http://www.post-gazette.com/ 2013-06-20T00:17:01-04:00 Copyright (c) 2013 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/opinion/editorials/exit-strategy-talks-with-the-taliban-are-needed-in-afghanistan-692353/ 2013-06-20T00:16:52-04:00 2013-06-20T00:00:00-04:00

The only way for the United States to leave Afghanistan with dignity is through a political solution that includes the Taliban.

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/opinion/editorials/city-for-the-birds-pittsburghs-falcon-followers-mourn-silver-boy-692346/ 2013-06-20T00:14:53-04:00 2013-06-20T00:00:00-04:00

Pittsburghers thrilled to the new occupant of the falcon nest on the Cathedral of Learning, until tragedy struck last Friday.

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/opinion/letters/weather-watchers-692345/ 2013-06-20T00:14:40-04:00 2013-06-20T00:00:00-04:00

We should all be thankful for and proud of the National Weather Service.

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/opinion/letters/priceless-education-692339/ 2013-06-20T00:13:16-04:00 2013-06-20T00:00:00-04:00

In order to strengthen important programs like Head Start, we need to pause the reduction of the capital stock and franchise tax.

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/opinion/letters/upmcs-game-plan-692336/ 2013-06-20T00:12:37-04:00 2013-06-20T00:00:00-04:00

UPMC's decision is clearly consistent with a long-range attempt to monopolize the health care and insurance markets.

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/opinion/letters/nfl-bag-policy-692335/ 2013-06-20T00:12:24-04:00 2013-06-20T00:00:00-04:00

Why couldn't the "permissible" bags that the NFL is selling be issued for free or the proceeds given to charity?

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/opinion/letters/us-spying-on-citizens-is-nothing-new-692325/ 2013-06-20T00:09:56-04:00 2013-06-20T00:00:00-04:00

J. Edgar Hoover's agents wiretapped, broke into homes, photographed and recorded anyone he chose.

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/opinion/editorials/robed-politicians-justice-oconnor-cites-the-judicial-election-problem-692300/ 2013-06-20T00:04:28-04:00 2013-06-20T00:00:00-04:00

Former Supreme Court Justice O'Connor tells Pennsylvanians what's wrong with electing judges.

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/opinion/letters/irs-keywords-692296/ 2013-06-20T00:03:36-04:00 2013-06-20T00:00:00-04:00

It seems stupid to ignore the public face presented by organizations in their choice of name.

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/opinion/letters/upmcs-explanation-makes-no-sense-692294/ 2013-06-20T00:03:06-04:00 2013-06-20T00:00:00-04:00

How in the world will UPMC be able to survive if UPMC were to declare its resources out of network to all those covered by Highmark?

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/opinion/editorials/summit-static-the-g-8-meets-but-accomplishes-little-on-syria-692216/ 2013-06-19T00:12:20-04:00 2013-06-19T00:00:00-04:00

Meetings of global leaders are useful, but they should focus on the economy and include countries such as China and India.

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/opinion/letters/the-pride-is-gone-692214/ 2013-06-19T00:11:40-04:00 2013-06-19T00:00:00-04:00

Pittsburghers once glowed when talking about UPMC. Now, many of us cringe at the mention of its name.

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/opinion/editorials/dowds-departure-the-councilman-takes-on-a-worthy-assignment-692209/ 2013-06-19T00:10:47-04:00 2013-06-19T00:00:00-04:00

City Councilman Patrick Dowd will lead the launching of Allies for Children.

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/opinion/letters/patients-will-suffer-692206/ 2013-06-19T00:10:09-04:00 2013-06-19T00:00:00-04:00

I was appalled by the news of UPMC's board of directors' unanimous rejection of any contract renewal with Highmark.

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/opinion/reg-henry/its-hard-to-get-behind-law-on-saggy-pants-692199/ 2013-06-19T00:08:19-04:00 Reg Henry rhenry@post-gazette.com 2013-06-19T00:00:00-04:00

Wildwood is prohibiting pants worn too low on its boardwalk -- nice in theory, but also a comical overreach.

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/opinion/editorials/plan-b-access-a-judge-rules-sensibly-on-emergency-contraception-692196/ 2013-06-19T00:07:39-04:00 2013-06-19T00:00:00-04:00

The Obama administration is ending its opposition to over-the-counter sales of Plan B One-Step, now that a federal judge has acted.

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/opinion/letters/better-libertarianism-692192/ 2013-06-19T00:06:46-04:00 2013-06-19T00:00:00-04:00

I'm surprised to say I somewhat agree with E.J. Dionne Jr.'s recent "Libertarianism's Achilles' Heel."

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/opinion/letters/the-us-should-stay-out-of-other-countries-wars-if-not-win-win-692181/ 2013-06-19T00:04:32-04:00 2013-06-19T00:00:00-04:00

We have no guarantee that our intervention in Syria would not be in support of the wrong people.

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/opinion/letters/upmc-is-trying-to-panic-us-into-switching-insurers-692177/ 2013-06-19T00:03:25-04:00 2013-06-19T00:00:00-04:00

Without a Highmark contract, people will be forced to choose between changing health providers or health insurance companies.

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/opinion/letters/sacrificing-liberties-692173/ 2013-06-19T00:02:44-04:00 2013-06-19T00:00:00-04:00

Columnist Thomas L. Friedman sounds like someone who is trying to convince himself of something that he does not truly believe.