Friday, August 9, 2013
Elect leaders who will protect Earth
Re: John C. Nemeth’s commentary on Aug. 3 (“Certain climate predictions”) regarding the commentary on July 29 by Brian Lindholm (“Uncertain climate predictions”):
Nemeth is president of Educational and Research Consulting, CGJC Enterprises and Associates, in Christiansburg. I agree with him that so-called scientific data must be supported by the most up-to-date information supplied by creditable scientific organizations like the National Academy of Sciences, the National Science Foundation or the United Kingdom’s Royal Society of Science.
Nemeth stated an obvious fact: Remove the climate deniers from office in every election and choose lawmakers who will move past fossil fuels and “save the Earth for our children and grandchildren.”
I have a great-granddaughter who is 22 months old, so I am certainly thinking about what kind of quality of life she will have as she matures.
BEVERLY THOMPSON
CRAIGSVILLE
Reagan deserves credit for the Soviet breakup
Paul Metz tries making points in his July 27 letter, “The Cold War was a tag-team victory,” by responding to Joe Davidson’s July 25 letter, “Reagan’s challenge gave more than hope.”
However, the value of the Davidson letter greatly outweighs any negatives.
Metz argues that all other presidents in the era followed the same policy of containment against communism. This is true of our leaders in general, but he exaggerates when he claims that all of them — Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford and Carter — were somehow as valuable a key as Reagan in ending the Cold War.
Really? Only one stark truth is needed to refute this: Russians’ positive testimonies of Reagan.
Many times since the Berlin Wall came down and the Soviet Union broke into independent nations, we’ve had honest people in Eastern communist countries make the case with their amazing testimonial stories. One of these times was during President Reagan’s funeral long afterward.
Davidson didn’t have to make this case — people of freedom and individualism have been making it.
DOUGLAS W. PHILLIPS JR.
ROANOKE
Republican ticket is right for Virginia
Examine the qualifications of Ken Cuccinelli, E.W. Jackson and Mark Obenshain. You will see a team that will lead our commonwealth to a better place.
When most Republicans refused to oppose President Obama’s agenda for fear of being labeled “racist,” Cuccinelli was the first attorney general to oppose the federal takeover of one-sixth of the economy and the destruction of the best health care in the world.
Though 63 percent of voters opposed Obamacare, railroaded through a Democratic-controlled Congress, Cuccinelli gave voice to our opposition. Now, Cuccinelli plans to fight the implementation of the state exchanges.
The energy that Jackson, a true conservative, brings to the ticket was felt at the state Republican convention as he led 2-to-1. When he states, “I am not a black American. I am an American,” he perfectly exemplifies Martin Luther King’s dream that “they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
Obenshain — like his father, who was chosen as the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate — will carry on the legacy of conservatism. He has worked closely with Cuccinelli and will continue the great work that Cuccinelli has spearheaded.
DEBBIE BENNETT
SALEM