Letter: Revelation on Tennis Courts
Letter to the Editor
The formal opening of the new kid-size tennis courts on Saturday, May 19 was a revelation for me. A new phenomenon for Virginia, these six courts replace two normal sized courts that were located opposite the four story office building on Washington Plaza W. off North Shore Road.
Letter: Education 2012: A Third Dimension
Letter to the Editor
In my piece, "Education in the USA, 2012," I said: "There are three distinct ways which make it impossible to say that, aside from equality under the law, all children are created equal." I followed this with only two ways, thus shortchanging the reader. To make amends, I should like to provide my third reason now.
Letter: Misguided Belief
Karen Christenson’s commentary on the health care ["Strengthening, Not Blocking, Health Care Law," Reston Connection, May 23-29, Reston Connection] provided an excellent illustration of a number of shortcomings in America’s medical practices. As Ms. Christenson ably illustrates, self-employed persons are particularly disadvantaged by our system.
Letter: Fraud Issue - Revisited
The Letter to the Editor by Cesar del Aguila ["Misrepresentation in Voter Identification," The Reston Connection, May 16-22, 2012] does not surprise this writer. The usual diatribe of "untruths" spews forth when facts are presented. Chairman del Aguila states, 5-10 percent of the absentee voters are disenfranchised … were wrongfully rejected based on … Virginia's unique and complicated instructions for mailed-in ballots.
Column: Shaping Up the MWAA Board
Recently I attended a briefing for elected officials arranged by Congressmen Connolly and Wolf on the U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) review of the management and governance of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) as had been requested by Congressman Wolf.
Column: A Senator We Need
These are hard times. With 15 million Americans out of work and levels of inequality not seen since the gilded age, we have a political class unconcerned with our collapsing middle class and those ravaged by poverty.
Editorial: Surviving through Summer
Helping teens.
It is that time again, the time from proms to graduation, and all the celebrations that come with it. It's lovely to think, from a distance, that this is a happy and uncomplicated time for teens as the school year winds down, many look forward to college in the fall and a summer of internships or other interesting activities.
Column: Off Topic, Almost
If only it were that simple. And as much I’d like to turn the cancer switch off, finding that switch has proven to be extremely challenging.
Education in the USA, 2012
Common sense dictates the directions we should be taking.
It would seem that underpinning today’s education philosophy is the concept embraced by the Declaration of Independence that all men are created equal. From this it has been assumed to flow that since all children are equal, one size should fit all. And this being a high tech world, all children should be required to be proficient in math and science. And finally, since to get a decent job requires a college education, all preliminary years should be pointed to admission to college.
Column: General Assembly Goes Off a Cliff
The General Assembly adjourned sine die last week with a great sigh of relief from most everyone who participates in or follows its deliberations. Pre-session survey and hearing results suggested that the session would be about traffic congestion relief, expanding job opportunities, and strengthening the economy.
Editorial: Remembering on Memorial Day
Time to honor, also time to ensure proper care of veterans.
In February, Brig. Gen. Terence J. Hildner, 49, of Fairfax, was the highest ranking military officer to die in the war on terror.
Column: Living Longer, Sort of Prospering
Though my column has appeared in the newspaper as usual the last few weeks, I haven’t felt much like writing. Typically, I’m weeks ahead with my column inventory, having regularly found the time and inclination to put pen to paper and provide the prose you regular readers have come to expect.
Letter: Misrepresentation in ‘Voter Identification’
Letter to the Editor
Jack Kenny’s column ["Voter Identification," Reston Connection, May 9-15, 2012] is so full of untruths that it would require more space than is available here to refute them all.
Column: History Repeating Itself
This week I complete teaching a six-week course for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at George Mason University on "highlights of Virginia’s history." I have been meeting with more than 80 students at the JoAnne Rose Gallery in Reston.
Column: Blame Game with the Silver Line
After waiting 50 years for the rail link down the median reserved for it from Dulles Airport to Falls Church, construction finally began. Many actually believed it would be a reality shortly.