Thursday, August 28, 2008
Barack Obama has as much experience as Abraham Lincoln
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
From the RoundTable blog
Read the latest entries
Barack Obama has as much experience as Abraham Lincoln
Re: ("Obama needs more than a 'D' by his name," Aug. 24 letter): Robin Poff denigrates the Democrats for choosing Barack Obama as this year's presidential candidate. OK, let's talk experience. Whose profile is the following:
n His political career began when he was elected to the lower house of the Illinois General Assembly.
n He served four terms, two years each in the Assembly.
n He served one term in the national House of Representatives a decade later -- with no further legislative experience.
n He ran for president of the United States.
n He is remembered as the iconic "father" of the Republican Party in Illinois.
Of Abraham Lincoln--the "correct" answer--an old World Book volume says, "in Congress ... he failed to make much of a reputation except as a humorous speaker." The resumes of the "old pros" -- predecessor Buchanan and successor Johnson -- dwarfed Lincoln's, but their accomplishments are largely forgotten. Lincoln is considered a great president.
Obama spent exactly eight years as a member of the upper house of the Illinois General Assembly and more than two years as a U.S. Senator. On the issue of experience, therefore, Obama's exceeds that of the venerable Lincoln.
Most hunters take care of their hunting dogs
Re: ("Hunting dogs shouldn't suffer," Aug. 20 letter): I am a hunter who uses hounds to hunt game. I am very proud of my dogs and the Virginia tradition of hunting with dogs.
The dogs described in the letter are victims of crime, not a hunting violation. The writer has urged the advisory committee to take steps to stop this sad situation, when in fact this is a crime to be handled by the public animal control.
I can assure you, I hunt with as many as 50 hunters and not one of our dogs look like what was described. We go to great lengths to make sure of that.
Spokesman, Catawba Valley Bear Hunters
Nonhunting dog breeds neglected more often
As a veterinarian, I agree with Ann Church that "Hunting dogs shouldn't suffer," (Aug. 20 letter). The plight of stray and mistreated animals is great. But I see more cases of neglect in nonhunting breeds.
Dogs that are used for sport (hunting, racing, agility) are by nature athletes. As we watch the Olympics and see young, thin athletes with very little body fat, why are we not horrified by their obvious mistreatment? We know this lean body condition comes from a moderate diet and lots of exercise.
A hound in training may have similar physical characteristics. Furthermore, all hounds are not hunting dogs or owned by hunters, just like all Spitzs are not sled dogs owned by Eskimos.
I see far more beagles that are pets than hunting beagles. Hunting dogs can travel outside of familiar territory, unable to return home. Tracking collars are a method of retrieving hounds, but the Humane Society of the United States wants them banned. Is their goal reducing strays or impeding hunters? Unfenced animals, dogs with fleas or ticks equals neglect to the HSUS? Better check your dog. You might be the next HSUS villain. Check out www.HSUS.org to see their extremist views.
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
City shouldn't provide 'doggie welfare'
I have been following the controversy over the request of dog owners in Roanoke for a place to allow their unleashed dogs to exercise and interact with other dogs.
I find it hard to believe that dog owners are requesting, and the city government is even considering subsidizing these pet owners and their personal property.
I know the pet owners are willing to pay for the fence, but the land belongs to everyone.
Some common sense and judgment on the pet owners' parts would have gone a long way prior to purchasing their pets. Ask the question: Do I have a place to let the pet run or is it going to be too big for my yard?
Don't purchase a pet and then expect the government and other taxpaying citizens to furnish you a place to exercise it.
If you buy a car that is too big for your garage, would you expect the local government to come and build you a larger one? When the new office of "doggie welfare" is opened, please let me know, because I know of several neighborhood dogs that would like to get their share.
Home rules can't apply to dog park
Re: "A dog gets more consideration," Aug. 22 letter:
I must take great exception to Aubrey M. Hicks comparing his roof replacement troubles with the new dog park.
I have supported Hicks' battle with the Architectural Review Board and city from day one. And the city and ARB confirmed its hypocrisy when it allowed the new roof for the Billy's Ritz building downtown. But it ends there.
I empathize with Hicks; he'll always have that bitterness of such unfair treatment to live with. He should not be venting that bitterness against the ARB and the dog park decision.
Whether you agree with them or not, the ARB's historical guidelines that apply to homes simply cannot be applied to a city park within that historical district, as has been pointed out in many of the public hearings -- the best examples being the chain-link fence around the tennis courts, multicolored plastic playground equipment and the aluminum bleachers at the baseball field.
Should all this be replaced to be historically correct to fit in with the surrounding homes? No, of course not.
The ARB's favorable vote in approving the dog park was the most logical, common-sense, intelligent decision in years.
DMV move leaves carless in the cold
Re: ("Crossroads Mall will lose DMV," Aug. 19 Virginia section): What I want to know is who is the idiot who came up with the idea of moving the DMV out to Valleypointe?
More than people with cars do business with the DMV. If someone who doesn't have a car needs to get out there, they will either have to get someone to take them (and hang around) or take an expensive taxicab ride out there and back, since buses don't go anywhere near it.
This is just one more example of this state failing to take all of the citizens into consideration when making a decision that affects all of us.
Kaine flubs Va. border on national television
How embarrassing! The governor of Virginia appears on national TV -- Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace -- and states twice that Virginia borders Delaware.
In case no one has told him yet, Virginia borders Maryland in that part of the state.
I bet teachers all over Virginia are going to have a big laugh with their students over his lack of knowledge concerning Virginia geography. "Now kids, study geography or you will grow up to be like Tim Kaine." How was he ever elected governor? When's the next election?
Newspaper's religion coverage is commended
As critical as I usually am of The Roanoke Times for its clearly biased political reporting and commentary, I feel I must commend The Times for one aspect of its reporting over the past several months, and that is for its coverage of the many facets of the religious community in this area.
Not only has the coverage been extensive, it has been both positive and uplifting. And wonder of wonders, that coverage has been largely free of the bias of the mainstream media, in that it has covered even Christianity mostly with discernment and fairness.
