letters to the editor Author  
Keep pushing for a public option Sherry Allen December 31, 2009
Health plan would level playing field Bob Schmetzer December 30, 2009
Insurance industry failed on health care Ann Stanton December 27, 2009
Voters bring office down to their level Tim Heyman December 24, 2009
Specter right to back climate bill Susan Parker December 23, 2009
Don’t be so quick to cast first stone Jewel Robertson December 20, 2009
If this be socialism, then give me more John Tomaszewski December 20, 2009
Judge’s jury ruling misses the point Lonzie Cox December 16, 2009
Weak case shows Corbett’s agenda Robert Steffes December 16, 2009
Don’t be so quick to render a verdict Gerald McCoy December 15, 2009
Look around to see what we’ve become Chester Bealles December 13, 2009
Spending priorities are out of kilter Betty Noyh December 13, 2009
Someone needs a better memory Edward Hum December 11, 2009
Vietnam-Afghan parallels obvious Jerry Miskulin December 11, 2009
Use taxes to give peace a chance David Matthews December 9, 2009
Workers already capped and traded Tom McLaughlin December 9, 2009
Jury composition is a civil right issue Lonzie Cox December 4, 2009
Altmire cares only for special interests Harold Householder November 29, 2009
‘Tell me, which is the bigger sin?’ Jerry Miskulin November 29, 2009
Christian radicals have gone too far Alfonso Saahir November 29, 2009
Convenience stores must not sell alcohol Joseph McWilliams November 27, 2009
Cheney legacy haunts the nation Kenneth Erickson November 24, 2009
U.S. can afford health care for all Philip Dedig November 22, 2009
One step forward and two steps back Glenn Angus November 20, 2009
Obama right to take time on Afghanistan Kenneth Erickson November 20, 2009
Letting the voters have their say Larry Mason November 20, 2009
What freedoms are they talking about? Timothy Silbaugh November 19, 2009
Stream of hatred could do real harm Betty Anderson November 15, 2009
Altmire’s vote was far from moral Robert Griffiths November 15, 2009
Get government out of programs Alfonso Saahir November 11, 2009
Keeping our rich overlords happy David Matthews November 10, 2009
Health care effort gets powerful voice Robert Steffes November 8, 2009
Childhood obesity can’t be ignored Nicole Wilson November 8, 2009
Casket photo drives home cost of war Velma Berger November 6, 2009
Wars are no way to fight terrorism John Tomaszewski November 6, 2009
Hypocritical harm or Hippocratic Oath? Lou Kiefer November 5, 2009
State budget guts training for police Robert Grimm November 4, 2009
Access to health care a basic right Mary Pellegrino November 4, 2009
We’ve all seen this before in America Jerry Miskulin October 30, 2009
More U.S. troops aren’t the answer Velma Berger October 28, 2009
Stop name-calling and stick to issues Janet Volzer October 25, 2009
Aliquippa should enact a gun ban Eddie McWilliams October 23, 2009
There’s no reason to put tolls on I-80 Glenn Thompson October 23, 2009
Commissioners put politics over vets Blaine Allinder October 22, 2009
Peace prize reaction revealed quite a bit Lonzie Cox October 22, 2009
If only Rush had bought the Rams Jesse Green, Jr. October 22, 2009
Obama is making things right again Jesse Green, Jr. October 20, 2009
Public health-care option could come Edward Hum October 15, 2009
G-20 could lead to better world Amanda Hiler October 11, 2009
Rush Limbaugh is a propaganda minister Jerry Miskulin October 11, 2009
Denmark trip not justified Alex Yawor October 9, 2009
Why don’t our state legislators get it? Karen Sims October 6, 2009
Lots of reasons for term limits O.J. Schlueter October 4, 2009
A state budget we can all live with Sherry Allen October 2, 2009
Providing health care a moral issue Edward Hum October 1, 2009
Let’s have ‘liberty and justice for all’ Lonzie Cox September 29, 2009
Rendell wants to tax everything in sight Jim Christiana September 27, 2009
Timing of tea party protests Jerry Miskulin September 27, 2009
State budget is too generous on drilling Robert Steffes September 25, 2009
Vote shows Casey as man of character Rebecca Deiter September 24, 2009
Investing in the arts pays off for children Rhonda Ficca September 24, 2009
Racism still thrives in the United States Jesse Green, Jr. September 24, 2009
With Obama away, who runs things? John Haaf September 23, 2009
Health care haves disdain have nots Larry Mason September 23, 2009
Wind turbines are a form of litter Edith McKissic September 23, 2009
Get facts straight on health care bill Simon Lang September 20, 2009
There are answers to all the whys Judy Pamer September 20, 2009
Nation’s options will be hard to swallow Jerry Miskulin September 17, 2009
Education is a top priority in budget Jim Christiana September 15, 2009
The way summers used to be Lonzie Cox September 15, 2009
Congress should listen to us Diane Young September 10, 2009
Deeds, not words, are what matter Frank Bovalino September 9, 2009
Reaction to Obama speech unbelievable Julie LaMunion September 9, 2009
Insurance firms, you and your doctor Edward Hum September 8, 2009
Priorities in health care are skewed Alexander Andres September 6, 2009
Congress must develop a spine Frank Bovalino September 4, 2009
Don’t repress rights during summit Stephen Kislock September 4, 2009
Some questions for right-wingers Tanya Waschak September 4, 2009
I was on vacation from June through August.    
Let’s put the free market to work Robin Cox August 19, 2009
Heed Cheney’s deeds, not words John Tomaszewski May 29, 2009
Will Democrats buy Specter’s move? Nick Chopiak May 28, 2009
Fear has gotten the better of us Stephen Kislock May 24, 2009
The right was quick to call others traitors Alex Yawor May 24, 2009
A more affordable health-care system Joseph Bosh May 21, 2009
Singlepayer backers shut out at hearings William Horter May 17, 2009
Gas price hikes can’t be justified Robert Nicol, Sr. May 15, 2009
Let liberty be basis of health-care bill Robin Cox May 14, 2009
Time to get behind health-care reform Sherry Allen May 10, 2009
Bumper sticker crosses line Oren Spiegler May 10, 2009
Republicans need to moderate views James Ott May 8, 2009
How about sticking to one standard? Nancy Gorski May 7, 2009
Don’t compare Clinton to Bush Velma Berger May 6, 2009
No excuse can justify torture Dennis McKee May 6, 2009
Let’s talk about double standards Ross Belcastro May 5, 2009
