Re: "HOV Lanes are meant to cut air pollution, not congestion," From Readers, May 18
Laszlo Pentek is the one who is wrong about the original purpose of the HOV legislation.
In theVirginia Acts of Assembly,Section 33.1-46.2. Designation of high-occupancy vehicle lanes, paragraph A begins, "In order to facilitate the rapid and orderly movement of traffic to and from urban areas during peak traffic periods, the Commonwealth Transportation Board may ... "
If you look at the law as written and passed, it is clear that the intent of HOV lanes in Virginia was to deal with traffic congestion.Pollution or emissions are not even mentioned.
Pentek is the one who needs to get his facts straight.
Mark Weaver
Woodbridge
Demographic changes linked to education reform
Re: "Blacks no longer majority in D.C.," May 18
Notwithstanding Liz Farmer's otherwise wonderful coverage of the critical population changes explored in her cover story, I think it is very critical that readers understand the relationship to processes -- such as public education reform and the anchoring of a charter school movement, for example -- that are among the major developments driving the changing demographics in the nation's capital city.
Gerard Fergerson
Washington
Jindal does not belong on a national ticket
Re: "Jindal is Romney's best veep choice, hands down," May 17
Philip Klein supports Bobby Jindal for vice president. I object.
Gov. Jindal has just signed into law the most draconian attack on public education and religious freedom in the U.S. In doing so, he and hisRepublican legislature clearly violated the Louisiana Constitution's prohibitions against any direct or indirect public funding of religious institutions.
Jindal did not even have the decency to propose an amendment to the state constitution so that the people of his state could vote yea or nay. A politician who has no respect for public schools, religious liberty, or its protection in his own state constitution does not belong on a national ticket.
Edd Doerr
President,
Americans for Religious Liberty
Silver Spring
Heterosexual marriage isn't going anywhere
Re: "Obama supports same-sex marriage", May 10
Heterosexual marriage, which has been with us since Adam and Eve, will never "go out of style," regardless of skeptics' claims. It will be with us forever.
Marriage, whether it's between heterosexuals or gays, is a sacred religious and/or civil bond. It's an everlasting commitment, come hell or high water. Sexuality is a leaning, not a mere preference or persuasion.
Politicians and leaders who exploit these precepts and sow divisiveness for their own advantage should pack up and leave.
Edward Abramic
Washington