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If a judge is supposed to be impartial and only interpret the law, I just want to know what difference the gender or ethnic roots of a person make in being qualified to be a Supreme Court justice. I always thought that justice was blind.

-- Steve Burton, Glen Allen

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If you are tired of paying the Virginia car tax on vehicles(s) that you have already paid taxes on when you bought them, remember that when you go to the polls next month to vote for whomever the Democratic candidate is. The current and former governor have chosen to not take action on it except to leave it in place. I hope that candidate Bob McDonnell sees this correspondence. I've seen no benefit from this never-ending tax burden.

-- Charles Elam, Chesterfield

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On the day we mourn the loss of loved ones killed in the defense of our country, our government agonizes over how to properly treat those who would kill even more of us, if they had the opportunity.

-- Gene Puckett, Midlothian

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Marijuana is not meth, crack, or heroin. The FDA has approved synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol. Industrial hemp is considered a drug because it is in the genus family cannabis. So we cannot make materials from this renewable resource. When are we going to get serious about the planet, the drug war, and health issues in our country?

-- Charles Johnson, Dinwiddie

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Liberty University has no liberty, as evidenced by the school barring campus Democrats. The Rev. Jerry Falwell Jr. indicated that the "organization stands against the moral principles of the university." It is morally reprehensible to stifle individuals with different viewpoints. One viewpoint constantly shrilled into the consciousness of the students at best is propaganda. At worst, it creates a cult. Liberty, let freedom ring.

-- James R. Flinn, Richmond

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On Memorial Day weekend we gave tribute to soldiers who fought and died for our freedoms . . . yet today we find our freedoms are being taken from us not by the enemy but by our own government!

-- Ron Durrer, New Kent

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I love the federal government for its ethanol gasoline. I'm a mechanic by trade for almost 30 years now. The ethanol is eating fuel pumps up left and right. I've had six phone calls tonight just from people who have had problems starting their cars and with their cars cutting out. So, now I have six more side jobs to support my family. Isn't this recession nice, knowing that ethanol is supporting my family? Thank you, federal government!

-- Andrew Peck, Chesterfield

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I wonder if Sonia Sotomayor has so much empathy for the New York Yankees that, if she were umpiring one of their games, it would affect her ability to accurately call balls and strikes.

-- Jim Seay, Henrico

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Isn't it ironic that all good Democrats denounced Guantanamo and called for its closure -- but now they don't want any of the prisoners sent to their states?

-- Bill Walker, Warsaw

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Regarding the need to have an ongoing dialogue between pro-choice and anti-choice forces in this country: I don't know of anyone who actually is for abortion. Even people who support Roe v. Wade are not in favor of abortion as being the solution to every problem pregnancy. It should be a last resort, and it should be used rarely. But the problem is, the anti-choice people are also frequently the same people who are against any kind of comprehensive sex education in the public schools and are against the distribution of birth control information and condoms . . . .We need to get a dialogue going, but I'm afraid that's never going to happen.

-- Annette Jackson, Petersburg