It Wasn’t Fun While It Lasted
But it was only a week, and I was able to leave under my own power, assisted by a wheelchair, which is of course standard procedure when leaving a hospital after an admission, so it wasn’t a total loss. It was three months ago today, Friday, August 2nd that I was "ambulanced " to Holy Cross Hospital where I spent the beginning of my seven, first-ever nights in a hospital; pretty fortunate track record for someone my age.
Letter: Getting Facts Right
Steve Daly writes about his concerns with the federal deficit ["Frightened by Runaway Government," Connection, Oct. 31-Nov.6, 2013].
Letter: Connolly Is Best at Humor, Not Details
In his letter ["The Damage Is Already Done," Connection, Oct. 23-29, 2013], Rep. [Gerry] Connolly (D-11) asserts a number of cases of individuals hurt by or concerned about the 13-day shutdown of the federal government.
Letter: Storm Recovery and Resilience in Northern Virginia
As terrible as this may sound, when I think back on my experiences with Hurricane Sandy I seem to most vividly recall the five-day weekend.
Letter: A Deceptive Look at Background Checks
The technology in my DVR insulates me from most advertisements. That insulation is especially appreciated during what seems to be the never-ending political season during which ad after ad simply attacks one candidate or another.
Column: This Spud’s For You
There’s more talk now than ever before, about the possibility of the Washington, D.C. professional football team changing its name.
Editorial: Be Part of Children’s Connection
Call for student artwork and writing; deadline Dec. 6.
During the last week of each year, The Connection devotes its entire issue to the creativity of local students and children.
Letter: In Rust, I Trust
On Tuesday, Nov. 5, I plan to vote for the one person whose demonstrated experience and leadership makes him the only real choice to represent us in the Virginia House of Delegates. That person is Delegate Tom Rust.
Now What?
Results of the election are not known to me as I write this column, but polling suggests that there will be a shift towards the middle of the political spectrum in the Old Dominion this year.
Lake Anne—Light at the End of the Tunnel?
Besides being a charming place to live, Lake Anne Village is Reston’s historic heart, the place where it all began in 1964.
Letter: Strongly Opposed to Cutting Food Aid
Last week, Elizabeth Berry wrote a letter expressing concern over a bill passed by the House of Representatives that would cut food aid for nearly 3.8 million people, and asked that I oppose this legislation. I strongly oppose it. The cuts recommended by the House would eliminate free school meals for 280,000 children and aggravate an already difficult situation for many families in Virginia struggling to put food on the table. We must protect nutrition assistance programs because it’s our responsibility to ensure the neediest among us have access to food when times are hardest.
Letter: Cuccinelli: Real Solutions to Real Problems
Two of my main concerns with the welfare of Virginia citizens are well addressed in Cuccinelli's plans for the future: education and mental health care. Education is a hot topic with many people especially in educationally rich Fairfax County. We've made many strides in education for the future, but more can still be done. Cuccinelli aptly outlines areas where we're weak, statewide. Planning for future needs and student welfare in a digital age is also crucial.
Editorial: Vote Nov. 5 or Before
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.
For voters in Virginia, it is hard to overstate how important it is to go out and vote next week. All Virginia voters will see statewide races for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general, plus one delegate race. In addition, there are a few local races in Alexandria and Arlington, a bond question in Fairfax County and a referendum question about the housing authority in Arlington.
Column: Excuse Me, Pardon Me, Excuse Me…
If it wasn’t a coincidence, it was the next thing to being one. What it was, was the hiccups; occurring after chemotherapy infusion number one and again after chemotherapy number two. The first episode lasted only a few days and annoyed my wife, Dina, way more than it annoyed me. The first hiccuping episode was fairly constant; however it was not exhausting – and I wasn’t having any trouble sleeping because of them. Nor was I making any disturbing sounds or having any difficulty breathing – when caught in mid-hiccup, and/or eating because of the herky-jerky movements/spasms of my diaphragm. In general, it was a fairly benign effect. In the big picture, it didn’t seem particularly important that it was the hiccups I was having, so I never called my oncologist. It was the hiccups after all. It might as well have been a skinned knee. Jeez. And sure enough, within a couple of days, I was “hiccuped out.”
Letter: Government Shutdown Politics
Lost in the talk of the leverage that 40 or so Tea Party Republicans have in the House of Representatives is the fact that their success depends on their being part of a larger majority (at least 218) of Republicans in the 435-member House. So, the ultimate political influence question is not whether those 40 Tea Party members come from safe seats that guarantee their re-election. The real point is that those 40 can only be an effective force if at least another 178 more-moderate Republicans (218 minus 40) are re-elected in 2014.