Green Bank, others provide value data
Editor:
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- In response to the article "Byrd telescope may be axed," I ask, what are our national priorities?
The fact that scientifically important research is being cut from the National Science Foundation budget, possibly closing facilities in Green Bank, Sirocco, N.M., or Kitt Peak, Ariz., that are in their prime, which are already built and paid for, is insane. What has happened to this country that we cannot pay the operating cost of these important facilities?
Will we accept the closures of one or more of these facilities in order to build the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope that is to be built in Chile? I understand it is an important project, but is it important enough to close these state-of-the-art centers of research?
Education and research are the keys to the leadership and prosperity that has made America the world's leading superpower it is. Are we going to give this up to save a few dollars on our budget? Are leaders thinking ahead, or just thinking of the short term, cutting dollars to make themselves look good?
If you research the news, you will find that several companies have thousands of jobs that cannot be filled because people with the needed education cannot be found. Cuts in education and research will cost America its leadership and lower our standard of living in the future. Leadership and prosperity are not a given, they are earned. We need to look at the direction we are heading toward, and decide if that is the future we want.
Rodney Waugh
Cross Lanes
Tips to avoid library parking problems
Editor:
For those challenged by parking for the downtown library, let me offer a few hints:
* Spaces are more available in the morning, especially before 10 a.m.
* Try Quarrier Street first.
* If that doesn't work, circle around and check Capitol, then Summers and Laidley.
My wife and I, in our 70s, almost always find a spot within a couple of blocks of the library.
Other options:
* Call the library and have your books sent down to the drive-in window. You can select them online.
* Use the WVDELI service to get electronic books and other media.
Green Bank, others provide value data
Editor:
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- In response to the article "Byrd telescope may be axed," I ask, what are our national priorities?
The fact that scientifically important research is being cut from the National Science Foundation budget, possibly closing facilities in Green Bank, Sirocco, N.M., or Kitt Peak, Ariz., that are in their prime, which are already built and paid for, is insane. What has happened to this country that we cannot pay the operating cost of these important facilities?
Will we accept the closures of one or more of these facilities in order to build the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope that is to be built in Chile? I understand it is an important project, but is it important enough to close these state-of-the-art centers of research?
Education and research are the keys to the leadership and prosperity that has made America the world's leading superpower it is. Are we going to give this up to save a few dollars on our budget? Are leaders thinking ahead, or just thinking of the short term, cutting dollars to make themselves look good?
If you research the news, you will find that several companies have thousands of jobs that cannot be filled because people with the needed education cannot be found. Cuts in education and research will cost America its leadership and lower our standard of living in the future. Leadership and prosperity are not a given, they are earned. We need to look at the direction we are heading toward, and decide if that is the future we want.
Rodney Waugh
Cross Lanes
Tips to avoid library parking problems
Editor:
For those challenged by parking for the downtown library, let me offer a few hints:
* Spaces are more available in the morning, especially before 10 a.m.
* Try Quarrier Street first.
* If that doesn't work, circle around and check Capitol, then Summers and Laidley.
My wife and I, in our 70s, almost always find a spot within a couple of blocks of the library.
Other options:
* Call the library and have your books sent down to the drive-in window. You can select them online.
* Use the WVDELI service to get electronic books and other media.
* The South Charleston Library has easy parking and a reciprocal lending arrangement with the Kanawha County Public Library.
Note to the city:
* A half-hour meter provides enough time to select library materials. A 15-minute meter does not.
* How about creating a couple more spots across from the library on Quarrier?
Finally, public services are not free. To what extent should the many pay taxes to make life more convenient for the few?
Vann Carroll
Charleston
Prison conditions violate constitution
Editor:
I would like to address some things mentioned in the article on prison overcrowding on June 20.
First, I am thoroughly offended by Richard Thompson and the fact he "got excited" about a study on the West Virginia criminal justice system. This state needs action to fix this problem, not a study. Thousands of men and women are sitting in these regional jails and one major problem goes unmentioned. All of these overcrowded jails are a violation of state law! Specifically Title 95 Section 2 of the West Virginia Legislation. This is cruel and unusual punishment. It's unconstitutional, period.
Second, West Virginia needs to completely restructure the criminal code and sentencing guidelines. Too many non-violent crimes are classified as felonies. Renegade cops are intentionally "charge stacking' so individuals are cornered into taking a plea. Judges are completely disregarding the accused's constitutional rights, knowing full well many don't have the money to appeal a conviction later. Prosecutors are more worried about their conviction rate than actual justice.
West Virginia is not a crime-infested state. Its citizens are victims of an unmotivated and out-dated system. The economy is a reflection of that. West Virginians need to raise their voice and challenge some of the decisions being made in Charleston or our state might become "Wild" and no longer "Wonderful."
Brent Combs
McDowell County Correctional Center
Welch
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