Letters to the Editor

Letter: Simmons is 'Dangerous' to Women's Health

Letter writer Gloria McVeigh says some of state Rep. Justin Simmons' votes have been "insulting and downright dangerous" to women. Simmons, a Republican, represents Pennsylvania's 131st legislative district.

To the editor: Women are not single-issue voters. We care as much about education as so-called “women’s” issues. But when politicians threaten havoc on women and their families just to appeal to knee-jerk right-wing voters, you’d better believe we pay attention. How is it possible that, in the 21st century, a major party candidate like Republican Justin Simmons can be so insulting and downright dangerous in his votes affecting women’s most intimate lives? Simmons is state Representative for District 131, which includes western Lower Saucon Township, Upper Saucon Township, Coopersburg, Upper and Lower Milford townships, eastern Salisbury Township and southeast Allentown. Simmons co-sponsored PA’s infamous law requiring that women submit to …

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John Fox

10:18 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012

You are right I did mean Gabby Gifford   more ›

Simmons Releases Second Attack Ad Against Deely

A new round of campaign ads shows Democratic candidate Kevin Deely as a puppet, and incumbent state Rep. Justin Simmons touting a 'promise' to his constituents.

In the 131st legislative district, a new round of campaign ads is hitting the airwaves courtesy of the Friends of Rep. Justin Simmons.  The new ads are the latest in a series of "offense" and "defense" ads run by the Simmons campaign. The first shows Democratic challenger Kevin Deely as a cartoon while talking about his time as a teachers union representative. The second ad shows state Rep. Justin Simmons (R-131) speaking about his record in the House of Representatives.  "This television advertising will allow me to communicate that message in a broader manner," Simmons said in a statement released early Wednesday. The first of the original two ads shows Simmons talking about his record on education in Harrisburg, while the second shows a…

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Fake Facebook Profiles Could Be Criminalized

A proposed Pa. law would make it a crime to impersonate someone online through a social media account like Facebook or Twitter, or through a fake email address or text message.

By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent HARRISBURG — Offending someone online isn’t a crime, but proposed legislation in Pennsylvania would penalize people who take it too far. This week, House Judiciary Committee representatives are scheduled to discuss House Bill 2249, which makes it a misdemeanor to impersonate someone online. But the bill has stirred up free speech debates for its potential chilling effect on online communication — or on pranksters. Now, the bill’s sponsor says specific changes will ensure people who are joking with friends, or exercising First Amendment rights, won’t be prosecuted. The sponsor, state Rep. Katharine Watson, R-Bucks, said the bill is targeted toward giving law enforcement a way to penalize online bullying. …

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Pa. House Gives Police More Wiretap Authority

Pennsylvania's updated Wiretap Act is controversial among lawmakers on both the left and right

By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent  HARRISBURG — A bill that would update the state’s wiretap law has some wondering if Pennsylvania is helping its law enforcement agencies track criminals or lowering expectations of privacy. The state House recently passed House Bill 2400 with a 145-to-52 vote. The bill amends Act 18, commonly known as the Wiretap Act, by broadening the legal circumstances under which civilians can record oral communication without consent, and how recordings can be used as evidence in the criminal court system, among around a dozen new provisions and updates.  Despite some provisions designed to help law enforcement agencies do their jobs, Democratic and Republican legislators voiced concern about how additional changes…

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Bruce Davis

5:29 am on Friday, June 22, 2012

Started with 911 and Patriot Act and continues today! This new type of legislation allows the government to allow anyone wide access to monitor any citizen at random by this current legislation without consequence.   more ›