Wikimedia Commons

Your daily Letter to the Editor – June 6, 2013

It is so comforting to see that Dan Casey is presenting himself as arbiter for truth during the present gubernatorial campaign (“Cases show Cuccinelli’s priorities,” June 2 column). However, it does seem that every other of his major columns is directed against Ken Cuccinelli — almost as if it were a vendetta.

Thankfully, we can be certain he will be equally as tough on Terry McAuliffe when he turns his spotlight on him, as has The New York Times.

For example, in April it reported, “Mr. McAuliffe resigned as GreenTech’s chairman last year but publicly acknowledged it only this month. Documents have surfaced questioning his explanation for why he located the plant in Mississippi, not Virginia, including memos from Virginia officials expressing ‘grave doubts’ about his business model and suggesting its financing was a ‘visa-for-sale scheme’ for Chinese investors.”

But wait! You say Casey doesn’t criticize Democrats, only Republicans? But, of course, how silly of me. This is The Roanoke Times. And this is Dan Casey.

Jon R. Harris
ROANOKE

—————————

Note from Dan: Thank you for reading my work.

Wikimedia Commons

Your daily Letter to the Columnist — June 6, 2013

Dan,

Once again, your investigative efforts, skill, guts and style have shined the light of truth on that scourge, Cuccinelli.

You are so good, even people who don’t see things your way read you, and that makes you very valuable. We who agree get a boost for the day, seeing a good punch landed squarely.

You give hope and humor, and it takes both . . .

Big admirer,

Dan Crawford
ROANOKE

Wikimedia Commons

Your daily Letter to the Editor — June 5, 2013

Re: “Cases show Cuccinelli’s priorities,” June 2 Dan Casey column:

Understanding Ken Cuccinelli’s crusade against climatologist Michael Mann requires us to look beyond the attorney general’s contemptible defense of a garden-variety swindlers. Since politicians and lawyers often have an affinity for con men, it’s hardly surprising that Cuccinelli wound up in “Bobby Thompson’s” corner.

Mann, on the other hand, is a scientist who has spent his professional life in a search, not for riches, but for robust historical evidence about ongoing changes in Earth’s climate. Because his findings and analyses were problematic for corporate forces who’ve bankrolled climate-change denial in America for decades, his work had to be discredited — hence the usefulness of an ideologically propelled attorney general.

Cuccinelli’s vindictiveness has historical parallels. For example, take the 19th-century discoverer of antisepsis: Ignaz Semmelweiss died at 47 after his life-saving findings were denounced by medical professionals who resented being told to wash their hands.

Climatologists like Mann are planetary doctors; rejecting their findings will translate into unimaginable losses of life and property in the coming decades — losses that will redden the hands of anti-science zealots like Cuccinelli, and be remembered throughout human history as a tragedy triggered by greed and ignorance.

Warren Senders
MEDFORD, MASS.

Infrogmation | Wikimedia Commons

Your daily Letter to the Columnist — June 5, 2013

Casey,

You just plain suck.  You are NOT a political expert, although you obviously think you are.

Stick to the local yakkety-yak, huh?

The negative quality of the crap put out about Ken Cuccinelli by this rag shows very clearly that he’s doing exactly the right thing, and you liberal a–holes are (tsk tsk) SO offended by it.

Gee, what a shame!  So just keep it up and continue to be a complete fool; you can’t hide that.

wisties433
SOMEWHERE

Andre Engels | Wikimedia Commons

Your daily Letter to the Columnist — June 4, 2013

Dan:

I read in the paper this morning that Krispy Kreme is closed due to fire and Dunkin’ Donuts is closed for renovations.

Given that the first Friday in June is National Donut Day (this Friday!), the Roanoke Valley is facing a looming crisis that may rival the 1985 flood.

Hope you’re on the case!

David
ROANOKE

———————-

Note from Dan: Please put your cracks about the looming donut crisis in the comments below. They may make for some upcoming column material!

