When one side can’t argue with facts, it’s easy to find oneself getting angry
By Rich Heiland, Columnist, The Times
Am I angry? Well, I guess I am but more than that, I am concerned at the inability of those who want to deny history, science and the rights of others to really participate in a discussion about what they believe
For the far-right, it seems name-calling and hurling emojis has replaced explaining your positions, or why you disagree with someone.
I have had more...
While far-right, big-money school board candidates struggled in the primary, it was just a rehearsal for Nov.
By Rich Heiland, Columnist, The Times
SOME QUICK REFLECTIONS…..on our recent primary elections…
Schools…The billionaires who poured money into area school board races to try to turn public education into a straight, white Christian Nationalist brain-washing experience ought to be a bit disappointed. Granted, this was only a primary and the real test will come in November, but Tuesday’s results...
Why was there a Blue Wave in Pennsylvania?
By Mike McGann, Editor, the Times @mikemcgannpa
By now we’ve all had a bit of time to digest the election results — in terms of Pennsylvania and Chester County — it was a very good mid-term election for Democrats, sweeping the statewide races, taking control of the state House of Representatives and holding all of their Congressional seats.
As you may know, the party in control of the White House...
Gun violence is spiking because, frankly, we just don’t care
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa
The texts from my daughter happen every few days: “There was a shooting. I’m safe.” She — like her twin brother — is a senior at Temple University.
The two of them live about 10 blocks apart in North Philly, but gunfire has become a pretty regular event for both, distressingly. Obviously, it scares the hell of out of me, but both are where they...
After a tough spring, Democrats look like they have momentum on this Labor Day
By Mike McGann, Editor, the Times @mikemcgannpa
Happy Labor Day! (Well, tomorrow, actually).
As we political junkies know, Labor Day is the traditional start of the political season, so it is always with some excitement when the first ridiculous claim of the campaign season is thrown out.
Back in May and April, when it looked like the sky was falling on Democrats and President Joe Biden, I suggested...
County judge removes 5 from WCASD board over masking policy
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa
The original petition filed in the West Chester Area School District case.
A Chester County judge moved Tuesday to remove five members of the West Chester Area School District Board of Education on what he termed a procedural issue — saying that neither the school board members or school district responded in a timely manner to a petition seeking the...
Make a resolution to improve your media literacy
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa
New year, same old….well, a lot of stuff.
We’ve been getting our butts kicked by a virus for going on two years, half the country thinks the other half are corrupt liars and we’re wandering our way toward a time when we won’t even agree whether the sky is blue and if grass is green.
Granted, a lot of stuff is not quickly or easily fixable. But...
Not both sides: one party needs to up its game, the other is likely terminally broken
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa
I’m sure by now you are tired of breathless media takes on what the 2021 elections mean and will mean for 2022. The truth is, though, that both parties in Chester County have issues — granted, one much, much more drastic than the other — and a lot of atmospheric issues (the economy, COVID) will probably drive results more than anything.
While the...
Letter: Politicization of school boards should concern everyone
To The Editor,
The rapid politicization of school boards should be of concern to all stakeholders. There are good and valid reasons that school board members should adopt a non-partisan stance in their duties. The only agenda a school board candidate should have is the continued educational progress of our students, the continued prudent use of taxpayer money and community resources, and the health...
Extreme Pa. GOP mapping its own demise
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa
You’ve probably heard about the old story about the dog who finally caught the car — and didn’t know what to do with it.
In Pennsylvania, of late, assume legislative Republicans are the dog grabbing the rear bumper, but one who doesn’t see the reverse lights suddenly turn on.
They’ve already moved to take emergency declaration power away from...
