Sunday, May 27, 2007
Patriots hold country to its principles
Letters to the Editor
Recent letters to the editor
- Letters: A home-school mom pays taxes, too
- Pick of the day: Home-schoolers reject public schools
- Pick of the day: Passing the buck won't stop abuse
- Letters archive
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Patriots hold country to its principles
Recent letters to the editor have challenged the patriotism of those who criticize our government.
In her April 8 letter to the editor "Living in the land of the free, home of the brave," Lynne Thrasher wrote, "If they don't like it here, they can pack their bags and get out."
True patriotism doesn't mean "my country, right or wrong." It means holding our country's actions against the template of its principles and ideals, seeing the breach between our profession of those ideals and our performance, and criticizing and correcting our failure to live up to those ideals.
It is our love for our nation -- its foundation of liberty, justice, compassion and morality -- that drives us to speak out when we see those principles defiled.
History shows that chauvinism leads to disaster, and our national and international policy is on that path. Iraq is a murderous morass.
We rank 44th in the world in average life expectancy and 40th in infant mortality (CIA World Factbook, April 2007). We can be much better. We can be that "city on a hill."
Mall's security force is on the job
In response to J.C. Oneil's May 15 letter to the editor "Valley View ignores thuggish behavior":
I am a retired police officer. My wife and I visit the mall almost every day to walk, sometimes in the morning and sometimes at night.
As a police officer for 32 years and also a Marine for nine years, I am trained to observe all things. I find the security guards are always visible, both inside and out.
I find the comment "gangster paradise" as sheer folly. The recent stabbing or carjacking could have happened anywhere.
Danger lurks everywhere in this day and time, and Tanglewood Mall is no safer than Valley View if some nut wants to commit a crime.
To the security force at Valley View, I say keep up the good work!
Retired police sergeant
A gun can put people in their place
Arguments about denying gun ownership to all people who have been treated for a mental illness have me thinking about an event that happened nearly 20 years ago.
A friend, who has voluntarily sought treatment for depression, was driving back to a university in North Carolina. It was a late-winter's night, on a lonely stretch of road.
Bright headlights appeared in her rearview mirror. A vehicle bore down upon her. She slowed down, thinking that the driver wanted to pass, but the lights stayed very close behind her.
Suddenly frightened, she pressed her foot on the accelerator, hoping for a state trooper.
As she turned off to go to her school, she saw the Jeep with a rival university's sticker on the window and full of laughing males. Angry and feeling violated, she headed on toward her college town.
If my friend had had a loaded gun in her car and had known how to shoot it, then the college boys might have thought twice -- perhaps three times -- before trying anything.
I think about that dark, lonely Carolina road, and I would not want her, a rational, well-behaved woman, denied the opportunity now to defend herself in an honor- or life-threatening situation.
Clearing the smoke on a burning issue
OK, I've heard enough about smoking in restaurants.
So, Archer Livengood (May 15 letter to the editor, "Still waiting to breathe in Virginia's restaurants") likes the law at South Carolina's Hilton Head, which forbids smoking in bars, restaurants and indoor businesses.
Why doesn't he consider moving there?
If he does, I would be careful about going outside (impurities you know) or driving his car (emissions). And please don't go near a park or outdoor activity. The smoke would blow him away (pun intended).
If Livengood eats out a lot, then consider the places that are smoke-free. Oh that's right, that would take away his choices. Silly me, that would limit mine also.
The issue should not be about smokers, but the establishments that will not protect the non-smokers from the smokers. Most do a good job, but some places don't want the expense.
This issue could be debated forever (and probably will), and I vowed that I would not get caught up in it. But most letter writers made it seem like there are no other social ills that directly affect them or their families other than smoking.
Hello -- alcohol, drunken drivers -- do those ring any bells?
Cut the fat, not teachers' raises
Recent statements by James Blevins, Bedford County schools chief, are a slap in the face to teachers, county residents and supervisors.
More school propaganda is his theme aimed at antagonizing teachers, students and parents while blaming supervisors who axed a paltry 2 percent from the school budget.
Due to cuts, the school board will slash teachers' pay hikes. There are alternative means; cuts can be achieved while rewarding teachers the 5 percent increase.
After the measly cut, schools will realize an 8 percent or $4 million increase over last year's funding. Still, 60 families will be forced to sell homes due to a 300 percent property tax increase.
The schools' budget request includes spending $1 million to hire 21 new personnel while only 35 new students are anticipated. Electric costs are overstated by $400,000; $400,000 is budgeted for non-compulsory child care.
The school board is requested to reward our teachers and to stumble on the many other opportunities to balance the budget. There is no fat shortage in the budget.
The board is further requested to refrain from spreading propaganda to antagonize parents, teachers and schoolchildren to gain support for countless spending habits that squander tax dollars.
The Times gives space to its critics
The thing I love most about being an American is the ability to express my opinions and having the freedom of the press. That is what the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution is all about.
I personally don't see any "hateful" comments about the Rev. Jerry Falwell written in the newspaper. If the newspaper tried to be hateful or insensitive, The Roanoke Times would never publish the letters to the editor supporting Falwell and his religious beliefs.
The people who are bashing the newspaper over its news coverage are likely ones who bash other people's lifestyles and beliefs.
There are two sides of every story, and I take great pride in having the ability to read a quality newspaper such as The Roanoke Times.
Keep up the good work, and thank you for covering the news as you do.
Editorial staff picks on Christians
I read your biased and bigoted editorial regarding Jerry Falwell (May 16, "Falwell's judgment day"). I must admit that though I am saddened that such words were written about a man of God, I'm not surprised. The liberal opinions of your editorial staff always come across harsh when they write about Christians.
I grew up in Lynchburg and experienced first-hand the positive impact Falwell had on the community.
Lynchburg would not have the thriving economy it does if it were not for the large amount of students, Christian bands and public speakers that visit Liberty University and Thomas Road Baptist Church each year.
Most of your editorial staff probably never encountered Falwell the way his students, parishioners and the fellow citizens of Lynchburg did. He was an amazing, jovial, kind-hearted man.
I never cease to be amazed by the way Christians are rarely recognized for their good deeds, but are constantly bashed when they make a mistake. You should be ashamed, though I know you lack the moral conscience to care.
