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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. The letter-length limit is even tougher to deal with
when you want to include excerpts of a piece for context so the reader
knows exactly what you are talking about.
-
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. In 2014, the BCT either
ditched that limit or made a huge exception for Oren Spiegler. By my
count, the BCT published at least 25 Spiegler letters in 2014.
-
The papers generally provide the letter title,
and sometimes the title is misleading.
For calendar year 2014 critiques, please go to Pundits 2014.
For calendar year 2013 critiques, please go to
Pundits 2013.
For calendar year 2012 critiques, please go to
Pundits 2012.
For calendar year 2011 critiques, please go to Pundits 2011.
For calendar year 2010 critiques, please go to
Pundits 2010.
For calendar year 2009 critiques, please go to
Pundits 2009.
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.
| Editorials |
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During mid-September 2011, the BCT quit writing its own
editorials. It since restarted and now publishes a mix of in-house
and outsourced editorials. |
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“News:”
Aliquippa’s schools face the same problems as the city |
September 6, 2015 |
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| Letters to the editor |
Author |
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Hillary is
more qualified than any Republican |
Cindi Kincaid |
December 21, 2015 |
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Hitler’s rise
to power being replayed with Trump |
Elizabeth Douglas |
December 16, 2015 |
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Irrational
fears play into terrorists’ hands |
Oren Spiegler |
November 20, 2015 |
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Tax
subsidies compared to medical insurance subsidies |
Larry Busack |
November 4, 2015 |
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Koch brothers
deserve criticism they receive |
Thomas Finch |
October 28, 2015 |
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Obamacare
does work |
Helena Haddad |
October 7, 2015 |
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Hillary’s
accomplishments speak for themselves |
Joan Verner |
October 2, 2015 |
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Gas-drilling boom mocks promised prosperity |
Terrie Baumgardner |
September 30, 2015 |
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Gov. Wolf is
right to insist on gas tax |
Joe Kaldon |
September 15, 2015 |
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Clerk’s
actions are shameful |
Oren Spiegler |
September 6, 2015 |
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It’s time
to replace the professional politicians |
Thomas Hughes |
September 1, 2015 |
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U.S. cannot
kowtow to demands of Israel |
Elizabeth Douglas |
August 15, 2015 |
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Time for
gas industry to pay its fair share |
Larry Busack |
July 9, 2015 |
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Why are Christian
churches segregated? |
Ed Hum |
July 9, 2015 |
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Union of
gay couple is not a marriage |
Frank Makozy |
July 9, 2015 |
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We owe a
great deal to the Greatest Generation |
Michelle Mindek |
July 9, 2015 |
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Local
legislators betray property owners |
Gerald Moran |
July 9, 2015 |
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Bill is an
oxymoron |
Jay Sudak |
July 7, 2015 |
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Drug company
prices are simply outrageous |
William Stewart |
June 30, 2015 |
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Republicans
need to stop fighting ACA |
Jack Doyle |
June 27, 2015 |
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Severance
tax opponents using scare tactics |
George Hayduk |
June 24, 2015 |
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Gas
severance tax will protect our resources |
Nikole Baker |
June 18, 2015 |
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Medicaid doesn’t cover cost of nursing home |
Steven Welhorsky |
June 9, 2015 |
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Proposed
Shell plant would damage environment |
Dawne Sohn |
June 4, 2015 |
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State Supreme
Court needs Woodruff |
Lonzie Cox |
April 18, 2015 |
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Why did
congressmen vote against bill? |
John Baranoski |
April 16, 2015 |
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School funding
