Letters to the Editor for Friday, September 5, 2008

Facts about McCain you might not know
On the Aug. 31 Sunday Politics page in The News & Advance was the story “10 Things You Might Not Know About John McCain.”

Here are a few more:

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*  Voted against veterans bills in 2004, ’05, ’06,  and ’07.

*  Voted for measures that target vets for annual fees to the VA, higher co-pays and even suspended enrollment.

*  Voted 19 times against raising the minimum wage.

*  If elected, would give 4 billion in tax breaks to “Big Oil.”

*  Voted against a national holiday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. and continues to oppose civil rights laws.

*  Bloomberg News reports McCain is more hawkish on Iraq, Russia and China than President Bush.

*  The very conservative Pat Buchanan says, “He will make Cheney look like Gandhi.”

*  He says he’s against torture, but voted against a bill banning water boarding and then applauded Bush for vetoing the ban.

*  He stated, “I do not support Roe v. Wade. It should be overturned.”

*  Children’s Defense Fund voted him worst senator in Congress for children. He voted against the children’s health care bill and then defended Bush’s veto of the bill.

*  Many Republicans in Congress say he is too reckless to be president.

*  Public Citizen says he has 59 lobbyists raising money, more than any of the other candidates from either party had and his campaign manager is a lobbyist.

*  He sought the support of preacher John Hagee, who says Hurricane Katrina was God’s punishment for gay rights and called the Catholic Church the “anti-Christ” and a “false cult.”

*  He says he is pro-environment, yet scored 0 — yes, zero — from the League of Conservation Voters. He voted 25 times against alternative energy bills.

The above are documented facts that I can provide. Populace: Do not vote against your own self-interests again. Vote for the best candidate since John Kennedy, Barack Obama!
BEV JORDAN
Lynchburg

A wonderful event
Hurricane Gustav-O blew into downtown Lynchburg last week.

Aug. 30 concluded another milestone event at the Academy of Fine Arts downtown. World-renowned pianist Gustavo Romero again wowed the attendees at the third annual Gustavo Romero Music Festival and Piano Competition, held at the Academy.

This festival, organized by Forte Chamber Music, brings attention to the Academy of Fine Arts and the wonderful programs that are centered in downtown Lynchburg.

Romero donates his time and incredible talent for the benefit of the restoration of the Academy Theater, which will become the centerpiece of concert and theater performance, hopefully in the near future.

Thanks to Romero for again striking at the heart of downtown Lynchburg. And special thanks go to the staff of the Academy for their tireless preparations and work in helping to stage this event. Look for the 2009 event in October next year at the Academy.
MARY and TERRY BABBITT
Lynchburg