Letters To The Editor

Deeds, McDonnell Cover State in Mud
Editor, Times-Dispatch: Is there any way we could have a third category on this year's ballot -- "None of the above"? I fully intend to vote in the gubernatorial election, but am not sure I am physically able to slog out of the disgusting mire both men have dumped all over the state.

Sandra B. Shirey.
Ashland.

Well, I'd like to offer up a similar observation regarding the naming of our new Richmond baseball team: The Flatheads, the Flying Squirrels, the Hambones, the Rock Hoppers, the Rhinos, or the Hush Puppies. What is wrong with you people? Isn't it bad enough that we squandered our chance of keeping the AAA Braves in Richmond? Must we now embarrass ourselves even further by hanging an absurd name on our new boys of summer?

Really, who has ever heard of a Flathead? An engine maybe, but not a fish. And when is the last time you ever saw a flying squirrel or a rhinoceros in Richmond? I think there may be one at the Richmond Zoo, but I'm not certain. Not to mention the Hambones and Rock Hoppers. Those two names are simply too painful and bizarre to even discuss. Are we intentionally trying to destroy any creditability this new team and our city may still have in the AA league?

Why didn't the team take advantage of the Native American icon that still watches over our beloved Diamond? As the old saying goes, "dance with the one that brought you." How about the Richmond Chiefs or the Richmond River Warriors? Then there was my personal favorite, the Richmond Tomahawks. Picture a huge tomahawk suspended from the ceiling as though it was being tossed by the brave at the opposing team. A.T. Buck Herbert. Richmond.

Norment's Jobs Raise Eyebrows
Editor, Times-Dispatch: Very recently there have been articles in newspapers around the state disclosing State Sen. Tommy Norment's apparent questionable relationships associated with his wide-ranging employment.

Norment took a position in July, 2008, at William and Mary for $160,000 a year, ostensibly for teaching two courses. Not bad! Norment sponsored nearly $20 million in spending measures for W&M in the 2009 legislative session. Since one assumes preparation for the session starts no later the than last half of the previous year, this certainly gives the appearance of impropriety.

Since December, Norment has been commissioner of accounts for Williamsburg and James City County. Interestingly, commissioners, who preside over the disposition of estates, are appointed by circuit judges. Norment, in his capacity on the Courts of Justice Committee, appoints those judges.

In a

Richmond Times-Dispatch article on June 7, Norment, in defense of what many of us feel is a flawed judicial appoint process, was quoted as saying:

"We not only have good judges, we have damned good judges," he said. "There have been very few instances of judicial impropriety."

"Damn good judges" for whom?

Bruce Bennett.
Vienna.

When asked which is the greatest commandment, He replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart with all your soul and with all your mind." Then He added: "Love your neighbor as yourself. All the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments."

Imagine a world where all lived by those commands. Every heart would be filled with love and tolerance. There would be no lying, no theft, no adultery, and no murder. There would be no gratuitous, casual, selfish sex. The love and respect shared between individuals would make such behavior senseless. There would be no fathers unwilling to be fathers and no mothers unwilling to be mothers. The "handful of cells" -- a stage McRae and I were lovingly allowed to pass -- would all be given a chance at life.

Thomas G. Meeks.
Richmond.