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O P I N I O N
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The Oklahoma tragedy highlights an inconsistency in America's thought life.
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MastheadMike Gochenour,Publisher Linda Ash, Editor Wm. E. Keister, Publisher, 1972-1996 E. Earl Keister, Publisher, 1932-1972 |
Latest Opinion - Editorials, Letters, Columns
The world looked upon the tornado-flattened landscape of Moore, Okla., with awe. The destruction was shocking, as were the personal losses. Many Americans in the audience also felt -- and this must be said -- some comfort. Here was a country of strong people rolling with some very serious punches. It still exists.
It was a flash of joy against a relentless backdrop of despair. So, of course, the video of Barbara Garcia's happy news went viral.
Mark Carson was shot in the face because he's gay.
Many of you soon-to-be college graduates are determined to make the world a better place. Some of you are choosing careers in public service or joining nonprofits or volunteering in your communities.
There was once a 6-year old who happened to be alone in the living room. She spied her aunt's purse and on a whim slipped her hand inside to check the contents. Was she surprised when she pulled out a five-dollar bill.
In my experience, many who plead most passionately for bipartisanship do so because they hope to persuade those on the other side of the aisle to cave in on their principles. But there are times when bipartisanship is not only desirable, but also absolutely necessary. Partisan bickering and finger pointing have no place when national security is at stake.
The "town fathers" of Mount Jackson should be ashamed for forcing the closing of the Mount Jackson Farmer's Market. Perhaps "town fathers" are the wrong words. Picayune, small town politicians, with no foresight, might be a better description. Does it seem realistic to force foreclosure of the operation because of a gravel parking lot? This operation is only open four to five hours for two days of the week.
When you get right down to it, the political targeting and stalling of tax-exempt applications by the IRS was an effort to defund the tea party. Rick Santelli, one of the tea party founders and my CNBC colleague, was the first to make this point. I've taken it a step further: The IRS was taking the tea party out of play for the 2012 election, as it looked to avoid a repeat of 2010 and another tea party landslide.
Back in their day, the tea party folks were riding high, fueling indignation over alleged government-run death panels, a treasonous Federal Reserve and the like. They commandeered sparsely attended Republican primaries, managing to nominate for Senate seats a dabbler in witchcraft in Delaware, holders of strange views on rape in Missouri and Indiana, and in Nevada, a candidate suggesting armed insurrection if her people didn't win elections.
The high stone columns on the mall at Boscawen Street in Winchester are causing trouble for pedestrians, but especially drivers who have no way of determining if someone is about to cross the street (often without looking first).
While driving down Red Banks Road, I noticed cars slowing down for something in the road.
In recent weeks, a number of articles in the Northern Virginia Daily have mentioned the county's efforts to kickstart a land protection program, including my own column in the Daily, "Local land conservation fosters economic development" on May 2. There have been comments about the value of the county's investment in rural land and whether this is right for the county.
At great political peril, George Ryan did the right thing.
It's impossible to predict the lasting impact of the controversies now besetting the Obama administration, but the risks to the president's agenda are sizable.
Ten years ago this month, President George W. Bush climbed confidently from the cockpit of a fighter jet that had landed on the USS Abraham Lincoln flight deck. He strode to the microphone and declared an end to major military operations in Iraq.
It hasn't been a great week for the Obama folks, as the scandal du jour tour has firmly taken hold. Every day it seems another federal agency is exposed as having intimidated, snooped, covered up or gone to Vegas on the taxpayer dime. Zimbabwe is even making fun of us.
On Jan. 21, 2009, in remarks welcoming his new presidential staff, Barack Obama said: "Let me say it as simply as I can: Transparency and the rule of law will be the touchstones of this presidency."
Speaking at Ohio State just a few days before abuse of power and dishonesty scandals swept over his administration, President Obama sang one of his trademark odes to the benevolence of government:
Dan Jenkins, a sportswriter of rare wit, once gave us the Ten Stages of Drunkenness, which include these separate points on the road to inebriation: "Witty and Charming," ''Rich and Powerful," ''Clairvoyant," ''Patriotic," followed by "Crank Up the Enola Gay" and culminating in Stage 10, "Bulletproof."
Submissions policyLettersLetters should be 350 or fewer words and they must not have appeared in any other print or online publication. We are looking for letters that are well written, thoughtful and thought-provoking on a variety of topics. We will edit letters, but we will not rewrite them.Letters must not include Web addresses or material pulled from another source without attribution. Letters must be addressed to the editor and not to another person or group. Letters also must not include personal attacks or hate language. We only accept letters from readers in the Northern Shenandoah Valley, or those letters that bring up issues specific to our area. Readers may submit one letter per week, but there is no guarantee that every letter submitted will be published. We do not accept anonymous letters. You must include your address and phone number with your letter, but only your name and hometown will be published. Cheers & JeersCheers & Jeers are anonymous notes that are 100 or fewer words.Reader Commentary/Op-EdWe accept reader commentary/op-ed submissions on any topic. They should be no longer than 750 words. We will edit these submissions, but we will not rewrite them. Content of these submissions must not have been printed in any other print publication or online. Material quoted from another source must be attributed. You must include your name, address and phone number as well as a sentence about who you are for a brief bio at the end of your submission. You may include a color mugshot of yourself with the submission. You may submit up to two reader commentary/Op-Ed pieces within one month for consideration.How to submit Submit letters, Cheers & Jeers and reader commentary/Op-Ed pieces via our Virtual Newsroom at www.nvdaily.com/virtual, or e-mail them to Editor Linda Ash at lash@nvdaily.com Paste your submission directly into the email and do not send it as an attachment. We will not open attachments.We prefer submissions by email or via the Virtual Newsroom, but you may mail them to 152 N. Holliday St., Strasburg, VA 22657. Handwritten notes that are not legible will not be accepted. |
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