gap needs to be addressed |
James Zedak |
March 22, 2015 |
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Dr. King
deserves thanks from many groups |
Lonzie Cox |
March 18, 2015 |
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What have we done
to solve racial issues? |
Ed Hum |
March 16, 2015 |
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Idaho
Republicans shamed the party |
Oren Spiegler |
March 14, 2015 |
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Ban oil
trains from our towns |
Alaina Gercak |
February 22, 2015 |
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Vaccinations aren’t needed to check disease |
Colin Skidmore |
February 18, 2015 |
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Economy has
improved by stopping Obama |
Ed Hum |
January 29, 2015 |
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Obama’s actions
show he cares about future |
Larry Mason |
January 28, 2015 |
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Past
decisions led to where we are |
Lonzie Cox |
January 12, 2015 |
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New Year’s
resolution |
Lester Himber |
January 4, 2015 |
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A checklist
for legislators, governor |
Oren Spiegler |
January 4, 2015 |
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| J. D. Prose |
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It was a good run,
but this column’s over |
August 18, 2013 |
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Voter ID delayed is
injustice (temporarily) denied |
August 4, 2013 |
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Hanger: Opponent’s
favorite status is “nonsense” |
July 28, 2013 |
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Time and apathy
send DemCRO to the grave |
July 21, 2013 |
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Corbett’s now a
parody of a viable candidate
(updated 7/16/13) |
July 14, 2013 |
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Metcalfe is now the
official state embarrassment |
June 29, 2013 |
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One man’s ‘reform’
is another man’s humiliation |
June 23, 2013 |
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McClelland won’t
mince words on Rothfus or anything else |
June 9, 2013 |
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White’s online
antics are no laughing matter |
June 2, 2013 |
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Calling out the GOP
on their shiny object obsession |
May 18, 2013 |
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Really? Segment of
Democrats think Corbett is doing ‘excellent’ job |
May 12, 2013 |
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Time to dip our
toes back into the gossip pool |
May 5, 2013 |
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Christiana says
it’s time to expand the WATCH list |
April 28, 2013 |
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Heroism in Boston
and Texas, but cowardice on Capitol Hill |
April 21, 2013 |
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Easter Bunny
brought a bowl of column jambalaya |
March 30, 2013 |
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Gutless Congress
lets NRA win another one |
March 23, 2013 |
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If Corbett has lost
women, it’s all downhill from here |
March 17, 2013 |
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Corbett’s twisting
logic to reject Medicaid expansion |
March 10, 2013 |
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Voting for
anti-violence bill before voting against it |
March 2, 2013 |
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Corbett’s
re-election chances on orange alert! |
February 24, 2013 |
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It’s always sunny
in a Fox News studio -- and Germany |
February 10, 2013 |
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Corbett’s trying,
but the hits keep coming |
February 2, 2013 |
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Losing GOP scheming
to rig Electoral College vote |
January 26, 2013 |
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Rothfus’ Sandy
relief votes aren’t a good start |
January 20, 2013 |
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NRA response steers
it straight into irrelevancy |
December 21, 2012 |
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Time for talking is
over, gun control now |
December 16, 2012 |
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White’s got no home
on the Range |
December 2, 2012 |
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Here’s the least
surprising endorsement ever |
November 3, 2012 |
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No buts about it,
