Monday, October 26, 2009
Happy in choice to believe in the unknown
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
Happy in choice to believe in the unknown
I was truly amazed after reading Jerome Schleifer's arrogant, condescending and generally bitter, hard secular commentary, "America needs to get real," of Oct. 20. His masterful intertwining of slavery, French cheese, humanism, Jerry Falwell and apparently Cinderella left me in awe of his knowledge.
I was, however, puzzled by the paradoxical premise in his writings that, even though we as humans are all gods, there is but one reality. Apparently, the only reality allowed to ride in this gilded carriage of his is in fact his own. A tangible reality he proposes is the only truth. To myself this reality would seem to be only as tangible as man's meager ability to measure it. If each of us is a god, then why wouldn't there be as many realities as points of perception?
So Schliefer, I will choose my reality. One not based on mankind's egotistical view of himself as all-knowing. I will live in the joy of the unknown, the possibility of magic. To you, Schliefer, I would suggest a lighter approach to life. Don't stress yourself out over analyzing the validity of the pumpkin. Just enjoy the pie.
Confident with Ware in General Assembly
When I watch the news every night and see the lack of leadership on the Roanoke City Council, I'm glad we have Del. Onzlee Ware in the General Assembly.
He has worked tirelessly for the Roanoke Valley to make sure we are heard in Richmond, not by filing frivolous bills, but with legislation aimed to help the average citizen. His stature in Richmond has elevated him to key committee assignments that help shape the budget, education and law enforcement.
The citizens of the 11th District also respect him. From Vinton to Villa Heights, Ware stands up for all the citizens of his district.
We need to send him back to the House of Delegates, allowing him to continue his vision for not only the 11th District, but for the entire Roanoke Valley.
Re-elect Lacey Putney in the 19th District
It is time again for the voters in the 19th House of Delegates district to re-elect Lacey Putney. He is the longest-serving member of the longest continually functioning elected assembly in the Western Hemisphere.
At a time of uncertainty, recession and constrained budgets, let's keep a solid, seasoned and proven legislative leader in place representing Bedford and Botetourt counties. As a native of Bedford County and a longtime resident of Botetourt County, I have known Putney for more than 30 years, and I remain as confident as ever about his capabilities, legislative talent and political skills.
In the category of "What have you done for us lately, Lacey?" how about his having provided the key leadership to ensure funding for the Virginia Tech medical school and research institute, needed educational facilities at Tech, Radford and VMI, and, if you think back a few years, the bridge over the James River at Eagle Rock.
The voters of Bedford and Botetourt should send the grand old gentleman of Bedford back to Richmond again. The rest of Virginia needs him, too.
Elect supervisors who won't ignore input
First, thanks to all candidates and their families, regardless of party affiliation, for their efforts and sacrifices during this election.
Second, Roanoke County's Board of Supervisors has been on the wrong track for the past few years. Republicans nationally tout reducing government spending and creating jobs. This Republican-controlled board has been spending like drunken sailors.
Instead of enticing good employers to locate in Roanoke County's nearly vacant, 15-year-old industrial park, which would result later in retailers deciding on their own to invest here, the supervisors have been throwing money at retailers. Keagy Village is one example, and Gander Mountain's rejection of the supervisors' wasteful offer of $1 million is another.
These supervisors ignored citizen input requesting more greenways, a localized version of national parks, which make substantial contributions to the quality of life and influence employers' decisions about where to locate. Instead, they have spent millions on the Green Ridge Rec Center, which the supervisors' own survey showed was less desired. This project will compete unfairly with many existing businesses, including RAC, BAC, Gold's, Curves and Lancerlot.
We need new leadership in Roanoke County. Please join in supporting Sarah Goodman, Patrick Patterson and Charlene Waybright for supervisor.
Vote for Deeds, and individual freedom
Creigh Deeds trusts the women of Virginia to be intelligent and reasonable people. Bob McDonnell believes Virginia's women need the men in the General Assembly to do their thinking for them and tell them what they must or must not do.
McDonnell not only is anti-abortion, he also is against a great number of the methods medical science has given women for contraception. (He never mentions his opinion about Viagra and the insurance companies that will pay for Viagra but not for contraceptives.)
Deeds supports leaving women's health issues in the hands of the physicians who have spent years studying and practicing medicine for women. McDonnell thinks the men in the General Assembly should do this job.
When jobs are being lost and increasing insurance costs are squeezing family health care budgets out of sight, McDonnell is warring on funding for Planned Parenthood, the major organization that provides overall health care and preventive medicine and education for families.
Deeds understands life's realities. McDonnell simply preaches pie-in-the-sky restriction on anybody but him.
I urge all to vote for Deeds for governor, because when it comes to real individual freedom, he'll leave us alone.
Vote Republican for less regulation
For those who are dissatisfied with the direction the country is going, the pundits say to prepare for elections in 2010. Too late for Virginians -- 2009 is our year and Nov. 3 is our date.
When I received my absentee ballot, I searched in vain for those candidates of the Tea Party, Fair Tax Party, America First Party, Right-to-Work Party and American Energy Party. Alas, there were just Democrats and Republicans.
So what are thousands of dissatisfied voters in the Roanoke Valley to do to change our direction?
Generally, the Democratic candidates offer no solutions, and where they hold power, e.g., Gov. Tim Kaine, elected officials demonstrate uncertainty, timidity and incompetence in political leadership. Furthermore, they are in lockstep with a national/state leadership that has abandoned traditional American values; that vilifies hard work, competition and private initiative; and that engulfs us and future generations in massive debt. Why else would they carry the Democratic label? If they disagreed, they would be independents or Republicans.
We must vote for local, regional and state Republican candidates if we are to halt the slide toward government control, ObamaCare, card check, cap and trade, and more taxes. We must vote now -- this election.
