Sometimes War Is The Price of Freedom

Editor, Times-Dispatch

In response to the Op/Ed column, "Bush's War Betrays the Sage of Monticello's Vision for Liberty," by R.K. Ramazani and W. Scott Harrop, I wish to remind these two men that had not Gen. George Washington and his brave troops fought the very fierce American Revolutionary War, there would have no Declaration of Independence for Thomas Jefferson to author or any democracy for him to serve under as president of the United States.

Because these unfailing patriots suffered through hardships and sacrificed and bled and died -- with no liking or love for war, I am sure -- Ramazani and Harrop have the freedom today to criticize President George Bush for his efforts to preserve our country's freedom, liberty, security -- and to help other countries enjoy the benefits of democracy.

As for the world granting America the liberty to govern itself, Americans in the beginning -- and ever since -- have fought their own tough battles to obtain and retain their liberty, sometimes without any, or very little, support from other countries

Mildred Bates. Tappahannock.

. . .

Editor, Times-Dispatch: The Op/Ed column, "Bush's War Betrays the Sage of Monticello's Vision for Liberty," combined two themes, one old and one new. The old theme should be familiar to anyone who has witnessed a newsreader in action over the past eight years: Bush lied, lied, lied, lied, and he lied some more.

The new theme is a transmogrification of the more familiar religious theme, "What would Jesus do?"

"What would Thomas Jefferson do?" apparently has become a moral standard for academics in the Charlottesville area. I found the column to be blatantly political with no academic content apart from some quotes. If Jefferson were president today, he would consider the invasion of the People's Republic of Charlottesville to halt the profligate use of his name.

As for Jefferson's proclivity for invasion, please see America and the Barbary Pirates: An International Battle Against an Unconventional Foe, by Gerard W. Gawalt. The record clearly shows that, as president, Jefferson did invade territory claimed by Algiers. And Morocco. And Tunis. And Tripoli.

For those remaining Americans familiar with U.S. military traditions, "the shores of Tripoli" is not a new reference. The record of Jefferson's invasions does not include any documented attempts to establish democracy. Dexter Williams. Midlothian.

Bravo to Assembly's Transportation Stand

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

I disagree strongly with Jim Atwell's letter demanding the General Assembly "cut the nonsense and raise the gas tax." Atwell's letter fails to convey the fact that an increase in the gas tax would simply be passed along to people who don't drive, through higher prices for everything that goes to market over Virginia highways.

When the fuel cost of delivering milk, meat, and bread to local stores rises, everyone buying these products pays more and not just the truckers using the roads to deliver the products. And everyone else using roads to get to work will find a way to pass their higher fuel cost along to clients and customers. Don't for a moment think that higher gas taxes will be willingly absorbed by those who use the roads while those who don't drive get away without paying a fair share of any gas tax increase.

Atwell's letter demonstrates VDOT's culture developed through years of simply passing along its higher costs to taxpayers before looking for ways to economize, be more efficient, cut programs, and save money in its budget.

VDOT has become one of the biggest political footballs in Virginia government and it is time the General Assembly gets VDOT to cut some unnecessary spending. Reining in VDOT needs to be done before all Virginians experience higher taxes, more traffic gridlock, and higher prices for all goods and services.

I say bravo to the General Assembly for its effort to tackle and constrain the VDOT bureaucracy.

Art Bachman. Gum Spring.

Job Too Tough? Don't Run for Office

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

I have been following the attempts of the Virginia legislature to find a fix to fund the state's transportation needs, and was especially taken with a quote from Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling: "It's going to be very difficult. You've got divisions between the executive branch and the legislative branch. Divisions between Republicans and Democrats. You've got divisions between Democrats and Democrats, and Republicans and Republicans, and the House and the Senate and urban and rural. I mean, this is a very difficult issue to grasp."

Well, duh! If it were easy, anyone could do it.

Our legislators were elected to solve hard problems. They have failed, to the tune of nearly $117,000. Virginia deserves better.

Howard L. Hall Jr. Richmond.