AFTER READING 'State groups on opposite sides of 'conscience rule,'' Hampton Roads, Dec. 30, on the Bush administration's rule allowing health care workers to opt out of some medical procedures, I hope people will appreciate this protective regulation.

It is unbelievable that anyone would deny health care workers the right to opt out of providing medical services (aka abortions) on religious or ethical grounds. What is the meaning of 'pro-choice,' a term that is thrown in the face of 'pro-lifers'? Does 'choice' go only one way? To 'pro-choice' advocates, not only should abortions be legal, but now our medical professionals must perform or participate in them even if they believe it is the killing of an unborn child. Are we in China, where population agents force mothers to end the lives of their unborn babies?

Abortion mandates threaten to shut down thousands of life-affirming, faith-based hospitals and clinics that provide care in some of the nation's most underserved communities, according to the Christian Medical Association. As Jonathan Imbody, the CMA's vice president of government relations, said, 'Maybe that's what it will take for Americans to penetrate the fog of abortion propaganda and recognize that breaching the foundational right to life imperils all other rights.'

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Re 'Bleeding heart tightwads,' op-ed, Dec. 24:

It seems conservatives have a lot of hubris and arrogance about what they donate to private charities and want it published. Didn't Jesus say something about when you do good, keep silent about it and not be boastful?

These letters deriding liberals as Scrooges, saying, 'Are there no prisons, no workhouses?' are examples of sanctimonious attitudes so characteristic of conservatives.

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As the only directly elected mayor Virginia Beach has ever known now leaves office, I hate to see this ambassador of goodwill, Meyera Oberndorf, shuffled to the bottom of the deck.But maybe Meyera, that familiar face at countless such events over the past 20-plus years, can still play a role. I look at our own gadfly ex-bishop, Walter Sullivan, and see the role he plays as 'bishop emeritus' at many functions around the Diocese of Richmond.

Wouldn't it be great if Meyera were to be proclaimed 'mayor emeritus' by the City Council and invited to continue appearing in a ceremonial role at the many events that the new mayor, Will Sessoms, can't attend?

Give her a sash and invite her to add an official Virginia Beach presence!

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Dendron Mayor Yvonne Pierce's favorable remarks about Old Dominion's Clover plant were an important aspect of the Dec. 15 article 'Residents weigh impact of proposed coal plant' on the proposed Dendron plant. Too often, people get information from sources such as the Internet that are inaccurate, misleading and even frightening. The mayor and council members should be commended for going to Clover for a firsthand look.

Today's coal-generated power plants are far cleaner than earlier coal plants. The environmental efficiency of this fleet has improved 70 percent per unit of energy produced, as measured by emissions of air pollutants regulated by federal and state Clean Air Act laws. The industry is striving to make them cleaner still.

Despite conservation and additional renewable sources, we will need more coal-generated electricity to meet our needs. Virginia and the nation face important choices to ensure available, affordable domestic energy sources. The best choices will be based on facts and science.

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I thoroughly enjoyed the article 'After 54 years on the bus, he hasn't reached his stop' (Hampton Roads, Dec. 28) about Ulysses Whitfield, a Suffolk school bus driver. I read it over several times because I found it so uplifting. During these times, when we read and hear only about sad and bad happenings, The Pilot should focus on the positive more often.

Whitfield exemplifies what everyone should be a person with an excellent work ethic who shows kindness and believes in rules. Those young students in Suffolk are fortunate to have someone like him in their lives.

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