Obama has done much in 100 days Paolo Cozzi May 3, 2009
Check Sweden out before knocking it Edward Hum May 3, 2009
Specter is a poster child for term limits Paul Underiner May 1, 2009
It should be 12 years and out Joseph Hall April 30, 2009
Hard righters can’t call themselves centrists Mark Hogan April 29, 2009
Gun rights come with responsibilities Stephen Kislock April 28, 2009
Segway a welcome addition for police Paul John April 22, 2009
Cars, AK-47s and Ben Franklin Edward Hum April 19, 2009
Protestors should return tax credits Stephen Kislock April 19, 2009
Give the money to the middle class Emma Stephenson April 19, 2009
Arena a valuable community asset Sherry Allen April 17, 2009
Automatic weapons should be illegal Jean Haney April 17, 2009
We need affordable health care for all Ann Stanton April 17, 2009
Are commentators proud of selves? Laura Brodbeck April 16, 2009
Politicians and NRA had role in deaths Robert Hacker April 15, 2009
Hold right-wing pundits responsible Jonas Rushman April 15, 2009
Obama undercuts constitutional rights Stephen Kislock April 12, 2009
Outrageous prices pure greed Michelle Swab April 12, 2009
Defense budget makes right cuts June McKenzie April 10, 2009
Specter’s decision lets down workers Anthony Tepsic April 9, 2009
Smoking is a long way from ‘fun’ Barbara Horter April 5, 2009
CEOs rewarded even when they fail Stephen Kislock April 5, 2009
U.S. is giving away its wealth Jerry Miskulin April 5, 2009
Size of Legislature should stay is [sic] it is Daniel Bosh April 3, 2009
What are those threats from within? David Matthews April 3, 2009
Let’s be proactive on the environment Sherry Allen April 2, 2009
Values disgraced and trampled on Edward Tincani April 2, 2009
U.S. must change Afghanistan policy William Horter April 1, 2009
Judge Obama’s character, not jest Lynn Gardner March 31, 2009
Corbett should go after Republicans Stephen Kislock March 29, 2009
Why are CEOs’ deals untouchable? Sonja Ott March 29, 2009
U.S. has plenty of domestic oil W. W. Young March 29, 2009
A level playing field for unions, workers Edwin Hill March 27, 2009
Demands on safety net keep growing Bruce Simmeth March 26, 2009
Will we really see justice for all? Edward Tincani March 25, 2009
Does Obama know the election is over? John Tomaszewski March 25, 2009
No more GOP incompetence Thomas Finch March 22, 2009
Obama is cleaning up Bush’s messes Cindy Furnival March 20, 2009
Class warfare has gone on for years Tony DiRienzo March 19, 2009
Paying for writer’s negative influence Sam Allen March 18, 2009
Medical research needs boundaries Edward Tincani March 18, 2009
Stop war on drugs and legalize them Edward Hum March 17, 2009
Stimulus package is a necessary step Philip Dedig March 15, 2009
No health care is a costly proposition Dana Ellis March 15, 2009
Limbaugh should stop blowing smoke Edward Tincani March 11, 2009
Don’t be too quick to judge Burris Lonzie Cox March 10, 2009
Bill puts decision in workers’ hands Daniel Bosh March 8, 2009
We should keep an eye on Limbaugh Jim Hinton March 6, 2009
A visible sign of war’s true cost Velma Berger March 5, 2009
Limbaugh is out of touch with reality Mark Dobo March 4, 2009
Restore fairness in organizing Bernie Hall March 4, 2009
Impose high tariffs to help the jobless Jack Smith March 4, 2009
High-speed rail would aid economy Ross Belcastro March 1, 2009
Don’t touch Social Security Lois Thompson March 1, 2009
Our problems are of our own making Regina Beverlin February 27, 2009
Let’s give credit to bus service Lynne DeFelice February 27, 2009
Steps we can take to make roads safer Tom McLaughlin February 27, 2009
Don’t buy alarms on Social Security Nick Chopiak February 26, 2009
Trade agreements are too one-sided Edward Tincani February 26, 2009
Obama must undo a lot of damage Russell Hilliard February 25, 2009
Welfare programs still needed today Jerry Miskulin February 25, 2009
Bush’s misdeeds should be probed David Matthews February 24, 2009
Smokers must pay for everything Deanna Jeffries February 22, 2009
What will state try to legalize next? Charles Potter February 22, 2009
Bill makes it easier to form a union Paul Kovalesky February 20, 2009
Republicans take care of themselves Jerry Miskulin February 20, 2009
Country needed stimulus package John Tomaszewski February 20, 2009
Workers punished while execs get paid Ian Thomas February 19, 2009
Term limits are the best solution Paul Thompson February 19, 2009
College costs must be made affordable Philip Dedig February 18, 2009
Are clubs trying to send message? George A. Petrella February 17, 2009
Don’t swallow stimulus hype Rich Mannion February 15, 2009
Don’t fault Obama for Bush’s mess Robert Schmidt February 15, 2009
Washington must stop playing games Alex Yawor February 15, 2009
Oil companies are still gouging us George Porter February 13, 2009
Helping the jobless boosts economy Daniel Bosh February 12, 2009
Obama went too easy on the GOP Lonzie Cox February 11, 2009
Banks are holding America hostage David Poling February 6, 2009
Jobless benefits should be extended Marie Barkovic February 5, 2009
Republican Party’s policies don’t work Roylin Petties February 5, 2009
Economy was ignored by GOP Larney Santry February 5, 2009
Thank goodness Bush is gone Larney Santry February 3, 2009
Not-so wonderful ending for hospital Maria Sundy January 29, 2009
Invasion lessons hope for peace John Tomaszewski January 29, 2009
Freedom vs. confiscation Robin Cox January 28, 2009
Oil ripoff could be the perfect crime William Horter January 25, 2009
Double standard is on full display Rick Mannion January 25, 2009
Good riddance to Bush presidency Brian Carter January 22, 2009
Bush’s departure is a great relief Mark Dobo January 22, 2009
Inaugural speech sent right message Oren Spiegler January 22, 2009
Obama is moving quickly  on issues Robert Strickland January 22, 2009
Another nuclear plant isn’t needed Joseph Devich January 21, 2009
Atheists pursuing a godless agenda Steven Sanchez January 18, 2009
Lawmaker wrong to snub retail jobs MaryLou Holsinger January 16, 2009
Safety net is being stretched to limit Bruce Simmeth January 13, 2009
Paying the price for bad theology Todd Davis January 11, 2009
Paper continues to victimize candidate R. Petrella-Tsudis January 11, 2009
Let Americans fill jobs held by illegals Alfred Doyle January 4, 2009
History will judge U.S., Israel harshly Stephen Kislock January 4, 2009
     
