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Tech leaders' actions were not appropriate

The Roanoke Times' lead editorial defends the actions of Virginia Tech's president and police chief in the April 16, 2007, campus shootings by accusing the non-mollified parents of the victims of vicarious revenge ("Virginia Tech leaders are not to blame," Dec. 23). As a Tech grad myself, as is my father and my two sons, I find this offensive. Matter of fact, I'm mad as hell.

The parents' real frustration is the "appropriate" action that the president and chief have steadfastly maintained they took throughout the holocaust.

First of all, with two kids lying dead on the floor at West Ambler Hall and the killer obviously at large, the only security action was a campus-wide e-mail. If that's appropriate, it's hard to imagine what would have been inappropriate. Instead of nearly two hours to secure the campus, it gave the assassin that time to finish his bizarre preparations.

Secondly, the later convocation, meant to begin the healing, went well until the well-spoken condolences of Gov. Kaine and President Bush were upstaged by rantings ("We are Virginia Tech, we will prevail") that turned a solemn occasion into a pep rally. The editorial whitewash in this case, has been too carelessly applied.

Appalachian Power follows the rules

Re: "It's hard times for the residents of Smith Mountain Lake," Dec. 20 letter:

I only have one thing to add to Jack Disque's comments concerning C. H. Craddock's letter to the editor on Dec. 17, ("Lake dwellers can't use water,"): Appalachian Power operates by rules and regulations, not by attitude.

As a South Carolina cousin says, "If you don't like the area, Delta is ready when you are."

Listen to both sides of evolution debate

It seems so odd to me that so many people in the region have taken such offense to Principal Kevin Bezy's decision to not run the article by Brandon Creasy ("Franklin Co. student claims work was censored," Dec. 12 front page). As early as May 2007, Chesterfield County Public schools approved science books for middle school students that completely leave out intelligent design. Why was DorothyBelle Poli not crying foul about censorship and First Amendment rights then? ("Don't let plagiarism cloud the original issue," Dec. 24 commentary).

It all comes down to a matter of faith. Either you have faith that we evolved, or you have faith that we were created. Bezy was absolutely right in deciding to not run that article. If there is any silver lining to this whole debacle, it's that this has opened a dialogue in the Roanoke Valley.

You may not believe as I believe, I may not believe as you believe, but we should be willing to listen to both sides and then make up our own minds. Both sides.

You can help put an end to puppy mills

Are you as horrified as I am by the fact that yet another puppy mill case in Carroll County has failed? Don't just stand by and do nothing while David Winesett's dogs are crammed back into their filthy, confining cages. Take a stand with these simple steps:

1) Go to Youtube.com, watch "Oprah's Puppy Mill Special." You can see first hand what a puppy mill is.

2) Resolve never to buy a dog from a pet store or on the internet. Never, ever -- and speak up when others do. Get your dog from a shelter, a breed-specific rescue organization or directly from a responsible breeder. A legitimate, responsible breeder will proudly invite you into their home and permit you to see where the mother lived and how the puppies were raised.

3) Give generously to your local animal welfare agencies who have been left alone for too long on the front lines of this bloody and horrendous battle.

For pity's sake, folks, this is Virginia. We have good animal welfare laws in our state. Aren't we better than this, than to allow local county politics to take over for enforcement of the law? Take a stand, demand your county officials do their job.

Canine officers are brave, dedicated

I am writing in response to Karl Kroemer's letter "Honoring slain dog was a waste," (Dec. 21).

Honoring a police dog, who was killed in the line of duty, was not a waste of time. Losing this dog was a huge sacrifice for the Giles County Sheriff's Department.

These dogs work with the human officers and go in first in dangerous situations. Sometimes they end up taking a bullet and sparing the human officers' lives. These dogs are brave, dedicated and loyal. It is a time to grieve and reflect when one of these canine officers is killed.

I want to commend the Glen Lyn Church of Christ for providing a place for and helping organize the memorial service for this beautiful animal.

Kroemer, show some respect and don't begrudge these officers the time to memorialize their fallen comrade.

America finally appreciates service

I found the op-ed by Lt. Commander Charles Combs to be one of the most poignant in recent months, ("The best of all military honors," Dec. 21). I, too, waited for 35 years to be thanked for my service. There were several World War II veterans who appreciated me volunteering in 1969, but that was about it.

Those of us of the Vietnam era have resisted being bitter when we finally hear the nation's newfound respect for those who served. I, like Combs, "[thank] God that the American public had finally found an appreciation for its serving men and women."

When we took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution, it meant something. I compare it to the joy of Francis Scott Key when he observed "that our flag was still there." In the words of a song of the '60s "if you feel a little pride" rising in you when the American flag passes by then "thank God for you. You are still an American."

The frat party is over; time to grow up

A crumb of hope for the new year: We may be seeing considerably less frat-boy government as the Obama administration settles in. I base this on the Dec. 21 "Jim Lehrer Report" on PBS.

Two interviews featured an Associated Press reporter and the head of the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Both were asked about the banks' response to the recent multi-billion bailout. Their replies were notable for strained politeness and careful courtesy, but the message was clear: These banks do not want to tell us what they are doing with the money. They will stonewall until forced to do otherwise.

Why frat-boy government? There are indeed some noble spirits and all-around good guys in the Greek fraternity system, but these aren't the ones I'm talking about. Frat-boy players grew up knowing that you can party until you upchuck and count on daddy to get you out of trouble. Or if daddy moves on to the great house party in the sky, your "brothers" will help out.

Far too many of them found their way into the toxic, special-interest government that Dwight Eisenhower warned us about: the military-industrial complex.

Now the party's over and it's hangover time. 'Bye, fellas.

If coal isn't the answer, then what is?

Having read Dan Radmacher's column on clean coal ads that defiled the industry ("Effort to clean coal's image won't work," Dec. 21), I would like to guess at his next article's subject: how to produce electricity.

Since we are quickly running out of oil, that's not it. Since solar and wind will take many decades, that's not it. Then I guess we will see an article supporting a nuclear power plant in every back yard. If that's not it, then prepare to chisel your next article on a rock.