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Check It Out:
Looking for something to do this holiday weekend? See our picks for some fun local events.
LETTERS: Join the March Against Monsanto
Join the March Against Monsanto In a March Against Monsanto Saturday, citizens worldwide will unite to oppose biotech conglomerate Monsanto and call for mandatory labeling of foods containing genetically modified organisms. Rising rates of diabetes, autism, food allergies and cancers parallel growth of Monsanto’s genetically engineered soybeans, corn and sugar beets, making GMO labeling urgent. The so-called Monsanto Protection Act fuels this protest, but it is not the only issue.
EDITORIAL: Medicaid reforms advance
Legislators appointed to a commission to make sure Medicaid reforms are moving forward should arrive for their first meeting next month with their boots pulled on tight. That horse is already out of the barn and galloping down the road. Years of work by Bill Hazel, Virginia’s secretary of health and human resources, and his team have come to fruition this spring with initiatives offering better care at more affordable
EDITORIAL: Contempt is not a Christian value
E.W. Jackson says he will make no apologies for past statements that might offend. Like calling gay people perverted and “very sick.” Pronouncing the Democratic Party agenda as “worthy of the Anti-Christ.” Denouncing Planned Parenthood as “far more lethal to black lives than the KKK ever was.” Now that Jackson is the Republican Party candidate for lieutenant governor of Virginia, he sees no reason to temper his views. They reflect
PICK OF THE DAY: A garden fairy, too soon gone
Every gardener believes in garden fairies, but it is quite unusual to find one flitting about your garden in a pink tutu and tiara, with long, flowing blond hair and clog sandals. But this is the very sight I first witnessed four summers ago, not knowing then that she was just 4, going on 5 in December. We didn’t speak often, as she would just laugh and tip-toe about, hiding
COMMENTARY: Fairness in the workplace?
Recently, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1406, titled the Working Families Flexibility Act of 2013, which amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. It was co-sponsored by Reps. Bob Goodlatte, Randy Forbes, Morgan Griffith, Robert Hurt and Rob Wittman and touted by Eric Cantor, all Republican congressmen of Virginia. Purportedly, the bill would allow private-sector employees to take compensatory time in lieu of overtime. In the words of
EDITORIAL: $300,000 down, and $1.2 million to go
Public pressure prompted Franklin County supervisors on Tuesday to kick in $300,000 more in support of public schools. The small gesture came with big strings: Supervisors would like the school board to restore middle school sports and send bright freshmen to the governor’s school, and they’d like for people to stop blaming them. Supervisors are not callous villains. No. But they aren’t heroes of public school education, either. Nor when
LETTERS: Downtown’s new Center is great
Downtown’s new Center is great Southwest Virginia really has a gem with the new and improved Center in the Square in downtown Roanoke. As a volunteer this past Saturday, I got to see one of the most beautiful buildings ever. The layout is fantastic. From the aquarium on the first floor to the rooftop on the seventh floor, it is a very organized and beautiful addition to our city. Everyone
COMMENTARY: The case of the patented genes
Angelina Jolie’s genes threatened to kill her. But, for the time being anyway, she doesn’t own them. Jolie revealed last week that she chose to undergo a double mastectomy after testing positive for the BRCA1 mutation. That genetic glitch meant Jolie’s risk of developing breast cancer was as high as 87 percent; her mother died at age 56 of ovarian cancer, which is also associated with the BRCA1 gene. Jolie’s news
The president’s laudable stand
It’s been a rough couple of weeks for the Obama administration. The trifecta of scandals — Benghazi, the seizing of Associated Press phone call records and the inappropriate Internal Revenue Service scrutiny afforded conservative groups — has led to widespread criticism of the executive branch. And with good reason. We expect an administration to do a better job of defending our ambassadors and diplomatic personnel overseas; we demand that the
EDITORIAL: Roanoke County’s rights muddle
The damage to logic being done by ICLEI conspiracy theorists was on full display at the last board of supervisors meeting in Roanoke County. Whether the county eventually suffers the ill effects might depend on this year’s elections. Incumbent Ed Elswick, who is up for re-election in November, offered for consideration a property-rights resolution so ambiguous that the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce’s public policy expert showed up to object.
