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Today's Opinions

  • Reflecting on violence in Charlottesville

    By Scott Jackson-Ricketts, Independence

    It came as no surprise to me that clashes between white separatists and those offended by their ideologies [on Aug. 12] resulted in violence, including the death of one counter-protestor. I am also aware of the two police deaths associated with the helicopter crash. All three of these deaths were unnecessary and a most unfortunate side effect of our collective failure to recognize our common humanity.

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  • Some only believe science when it’s convenient

    In the 1970s, Gordon Moore accurately predicted the speed of computers would double every two years.
    As a retired research scientist, I believe his principle can be applied to many areas of science and technology. Just look at how fast technology advances.
    Our cars and cell phones now talk to us and I’ve noticed it doesn’t matter whether you’re a Democrat or Republican, the technology works the same.

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  • Pay attention to how local tax dollars are spent

    I was raised country and I am proud to live in Carroll County. I was born in 1942 and my playmates were a mutt named Fish Hook and a broken-winged mallard named Andy.
    No gas, meat and cloth rations, along with other items.
    I was also raised to be a Christian and understand stewardship means helping your neighbors. Everyone is not wealthy and some need a helping hand. Over 100 people in my family tree were preachers.
    Being country means knowing what a bull drops in the grass. A lot of this ends up in the Twin Counties and City of Galax administration.

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  • Platform developed by citizens, not politicians

    Wide frustration with government is largely the result of decades of uneven growth in our country. Some have prospered from the policies of previous administrations, but many more have not. There is the sense that we are treading water, and too many of us are slipping backwards.
    This sense of losing ground is profoundly felt in rural America, where once-thriving communities lost jobs, population and services. Empty storefronts along small town main streets exemplify the profound disruptions wrought by a changing economy and ill-considered policies.

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  • Writer thankful officer saw humor in situation

    I have a good relationship with my neighbors. Two of them moved away, but periodically come back to visit. Sometimes, they’ll knock loudly on the front door.
    When I holler out, “Who are you?” they say, “Grayson County Sheriff.”
    I respond, “If ya got a warrant, come on in!”
    A few nights ago, I heard a loud banging on the door. Thinking my neighbors were dropping by, I yelled “Who are ya, and whaddaya want at this hour?!”
    The response was, “Grayson County Sheriff’s officer.”

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  • Hate, not heritage, in the streets of Charlottesville

    Kerry Dougherty is a columnist for The Virginian-Pilot.

    •

    One dead. Dozens injured.

    It’s time to stop calling what transpired in the streets of Charlottesville on August 12 a white supremacist “rally” and say what it really was:

    A riot.

    A brutal clash between protesters and counter-protesters swinging clubs and baseball bats, throwing bottles and spewing expletives.

    And finally, a car plowing into a crowd of pedestrians that left one person dead and 19 injured.

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  • Even bigots guaranteed freedom of speech, assembly

    I can’t work up any good thoughts about the white supremacists who marched with torches and Klan regalia in Charlottesville. But I didn’t see any violence until a white protester launched a punch across a police barricade.

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  • School system should have saved up for field work

    While being a current athlete and coach, I am excited about the possibility of having a smooth surface to play on, however the priorities of the city has been to increase education, create jobs and grow tourism.
    A revamped field does not address these concerns. While discipline and physical education is a byproduct of athletics, the current field has not prevented our football team and soccer team from winning state titles.

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