The Roanoke Times Sunday endorsed Democratic challenger Jim Webb in his quest to unseat Republican incumbent George Allen.

Said The Times in its editorial:

In Iraq and at home, America is on the wrong course, one mapped by the Bush administration and followed — in lockstep, eyes forward, no questions asked — by incumbent Republican Sen. George Allen.

Voters would be wise to select a better representative.

On the heels of the World Series championship of the St. Louis Cardinals comes bad news. The city was named the most dangerous in the country in the annual rankings by Morgan Quinto Press.

Reports The Associated Press:

A surge in violence made St. Louis the most dangerous city in the country, leading a trend of violent crimes rising much faster in the Midwest than in the rest of nation, according to an annual list.

Sunday’s Roanoke Times features a distubring story about the challenges facing the Appalachian Trail, talking about encroaching civilization, pollution and other threats.

Writes John Cramer:

The Appalachian Trail runs beside the properties of the Cochrans and Wingates in the Catawba Valley, making the fabled footpath a part of their lives.

If you are a regular visitor to Blue Ridge Muse, you probably recognize some changes in the place. This comes as I attempt to move Muse away from the traditional blog and more into a feature, news and opinion site.

I’ve been banging around this place called the Internet since 1994, which makes me a dinosaur by web standards. Our political news web site, Capitol Hill Blue, stands today as the oldest such site on the ‘Net and I’ve launched a number of other sites over the years.

There is, of course, unbounded joy in Chateau Thompson today. The St. Louis Cardinals captured the World Series in five games with a 4-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers Friday night in the Gateway City. Lifelong Cardinal fan Amy is still somewhere in the clouds.