Dont belong here
It is Saturday afternoon. I have just returned from the Democratic caucus, held to select a candidate for the special election for City Council. I was handed a pledge to sign, agreeing to vote only for the Democratic candidate and that I agree with Democratic Party principles.

I have reluctantly signed these pledges in the past because I was usually working on the campaign of one of the candidates. This time I have no ideological attachment to any candidate, so I considered the pledge.

What are Democratic Party principles? How can anyone sign a pledge to agree with principles which are unstated? I know that it was a Democratic Congress and president that sent me to Viet Nam. I know that the vast majority of congressional Democrats voted to invade Iraq. I am sure there were principles, which are not mine, behind those votes.

As I was considering these things a woman wearing an official tag asked me if there was a problem. When I voiced concern, I was told that this is a Democratic Party caucus and if I dont sign the pledge, I cannot vote and then stormed off.

I wish I had noticed her name so that I could thank her for awakening me to the fact this is no BIG TENT and I dont belong here.

Robert C. Byrnes
Alexandria

Smoking ban
Amy L. Bursell, in opposition to the proposal to ban smoking in restaurants (Protect your freedoms in America, May 10), argues the notion of protecting the public is a slippery slope that will open the gate for the city to ban a wide variety of conduct, among them: arresting parents of obese or overweight children for child endangerment; ban on smoking in private places partly subsidized by public funds; prohibiting loud music because of the possibility of hearing loss; etcetera. The argument, on its face, is fallacious. Indeed, her argument is a textbook example of the slippery slope fallacy. Bursell fails to set forth a single reason why the proposed smoking ban would inevitably lead to the end of American civilization, as we know it.

Craig Taylor
Alexandria

Time to move on
I support the School Board vote not to renew the superintendents contract. The majority has spoken. We need to move on and appoint a new superintendent. 

Susan A. Hobbs
Alexandria

Give me a break
First, the illustrious Alexandria School Board sticks us taxpayers with
a $100,000 bill to find a new superintendent. They need a new pair of eyes.
Next, we have to pay $12,000 for a consultant to teach them how to be adults and play nice in the sand box. I guess it is important for them to get along, but if they cant do it on their own they should pay for counseling out of their own pockets. Not mine.

Give me a break.

What worthwhile educational programs have to be cut to pay for all of this?
I hope those who voted for these clowns regret their vote. And I hope when the next election comes around people going to the polls remember
how this Board acted.

Joe Schramm
Alexandria

Majority spoke, move on
It is with great sadness that we have watched the unfolding debate about the decision by the Alexandria City Public School (ACPS) Board to not renew Superintendent Rebecca Perrys contract. A call has been issued by some to join in opposition. This we cannot do, for the good of our community.

We call on all our neighbors and friends to turn away from this destructive path. Turn away from throwing our community into turmoil. Lets come
together to do what is best for our school children. Our democratically-elected
Board has voted and a majority has decided to begin a search for a new superintendent. It is time to move on and to begin that search. Even if you do not agree with the decision or how it was reached, we urge you to turn your attention now to identifying the qualities you would like to see in the next superintendent and devote your energies in a positive way to build a better ACPS system and a stronger community.

The strength of our community, especially ACPS, is an asset that we must not squander. Lets continue to build our future together, including with our fellow citizens who serve the community on the School Board.

Marc and Nancy Williams
Alexandria

USS Alexandria
We thoroughly enjoyed the piece on the USS Alexandria; what a thrill it must have been for the reporter. I have been on subs but never underway, and served on the carrier USS Intrepid now museum in New York, for three years and thoroughly enjoyed that experience. Close living yes, but not like your bunking in. As an officer I enjoyed a shared stateroom with stewards to make my bed and serve my meals in the wardroom. I could never, ever understand the kids who complained about living like that, going overseas at peacetime and seeing some small part of the world.

Edward Snyder
Chevy Chase, Md