Monroe Episode Has Tarnished VCU

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

Virginia Commonwealth University has made a huge and costly mistake in granting a degree to former Police Chief Rodney Monroe. After years spent improving its academic reputation, the university gave a degree to someone failing to meet even minimal requirements. This gift resulted not only in the resignations of several respected academicians but also demeaned the entire institution.

While it may be true that Monroe did nothing wrong, it is also true that he did nothing to deserve his VCU degree. Receiving a degree after taking two classes is ridiculous -- an entering freshman anticipates completing at least 40 classes prior to earning a bachelor's degree.

Monroe should be stripped of his degree immediately and those responsible for the travesty should be relieved of their positions. Maybe VCU can then resume its quest to become a legitimate, first-rate institution of higher learning.

Elizabeth Pully. Richmond.

As Superheroes Go, Hancock's Not Greatest

Editor, Times-Dispatch

Cordel Faulk's Commentary column, "My Nephew Saw a Superhero Who (Kinda) Looks Like Us," puzzles me. He exults after taking his nephew to see the movie, "Hancock," because it "presented the opportunity to show my nephew that people several shades darker than Clark Kent can be superheroic too."

A few weeks ago, my wife and I saw "Hancock" in a sold-out theater and we were appalled at the portrayal of the superhero and other African-Americans and were mystified at the popularity of this awful film. Even though the film is probably intended to be satirical, for Faulk to be proud to show his nephew a brown superhero who is drunk and profane and goes to prison as part of the rehabilitation recommended by his publicist seems somehow misguided.

To me, the brown superheroes are Dr. Martin Luther King, Spottswood W. Robinson, Oliver Hill, and Thurgood Marshall, and perhaps more relevant in this context, Bill Cosby and other prominent African-Americans who emphasize finishing school, striving for excellence, being a father to one's offspring, staying off drugs, and behaving with dignity. I suggest Faulk take his nephew to "The Pursuit of Happyness," a film in which the same actor, Will Smith, portrays a brown superhero struggling to achieve a better life for himself and the son he loves.

I.N. Sporn. Richmond.

Bill Clinton Practiced Good Ol' Reaganomics

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

It is a little-known fact that Bill Clinton signed into law one of the largest tax cuts in American history. In the mid1990s, a tax code change was signed by Clinton that allowed homeowners to sell their homes and exclude from taxes as much as $250,000 of the gain ($500,000 if married) if the home was their primary residence for two of the previous five years.

That tax law change enabled older Americans to downsize or rent without incurring a substantial tax burden. Older "fixer-upper" homes became available to first-time home buyers. Homes could be purchased, remodeled, and sold, allowing the "sweat equity" to be retained and reinvested.

Hundreds of billions of dollars of wealth that would otherwise have gone to the federal government have remained in the pockets of Americans.

When the burden of taxes is removed, good things happen to the economy and, by default, to the American people. I praise Bill Clinton for this huge tax cut and would encourage those in both parties seeking the office of the presidency to keep this macroeconomic success in mind.

Mike Mikuta. Richmond.

Everyone Will Run When Policies Prohibit Pursuit

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

The editorial, "Flight Risks," rails against police pursuits, calls officers cowboys, while there is no responsibility assessed for those being pursued.

Eventually, everyone will not stop for the police because the police won't pursue due to policies or the danger involved. Why did the vehicle in Petersburg not stop? That may never be known but the driver of that vehicle made the choice to run assuming responsibility for his actions and the safety of his two passengers.

Again, it is not their fault, but the police are responsible for doing their job.

Patrick D. Crowson. Chesterfield

Editor's note: The editorial said: "Fleeing from the police is still wrong. Those who do so bear the weight of responsibility for the consequences."