Tom Fodi

Friends, I get it. Here I am, the chairman of a regional political committee, and even I find myself struggling with apathy this election cycle. I'm frustrated. Frustrated by what's happening in Washington, Harrisburg, and right here in our own communities. Frustrated by the dysfunction on both sides of the aisle. Frustrated that so much of our political discourse has been reduced to blind hatred on one side and blind allegiance on the other. And frankly, I understand why so many Americans have thrown up their hands in disgust and decided they'd rather not participate at all. But if any of that describes how you're feeling, I hope you'll hear me out. We are standing at a crossroads as a nation, a commonwealth, and a community. And the choices we make at the ballot box have consequences that extend far beyond the personalities dominating the headlines. In my view, we're facing some fundamental choices about the direction of our country. Will we continue down a path of disorder, disregard for the rule of law, and the erosion of moral principles? Or will we recommit ourselves to law, order, personal responsibility, and the values that have long served as the foundation of our society? Will we continue to entrust our financial future to those who treat taxpayer dollars as though they're limitless? Or will we demand fiscal discipline, responsible stewardship, and a government that understands both its responsibilities and its limitations? These are serious questions with serious consequences. And notice something: Not one of those questions requires you to have an opinion about Donald Trump. Yet somehow, we've allowed one man to become the center of nearly every political conversation in America. For some, opposition to him has become their entire political identity. For others, loyalty to him has become the ultimate measure of political conviction. I would suggest that both perspectives are dangerously shortsighted. Whether you love Donald Trump, despise him, or fall somewhere in between, the decisions made in this election will have consequences long after his time in the Oval Office comes to an end. If you've convinced yourself that voting doesn't matter because Trump is already in office, I would respectfully challenge you to reconsider. Our republic is bigger than one man. Our responsibilities as citizens extend beyond one presidency. And our future is far too important to surrender to political exhaustion. We are privileged and blessed to live in a nation where ordinary citizens have a voice in determining the direction of their government. Generations before us fought, sacrificed, and in many cases gave their lives to secure and defend that privilege. We owe it to them, to our children, and to the generations who will follow us to take that responsibility seriously. Get out and vote. If you happen live in Allegheny County, please vote NO on the referendum question. Don't give these ignorant lunatics more money, power and authority. It'll only lead to higher taxes and more bureaucracy. Goodnight and God bless.

Congratulations, @Brewers! You earned this. Glad to witness a team come off the "never done it" list. Only 104 days until pitchers and catchers report.

In 2008, as a graduate student and chaplain candidate in the US Air Force, I was assigned for a training tour to Wright Patterson Air Force Base in "exotic" Dayton, Ohio. I don't remember much about my time there, but after the genuine thrill of working with NASA and the Kennedy Space Center in a prior assignment, I remember initially being disappointed with this one. That changed when I discovered the National Air Force Museum located there. After work or on weekends when nothing else was going on, I would walk through the seemingly endless collection held in the many hangars housing the museum. With each airframe and story I'd find myself more and more enthralled with the history I was becoming a small part of with my fledgling military career. Fast forward nearly 20 years, I'm no longer a member of Air Force yet that relatively short chapter of my life serves as a cornerstone of my story. It was such a joy to share the museum with my wife and children. What made the visit even better was having my retired Air Force colonel father-in-law and children's grandfather with us. His long and storied Air Force career included flying and hands on experience with many of the aircraft we encountered! What a treasure this weekend was for my family and me to to be reminded of the amazing story of America's dominance in the skies and the security it provides to our liberty and way of life. If you've never taken the time to visit the Air Force Museum, I cannot recommend it enough. It is expansive, requiring multiple days to see and enjoy it all. Give it the necessary time. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Congratulations, @Brewers!!! What a series! Way to slay Goliath in impressive fashion.

This clip explains so much of my outlook on baseball and life as a yinzer born and raised 10 minutes from Three Rivers and PNC Park.

Oh this is just heartbreaking.

