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The problem has yet to go away

Goodbye, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. Goodbye, Karl Rove. Better late than never. The only problem with this is, the real problem still occupies our White House.

When are we going to face the facts and admit that King George and Dick Cheney are bad for America?

Virginia's senior Sen. John Warner speaks out against the war. Hoorah. But just keep your eyes on him; he will never vote against the president.

Politics as usual. Tell the public what they want to hear, no matter what the costs, so long as you can get re-elected. If this doesn't work, then scare them to death. Tell them that Osama bin Laden's coming to town.

The Republican Party is falling apart at the seams with all their corruption and hypocrisy. Just how much has Haliburton and Cheney made off this senseless war anyway?

And now, another gay Republican senator scandal. Imagine that. When former President Bill Clinton did his deed, I believe it was with the opposite sex, wasn't it?

If this letter to the editor is printed, there will be some upset people -- and they should be. After all, they were duped into voting for the wrong people -- again.

Let's make more of the mighty fall

First, Karl Rove. Then, Alberto Gonzales leaves in disgrace.

Next, Bush and Cheney? Not impossible if we want to save America.

Call your senators and representatives and demand it like we did with Nixon.

Killing babies is much worse than dogfighting

Thank God for people like George Palmerio (Aug. 22 letter to the editor, "Abortion is a far more shocking act").

Yes, what Michael Vick did was very wrong. Helpless dogs should not be made to fight, but should helpless tiny babies with a heart (that forms first) be put to a horrible death ? No, no, no!

Park's project will harm more than Betty Creek

We are Franklin County residents concerned about development gone rampant. The number of condominiums and multi-homes to be built makes us shudder. Developers build, and then leave with money in their pockets.

What about the aftermath? Every dwelling will put at least one additional car on our already busy roads. Every waterfront dwelling will put at least one additional watercraft on the lake.

We urge the Franklin County Planning Commission to please examine the numbers before them. We ask them to look at the big picture -- the commercial and residential expansion taking place in Bedford, Franklin and Pittsylvania counties.

Can the present-day infrastructure support all this development? Many more cars and boats will increase pollution and accidents.

The comprehensive plan adopted in May is an excellent guide for responsible growth of our county. We are thankful that we have a planning commission to implement it. We hope that the planning commission and board of supervisors will continue to do so.

We live at the entrance to Betty Creek. The monstrous complex Trey Park wants to build is not a matter of "not in my back yard." It is a matter that will affect all of Franklin County, as well as the neighboring counties.

Don't dump thugs on the military

In response to Steven Feeny's Aug. 21 letter to the editor "Have Vick suit up in a different uniform":

True, if Michael Vick was able to suit up in a military uniform, he would be a better person for it.

However, as a retired noncomissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force, I doubt if Vick or any of his companions could cut it.

Not speaking for all branches of service, although they all have their standards of excellence, we in the Air Force did not want people of the caliber Vick has portrayed thus far. Persons of sordid pasts of criminal intent were not welcome in our ranks.

Let it be very clear that the military is not a dumping ground for thugs, misfits or anyone with moral standards as have been depicted in the media associated with the dogfighting allegations.

I'm sure Feeny is a fine person and means well. I think it is too late in this case.

I am proud to have served with the men and women of the armed forces. Good people; let's keep it that way.

U.S. Air Force

Retired

No shot, no school policy questioned

When I called the Alleghany/Covington Health Department to find out if my son had the required tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis vaccination to enter the sixth grade, I was told that he had the necessary vaccination.

I obtained a copy of this record and gave it to the school on Aug. 20 before orientation. My husband informed me the next evening that my son would not be allowed to come to school on Aug. 22 because the school's nurse had called and said that he didn't have the necessary Tdap vaccination for enrollment in the sixth grade. I was confused because the health department and the school did not concur.

I read a letter from the school about the vaccination, but it offered no specific information. So, I read about the Virginia state law on the computer. The requirement is that prior to entering the sixth grade, three doses of the Tdap vaccination are necessary.

Unfortunately, my son, who was excited about starting the sixth grade, is now nervous because he will be behind when he goes to school due to the mix-up of information regarding this requirement.

Why does the Virginia legislature find it necessary to deny entrance to school?

Support movement to help troops

Whether you are in agreement or disagreement about our involvement in the Iraq war, at present we are there and the fight is tough. We all want our troops to win and come home as soon as possible.

The new book "The Troops Need You, America," by Maj. Eric Egland, gives six ways to help them win from our living rooms. The book details how collectively America can participate in supporting our troops with what they need.

Many Americans feel their help is limited to prayers, bumper stickers and care packages. But now there is an action plan straight from the troops on the ground, sharing how we can help them win.

Please check out the Web site www.troopsneedyou.com. You can order a copy of the book off the Web site or at www.amazon.com.

Spread the word to as many others as possible. Our troops truly need us, and each one of us can help bring them home to victory.

A few ways to save time and money

Now the Jefferson $1 coin is available, designed to save the government money by reducing the need for dollar bills.

At the same time, there is talk of changing the penny so it doesn't cost 2 cents to produce, like it does now. But there's no mention of the nickel, which costs 10 cents to produce.

Does this seem bizarre to anyone else? Coins are a collective nuisance.

When did you last see anyone under 70 pick up a coin on the sidewalk? And we do it only because we remember the Depression.

We also eat all the food on our plates. But we stay thin because we keep leaning over to pick up coins.

If we really want to save money and time, get rid of pennies and nickels. Let there be only one space to the right of the decimal. Instead of a sale price of $5.99, call it $6.0 or $5.9.

And the quarter, let it be worth $0.2 (20 cents).

The dollar is greatly deflated, why not the quarter? Or, if necessary, issue a replacement 20-cent coin and recall the quarters.

We'd all save both time and money.