Thursday, January 29, 2009
Roanoke Times covered Obama's abortion decision well
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Roanoke Times covered Obama's abortion decision well
Re: Obama reverses ban on abortion funding," Jan. 24 news story:
Thank you for covering President Obama's lifting of the ban on using federal money to assist international groups that perform abortions. It was obvious from the timing (late Friday afternoon) and the manner in which this presidential memorandum was issued (no media coverage) that Obama did not want to draw attention to this action.
The article presented both sides of this issue, and the small blurb on the front page alerting readers to this article was excellent. The extent to which this event was covered suggests that The Roanoke Times, while likely supporting the president's decision, is sufficiently aware of the importance of this issue to a large segment of its readership.
Obama is trying mightily to present himself as a moderate, but this decision clearly demonstrates he is a traditional liberal on the social issues of our day. The fact that the U.S. will be aiding groups that advocate or perform abortions in other countries with taxpayer dollars for the next four years is extremely disturbing.
Please continue covering all of Obama's policy decisions. Doing so will keep your readers well informed, as they deserve to be, and will earn the paper a strong defense against critics from this reader.
Obama shows true self with abortion decision
Only a few short days in office and President Obama has already shown his true self by reinstating funding for international groups that advocate abortions ("Obama reverses ban on abortion funding," Jan. 24 news story).
A few of us know he is not a man of faith as he so diligently claims. With a sense of urgency, he will certainly work as hard as possible to rapidly change U.S. law to make legal the killing of children within our country.
Pray this man, whom so many of you joyfully elected, develops a conscience before millions of innocent children are murdered under his ruling power. King Herod would be proud.
May the lord's will be done, not Obama's.
Stimulus package is nothing but pork
President Obama's response to Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia, who criticized the president's stimulus bill, was: "I won. I'll trump you on that." What is he, 12? What's next, quoting Eric Cartman? "Screw you guys; I'm going home."
This is no stimulus package by any stretch of the imagination. It's a gigantic pork bill and he and the Democrats are trying to shove it down our throats as fast as they can. They think if they do it fast enough, we won't figure out what is really happening. They've admitted they have no idea how many jobs will be created or when. Well, that's good enough for me. Go ahead and spend all you can print.
My suggestion is this: a tax revolt. We all refuse to pay any taxes whatsoever. They can't put us all in jail.
New Books page is below average
My grading of the newspaper's restructuring of Sunday's Books page: D+/C-. That day's breakfast with coffee is now not nearly as interesting as before.
Impeach Kaine for taking party post
I am absolutely aghast that Gov. Tim Kaine accepted the position of Democratic National Committee chair, "with an awful lot of thought and conversation with family and others, and careful analysis about how I can continue to be completely focused on the challenging task here" ("Va. governor succumbs to Obama's wooing," Jan. 6).
Not only is this a solid conflict of interest, it shows disdain for those the governor is to represent. The governor represents not only those who voted in his favor, but also those who did not and even those who cannot vote. It is to the Virginia Constitution that he swore an oath, not to his supporters, corporate contributors or special interest groups -- and certainly not to the DNC.
I am certain that the General Assembly, primarily House Majority Leader Morgan Griffith, will instigate impeachment proceedings immediately, as impeachment is warranted.
I've overlooked one important aspect. "Griffith did not criticize Kaine for taking the DNC post but said 'I will start complaining if the governor is going to be AWOL.'"
Griffith does not recognize this conflict? Who is AWOL here?
SW & Central Virginia Regional Director
Constitution Party
'Outrage' is just partisan sniping
As soon as it was announced that Gov. Tim Kaine had accepted the chairmanship of the Democratic National Committee, one could expect feigned indignation from partisan opponents, and one would not be disappointed.
Vince Golle wrote that he was "outraged" by Kaine's holding two jobs, and demanded Kaine's resignation ("Kaine should resign as governor," Jan. 18 letter), a sentiment echoed by J.B. Mixon two days later ("Kaine doesn't deserve a full-time salary," letter).
When then-Gov. Jim Gilmore assumed the chair of the Republican National Committee in 2001, was Golle similarly outraged? Did Mixon demand that Gilmore resign his governor's post? Just asking.
Praise of Bush was a laugh
With the dawning of each day, we read about the gloom and despair that faces our nation and the world in general: war, recession, job losses, escalating cost of living, etc. It was truly uplifting to see a bit of humor in The Roanoke Times.
In the Jan. 19 edition, in a letter entitled "Obama could learn from Bush's example," a Christiansburg resident wrote, "I would like to take this opportunity to thank President Bush for his great leadership over the past eight years."
For goodness' sakes, lady. Get real. He couldn't lead a horse to water with an illustrated map, two Boy Scouts and a high-dollar GPS.
I am reminded of a classic old saying: "There is none so blind as those who will not see."
My opinion is not a reflection of our former president as a good husband, father and private citizen. I can scarcely contain myself as I eagerly anticipate the letter writer's next venture into the world of humor and politics.
Great leadership? I think not.
County assessments rise as values fall
I recently received my real estate tax assessment from Roanoke County. According to the county, my house's value increased by a large sum last year. In reality, due to market conditions, my house dropped in value.
Roanoke County is experiencing the same economic problems as the rest of the country. Most houses did not increase in value this year because of the depressed housing market. In fact, many houses decreased in value.
Homes are being foreclosed on at record rates. Many people can barely keep their homes now, and Roanoke County is going to increase their monthly payment by raising their tax assessment.
A house is worth only what someone is willing to pay for it, not what some tax assessor can squeeze out of a taxpayer.
I approached the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors, pleading with them to consider putting a freeze on tax increases for at least one year. After I spoke to them, not one comment was made by any board member. I believe my message fell on deaf ears.
Our forefathers fought against taxation without representation. However, in my opinion, taxation with representation isn't doing too well either.
