Judicial branch least understood branch of U.S. government

October 22, 2017

Q: What is the “least understood branch of government?” A: Most people are aware that our government has three separate and co-equal branches: the executive branch, the legislative branch and the judicial branch. However, the judicial branch is often the least understood, perhaps in part because judges do so much of their important work in court rooms not regularly visited by most members of the public. Also, judicial candidates are not allowed to make issue-based campaign promises about how they will decide cases, since judges are required to make fair and impartial decisions ...

Back Pittsburgh for Amazon bid

October 20, 2017

A phrase I use a bit too often, but I love nonetheless, is “punching above your weight.” Maybe it’s too many fond memories of Boom-Boom Mancini and Kelly Pavlik, but it’s a source of pride when I get to use that phrase. That’s why I was so happy to see collective agencies in the Valley submit a proposal for the new Amazon “HQ2,” using an exciting new enterprise park in Howland for its base. The area’s population and demographics will lessen the probability, but the area must show it’s not afraid to compete toe-to-toe with bigger metropolises. That is quintessential ...

Ups and downs of life in 1946

October 17, 2017

It was 1946 in Warren, Ohio. I was 10 going on 11, and the post World War II era had just begun. The future seemed so very promising. All of the rationing, shortages, fears of air raids and blackouts, and concerns about friends and relatives serving in the military were over. I could buy kids’ stuff at Kresge’s and Woolworth’s that were made of more substantial stuff than the wartime cardboard and wood, and solid model airplane kits at the hobby shop next to the Harris Warren were of balsa wood — no longer of pine and pressed paper. Mom could take me to the men’s ...

Older is better: Think of senior dogs this Adopt-A-Dog Month

October 15, 2017

Along with pumpkin spice and everything nice, October is known as a month of change. With the leaves turning and the weather finally cooling down, people and pets alike are starting to snuggle up on the couch and enjoy fall. Dogs young and old are looking for new homes before the cold of winter settles in. That’s why every October my organization, American Humane, encourages animal lovers to consider adopting a dog from a local shelter or rescue group in honor of our nationally celebrated Adopt-a-Dog Month. Despite a recent uptick in shelter adoptions, each year an estimated 670,000 ...

An eMOTIONal ruling from mom

October 3, 2017

Mom couldn’t stand any sort of motion. As a 3 or 4 year old, I would try to sit next to her on the front porch glider on York Avenue. I had to sit stock still because the slightest motion of that glider would bother her immensely. Maybe it was an inner ear problem. Now, let’s zoom ahead to the summer of 1944: I was 8 years old and it had been 2 years since our little family had been able to visit the east coast because of wartime gasoline rationing and tire shortages. Dad really missed deep sea fishing and motoring along on the little cruiser that we had use of for a few weeks back ...

Forced tolerance turns into great friendship for pair of siblings

September 19, 2017

How would you like it? How would you like to be the center of attention — perhaps the princess — for five years, two months and 20 days? Then, out of the blue, her mom came home from St. Joseph Riverside Hospital with a little bundle of joy — me — her little baby brother. This must have been quite a shock — especially since this was not what my sister had ordered. So, my sister had to learn to adapt, to make compromises, to share, to try to be tolerant or, in a phrase, she had to learn the ominous job of being a big sister. I don’t remember much about the first couple of ...