GOP goes medieval on rape |
October 27, 2012 |
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Romney’s lies don't
work, but more Americans do |
October 5, 2012 |
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Good or bad,
campaigns dance around the polls |
September 29, 2012 |
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47 percent of
readers won’t like this column |
September 22, 2012 |
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No doubt about it
now, Mitt Romney has no shame |
September 15, 2012 |
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Fact checking a
lie-free Democratic convention is easy |
September 8, 2012 |
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No hurricane, but
Tampa’s buried by blizzard of lies |
September 1, 2012 |
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One man’s brush
with GOP greatness |
August 25, 2012 |
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GOP’s bad week of
bad press, bad polls and bad jokes |
August 11, 2012 |
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In politics, irony
isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be |
August 5, 2012 |
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Maybe the GOP will
go for UFO ID next |
July 29, 2012 |
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Save the chain
emails for someone who cares |
July 21, 2012 |
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Berardelli steps up
to lead when comments go too far |
July 13, 2012 |
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There’s nothing but
(censored) everywhere we look |
June 29, 2012 |
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Shell cracks gas,
Gov. cracks the bank, we crack wise |
June 16, 2012 |
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Report questions
jobs, cost of cracker plant tax credit |
June 12, 2012 |
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It’s not winter,
but APR skates free from jail |
June 2, 2012 |
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Even state
legislators know ALEC’s bad news |
May 19, 2012 |
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Political Prose:
The GOP’s week to remember come November |
February 11, 2012 |
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Critiques of 2011 Prose columns |
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Critiques of 2010 Prose columns |
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Critiques of 2009 Prose columns |
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Critiques of 2008 Prose columns |
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| Gino Piroli |
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Critiques of 2011 Piroli columns |
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Critiques of 2010 Piroli columns |
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Critiques of 2009 Piroli columns
(none in 2008) |
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Critiques of 2007 Piroli columns |
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Critiques of 2006 Piroli columns |
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Critiques of 2005 Piroli columns |
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Critiques of 2004 Piroli columns |
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DAVIDSON’S SHORT
COURSES … |
Beaver County Reds |
January 2, 2016 |
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INSTANT ANALYSIS:
My Two Cents |
Beaver County Reds |
December 6, 2015 |
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DECONSTRUCTING WHAT
SEEMS OBVIOUS |
Beaver County Reds |
December 5, 2015 |
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CHEERING THE AIR
STRIKES? |
Beaver County Reds |
November 17, 2015 |
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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Beaver County Reds |
November 16, 2015 |
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INSTANT ANALYSIS:
My Two Cents |
Beaver County Reds |
November 11, 2015 |
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IN CASE YOU WERE
WONDERING |
Beaver County Reds |
October 31, 2015 |
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INSTANT ANALYSIS:
MY TWO CENTS |
Beaver County Reds |
October 28, 2015 |
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Birthday
Proclamation 9/28 at 11am |
Beaver County Reds |
September 27, 2015 |
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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
Beaver County Reds |
September 19, 2015 |
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INSTANT
ANALYSIS: MY TWO CENTS |
Beaver County Reds |
September 17, 2015 |
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THOUGHT FOR THE
EVENING |
Beaver County Reds |
September 17, 2015 |
