Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 3, 1994 TAG: 9402030280
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Johnson's statement, ``I'm not going to solve the world's problems from this seat,'' was most disturbing. My education and experience have taught that every success starts with the first step.
Money spent now is better than the absorption of overall expenses in the future, such as for more landfills and loss of valuable resources. County supervisors should be positive role models for county residents rather than negative role models making suggestions that would return us as a society to the wasteful attitudes of the '60s.
May I suggest that Johnson study the recycling methods of progressive communities such as Vinton, Roanoke city and others.
HEATHER M. SHRADER
ROANOKE
Bill protects a deadly business
IS THERE no end to the destruction of body and soul emanating from our three branches of government? President Clinton and Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders' condom crusade and taxpayer-paid abortion plan; our exalted Supreme Court recently guaranteeing a mother's right to enter an abortion mill to have her child murdered without having to bear the sight of civil-rights protesters; a Congress that even considers bills that absolutely protect a mother's ``right'' to abort her baby.
Is House Majority Leader Richard Cranwell as godless as those responsible for the above-mentioned travesties inflicted on our nation? I hope not. He boasts about introducing a bill (Jan. 25 news article by staff writer Cody Lowe, ``Cranwell bill would limit Va. protests'') intended to snuff out any attempts to publicly educate the masses, or individuals, about facts related to abortion, abortionists or abortion providers.
If the Supreme Court declared Jews to be nonpersons, legalized the killing of Jews, then guaranteed a person's right to bring a Jew to a Jew-killing clinic unhindered by protesters, would Cranwell sponsor legislation that would forbid the distribution of anti-Jew-killing literature? I'd hope not. The literature certainly would interfere with or injure the ``business'' or ``trade'' of the Jew-killing provider. This same deviant mind-set prevents anti-abortion protesters from defending their actions in court, since judges will often forbid the showing of pictures of aborted babies during trial proceedings. I said protesters, not abortionist killers.
The logic is the same. The abortion business is legal, but it's not legitimate. It promotes violation and death. May Cranwell have a change of heart.
JOHN D. STEC
COVINGTON
Don't fuzzy up asbestos dangers
I WAS really steamed while reading the ``cold fuzzies'' commentary by Bob Baird (Jan. 17, ``Asbestos: a giant case of cold fuzzies''). Just who does he think he is, confusing us with facts about asbestos?
It's been public knowledge for years that asbestos is a killer. It's way too late to change our opinion with these irrelevant details. Besides that, a lot of folks are making good money cleaning up asbestos and ridding us of this poison for good. It was really a cheap shot calling our clean-up technicians' work a ``Laurel and Hardy exercise.'' People like Baird hurt the economy.
Remember radon detectors? Now you can't find one. People keep coming up with these scientific facts. Well, it won't work with asbestos. Enough is enough!
Another thing: Where does Baird get off calling our environmentalists ``knee jerks''?
GEORGE HONEYCUTT
BLUE RIDGE
Road workers' efforts appreciated
KUDOS to personnel with the Virginia Department of Transportation for the manner in which they were able to accomplish their task of clearing the roads throughout this region during the recent arctic deep-freeze.
They put their personal safety on the line on behalf of the rest of us who use the roadways, and did so under extremely adverse circumstances. Their efforts are appreciated.
HARRY C. NICKENS
Roanoke County Supervisor
VINTON
Basic education must come first
REGARDING renovation of Hotel Roanoke and/or creation of Conference Center and Corporate Teaching Center:
It would be a travesty to use funds from the general-fund budget to finance this projected need.
In several articles, the need for basic education has been cited. It's been pointed out that some who are the product of the education system are unable to function in the work place of today. The immediate need is basic education with its associated skills, and for everyone to complete the requirements for graduation. Students in the public-school system need the full 12 years during their formative years to develop a responsible lifestyle.
The funding being sought for the project could be better spent on the development of programs to keep our public-school students in school. It would go a long way toward stopping street crime, teen-age pregnancy, exposure to drugs and alcohol, etc.
BOB M. KREAMALMEYER
BLACKSBURG
by CNB