Moving on, the Fourth of July, energy, Jimmy and yield

By Published by The Editorial Board

Published: July 9, 2008

It’s time for us to move on

To the editor:

The editorial, “His last day,” (July 2, page A6), was shortsighted in that it appeared to chastise Danville City Council for not producing enough incentive to prevent Jerry Gwaltney, the former city manager, from retiring.

City Council members are our elected leaders. They should have the vision. The city manager position is a bureaucratic one — the office that implements the vision.

Gwaltney was well compensated for his implementation. Now is not the time to embellish Gwaltney’s legacy. It’s time to support the new City Council’s efforts to promote a commonality of purpose among our citizens.

The real test of Gwaltney’s legacy will be if the new jobs he brought in will support Coleman MarketPlace without causing more vacant storefronts on Riverside Drive, downtown and at Piedmont Mall. To use an analogy, Gwaltney prepared the foundation for the new house. If the foundation cracks after the house is built, do you blame the roofer (in this case, the elected City Council)?

ED TILLETT

To the editor:

One of the newspapers in Philadelphia ran a column to the effect that we didn’t have any reason to celebrate the Fourth of July, what with us being the sorriest individuals on the planet and all — Abu Ghraib, Guantanimo, American imperialism, on and on and on.

What a bunch of crap.

I don’t know how the author planned to spend the Fourth of July, but I celebrated it with great pride.

I cherish my freedom, and I am forever grateful to the brave men who made it possible. I used to take it for granted, like the air we breathe or the sun in the sky. The older I get, the more I appreciate what a great gift it is — a gift denied to this day to many people.

The story of the human race was one of misery, bondage and oppression. Then someone wrote a few words that changed history forever and broke the darkness that had dominion over the human soul: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

With those few words, the world was forever changed.

This country has never been perfect, nor was it meant to be. The Founding Fathers knew that freedom invited mistakes, but they also knew that human nature must be free in order for the soul to thrive. We stumble along, doing the best we can. We make mistakes, but the idea is real and perfect.

We have always been the one country to which the oppressed people of the world come to find this thing called freedom. We still are. And we are still willing to die for this freedom, not just ours, but for oppressed people everywhere.

I am more proud than I can say to be an American at this time in history. Darkness threatens the world yet again, and we stand against it once more. We don’t fight for oil or territory, we fight for freedom and security. I don’t know about you, but I think that’s worth celebrating.

ROBERT HUDSON

To the editor:

I would like to praise and compliment The Tabernacle for its presentation celebrating Independence Day. I do not attend The Tabernacle, but anyone there on the Fourth of July who did not get a feeling of pride in being an American should leave this country — now.

The selection of music was outstanding — gospel and songs of America by people who made America free ... patriotic songs that made us stand tall.

The fireworks were very inspiring and the program was well planned and prepared.

God bless America.

DANNY YATES

To the editor:

Experts agree that drilling for oil in America would be too little, too late. It will give us too little oil to make a significant or long-term difference in prices, and it would take 10 years to have any effect. Definitely too late for the urgent problems that we face today.

That is why I can’t understand why Jim Gilmore is stuck on this plan to drill here and drill now. But then again, he was stuck on the car tax, even when the state’s finances showed we could not afford it. I guess his idea of keeping his word to Virginia is by refusing to look at the facts and doing what he wants, regardless of what is best for us.

I’m glad that Mark Warner has a different idea. He has always leveled with us about the real situation. He listens to the experts who say that we don’t have adequate oil reserves to solve our growing energy problems. He is looking at other options, such as using diplomatic and trade pressures to encourage oil-producing nations to increase production during this tough time and closing the loophole that allows speculators to bid up the price of gas. Also, increasing research and development on alternative and renewable energy so that America can, once again, lead the world in innovative new technologies for our modern challenges.

Let’s get the truth from our politicians and elect Mark Warner to be our next senator.

ALICE GOODWIN SAUNDERS

To the editor:

Watch what you wish for!

Former President Jimmy Carter says President George W. Bush is “the worst president in history.” He should be an expert on bad times — and there is no doubt he has a bad memory. I try to forget that I voted for the guy. There are three things I remember about Carter’s leadership:

 

• Carter made Iran what it is today. He was in favor of bringing to that country a “religious” leader who was in exile in France. Carter was in favor of dethroning the Shah of Iran, who was this country’s long-time friend and ally. He watched it happen.

• Carter’s man to lead Iran ordered the sacking of our embassy and the capture of 52 American diplomats. These people were blindfolded and paraded in front of television cameras for the whole world to see. I believe our inaction toward these hostile actions led to the popularity and strength of terrorism today. Every two-bit dictator was encouraged to stand up for what they perceived as a weak America. Carter did practically nothing. The Iranians saw a change coming and believed that there would be action from Ronald Reagan. The hostages were freed the day Carter left office.

• Carter seems to forget about the low interest rates that have brought about a strong economy for many years. Carter has the dubious distinction of having the prime interest rate reach 21.5 percent during his administration. He set a new high for high interest rates — which we hope will not be exceeded.

Those who clamor for change might be careful what they wish for. If the people vote into the office of president the candidate who promises the most giveaways, we might again see Carter-like interest rates. Will the poor people who are promised so much have the opportunity to receive higher rates of return on their investments and bank accounts? It is not the rich who will suffer the most.

The poor can least afford to pay more for everything they buy. A granted wish for change in our economy might not be what was expected.

DANNY RICKETTS

To the editor:

Here’s a plan to fix what is becoming a severe traffic problem. Change the red-and-white triangular road signs to provide an option, as did the warriors of of old, to ill-disposed persons: YIELD — OR DIE.

ALAN D. MURRAY

Danville