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IF YOU REALLY WANT
TO KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON … |
Beaver County Reds |
September 14, 2015 |
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IS TRUMP A FASCIST? |
Beaver County Reds |
August 29, 2015 |
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HOW THE GOP TRIES
TO RIG ELECTIONS |
Beaver County Reds |
August 28, 2015 |
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I am so over football |
Beaver County Reds |
August 26, 2015 |
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EMAIL SERVER |
Beaver County Reds |
August 22, 2015 |
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THE MILL OWNERS HAD
A CHOICE ... |
Beaver County Reds |
July 19, 2015 |
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Old Hometown
Memories ... |
Beaver County Reds |
May 18, 2015 |
| 47
Senate Republicans Violate Logan Act |
Beaver County Reds |
March 9, 2015 |
| Bernie
Sanders Lights a Fire under Pennsylvania Democrats at Keystone
Progress’s Annual Summit in Harrisburg |
Beaver County Reds |
February 10, 2015 |
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Congressional Progressive Caucus proposes windfall for Big Union
managers |
Beaver County Reds |
November 29, 2014 |
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Op-Ed: Reforming
Healthcare While Saving Lives, Money, and a lot of Partisan Nonsense |
Erin McClelland |
October 30, 2014 |
| PA
Republicans Appeal to Racism |
Beaver County Reds |
October 1, 2014 |
| Op-Ed:
Dishonest Representation |
AFL-CIO |
March 18, 2014 |
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Brownfields,
Cleanups and Anti-Union Cranks |
Beaver County Reds |
December 27, 2013 |
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In rural Kentucky,
health-care debate takes back seat as the long-uninsured line up |
Beaver County Reds |
December 4, 2013 |
| Pope
Francis rips capitalism and trickle-down economics |
Beaver County Reds |
November 27, 2013 |
| How
Billionaire Businesses Expect the Public to Subsidize Their Low Wages
and Opposition to Unions |
Beaver County Reds |
October 27, 2013 |
| Misdeal:
Setting up the Next Showdown for January |
Beaver County Reds |
October 15, 2013 |
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Beaver
County Reds Treasurer Supports Repeal of Income
Tax, Medicare |
Beaver County Reds |
September 24, 2013 |
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Factory Workers in
1910 |
Beaver County Reds |
September 6, 2013 |
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New look to
editorial page |
Shane Fitzgerald |
August 18, 2013 |
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Progressive Democrats Protest ALEC in Chicago |
Beaver County Reds |
August 9, 2013 |
| Why We
Are Marching on Washington August 24th |
Beaver County Reds |
August 8, 2013 |
| Aug 24
March Gathering New Energy: Help Us With The Buses! |
Beaver County Reds |
July 24, 2013 |
| Unions
Demand Democrats Fix Affordable Care Act [Obamacare] |
Beaver County Reds |
July 17, 2013 |
| Rep. Jesse White
(D-46), Ashley Jackson, and I |
Robin Cox |
June 9, 2013 |
| Central
Labor Councils Pass “Resolution for Action in Defense of Social Security
and Medicare” |
Beaver County Reds |
June 4, 2013 |
| Hidden
Costs of Crumbling Infrastructure … - Bridges, not Drones! |
Beaver County Reds |
May 24, 2013 |
| Global
carbon dioxide in atmosphere passes milestone level |
Beaver County Reds |
May 10, 2013 |
| Nearly
500 Celebrate May Day in Pittsburgh with a Colorful and Festive March
and Rallies |
Beaver County Reds |
May 5, 2013 |
| When
Will We Find a Member of Congress to Speak for Our Progressive Majority? |
Beaver County Reds |
April 27, 2013 |
| AFL-CIO
Pres. Trumka Condemns Obama Budget |
Beaver County Reds |
April 11, 2013 |
| Sen.
Elizabeth Warren Opposes Cut to Social Security |
Beaver County Reds |
April 10, 2013 |
| GOP
Worships the ‘Hand,’ Disrespects Those Who Work With Them |
Beaver County Reds |
March 4, 2013 |
| Op-Ed: Decisions
Are Made By Those Who Show Up on Election Day |
State Rep. Jesse White (D-46) |
October 31, 2012 |
|
Second Obama-Romney Debate Analysis |
Beaver County Reds |
October 16, 2012 |
| So You
Want to Create Jobs? ... |
Beaver County Reds |
October 16, 2012 |
| The 7
Biggest Economic Lies |
Beaver County Reds |
October 15, 2012 |
| FDR’s
Timeless Warning |
Beaver County Reds |
October 13, 2012 |
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Headline: Anti-Semitic, Warmongering Progressive Democrats of America –
PA 12th CD and Beaver County Peace Links support an anti-Semitic
warmonger in Virginia race |
Beaver County Reds |
October 12, 2012 |
| Op-Ed: Ten Random
PA Policy Points |
State Rep. Jesse White (D-46) |
September 4, 2012 |
| Coal
miners and the Obama administration |
