LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Proposed Ballpark Would Improve Bottom

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

Their claim that this ballpark would not be an economic generator is based on analysis of major-league parks. The actual experience is completely different for minor-league parks that are surrounded by offices, housing, and hotels. Louisville, Memphis, and Toledo are prime examples of the amazing benefits to a downtown from minor-league sports.

The mayor of Louisville boasted on a Richmond Chamber of Commerce visit that Slugger Field "has been the single best investment the city has made in over 50 years." And unlike most of these ballparks, the Richmond proposal requires no investment of any existing tax revenue by either the city or the state.

This 20-foot hole could well be the only answer for the Bottom. FEMA has recently remapped the flood plain in this area, resulting in large portions of the Bottom being undevelopable without stilts and fly-over ramps. A ballpark surrounded by development accessed from the ballpark concourse is permissible in a floodplain. And the surrounding development would maintain the historic scale of the neighborhood.

Bell and Wight suggest that "if the city does its part to improve infrastructure . . . the center can attract other options." But does the city have the money to fully address the flood plain issues? This area currently generates zero sales tax, zero jobs, and little real estate tax.

This is an important project for Richmond. It creates an exciting use on otherwise unusable land and frees up more than 60 acres of land on the Boulevard for other economic development. Why wait for other theoretical options? This one is real.

David Napier. Richmond.

Timeless Works Never Lose Relevance

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

"Christina," "The Spirit of Young America," "The Drifter," the Chadds Ford series, and so many of his works reflect a great and much-needed display of the humanistic spirit in the American scene.

Perhaps Whistler would allow us to say of Wyeth that he painted not with oils but with his soul.

William H. Lindsey. Wicomico Church.

Actually, Bush Was Right About Housing

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

Much of this can be traced to the Community Redevelopment Act passed during Jimmy Carter's administration -- requiring banks to make risky loans as a way to encourage home ownership. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac of course guaranteed those loans.

Come forward to the Clinton administration, when Attorney General Janet Reno threatned lawsuits if the banks did not make more risky loans -- again, with Fannie and Freddie being the backstop.

When George W. Bush took office the problem with Fannie and Freddie was brought by the administration before the House Banking Committee. And what do you know, Reps. Barney Frank and Maxine Waters blocked any action, saying there was no problem -- that both Fannie and Freddie were financially healthy.

He did not mislead the world on Iraq -- most of the members of Congress, all intelligence agencies, and other world governments agreed and thought action necessary. And had the House Banking Committee done its job in 2001, much of the financial trouble would have been avoided.

It simply is so much better to blame President Bush for everything. It's all his fault.

Malcolm J. Myers. Richmond.

Palestinians Just Want The Truth to be Known

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

For the Palestinians, silence in the face of suffering was not an option. Just as to Israeli press censors, for whom no news about the Palestinians is good news, to some Palestinians, bad publicity is better than no publicity. Unfortunately, some Palestinians see unguided rockets, which cause minimal damage and are no strategic threat to Israel, as their only means of alerting the world to Israeli violations of international law.

The recent Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, trade restrictions, and all other forms of collective punishment are violations of the Fourth Geneva Convention. Because American taxpayers give billion of dollars to Israel, the rest of the world sees our country as being complicit in these crimes. America could become part of the solution by conditioning aid to Israel and the Palestinians on respect for international law.

Wayne Young. Richmond.

Shockoe Stadium Would Draw Record Low Crowds

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

There is nothing wrong with The Diamond, or its location. If the goal is merely to bring a minor-league team to Richmond, adequate facilities are available. No $60 million ballpark is necessary.

If the goal is to waste taxpayer dollars, then by all means, build a stadium that in a few years will be drawing one of the lowest-level fan bases in whatever league the team is in.

L.A. Luebbert. Richmond.