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Democrats Need To Learn Their Lesson From Bail Reform, Halt Act

In Our Opinion

A state prisons panel is recommending changes to the state’s HALT Act that governs the way state prisons use solitary confinement. The panel is requesting state legislators make 10 changes, most notably clarification that sexual harassment, lewd conduct, extortion, and attempted escape are behaviors that make someone eligible for solitary confinement greater flexibility in allowing solitary confinement for acts that are heinous and destructive modifications to existing positive incentive programs. It remains to be seen what the state Legislature does when it has the opportunity to ...

The Cycles of Our National Politics

Local Commentaries

In my lifetime, I have lived through what I would call two or three “cycles” in our national politics. We came out of World War II as the major super-power in the world—there was a good feeling in the country. Yet, somehow, we lost our “mojo.” Along came the fall of China to the communists and then the war in Korea. Suddenly, in the 1950’s, we were in a mood of fear and apprehension. Along came Senator Joe McCarthy, “pouring kerosene on the fire,” blaming it all on purported communists in the government and conducting a campaign of fear, falsehoods and blame. The ...

Cal Thomas, Armstrong Williams are Full of “Bunk”

Letters To The Editor

To The Reader’s Forum: Well, the weekend (9-13/14-25) P-J is full of “bunk” from Cal Thomas and Armstrong Williams. Reading the headlines, “Presidential Authority Can Be Misused And Abused” and “America’s Public Health System In Desperate Need Of A Reset”, my initial reaction was that finally Trump and RFK Jr. would get criticized for their conduct. Boy, was I wrong! The first article criticized Joe Biden over and over again, while at the same time, without an example, says, “Yes, the president has unlimited authority when it comes to pardon power…”. Surely, ...

The 1960s; The Best of Times, The Worst Of Times

Local Commentaries

Since World War II the decade of the 1960s stands out for its monumental changes in American life. Civil rights, women’s rights, Vietnam War protests, the “Pill”, music, President Kennedy’s assassination were all part of an upheaval in American life. The most noble legacy of the 1960s was the Civil Rights movement. Although slavery was officially abolished by the13th Amendment to the Constitution at the end of 1865, the Federal Government gave up trying to protect former slaves in the South as part of the politics of the Presidential election of 1876 (an election so close ...

Chautauqua, Mayville School Merger Can’t Be Last Of Its Kind

In Our Opinion

It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years since Chautauqua Lake Central School opened its doors. School officials plan to host an open house on Oct. 4 to commemorate the occasion complete with a video presentation, guided walking tours of the building, and a brunch. Festivities will begin at 9:30 a.m. and conclude around noon. Twenty five years is a long time, and we hope the Mayville and Chautauqua communities take a moment this year to celebrate both their school building and the vote that created it. Because if you think 25 years is a long time, consider the fact that February ...

Government Lacks The Courage To Do The Right Thing

Letters To The Editor

Since January of this year, there have been 57 school shootings in America. And since August when many students began returning to school, there have been five already, including the deadly and tragic shooting in Minneapolis. There is a sign that continues to be proudly displayed on the front lawn of a house near Panama that reads, “God, Guns and Trump,” showing the cross, American flags and guns. This clearly illustrates why we have this growing issue in this country. Nowhere does it say anything about children or the sanctity of life in general. Living on a farm in a rural area ...