Sep. 13--Satirical Hinkle Column Marginalized Minorities Editor, Times-Dispatch: The satirical piece by Bart Hinkle, "McDonnell Thesis Barely Scratches the Surface," was certainly witty. Hinkle tied in McDonnell's very real Regent University thesis and his theories on working women and feminists as "the real enemies of the traditional family" and homosexuals as sinners with completely fabricated McDonnell essays on the "scandal" of misspelling and wrong verb usage. I can imagine Hinkle chuckling quietly to himself as he wrote.

I cannot imagine, however, the working women and gays in this state chuckling as well. In attempting to marginalize McDonnell's views, Hinkle brings to mind an entire history of good ole' boy ideas that have marginalized women and minorities for centuries.

M. Allyson Rainer. Richmond.

Abandoned Child Deserves Better Editor, Times-Dispatch: When I heard a newborn baby had been abandoned, my first thought was: How could a mother do such a thing? My next thought was, whoever carried and delivered this child was not a mother. She was just a female who got pregnant, decided she did not want the child, and got rid of the baby in a horrendous way.

Thank goodness, the child was found before anything else could happen to him. However, what could be more horrible than to be left naked outside with no assurance someone would come along to rescue him? I do not want to think of the possibilities.

Someone in the community must know a woman or young girl who appeared to be pregnant but no longer looks the same way. If so, whoever this person is should step forward with the information. The police need help to identify the child and to prosecute the mother.

In the meantime, a DNA test could be performed now on the baby so, when a possible suspect is identified, another DNA test could be done on her immediately to verify yes or no, she is the mother. If not, the police would continue to look and, if yes, the proceedings could start to prosecute her to the fullest extent of the law.

Margie Nolan Cowles. Richmond.

Funding Tourism Helps Virginia Editor, Times-Dispatch: In response to the editorial, "Tourism, Inc.," the following are facts:

--Tourism can help. In these difficult economic times, the loss of jobs and decreasing business revenue have had a devastating effect on budgets throughout Virginia. The tourism industry is an instant revenue generator. It has an immediate financial impact that is felt every time a visitor spends money in the state.