Reader accepts president’s explanations (or maybe not)
1. 41-vehicle wreck ties up traffic Sunday on I-81 in Rockbridge County
2. Virginia Tech football roster has holes on picture day
3. Medicare penalties hit hospitals in Roanoke, New River Valleys
4. Microfestivus beer event gets downtown Roanoke hopping
5. McFarling: 2 little numbers are a big hurdle for Virginia Tech football
6. Arrest made in case of missing Nelson County teen
7. DAN CASEY: Copter cost still stirring up dust
8. Roanoke farmers markets making local foods more accessible
9. Virginia attorney general's office grows under Ken Cuccinelli
10. Man's drowning is 5th in Lynchburg area
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Reader accepts president’s explanations (or maybe not)
Recent government scandals demand a reassessment of my beliefs in the Obama administration.
I believe President Obama’s close friend, Attorney General Eric Holder, felt no need to discuss details of “fast and furious” with the president.
I believe that “green” firms, like Solyndra and Al Gore’s Fisker, which received government subsidies, were all owned by Republican campaign bundlers for Mitt Romney.
I believe Maj.Nidal Hasan was an officer in the Salvation Army, not a jihadist. I also believe George W. Bush was responsible for both the Boston bombings and secretly revising United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice’s talking points.
Although bridges are falling and pensions rising, I still believe stimulus spending went for shovel-ready infrastructure, not union pension funds.
No question in my mind, Obama commandeered one of his drones, flew it to Abbottabad, stormed the compound and shot Osama bin Laden dead.
I can believe most things, but not the administration’s explanation for the Internal Revenue Service, Benghazi or press monitoring scandals. These go beyond lying and misinformation to abuse of office. Most Americans know who is responsible, and acting detached and uninformed should not fool anyone.
PHILLIP W. UNGER
BLACKSBURG
Leaders, not finances, are schools’ challenge
Funding is not the problem for Roanoke city schools. Some small accomplishments have been made over the years, but in some ways we have gone backward.
The main problem is the choosing of administrators, including principals who just don’t show respect to their staff. Roanoke has great teachers, but poor leaders.
Sadly, many excellent teachers have been gotten rid of or left on their own because of poor treatment.
It’s a proven fact that more people leave jobs because of bosses than because of low pay.
Probably, we should make it a one-valley school system and let Salem run it.
BERTRAND MULLEN
ROANOKE
In election, look out for the children
Our children are our future.
How we care for them in the early years of their life determines the person that they are to become.
We need to focus on prenatal and pregnancy care, nutrition, school readiness and early intervention.
And we need to ensure that every child gets the skills needed to succeed in school and in life.
We need to invest in our kids.
Look at where those running for office stand on kids’ issues and make your choice for the kids and families of today.
DONNA DeHART
ROANOKE
Yes, there are atheists in foxholes
I’m at a loss why The Roanoke Times published the cruel commentary “When atheists pray,” by R. McNeil Foster (June 15).
Atheism is neither a religion nor even correctly defined by Foster.
Atheists may not believe in a god or gods, may not be able to imagine a god or gods, or may affirm there is no god or gods.
Foster quotes the old insult, “There are no atheists in foxholes.” A look at the Department of Veterans Affairs’ list of approved symbols for military headstones under which the nation’s gallant dead rest shows that atheist and humanist veterans can select symbols of their beliefs.
Pat Tillman and other atheists who gave their lives for our country cannot be ignored by Foster.
I’m certain a Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers service member would welcome an opportunity to introduce Foster to a foxhole atheist.
Foster horrifically mocked atheists who lost a child or faced terminal illness. The atheists I have known who lost their child or confronted imminent and painful death have not turned to religion. They found support in the goodness and kindness of their community.
I hope Foster finds similar comfort and aid when he needs it.
C. MARTIN CENTNER
RESTON
1. 41-vehicle wreck ties up traffic Sunday on I-81 in Rockbridge County
2. Virginia Tech football roster has holes on picture day
3. Medicare penalties hit hospitals in Roanoke, New River Valleys
4. Microfestivus beer event gets downtown Roanoke hopping
5. McFarling: 2 little numbers are a big hurdle for Virginia Tech football
6. Arrest made in case of missing Nelson County teen
7. DAN CASEY: Copter cost still stirring up dust
8. Roanoke farmers markets making local foods more accessible
9. Virginia attorney general's office grows under Ken Cuccinelli
10. Man's drowning is 5th in Lynchburg area
THE ROANOKE TIMES
