Letters: Penn State’s irresponsible spring plans; Clarity on January 6

Penn State’s irresponsible spring plans

Once again, Penn State is being irresponsible by planning to start the spring semester with in-person classes. Our county is already in a COVID surge. Our hospital is overwhelmed with COVID patients. Many other universities are planning for remote learning. When will Penn State start caring?

Clarity on January 6

Nearly one year ago, insurrectionists attacked the U.S. Capitol attempting to stop lawmakers from certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Since then, hardly a day goes by without a new revelation about the role many of Pennsylvania’s Republican leaders played in subverting our democracy. The latest accounting comes directly from Trump appointee and insider Peter Navarro.

In his new book, Navarro reveals that he and Steve Bannon developed the scheme Bannon called the “Green Bay Sweep.” The plan was designed to pressure Vice President Pence to reject the electoral votes from some states, including Pennsylvania.

Navarro said, “We spent a lot of time lining up over 100 congressmen, including some senators. It started out perfectly. At 1 p.m., (Paul) Gosar and (Ted) Cruz did exactly what was expected of them. ... It was a perfect plan.”

On his January 6, 2021, podcast, Bannon said, “We are right on the cusp of victory ... it’s quite simple. Play’s been called. Mike Pence, run the play. Take the football. Take the handoff from the quarterback. You’ve got guards in front of you. You’ve got big strong people in front of you.”

This “perfect plan” depended on the acquiescence and advocacy of numerous Pennsylvania Congressmen, including Representatives Thompson and Keller. Fortunately, it failed.

Navarro admits, in black and white, his role in trying to overturn President Biden’s electoral win. Can we all now finally agree that this was an attempted coup — and that the future of American democracy demands that this never happen again?

ZIP code differences

What a difference a ZIP code makes.

I shop at several grocery stores, including two that begin with W. One can be found at 16823 and the other at 16803. I’m finding that at 16823 not many customers are wearing masks despite the rise in the number of COVID cases in that area. In the 16803 area, almost everyone wears a mask.

Guess where I’m shopping exclusively for now?

Message to the unvaccinated

The hospital is bursting at the seams with new COVID cases. People with other ailments have to wait for available beds or equipment. Needed surgeries are being postponed because there no room.

And it will get worse.

Still there are people who refuse to be vaccinated and making an ideology of it. To them the White House sent a message without sugarcoating. Vaccinate and you will have a life as close to normal as possible. Do not vaccinate and death and destruction awaits you.

There is no kind way to put it. Or rather the kindness is being as blunt and stark as possible to awaken the deniers about the gravity of the situation.

So here is a cruel/kind advice for those who refuse the vaccine: People who you are angry with, people who you despise, people who count you as enemies will be glad you did not vaccinate and anticipate your demise with glee.

Please vaccinate and irritate your enemies.