Letters: Obit Showed Us A Proud Young Man

Obit Showed Us A Proud Young Man
Editor, Times-Dispatch: I never had the pleasure of meeting John Arthur "Art" Murphy, who recently died at the age of 92. However, when I saw the picture accompanying his obituary, I did have the pleasure of seeing him in his WWII U.S. Navy uniform when he was a young man.

I'm sure Murphy would occasionally look at himself in the mirror and wonder where the time had gone. What a pleasure for those of us who didn't know Murphy to be able to meet him as he dreamed of himself -- a young man with a smile and the world before him.

Debra Gardner.
Richmond.

Christopher Gadsden, a patriot, designed the famous Rattlesnake Flag emblazoned with "Don't Tread on Me," a theme of independence that remains in use today. Robert Goulde Harper replied to an extortion demand from France with, "Millions for defense, but not a penny for tribute." Another notable was William Travis, commander of the Alamo. These three South Carolinians were omitted from your list, but exemplify the tradition of strong leadership from that state.

You erred when referring to the Preston BrooksCharles Sumner affair. Brooks, a congressman, did not cane Sumner for his speech against slavery. He did so because Sumner, in his two-day-long vitriolic speech, included an insulting and loathsome personal attack on Sen. Andrew Butler, a cousin of Brooks. This, then, became a matter of family honor and the caning followed.

Was Rep. Joe Wilson wrong when he yelled out, "You Lie!" during Obama's speech? Untold millions agree with him. He had the nerve to say what is obvious.

If one wants a "yes man" or someone easily intimidated, don't look to South Carolina. However, if you want someone to stand firm with you as a staunch ally during a crisis, then you'll find no better than those from the Palmetto State. Put away those delicacies from New York and Philadelphia that you often write about and try a plate of good old Low Country shrimp-and-grits. They do wonders for your outlook and are most pleasing to the taste buds.

D. Michael Thomas.
Midlothian.

Virginia's share of the $150 billion that would flow to the states would create 45,000 clean-energy jobs in the commonwealth while reducing state unemployment rates by 1.1 percent. Reports show that the clean-energy sector is one of the fastest growing in Virginia, with clean-energy job creation beating the national average. Eighty percent of clean-energy investments is going to the energy-efficiency sector, benefiting consumers and small-business owners alike. This sector saw a 38 percent increase in job growth from 1998-2007 and will only continue to grow once strong federal climate policy is created.

Strong federal climate legislation will also keep our global position at the top of the food chain. Recently, at the U.N. summit on climate change, Chinese President Hu Jintao announced ambitious plans to fight global warming, which U.N. climate chief, Yvo de Boer, said would make that country a "front-runner in the fight to address climate change." In that same statement, de Boer said, "the big question mark is the U.S." A strong federal clean-energy bill will help keep America in its position as a global economic powerhouse.

I encourage Sens. Jim Webb and Mark Warner to support a strong clean-energy bill in the U.S. Senate. It's the right thing to do for our economy and our future.

Chelsea Harnish.
Richmond.

By her own words, her teenagers are held to "hard and fast rules . . . of respect." My question is: Does she forbid her teens to take notes in class while the teacher or professor is speaking?

Just wondering.

Norma Richardson.
Richmond.