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The Senate defeated a sensible bill on sex education

The Senate narrowly defeated SB 155 (17-22), a simple bill that would have amended the code of Virginia to include "the use of FDA-approved methods of contraception to prevent unintended pregnancy, along with abstinence and disease prevention" in family life education programs. The guidelines in this bill were developed with input from public school staff, state agencies, parent groups and not-for-profit organizations that provide family life services.

No Republican senators supported this simple, common-sense measure. The chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee voted against the bill. What does that mean for the future of reproductive health in Virginia?

Research shows that teens who receive comprehensive sexuality education that includes discussion of abstinence and contraception are more likely than those who receive abstinence-only messages to delay sexual activity and to use contraceptives when they do become sexually active.

I am disheartened by the defeat of such a common-sense prevention measure. In light of the growing body of research showing the failures of abstinence-only programs, it seems all legislators should be able to agree on the importance of providing medically accurate information about pregnancy and disease prevention.

Impeach Bush and Cheney

I support the impeachment of Vice President Dick Cheney and President George Bush. They have lied and cheated the American people. They have destroyed most of our economy, trampled all over the Constitution and Bill of Rights, and committed many crimes that would land an average person in jail.

Are they above the law? I think not, but it seems the reluctance of Congress to act on their oaths of office sends a message that these men are untouchable in some way. They are just men, elected officials who have violated many laws, and they should be treated as the criminals they are. Impeach them and restore integrity to America.

Mother Nature spoke louder than candidates

Barack Obama and the Clintons rolled into Virginia over a recent weekend for the Tuesday primary, and all hell broke loose.

The wind gusted to hurricane force, walls tumbled, trees toppled and utility poles snapped. After thousands of people were left powerless, cold and in the dark after numerous wildfires engulfed communities -- spreading blinding smoke and forcing evacuations to government-run shelters and troops were called out to assist -- the governor declared a state of emergency.

Meteorologists indicated it came from the midsection of the country, Illinois, the home state of Hillary Clinton and the current state of Obama.

Is this an omen of what to expect until the nomination is settled? It's hard to tell, but what a coincidence. And who would have expected Bill Clinton to speak at a war memorial, or that Hillary would be silenced by another woman not even a declared candidate in the race? But Mother Nature is a very formidable woman with way more resources than Hillary can ever dream of. Strange indeed!

Virtual will never be better than actual

I wasn't sure whether Gerry Plunkett was being sarcastic or not when she wrote about the "virtual exercise opportunities" in her recent commentary ("Maybe Roanoke can move forward by looking up," Feb. 9). The mindset that you would rather ride stationary bikes and "other exercise apparatus" is a problem, especially in Roanoke, where the mild climate and friendly people make it a joy to interact in real time.

Why would you want to pretend that you are walking or riding to our attractive features, when you can actually do it? Virtual "sights such as flowering shrubs and trees, streams, animals, hikers, bikers and picnickers on the surrounding mountainsides" can never replace the reality of being there. And why would you want to?

Nothing you can create will compare to the ever changing experiences you will have by interacting with people and nature in real life.

Change may be on a list of today's most used words, but let's change towards fellowship with God's creation, not trying to watch it on TV.

If we want to bring young people to Roanoke, and keep long time residents like myself here, we need to have a sense of unity, where everyone feels like they are a part.

Virtual life or real time?

Focus on parking, not mountain restaurant

After experiencing the parking/shuttle dilemma created by the three scheduled events at the Roanoke Civic Center on Feb. 9, I have come to the conclusion that someone should have their head examined.

If you want people to spend their tourism dollars downtown in stores, at the new art museum and at the many events held at the civic center, then improve access.

If you want me to drive to Roanoke and attend an event or to shop local businesses downtown, then improve parking access and tell someone down at Valley Metro that loading one bus at a time (while 2,500 people wait in line) doesn't help the situation at all.

While you're at it, tell whoever maintains the Williamson Road parking garage that the elevator is out of service, requiring handicapped individuals to make their way down through the stairwell as best they can.

Listen to the people who want to come and enjoy everything that Roanoke has to offer. Do you really think that your money is better spent building a restaurant on Mill Mountain or would it be in your best interest to improve tourism by improving parking access?

Allocate electoral votes proportionally

One could not help but notice the distinct difference between thewinner-take-all Republican primaries and the proportional allocation of delegates employed by the Democrats in last Tuesday's voting. The latter seems inherently fairer and better designed to give every voter an equal voice.

But our national electoral college reflects the winner-take-all philosophy. If, in the November election, one candidate carries a state by only one vote, that candidate is awarded all of that state's electoral votes.

The Constitution allocates electors to the states based on their representation in Congress -- one vote for each member of the House of Representatives and one for each senator. This formula seems to offer a suggestion for a fairer and more representative way of allocating a state's electoral votes. Simply award each House district's one electoral vote to whichever candidate carries that district, and allocate the two statewide electoral votes to the candidate who wins the state as a whole.

Not only would this be fairer to small states and rural areas of large states, it also would force candidates to direct their campaigns to the nation as a whole, rather than to selected population centers and voter blocs.

Promoting the valley to millions

While I enjoyed reading the article ("Selling Roanoke," Feb. 9 news story) about publisher Richard Wells' campaign (at his own expense) to promote the Roanoke Valley as a great place to live, I found one vital piece of information missing. The story failed to mention the ads he is placing in major newspapers and magazines will introduce the valley to a total audience of 5 million readers.

That staggering number is worth mention because if even a tiny fraction of 1 percent responds, the campaign could begin to pull Roanoke out of the 0.05 percent growth rate that eliminates our valley from consideration by businesses that want to relocate or open new offices. No matter how wonderful a product, place or individual is, if nobody knows it, you're dead.

Hopefully, our economic development officials will make sure that will never again be a possibility.

Editor, PL/Mountain Homes