November 30, 2007Driving to middle schoolFor Monday: We will write about Roanoke's plan to give overage students a place to thrive. Protect the Strategic Petroleum ReserveFor Saturday, we are writing about the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Rep. Bob Goodlatte is still pushing to cut off shipments to it. The reserve exists for emergencies, not to temper fluctuations in the price of gas, even if it is going up. A responsible gun registryFor Friday: It's heartening to see that since the April 16 mass shootings at Tech, the federal government's database of mentally ill people barred from buying guns has doubled. States are being more responsible. But as Virginia's experience shows, high numbers are not enough. It's critically important to get the right people on the list, while keeping the wrong people off. Discuss Friday's editorialsKeep the state ban on uranium mining Discuss Friday's local commentary and lettersWhy people hate Hillary Pre-K is an excellent investment Friday's letters can be read here. Discuss Friday's editorialsKeep the state ban on uranium mining State officials say uranium mining doesn't pose a public threat in Virginia. But it might. The Southern Environmental Law Center cites alarming enough threats: groundwater and surface water contamination, along with an increased cancer risk for workers and the public. Read a good book lately? Didn't think so Those who don't read for pleasure missed the delightful translation of Shakespeare in a John Harding novel. The only literate character on a South Pacific island desires to introduce the Bard to the villagers and so transcribes Hamlet into the native's pidgin: "Is be or is be not, is be one big damn puzzler." We couldn't help but recall that line when reading the National Endowment for the Arts' comprehensive analysis of reading patterns in the United States called, "To Read or Not To Read: A Question of National Consequence." Don't let the rather tedious title cause your eyes to glaze over, because the report actually contains exciting work. Discuss Friday's local commentaryPre-K is an excellent investment A major issue in the upcoming session of the Virginia General Assembly is whether to expand prekindergarten education for an additional 17,000 at-risk 4-year-old children. There is considerable research showing such education will help students achieve better in later years. Why people hate Hillary I look like Hillary Clinton. I used to deny it. But in 1993 when my then 18-month-old baby saw her on television, crawled to the screen and started kissing it saying, "Mommy!" I had to admit, there was something there. Read today's letters here. November 29, 2007Igniting a passion for readingFor Sunday, we'll be writing about recent studies that show a troubling decline in reading among teens - and even adults. What can be done to ignite a passion for reading among today's youth? CT scans and cancerFor tomorrow, we're writing about news that overuse of CT scans could lead to an increase in cancer rates. Americans are exposed to twice as much radiation as they used to be - largely because of an increase in the number of CT scans. The immigration factorFor Sunday: From a GOP presidential debate on the Internet to the pre-assembly sparring of lawmakers in Virginia, the signs are becoming common. Illegal immigration is a gut issue for many voters that politicians of both major parties will have to address. It's dangerous ground for both -- and for the country if policymakers fall back on bumper-sticker campaigning on a complex issue. Keep the state ban on uranium miningFor Friday: State officials say uranium mining doesn't pose a public threat in Virginia. It doesn't? The Southern Environmental Law Center sites alarming enough threats: contamination of groundwater and surface water, increased cancer risk for workers and the public. These threats ought to be thoroughly examined before the state decides to lift the 25-year ban on drilling for uranium deposits. Discuss Thursday's editorialsA birth control makeup test Hanging at the library Discuss Thursday's local commentary and lettersCivil War remembrance Holiday hopping Thursday's letters can be read here. November 28, 2007Encouraging people to get out of their carsFor our Sunday NRV Current editorial, we're writing about a proposal in Montgomery County to foster alternative transportation. New businesses that develop plans to get employees and customers to arrive by some means other than a car will be required to build fewer parking spaces. It's entirely optional, but a smart way to encourage biking, walking and so on. Read the ordinance here. Racism in Floyd CountyA quick update on a column I wrote a couple of months ago. Unconfirmed word on the digital street is that the Floyd County Woman's Club has voted to invite Civil War/slavery revisionist Gary Walker back for next year's Arts and Crafts Festival. It seems they caved to dubious legal threats. Check out more details at the Blue Ridge Muse blog. Keep contraceptives accessibleFor