YOUR VIEWS
Sign tree bills
More than 1,000 pieces of legislation were passed by the General Assembly this session. An overlooked but essential part of that 1,000-bill package is a suite of bills that give localities unprecedented authority — if they choose to use it — to save trees before they’re cut down or to replace trees after they’re lost. These bills received historic support from state lawmakers.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin grew up on the Chesapeake Bay and has professed his commitment to cleaning it. With trees, we have a natural and sustainable tool at our fingertips to beautify our neighborhoods and prepare our state for climate change.
Across Virginia, trees disappeared at an alarming rate between 2014-2018, a net loss of 9,548 acres of urban and forest canopy. Local leaders, testifying in support of tree conservation bills this session, noted how trees are one of the most productive and cost-effective ways to prevent polluted runoff from reaching waterways, protect streams and alleviate flood impacts.
Our backyard streams have become increasingly polluted. In recent weeks, we’ve also seen floods damage our homes and businesses and close our children’s schools. Scarce shade in what are known as urban heat islands meant some city residents suffered more in the hot summer sun than in other, leafier parts of the city and state. Utility bills also went up.
Youngkin must sign these tree conservation bills as soon as possible and give localities more tools to protect their communities and our beloved bay.
— Erich O. Hart, Norfolk
‘Dog whistle’
Re “Return to the true heart of the Christian story” (Other Views, March 31): A local pastor wrote an opinion on Easter Sunday; he used a divisive phrase “Christian nationalism.” His definition included phrases like “political powers,” “authority over others” and “force them to live by their idea of who God is.” But he didn’t offer examples.
The writer states that Jesus was “killed rather than align himself with the political powers of the day.” Later the pastor writes, “Jesus suffered and died at the hands of those who compromised their religious tenets in order to align themselves with political power.” Not true.
Jesus himself says, “No one takes it
(my life) from me, but I lay it down on my own.” His love for humanity caused him to voluntarily become our sin on the cross, so that all who put their faith in him escape the punishment each one deserves. He was born to die, we know that from Old Testament prophesies; also the wise men gifted him the embalming spice myrrh when he was a young child.
With all due respect for the pastor, his Easter message will only really resonate with unbelievers who read it as a dog whistle to persecute Christians or infant Christians who don’t yet know the full counsel of God’s word. I do agree that the world desperately needs Jesus — the powerful Jesus, who is revealed from Genesis to Revelation. Most American churches have become culturally irrelevant because they choose to align themselves with the political powers of our time instead of Jesus. There should be noticeable differences between the church and the culture.
— Elizabeth Barge, Norfolk
Disqualify him
Re “Navy SEAL, commodore of Virginia Beach-based unit, relieved of duty” (March 20): The article states that the Navy said, “‘Navy leaders are held to high standards of personal and professional conduct.'”
Shouldn’t we also hold the commander in chief of the armed forces to the same standard? Would this not immediately disqualify former President Donald Trump from office?
— Mary Daddio, Virginia Beach