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Bush is correct about the bloated SCHIP bill

While I agree with the basic motivation to provide coverage for poor and/or underinsured families, I am not convinced that the SCHIP legislation passed by Congress and vetoed by the president is the best way to handle this problem.

I agree with President Bush who wishes to expand the program without the additional pork included by Congress. Again, the heart of the issue has fallen prey to the Washington political and media lords.

And by the way, we did without a new car for many years until our finances could handle it.

U.S. can't pretend genocide didn't occur

I am outraged by Kenneth P. Werrell's letter to the editor "Congress acts against America's interest" (Oct. 24).

The Armenian genocide killed more than 500,000 by some of the most brutal methods this world has ever seen. This genocide hasn't even so much as been admitted to by the Turkish government, which claims what deaths did occur were justified.

The Turkish government even goes as far as to silence its own citizens who speak out against the atrocities by incarcerating them. It is no surprise that Turkey would be angry at the United States for finally admitting this massacre.

As a Jew, I cannot imagine where I would be if the Holocaust had been denied by most of the world. Ignoring or failing to face the senseless slaughter of hundreds of thousands only allows for a breeding ground of the same behavior. The United States cannot possibly tolerate this.

I hope the United States' actions can bring peace into the hearts of the survivors of the genocide, to know that the world finally acknowledges the atrocities, and hopefully closure will follow.

Funding for breast health is needed

I just wanted to write in support of Sharon Rapoport's very important commentary "When an uninsured woman finds a lump" (Oct. 23) and the needed funding for the program Every Woman's Life.

As the daughter of a victim of breast cancer, I cannot tell you how important the funding is and how many women we could help.

I thank you for recognizing the importance of this and helping inform readers in our area. We really need the tools to reach out to the underserved in our area who need help with treatment and screening options. I hope that The Roanoke Times continues to recognize the importance of informing readers in our area of the importance of breast health and early detection.

Through work with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, I cannot tell you how many times I have heard stories similar to what Rapoport described from women who feel they have no way to get treatment or to even afford the mammogram to help detect cancer. There are programs available and we need to help continue to inform this area.

Thank you again for recognizing the importance of this and getting the information to your readers.

What good is a dog park without a fence?

I would like to thank the paper for its editorial "Fence the dog park" (Oct. 28).

You stated, "The half-acre dog park wasn't used as much as parks officials had hoped." Of course it wasn't. You wouldn't take a child to a park by the road to run free. Likewise, as much as my dog has learned basic commands, I would never let him off the leash to run near a heavily used road. It's just basic common sense.

I can assure you, once we have a fenced-in dog park it will be overwhelmed by the use it will get and, yes, it should be free from user fees. Just as our tax dollars pay for all other types of recreational opportunities, so should our dog parks be free for the huge segment of our population who have dogs.

On a trip to Fairfax, I was in awe at the awesome dog park I visited daily. It had all the amenities and then some. So let's do it right the first time around.

It will become the social hub for not only our pets but for meeting and getting to know like-minded, caring and concerned fellow residents.

Clean the House of Republicans

In the race for House of Delegates, the people of Franklin County have the opportunity to begin taking back our homeland from the politics of special interests.

My problem is not with Charles Poindexter and his record of public service; rather, it is with his party, the Republicans.

If elected, Poindexter will become a sock puppet of House Majority Leader Morgan Griffith and will no longer represent the people of Franklin County.

The Republicans are not about fixing roads, health care and education, but about toeing the party line, phony "tax cuts" and punishing the rest of us.

In VDOT's Salem District, headquartered in Griffith's back yard, we get lousy treatment when it comes to road projects. The Republicans have no solutions, only negativity.

This is why Eric Ferguson's slogan is "People, not Politics." He will represent local people, not the politics of the state Republican machine.

Change begins at the local level. Don't be fooled by election year rhetoric. The Republicans are an entrenched, corrupt machine with a failed program at all levels of government, and it is time to clean house of all of them.

Voting for Ferguson will be a good first step.

Voters can count on Arnold's leadership

If you're looking for a fresh approach to issues that affect you, your children and your community, consider voting for Susan Arnold, candidate for Roanoke County School Board.

Arnold, a recent retiree from Glenvar High School, has 39 years of teaching experience to her credit.

She has the time, the energy and the vision to tackle critical educational challenges facing our schools.

Make your vote count, and in return you can count on Arnold to make a difference for you.

Arnold is concerned about education

We are writing in support of Susan Arnold, who is running for the Roanoke County School Board for the Catawba District.

We feel that Arnold's 39 years of experience teaching in Roanoke County schools have given her firsthand knowledge regarding the needs of both students and faculty. Her knowledge of Roanoke County schools can help to make the system the very best that it can be.

We have worked in the same school with her for a number of years and we can say she has genuine concern for all those involved.

KAREN McPEAK and DIANNE HANKINS

Don't forget Kaine's role in abuser fees

I grow weary of all the wannabe politicos trying to hang the abusive driver fees around the neck of incumbents.

It should be remembered that Gov. Kaine also approved of the fees as a means of meeting the transportation budget. The measure was passed overwhelmingly by a bipartisan General Assembly.

It would seem that certain individuals have short-term memories.

It is unfortunate that the fees only apply to in-state residents. That is something the governor should have addressed.

It is demagoguery at its worst to place the fees at the feet of incumbents. It is the height of hypocrisy to suggest otherwise. And, once again, we go down the yellow brick road.