PICK OF THE DAY: Local government’s failure
On May 14, the same three Roanoke County supervisors (Richard Flora, Charlotte Moore and Mike Altizer) voted in lockstep once again (“Supervisor proposes resolution aimed to protect property rights,” May 15 news story). This time, it was an effort to put down a property rights resolution proposed by Supervisor Ed Elswick, despite previous comments by the trio that they are all “pro-property rights.” The ridiculous and inane arguments they made
COMMENTARY: Students are forced to subsidize college sports
ESPN TV contracts, clothing apparel, ticket sales, etc. There are countless revenue-generating sources from which collegiate athletics derive operational budgets. As much money as college athletic programs produce, there are also substantial costs associated with running these programs. When expenses are greater than revenue, this results in what is known as a budget shortfall. Each of Virginia’s public colleges and universities operated athletic programs with a deficit in 2011 (most
EDITORIAL: Getting answers on uranium
Foes of uranium mining in Virginia say they’ve met with Democrat Terry McAuliffe, the party’s presumed gubernatorial candidate, who has assured them he opposes it — though his campaign says his position hasn’t changed. In the past, he has said he would “need to be certain” it could “be done safely and cleaned up completely” before a state moratorium could be lifted, and “So far I have not seen that.”
LETTERS: Obama’s showing who he really is
Obama’s showing who he really is I hope the editorial department can find room to print this letter. I have been very patient over the last 4 ½ years, lying low and just waiting for the inevitable to happen. It is finally coming to the surface what this president is really made of. I am proud of CNN, CBS, ABC, NBC, HLN and some of the other left-leaning media outlets for
EDITORIAL: Cuccinelli’s FOIA turkey
Virginia’s top lawyer is not above the law. Nor is Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli just doing his constituents a favor when he responds to requests for public records. Cuccinelli’s startling epiphany that he is exempt from the Freedom of Information Act came at a convenient moment. He is running for governor while being pelted with questions about his relationship with a businessman who has a pending dispute over state taxes.
PICK OF THE DAY: Artists share their gifts freely
Re: Al Shumate’s letter, “What is art’s real bottom-line value?” May 16: I am sure he offended many, if not all, artists with his comment, “all artists have their hands out for money.” He certainly offended me. I’ve been in the art gallery and picture framing business for 38 years. For 10 of those years, I owned The Cormany and Turner Galley, carrying more than 75 different artists. When a
COMMENTARY: On being an artist of life
“Is this junk or something for your art?” an outdoor blackboard under huge healthy oak trees asks at Wonderland studio. The quote is from a man whose wife was one of the founders of Rockbridge County’s Artists Studio Tour. I was a guest artist on the hill of their property outside Lexington. Encouraged by working with this assemblage artist (not junk artist), I was drift-and-salvage wood guy. An outdoor shed
COMMENTARY: For animals’ sake, it’s time to stop this circus
Having the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus here in Roanoke for performances on five days saddened those of us who love animals. However, The Roanoke Times chose to give this circus lots of free publicity, with one headline reading “The Greatest Show on Earth.” However, animal welfare organizations call it, rightfully, “The cruelest show on Earth,” substantiated by the all-time high penalty of $270,000 imposed on this circus
EDITORIAL: Va. Republicans turn far right
When he dropped his bid for the Republican gubernatorial nomination late last year, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling said the GOP “has to decide what it wants to be.” “Are we going to be a party that engages in a great ideological debate, or are we going to be a party that’s more focused on winning elections, earning the right to lead and leading responsibly?” Bolling asked. Virginia Republicans answered that question at
LETTERS: When sirens sound, think of responders
When sirens sound, think of responders Most people never think of our police officers and firefighters and the sacrifices they make for us. There is a lot of stress for the families of these men and women who so bravely serve us. When you see a police officer or firefighter or hear their sirens go off, thank God for them. They do their duty so bravely and courageously. I appreciate
1. Botetourt County shooting victim tried to start 'new chapter in her life' amid divorce
2. Virginia Tech closing in on ACC baseball tournament title tilt
3. Woman's body discovered by Botetourt County authorities Thursday evening
4. Police seek suspect in Vinton robbery that led to school lockdowns
5. Police seek 2 male suspects in Roanoke CVS robbery
6. Roanoke police seek man missing from retirement home
7. No one hurt in 1-car crash on Bent Mountain Road
8. Planning board approves $14 million for Roanoke River Greenway
9. Ex-Salem volleyball coach accused of secretly filming girls faces more charges
10. Body of missing Fries woman found Thursday in Grayson County
THE ROANOKE TIMES
