www.newrivervalley.com

It was disappointing to read Michael Miller's commentary, "Organization touts new theory for economy" (May 18), about the Building a New World Conference being held at Radford University (wpaconference.org).

Among many inaccuracies was the citation of a $350 conference registration fee. In fact, at $110 for four days, this conference provided a splendid opportunity to hear venerable thinkers and artists (writers, musicians, etc.) inspire one another and their listeners as they seek to resolve some of the great political and economic issues facing our nation.

With a recent Washington Post-ABC poll finding that 82 percent of Americans believe our country is "on the wrong track," this conference has nothing to do with Miller's dismissive charge about "touting" a new economic theory and everything to do with smart, caring citizens addressing mutual concerns.

If Miller would resist a priori condemnations and strive for balance and objectivity -- to actually interview conference organizers and participants, for example -- his readers would be pleasantly surprised to discover the seriousness in which we hold our Bill of Rights and the moral commitments we have made to understand and assist those who are suffering.

Miller unfair to conference

I was extremely disappointed in the May 18 commentary in The Current, "Organization touts new theory for economy." Rather than mention all of the incredible topics of main speakers and the amazing variety of workshops, Michael Miller expounded on the theory of the sponsoring organization, incredibly unfairly comparing it to the economy of the former Soviet Union.

I wish he had used his space to let our community know the topics attendees have had opportunity to learn about: animal rights, climate change and water crisis, domestic violence, election fraud, food not bombs -- preparing for food independence, homelessness and surviving economic depression, indigenous people, right to health care, sustainable communities, and more. Speakers included Father Roy Bourgeois, Kathy Kelly and Cindy Sheehan.

I am grateful to Garda Ghista, the organizer, for the incredible job she has done bringing this conference to our community.

The registration fee to attend the conference is $110 for four days.

Create school for kids with autism

In this area, there are no schools for children with autism or other handicaps. A lot of people don't understand autism and should be more educated about it. It's hard for a child with autism to be put in a room full of normal kids. The teachers don't have the time or education to deal with this.

I have a niece with autism who attends a public school. Teachers don't understand her autism, and she doesn't know how to express herself. There's a constant battle over her because they don't understand there are certain ways she needs to be taken care of. This puts a big emotional strain on the parents. She doesn't know to tell her parents if she is being hurt like normal kids can.

There's a lot of controversy over the old Blacksburg Middle School and Christiansburg Middle School.

What to do? I have a great idea!

Use one of the schools and make a school for handicapped children with teachers who are trained in this area. I believe there's a great need in this area for this type of facility. These children would get a real chance to learn, and it would give the parents peace of mind. If you believe in this, speak out.