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OPINION
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Correction
In a letter to the editor last week, Mike Straight wrote that he attended TJ High School. It was changed by the editor to read Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, the school’s current name. But while Straight was attending high school, it was just Thomas Jefferson High School. Straight said he didn’t want “to misrepresent” his educational beginnings.
Fauquier County must change now The time has come. It has been a long time in coming. Centuries. But the time has come for Old Fauquier County to defibrillate into the present tense. Now. And to observe in 2020’s ambulance rearview mirror that “data” is somehow present tense seems comical, at least to those of us who (have to) work in other (real) Virginia counties. But of course, Old Fauquier County is “different” than other Virginia counties. Old Fauquier is graced in the python-grasp of an archipelago of ancient beneficents: sultans, princes, lords, masters of the universe, etc., for whom that ineffable chronological quantum between the “world wide web” and “data” holds no practical application in lives blurred through chopper blades between Upperville and Positano. But all is not well, for all, on the luxury-lined Titanic that is Old Fauquier County. You see, some of us (have to) work. And some of us who (have to) work have children. And some of those children don’t board in London (where they have “data”). So, to opine now that COVID is the tip of the iceberg that sunk Old Fauquier County is to miss this careening meteor of a point entirely. Old Fauquier County has sleepwalked itself off a century-high cliff, and not buzz-driven itself into some temporary, and murky difficulty. Do you know, Old Fauquier County Board of Supervisors, that one can now find five bars of cellular signal in much of Rappahannock County? Some of you just realized that makes Old Fauquier County now the most ass-backwards county in the United States (West Virginia, Mississippi and North Dakota notwithstanding). Stone walls are nice. I have stone walls. But cell towers are better than stone walls because stone
walls can’t educate my children (the ones that don’t board in London, where they have data). And I’m not a cellular radio engineer, but I don’t think too many stone walls need to be demolished to erect cellular radio transmitters on every single existing power line pole in Fauquier County. I see power lines outside my window, and everywhere else I look in Fauquier County. Why don’t I see cellular antennas on every single one of them? Come on. Fox hunting is pretty. I blithely crack a smile when they “ride through” in their $14,000 knickers. Good for them; I begrudge no master of the universe a tallyho (or two) through my property in $14,000 knickers. And I’m not a fiber optics engineer, but I don’t think all that many hunt clubs need to disband in order to string fiber optic cable between every single existing phone line pole in Fauquier County. I see phone lines outside my window, and everywhere else I look in Fauquier County. Why isn’t there fiber optic broadband in every home already served by existing phone lines? Come on. This is easy. It’s not hard. Because where there is a will there is a way. And to say: “Data is the same as sewage, you moved there!” is false equivalence. No one made the education of children contingent upon sewers. Education in Virginia is a constitutionally guaranteed fundamental right. Sewage treatment isn’t. Besides, I can buy a septic system, but I can’t buy a cell tower. And a septic system only helps me: but a cell signal helps everyone. Even masters of the universe dial 911 now and then. Now they can dial from their choppers in Rappahannock County. How about Old Fauquier? Come on.
BEN DRONSICK Delaplane
Fauquier Times | September 23, 2020
Donald Trump has not kept his promises In response to A.M. Rezelman (Fauquier Times, Sept. 19, “In defense of Donald Trump’s America) who tries to defend Mr. Trump by stating that the country values individual rights like freedom to assemble in a place of worship, or for a protest, or not to wear a mask … I would like to say hogwash. Americans have the right to assemble for worship, and contrary to current events, has the right to protest (but I guess they only have the right to protest if it is a cause that Republicans believe in). But Americans do not have the right to endanger others because of a health crisis. Do people complain when they cannot enter a store without shoes or a shirt? There are countless facilities that forbid entry for those not wearing shoes or shirts, because it is a health issue. Where are all the protesters complaining about that?? And concerning the statement that he was doing everything he promised in his 2016 campaign, where is the wall that Mexico paid for? Where is the great new health care plan? Oh yeah, he did help to drain the swamp ... He hired them and most went to jail. Now Mr. Trump did not create
the COVID crisis, but he has done nothing to slow it down, despite admitting to the journalist/author, Bob Woodward, months ago that the virus was deadly and was a plague. When questioned at his latest rally if he was worried to have so many people gathered inside during this medical crisis, his response was I am safe because I am several feet away from all of the people. He did not show any concern toward the others in attendance. What a great guy! Trump has not done anything but try to con voters to re-elect him. I am an independent voter and have voted for Republicans before. If you vote for Trump in November, you and all the other Republican members of Congress are condoning his countless lies, his incompetence, his stupidity, his racism and you must agree with him that the veterans in cemeteries are losers and suckers. If that is called being an American, then you can call me un-American. I believe in the medical experts and not the snake-oil salesman. Trump is not an embarrassment as a president, he is an embarrassment as a human being.
‘There you go again’
promote a candidate that supports their more liberal policies. Or they could volunteer with and fund efforts to feed, house and enfranchise people who are suffering in our community. I am pretty sure we could have a meeting of the minds. However, if unsuccessful, I could at least warn them that though I am a bit miffed at their antics, my wife, on the other hand, is becoming nearly apoplectic (great word, huh?). Her measures to deter so far (life-size cardboard cutout of John Wayne in the front window and a game camera) have been for naught. And I overheard her mumbling in the backyard, “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men (people). Only the Shadow knows.”
If I could speak to the person(s) who have stolen my political yard signs (third time), I would say in my most Reaganesque disarming manner, “There you go again.” Because I would really like to know what is motivating them. Maybe they would tell me they think trashing my sign is the patriotic thing to do — y’know –- keep our beloved country from being ruled by an autocrat. Or maybe they have disdain and disgust for our country and really prefer revolution. If I get the chance, I would try to first soften them up with some of my best “Dad jokes” and then turn the discussion to some more constructive uses of their passion and energy. Maybe they could
DAN OWENS Amissville
MIKE STRAIGHT Warrenton
Support Bob Good for Congress; he will help Donald Trump rebuild America Nov. 3, 2020 will go down in history as one of America’s most important days. We have reached the “fork” in the road. Do we turn to the left and succumb to the “allures” of socialism? Or do we continue down the road with traditional American values? The choices are clear. The Democratic party has moved far to the left. They no longer believe in traditional American values. They have become socialist at best. And every time socialism has been tried people lose their freedom and their standard of living declines.
The only winners are the rulers. Prior administrations, Republican and Democrat, have allowed millions of American manufacturing jobs be shipped overseas for cheaper labor and less regulation. Big business and the Democrats now work together to keep this going. This has been a huge hit against America’s middle class – the heart of America, President [Donald] Trump is bringing jobs back to America. He is rebuilding America’s middle class. The Democrats don’t like this. We must re-elect President Trump and con-
tinue rebuilding America for everyone. This cannot happen without senators and congressman who will work with President Trump. One such person is Bob Good, Republican candidate for 5th Congressional District. He knows what is needed to keep the district working. And he is a strong supporter of President Trump. Together they can bring back the jobs. The Democrats seek equal outcomes – everyone the same. Republicans seek equal opportunity where we are free to go as far as we want.
JOHN GREEN Bealeton
