I’m so sick of mud-slinging politics and so sick of these phone calls with the prerecorded messages coming to my home — and now even to my cell phone. You can’t stop them or block them and they are legal! When will they start spamming my e-mail box? Fortunately, I can block them there.

I am the proud parent of one of the young ladies who accomplished an extraordinary task this year. I would like to give the Tunstall varsity volleyball team the accolades it deserves. I think I speak for all the families when I say good job! THS is 21-0 this season — and still playing.

Many thanks to all who helped make our second Danville Area CROP Hunger Walk a big success! We are thrilled that $10,6674 was raised to benefit hungry people in Danville and around the world. More than 15 churches and community organizations participated, and we had more than 100 more walkers than last year; 25 percent of the proceeds will go to God’s Storehouse, and the remainder will benefit hunger projects in developing countries.

President Barack Obama has said that he wants to cover an additional 30 million people without increasing the federal deficit by one dime and with no decrease in quality of care. Add to that the fact that the number of medical professionals will not change. Does that seem possible?

I read with interest your editorial, “We can’t let that happen, can we?” (Sept. 26, page A8). As our nation and commonwealth continue to strive to compete on a global scale, it is imperative that we remain at the forefront of innovation. It is particularly important to pay close attention to the Waxman-Markey “cap and trade” legislation, as well as the legislation that has been introduced in the Senate by Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Barbara Boxer, D-Calif.

North Carolina is already seeing one of the most active flu seasons in recent record keeping, an early indication of how widespread the swine flu pandemic could become.

Is the county highway department in a conspiracy with the local tire dealers? Recent actions cast suspicion in that direction.

What about the industries that have been operating and providing jobs in the county for many years—over 80 in Karastan’s case. Where is our support?

While Members of Congress want to respond quickly to Americans’ concerns about the economy and employment, passing the Employee Free Choice Act would represent a terrible step backwards.

Rockingham County Help for Homeless Inc. thanks the many people who made donations during Reidsville’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast celebration. In particular, we thank the Honorable Pat Morgan and Rockingham County Reads, 2009! for being the driving force behind this effort. 

President Roosevelt seized the Great Depression as an opportunity to change life for generations to come. If he is to be successful, President Obama must do something similar.

I have had the privilege of working with Bill Fuller since the mid-1960s, when he began work as an assistant commonwealth’s attorney. From his first day in office, he had enthusiasm and zeal for finding the truth, an attribute which after more than 40 years of trials and many adverse situations still burns within him. Of all the people I have encountered in my 44 years in law enforcement, I have not seen another elected or appointed official that had the dedication and devotion to the people they served as he has demonstrated.

Many people do not realize that the Employee Free Choice Act (the so-called Card Check Bill) that was introduced in Congress earlier this year is still being debated on Capitol Hill. It’s true that a key provision of the original bill — elimination of employee right to vote by secret ballot — appears to be off the table, but negotiations are ongoing to formulate new legislation that will be just as detrimental to Virginia businesses as the original version.

It would be nice to get some facts as we all try to wade through the war of words that has become the current national debate over changing health care. It would be nice, but I do not really expect anything to change until this matter actually goes to a vote in Congress.

Until that bright and shining day comes, we will continue to allow the harsh, loud voices to embarrass this nation and its citizens by a calculated disregard for the honor and civility that has, until now, set America apart from much of the rest of the world.

The Virginia General Assembly’s failure to secure state and other non-industry funding is jeopardizing the credibility — and perhaps the execution — of its proposed uranium mining studies. A study paid for by Virginia Uranium Inc. does nothing to avoid the appearance of influence.