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Fitzpatrick deserves community's thanks, not criticism

I read yet another letter from an uninformed person (this one from Daleville) concerning Bev Fitzpatrick's efforts to assist this community as director of the transportation museum and Roanoke city councilman ("Pass the hat and replace the director," March 26). In every effort that Fitzpatrick has been involved with, there are detractors who want to bring him down. Of course, this newspaper loves to assist because of its own dislike for the director and councilman.

Does the letter writer not know that other members of the council are also employed at other jobs? I guess they are all top-notch, and Fitzpatrick is the only one not carrying his load. Has the writer ever met or corresponded with Fitzpatrick with his concerns? No, you do not know this man.

It's a sad time for politics in Roanoke. It's a sad time for our newspaper.

I thank Fitzpatrick for all that he has done for this area. I am glad, in a way, that he is out of the running for council. He has endured more than his share of criticism. It's time to sit on the sidelines. There is more to life than public service, but I thank him for his.

Museum patrons can walk a couple of blocks

I'm surprised that there continues to be a question concerning parking for the new art museum. It was mentioned again in the Extra March 23 in a feature story by Kevin Kittredge ("Poof! You're an artist").

Although the city of Roanoke says it's going to create 16 new on-street parking spaces on Norfolk Avenue, I can hear the naysayers laughing at that. But I ask, where have people parked who visit the current art museum? They use the parking garage adjoining Center in the Square, which is within two blocks of the new art museum.

And even closer is the parking garage adjoining the Wachovia Tower, with an entrance on Norfolk Avenue. And within three blocks are three more parking garages (Williamson Road, Church Avenue at Market Street, Gainsboro).

This doesn't even consider the numerous parking lots throughout the downtown area within walking distance of the new museum.

Parking is a non-issue in regard to the new art museum. Maybe people don't like the facility for some other reason, but I don't think lack of convenient parking is valid. And no, I have no association with the art museum.

Obama was slow to object to views

In response to Barbara Kingsbury's March 27 letter, "Why did no one walk out on Bush?" and to recent others of similar opinion:

I compare Sen. Obama's handling of his former pastor's remarks to coming upon and then watching a band of vandals spray paint graffiti on a wall. If this had been a graffiti situation (and in effect, it was), Obama seemed to respond to it by just standing and watching the vandals without doing or saying anything to stop them.

It wasn't until concerned passers-by started raising Cain that the senator decided he would chime in and loosely denounce the graffiti.

I don't want someone who is complacent, who is selfish or who is scared to stand up for what is right to be my president. That's why I would die for our current commander in chief.

There were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq before we invaded. I know this. Most were moved, hidden or dismantled, and therefore "never found." President Bush was not afraid to prohibit the painting of graffiti all over the world's blanket of freedom by a cruel tyrant who promoted terrorism.

I pray the next president isn't afraid either.

Perhaps the sermon offers an excuse

Agnes Heller wrote a rather provocative letter titled "To stay in the race, Obama should quit his church" (March 20).

It is a gross exaggeration to imply, as Heller did, that the words we heard the Rev. Jeremiah Wright speak on the television are comparable to the words of Nazi sympathizers calling for the murder of the Jews in Germany.

The words that I heard Wright say were strong words of protest against the abuse and maltreatment of African-Americans. Such abuse and maltreatment are contrary to the precepts of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

(A little history might be in order here: The first African slaves arrived in America in 1619. Slavery was outlawed in 1865. Segregation was outlawed in 1957, but bigotry and Jim Crow continue to this day, and the shadow of slavery still hangs over us.)

However, the gist of Heller's argument is that Barack Obama heard the words of the Rev. Wright and, even though Obama has denounced them, he is somehow contaminated by them. When is enough not enough?

I just hope Heller is not looking for a rational excuse not to vote for an African-American.

Giving undue worry to the preacher

This longtime church member (and Hillary supporter) says there is not much mileage to be gained in the Obama/minister story. Most of us are in the churches for lifetimes, and ministers come and ministers go. We have sat under all kinds of them, from the excellent, through the mediocre, to the downright poor.

There were even one or two whom we suspected of being certifiably insane. (In all fairness, we must say that their congregations probably drove them over the edge.) But many Sundays, we have sat there saying, "How long, O Lord, how long?"

Nah, let's get back to real issues, not what some person of the cloth says -- a person who puts his pants on one leg at a time, just like the rest of us.

Pelosi's place is in the House

What business does Nancy Pelosi have going to other countries (Damascus and India)? She is the speaker of the House, not the secretary of State.

Who pays for these trips? What information does she take with her and leave? If she pays for these trips herself, well and good. If we taxpayers pay, it's wrong and should be stopped.

A common rite among Brethren

Regarding your March 21 news story regarding a foot-washing service among various denominations ("Humble service") as an ancient but infrequent rite:

Perhaps your writer should research a bit further.

The Church of the Brethren is celebrating its 300th anniversary this year. Most, if not all, Churches of the Brethren in every state and country celebrate the foot-washing service, using the Scripture John.

It is a beautiful and humbling service incorporating the Last Supper and the washing of feet and hands. Anyone never having experienced this re-enactment cannot know the peace it brings. Each religion has its own rituals. This happens to be ours. The settings are ethereal, beautiful and spiritual, and the peace that follows is a harbinger of the next love feast to come: Renewal, forgiveness, hope and love of our fellow man.

Give credit where it's due: to taxpayers

The Roanoke County government says it can't lower the tax rate due to school construction. Maybe.

On the Hollins public library is a large brass plaque that strikes me as self-congratulatory. It lists Elmer Hodge and the county board members as responsible. Somewhere in the orgy of self-congratulation Joe Taxpayer was left off.

So when the "can't lower tax rate" board erects the next monument to itself, the unwanted rec center, let an imposing brass plaque saying "Grave of the Unknown Taxpayer" be affixed to it.