Too Much Smog on CO2

The Virginian-Pilot
© July 6, 2009

Too much smog on CO2

The cap-and-trade bill passed by the U.S. House is generally based on the 'science' that the world must curb carbon dioxide emissions or face the consequences of global warming.

I'm not arguing the Earth isn't warming and that CO2 levels aren't rising. As an environmentalist, I'm concerned that the focus on CO2 a clear, odorless gas that we exhale, which is essential to all plant life has taken our eyes off other issues like toxins, soil erosion, animal waste runoff, ocean pollution, species loss, heavy metals, trace pharmaceutical drugs in our water supply, etc. It would be tragic to see the latter list of issues mar our planet (and therefore our lives) irreversibly while we continue to debate and legislate a single focal point: CO2.

Cap and trade is serious, long-lasting legislation that will adversely impact everyone's wallet. The bill declares that CO2 emissions must be curbed through taxation to spur development of alternate sources of renewable, non-CO2-emitting energy sources in order to save the planet.

In consideration of other pollution woes and the cost of implementing cap and trade, I believe working to fully understand what caused the last four climate changes on Earth makes more sense than proclaiming CO2 guilty; new evidence suggests it may in fact be an innocent bystander.

David Beemer
Virginia Beach

The Virginian-Pilot
© November 17, 2008

It's not a tough call

Re 'How he died denies Marine recognition from state,' front page, Nov. 12: Seriously, are you kidding me? A Marine dies when his helicopter goes down in an Iraqi sandstorm, and he is not afforded the honor of being included on the Virginia War Memorial?

I served eight years in the Navy and never came remotely close to combat; during Desert Shield, my ship was in dry-dock while Desert Storm was under way, defending against engineering inspectors.

I can see how someone might not consider me a veteran because I never 'fought,' but telling parents their son or daughter died in a combat zone but will not be included on the state's war memorial is something even the 11-year-old sitting across from me at the breakfast table knows is just wrong.

David Beemer
Virginia Beach

Are you happy?

I was reading the other day that Steve Irwin's widow, Terri, when asked what she missed most about Steve and she thought and replied that he was fun...

Try to do something fun each and every day.

The Virginian-Pilot © July 16, 1996 "VMI GROWS UP"

The Virginian-Pilot
© July 16, 1996

Headine:  VMI GROWS UP

Carol Simpson, mother of a VMI cadet, attacked the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to allow women to attend VMI (letter, July 17).

Speaking from experience, VMI is in for significant changes. As a 1987 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and a career officer for more than eight years, I can testify that women have served and will continue to serve our country with honor and distinction. The idea that a female pilot can be blown out of the sky but shouldn't be allowed to "break out" as a VMI rat is ludicrous.  Most of the harassment and hazing that Mrs. Simpson thinks are so critical to the development of the VMI cadet have nothing to do with the founding traditions of VMI.  Its roots can be traced back to the admission of Ivy League students who brought with them their associated fraternal "birth right," of the freshman initiation. That's where the negative "bonding" comes from that Mrs. Simpson so easily associates with character development.

Yes, VMI is going to change. Women's heads will not be shaved clean. And women will not be required to run as fast, jump as high or do as many push-ups as male cadets. So what?

What VMI will become is a taxpayer-supported school providing the best education and military indoctrination possible, a unique and very different education experience offered to all members of our society, not just young men.

David Beemer
Virginia Beach, VA