Letters to the Editor, Cont’d: Is Virginia Too Purple to Accept Funds?

Is Virginia Too Purple To Accept Funds?
Editor, Times-Dispatch: In the 1995 General Assembly session, Sen. Richard Saslaw (D-Fairfax) co-sponsored a resolution calling on Republican Gov. George Allen to apply for Virginia's $6.7 million share of federal Goals 2000 funding. Allen balked at accepting the aid (amounting to less than one-tenth of 1 percent of the 1996-98 state budget) until Congress amended the education program to make it less intrusive.

Fast forward to 2009, post-gubernatorial election. Now, Senate Majority Leader Saslaw is suggesting Virginia doesn't need public charter schools because the state is too "suburban-oriented" to benefit from them. Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell, a conservative Republican, and President Barack Obama, a liberal Democrat, agree that the availability of strong, independently managed charter schools is vital to K-12 reform.

If Saslaw and the usual change-averse education interests stonewall charters, Virginia stands to forfeit far more than Goals 2000's chump change. U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan has said states will severely handicap themselves in the competition for a share of the $4.35 billion Race to the Top incentive fund if they impose limits on charter-school start-ups. If a potential loss of a few million bucks so empurpled Saslaw in 1995, why does the prospect of forfeiting a few hundred million not bother him now? Has Virginia become so suburban that money to help families find better schools is insignificant? Robert Holland, Senior Fellow for Education Policy, The Heartland Institute.

Chicago, Ill.

• Holland is a former columnist and Op/Ed editor of The Times-Dispatch.
  
  Does Perriello Fear Pelosi or Voters?
  Editor, Times-Dispatch: Rep. Tom Perriello, a Democrat, went against the will of the people in his district by voting for a bill that won't reduce global warming but will greatly increase energy costs. He went against them again with his vote for so-called health care reform that actually will lead to a government takeover of health care, penalize healthy people who don't want medical insurance, and reduce funding for Medicare.

No one is fooled by the recent TV ad by a liberal, labor-funded group thanking Perriello for backing the legislation. It doesn't speak for the people of the district. Why does Perriello buck the desires of those he claims to represent? Perhaps it is because he is more afraid of liberal House leader Nancy Pelosi than he is of the voters. Why else would he be a Pelosi puppet?

Public Policy Polling reports that in Virginia 13 percent of Obama voters say they'll choose a Republican for Congress next year. Those Virginians who voted for John McCain say they plan to vote Republican by an 86-3 margin. Outsider advertisements congratulating Perriello for betraying his constituents won't change those numbers. In a year he'll learn that his fear is misplaced when he's tossed out of office by an angry electorate.

Edward W. Clark Jr.
Blue Ridge.

Our elected officials do not need to respect the Constitution and they can do anything that will get them votes.

Most Americans do not know what is in the Constitution or do not care. We don't require that Congress show any respect for the Constitution. It has become an irrelevant document. The fault lies with the ignorant and ambivalent American people.

Brian Eugley.
Richmond.

Lou Caraker volunteered for the Marines at age 15 during World War II and endured experiences, both good and bad, that most people cannot even imagine. He did it because he thought it was the right thing to do, apparently with little regard to the risks he would face. His grandson, Capt. Thomas F. Hancock IV, is currently serving in the Marine Corps in a capacity that likely puts him in danger more often then his family cares to think about, but he does it willingly and intelligently. Celebrating and honoring these two exceptional veterans along with all the others that have served is simply the right thing to do.

The second article shared insight into the small number of Navajo Indians who bravely and intelligently served our country during WW II. Although American Indians haven't always been treated with respect and dignity throughout our country's history, this group of original citizens rose up to serve and did so with exceptional results that saved many American lives.

This country continues to have ordinary citizens rise up and do extraordinary things when the need arises. Our history is full of examples similar to these and I am confident our future will continue to find such heroes. Courage, ingenuity, persistence, and intelligence made this a great country and gives us immense hope that we can be even greater in the future.

Please keep sharing news like this.

Joseph I. Dorsey.
Richmond.

As we mourn the passing of 13 of our departed, we celebrate the soldiers who took action to resolve this crisis to the best of their abilities. In stark contrast to the Oct. 22 attacks in Pakistan where 20 Pakistani soldiers were killed during a 22-hour attack, our military responded swiftly and with precision, ending the attack in less than an hour. While we remember the fallen who lived in constant readiness to sacrifice their lives for our country, let us not forget the heroes who stopped this massacre -- they too are to be commended for their bravery.

That the shooter's intentions have been tied to his faith is disappointing. It would be a dire mistake to believe his motivation had anything to do with the teachings of Islam. Just as Timothy McVeigh had nothing to do with Christianity, so does Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan have nothing to do with Islam. Rather than pointing the finger at any religion for the actions of a disturbed individual, I prefer to take a moment and sincerely thank those heroes of Fort Hood who readily put their lives in harm's way so that I and my children can remain in safety.

Qasim Rashid.
Richmond.

The actions should be taken after a thorough investigation free of politics, emotions, and political correctness. Maj. James Standard, U.S. Army (Ret). Richmond.