Lifelong learners
Education is often treated as something that ends with a high school diploma, but what if our public schools extended their mission beyond graduation? I believe Virginia could lead the way by offering free, online refresher courses in core high school subjects — math, science, history, writing and civics — for adults in our community.
Many people forget the details of what they learned in school, and that can create real obstacles when changing careers, applying to college or even navigating civic life. Employers assume certain skills that not everyone retains, and private refresher classes are costly. Why not make this knowledge available to all citizens, just as public schools once made it available to us as teenagers?
The infrastructure already exists. Curriculum guides are written, teachers create lesson plans every year, and school divisions already use online learning platforms. A modest investment could turn these resources into self-paced refresher modules for any adult who wants them.
This would strengthen our workforce, promote equity by giving all residents access to lifelong learning and improve civic engagement. Education shouldn’t be a one-time event. By giving Virginians a chance to keep their skills sharp, we can build a stronger, smarter community.
Benjamin Simpson, Virginia Beach
Lining pockets
Re “Crypto bill would fuel corruption. Sen. Warner should vote no” (Other Views, Sept. 17): I have no doubt that a “crypto bill would fuel corruption” as guest columnist Bart Naylor states. Being a pessimist by nature when it comes to our elected federal representatives, it is my contention that almost every bill passed by Congress can be twisted to provide shady financial benefits, enough to line multitudes of pockets.
That being said, have no fear, even if it were a sound idea, Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., would vote against it if for no other reason than President Donald Trump wants it passed.
J.C. Snead, Virginia Beach
Past wisdom
In the wake of the killing of Charlie Kirk and the ensuing vitriol from members from both sides of the political spectrum, I implore all Americans to listen to or read the speeches given by Sen. Robert F. Kennedy in the aftermath of the killing of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. One was delivered in Cleveland which is titled “On the Mindless Menace of Violence.” The second was given in Indianapolis, Indiana, but had no title. They can be found with a quick online search. They speak directly to the state of our country at this very moment. Kennedy’s words are timeless and, sadly, they are still needed today.
The speeches should be broadcast by every major news network and printed in every newspaper in this country. These are the words that we need our leaders to speak.
Ronnie Ciampoli, Norfolk
Abigail Spanberger
I urge fellow Virginians to choose common sense when voting in the upcoming election in November. Choose to vote in the best interest of our great state, and in our own best economic interest. Vote for the Democratic Party’s candidates and former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger for governor.
The Republicans do not care for you, the working class voter, in our great state. They only care about cutting taxes for their masters, the billionaire class, and funding them by cutting our Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security benefits, which we have all earned by paying into these systems for decades. Stealing from the poor and working class to enrich the billionaire class: That’s the Republican Party plan. They distract you with phony cultural crusades, while quietly reaching around your backs to pickpocket you.
Don’t fall for this Republican shell game and sleight of hand. Vote for the commonsense candidate: Abigail Spanberger.
Anthony Margan, Williamsburg