Opinion

BY JIM OSTROWSKI You might think that the Western New York political class is embarrassed about being one of the few places on earth to make Uber-driving a crime.  You would be wrong.  These folks have no shame as they

BY LOU RICCIUTI Aside from the heart-string-tugging stories of the veterans, their families, their lives and sacrifices, Michelle Ann Kratts’ Niagara Falls in World War II is technically a historical fiction at best. Single-sourced references scream that this book was rushed, or

BY NATE MCMURRAY Freedom from the fear of others Diversity is not just an empty motto. It’s an ideal we strive for because diversity brings strength. Even on a basic level, genetic diversity helps us survive and adapt. And cultural

THE EDITORIAL BOARD Carl Paladino’s hour long meeting with President-elect Donald Trump earlier this month has been the focus of much local political gossip. Paladino reportedly offered to help the administration, if he could be value in a substantive capacity but

BY BUDD SCHROEDER It is time to look forward to the New Year with all its promises and surprises.  There will be a new administration that will be predictably controversial.  The prediction is based on the effect the election has

BY BUDD SCHROEDER Time to prepare for the Christmas celebration!  We hope that all who have families will be together to enjoy the festivities and can share all the special feelings that the season should bring.  The chances are great

BY BUDD SCHROEDER A new administration will take place in America next month and the cabinet is beginning to be presented.  Some of those chosen will have to be approved by Congress, so it is not going to be set

OPINION History repeats itself. When the stock market collapsed in 1929 to trigger the Great Depression, the following decade of stagnation gave rise to xenophobia, militarism, dictatorship, genocide, and the second world war. It’s been eight years since the financial markets

By Rich Purtell Adam Smith is widely considered to be the “Einstein of modern economics” with his Wealth of Nations monumental work published in 1776. He brought forth many concepts of free market capitalism which helped to usher in an

By Rich Purtell  “Free Trade” agreements are loaded with language to protect intellectual property (IP).  These protective efforts do very much have potential to turn into protectionism, which is the opposite of free trade. I really think that we are

By Rich Purtell Standardization. Single Sourcing. Sole Sourcing. Strategic Sourcing. These have all become common techniques used in the purchase of government goods and services. “Procurement” is the term used to mean the professional buying profession. Without proper accountability in

By Rich Purtell  A plan called FSSI (Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative) is akin to “legalized cronyism”.  HR 1441 is a bill now under consideration that is in need of a CBA (cost benefit analysis); write your congressman about that.  At least

By Rich Purtell  At a young age we are all educated about the USA gold standards of “innocent until proven guilty” and double-jeopardy.  These are fit and proper standards for criminal convictions, and even with these beliefs, we still wrongfully

By Rich Purtell Over the last 30 years, I seem to see common patterns in how we respond to various problems that face us in our country.  Here are a few examples: Post 9/11 reaction:  I felt that we had

By: Mike Madigan Senator Marc Panepinto (NY 60th Senate District) makes no bones about the fact that he has a serious departure with the Catholic Church and does not shy away from the fact. Panepinto believes that the Catholic Church

By: Mike Madigan Anyone with a quarter of a brain knows a bold faced lie when they hear it. Credible reporting must not involve parroting such lies without placing them in context of the facts and truth. Sadly such credibility

The nation’s public discourse of late has been consumed by two subjects: the public health risk posed by Ebola; and the collapse of the Obama Administration’s foreign policy in Iraq. Almost all political experts agree: this upcoming midterm election will

By: Mike Madigan In 2001 Panepinto was convicted of election fraud and his law license was suspended as a result of his corrupt actions. In 2001 Panepinto claimed remorse and made multiple excuses related to his “young family”, an injured