Letters to the Editor: December 6 – 12, 2018
Glad Virginia Still Supports Armed Self-Defense
Editor,
Those upset that “Virginia’s Dillon Rule Continues to Frustrate Falls Church on Gun Laws” should consider moving to D.C. or Maryland. I for one am glad that I live in a state that still supports the right to armed self-defense. Indeed, now that the Supreme Court finally has a critical mass of justices willing to uphold the Constitution’s original meaning, we should expect rulings striking down state and municipal laws that prevent law-abiding people from exercising their basic civil rights. My perspective may be affected by my coming from an oppressive regime (the USSR), but perhaps appreciating American freedom is just one more job immigrants will do that others won’t.
And going after BB guns? Somebody’s been watching too much “A Christmas Story.”
Ilya Shapiro
Falls Church
The W&OD Trail Isn’t Broke, So Why Fix It?
Editor,
After reading last week’s article, “$3.2 Million in State Funds OK’d to Turn W&OD Trail Into Bike, Pedestrian Lanes,” I could not get the old saying, “If it ain’t broke, fix it until it is” out of my head.
I have been biking that trail since 1993. In my opinion, I think it is fine just the way it is. It is pastoral, “old school,” soothing — where all can share the trail — bikers, joggers, roller bladders and slow walkers.
This new plan will have the Lance wannabes speeding down one lane, and all the rest in another lane. For what purpose?
Just sayin’.
Larry Comella
Falls Church
Swap ‘Pay-to-Play Politics’ for ‘Voters Over Donors’
Editor,
The Center for Responsive Politics reported that the cost of this midterm election, at $5.2 billion, was the costliest in U.S. history. The group listed Virginia the sixth-largest state recipient of total itemized contributions at more than $160 million, with District 10 ranked the 9th most expensive Congressional race in the country.
A recent forum on “Money in Politics” drew together legislators, members of local non-profit organizations and concerned citizens to discuss how to limit big money’s influence over our political system. These citizens joined the majority of Americans, more than 80 percent who support limiting corporate campaign contributions, thus bringing back power to the people.
Yasmine Taeb, a Virginia Senate candidate for the 35th District, challenges Virginia politicians in the upcoming 2019 election to “prioritize voters over donors” by rejecting the Old Dominion’s corrupt “pay-to-play politics” which have failed countless working families across the State. She and others also voiced support for a U.S. constitutional amendment to ensure that people—not money, not corporations or others — govern. Meanwhile, the need for innovative public campaign financing systems, such as Democracy Vouchers, was highlighted by Marcus Simon, Delegate from the 53rd District.
National initiatives are also underway to further a constitutional amendment. One such group, American Promise, aims to add Virginia to the 19 States which have ratified legislation supporting a constitutional amendment which reverses the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling (2010) which deemed “money as speech.”
Let’s allow our citizens to have as much influence as payday lenders, Dominion Energy, large pharmaceutical and tobacco companies and defense contractors. We, the citizens of Virginia, should pledge to elect candidates in 2019 who don’t take corporate PAC money.
Steven Spitz, Nancy Morgan
Falls Church, Alexandria
Honoring the Passing of a Generous Man
Editor,
Mr. Brown died today
It makes me sad.
But the goodness he was to all of us
Keeps me away
From crying
Every day for many years
I passed by his house
To see the TV, on sports,
Until one day he was gone
And the TV glow in the evening hours
Was no longer
I used to wonder if sports fed his soul
And kept him young
Now I wonder if, when he gets to heaven,
He’ll be able to parlay a starting quarterback position
On a celestial team
He might expect himself to be a shoo-in for that role
Given the top drawer wings he should receive
From whoever’s in charge up there
Considering the warmth and love he elicited
From the persons, the public he served
In his humble, helpful, warm
Stewardship of Brown’s hardware store
In the little city which now has his loss to mourn.
Kevin B. Shea
Falls Church
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