Rubio should have
listened to the speech

Once again, Republicans have demonstrated that all they are interested in is obstructing everything President Obama hopes for the citizens of this nation.

No sooner had Marco Rubio begun to speak in rebuttal of the State of the Union message than it became abundantly clear his speech was written long before the president delivered his well-thought-out address.

Not only was it written before the president spoke, but it was recorded in Spanish so that it could be delivered to Spanish-speaking stations for airing.

Over and over again, Rubio referred to presumed positions that were not supported by the State of the Union message itself.

If Rubio had been listening, he would have heard the president say, loud and clear, that he wanted a smaller and more effective government.

If Rubio had been listening, he would have heard Obama share his dream of bringing the budget under control.

If Rubio has dreams of the presidency, he had better learn how to listen and to analyze for himself, rather than rely on canned Republican responses fed to him by those who are hurting from recent defeats at the polls and see him as the “savior” of the GOP.

ROBERT E. BUTTON
MARTINSVILLE

Welcome mention
of men’s responsibility

Thank you, Herb Detweiler (“Direct some wrath at the males,” Feb. 11 letter).

At least one man knows males are to blame, too, for unwanted pregnancies.

JOYCE MARTIN
SALEM

Guns help innocents
protect themselves

Re: “Gun policy requires accurate data,” Feb. 10 Pick of the day:

Gun control is a major issue in America. Our great nation is being divided.

There are those who proclaim it is unconstitutional to take away the people’s right to keep and bear arms.

Others believe gun control will stop needless death.

However, many people are missing the big picture.

We need to stop being idle and take a stand.

Taking guns away will not prevent death. Those who wish to kill will find different ways to harm innocent victims, regardless of recent executive orders.

A gun provides protection to those who possess it and know how to handle it.

It is true many are uneducated as to how to handle a gun, but that can be resolved.

If President Obama wishes to prevent innocent bloodshed, he will stop pursuing unconstitutional executive orders.

LINDSAY HOWIE
ROANOKE

Who’s to be offended
on St. Patrick’s Day?

How silly that anyone would see a need to diversify St. Patrick’s Day.

On St. Patrick’s Day, everybody’s Irish.

JAMES B. McCLOSKEY
ROANOKE

Go bold on using
Mill Mountain

I agree with Ann Hawley (“Use Mill Mountain to better advantage,” Feb. 18 letter), but it could be even better; make it a real tourist attraction.

Move the zoo to Explore, but tie it and downtown together with a gondola lift. Build one building on top of Mill Mountain for the on/off ramps and put a coffee shop on top of it. Continue the lift all the way to Explore Park.

Doing this would allow you to park at a number of different places and ride either up or down.

MARK DEARING
SALEM

Weather Journal

6 hours ago