$1 million in state budget for HU's Proton Therapy Institute

Absolutely not. HU is a private college/university, and taxpayers are not willing to support programs for private colleges/universities. If the state wants to spend money at any level , it should spend it at state institutions. There is insufficient dollars in the state budget to repair our roads without additional taxes or fees. I find it ludicrous for anyone to even talk about funding projects such as this or any other new project for that matter. Where in the world are all the fiscal conservatives supposedly representing us in Richmond?

If the state government of Virginia didn't illegally discriminate against African Americans and bar they from their universities on a large scale in until the late 60s, there wouldn't of been a need for a Hampton University. With all the things non essential projects the state wastes our tax money on, Jamestown celebration, Mariners Museum, and other tourist junkets, and the state can't come up with a lousy 10 million dollars for a project which help end needless suffering and bring a world class industry to not only Virginia but Hampton Roads? Our region and state have some of the worst cancer rates in America. Give me a break! Kudos to Mr. Davis

I am a conservative and a cancer survivor as well. As such, I would like to point out several comments and oversights, in my judgment, you made with regard to Hampton University Proton Cancer Institute’s project that are seriously flawed.
Number one, there is sufficient dollars in the state budget. Our state government is just spending far too much of our hard earned money on projects that really do not amount to much. Secondly, as I understand it, Governor Timothy Kaines’ proposed funding would not be going directly to Hampton University but rather to a separate business that is not wholly-owned by the university.
Third, Virginia will also benefit because the project will generate a huge amount of taxes on this quarter of billion high technology and life-saving project. Since this will be the sixth such facility in America it will attract other high technology businesses, highly paid professional and patients to the Commonwealth who will also pay taxes, shop and add value to our economy. Most importantly, since 1 out of every three Virginians will cross paths with cancer during their life time.
This facility will bring the most advanced technology to Virginia that will save lives. As an African American, I also know that my brother is almost more than three times likely to die from some forms of cancer like prostate than his white neighbor. As a black woman I also know that even though white women have less incidence of breast cancer than me, I am much more likely to die. This is not about race because in Virginia cancer does not discriminate and is the most feared disease imaginable. This facility will help improve the quality of life for all Virginians.
Hampton University, one the finest great institutions of higher learning in America, has a remarkable record of accomplishments in Virginia. None more impressive when this institution was started to provide educational opportunities for Virginia’s newly freed salves, Native Americans and women. You might not realize it but when Hampton University opened its doors in 1868, the Virginia General Assembly in Richmond voted to deny education to its African American citizens.
This discriminatory and unfair law was made part of the Virginia constitution. All during that time up to 1964 -- until the civil rights law was passed, people who looked like me, paid taxes, served and died in wars in the defense of our country -- could not attend Virginia public colleges and universities.
In 1969 when I applied to the University of Virginia, neither African Americans nor women were welcomed. My only choices were to leave Virginia or attend Hampton University. Unfortunately, at that time no one really spoke about the fact that my taxes were supporting public universities in Virginia that denied all of its citizens, who looked like me the opportunity to attend its public universities. We paid taxes too!
Ironically, as a conservative, I would think that you would be very supportive. When African Americans were denied our constitutional rights by state government, the founders of Hampton University used the private sector to provide the very opportunities that were denied to them by the very government that my parents and grandparents paid their taxes too.
Hypocritical conservatives like you in effect told us:“You toil and work and earn bread and I'll eat it.”
All Virginians will benefit from Hampton Cancer Institute because there is no other disease on the face of the earth that we fear more due to its lethal death rates. Like many fair minded Virginians have said recently on various blogs, cancer, in its many forms, is one of the cruelest and most emotionally draining diseases ever experienced by mankind. I know this first hand. At the end of the day, I pray that neither you nor any member of your family will never have to face cancer -- but if you do Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute will be there to provide the most advanced therapy available that might save your life.

I completely agree with Mr. Ross' comments. African Americans are STILL discriminated in this state and nation. Colleges and universities like Hampton University are essential to the community and nation, so why not give state funds to the college for the Proton Center. In the grand scheme of things,$10 million is chump change in the state budget. I also agree that if the state can find money in its budget for an unnecessary project such as the Monitor Center at the Mariners Musuem or the widening of Warick Blvd for the sake of CNU have a new and "grand entrance" than it can cough up enough money to fund cancer research.

