Misplaced values
It seems our new governor thinks that we didn’t get enough of the Biden era. One of Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s first actions in office was to protect illegal aliens by reversing the policy that directed local police to cooperate with ICE agents. She is demonstrating the misplaced values of the radical left by giving illegal aliens preferential treatment.
Political and state officials calling ICE agents the “Gestapo” are contributing to violent protests. The Gestapo illegally took innocent citizens off the street. ICE officers are legally arresting criminals who have first broken the law by entering our country illegally and then commit other crimes after arriving. Note that citizens who commit crimes are arrested, with the left remaining silent. It seems that Spanberger, along with most Democrats, have chosen to ignore this fact. Making our communities safe appears to be low on her agenda.
Attacking officers, destroying and burning property, is not an acceptable right of protest and should be met with harsh consequences. This country was founded on the principle of equal treatment for all.
With Democrats in total control, I fear that Virginia will continue its decline. Our “good numbers” are basically the result of Washington bureaucrats living in northern Virginia. The majority of Virginians do not enjoy such luxuries.
Virginia was once known as the “mother of presidents.” Sadly we are now a blue state.
Ashton Haywood, Hampton
Rejoining RGGI
Re “Spanberger says Virginia will rejoin RGGI” (A3, Jan. 21): It’s welcome news that the Spanberger administration and state legislators are committing to rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. RGGI has cut pollution while bringing millions of dollars back to Virginia for flood mitigation and energy efficiency.
This legislative session, we can build on that momentum to strengthen Hampton Roads’ resilience in the face of climate change, more intense storms and accelerating sea level rise.
First, lawmakers should boost support for the Virginia Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund, which offers low-interest loans to cities and counties. We should ensure that nature-based solutions — such as wetlands restoration, living shorelines and flood-absorbing green infrastructure — are fully eligible and prioritized. These projects reduce flood risk while leading to cleaner water and building habitat.
Second, the commonwealth should also expand and streamline programs for the beneficial reuse of dredged materials — the sand and mud left over from dredging harbors and channels. Using clean dredge for marsh creation, shoreline stabilization and coastal elevation protects communities while reducing disposal costs.
Third, continued investment in the Virginia Conservation Assistance Program helps homeowners, schools and businesses install practices that reduce flooding and pollution.
Combined with rejoining RGGI, these actions will safeguard Hampton Roads while protecting communities from rising costs from flooding and storm damage. Now is the time for bold, practical action that protects our communities.
Christy Everett, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Hampton Roads director, Norfolk
Billionaires
What is it with these billionaires? How much is enough? How many hungry kids would a Lamborghini feed?
“From each according to his ability, to each according to his need” usually is attributed to Karl Marx, but it isn’t purely a socialist wish; it’s common sense. It means a billionaire doesn’t get to go to outer space until 100,000 people have a way to get to work.
Forget about fraud and abuse. That is a tiny fraction of any do-good effort, recounted precisely because it’s so rare. Think instead about children who learn because they have enough to eat, unhoused people in apartments and mental patients getting the help they need and medical personnel in areas without access to health care.
Let the luckiest people on Earth pay the freight. Come see me when you’ve worked your way down to the baby boomers who had only six of the seven numbers in the generational lottery.
Rabbi Ellen Jaffe-Gill, Virginia Beach
