More Letters to the Editor: Never Forget 9/11—Or It Will Happen Again

Never Forget 9/11 -- Or It Will Happen Again
Editor, Times-Dispatch: I was relieved that President Barack Obama participated in the moment of silence on the eighth anniversary of 9/11 -- one of the worst days in American history. I was relieved because, through his words and actions, one gets the impression that he and his liberal base have forgotten the terror Americans experienced that day. They seem to have forgotten that the subsequent war on terror wasn't instigated by us, and that thousands of Americans have given their lives to ensure we never suffer through a day like that again.

They lament that we have sometimes had to employ harsh methods to extract information necessary to find and prosecute the perpetrators of terrorist attacks and to prevent additional attacks. Now they want to investigate and prosecute the very people who have kept them safe.

The news accounts from 9/11 have been replayed on numerous television shows. I hope all Americans have taken the time to watch one of those programs and be reminded of the terror of that day and the fear we all felt. To quote Santayana, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

Robert A. Crouse.
Midlothian.

The Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) was created under the leadership of Republican Gov. George Allen and subsequently expanded by Democrats Mark Warner and Tim Kaine with bipartisan backing in the legislature. These and other leaders in education, business, law enforcement, and now the military have found common ground in support of quality pre-K because of the 40 years of solid evidence behind it.

State-funded pre-K is working in Virginia. A report by the Joint Legislative and Audit Review Commission concluded that children who participate in the VPI are significantly better prepared for kindergarten than those who don't attend. Studies of programs in New Jersey, Michigan, South Carolina, and West Virginia are documenting similar positive effects. And children are not the only ones who benefit. Researchers have tracked pre-K graduates for decades and discovered that quality early education generates economic returns of up to $7 per dollar invested.

High-quality pre-K is a prime example of the kind of dataand results-driven solution that helps policymakers meet tough educational and economic challenges. Pew is proud to support the efforts of Mission: Readiness -- Military Leaders for Kids with rigorous research and effective advocacy, and proud to count so many distinguished military leaders among the ranks of early learning advocates. Susan Urahn, Managing Director, Pew Center on the States.

Washington.

House Reprimand Is Necessary
Editor, Times-Dispatch: As I read the story about the course of action that will be pursued by the Democratic leaders in Congress, I was delighted.

To admonish Republican Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina for his rude conduct on the House floor when President Barack Obama spoke to the nation and the world is necessary.

An oral apology to the president shortly after the incident will not suffice for an elected leader when he fails to execute his duties properly with self-respect, integrity, compassion, good human relations, dignity, and self-control.

To request the representative apologize on the House floor for his negative behavior would put Congress on record condemning such behaviors now and for future generations.

As a loyal Democrat with family values, academic excellence, spiritual guidance, and intellectual development, Obama must be commended for serving as an articulate visionary and role model with pride and self-confidence present at all times.

Cheers to President Obama.

Barbara McDaniel Harris.
Richmond.

Parker's condemnation of Wilson's incivility, and discussion of whether the president lied when he said, "nothing in our reform effort would pay for illegal immigrants," missed an important issue. In our civilized society of laws there should be no reason to insert, delete, promote, or defend bill amendments or passages regarding illegal immigrants. Formal inclusion of the phrase, or similar wording, suggests tacit approval of illegality. Illegal is illegal -- regardless of loose interpretation or the status of the interpreter.

As for "people behaving badly" in the political context -- when our elected public officials stop the "wink-wink" selective enforcement of existing laws, halt "fill in the blanks" spending bills, work together on needed legislation, hear the voice of the people regarding free enterprise, and practice personal examples of exemplary decorum -- civility across the spectrum of society will greatly improve.

Al Schalow.
Midlothian.

Tim Walter.
Mechanicsville.