Beaver County Reds |
August 28, 2012 |
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Banksters Turn against Obama |
Beaver County Reds |
August 9, 2012 |
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Investigation Shows Rep Jim Christiana’s Ties To School Choice Groups
Could Top $170,000 |
John Paul Vranesevich |
July 30, 2012 |
| ‘We’re
Fired Up!’ – Protestors in Harrisburg Vow to Defeat GOP Voter
Suppression Law |
Beaver County Reds |
July 27, 2012 |
| Eye
Chart for GOP Apologists |
Progressives for Obama |
July 23, 2012 |
| End
Student Debt! |
Beaver County Reds |
May 3, 2012 |
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Chesapeake Energy CEO bankrolled Corbett starting in ’04 |
Beaver County Reds |
May 3, 2012 |
| “DID YOU
KNOW?” |
Beaver County Reds |
April 25, 2012 |
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Obama’s Mortgage Fraud Unit is a Fraud on the American Public |
Beaver County Reds |
April 18, 2012 |
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Democrats Must Fight for the 99% to Win in 2012 |
Beaver County Reds |
April 18, 2012 |
| Foreign
National to Kick Off Labor Effort for Critz in PA 12th CD |
Beaver County Reds |
April 13, 2012 |
| April 4
Vigil Vows to Fight GOP Efforts to Deny Voting Rights |
Beaver County Reds |
April 7, 2012 |
| Comments
about student loans |
Beaver County Reds |
April 3, 2012 |
| Misc
comments about protests and Rockefeller Republicans |
Beaver County Reds |
April 1, 2012 |
| Area Municipalities Sue State
to Overturn Zoning Gift to Gas Drillers |
Beaver County Reds |
March 30, 2012 |
| Do Facts Even
Matter Anymore? |
State Rep. Jesse White (D-46) |
March 28, 2012 |
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Tragedies, Crimes and Trayvon Martin |
Beaver County Reds |
March 24, 2012 |
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Op-Ed: Turning Good Ideas into Good Legislation for PA |
State Rep. Jesse White (D-46) |
March 20, 2012 |
| Elder
Vogel Was “99% Against” Voter Restriction but Votes Yes! |
Beaver County Reds |
March 8, 2012 |
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What The “Robo-Signing” Mortgage Settlement Means For PA |
State Rep. Jesse White (D-46) |
March 6, 2012 |
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Democrats Will Choose Nominee for US Congress from New 12th District |
Beaver County Reds |
February 20, 2012 |
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Op-Ed: When will Congress Start Earning their Pay? |
Jack Manning |
February 14, 2012 |
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Editorial: The Political Who Are |
Beaver Countian |
February 8, 2012 |
| Voting
Rights Protest vs. GOP in Rochester, Saturday, Jan. 28 |
Beaver County Reds |
January 26, 2012 |
| We’re
All in the Same Boat? |
Beaver County Reds |
January 25, 2012 |
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‘Right-to-Work’ and the Jim Crow Legacy That Affronts King’s Memory |
Beaver County Reds |
January 16, 2012 |
| Occupy:
Resurrecting Rev. King’s Final Dream |
Beaver County Reds |
January 16, 2012 |
|
Democratic Officials Line Up To Endorse Altmire |
Beaver Countian |
January 10, 2012 |
| Op-Ed: New Teen
Driving Laws Now in Effect |
State Rep. Jesse White (D-46) |
January 10, 2012 |
|
Jobs and FDR’s ‘Economic Bill of Rights’ |
Beaver County Peace Links |
December 23, 2011 |
| Tale of
Two Cities: GOP Tries to Convert America’s ‘Bedford Falls’ Into
‘Pottersville’ |
Beaver County Reds |
December 27, 2011 |
| Op-Ed: Look Out
for the Undertow |
State Rep. Jesse White (D-46) |
December 26, 2011 |
| Op-Ed:
Redistricting – A Change Is Gonna Come |
State Rep. Jesse White (D-46) |
December 13, 2011 |
| Is Black Friday
Really Just “Occupy Wal-Mart?” |
State Rep. Jesse White (D-46) |
December 1, 2011 |
| Do They
Really Want ‘Specific Demands’ from the Occupiers? |
Beaver County Reds |
November 29, 2011 |
| Labor
[Union Management] & ‘Occupy Pittsburgh’ Join Together in Nationwide
‘Bridge’ Actions |
Beaver County Reds |
November 24, 2011 |
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Op-Ed: This isn’t “the right way” on Marcellus Shale |
State Rep. Jesse White (D-46) |
November 20, 2011 |
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Banksters: You Made the Mess? Pay Up! |
Beaver County Reds |
November 14, 2011 |
|
Democracy for America |
Beaver County Reds |
November 11, 2011 |
| Young
People and Poor People: Unite or Lose |
Beaver County Reds |
November 8, 2011 |
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Editorial: Time Spent With Tony Amadio and Joe Spanik |
John Paul |
November 6, 2011 |
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Op-Ed: Highmark vs. UPMC Is A Tough Pill To Swallow |
State Rep. Jesse White (D-46) |
October 25, 2011 |
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House Bill No.
