Letters to the Editor

Show the world we're proud of who we are

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

Recently, we watched as Occupy protesters in Los Angeles burned the American flag. It was sad to see where our country has gone. We cheer our soldiers in their homecoming and swear to help them return to a life that they have made safer for us. We then turn around and call our wonderful land and people piggish, lazy and not at all special.

Running an errand, I looked at houses as I passed for the presence of our flag, the enduring symbol of what makes us who we are. I saw very few.

We need to straighten our backs in pride and fly our precious flag to let everyone know this country is special and we are more than willing to stand and be proud of our wonderful land.

Laurie Kalata.

North Chesterfield.

Religion can't be used to discriminate

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

In response to Ann Babel's letter that disagreed with my earlier note that the Supreme Court made a mistake by letting religious organizations discriminate against other human beings using the principle of freedom of religion: She makes the point that everyone has the freedom to choose whom they want to associate with.

Certainly people are free to do so in their personal lives. That freedom does not extend to the work place. Passionate religious beliefs have been used to discriminate against other human beings. In fact, religious arguments were once made to deny women the right to vote, and even today those arguments are used to deny women full priesthood in certain religions.

For the Supreme Court to exempt religious organizations from observing simple anti-discriminatory laws in employment in this day and age is going too far. Religious freedom should not be used to deny people the ability to make a living. It is that simple. We do not want think about what happens in other countries in the name of religion. In Saudi Arabia religious arguments are made to blatantly demean women. This ruling could become a slippery slope.

Anil Kohli.

Midlothian.

The obvious solution is to increase fuel tax

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

The governor is trying to find a painless way to pay for roads where none exists. The most obvious and fairest way would be to increase the fuel tax. This is apparent to everyone except the Republicans who think the solution to every problem is to lower taxes. I am 90 years old, I voted for Gov. Bob McDonnell and don't recall ever voting for a Democrat.

To have a good and efficient Department of Transportation, an adequate and reliable source of revenue is necessary. It is argued that everyone benefits from good roads — therefore it is justified to pay for them from the general fund. This ignores the fact that the user is the most direct beneficiary of good roads and the out-of-state traveler gets a free ride. Fuel taxes should not be used to pay for such things as bicycle trails or railroads, and sales taxes and general funds should not be used to pay for roads.

George W. Habel Jr.

Henrico.

The inspiring acts don't get coverage

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

In response to your editorial, "National Anthem Butchery": Our son was in the West Point Glee Club for four years. During that time, the Glee Club performed the national anthem at several televised sport events, including the World Series, Army-Navy games and bowl games. Each time we tuned in early hoping to see the Glee Club. Instead, every time, the network ran either sports commentary or cut to commercials during the national anthem. It seems that only big names have their performances aired.

There are good, inspiring performances, they just don't get coverage name-brand acts do.

Susan Rollinson.

Henrico.

Foreign students improve Virginia's schools

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

I agree with Stuart Malawer's Commentary column, "Foreign students can boost economic development." We constantly search for the most talented international students as training them to become successful entrepreneurs ultimately creates more opportunity for the U.S. in the global marketplace. We also know their presence here gives domestic students exposure to global business thinking. Our commitment to international business education was apparent last fall when 118 of our Robins School students were studying abroad at our partner schools in more than 20 countries. In addition to our enrolled international students, we also welcomed 68 students to our campus as an exchange.

Right now more than 95 percent of the world's consumers live outside of the U.S., and if we are going to grow our economy, we must look beyond our borders. Creating business relationships with tomorrow's global business partners will benefit our nation for generations to come.

Investing in international education is not just in our long term interests. The almost 15,000 international students enrolled in Virginia colleges and universities contribute more than $350 million to our state's economy. Programs like these supported by the U.S. International Affairs Budget show why American engagement around the world is essential.

Nancy A. Bagranoff, Dean,

Robins School of Business,

University of Richmond.

Richmond.