I found your dog. I noticed her along Route 41 as I drove home one morning. She was such a pretty old Golden Retriever, and I imagine she brought you years of joy and happiness during her time with you. She seemed very sweet, though she did snap at me several times as I tried to pick her up for you. I wanted to make sure you got her back, as she was such a beautiful girl.

We need to be concerned and keep ourselves up to date on what is happening in America. We are losing our rights and freedoms, bit by bit, each day. Political correctness and attacks on Christian beliefs and freedom of speech are bringing this nation down.

The Fashion Show Benefit for Breast Cancer was a wonderful success because of our community of caring and concerned citizens — 99 people participated in this year’s event and many individual donors also contributed. More than $12,000 was raised for our local breast cancer patients in need of assistance. All funds are held at the Danville Cancer Association to provide local patients with the assistance.

When I heard on the radio recently that Rep. Tom Perriello had changed his position on the health care bill from “no” to “undecided” because the newest bill does not increase the deficit, that was enough to get me out of bed and begin writing the second letter to an editor I have written in the past 51 years. (The first letter followed the federal government forcing the Citadel to admit women.) I was only angry then; the attack was only against tradition.

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 325 would to thank the community for their generosity on Poppy Day (Nov. 7).

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.