J. D. Prose
No comparison between Ramaley and Veon cases December 19, 2009  
Altmire’s vote: Bad medicine, smart politics November 14, 2009  
Political Prose: Scourge of the liberals November 8, 2009  
Political Prose: Altmire hears squeaky wheels from Ambridge October 18, 2009  
NRA misses the mark going after mayors September 19, 2009  
You lie: Far Right’s coup de (dis)grace September 12, 2009  
Political Prose: Benedict Shelley? Blythe says her critics are wrong May 6, 2009  
Specter’s making ch-ch-ch-ch-changes May 6, 2009  
Beware conspiracy of dunces with assault rifles April 13, 2009  
Political Prose: Next generation speaks April 13, 2009  
Political Prose: Down in D.C., Altmire making lots of news March 11, 2009  
No shortage of takers for jury commissioner jobs February 25, 2009  
Survey says? Bush bad for Pa. GOP February 10, 2009  
Political Prose: Rep. Boy Wonder shaking things up with local Dems January 31, 2009  
Transplant this Bush back to Texas January 17, 2009  
Critiques of 2008 Prose columns    
     
Gino Piroli
Take another look at health-care reform opponents October 13, 2009  
Critiques of 2007 Piroli columns    
Critiques of 2006 Piroli columns    
Critiques of 2005 Piroli columns    
Critiques of 2004 Piroli columns    
     

 

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

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Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

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Miscellaneous

Contending Views at the Beaver County Court House Beaver County Blue September 13, 2009

 

© 2004-2010 Robert W. Cox, all rights reserved.