Joel Brinkley: A costly effort in Afghanistan

They're stealing from our people who are trying to help them and killing our soldiers who are trying to train them. And when called on it, they say we are lying. It's probably no surprise that I'm talking about Afghanistan. But a new U.S. government auditors' report puts glistening new icing on the cake.

Letter to the Editor: People who live in caves of fear only see shadows

Republicans rail against government as being bad. They want limited government in economic affairs to give corporations freedom from regulations designed to protect the health and safety of the public. Yet they advocate intrusions into the personal lives of citizens by limiting access to birth control and family planning.

Letter to the Editor: Taxpayers will have to pay for war against Syria

Well, it is happening again. The president of the United States has found an excuse to invade or attack another Muslim country.

Letter to the Editor: We need jobs, revenue in Shenandoah County

Mechanized farming and new methods farming as well as clothing factories moving overseas have eliminated many jobs in Shenandoah County. We need to get jobs. We need more revenue in the county to stabilize taxes.

Letter to the Editor: It's all very true

Please read this as a story to make you laugh and not to feel sorry for me. I can assure you not one word is made up, it's all very true.

Letter to the Editor: Standing up for the 'vulnerable and those in need'

In a recent ad, our attorney general's wife tells us that he has spent his career standing up for the "vulnerable and those in need." I'll bet the cash-strapped landowners in Virginia's coal fields would be surprised to learn that.

Letter to the Editor: What's up with the election 'greeters'?

Tuesday was Primary Election Day in Virginia, and voters who care went to the polls to do their duty. But there's always something new.

Letter to the Editor: An excellent response

Kudos to Bob Lowerre for his excellent response to Fred Hughes' right wing propaganda.

Letter to the Editor: Questions arise about Mount Jackson market, gravel lots

At the April 2013 Mount Jackson Town Council meeting, on behalf of the Mount Jackson Farmers' Market, its vendors, farmers and customers, I requested an extension to use the gravel lot at the former Farm Bureau Building on King Street, explaining that the market was in the process of filing for nonprofit status, and explaining both my intentions and the challenges that we have faced in paving the lot.

Letter to the Editor: Talk about smoke and mirrors

I read with interest and amusement Fred Hughes' letter published on June 6. The headline of the piece read, "More liberal smoke and mirrors." It went on to criticize a May 31 article by Andy Schmookler.