Letters to the Editor

'On this rock'

Man's capacity to know the truth is also darkened, and his will to submit to it is weakened. Thus, giving himself over to relativism and skepticism he goes off in search of an illusory freedom apart from truth itself. Pope John Paul II,...

Builders, farmers could block bay cleanup

Builders, farmers could block bay cleanup The Nov. 22 editorial ["A Chesapeake dawn?"] discussed how recent proposals in Washington could indeed lead to real progress in Chesapeake Bay cleanup if the EPA and the states finally make good on their promises to enforce limits on all sources of pollution....

JM oversight a sad but understandable error

I would like to offer my personal observation regarding the ineligible player on James Monroe's talented and well-coached football team who caused them to forfeit a number of their games. Having lived here for well over 20 years and as a football enthusiast, Friday nights found me and my wife most often at Chancellor High School games, but we are by no means strangers to any of the local high school fields....

UMW students made a great impression

UMW students made a great impression The Free Lance-Star's coverage of the "Students Empowering the Poor" event held at Hurkamp Park on Nov. 21 was encouraging ["A little goes a long way," Nov. 22]....

Keep Caroline beautiful with scenic easements

Caroline County property owners are faced with unfriendly economic conditions in selling their property, getting a mortgage, or coming up with money to pay their real estate taxes. Several families have properties that have been in their families for generations that they want to pass on to their children, but they also need money for current living expenses. Subdividing their land makes it less desirable to live there. Is there a good alternative?...

MSM think it gauche to probe American Islam

DALLAS--Don't jump to conclusions about Islam's role in the Fort Hood massacre, the media warned. Who needed to jump? From almost the beginning, it was clear that Maj. Nidal Hasan was a homegrown jihadi. Within hours of the attack, people who knew Hasan were telling reporters how openly pious he was and how he often expressed his opposition to U.S. war policy in religious terms favored by Islamic extremists. In fact, you had to strain hard not to see the role Islam played in this atrocity. But that's an exercise politically correct American elites--in the media, academia, and government--are good at. They've certainly had lots of practice since 9/11....

Al-Qaida's a long way from the caliphate

AUSTIN, Texas--Maj. Nidal Hasan's treachery and terror jolted Americans. As Hasan's attack demonstrates, al-Qaida and al-Qaida-influenced fanatics can strike and kill on American soil. While Hasan serves as a warning that the threat still exists, does Hasan's act forward al-Qaida's political goals? Indeed, what are al-Qaida's prospects for victory eight years after the 9/11 terror attack on America?...

Not seeking a raise in Spotsy: A good example

Not seeking a raise in Spotsy: A good example Kudos to Spotsylvania County Administrator Doug Barnes ["Barnes a bargain for Spotsylvania," Nov. 16]....

Congress must stand up to lobbyists

Congress must stand up to lobbyists On Nov. 7, the House of Representatives made history by passing the Affordable Health Care for America Act....

The message couldn't have been more clear

The message couldn't have been more clear I disagree that voters sent a mixed message to the county supervisors in the recent elections ["Board of Supervisors to face taxing issues," Nov. 9]....

Can the U.S. become the tallest nation once again?

A simple equation seems to be getting lost in the debate over national health care: National health care equals a healthier nation. It means fewer people taking sick days, relying on emergency rooms as their primary source of care, and a reduction of the burden on the insured (and taxpayers) from the uninsured who become catastrophically ill because of easily avoided or treatable diseases....

Health bill not perfect, but it's a good start

Health bill not perfect, but it's a good start When my husband was diagnosed with cancer and had minimal health insurance due to pre-existing conditions (kidney stones), we lived a nightmare of forms and regulations until he died....

Wittman's vote part of GOP group-think

Wittman's vote part of GOP group-think On Nov. 7, Rep. Rob Wittman failed to support H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act....