Letters: The Choice Is Clear: Oppose Intolerance

The Choice Is Clear: Oppose Intolerance
Editor, Times-Dispatch: During his bid for his party's nomination in 2000, one of the Republicans' own, John McCain, referred to the religious right (specifically Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell) as "agents of intolerance." McCain was absolutely correct. Eight years later, however, Republican nominee McCain pandered to those same agents of intolerance to court their vote.

While I'm not enthusiastic about any of the candidates in Virginia's elections, I realize I need to make choices. Agents of intolerance who seek to influence national and Virginia politics are alive and well and are represented by various organizations. It's not difficult to distinguish them, since their tone is in near-perfect harmony with Robertson and the late Falwell.

My litmus test for suitable candidates will be quite simple: Visit the Web sites of the selfproclaimed "politically non-partisan" agents of intolerance, see who they favor, and vote for the candidates who oppose them. In that way, I will be confident I made the right choices.

Mark W. Siegel.
Richmond.

This also being an election year for a new House of Delegates, I believe it is also an appropriate time for the state's residents to determine if their respective House candidates will commit to support the creation of a nonpartisan redistricting commission to undertake required redistricting.

The time is ripe. Virginians have had enough of the historical gerrymandering by both political parties. It's time redistricting focuses on what is in the best interests of the totality of Virginia's residents.

I urge the news media to publicize this challenge and assist citizens in determining the positions of prospective Assembly delegates.

I have long been, and until recently was, a very active Republican, but I nevertheless believe the time has come for both the Republican and Democratic Parties to put gerrymandering behind them if the best interests of the commonwealth are to be served.

William A. Forrest Jr.
Richmond.

All of these problems cannot and should not be laid at the doorstep of our current Democratic governor, but I imagine most of us expected better attention would be given and more resolutions would be forthcoming on many of these issues than what is apparent at the end of his term.

It is now time to turn over the reins to a proven pro-business leader, Bob McDonnell. He will work to strengthen our economy and create jobs, improve our schools, create solutions to our transportation problems, hold the line on taxes, and eliminate wasteful spending.

I urge my fellow Virginians to vote for McDonnell for governor, re-elect Bill Bolling as our lieutenant governor, and elect Ken Cuccinelli attorney general. These gentleman are all proven, principled conservatives.

Since redistricting of voting lines will be such an important issue in this election, I am also urging the re-election of Jimmie Massie, John O'Bannon, and Bill Janis and the election of Mike Gage to the House of Delegates. McDonnell will need the able assistance of these fine area legislators to get Virginia back on the road to prosperity and fiscal responsibility.

John B. LeRoy.
Henrico.

With the advancement of our technological abilities, anyone can be a star on YouTube or similar Web sites. Cell phones that can record video and other pictures are everywhere. While this technology isn't necessarily bad, the way it has been used has dragged us down to where every unfortunate incident can become the latest fodder for public consumption.

While public figures have a responsibility and duty to act with integrity, that doesn't always happen -- as can be easily determined by the endless apologies being made for bad behavior and thoughtless words.

We must do better than this. We are fortunate to live in a country with great resources and possibilities; yet we get drawn to the lowest common denominator. It's up to everyone to do better, and that begins with our own individual actions. What we choose to do, what we choose to support, how we each can make a difference is something for every individual to decide and act on accordingly.

Ann H. Smoot.
Mechanicsville.

As we spoke, McDonnell's attention was drawn to a memorial bracelet that I was wearing. He asked me about it, and I informed him that the bracelet was in memory of my son whom I had lost in Iraq in January of 2005. McDonnell's whole conversation turned to that and he explained to me that his daughter was then currently deployed to Iraq with the U.S. Army. He was visually moved by my story.

We shared more conversation and he expressed his condolences and deep sadness for my loss. Before departing, McDonnell asked if there was anything that he could possibly do for me. Not one to miss an opportunity, I told him about my son's Virginia flag. While in Iraq my son flew a large Virginia flag everywhere he and his USMC Reserve unit went, up until the time of his loss. I felt that the flag should be displayed proudly in public rather than hanging in a closet in my home. McDonnell told me that he would find a place for the flag.

Much to my surprise, a few weeks after he was elected attorney general he called and asked if I still had that flag, and if I wanted to donate it to the commonwealth. McDonnell then obtained private donations and created The Global War on Terrorism Wall of Honor. This wall honorably displays the framed portrait of each of Virginia's fallen soldiers, along with their personal stories, from the attack on the USS Cole, to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, up to the present. The wall was dedicated on the steps of the State Capitol on May 24, 2007. There, as its centerpiece, hangs my son's Virginia flag. At the time of its dedication, no other state had such a memorial.

After the speeches and after the dust of the campaign trail is long gone, McDonnell remembers what words he said, he remembers what he promised, and I can testify that he turns those words into reality.

I ask that you consider Bob McDonnell when you cast your vote for governor.

Darrell C. Bowling.
Stuart.

What we don't hear much of is bureaucratic cuts. How refreshing it would be to have some lawmakers stand up and shout, "We have just de-funded 50 percent of the government paper-pushers because we can't fund any programs they are supposed to oversee."

I know this sounds heartless, but what about the workers who are losing their incomes left and right? Is it any harder for our well-educated bureaucrats to find work than for our truck drivers, heavy equipment operators, electricians, etc.?

In many respects this is mass extortion of the taxpayers: If you, the taxpayer, don't willingly agree to pay more taxes then we will take away the services you really need.

Come on, America, stop taking this stuff.

Hank Lowry.
Ashland.