What do Democrats fear?

Re 'Call it like it is' (letter, May 23): I agree with the writer, to a point.

But why are the Democrats so afraid of having to prove their identity?

You have to show your driver's license at the store to prove that the person signing the check matches the name on the checking account or that your credit or debit card belongs to you. You have to show a photo ID to board a plane nowadays. I could go on and on.

The bottom line is that voting is a right and a privilege that many men and women died for. As important as it is to vote, you should have proper identification. If you have a current photo ID, what is the problem?

Don't hate the voter card

Re 'Call it like it is' (letter, May 23): The writer complains about Gov. Bob McDonnell sending voter identification cards to registered Virginia voters and objects to the expense of giving registered voters a free voter ID to present at the polls.He also implies that Virginia voters should not have to present any ID in order to vote. Despite the fact that this does not prevent registered voters poor, minority or otherwise from voting and costs them nothing, the writer still manages to find a Republican conspiracy to deny Democrats the right to vote.

Some people refuse to let facts get in the way of their spin.

Mandatory wrongs

Re 'Mandatory minimum sense' (Leonard Pitts op-ed column, May 24): I am appalled at the injustices Pitts cited. I had, just a few minutes before, read of a young man who robbed a convenience store while wearing a mask and using a firearm. He received a 51-year sentence, with 42 years of that sentence suspended.

Robbing a store of one slice of pizza gets 25 years. Protecting yourself from an abuser, 20 years or more.

Pitts is right. Getting tough on crime is one thing, but not allowing judges to use discretion is un-American. The purpose of the scales of justice is to balance justice with mercy.

Fighting for discrimination

Re 'Not the stuff of a would-be judge' (op-ed column, May 19): This column, written by Dels. Rich Anderson, Mark Cole, John Cosgrove, Mark Dudenhefer, Tim Hugo, L. Scott Lingamfelter and Chris Stolle to defend their votes to kill the appointment of Tracy Thorne-Begland for Richmond General District Court was, even if sincere, petty and vindictive.Thorne-Begland was highly praised by a number of House Republicans, including sponsor Del. Manoli Loupassi, and he has an excellent record as a commonwealth's attorney in Richmond.

Because he stood up to the Navy's officially sanctioned discrimination against gays and lesbians 20 years ago, some say he's unfit for the job simply because he spoke out about what these delegates label 'a personal cause.' That is a shameful characterization of Thorne-Begland's then-lonely fight against injustice, a fight that was ultimately won by the opponents of that discrimination.

These delegates arrogantly accused Thorne-Begland of 'poor judgment' and not representing 'the qualities we seek in a jurist.' They have it exactly backward. A passion for justice and doing what's right is a characteristic we should hope all jurists exemplify. If anyone is guilty of poor judgment, it's these Republican delegates.

Not just a day off work

As we head into the Memorial Day weekend, we must remember that Memorial Day is more than summer road trips, cookouts, parades and sales. Memorial Day is a time when we remember those who have served our country to preserve our freedom.

Let us not forget our civilian federal work force at the shipyards, federal installation and military command centers who support the active military personnel.

One of the federal work force's greatest responsibilities is to support and equip our nation's men and women in uniform. Federal employees are keenly aware of the great responsibility they have to provide for our troops, and we mourned each time we learned of a fallen soldier or sailor.

To me, as a retired Norfolk Naval Shipyard employee, Memorial Day is sacred. On behalf of America's federal workers more than half of whom work directly with our nation's military we salute our fallen heroes and thank the men and women who are currently serving around the world to ensure our safety, freedom and the right to live in the greatest country in the world.

'No budget, no pay'

THE CHESAPEAKE CHAPTER of the Hampton Roads Tea Party fully endorses the plan to stop paying members of Congress until they pass the budget.

The idea behind HR3643 and S1981 was brought forward by a group of Democratic and Republican members of Congress and shows that the two sides can work together to move our country forward in a fiscally responsible manner.

We ask that Rep. Randy Forbes of Virginia Beach and Virginia Sens. Jim Webb and Mark Warner take a lead in this effort, if they have not already signed on. Virginians are all operating under self-imposed budgets, and we need elected representatives to do the same in Washington.

Please use our endorsement of this plan to influence others in the House of Representatives and Senate.

Thank you for flying

Re 'Flying solo' (front page, May 22): Now that the airlines are charging an extra $25 or more for 'preferred seating,' the next extra charge will be a $25-$50 'deplaning fee.' This will be an extra fee you must pay if you want to get off the plane when you reach your final destination.

If you don't pay the deplaning fee, you'll have to fly until you die.

Voter ID cards are for all

Re 'Call it like it is' (letter, May 23): Are you saying that all Democrats are Democratic voters? I think some Republicans are Democratic voters, also. I guess these voter ID cards will keep some of them from the polls, too.

I will agree with anything even if it costs me more in taxes if it guarantees me that only legal voters are allowed to vote.

Christian truths

How can pastors and self-righteous Christians go on the radio and television, speaking against President Barack Obama for his remarks on gay marriage, and use the Bible as their source of condemnation?Doesn't the Bible also say to feed the the hungry, clothe the naked and provide shelter to those in need? The time and energy used to condemn the president should be used to open a soup kitchen and give clothing and shelter to the homeless.

Maybe these people are members of one of those churches that thinks you need food only on Thanksgiving, and in an emergency can't or won't open the doors of the church to provide shelter from extremely hot weather or hurricanes. To those pastors, I say, read Matthew 25:34-46. Refresh your memory.

To you self-righteous Christians, how can you hold a Bible in one hand and a sign in the other condemning lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people? We all fall short. Sin is sin, no matter what it is called or who commits it. Worry about your own sexual morality. We will all answer to God.

Teachers in second class

Recently, at the Stockley Gardens Spring Art Show, an artist was displaying a painting inscribed with words that essentially said that teachers should not have tenure and should be willing to take pay cuts in order to meet the needs of their students.

I was not offended by the painting, but I was offended by the comments of the people who stood around and bashed teachers while agreeing with the painting. Some of the general public thinks that teachers should be second-class members of the working society.

I know there are teachers out there who are no longer teaching to their potential, who feel 'safe' because they have tenure. Yes, there are bad teachers, but there are also bad lawyers, bad doctors, bad policemen, bad hair dressers, bad window cleaners, bad Walmart workers, and on and on.

I have been teaching in Virginia Beach Public Schools for 27 years. I am from a family that has produced 10 teachers, nine of whom have worked, or work, in Virginia Beach. Most of us have held additional positions at our schools, as coaches, PTA officers, advisers, and class and activity sponsors. We put in time above and beyond school hours. After school hours, we grade papers, write lessons, learn new technology, take classes, tutor students and change something about how we teach every year, every month and every day. Tenure has nothing to do with it.

The average teacher does not have summers off. We work until the official end of school, mid-June, or longer. Then we work summer jobs, take classes, attend workshops, earn professional development hours and update our skills, all before school officially begins. Many of us have two jobs, teaching and a job outside education, in order to make ends meet.

We spend our own money on colored paper, supplies and posters to decorate our classrooms. We wait for the 'tax-free day' in August so that we can buy supplies for our students who cannot afford them. Teachers are expected to make do and to maintain the standards expected by members of the general public.

We realize that the economy is not at its best right now, and we know there are people from every profession who need financial help. What we don't get is why it is OK for other professions to ask for a raise, but not teachers.