Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Roanoke Times letters section leans to the left
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Roanoke Times letters section leans to the left
I have subscribed to The Roanoke Times for several years and, for some strange reason, I continue to read the letters section. Obviously, the media's lean to the left is inarguable. Even so, it never fails to astound me not only the number of liberal articles that The Roanoke Times publishes, but also the vitriolic nature of them.
Over the years, I have often wondered why the paper does not present a more balanced letters section. Recently, I have begun to comprehend the two main reasons for this phenomenon. First, very few of the published letters have anything positive to say, and the complaining and whining seem to originate consistently from the left. Second, most on the right have very little spare time to compose opinion letters for the paper.
While many liberals are waiting in line for handouts and searching for someone else (mainly our ever-expanding government, led by a socialist president) to support them, most conservatives spend their time working. Even as I write this piece, I feel quite certain that the tone and lean of this article will probably exclude it from the paper.
McEachin's criticism laced with hypocrisy
I was amused to read the comments of state Sen. Donald McEachin, D-Richmond, in a Jan. 28 news article about Gov. Bob McDonnell's response to President Obama's State of the Union Address ("McDonnell laments growing debt").
According to the article, "McEachin zinged McDonnell for taking time to deliver a partisan speech while Virginia faces a budget shortfall in excess of $4 billion." These comments come after Tim Kaine, Virginia's former governor from McEachin's own party, spent almost the entire final year of his term splitting time between his duties as governor and as chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Amazing chutzpah on McEachin's part.
Do you think Kaine might have given a partisan speech or two during the past year in his latter capacity? One wonders if McEachin can even spell hypocrisy, much less understand the meaning of the word.
People's actions show their view of God
Re: Pat Robertson's comments about the Haitian disaster:
He ought to be ashamed of himself. But since he has taken that line repeatedly over the years, it's obvious he has no shame.
The thing is, we are finite creatures and, as such, our ability to envision the infinite is limited. If we are compassionate, forgiving and loving people, then our concept of that which we call God reflects that.
In the same vein, if we are inflexible, judgmental and self-righteous, then our view of God reflects that, as well. I think we all know on which side of that divide Robertson falls.
When will people realize that tricksters like Robertson are little more than used-God salesmen and regard them with the contempt they deserve?
Good neighbors help those in need
In these most soul-searching times, Americans have been called to stand beside our neighbors, and we have answered the call by standing tall as we led the world assisting our Haitian neighbors.
Sadly seated amidst the great hope, response and prayers of the American people remain men like Patrick Leary who obviously refuse to stand with us ("Give hard-pressed Americans a break," Jan. 27 letter).
In hard economic times, Leary should give thanks that his neighbors' tax dollars provided benefits that he stood in line to get while our neighbors in Haiti stand in lines most Americans cannot even comprehend.
Now we must stand together to give a little more to make up for those who will not or cannot give, and we answered the call by standing in line to give because that's what good neighbors do.
Washington doesn't get our budgets
On Jan. 30, I received a new Virginia Retirement System statement of monthly retirement benefits and deductions. To my surprise, it was $16 less than last month. Puzzled, I called VRS to inquire about the change. I was told that as part of the now infamous stimulus package of 2009, I was given a small tax rate decrease and that it ended on Dec. 30, so now the withholding is back up.
Now, I realize to a lot of people, $16 ($192 per year) is not a lot, but what about all the promises our great president made about not increasing taxes? What hogwash.
Our representatives in Washington need to take notice. If they continue down the road of tax and spend, they should start looking for real jobs. This increase not only affects people like me, but also those still in the work force, so paychecks are going to be less.
Don't you think it is time for action, that the people are the employers of the ones in Washington and pink slips are on the way? Let them have to work a real job for their pay and see what it is like to live on a real budget.
Corporations aren't in charge of elections
Discussions about corporate takeovers of the election process miss one important point -- corporations are not in charge of my vote. If voters adopt a code of ethics for how to use information and vote in elections, it is irrelevant how much money corporations (or anyone) spends on elections. What would happen if 100 million of us did the following:
1. Accept only factual, comparative information that focuses on the issues and not on inflammatory rhetoric.
2. Participate in debates sponsored by recognized nonpartisan organizations such as the League of Women Voters.
3. Send a message to media that you are not going to utilize their media if attack ads are included.
4. Contribute to candidates with the qualifier that they follow financial and advertising ethical standards, which are prominent on their Web sites.
5. Focus on campaigns only within a short period, such as between Labor Day and Election Day.
6. Support efforts to reduce the cost of campaigns, so that corporate contributions aren't needed.
There should be a lot more, but this would be a start, placing responsibility where it ultimately lies -- in us.
Court puts the people into corporate hands
John A. Fugel's op-ed piece, "Freedom sold to the highest bidder," Jan. 31 expressed the outrage of citizens (and the amazement of democracies around the world) that our highest court "handed our electoral system to the highest bidder." I suppose other nations think this is very American. And that is not a compliment.
This decision comes as I am reading Bruce Feiler's latest book, "America's Prophet: Moses and the American Story." It is quite amazing how the Moses story has been a constant metaphor throughout the story of our nation. As Feiler says, "the themes of chosenness, liberation from slavery, freedom from authority and collective moral responsibility become the tent poles of American public life."
These values always applied to a people, not to a disembodied entity with extraordinary wealth to overrule the common good of the people.
This Supreme Court decision hands back the chosen people to Pharaoh. I know of no one who likes that ending to the story.
P. CLARE McBRIEN