I realize most Pittsburgh area sports fans have long moved on to football and hockey season, but don't mind me as I post routine updates from the increasingly foreign land of the MLB playoffs. There are some big storylines to follow. For instance, will the Dodgers "three-peat?" If so, what will the ramifications of that be on the new CBA? On the other end of the spectrum, three teams in this year's playoffs have never won it all — the Brewers, Rays and Padres. Will we finally see history made by one of them this year? This is only the fourth time in history that both the White Sox and Cubs have made the playoffs. Could we get a repeat of the 1906 Chicago crosstown World Series?! Speaking of the White Sox, just two years ago they lost an MLB-record 121 games. In fact, they've lost 100+ games in three straight seasons and are now the first team in baseball history to reach the playoffs after even two consecutive 100-loss seasons. How far can one of the most remarkable turnarounds in baseball history go? And how about another chapter of Yankees–Red Sox? Is there any rivalry better suited for October baseball? The Yankees took last year's series, but this time they'll try to do it without Aaron Judge! I know many of you are as disappointed as I am that our Pirates are not in the playoffs again this year, but there's still plenty of reason to tune in to America's past time. Even though it's still September, I couldn't be more excited that October baseball has arrived! @MLB #MLB #OctoberBaseball #Baseball #Playoffs

How do you not get romantic about baseball?

I know many yinzers will still complain but your Buccos just clinched a winning season for the first time since 2018. That being said, even I'll admit this season won't be ending as we hoped with a playoff run. But, at the end of the day, the least I wanted was meaningful baseball in September and we got that. Assuming we have a season next year, I fully expect a run. Now let's get to the business of signing Lowe. #letsgobucs Photo from Wrigley Field a couple weeks ago.

Just a routine selfie. Well, no, not really. This selfie was taken as a bit of a reminder to appreciate what I am doing right now. I'm walking out of my PCP's office at the VA after a routine follow up appointment. During today's appointment, my doctor reminded me that less than five months ago my wife practically had to carry me into the hospital because my heart and lungs weren't able to get me there on my own. I nearly died less than five months ago and here I am just strolling in and out of a routine doctor's appointment before work. So, no. This isn't a routine selfie. It's a picture of a guy praising God for another day of life, another day with his family, and another day of purpose. Never take for granted a routine day, friends. There is no telling when it'll be the last one you get. Live every moment as if it is on purpose, because it is.

I can't think of a finer way to honor this sacred day in America then to enjoy America's pastime in one of America's most hallowed ballparks. #letsgobucs #september11 #baseball #mlb #neverforget

I'm not sure where I thought my life would take me 25 years later, but I'm pretty sure eating an omelet at a nice hotel in downtown Chicago with my wife and children never would've even made the list. As far as I was concerned that fateful morning, the world had changed, we were at war, and once I finally got my chance to don the uniform of my nation, I might not have been coming home. I'm grateful I did but continue to grieve for the thousands lost the morning evil struck and in the years to follow. Never forget, but continue to live freely and boldly in the greatest nation in history. God bless America.

Having ourselves a day at Rate Field with a bunch of yinzers who traveled to Chicago to see our NEVER SAY DIE @Pirates! #letsgobucs

One of the best parts of my job is the fact I can end up just about anywhere on any given day. For example, yesterday I had to make an unusual trip deep into the Mon Valley. On the way home, I intentionally took the route that led me by Mingo Creek Cemetery, next door to Mingo Creek Church. If you're unfamiliar with this cemetery or have never visited it, I highly recommend it. Some of the most fascinating local history happened on these hallowed grounds. My church, @hillspgh, gathers on another patch of similar sacred ground behind the Oliver Miller Homestead. They're sister sites, forever connected by local people who were so committed to the values of this new nation they gathered, organized and openly rebelled against it during its infancy because of the perceived injustice of the whiskey tax. Even though my family wouldn't venture to southwestern PA until around the Civil War and thereafter, I consider those who gathered here in defense of their homes and their values my kin. Their legacy lives on by those of us who still desire to live free of government interference, the belief that burdensome taxation is against the American spirit, and that great American whiskey was a proud product of the Pennsylvania frontier long before Kentucky. #Pennsylvania #Appalachia #Pittsburgh #history #whiskeyrebellion #whiskey #monongahela

Sometimes the beauty of my home tahn just frames itself. #pittsburgh #skyline #appalachia #pennsylvania