OPINION | The Local Views
LETTERS
From the editor
| Reader Views
Should God and discipline return to our schools?
Dems: Where does Wittman stand?
By Melody Kinser Managing Editor My high school graduating class has a closed Facebook page, so I recently asked (to make sure my memories were correct) if we had a devotion/prayer and joined in unison in the Pledge of Allegiance every morning before classes started. The 60-year-old memory was working that day — I was right. Students were selected to read a devotion or say a prayer and lead the Pledge of Allegiance on the principal’s intercom system. As to my question, responses included one classmate noting that her elementary school had prayer before the day began, at lunch and before dismissal. When she got to junior high school, prayer was said at the start of the day and at lunch. “We turned out blessed and thankful,” she said.
Many social media posts claim that part of today’s problems in schools is the fact that God was removed. We also had discipline — as in paddles, not a “go sit in the corner time-out.” And, despite the lack of technology, nine out of 10 times parents knew about the incident before you arrived home. So, there were those consequences to face too. My question is: Should God and discipline be returned to the public school system? I’m sure there are some in our community that just screamed and possibly cursed me. The question is legitimate. Would returning prayer and discipline to the classroom reawaken something that may be missing? When children are being gunned down (no, I’m not anti-gun; I grew up in a home with pistols
and rifles owned by a member of the NRA), we need a solution. Are children being properly disciplined at home? Contributing columnist Jim Ridolphi recently wrote about taking away his kids’ smartphones as a method of punishment. In today’s world, I’m sure that hurts. Back in my day, losing landline phone (remember those?) privileges made the point. I do hope you’ll take the time to write a letter to the editor or send an email response to mkinser@ mechlocal.com. Your opinion matters. In closing, Nov. 8 is fast approaching. Mark your calendar, set your smartphone, put a post-it on your computer monitor, whatever reminder works for you. We have too much at stake.
A younger brother sings the praises of having an older sister By Jim Ridolphi Contributing Columnist No one ever writes a column about their sister. I can only wonder at what the reasoning is behind that oversight but, perhaps, sisters are too often taken for granted or underappreciated. That is not the case pertaining to my sister and me for seldom a day goes by I don’t think of her and thank my lucky stars that I have more than
just a great friend — I have a wonderful sister. Having an older sister is an advantage that only younger brothers can explain, but everything in life is easier as a child when you are following a female sibling who’s more experienced ... and smarter. It also had its disadvantages. In high school, teachers would marvel at the difference between the two of us. While she was a straight-A
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October 12, 2016
National Honor Society student, I was not as focused on my studies as a high school student. “Are you Rebecca Ridolphi’s brother?” many teachers would ask as I entered classes a couple of years after her. When I replied in the affirmative, they seemed amazed at my shortcomings when compared to her stellar record and straight-A report card. And even though we were on different sides of the academic land-
scape, we remained close and she never judged my misguided exploits or exposed my lack of aptitude. She often told me I was just as smart as her, but I knew that it was just an effort to build my confidence and instill a belief in myself. It wasn’t until years later that I realized that her subtle support was probably the difference in career and college choices that served me well for see SISTER, pg. 8
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Fifty-five members of the Hanover Democratic Committee recentday signed a petition demanding to know if Republican Congressman Rob Wittman will continue to endorse Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump after the release of an Access Hollywood video showing Trump making disparaging, lewd and vulgar comments toward women. For the past several months, you have continued to wholeheartedly support Trump even after his repeated statements disparaging minorities, immigrants and women. Now, we demand to know if you will continue to champion him after a video clearly shows candidate Trump objectifying women and espousing aggressive sexual behavior toward women. Your campaign spokesman said that you “do not condone the objectification of women.” Our question is: Do you condone the man who embodies the objectification of women? Will you have the courage to disavow Trump, as some other Republican candidates have, or will you continue to go along to get along? We want to know the measure of your character; we already have the measure of Trump’s character, or more accurately put, the lack thereof. We will continue to forward Mr. Wittman additional names of those who sign the petition as they come online or sign in person at our upcoming events. “ I am quite sure Mr. Wittman will find that his constituents in Hanover County do not approve. It’s not the first time we’ve been in touch. We recently sent him a petition with 80 names of our members very concerned about Congressman Wittman’s delay in approving a clean bill for Zika funding; we were pleased to see that bill finally passed, but only after see LETTERS, pg. 8