Letters to the Editor for Sunday, October 18, 2009

Looking to history for today's leaders
During a recent visit to the peaceful, historic Quaker cemetery located on the property of Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church — where Lynchburg ‘s founder and namesake John Lynch, Dr. John Terrell and other early Quaker leaders of our community are buried — I couldn’t help but wonder what these humble and courageous men and women would think of their fair city today.

The Quakers were successful farmers who were good stewards of the land. They were prosperous bankers, business owners, and religious and civic leaders who were respected for their humility, fairness, integrity and tolerance for the views of others.

Although Quakers were the dominant political, religious and economic force in the city, they were not greedy for power, always put the best interests of the entire community above their own and never tried to impose their beliefs and way of life on others. Even the most prosperous among them lived modestly and shunned any show of arrogance, ostentation or pretension. The majority of the Quakers had left the area by the time of the Civil War, but their principles, values and influence on Lynchburg endured for more than a century.

The inscription on John Lynch’s tombstone reads in part: “A zealous Quaker, benevolent gentleman, and promoter of whatever advanced the general good of the community.” Every current and future Lynchburg civic, religious, business and education leader should aspire to deserve such an epitaph!
CAROLYN EUBANK
Lynchburg

For Deeds
Recent editorials have been critical of Creigh Deeds, as candidate for governor of Virginia running against Bob McDonnell. The latter seems portrayed as the fair-haired boy of Virginia politics who changes his mind occasionally on inconsequential matters, and Creigh Deeds as the mean-spirited campaigner.

On Oct. 9, The News & Advance said that Deeds was running a negative, mean-spirited campaign. Both parties follow the same format. The negative ad that McDonnell first ran showed distorted slow motion pictures of Deeds and featured a tomb-like voice saying, “Deeds is known by his Deeds.” This is reminiscent of the bobble-head negative ad, which ran against Gov. Timothy M. Kaine during his campaign for governor. The recent mocking of Deeds’ communication skills by a McDonnell supporter was mean-spirited.

You have said that McDonnell’s thesis on the role of working women as detrimental to society “is much ado about nothing” and “a boogeyman” issue.

When the thesis was written, many others were embracing the philosophy of keeping women out of the work place and from competing for equal pay for equal work. The Republican Party welcomed these like-minded people with open arms.

Had it not been for persistent advocacy of women’s rights by the Democratic Party and realization by voters that this philosophy was unfair to women, his way may have prevailed and laws passed accordingly. Once elected governor, could McDonnell once again “change his mind” on this issue with persuasion from the faction of the Republican Party?

Deeds is experienced, fair and honest. He is a people’s candidate and will more likely bring people together across party lines to solve our state’s transportation and education challenges than his opponent.
ELLEN JAMERSON
Appomattox

For Valentine
From the moment she took her oath of office in the House of Delegates, Shannon Valentine has distinguished herself as a principled and diligent legislator. She has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to put aside partisan politics while acting as Lynchburg’s representative in Richmond, and she has done this with graciousness and good humor that should make us all proud.

On Nov. 3, I will vote for Shannon Valentine to continue as our delegate, and I urge others to do the same.
THOMAS M. McGRATH
Lynchburg