Don’t judge Obama by Rev. Wright’s words

Re: “Obama’s controversial former pastor stands by ‘God ---- America’ comment,” April 29

Why should the Rev. Jeremiah Wright take back what he said about America if that’s how he feels? Rev. Wright has not forgotten about the atrocities inflicted upon black people in America, and his voice should be heard as an individual. Just look at the Sean Bell case, among others. And as far as the government creating the AIDS virus to wipe out black people, let’s not forget history or the Tuskegee syphilis experiment. Some say that Wright’s words are hurting Obama’s presidential efforts. But why is Barack Obama being judged by how someone else feels about America? He’s an individual, and he should be judged on what he can do for this country. Why isn’t Hillary Clinton being judged on what Geraldine Ferraro said about Obama being a presidential candidate only because he is black?

Tabatha Burley

Landover

If it looks like a tornado ...

Re: “Apparent tornadoes in Virginia injure more than 200,” April 29

Let’s see, funnel clouds, trucks thrown willy-nilly, roofs removed ... duck, quacks like. Or is something not something unless someone with a college degree and/or an official position proclaims it so?

Dwight Allen

Springfield

West Point graduates must fulfill Army duties

Re: “Army memo lets athletes play pro sports,” April 30

Many West Point alumni are appalled and dismayed at this policy to encourage star athletes to turn pro rather than fulfill their commitment to military service. It’s all about the “urgent need” to make Army football competitive in Division I competition. Ironically, one of the excuses made is that Army needs to do this in order to compete with Navy!

The other excuse is that the academy is merely following Army policy made to focus broadly on increasing enlisted recruitment by enticing role models such as professional athletes to serve and play ball at the same time. That idea may have some merit, but it should not be used as an excuse to enable West Point to serve an entirely different purpose by excusing graduates who have received tens of thousands of dollars of free education from fulfilling their contractual commitment.

John Sloan

Manassas

Taxpayers forced to pay

for illegal immigrants’ benefits

Re: “Fairfax approves bevy of tax increases designed to counter economic decline,” April 29

What is this country coming to when the government “has” to put another tax burden on businesses (which we all know will be passed along to us consumers) and force schools to cut spending when families already have to pay for class supplies and the arts programs are all but gone?

But here’s the kicker: A caption on the next page reads, “Protesters stand outside the Prince William County center in October as officials contemplate denying county services to illegal immigrants.” Why in the world were they ever allowed to start?

Until we citizens who pay our taxes stand up for ourselves, these atrocities will continue.

Tena Gash

Springfield

Clinton supporters still push for Bush impeachment

Re: “Bush and Cheney should answer for their crimes,” From Readers, April 28

I’d like to ask Allen Hatch to list how President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney have shown “flagrant disregard of the U.S. Constitution.” He obviously has no idea what the Constitution even says.

There has been talk about impeaching President Bush since he was elected in 2000. Seems to me many people want to get even for Bill Clinton’s impeachment in 1998, or maybe because Al Gore didn’t win the presidency. Hey folks, President Bush’s election was in full compliance with the Constitution.

Daryl Bickell

Lake Ridge