Thursday: An unintended consequence of the federal Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 has been a spike in the cost of contraceptives at student health centers and some community clinics that serve the poor. The Bush administration could easily set things right by clarifying the rules for clinics to be designated as "safety net providers," and thus eligible for deep discounts from drug makers, but the Department of Health and Human Services has failed to act. Congress can fix the oversight, though, and should -- quickly. Check out the librariesFor Thursday: Check it out. Kids are hanging at the libraries and maybe even reading. Discuss Wednesday's editorialsPrevent, or build America can continue to build more prisons for people who are drawn to a life of crime at a young age and persist into adulthood -- what the Children's Defense Fund calls the cradle-to-prison pipeline. Or we can build at the front end -- not prisons, but strategies that target young people who are at risk of being sucked into gangs, drugs and ultimately a lifetime in and out of the criminal justice system. The GOP accepts no presidential dissent The Republican Party of Virginia has no interest in thoughtful voters. It only wants mindless party loyalists who will vote Republican no matter what. That's the sad message of a new GOP policy for next year's presidential primary approved by the State Board of Elections this week. People who want to vote in it must sign a loyalty oath swearing their intent to vote in November for the party's nominee, whomever that winds up being. Discuss Wednesday's local commentaryAbstinence-only sex education works I am writing in response to Shanna Flowers' recent criticism of abstinence programs in Virginia's schools ("Kaine's take on teens and sex is practical," Nov. 15 column). You really should require Flowers to educate herself on subjects before you print her opinions in your paper. Her one source of data appears to be comments of a boy at Patrick Henry High School who said, "You walk up behind a girl, whisper in her ear and it's on." Read today's letters here. November 27, 2007The vikings would be proudThe new United Nations Human Development Report is out, and Iceland has taken the top spot as the most desirable place to live in the world. The United States fell to 12th from 8th last year. If you're worried about the cold (it's called ICEland), don't be. In Reykjavik it doesn't get hot or even particularly warm, but it doesn't get all that cold either. Scott's bill attacks crime at the front endFor Wednesday: We can continue to build more prisons for people who discover a life of crime at a young age and carry it through to adulthood - what the Children's Defense Fund calls the "Cradle to Prison Pipeline." Or we can build at the front end - not prisons, but strategies that target young people who are at risk of being swallowed up in the criminal justice system. That's what U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott, (D-Va.) aims to do through the Youth PROMISE Act, his legislation that aims to reduce juvenile delinquency and criminal street gang activity through prevention and early intervention.Scott's bill deserves support. Virginia GOP accepts no dissentFor Wednesday we are writing about the Virginia GOP's loyalty oath. Anyone who wants to vote in the GOP presidential primary must swear to vote for the GOP nominee no matter who it is no matter what he does. Apparently the party does not want members who weigh the qualifications of individual candidates when they vote. Discuss Tuesday's editorialsShucking corn for fuel Discuss Tuesday's local commentary and lettersFNB merger is good for shareholders, region Don't regulate pet breeders out of business Tuesday's letters can be read here. November 26, 2007The cost of warThe Congressional Research Service tabulated the cost of fighting terrorism plus President Bush's wars. Grand total 2001-2007 is: Iraq -- $448.6 billion Total -- $608.8 billion Request for next year: $195.3 billion (mostly for Iraq). The report goes on to document how the money was spent and how much taxpayers can expect to pay for years to come. Here's a hint: It starts with a 't' not a 'b'. Leave regulating online drug sales to the fedsFor Tuesday, we're working on an editorial about regulating Internet drug sales. One delegate is drafting legislation akin to laws in Kentucky that require Internet drug sellers to be licensed by the state. There are problems, to be sure, but a 50-state, piecemeal approach won't solve them. Chesapeake says no to ethanol plantFor Tuesday: Chesapeake City Council's reasons for voting down developers' plans to build one of the country's largest ethanol plants should not be dismissed as bowing to NIMBY pressure. A plant that would place a huge demand on water resources is a valid concern, as is increased air emissions. Residents expressed concern for both. Council sided with residents, and did the wisest thing in rejecting the proposal. November 25, 2007Discuss Sunday's editorialsA