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Letters to the editor

Letters to the Editor

Is Islam really a religion of peace? DEAR EDITOR: Is Islam a religion of peace, as the media often claims, or is it also a political system that can be used to challenge or overtake an existing free and open society? If Islam is truly a peaceful religion, why do some Islamist extremists promote terrorist activity, and why do Muslim leaders fail to condemn such activity publicly and forcefully when it occurs in our country and around the world? How many Catholics or Christians in the past 50 to 100 years have bombed, destroyed, or killed large numbers of people in the name of Jesus ...

Ohio’s impressive business climate lauded by CNBC

Editorials

Even as there is plenty of room for improvement, Ohio is making an impression, as CNBC has named it the country’s top state for business in 2026. It’s the first time the Buckeye State has topped the list. Back in March, Gov. Mike DeWine used his State of the State address to talk about the efforts being made in Columbus: “We’ve been strategically focused on making Ohio literally the go-to state for business,” he said. Ohioans living in some regions can be forgiven for wondering what in the world is going on in other states, but according to CNBC, Ohio has not only low ...

Gov. DeWine has a knack for vetoing Thomas’ bills

David Skolnick

It’s become almost a running joke with state Rep. David Thomas that every time he comes across Gov. Mike DeWine he is met with a veto. DeWine, a Republican, vetoed five property tax reform items on July 1, 2025, that Thomas, R-Jefferson, had sponsored in separate bills that were put into the state budget. The state Legislature overrode one veto and after making some minor changes; the General Assembly approved the others with the governor signing them into law Dec. 19. Then, DeWine vetoed a Thomas bill on June 24. The bill would have created consumer protections for those who pay ...

‘Believe all women’ Democrats only drop Platner because he’s going to lose

Editorials

It seems like only yesterday that we were in the midst of #MeToo, with Democrats coming from every direction with the demand that we “believe all women.” What started as a hugely important movement of women (and men) speaking out against sexual assault and sexual harassment had quickly become a free-for-all in which spurious and unsubstantiated allegations were wielded as not much more than political weapons. But then the next thing came alone (Black Lives Matter) and the thing after that (“Free Palestine”), and we were supposed to forget the sporadic concern for victims of ...

What makes Ohio lawmakers qualified to determine what must be taught?

Editorials

One wonders whether state Senate Finance chair Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland, sees the irony in railing against an alleged liberal agenda and bias in education while simultaneously proclaiming “We have to change people’s minds and hearts,” with state-mandated “intellectual diversity” civics centers teaching his version of American history and political science on state college campuses. Required by 2025’s state Senate Bill 1, the centers are paired with a ban on public universities in Ohio having Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives; and “bias” in classrooms. The ...

The pursuit of happiness, spiked

Editorials

The Trump whirling dervish has come and gone to Turkey — to demand NATO hand over Greenland! — leaving a city exhausted by his wild Fourth of July displays. But first, it was so great to see legions of World Cup soccer fans all over the world, at all hours, cheering on their countries, especially the England and Mexico teams playing their hearts out. Cape Verde too. Yes, the pursuit of happiness was not just for us but for all across seams, seas and borders. Donald Trump hated to see so many people truly excited. The Ugly American president resented the international celebration, ...