Saturday, June 12, 2010
Stalin bust brings shame on Bedford and D-Day Memorial
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Stalin bust brings shame on Bedford and D-Day Memorial
It's a tragic time for Bedford, now known as the town that loves Stalin -- more than it loves its veterans.
As an American and as a veteran (Vietnam, Cold War, Grenada, Panama), I find it incomprehensible that anyone could convince himself that a bust of our enemy and one of the worst dictators in history should be given a place of honor -- and in a D-Day Memorial.
It's a slap in the face to all veterans and is deeply offensive to the memory and legacy of not only the 21 Bedford veterans who died on D-Day, but to the millions of American veterans who put their lives on the line to defend America and the world from the ravages of a murderous dictator like Stalin.
Bedford should be ashamed.
Lt. Cmdr., retired U.S. Navy
Tie developers' hands on Mill Mountain
Each day, my students and I look around Roanoke city and county and see another ridgeline sprouting construction, more green space eradicated. With every new development (which developers call "balance"), countless treasures are lost. Forever. Fresh air. Silence. Views of the starry universe at night. Songbirds. Fireflies. Beauty. A love of life more than money.
It is a windfall that Roanoke has kept its core green mountain uncommercialized. In an overdeveloped world, Mill Mountain reveals itself as an amazing spiritual sanctuary few cities can offer.
Meanwhile, almost annually, some group of developers proposes to carve up Mill Mountain's summit. It's almost surreal, in our day of precious vanishing green space, that local leaders take seriously such proposals. Just because various financially powerful interests value materialism over nature, council incessantly considers giving away Roanoke's priceless birthright for a mess of potage.
Developers say a conservation easement on Mill Mountain would "tie the hands of the future." What do they think development does?
Americans thrill to visit Yosemite and Yellowstone National Parks and Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. We never regret that past visionaries tied developers' hands back from these refuges. Pray that council will locate some moral courage and protect the mountaintop for good. Literally.
Va. needs funding to keep elderly at home
For five years, I've taken care of an older neighbor who has lost the use of his legs. He is a fun, outgoing, Christian man. The day goes by pretty quickly because he's always looking to laugh.
But now I'm worried that if Congress doesn't help our state with more Medicaid funding, he will have to go to a nursing home. He counts on me for things like going to the bathroom, ordering his medicine and visiting his doctor.
I do this job because I want him to have a full life. It's certainly not for the pay ($8.86 an hour) or the benefits (none).
If Congress doesn't step up and help Virginians who need in-home care, lots of elderly and disabled people in this area won't be able to stay in their homes.
If the state cuts hours and pay for personal care assistants, I'll have to find a second job to support myself and my son, and I won't be available to help in the night. My neighbor's health is sometimes poor, but being at home gives him life. It would be cruel and foolish -- a lot more expensive -- to send him to a nursing home.
Road work would be a good punishment
Re: "Reopen Camp 25 and put inmates to work on median," May 26 letter:
I couldn't agree more with both reopening the prison and putting the inmates to work, but I'd like to see it taken one step further by also forcing county jail inmates out there on the roadways mowing, cutting, cleaning up litter, etc.
That would certainly be more like punishment than allowing them to lounge in their cells all day. We might not see as many repeat offenders if they had to work while incarcerated.
