What's Absurd About Restoring Honor?

My letter to Charlottesville's Daily Progress in response to Eugene Robinson's column published August 31st:

I hope the Daily Progress didn’t pay for Eugene Robinson’s opinion piece published on August 31st, because he mailed this one in. His “Even Beck can't mar King's legacy” article had nothing to do with the Restoring Honor rally held at the Lincoln Memorial last Saturday.

The first paragraph shows he had no intention of writing a thoughtful, honest piece and lets us know how he feels about the rally “…Glenn Beck has every right to hold his absurdly titled "Restoring Honor" rally on Saturday.” Absurdly titled? Mr. Robinson what’s so absurd about politicians doing the right and honorable thing? What’s so absurd about reading bills before you vote on them, posting bills online so they can be reviewed by the public before the vote, holding open and televised hearings on importation legislation, passing a budget and sticking to it, securing our borders and ensuring all immigrants play by the rules, supporting our troops once they have been committed to combat operations, maintaining high ethical standards and upholding the constitution they swore to protect. I agree, these things may seem absurd to you and many in Washington, but to the 300,000 plus that attended honor is important.

You see Mr. Robinson; you thought the Restoring Honor rally was an attack on the Democratic Party and liberal causes. It wasn’t, it was aimed at all of us, including members of both parties. Its simple message, just do the right thing. You sold your soul to the party long ago and such devotion has led to the one dimensional thinking your articles now reflect. Sorry you missed it and I fear most in Washington are restricted by a similar mindset.

Letter to the Fluvanna Review August 9, 2010

Several recent letters have praised Congressman Perriello and his efforts to help the 5th district. None of the letters have mentioned his complete support of the Nancy Pelosi agenda including a yes vote on the House Clean Air and Security Act (cap-and-trade), which the CBO has estimated could increase the amount the average household pays for energy by $1,600 per year. Luckily this bill has stalled in the Senate. His supporters also ignore his support of the attempted government takeover of our health care system as if by magic, stamping U.S. Government on our hospitals and doctors offices and staffing them with bureaucrats will make them better and more efficient. Finally, they seem to think it’s acceptable for the government to go after the income of those they deem to have more than enough. Why do liberals always have an incessant appetite for others money? The way to increase revenue is to increase prosperity so that more Americans are sharing the burden, not high tax rates that will kill growth and actually increase the deficit. The 5th district is not San Francisco and we need a Congressman that works for us, not Nancy Pelosi.

Questions for Virginia Representatives

I think we all agree that it is unacceptable for adequate health care to be out of reach for many of our citizens, but does it really take more than 2,000 pages of unreadable legalese and millions of dollars in special deals to cover the estimated 30 million uninsured?I have several questions regarding health care reform for Sen. Mark Warner, Sen. Jim Webb and Rep. Tom Perriello:

• Why were the states of Nebraska, Louisiana and Connecticut singled out for special deals and payments? If this is business as usual for passing a bill, why didn’t you fight for Virginia to receive special incentives?
• How can you pass a health care bill without addressing tort reform and portability?
• Mr. Perriello’s dad was my son’s pediatrician. President Obama said sometimes doctors will remove tonsils instead of treating a sore throat to receive more money. Do you agree with that statement?
• Were you voted into office to represent the citizens of Virginia or to follow the orders of your leaders Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi?
• Did you learn anything from the overwhelming victory of Gov. Bob McDonald and the recent election of Scott Brown from Massachusetts?
• Finally, regarding the current health reform bills passed by the House and Senate: is this really the best you can do?

Obviously, I do not think the current bills are the best our representatives can do. I believe most people want common-sense reform that will make health care more affordable and accessible. Rein in the attorneys, allow insurers to compete across state lines, hold the negotiations in public and pass legislation that will actually bring change we can believe in.

What's next for Airline Travelers?

So, a would be terrorist beats the system and sneaks on an airliner with explosive underwear. Our government’s reaction, full body scans for everyone. Let’s take it a step further; a terrorist beats the body scan by hiding a device in a body cavity. What then, stripping off all our clothes and cavity searches before every flight? Will somebody please stop the insanity! We all know that 99.9% of fliers can get by with keeping their shoes on, carrying more than 3 oz of liquid and going through a metal detector, yet we subject ourselves to ever increasing humiliation and harassment.

I have a suggestion, what about profiling. Don’t have a cow. I’m not talking about racial or religious profiling, but what about other factors: Criminal record, country of origin, behavior at the airport, ticket paid with cash, checked luggage, known terrorist associations are just a few of the things the TSA could use to determine who would be subjected to questioning and more intense screening. Here is an idea for Washington bureaucrats, stop the terrorist and cease with harassing and punishing the collective group of fliers.

Who thought 10 years ago we would have to endure no shoes, no liquids and x-rays that see through clothes. I hope someone in DC hears my plea before we are stripped naked, issued TSA flying clothes and cuffed to our seats.