Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Creating gloom, despair and agony where there is none
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Creating gloom, despair and agony where there is none
The July 6 Roanoke Times front page had a story headlined "Gloom, despair, agony in America." On the same page was a story about an entrepreneur investing millions in the renewal and development of downtown Roanoke ("What drives Ed Walker?").
In the same issue, the lead Extra story was about a family enjoying an electronic game costing hundreds of dollars ("Are Wii having fun yet?"). The Virginia section led with a story about people celebrating music with parties and wine tastings.
"Business" wrote about truck drivers taking a break with piped-in air conditioning, movies, satellite TV and the Internet. On the Sports page was an article about a retiree fishing for bass on the Maury River.
Buried on page 5 of the front section was a short article about the victory over terrorism in Iraq and the surge in oil production and revenue ("As violence falls, Iraqi prime minister says government has beaten terrorism").
Looks like a lot of people don't know just how bad off they are. It's going to be up to The AP and the liberal media to let them know that "hope and change" are the only things that can save the country.
What witnessing is all about
Concerning the July 4 article "Word on the street":
Having been a Jehovah's Witness for 30 years up until five years ago, I can tell you that the Jehovah's Witness Office of Information is not being candid when it makes the statement, "You needn't be a Jehovah's Witness to obtain salvation."
The Watchtower Society that oversees the worldwide witnessing work of Jehovah's Witnesses has always taught that in the end, when God acts to bring Armageddon, the only ones to survive will be Jehovah's Witnesses. As for the statement made by Harvey Casper that "we are not on a membership drive," well, that is what Jehovah's Witnesses public witnessing activity is all about, convincing people to become Jehovah's Witnesses.
Witnesses are taught and fully believe that their witnessing activity is a matter of life and death, depending on either acceptance or rejection of their exclusive message. The face the Watchtower Society puts on in public is far different than that found in the confines of their Kingdom Halls.
Disconnect sewer and water rates
I received my water bill from the town of Vinton recently and noticed I was charged 30 percent more for sewer than for water usage.
I spoke with the Vinton treasurer concerning this. I explained that a large part of my water consumption in the summer months was for watering my yard and garden, washing vehicles, etc., water that does not go through the sewer system. I was told the sewer rate is based on water usage and my only recourse was to put in a separate meter (at a cost of $85 plus a private plumber's fee).
I noted that not all localities charge more for sewer than for water usage like Vinton. His reply was, "that's just the way it is." I accept having to pay for more water used, but paying more for sewage that's not used is unfair.
Let's leave something in the tank for the kids
I am surprised to see how many people are still driving the big SUVs:Explorers, Suburbans, Hummers, etc. These drivers must not care what they are doing to the environment -- putting out pollution and guzzling up the limited resources. Let's try to leave a few resources for our children and grandchildren and clean up the air they breathe.
Give the quadrant of street addresses
I see that The Roanoke Times again has given an ambiguous street address that must confuse some readers, or at least leave them wondering.
In the latest example that I have noticed, the story "Urban makeover" (July 3 Business section) gives the location of this project as 129 Salem Ave., but is this 129 Salem Ave. E. or 129 Salem Ave. W.? Unless a reader is already familiar with the subject property, the reader is left wondering where in this four-block span the property is located.
I am confident that your writers and editors know that Roanoke is divided into four quadrants, giving rise to the possibility that duplicate building numbers can be on the same street, but in two different quadrants.
If The Times has a style manual, it should specify that addresses include "east, west, north, south" or "southeast, southwest, northeast or northwest," as appropriate. This should help readers who are not already knowledgeable about the property location. In most cases, this probably would be a majority of your readers.
Ask candidates to back the FairTax
Would you like to ax the IRS? The makings are in place -- H.R. 25, the FairTax bill.
With passage, all federal taxes are repealed; no federal income tax. You get to keep all your hard-earned money.
The only taxes you'd pay would be whenever you bought something. This would be a designated percentage already embedded in the price of each item you bought. Then, each month you would receive a "prebate" for taxes you paid for necessities.
This prebate would work much like the economic stimulus check you just received. Every month you would find this check in your mailbox. But first Congress must pass this bill.
Has our congressman in the 6th District, Bob Goodlatte, signed on with his support? He has not. Why not? Call and ask him. Has the Republican candidate for the Senate, Jim Gilmore, given support? No. It was stated he felt it would raise taxes.
Call Gilmore and tell him if he wants your vote, he will examine this bill, using more than feelings as a barometer. Rep. Virgil Goode supports H.R. 25. Perhaps you should call to thank him.
Make Countryside another Green Hill Park
Tucked away along the Roanoke River in West Roanoke County is the Roanoke Valley's real "star," Green Hill Park.
The surrounding urban setting does not detract from the serenity of this multiuse park. In addition to ball fields, picnic areas and playgrounds, miles of trails, suitable for hiking, jogging or mountain biking, crisscoss the park through woodlands and fields. Stunning views can be had if one struggles to the top of the equestrian center.
Years ago, when Roanoke County bought the land, they wrestled with the decision on how to use it. One idea was to turn it into an industrial park. With foresight, they opted for the park, and it is truly a treasure.
I ask David Bowers to check out Green Hill Park if he has not. Then consider Roanoke's options for Countryside Golf Course, a similarly sized and equally beautiful piece of land. We propose it be turned into a park and recreation center similar to Green Hill Park.
We could name it Bowers Park or, if the city chooses to go in a different direction, the David Bowers Crappy Subdivision and Industrial Park. It would be appropriate. It will be on his watch.
Look who's flip-flopping now
The words "flip-flop" have been in the news so much lately that I decided to go to my trusty Webster's to see exactly what it means. The first two definitions are really eye-catching.
The first says it's "the sound or motion of something flapping loosely." Now that applies so exactly to all politicians that it needs no explanation. The second definition says it's "a backward handspring." I would like to see the two candidates try that.
My bet is on Barack Obama. As an unabashed liberal (I cast my first vote for Truman back in 1948), I now find myself, much to my surprise, "flip-flopping."
I have now removed the horns I had attached to Richard Nixon, but I can't quite put a halo on him, and I am even considering a small shrine to Barry Goldwater. How's that for flip-flopping?
