Hits & Misses
A quick look at some of the key issues making headlines recently in the Observer-Reporter
Hit: Kudos to Monessen’s own Frances McDormand, who won the Oscar for best actress Sunday night for her performance in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbings, Missouri.”
We applaud her rousing acceptance speech that ended with a call for more diversity in the film industry, both on-screen and off, as she urged females in the audience to stand and be recognized.
“Frances is a wonderful, talented, intelligent and creative person, and people could tell even back then she was destined to do great things in theater,” McDormand’s former English teacher, Virginia Sala Monaghan, told the Observer-Reporter last week.
We agree.
Miss: Just 13 days after 17 people were killed by a gunman at a school in Parkland, Fla., the House blocked a bid by Democrats to force floor debate on two bills designed to strengthen background checks on gun buyers.
Why was debate shut down? Jim McGovern, D-Mass., who said in appealing the ruling: “I would say to my colleagues who are beholden to the National Rifle Association: I get it. If you don’t want to stand up to them, that is fine. But don’t stand in the way of this House having a debate on these and issues and having a vote. Let the American people see where everybody stands, Democrats and Republicans alike.”
Apparently, the presiding officer felt it didn’t qualify as a “privileged question” entitled to floor action. But no one spoke on the other side of the issue.
We can’t help but wonder why.
Hit: Washington & Jefferson College is lauded for joining a growing list of schools that have announced they will not factor in any disciplinary action taken against prospective students who participate in protests against gun violence when making admission decisions.
In issuing its statement, W&J emphasized that it encourages a culture of respect that includes civic discourse and informed discussion: “We value students who engage in peaceful, productive action on topics important to them.”
The recent burst of student activism is refreshing and gaining momentum. We hope that those with the power to effect change will take their concerns seriously. They would be wise to remember that these same students are our future electorate.
Hit: It seems we aren’t the only ones questioning the motivation for last month’s visit to Fredericktown by Interior Department Secretary Ryan Zinke, who made a 500-mile round trip to announce $300.7 million in federal grants to reclaim abandoned coal mines nationwide.
In an editorial last week, the Observer-Reporter noted that a number of political figures from both parties were on hand for what seemed to be a hastily arranged event, the most notable being Rick Saccone of Elizabeth, who also happens to be the Republican candidate for the 18th Congressional District seat in next week’s special election – and who also happens to have the backing of President Trump. Democratic candidate Conor Lamb was not there. Later that day, Zinke appeared on Fox News and discussed the special election.
Zinke captured the attention of two ranking congressmen, who have asked the federal Office of Special Counsel review the visit, alleging that the interior secretary may have violated the Hatch Act, which prohibits the use of taxpayer money for campaign purposes.
We look forward to hearing the outcome of the special counsel’s review.