Monday, October 13, 2008
Positive thinking can lead to some negative outcomes
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Positive thinking can lead to some negative outcomes
Kudos to Barbara Ehrenreich's "The power of negative thinking" (Sept. 26 commentary) and her great analysis of the current "positive thinking" movement -- especially the health and wealth gospel charlatans.
She makes it clear, and I fully agree, that this sort of positive thinking was at the root of the (Democratic led) Congresses that made home ownership available not only to those on the margins, but also to those who could not really afford it, feeding the "positive thinking" of ruthless mortgage bankers.
She was also correct that America started out with a work ethic that did indeed find its roots in the Calvinism of our forefathers. However, where she erred is in not recognizing that much of the early American Calvinism should properly be described as Puritan Calvinism, which overly stressed the place of the law of God and gave short shrift to the grace of God.
Today's realism can best be found in the grace-filled Calvinism found in churches and ministries that focus not on the individual and his or her ability, but on the sovereignty of God and the grace he has both shown and given to us through Jesus.
Stated Clerk
Presbytery of the Blue Ridge
Perriello will bring needed change to 5th
As someone whose late father came from Turkey, I am outraged that Rep. Virgil Goode, R-5th District, made demeaning comments about Muslim Americans on not one but two separate occasions.
Perhaps because he is in a gerrymandered district suited to his Mike Huckabee-style of right wing populism, he feels it is OK to insult everyone who is not like him. This would be enough to suggest that anyone, aside from Oliver North, would be better suited for Congress than Goode.
But the truth is, there is a great candidate who opposes Goode in this year's 5th District race. Tom Perriello is a political moderate who believes in the Second Amendment. He is also actively involved in helping to set up volunteering efforts throughout the district in places like Rocky Mount, Martinsville and Danville.
It's time for residents of the 5th District to elect someone who will represent them in Congress without shamelessly getting into the hot tub with oil business lobbyists, the way Goode has. Regardless of one's political persuasion, Perriello is clearly the better man in the 5th District.
Not the Mr. Smith who went to Washington
Congress used the worst financial crisis since 1929 as an opportunity to carve up tens of billions of dollars in pork. Congress is famous for building bridges to nowhere, but this is a new low.
Reform of the financial sector is necessary and market stabilization is crucial, but the bill that passed was a bad deal for current and future generations of taxpayers. Washington alerted us to this very real crisis, declared a need for immediate action, then stalled until it got its fill of pork.
What Congress did is the equivalent of firefighters answering the alarm, rushing to the fire with sirens screaming, then demanding a pay increase before extinguishing a raging inferno. Business as usual in Washington while Wall Street is going up in smoke is not acceptable.
A number of Virginians wrote to me angry that Sen. Smith voted for the pork-laden bailout. They were correct to be angry, but it was U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith of Oregon who voted for the bill, not state Sen. Ralph Smith of Botetourt County. If I had a vote on this legislation, I would have been happy to join Reps. Bob Goodlatte and Virgil Goode in voting no.
Senate of Virginia District 22
McCain shows disdain for those who disagree
Sen. John McCain clearly exhibited contempt for his fellow senator and presidential rival Barack Obama in last week's debate. Referring to Obama as "that one" and the lack of a friendly handshake at the debate's close, along with multiple put downs such as "he doesn't understand," made this contempt abundantly clear.
It is not lost on many of us that the condescending attitude that McCain has toward his colleagues extends to Americans who do not share his views. Eight years of this division and contempt for much of our population is enough for me. The resultant polarization has been painful for most Americans.
We need a president who represents all of us. We need Barack Obama.
Listen for the facts in the campaigns
The presidential campaign seems to be descending into a mudslinging, character assassination, guilt-by-association morass.
That should simplify voter choice a bit for Christians. After all, on more than one occasion, Jesus was criticized for associating with sinners and tax collectors (the bad guys in his society). We know that didn't make him either a sinner or a tax collector. And the crowds of common people who followed him also knew that.
We Christians assume that all the candidates are sinners. So that offers no basis for choice. We can forget the elitist arguments, too. Obviously politicians and supporters in each party consider themselves ethically, intellectually and ideologically superior to anyone who questions their ideas. Guess that makes them all elitists. So each of us can turn a deaf ear to all the mudslinging attack ads and speeches.
That leaves each of us with one ear open for factual information about a candidate's hopes and plans for leading us through the dire crises facing us as individuals and as a nation. Let's hope there's enough positive information for open ears to hear and open minds to use in choosing a leader for our country in these perilous times.
Let local talent fill the civic center
Re: "Civic center seeks formula for success" (Sept. 21 front page):
Our Vinton Historical Society has a fundraiser every year to promote our Vinton Museum. I have been amazed at the talent in the Roanoke area. We have been fortunate to have these wonderful people perform for us, free of charge, for more than five years.
Yes, America has talent, but wake up, Roanoke -- so do we.
I know it is expensive to put on shows at the civic center, but give these people a chance. They won't charge you. Their families and friends will pay to see them if the price is reasonable.
Help our talented people out and give them a break.
Carilion is buying up the competition
I ask myself why a nonprofit company owning large tracts of a city's prime real estate is exempt from property taxes. Such a company should laud itself and be extolled for its contribution to a city's tax base.
On the Sept. 14 front page of The Roanoke Times, "Carilion cases dominate General District docket" was about Carilion strong-arming the needy. Should this come as any surprise? Roanoke et al. across Virginia accede to its every request.
Its intentions are evident by the volume of real estate it has purchased with tax-exempt profits. Many rural communities who welcomed the "critical care" facilities are bequeathed empty buildings and no alternative but to travel to Roanoke or another state.
It is apparent why Franklin County's Westlake center opened and Southlake's center closed. Not enough "nonprofit," I surmise. What a shame for all who suffer the 500pound gorilla sitting on their chests, admonishing them, "It's not that you cannot breathe; you are not trying hard enough."
Next time you get your property tax bill, reassure yourself: "My gorilla loves me."
Who owns Carilion? If anyone can answer this question or direct me, it would be greatly appreciated.
