Letters to the Editor

Column needs more facts, specifics
I'm writing in response to Nelson Graves' March 7 column, "More thought needed on allowing guns."
I was curious about a couple of his statements. Why would he paint all young people with such a broad brush in stating: "today's young people have short fuses and tempers." Really- All of them- Most of them- Half of them- I've taught Sunday school for almost 30 years, coached youth basketball and have been involved with area youth in 4H clubs and most of the young people I know are — despite their age — calm, cool, responsible and very even-tempered. His statement pre-judges a large group of persons based solely on their age. Is that fair-
Mr. Graves also asserts that "black policemen have recently been killed because fellow cops didn't hesitate to open fire." Certainly, such an inflammatory statement should have required more specifics. Where did this happen- When did this happen- What are the details- It appears the editor at The News Virginian is not "editing." Doesn't the The News Virginian maintain certain standards of journalistic integrity and professionalism- Does anyone there do any fact-checking- What is Mr. Graves suggesting, that black officers were gunned down by other officers simply because they were black-
Regarding Mr. Graves' concerns over a bill in the General Assembly that would have allowed college students to carry weapons on campus, here's a fact-check that was overlooked by the mainstream media:
The terrorist who recently murdered eight students at Jerusalem's Mercaz Harav seminary was stopped by an armed student at the school. Ytizhak Dadon's steady aim and courage stopped the rampage and prevented the death toll from being even higher. How many more would have died had he not had his pistol with him-
Finally, regarding gun laws, it's important readers remember one thing: Criminals tend to ignore them.
Richard Williams
Augusta County

Government-funded housing not helping
I am a hard-working maintenance man on a government-funded property.
I have a problem with this type of housing.
These people party all night, doing drugs and drinking. Then they sleep all day. My tax money and other taxpayers' goes to feed, house and clothe these people. They do not even try to get a job, as our government makes it too easy for them to get a free ride at taxpayers' expense.
The main problem is the poor elderly folks on Social Security who worked hard all their lives, suffering. A lot of the time they have to choose between medicine and food. Both are needed to keep them alive.
This is sad. Why in the name of God can't our government rework the welfare system-
Have state-maintained childcare and make them go to work. Then, if they need help, fine. At least get them to make an effort.
They even get a tax refund and have not paid a nickel in taxes. All because they have children. This is crazy. No work, no tax refunds.
How can our government justify this-
George Varner
Fishersville

Local generosity deserves thanks
Many of you in our community are aware by now that the Waynesboro High School Concert Choir has been invited to perform April 21 at Carnegie Hall in New York City ("WHS Concert Choir invited to sing at N.Y.'s Carnegie Hall," Feb. 20)
This is an incredible honor and well deserved for this talented group of young people. Along with this prestigious invitation, however, is the daunting task of funding the trip. This places quite a financial burden of about $1,100 per student on the families of these students. In an effort to ease this burden, fundraising efforts will hopefully pay for half of the cost for each choir member.
The first fundraiser, a Vera Bradley Bingo, was held recently at Waynesboro High School with great success due to enormous community support. Thank you so much to the individuals and businesses that donated money, gift certificates, items to be raffled and provided advertising for the bingo.
A special, heartfelt thanks goes out to Moose Lodge 1309 of Waynesboro, who paid for more than half of the purses that were sold at the fundraiser and donated 10 boxes of candy to be sold by the students. Thank you so much, Jim and Barbara Koches, who presented the request at a board meeting and called that same night to say the Moose Lodge would be glad to contribute. That is the kind of incredible generosity that deserves recognition, and all those involved in these fundraising efforts would like to express their deep gratitude for helping these students get one step closer to achieving their goal.
Lori Woods
Waynesboro