How can I refer to a variable using a string containing its name?

You can use an eval to do it, though I try to avoid that sort of thing at all costs.

alert(eval(someString));

A better way, if you find yourself needing to do this, is to use a hash table.

var stuff = { myText: 'hello world!' };
var someString = 'myText';
alert( stuff[someString] );

If that variable is on the global scope, you can use the bracket notation on the global object:

var myText = 'hello world!';
var someString = 'myText';

alert(window[someString]);

Assuming this is at the top level, window[someString] === "hello world!".

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