Thanks, Buchanan, for light display
Many of us really missed the Buchanan Carnival last summer so what a delight it was to discover a fabulous light display brightening up the night sky from the Carnival Grounds. Thanks to the vision of Harry Gleason, support from town leaders along with business and individual donors, the park trees and pathways are all decked out, creating a splash of fun and frivolity. Many thanks to Harry, Jason and Jackson for surprising us with this holiday treat!
Molly O’Dell
Buchanan
Reader has questions about last week’s letter
Editor:
In his letter in last week’s Fincastle Herald, Timothy Buchanan stated, “The American Civil War was not a battle for slavery, but rather a battle against the tyranny of the majority.” This, and his lamenting the removal of a “rather plain landmark” outside the Fincastle courthouse, prompted a few questions.
First, if slavery did not have everything to do with the decades-long build-up to the Civil War, why was its perpetuation enshrined in the Confederacy’s new Constitution?
Second, would anyone, living in or visiting Fincastle, whose ancestors were slaves, feel welcomed when a statue outside the courthouse celebrates “the noble cause of the Confederacy” which codified into law the perpetual servitude of slaves and their descendants?
Third, presuming he is White, has Mr. Buchanan ever for a day in his life felt the need to resist the 400-year prevailing sentiment against his race by pridefully proclaiming that WHITE LIVES MATTER?
Just wondering.
Charlie Finn
Fincastle
Buchanan’s letter was ‘right on’
Editor:
Many thanks to Timothy Buchanan for his “right on” letter. Botetourt County “has fallen into the useless symbolism-over-substance insanity” that plagues not only radical liberal cities in Virginia but is rampant across our nation in cities of the same disposition.
Mr. Buchanan mentioned living here a quarter of a century. We (wife and I) have lived here four years shy of half a century. I only mention this because, time and time again, we have witnessed our Board of Supervisors pass off tough decisions to the “committee” or other routes so as not to make a stand they know is right but could jeopardize their re-election.
Those of us who don’t try to change history to suit our fancy are proud of all those brave Confederate soldiers and the legacy they left. As Mr. Buchanan questioned, “Are the descendants of Confederate soldiers any less entitled to celebrate their struggle for freedom than those of any demographic group?” The answer is obviously No!, but don’t wait for our “gang of 5” to say so.
Wayne A. Dixon
Fincastle
