Letters to the Editor

Editor,

Thank you for Nick Benton's thought-provoking column, “Where Was My Church When the Right Hijacked ‘Values?’” Those of us who value America's diversity and its long tradition of separation of church and state are very distressed-not only at the results of our recent election but how they have been characterized by the mainstream media and pollsters.

I am a member of Rock Spring United Church of Christ in Arlington and know that many of my fellow congregants devoted untold hours working in support of candidates who espoused what we believe to be “moral” positions, seeking peace and social justice throughout the world and respecting the dignity of all persons. We did not receive our marching orders from the pulpit, but our activism was still founded on our own spiritual beliefs. We are no less “moral” than those who have seized that mantle.

Your column expresses concern that the United Church of Christ no longer is playing the leadership role it once did in national debates. Unfortunately, when our elected officials believe that they already know “the right answer,” it is sometimes difficult for religious leaders with differing points of view to be heard. Nevertheless, the national United Church of Christ continues its struggle on behalf of the causes that it has long supported. Within a few weeks, it will launch a national advertising campaign with the message, “Jesus did not turn people away….and neither do we.” It is an important reminder that there are still some faith traditions in the United States whose "moral values" include trying, intentionally, to be welcoming to all persons, no matter their race, sex, ethnicity or sexual preference. Further, we appreciate that no one faith tradition has all the answers to the complex problems that our world faces today.

Those of us who believe God created a world that is glorious in its diversity must find our common voice as we prepare to tackle the many political challenges that lie ahead.

Sara Fitzgerald Falls Church

Editor,

This letter is to offer a fond farewell to my friends, neighbors and former constituents in the wonderful City of Falls Church whom I have lived among for the past 30 years. As of the first of the year my wife Brenda and I will be departing this incomparable town for a waterfront condo (with its own boat slip) in Solomons, Maryland. After she retires from the Fed in 14 months (but who's counting), we'll then spend half our time split between there and our home in St. Croix.

The opportunity to serve the citizens of this fair town has been the supreme experience of my entire life - including my time near the top levels of the federal government - and it appears that with the foundations laid with my colleagues of the City Councils of the 1980s the City is now close to getting things “right” in terms of the commercial/residential development balance imperative to meet the needs of our citizens and of our schools.

I didn't want to depart without this opportunity to say adios and muchas gracias to all who have enriched my life over these past three decades. Take care and God bless - and remember, it takes a lot of work and citizen involvement to keep Falls Church a special place to live.

Gary D. Knight, Former Falls Church Vice Mayor

Editor,

Thank you so much for Mike Hume’s story on the Stuart-Falls Church High School football game. As you know, Stuart has had a less than stellar season these past four years, so finally winning the Bell Game was the saving grace for our graduating seniors. My son, Danile Lawson, is a senior and one of the team captains, and this was probably the last time he will have a chance to play football for a team. He and his teammates were euphoric that evening, as was the whole school the following Monday.

We parents have tried to collect photos and stories of our Raiders, to put together memento albums for them. Each weekend I scoured the area newspapers for any articles or stats of the Raiders, although obviously they are rarely mentioned in a positive note. This past week, most newspapers sports write-ups focused understandably on all the playoff games, but I knew my neighborhood newspaper, the News-Press, would cover our game. We were glad to read your article, which was well-written with great detail and most importantly, respect for both teams' efforts. Most teams (and coaches) smirk when it's their turn to play our team. But my son told me that after the game, one of the Jaguar players gave him a firm handshake and told him, “You really wanted this game and you got it. Good for you.” I am glad his brief football career ended on such a high note, with the sportsmanship of that young gentleman. Thank you, again, for your story (and picture)!

Debbie Lawson Falls Church

Editor,

Regarding your Transplant Consortium last week, Bobbie Leahey was very lucky to get a kidney transplant. More than half of the people who need an organ transplant in the United States die before they get one.

Most of these deaths are needless. Americans donate only about half of the organs that could save lives and relieve suffering. They bury or cremate the rest.

The shortage of human organs for transplant operations kills over 6,000 Americans every year. The solution is simple — if you don't agree to donate your organs when you die, then you go to the back of the waiting list if you ever need an organ to live. A grass-roots group of organ donors called LifeSharers is making this idea a reality one member at a time.

LifeSharers is a non-profit network of organ donors. Members agree to donate their organs when they die, and they give fellow members "first dibs" on their organs. This creates a pool of organs available first to members. The existence of this pool gives other people an incentive to sign donor cards and join the network, and this incentive grows stronger as the network expands.

LifeSharers also makes the organ allocation system fairer. About 70% of the organs transplanted in the United States go to people who haven't agreed to donate their own organs when they die.

Anyone who wants to donate their organs to others who have agreed to donate theirs can join LifeSharers at http://www.lifesharers.com. Membership is free.

LifeSharers has 2,672 members, including 104 members in Virginia. David J. Undis, Executive Director, LifeSharers

Editor,

The leaders of the Democratic Party let the members and the American people down. Fortunately, there are some who care, and are doing something about the widespread problems and irregularities across the country in the Nov. 2 election.

The presidential candidates for the Green Party and the Libertarian Party (whose platforms, by the way, do not agree) have cooperated to raise $150,000 in four days to file for a recount of votes throughout Ohio. Voter intimidation, secrecy and swelling of vote counts were especially rampant in Ohio.

Neither the Libertarian nor the Green Party has a chance of winning the election, so they have no selfish motives for their actions. These candidates want to remedy the wrongs, make certain every vote is counted and clear the way for fair elections the next round. We need to thank these men and help with the process they have begun. They are looking for volunteers to observe the recount process in every Ohio precinct.

Carol LeClair Falls Church