1077: A Bill To Legally Intimidate Women |
My Ordinary Life |
October 11, 2011 |
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Op-Ed: Cliffs Notes Aren’t Good Enough for Marcellus Policy |
State Rep. Jesse White (D-46) |
October 11, 2011 |
|
Monday Musings Volume 8 |
Beaver Countian |
October 3, 2011 |
| Altmire
Votes to Hold Emergency Aid Hostage |
Beaver County Reds |
September 23, 2011 |
| Tax Credit Could
Help Give Abandoned Pets a New Home |
State Rep. Jesse White (D-46) |
September 23, 2011 |
| Political Battle
Chess is a Bad Idea for Pennsylvania |
State Rep. Jesse White (D-46) |
September 21, 2011 |
| Bush And
Cheney Remind Us How We Got Into This Mess |
NationofChange |
September 4, 2011 |
| U.S.
Awash in Oil and Lies, Report Charges |
NationofChange |
September 3, 2011 |
| Big Brother, Can
You Spare a Dime? |
State Rep. Jesse White (D-46) |
August 31, 2011 |
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Op-Ed: Who Exactly Are They Pledging Allegiance To? |
State Rep. Jesse White (D-46) |
August 9, 2011 |
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Op-Ed: 10 Reasons Why I Voted NO On The State Budget |
State Rep. Jesse White (D-46) |
July 19, 2011 |
| Tell
Rep. Altmire Hands Off Social Security & Medicare Noon Wed. July 20th |
Beaver County Reds |
July 17, 2011 |
| Shocking
Electric Cost to Produce Fuel Dooms Todays [sic] Cars |
TheEV.biz |
July 3, 2011 |
| The
People’s Budget: Quick Summary of a Good Plan |
Beaver County Reds |
April 25, 2011 |
| THERE IS
NO DEFICIT!!! |
Beaver County Reds |
April 18, 2011 |
| ‘We
Are One—And Ready to Fight Back!’ |
Beaver County Reds |
April 6, 2011 |
|
Fighting for Our Future & Honoring Martin Luther King With Solidarity |
Beaver County Reds |
April 6, 2011 |
| USW
Pres. Gerard Message to “We Are One” Rallies |
Beaver County Reds |
April 4, 2011 |
| Worker Solidarity –
‘We Have an Enemy, and It Must Be Named: Finance Capital’ |
Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism |
February 27, 2011 |
| Green
Jobs: Frustration with Neoliberals over ‘Industrial Policy’ |
Beaver County Reds |
February 14, 2011 |
| Fox: The
Twisted Source of News ... |
Beaver County Reds |
February 12, 2011 |
| Report
Back: Huge Rally in DC for Jobs, Justice, Education and Peace |
Beaver County Reds |
October 7, 2010 |
|
Never too young to
sail solo |
Marsha Keefer - Beaver County Times |
September 5, 2010 |
| Top 5
Social Security Myths |
Beaver County Reds |
August 8, 2010 |
| Altmire
Blows Smoke to Hide His Plan to Steal Social Security |
Beaver County Reds |
August 3, 2010 |
| Beaver
County Blue BS |
Beaver County Reds |
July 15, 2010 |
| The Story
of America’s Haiti |
Beaver County Reds |
January 18, 2010 |
©
2004-2016 Robert W. Cox, all rights reserved.
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