Opinions

7, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: Like the zombie characters in TV’s “Walking Dead,” Congressman Ben Cline sleepwalks behind Donald Trump. He defends his master’s pronouncements of innocence by saying, “If they can do this to a former president, they can do it to you.” This disregards a basic principle of the American judicial system, “Innocent until proven guilty.” Yes, Mr. Cline, if your constituents are charged with breaking the law, they deserve to prove their innocence in court. That is how our system works.

Aug. 7, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: I urge everyone, no matter your politics, to read the latest indictment of the former president, found here (or simply google it): https://www.justice.gov/storage/ US_v_Trump_23_cr_257.pdf.

Aug. 4, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: On Aug. 1, the Rockbridge area lost a special person. Her name was Collette Barry-Rec and she dedicated much of her life to honor veterans and this country.

Aug. 7, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: While the Republican front runner continually harps on the past, the Republican House majority keeps announcing “there’s smoke” as they investigate the “Biden Crime Family.” Let me remind you who is actually blowing smoke. Beginning in 2011, Republicans said they had a better Affordable Care Act and were determined to repeal and replace Obamacare. That was 12 years ago! Then in 2016, Hillary starred in seven Benghazi investigations, followed by accusations of destroying her server and being involved in “Pizza-gate.” In 2020 it was Biden’s turn in the center ring of the Republican circus with “Stop the Steal.” The results? After many multiple investigations, some in the courts, Republicans have continually come up with nothing!

Aug. 9, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: I have been a member of the board of directors of the Rockbridge Area Health Center (RAHC) for only four years, and I continue to be amazed at the number and variety of services the health center offers.

Aug. 1, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: In 1930 a plaque honoring Traveller, Robert E. Lee’s horse, was placed on the stable attached to the house built for the Lee family-- and Traveller!

Higher education may be supplanting manufacturing as the primary pursuits for which Buena Vista is known.

My wife, Lynne, and I got back last weekend from a 10-day road trip out through the Midwest, riding our bicycles on trails, and visiting museums and airshows. We put 2,200 miles on our car and rode on trails in Oh io, Illinois and Wisconsin. We visited and stayed in large cities and small towns. We crossed mountains, rivers, and miles of some of the richest farmland in the world.

For those who opted out of the “Barbenheimer” theatrical releases this past weekend, there were options for live entertainment available in our midst. Seldom Scene, the progressive bluegrass band that’s been seen plenty at the Lime Kiln Theater over the years, was back at the kiln to provide a rollicking good time for those fortunate enough to have snared tickets to the sold-out show.

In 1956, Moscow sent tanks and troops into Hungary, killing thousands of protesters as it crushed an anti-Communist uprising. Twelve years later the Soviet Union attacked Czechoslovakia, putting a brutal end to the Prague Spring and its liberal reforms. In 1991, Soviet tanks and armored personnel carriers assaulted crowds of civilians defending the independence of Lithuania. Russia fomented a war against Georgia in 2008, illegally seizing the territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Most murderous of all has been Russia’s savage onslaught against Ukraine, which began in 2014 with the conquest of Crimea and exploded in February 2022 into a full-scale invasion aimed at overthrowing the pro-Western government of Volodymyr Zelensky.

50 Years Ago

July 19, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette No one likes to give up the care of their loved one to an institutional setting. That was the decision our family faced following our mother’s recent catastrophic illness. Mother was severely ill due to a compromised water source. At her advanced age, her illness was nearly fatal. After an extended hospital stay, it was determined that Mother would not be returning home nor would family members be able to provide the level of care she needed.

July 17, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: We want to inform everyone of one of the best things to happen to Rockbridge County. We now have mobile health units that come to serve us in our home towns. I have been to the dental unit several times and was impressed by the professional staff working these units.

July 18, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: Every owner of a business in Rockbridge County sees the impact, every day, of the “swipe” fees banks charge merchants to process credit card transactions. Taking anywhere from $2 to $4 out of every $100 spent on credit cards, these non-negotiable fees are one of our highest costs, forcing prices to increase. Our customers also pay substantial fees for the privilege of using a credit card.

A strong case can be made for Virginia spending more on K-12 education. According to a report issued last week by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, the state is significantly short-changing its public schools.

The loss of the submersible Titan on June 18th got me to wondering a few things after all hopes that the five occupants would be rescued were dashed.

50 Years Ago

July 17, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: Summer time is when we commonly see our reptile friends, snakes. Many of us do not see them that way, particularly the poisonous snakes in our area (copperheads, rattle snakes). Many other snakes are non-poisonous. All of them serve an ecological purpose. Understanding the limits of the risk with poisonous snakes will help us reduce our fear.

July 13, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: While there may have been more shocking and disappointing headlines in your newspaper since The Lexington Gazette started up in 1801, I will leave that up to local historians. But when I saw “Southern Inn Restaurant Closes” heading in last week’s edition, that was it for me. Another local restaurant just didn’t close its doors. A Lexington landmark, lighted sign and all, went dim. It became off-limits, not just to VMI cadets.

July 14, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: As a returned Peace Corps volunteer who served in Jamaica from 1972 to 1974, I am urging Representative Cline and Senators Warner and Kaine to support the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act (HR 1273/S 1203) which is currently up for approval in Congress. This act will renew funding and provide needed updates to volunteer support services. In 2019, there were over 7,000 volunteers serving; today, post-pandemic, 1,200 volunteers have now returned to 51 countries. Historically, since its founding 62 years ago, 240,000 volunteers have served in 143 countries.