Who says our government officials don't have a sense of urgency? Just look at the speed with which they're cleaning up the mess at the Clinton Phipps racetrack.

Thanksgiving Day is a good time to practice wanting what you have.

How did our delegate, local senators, and governor and lieutenant governor, with their high-priced Washington lobbyist, all miss the shipwreck headed right for the heart of the U.S.V.I. boating industry?

We are shocked and distressed at the news of a brutal attack on a St. John woman. All energies – including those of federal agencies – should be focused on finding the perpetrators. Meanwhile we call upon all public officials to walk a road of sanity and equanimity during this time of confusion and fear.

The Health Department and the V.I. Housing Authority's response to the dengue outbreak is wholly inadequate.

How many more children are we willing to lose to violence, fear and apathy rather than to get involved with their upbringing?

The League of Women Voters is undermining its position as the champion of transparency in government by having as its president a person who defends closed door policies in her government agency clients.

It seems that our new attorney general has sided with our lieutenant governor in promoting the interests of one business over its competitors and favoring secrecy over sunshine.

It seems we have a never-ending list of highly placed individuals who are under questioning for behaviors we would not hold up to our children as honorable. But not only do we ignore what we know or what is open to question, we move forward to place these people in ever-higher positions.

Sen. Lorraine Berry deserves accolades for urging the Rules Committee on Monday to clear up the charges of sexual harassment against Col. Eddy Charles before sending his nomination to head the National Guard to the full Legislature. Unfortunately, Berry was the only committee member to take that position and to vote against moving the nomination.