Column: Airing on the Side of Caution
I don’t think I’m asking too much. I’m not asking for a pony or long life; just a typical life. Unfortunately “typical” might be more statistical than realistic – at least for someone with an incurable disease, which was how my oncologist originally described my lung cancer diagnosis.
Reston Summer Viewpoints
What Is Your Favorite Place or Way to Have Fun in the Summer?
Reform the Reforms
Reform would re-direct education expectations to ensure that every child was a successful learner.
Not unlike a raw material fed into one end of the school factory, the children are expected to come out the other end as a defined product. Teachers are the assembly-line workers with strict product specifications their students are expected to meet with the teacher’s rate of pay increasingly dependent upon the students’ performance.
Editorial: Remembering on Memorial Day
The sacrifices of those who died in war.
1st Lt. Robert J. Hess, 26, of the Kings Park West neighborhood of Fairfax, was killed by enemy fire on April 23, 2013 in Pul-E-Alam, Afghanistan. Hess was known as “RJ” and graduated from Robinson Secondary School in 2005, where he played football, lacrosse and was the captain of the swim team. He was a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter pilot who deployed to Afghanistan on April 11, 2013. His family remembers his sense of humor and his natural leadership ability.
Commentary: Every Two Years
I told the several people who were present that I thought we needed a new Fairfax Resolves, remembering the resolution that the citizens of Fairfax County had drawn up to list their grievances against England before the revolution.
Column: Reston Marches to Support Neighbors
It was a lovely Sunday afternoon, ideal for marching to support our neighbors in Lake Anne’s Crescent Apartments and support some old-time Reston values.
Editorial: Vote in Spite of Election Fatigue
Primary voting, absentee voting, Republican convention.
Absentee voting, including “in-person” absentee voting, is already underway for the June 11 primary, a statewide Democratic party primary for lieutenant governor and attorney general, plus one delegate race in Northern Virginia. Voters in the Democratic primary will choose between Ralph S. Northam and Aneesh Chopra for lieutenant governor; and between Mark R. Herring and Justin E. Fairfax for attorney general.
Commentary: Mental Health Needs Go Unmet
Under provisions of the Code of Virginia that were strengthened after the tragic shootings at Virginia Tech in 2007, an individual who has a mental illness and is likely to cause “serious harm to himself or others” or who has “a lack of capacity” to protect himself from harm or to provide for basic human needs and “is in need of hospitalization or treatment,” may be held under a temporary detention order.
Editorial: Some Limits, More Disclosure
Virginia does not benefit from elected officials being awash in cash donations and gifts.
Virginia got a failing grade for vulnerability to corruption. Corruption in the commonwealth is probably not any more rampant than voter fraud, as we said last year. But in terms of practices that could undermine trust, Virginia has vast room for improvement.
Commentary: Forging a Future Path
Over the next couple of decades Virginia will have many more job openings for educated professionals and skilled technicians than there are persons in the pipeline to fill them, according to Northern Virginia Community College President Robert Templin speaking at “Blueprint Virginia,” an annual economic summit in Northern Virginia last week.
Reston Accessibility Committee—Award and Leadership
Last Tuesday, I went to the Fairfax County Government Center or “Taj Mahal,” as it is called by some, to watch the Board of Supervisors present citizen awards and issue grand proclamations. I was there to applaud presentation of the Community Partnership Award to an especially deserving Reston group, the Reston Accessibility Committee (RAC) of the Reston Citizens Association.
Looking “ASCANce”
It wasn’t exactly “Executive Clemency.”
Commentary: Children and Outside Learning
Research highlights the benefits of outdoor and environmental education for children—ranging from increased academic achievement, improved social skills and interest in school, and boosted health, according to environmental education leaders who have organized NoVA Outside: An Alliance of Environmental Educators (www.novaoutside.org). I attended their School Environmental Action Showcase last week at George Mason University, and I was impressed by the students and their projects. The showcase is like a science fair but with the emphasis on environmental science.
Letter: Rising Above Terrorism: Marathoners Win, Terror Loses
America, we must continue running. Our United States history has proven repeatedly that those who persevere will prevail in the end, similar to a marathon.
Commentary: Congress in Clutches of NRA
Before I criticize the lack of action on the part of the U.S. Senate on modest gun measures last week, I will freely admit that the Virginia General Assembly is clearly in the clutches of the National Rifle Association (NRA). The last several years have seen a steady decline in Virginia’s attempt to reduce gun violence but without my support or vote. Most recently the General Assembly repealed the limitation on handgun purchases. The problem of gun violence is nationwide and appropriately should be addressed by the U.S. Congress. Opinion polls indicate overwhelming support for congressional action, especially as it relates to criminal background checks. At the same time, incidents involving gun violence continue to mount up.