Last Sunday’s letters responding to a recent controversial op-ed by state Sen. Mike Azinger included one whose writer again chose to mock and twist the Bible to make his point. Civility is a sign of maturity, and is especially necessary when controversy erupts. There’s no need to be ...

Yep, climate change is certainly occurring here in the Mid-Ohio Valley, where vast amounts of steam and heat were released into the atmosphere last Sunday by irate writers of letters to the editor decrying the evils of the Judeo-Christian religion — their version of it, anyway. Before the ...

The Multicultural Festival is a wonder. It was so great to see community members together for one weekend enjoying themselves and one another, while also celebrating our differences and our commonalities. We need more of that in the Mid-Ohio Valley. Regular fun-filled, community celebrations ...

Charles Darwin in “The Descent of Man” explained that the survival instinct is inherited and evolved with the anatomy and physiology of each creature. Morality in humans is part of it. If humans had evolved the same morality as honeybees, he reasoned, it would require our queen to kill ...

I have previously written about the United Nations Small Arms Trade Treaty (UNSATT) and the danger it poses to our Second Amendment and all our Constitutional freedoms. Now I have good news to report. I stated previously Article V of the UNSATT would require signing nations to establish a ...

I’d like to comment on the debate on who should make the decision whether to continue a pregnancy or not. It involves the conscience and will and demands on a woman’s life. It involves medical procedures and medical skills and doctors, not lawyers, business managers, insurance salesmen, or ...

I have read the recent letter to the editor submitted by Jim Wilt, where he makes several references to the Bible. I appreciate his interest in the Bible and would like to offer some thoughts for future study. The Bible is a unique book in that anything that is anything finds its origin there, ...

In his June 23 op-ed, elected state Sen. Mike Azinger puts glaring bigotry and divisiveness on display for all to see, attempting to wrap bigotry and ignorance under the pages of the Bible as a cover for his shameful op-ed. He asserts without any proof that gay people are not born that way. ...

As a Wood County resident for the last 8+ years, I’d like to say that I’m personally tired of hearing from our own local, self-appointed White-Knight-in-shining-armor, Mr. Mike Azinger. As our local state senator, Mike should be professionally concerned with causes that could actually ...

Mid-Ohio Valley Atheists and Humanists has three key goals: building a secular, non-theistic community in the Mid-Ohio Valley (by building on the strong but fairly silent one that already exists), being charitable and helpful in the MOV, and taking a stand against the growing hatred, bigotry ...

I woke up on June 23 to what I believe is the most disturbing thing I’ve seen in a long time. Mike Azinger, WV State Senator representing Wood County had the pleasure of publishing a highly offensive op-ed in The Parkersburg News and Sentinel. In this op-ed Azinger uses his theistic knowledge ...

I was saddened when reading the comments following the op-ed piece on Wood County School officials and religion. Several people made good points, but those points were soon lost in a sea of hatred and childishness. I disagree with Mr. Underwood’s stance on not having religious speakers or ...

In 2015, Parkersburg City Council was notified by the Freedom From Religion Foundation the PCC was unconstitutional (illegal) in conducting prayer connected to the PCC’s meetings. Yet, the illegal behavior continued. After the 2016 election and a different administration, political party in ...

Senate Bill 1039, the Student Success Act, and SB 1040 allow the unsupervised transfer of public funds to private individuals and organizations without adequate supervision. It would also damage or destroy the public school system. Please ask your delegates to reject these bills. SB 1040 ...

To address the July 11 suspension due to plagiarism in Mr. Kenny Demoss’ 2019 PHS graduation speech. Mr. Demoss deliberately copied large phrases and even paragraphs of another’s speech and got caught. An apology issued by Demoss stating he didn’t get all his ideas from Mr. Ashton ...

If you accept a financial gift from someone, are there strings attached — invisible strings, of friendship, goodwill, gratitude? Is there any chance that you might someday, somehow return the favor? Quite often, we are seeing something very disturbing. Money talks. Or does it silence? Pope ...

For years I have read about the people and events surrounding World War II. This past week was special for me as I watched America recognize and honor the heroes of our greatest generations as we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Normandy invasion. D-Day. Friday, May 24, one of the ...

The 10th Annual Ohio River Sternwheel Festival Memorial 5K Run and Walk was held on May 25, 2019. The event was a huge success because of the many run/walk participants, business sponsors, and assistance from local businesses, city government and other individuals. We are extremely grateful ...

Headlines about the Trade War caused by the Trump tariffs made me wonder if he qualified as a “tariffist.” However, I could not find the word “tariffist” in the dictionary. Twitter did have a #tariffist hashtag. I then looked up definitions. A tariff is a tax on imports or exports ...

The Mueller Report reveals what transpired before the 2016 presidential election and how Russia’s dictator was behind the hacking, dissemination, cooperation and involvement that allowed Trump to win the election. The Republicans in the Senate, Congress and his AG Barr are protecting him, ...