Letters to the Editor

‘Deficit Hawks’ Anything But

Editor, News-Register: Republicans in Congress love to pose themselves as “deficit hawks,” screeching outrage that our government debt is so high. They are especially vocal about cutting necessary government programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) because “government debt is too high.” They pretend to care about debt despite having approved tax cuts and spending during Trump’s presidency that increased government debt by $7.8 trillion, more than any previous administration. The newly elected Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, claims to ...

Hunt Is Wildlife Management Tool

Editor, News-Register: Oglebay Park recently announced there will be a controlled hunt in the park to reduce the deer population. While this may seem drastic, hunting is the foundation of wildlife conservation in our country, and in this case, is the most viable option. The deer living at Oglebay are overpopulated. This places intense competitive pressure on the deer, leaving them stressed and malnourished, and making them more susceptible to disease. Additionally, high deer densities create more opportunities for disease transmission. There are many diseases that could wreak havoc ...

Taking Away America’s Voice

Editor, News-Register: Americans have certain inalienable rights. Chief among these is the freedom of speech sanctioned to us under the First Amendment. What should be protected by the Constitution — the very basis of our democracy — is now under threat. Congress is attempting to pass legislation that would limit how and where Americans can share their voices. Regardless of the communication style, the First Amendment protects our right to converse with others. TikTok is a major social media platform. Banning it would strip us of our basic rights as American citizens and place ...

Caring for W.Va.’s Veterans

Editor, News-Register: As a past department commander for the American Legion in the Wheeling area, and a retired U.S. Navy chief petty officer, I’m well aware of the sacrifices made by our veterans in service to this country. That’s why it shocks me to learn that our own U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs plans to jeopardize veteran health care by reducing reimbursement rates for ground and air emergency response and transport services in West Virginia and across the country. Known as the “Change in Rates VA Pays for Special Modes of Transportation,” the rule decreases ...

Only Vote is No on Ohio Issue 1

Editor, News-Register: What is currently happening in Ohio has me and I’m sure millions of others very concerned. This November, a radical constitutional amendment will appear on your ballot. It’s called Issue 1, and it is an extreme, irreversible expansion of abortion that would outlaw existing, commonsense restrictions. It would allow abortions at any time, by any method and for any reason. Contrary to what you may have heard, Voting NO on Issue One will not ban abortion, but it will preserve the freedom to apply common-sense restrictions, which will be lost if it passes. ...

Oglebay Park — Deer Pasture or Healthy Forest Community?

Editor, News-Register: What do people want from Oglebay Park, a large deer population or a healthy forest community? We cannot have both. Many studies have shown unnaturally high deer populations harm a wide variety of native woodland species. Pioneering ecologist Aldo Leopold said “One of the penalties of an ecological education is that one lives alone in a world of wounds. Much of the damage inflicted on land is quite invisible to laymen.” These wounds become visible if you walk Oglebay’s trails with a naturalist or botanist (e.g., behind the Schraeder Center), and see the ...