Navy museum
Re “Let’s bring the Navy museum home to Norfolk” (Other Views, Nov. 23): I believe historians and city leaders from Norfolk and Portsmouth should endorse this plan. Portsmouth has a naval museum that could benefit from working with Norfolk. Norfolk Naval Shipyard holds a very historic place in our naval history. Norfolk Naval Base has an impressive history.
There is certainly synergy in working jointly to bring this museum to Norfolk. With support from prominent leaders, I believe the Department of Defense would back this plan. This museum could add to the long list of important sites that are visited every year by tourists in Hampton Roads.
Marvin Barnes, Chesapeake
Pay raises
Re “Council members face backlash over wanting to increase their pay” (A1, Nov. 20): I find it very disturbing that Virginia Beach City Council members want to increase their pay. In April, I called the mayor’s office four times. The first time I did speak with the mayor’s secretary. I told her why I was calling. She stated that she would pass on the information and someone would call me back. No one called me back. I called three more times and got a recording that stated if I needed to talk to someone, press a certain button. I did and got another recording. I left messages. No one returned my calls. I went in person and was not able to go to the mayor’s office. I was told to call and make an appointment. I sent the mayor an email. No response. My husband had an issue. He sent Council member Barbara Henley an email. No response.
If council members have assistants, why are they not doing their job? If council members can’t reply to concerned residents, why should they receive a pay increase? My questions are, “Did you take this job for the money or prestige? Do you care about residents’ concerns?”
Council members should know the requirements of this position and what is involved. City Council members should be ashamed of themselves asking for a pay increase during these trying times for the residents of Virginia Beach.
Elaine C. Millard, Virginia Beach
Law and order
The United States is a democracy built on the principle that everyone, including those in power, must follow the law. Our military personnel swear an oath to the Constitution, not to any individual, and are legally obligated to refuse illegal orders.
Recently, Sen. Mark Kelly and five House colleagues reminded service members of this constitutional duty. In response, President Donald Trump has called these six members of Congress “traitors.” The FBI has opened investigations into them and the Department of Defense has threatened Kelly, simply for affirming what every service member promises in their oath of enlistment.
As a resident of Williamsburg, I rely on my congressman, Rep. Rob Wittman, to defend our constitutional system. To date, Wittman has remained silent while elected officials face investigation and threats for upholding the very principles our military swears to protect.
I urge Wittman to speak out clearly and forcefully. When members of Congress face retaliation for reminding our military of their constitutional obligations, our democracy itself is at stake. Silence in the face of such actions is unacceptable.
Steven Regen, Williamsburg
Syndrome
Three recent letters have addressed Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS). It’s important to note that every accusatory diagnosis of that worn-out cliché malady is itself a symptom in the accuser of Trump Derangement Syndrome Syndrome (TDSS), where the second occurrence of the word syndrome is not a typo. TDSS afflicts otherwise honest souls who wear themselves out with cognitive dissonance stemming from constantly struggling to defend what they know perfectly well is the squalidly indefensible.
Steven T. Corneliussen, Poquoson
