Virginia
Yes, Virginia, pure evil exists. Let love, generosity and devotion prevail. | Opinion
Evidence mounts of sexual crimes perpetrated by Hamas during Oct. 7 attack in Israel
First assessments by an Israeli human rights group and videotaped testimony of witnesses allege that sexual assault was a part of Hamas’ bloody rampage into Israel. (Dec. 13)
It’s safe to say that the children who were anxiously awaiting Christmas back in 1897 have since passed through their time on our beautiful planet. That includes 8-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon, who sent a letter to the New York Sun asking whether there was a Santa Claus.
Editor Francis Pharcellus Church then editorialized that Santa Claus exists “as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist.” Then unfolded the 20th century, one that began before the Wright brothers showed that we could fly but also birthed Hitler and Stalin. It was a century of incredible progress and a reminder of the incredible evil that lurks in the recesses of the human psyche, if not the human heart.
We’re already almost a quarter of the way through another century. Progress is getting scary. Just ask ChatGPT. Maybe we naively thought that evil could be identified, contained and limited. Sadly, we are being proven wrong.
Sadly, pure evil exists
Take Editor Church one further. Love and generosity must exist because evil exists. Is there pure evil in this world? That’s been a fundamental question for philosophers, poets and those looking to God for an answer for a very long time. It still is. There is evil. And there is evil so pure that it causes the soul to shudder.
It’s not about defining terms or playing language and logic games. Evil in its purest form can’t be parsed. It can not be contextualized. It certainly can’t be excused. Sure, every evil act takes place embedded in other events in the unfolding of often centuries-long conflicts. The settlements on the West Bank, a two-state solution and so much more are fodder for debate and passionate disagreement. This isn’t about any of that.
The fundamental evil of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel
This is about Oct. 7, a date that takes on a grotesque reminder among millions. Its meaning continues to shapeshift as the days and weeks unfold.
Hamas combatants did not make any attempt to attack military targets. Rather they sought to violate every notion of humanity and attack civilians in the most incredibly cruel manner, raping women literally to death, killing parents in front of their children and children in front of their parents. Throwing grenades into rooms filled with terrified concertgoers. Imagine the victims’ last visions, those of their own destroyed children or of massacred parents. Imagine life after that.
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Those who are quick to dismiss the value of the humanities should pause. Novelists often go where historians fear to tread. William Styron imagined life after such fundamental evil in “Sophie’s Choice.” I recall reading the novel, unable to escape the feeling that I had confronted pure evil, looking backwards through the life of a survivor of unimaginable human cruelty. A Nazi soldier made Sophie choose which of her two children would go to his death. If she refused, they both would die.
The aftermath of Oct. 7 is also profoundly troubling. There was no denying what had occurred. The perpetrators were proud. They shared the evidence. It’s been validated by multiple media outlets. Yet the reaction was painfully muted. Many throughout the world had little to say, or otherwise put it into “context.”
What happened Oct. 7 must never happen again
There is no context for pure evil. Yes, discuss and argue the bombing in Gaza. Debate the appropriate American response. Argue strategy, tactics and even morality. What happened on Oct. 7 must never happen again and must never be casually accepted by anyone, anywhere.
The civilized world also never need apologize for the set of norms and constraints on our worst impulses. Andrew Delbanco, in his brilliant book “The Death of Satan: How Americans Have Lost the Sense of Evil,” journeyed to the heart of the issue.
Today’s traumatized child may toss a different question to Instagram or TikTok. The answer must be: Yes, Virginia, pure evil exists. Let love, generosity and devotion prevail.
William Lyons is Professor Emeritus of Political Science and Interim Associate Director of The Institute of American Civics at the Howard Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs at the University of Tennessee. He also served as Chief Policy Officer for Knoxville Mayors Bill Haslam, Daniel Brown and Madeline Rogero. The opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Institute of American Civics or the University of Tennessee.
Florida State has had some pretty easy games since playing the Alabama Crimson Tide. That all changes when FSU hits the road to take on the Virginia Cavaliers in Week 5.
Not only will the Seminoles be away from Doak Campbell Stadium for the first time this season, but it’s a night game on a short week as they will play on Friday. On top of that, Virginia comes in with one of the top offenses in the nation which will be a big test for Florida State’s defense that’s only allowing 10 points per game.
If FSU wants to get where they ultimately want to go, these are the types of games they have to win. Here are five reasons why they could struggle to get to 4-0.
Conference road games are tough
As well as Florida State is playing, none of their opponents so far were conference opponents. No matter who the program is, it’s always tougher to win in your conference, especially on the road. A turnover here and a big play there by the other team could start a chain of events that leads to trouble.
Florida State’s defense will face it’s biggest test so far
FSU has only yielded 10 points per game this season. However, they haven’t faced an offense like Virginia which has several running backs averaging over six yards per carry and a trio of capable wide receivers, which has led to them scoring over 44 points per game. Defensively, Florida State will need to play its best game of the season.
FSU’s offense could have a bad day
Florida State has lit teams up for 58 points per game. It’s been a cakewalk basically, but a some point, every offense, no matter how good it is, has an off night. A few bad drives could put Virginia’s high-powered offense in great positions to score and put the pressure on Florida State, and pressure burst pipes sometimes.
Turnovers can ignite a downward spiral
The Seminoles have only turned the ball over three times this season. Road games can get funky in a hurry if a turnover or two happens early. Florida State needs to protect the football to avoid making an already tough game even tougher.
Getting off to a slow start
This point is closely related to the previous four. If Florida State gets off to a slow start it will make the game tougher, their defense could struggle, their offense may not click on all cylinders, and that may lead to turnovers. Especially since this game is on the road, the Seminoles need to get off to a fast start.
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RICHMOND, Va. (WDBJ) – The housing market in Virginia held steady as home sales remain stagnant from last year despite increased prices and an inventory increase, according to a sales report for August released by Virginia REALTORS®.
Throughout the state, median sales price for a home in August reached $430,000, a 3.6% increase from the year before. Flat sales and higher price points pushed the sold dollar volume to $5.1 billion, up 4.4% year-over-year, according to the organization.
According to the organization, there were 24,606 active listings across the state by the end of August, a 26.2% rise from 2024. 13,000 new properties were listed in the month alone.
“Inventory growth has been one of the big stories of 2025,” says Virginia REALTORS® Chief Economist Ryan Price.
“With listings up more than 26% from last year, buyers across the commonwealth are seeing more options than they’ve had in a long time. While supply is improving, demand continues to be tempered by economic uncertainty.”
The organization mentions that properties are taking longer to sell, staying on the market for a median 17 days (five days longer than 2024). Since 2019, it has been the slowest pace in the month of August. Pending sales, however it showed a decent increase of 3.4% year-over-year.
Despite a downward trend for mortgage rates, there was a slight increase in the rate. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate dropped just past 6.25% in the middle of September.
The president of the organization, Lorraine Arora, describes the drop in mortgage rates as a “positive sign” for buyers and sellers and if the trend continues, stronger sales could close out 2025.
About Virginia REALTORS®
Virginia REALTORS® (previously known as the Virginia Association of REALTORS®) is the largest trade association in Virginia, representing nearly 34,000 REALTORS® engaged in the residential and commercial real estate business. Virginia REALTORS® serves as an advocate for homeownership and represents the interests of property owners in the Commonwealth of Virginia. For more information, visit www.virginiarealtors.org or follow Virginia REALTORS® on Facebook and LinkedIn.
NOTE: The term REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
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