Wikimedia Commons

Your daily Letter to the Columnist — June 3, 2013

Bicycle and moped should not be allowed on public roadways.

The majority of them have no consideration what so ever of traffic laws.

Bicycle riders run stop signs ride in the wrong direction and think they have the right away on the roads and the police turn a blind eye to them. (Also Roanoke police are just as bad).

They should be register like other vehicle.  I know what’s next the mopeds are but nothing is enforced. They use the roadways so I think they should pay like everyone else.

Dan I could rant on but there’s no need.

Thanks

No Name

Created by Dan on Zazzle.com

Your daily Letter to the Columnist — May 21, 2013

Dear Mr. Casey

As I recently had an article published, I am not eligible to submit my question to the “Letters” editor because of the 30 day rule.  So I am sending my concern to you.

Yesterday’s Roanoke Times carried an Associated Press article concerning the IRS mess, entitled “White House: Obama wasn’t aware of IRS targeting”.  Towards the end of the article, the following statement was made:  “The report (i.e., the report issued by the Treasury Department Inspector) concluded that a regional IRS office in Ohio improperly singled out tea party and other conservative groups for more than 18 months and took no action on many of their applications for tax-exempt status for long periods of time – hindering their fundraising for the 2010 and 2012 elections.”

My understanding is that these groups were applying for 501 (c) 4 status.  IRS regulations clearly limit the activities of organizations receiving tax exemption status under this regulation to “charitable, educational or recreational activities.” Read more »

The Roanoke Times | File 2009 | Altered by Dan

Your daily Letter to the Columnist — May 9, 2013

Dan,

The economy in Roanoke is not the best, tough times for most.

But yet the newly re-elected 2012 mayor, David Allen Bowers, wants to raise taxes on Roanoke City folks, but wants a pay raise???

Vice Mayor Court Rosen says no to raising taxes in Roanoke City . . . What did Court Rosen say about the mayor’s pay raise???

The mayor is not a grateful person at all. I am a Democrat. If Mark Lucas runs again, I would vote for him.

W.T.
ROANOKE

——————-

Note from Dan: The most recent story on this subject by my colleague David Ress is here. In it, Court Rosen spoke against increasing the mayor’s and council’s salaries. But it looks likes it a done deal. Four council members — Bowers, Sherman Lea, Anita Price and Bill Bestpitch — appear to favor the raises.

Wikimedia Commons

Your daily Letter to the Columnist — May 8, 2013

Note from Dan: The email below is by Kevin DeGidio, one of the parents of girl volleyball players mentioned in Sunday’s column about the former volunteer assistant coach at Salem High School now faces charges of possessing and producing child pornography. DeGidio attached four documents referenced in the letter, which I have examined. All appear genuine. Kim Martinez, head coach of the girls volleyball team at Salem High, resigned from that position Monday.

Dan,

This is Kevin DeGidio, I was mentioned in your article “When is Red Flag Red Enough?”

I thought your article was excellent and asks the questions that everyone should be asking. I know you must put the response New Revolution in Volleyball and Old Dominion Region Volleyball are making, but I am getting tired of them saying I am making false statements. Read more »

Wikimedia Commons

Your daily Letter to the Editor — May 6, 2013

Reading the news story “Army says no to more tanks, but Congress insists” April 29 annoyed me more than Dan Casey!

The Army does not need or want any more Abrams tanks, yet Congress, in the midst of sequestration, is requiring that almost half a billion dollars be spent to build a 70-ton paperweight.

These tanks will most likely be put into storage and rust until bid upon by a scrap metals firm.

Meanwhile, services that the public enjoys or needs are eliminated so one party can blame the other, in hope that the public will demand higher taxes so their wanted programs and services will return. Disgusting.

Peter Nylander
ROANOKE

——————–

Note from Dan: I was also annoyed by that story. But I’m curious as to how Mr. Nylander knows he was more annoyed by it than I was.