Breaking News

Ed Puskas

What has happened to the value of human life?

Every great movie has a quote that sticks with you long after the lights come back up and you walk out of the theater. In Clint Eastwood’s 1992 western “Unforgiven,” that line is delivered by the acting and directing legend himself, as retired gunfighter Will Munny. The character’s remark to The Schofield Kid shortly after the young man’s first “kill” has always stayed with me. “It don’t seem real ... how he ain’t gonna never breathe again, ever … how he’s dead. And the other one too. All on account of pulling a trigger,” the kid reflected, almost with a ...

Property tax crusaders deserve recognition for efforts

Politicians used to work for us. If you’re old enough, you might remember when that was so. Forty years ago or so, we — the people who elected them to office — were their bosses and most of them seemed to understand and appreciate that. As a result, most were sensitive to the needs and concerns of their constituents because doing so increased their chances of being reelected. But somewhere along the line, probably as lobbyists and money became more central to that goal than acting on behalf of the communities they represent, many of those we sent to the state capital or to ...

Canceling Colbert: How late-night TV lost its way

What in the name of Buddy Hackett has happened to late-night television? We had it so good in the 1980s, when NBC’s late-night offerings were appointment TV — particularly Johnny Carson and David Letterman. Carson’s monologues and skits and Letterman’s stupid pet (and human) tricks were comedy gold. I couldn’t wait to see the next weird thing Dave would drop off a roof. “The Tonight Show” and “Late Night” back-to-back was the perfect combination of Carson’s old-school comedy and talk and Letterman’s new and zany antics. Carnac the Magnificent was my favorite ...

Just because you can say it doesn’t mean you should

It’s time for another episode of “Are You Smarter than a Pediatrician,” where we match wits with the latest internet troll who has apparently allowed “TDS” to unravel her career and life. TDS, as you might have heard, is short for Trump Derangement System, a term some conservatives like to attach to people who speak out against President Donald Trump vocally or via social media. Let’s be clear — this is America and people are still allowed to express displeasure with those who govern us. It’s sort of what we’re all about as Americans. Remember, speaking truth to ...

Boom goes the ‘quarter-stick of dynamite’

By the time you read this, America’s 249th birthday will have passed, but — depending on where you live — the fireworks are likely to continue until the neighborhood supply is exhausted. Look, I love America as much as anyone — and probably more than a lot of people these days — and I still enjoy a fireworks show. Some of the best memories we have as kids probably involve Fourth of July fireworks shows. I’m too old for that stuff now. I’m more than happy to sit out the explosions and leave them to others. But I’ll always have the memories. As a kid, watching fireworks ...

Political violence: We’re better than that, right?

Hours before approximately 2,000 people gathered for “No Kings” rallies in Warren and Youngstown — and many more across Ohio and the United States did the same — a lone gunman dressed up like a police officer and murdered a Minnesota legislator and her husband. In the immediate aftermath, reaction was swift and — in some cases — misguided. Partisan hacks on both sides of America’s deeply divided political spectrum couldn’t wait to blame it on their opponents. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz called the slaying of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman “a politically ...