Breaking News

Opinion

Quippies

Commentary

Nin Privitera, former Fredonia resident, offers some offbeat takes on recent headlines: — Boy oh boy, that trade war between the U.S. and Canada is really getting ugly. President Trump may rename Lake Ontario to Lake America. Oh,oh wait until Trump hears about Canadaway Creek. — If things really get out of hand with Canada, rumors are that Trump may apply the knockout blow; a 400% tariff on hockey pucks. — A Chinese robot named Lightning just ran a 100-meter dash in a new world record time. Unfortunately, the stop button malfunctioned so Lightning should be pulling into Spain ...

When fiction becomes a reality for government

Commentary

Absurd! Ludicrous! Preposterous! Ridiculous! Beyond the realm of believability! Descriptions of the society depicted in the movie, “Idiocracy”? Let’s reconsider that conclusion. When that film was released, it was 2006, only 20 years ago. It purported to show a society in the year 2505, one that had devolved so alarmingly that it was unrecognizable fiction to viewers at that time. In Wikipedia, the movie is described as “a satirical science fiction comedy film directed by Mike Judge that follows an average man who wakes up 500 years in the future to find a devolved, ...

Applauding U.S. workforce contributions

The OBSERVER’s View

As this year's Labor Day observance approaches, America's workers, traditionally part of the "cement" that holds this country together, are concerned increasingly about what effects robots and Artificial Intelligence will have on their work lives - and lives in general — going forward. And, that worry is destined to continue, although "people in the know" remain certain that humans' important places in businesses and industries will continue - albeit, in many cases, in different capacities. For now, though, Jorgen Pedersen, CEO of the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute, ...

Move amphitheater plans to Point Gratiot

Commentary

It’s no secret Dunkirk’s veterans have spoken out against building the proposed amphitheater in Memorial Park. Many think it will hinder the purpose of Memorial Park taking away from those who have fought and died for our country. It is hard for some to understand how the city can take away from the honor of our veterans when Point Gratiot is readily available. Ample parking, access to city utilities, public bathrooms, and an unobstructed view of Lake Erie seem to be underutilized. “The Point” is that building the amphitheater at The Point Gratiot is an opportunity for the ...

Invite ABC speakers to Chautauqua’s main stage

Commentary

CHAUTAUQUA — Those who have read, listened to, or watched the news this year know that some are shocked at the ascendancy of socialism among Democrats. They’re right to be shocked in the sense of left aghast. Yet no one should be shocked in the sense of surprise. Step by step, socialism has been gaining a foothold among Democrats since the ascendancy of Woodrow Wilson to the presidency in 1912. Has socialism’s progress among Democrats always been linear? That is, has it always gained ground at a constant rate? No, socialism among Democrats has ebbed and flowed, yet the net ...

Economic silver linings evident near Labor Day

Editor's corner

Over the last three months, despite a slightly higher jobless rate in July at 4.6%, there is reason for optimism when it comes to the Chautauqua County economy. In the weekend before the Labor Day holiday, it appears major projects that bolster the region are working out. Last week, area ...