The Herald-Dispatch Opinions RSS 2009-11-08T04:34:57-05:00 urn:uuid:1b4aaecd-a220-4476-a731-f1603094589d Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license (Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported), except where noted. Editorial: Stronger steps needed to protect female inmates The Herald-Dispatch http://www.herald-dispatch.com/opinions/2009+1108_edit 2009-11-07T23:04:57-05:00 <p>West Virginia corrections officials and attorneys representing clients who have sued the state agree that progress has been made to protect female inmates from sexual misconduct by corrections officers.</p> Tom Miller: Ohio casino approval could squeeze W.Va. revenue further The Herald-Dispatch http://www.herald-dispatch.com/opinions/2009+1108_Miller 2009-11-07T23:05:43-05:00 <p>Last week's decision by Ohio voters to approve gambling casinos in the state's four largest cities could prove to be more bad news for financial trends in West Virginia since this state government's operating budget depends heavily on the money generated by this state's gambling industry.</p> Voice of the People The Herald-Dispatch http://www.herald-dispatch.com/opinions/2009+1108_allvoices 2009-11-07T23:05:43-05:00 <p>I don't think the truck driver should be charged in the fatal accident of the guy on the wheelchair in Kenova. The truck driver was doing his job, and the guy on the wheelchair probably was not paying attention and went under the truck. The driver probably just thought he hit the curb.</p> Jay Rockefeller: Coal continues to hold strong promise for future for West Virginia The Herald-Dispatch http://www.herald-dispatch.com/opinions/2009+1108_Rockefeller+column 2009-11-07T23:05:43-05:00 <p>When I first came to West Virginia more than 40 years ago, it was to work with coal miners and their families. Good people who worked hard and risked their lives so the rest of America could turn the lights on and build a strong economy. Good people who counted on their jobs to put food on the table, build a home, send their kids to school and save a little for retirement.</p> Clarence E. Hill: Veterans are ordinary people who accomplished the extraordinary The Herald-Dispatch http://www.herald-dispatch.com/opinions/2009+1108_Hill+column 2009-11-08T00:09:04-05:00 <p>When then-Gov. Ronald Reagan introduced returning POW John McCain at a speaking engagement in 1974, the future president asked, &quot;Where do we find such men?&quot;</p> Voice of the people The Herald-Dispatch http://www.herald-dispatch.com/opinions/2009+1107_allvoices 2009-11-07T00:00:00-05:00 <p>Mrs. Irvine Parsons was my music/glee club teacher at Beverly Hills Junior High School from 1976-1979. I have always said that she was the best teacher I ever had! She was really tough, but genuinely cared for her students.</p> Thumbs up: Corps investment in downtown upgrades sends postive signal The Herald-Dispatch http://www.herald-dispatch.com/opinions/2009+1107_edit2 2009-11-06T23:18:00-05:00 <p>The federal government announced last week that it will spend $16.7 million to make the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Huntington District building a modern example of energy efficiency.</p> Thumbs down: State must crack down on repeat DUI offenders The Herald-Dispatch http://www.herald-dispatch.com/opinions/2009+1107_+edit1 2009-11-06T23:18:00-05:00 <p>When Randall Blake was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence last week, it was his third such charge in a little over two years.</p> Voice of the people The Herald-Dispatch http://www.herald-dispatch.com/opinions/2009+1106_allvoices 2009-11-06T00:00:00-05:00 <p>I am writing on behalf of myself and many other parents of the Wayne Youth Football League. When a child participates in youth athletics, it is to be a positive learning experience. Do not expect that to happen in Wayne.</p> Carl E. Lowe II: Huntington area, the VA lose a good one The Herald-Dispatch http://www.herald-dispatch.com/opinions/2009+1106_Lowe+guest+column 2009-11-06T00:00:00-05:00 <p>The Huntington area and the Department of Veterans Affairs lost a true champion for veterans and their dependents when Larry Burks passed away recently.</p> Editorial: Education summit identifies many topics worthy of action The Herald-Dispatch http://www.herald-dispatch.com/opinions/2009+1106_edit 2009-11-06T00:00:00-05:00 <p>A gathering in Charleston last week yielded some serious talk about how education in West Virginia needs to change so that the state and its residents can better compete economically.</p>