promise worth keeping The Bush team respects privacy New River Current editorial Discuss Sunday's local commentaries and lettersDo more to protect property rights Sunday's letters can be read here. Discuss Sunday's New River commentaryEarly education is key to later life Many young children in the New River Valley started kindergarten this fall. But would their teachers say that the children came ready to learn and to succeed in school? The answer depends largely on what those children experienced and how they lived in the all-important years from birth to age 5, when the learning process really began. November 24, 2007Discuss Saturday's editorialsSpurring downtown revival A plan to convert the old Merita Bakery building into condominiums and town houses is an encouraging sign for Roanoke. It means revitalization can spread beyond downtown's core. That bodes well for city leaders' dream for the heart of the city. A spruced-up City Market, enhanced entertainment venues and trolley buses would mean little without people to use and enjoy them. They both wear orange At noon today, Virginians will split three ways. The Cavalier-faithful will don orange and navy blue. The Hokie nation will wear its orange and maroon. And some people will enjoy a Saturday afternoon oblivious to the contest at Scott Stadium. Discuss Saturday's local commentaryGood that Roanoke is a 'daggone nice' place It is unfortunate that Roanoke City Councilman Beverly Fitzpatrick thinks that our community is making the homeless problem worse by being "too daggone nice." As chairman, and speaking for the other members of the Roanoke Rescue Mission Board of Directors, we are proud to be a part of one of the most efficient and effective charitable institutions in Western Virginia. Read today's letters here. November 23, 2007Discuss Friday's editorialsA $4.8 billion lesson The current regulatory system failed everyone in the Merck Vioxx fiasco. Either that, or everyone failed the system. Close the gun show loophole Gun rights advocates reacted strongly to former state police superintendent Gerald Massengill's call for the General Assembly to close the gun show loophole in response to the massacre at Virginia Tech. Tech gunman Seung-Hui Cho didn't get his guns at a gun show, bloggers and others argued. The massacre shouldn't be used as an excuse to restrict private dealers from making sales at gun shows without first conducting a background check. Discuss Friday's local commentaryPlease, don't kill me I am writing in hopes that this doesn't turn out to be the last essay I ever write. I am talking about the possibility of my death. I have noticed a "habit" people have that is very disturbing and life-threatening. I am referring to the habit of driving on the wrong side of the road. People are regarding the center of the road as a suggestion rather than the actual law. It is becoming all too common. Read today's letters here. November 22, 2007Discuss Thursday's local commentaryOn the way to 'Dickens' 'Tis the season for city officials to break out their best impersonations of the type of sanctimonious and insensitive characters created by Charles Dickens: characters who, often under the hypocritical blessing of official power, judge the poor with no empathy and usually a certain measure of greed. Today, thank a Christian You've seen the bumper stickers, haven't you? The ones that say: If you can read this, thank a teacher. You're also familiar, of course, with our current penchant for apologizing for past wrongs such as slavery to the descendants of those who were wronged. Read today's letters here. November 21, 2007Hokies vs. CavaliersFor Saturday, we are musing about the big showdown between the Virginia Tech and University of Virginia football teams. Discuss Wednesday's editorialsKeep Roanokers in the loop Discuss Wednesday's local commentary and lettersUnderstanding differences Wednesday's letters can be read here. November 20, 2007Roanoke should let the public in on potential uses of public landsFor Wednesday: Roanoke City Council is expected to be considering proposals in the near future for developing two pieces of property that not only are owned but are cherished by the public -- Mill Mountain and the Victory Stadium site on the Roanoke River. Council members should ask their questions and do their deliberations openly, so that all Roanokers can see and hear their options. Blacksburg's dangerous nightlifeFor our Sunday Current editorial, we're writing about the problems plaguing downtown Blacksburg when the bars close. Some annoyance is to be expected in any town, but what's going on now is too much. Unfortunately, there is no easy solution. Extending downtown living's reachThis week: A developer's plans to convert the old Merita Bakery building into condos and town houses is an encouraging sign for downtown Roanoke living. It means revitalization isn't restricted to downtown's core, but can spread to fringe territory, maybe beyond. Discuss Tuesday's editorialsJudge's panel deserves a fair hearing |