John Ross Jr wrote:

If the state government
of Virginia didn't illegally discriminate against African Americans and bar they from their universities on a large scale in until the late 60s, there wouldn't of been a need for a Hampton University. With all the things non essential projects the state wastes our tax money on, Jamestown celebration, Mariners Museum, and other tourist junkets, and the state can't come up with a lousy 10 million dollars for a project which help end needless suffering and bring a world class industry to not only Virginia but Hampton Roads? Our region and state have some of the worst cancer rates in America. Give me a break! Kudos to Mr. Davis

Another Concerned Citizen wrote:

I completely agree with Mr. Ross' comments. African Americans are STILL discriminated in this state and nation. Colleges and universities like Hampton University are essential to the community and nation, so why not give state funds to the college for the Proton Center. In the grand scheme of things,$10 million is chump change in the state budget. I also agree that if the state can find money in its budget for an unnecessary project such as the Monitor Center at the Mariners Musuem or the widening of Warick Blvd for the sake of CNU have a new and "grand entrance" than it can cough up enough money to fund cancer research.
<quoted text>

The comments listed above under my name are directed to the "Interested Citizen." I am in complete agreement with Mr. John Ross, Jr. and the comments from "Another concerned citizen."
-Ida McPherson

John Ross Jr wrote:

If the state government of Virginia didn't illegally discriminate against African Americans and bar they from their universities on a large scale in until the late 60s, there wouldn't of been a need for a Hampton University. With all the things non essential projects the state wastes our tax money on, Jamestown celebration, Mariners Museum, and other tourist junkets, and the state can't come up with a lousy 10 million dollars for a project which help end needless suffering and bring a world class industry to not only Virginia but Hampton Roads? Our region and state have some of the worst cancer rates in America. Give me a break! Kudos to Mr. Davis

Well, I wish HU had kept track of why it was originally created for, American Indians.So, we actually are beating a dead horse going back to the 60's. The remainder of your comment, is great.We need a pro active Cancer Centre that can rival UNC/Duke or MCV. Been there and done it. Go for it Chuck!

Ida McPherson wrote:

<quoted text>The comments listed above under my name are directed to the "Interested Citizen." I am in complete agreement with Mr. John Ross, Jr. and the comments from "Another concerned citizen."
-Ida McPherson

I agree totally. This could jar a debate that might start another "war of words", being Iroquois and 1/3 still counts. Discrimination is wrong, however, alot of folks can not let go of the fact. We do need an area locally besides, Duke,UNC,MCV to get experimental trials going. Doctors in this area are not as knowledable, in MY opinion, as a "teaching" University. Been there.

Black/white, what does it matter? HU is getting it under the pretenses of race. Either way, they still have to share. I'll take those odds any day.

Do they have their assessment up to date? 1/99

Survivor wrote:

Black/white, what does it matter? HU is getting it under the pretenses of race. Either way, they still have to share. I'll take those odds any day.

Been there done it ....I survived too.
You are right, race is a moot.

Is anybody considering that doctors that treat cancer are debating the merits of the Proton machine? Despite the advertising and rhetoric, there is no study that shows the proton has any advantage over standard treatments. The people who claim it has an advantage are the ones who have a financial investment in the technology. When you ask them to show you the scientifically valid studies (a randomized study) that it is better than existing treatments, they can't produce them - I have asked myself!! Apparently, the experts can only agree that it is really beneficial only for melanomas of the eye...

I am also a survivor and a scientist who got opinions from a "teaching" Hospital, but decided to get treated locally close to home after doing my research. My concern is that it is not just wasting my tax dollars, but that desperate patients may be manipulated into paying much more for treatment that is no better than traditional treatment - I am told that a proton costs 100 times more than a standard treatment center, and they have to pay for it somehow. Is it a waste of money?

Unfortunately, this opinion is not popular, and apparently not newsworthy...

Race is a moot?