Breaking News

Opinion

Climate act leaving a path of pain

The OBSERVER’s View

If you think power is expensive now, get a load of what it could look like in five years if New York Democrats don’t change their ways. According to a memo from Doreen Harris, NYSERDA president and CEO, the impact of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act could mean an additional $2.23 a gallon on top of the current prices by 2031 and fuel oil and natural gas costs could increase more than $4,000 a year. “Notwithstanding these cautions, the modeled price would lead to high burdens to New York households, especially those unable to install lower emissions ...

Irish eyes will be smiling next week

Commentary

Recently, on a rare sunny morning, me friends and I were breaking bread at the Ann Street Deli in Little Falls, where one finds the best pancakes this side of heaven, when the subject of St. Patrick’s Day arose. What began as an innocent discussion of the annual parade in Utica devolved into a boisterous debate over how the day should be celebrated-as a strictly religious, solemn day of tribute to the patron saint or a secular remembrance of all that is Irish highlighted by toasts in the memories of those who contributed to the great Irish culture. Beads vs. beer. God vs. grog. Out ...

We should know wars are hard to end

Commentary

It is easy to start a war, but very difficult to end one. That has always been the case and still is. If you are in doubt, just ask Vladamir Putin how things are going in the war he started in Ukraine four years ago. Think about the Iraq War. We invaded Iraq in 2003. Saddam Hussein was finally captured and eventually executed. But here we are in 2026, having lost 4,500 American lives and having spent a trillion dollars or more, with troops still in Iraq, a country with a weak government trying to rebuild itself. The war I was involved in, Vietnam, started in 1964—but, at least, it ...

More U.S. troubles start at top

Peoples column

Editor, OBSERVER: If we had abolished the Electoral College years ago we never would have been subjected to President Trump’s first term after he lost by 2.9 million votes. And if we had installed a recall provision for every elective office at the federal level, we could have already begun proceedings to remove Trump from office for his dangerous and erratic behavior. Instead we have to wait 8 more months before we can put an end to this nonsense ... but hey at least he’ll get a lot of mileage out of his latest Epstein distraction, an unprovoked war that has already cost American ...

Sabres bring area excitement, energy

The OBSERVER’s View

Pro hockey does not get much more frenetic than it did on Sunday night. With more than 100 penalty minutes tied to fighting and 15 goals scored — with our home team winning 8-7 — the magic keeps appearing for the Buffalo Sabres. In defeating a talented Tampa Bay Lightning team, the Sabres rode the momentum of the crowd after losing a three-goal lead early in the third period. Down 7-5 with more than 10 minutes remaining, Buffalo scored the last three goals of the game and held on to win at the end. Fans who have lived through a 14-year playoff drought now see their team in first ...

Sitting Democrats damaged party

Peoples column

Editor, OBSERVER: President Donald Trump walked in strong, clear, disciplined, not tired, not wandering, to deliver his State of The Union Address. The opening statistics were overwhelming, rapid fire, border, inflation, energy, jobs. There was a rhythm to his speech and he was commanding as the President of the United States. But that’s not the story. Although that’s big news, the story was the Democrats. You don’t have to love everything the president said. You don’t have to love every word he said or how he said it. You don’t have to agree with every policy. This ...