Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 24, 1995 TAG: 9511240015
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-14 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
She also accused him of false assertions and inaccuracies, but without saying where he was wrong. I read Groover's commentary, and it contained specific examples I believe are accurate. But Dunlop's letter contained some very misleading statements, almost to the point of downright dishonesty. She used as examples of private parks Mt. Vernon, Colonial Williamsburg and Monticello. These are definitely not the type of ``private vendors'' that she's proposing. They are nonprofit, tax-exempt foundations. Further, each is a historic site with buildings in relatively concentrated areas, vastly different from state parks.
She did correctly say that ``state parks are supposed to be little islands of respite and recreation with the beauty of our natural resources, flora and fauna, contributing to renewal and restoration of our spirits and our physical well-being.'' This could all be lost to privatization.
If she and the Allen administration have their way, the Virginia state motto would have to be changed from ``Virginia is for Lovers'' to ``Virginia is for Privateers.''
KARL E. BALLIET
BEDFORD
The football coach can teach history
HISTORY? Who has time to think about it, much less study and remember it? This is in regard to the Nov. 2 article in The Roanoke Times, "Don't know much about history ... ''. But I guess we must congratulate the small percentage who gave some right answers.
History? Forget that! The important subjects are math, English, reading, writing and how to conceal a knife - just in case. Everyone needs to learn the above subjects to make it in this welfare, bag-buying, scam-and-theft age. On top of the above, what has history got to do with body piercing, and body and hair dye?
What's so wonderful or radical about the above-mentioned vices and odd-ball conduct? The natives of every area of the world were doing this centuries ago, and they did a much better job of it.
But, back to history. Seriously, of what value is it today? Young people go to school presumably to prepare themselves to eventually enter the field of productive enterprise. At what point will they be expected to recite historical dates and places? I spent 40 years in the work world. No one ever wanted to know when the War of the Roses was fought.
However, on the other side of the coin, history is fascinating. The sincere study of people and events that were essential toward the development of the world today is one of the most enlightening experiences one can have.
The study and understanding of the facts of history shouldn't be taught as a routine part of the school curriculum. It should be an elective as is sports, music and dance. The student participant should have a desire to learn facts related to this continuous and continuing subject. Maybe the football coach should take on the job. Aren't most of them always complaining about the events of yesterday?
RUSSELL M. ERICKSON
ROANOKE
Shuler, Linkous ran as gentlemen
AS EXPECTED, the recent election produced some of the nastiest campaigning most of us would ever care to see. In light of this, I would like to commend both candidates in the House of Delegates' 12th District on their civil, issues-oriented campaigns.
Re-elected Del. Jim Shuler and his opponent, Larry Linkous, waged a tough battle and took good shots at each other, but they successfully refrained from much of the negative, personal and misleading attacks evidenced in many other races. I think this speaks well for the character of both individuals, and I hope it may serve as a model for future campaigns.
Although I supported Shuler, I wouldn't have felt uncomfortable with Linkous as delegate, as I believe I would have had the campaigning been vitriolic. As negative rhetoric continues to escalate, it threatens to divide citizens to the point where cooperation, compromise and polite disagreement become less and less possible. And this becomes more and more dangerous for us all. Other politicians and the public should expand on the example set by these two fine gentlemen.
STEVE JACOBS
BLACKSBURG
Legalese too often favors criminals
WE MUST continue to show due respect to our courts and to ensure that law-enforcement operations protect the rights and sensibilities of confessed criminal suspects and honest citizens. But, check out news from the courts such as reported by The Roanoke Times (Nov. 10 article, ``Judge again dismisses evidence in drug case''). We're told of the suppression of confessions and other evidence due to children being present at the time of arrest, roughness in effecting the arrest, and debates over when (not if) some criminal suspect's rights were "read."
We're going to have just as much crime as we're willing to allow. So long as judges (federal, in this case) and defense lawyers, with their comfortable abodes, affections and trappings of office and academic achievements, offer criminals license to commit more crime, we'll have more crime, more burglaries, robberies and "missing" articles from homes and businesses, all of which mean illegally gained profits going to purchase illegal merchandise for criminals or to pay for their defense lawyers.
Let judges, defense lawyers and professional politicians who haven't been there go at night to highways, streets and alleys and experience, to the extent their sensitive natures permit, the real world, language, dirt, danger and contempt confronting the law-enforcement officer and honest citizens.
The street or white-collar criminal uses and understands a different code, language and demeanor in court. Criminals don't ask to be arrested; they must be sought out and pried loose from their protective environment.
Post-arrest intellectual musings and embellishments on the legal "rules of engagement" endanger police and citizens' lives and property. They create a never-ending cycle of crime because we put up with it. If there's a significant legal issue involved in an arrest, deal with this after you deal with the offender. Do something for the offended citizen and society for a change. Please exonerate and acquit the citizen with at least as much enthusiasm as we do the pampered criminal.
WILLIAM A. HEWITT
VINTON
Federal workers were the pawns
REGARDING the Nov. 16 news article, ``Public's reaction: Who really cares?'':
To those who thought the federal government shutdown was a good idea, put yourselves in our shoes. My husband's position with the federal government is considered ``critical'' and, therefore, he had to report to work. But his paycheck isn't considered critical. He didn't receive a paycheck during the shutdown, but was required to work. And there will be no overtime pay.
Did these politicians and those not affected by the shutdown presume we all have cushiony savings accounts, or a two-income family, or Dad and Mom to keep us afloat? My position cannot pay our mortgage, insurances, medical and other bills, and keep our children warm and fed. Many of us must live paycheck to paycheck. Late-fee penalties alone could have put us in the red.
I agree that we do need to balance the budget. But start by emptying the pork barrels from Capitol Hill. Please stop using us as pawns!
LILA B. PUCKETT
BLUE RIDGE
Connecticut sees no need for two
REGARDING your Nov. 9 news article, ``Say aloha to 600 millionth parkway tourist'':
I enjoyed reading about the Knudsons' travels, but one error was in your article. As a native of Connecticut, I assure you that the vehicle from the Nutmeg state wasn't missing its front license plate by accident. There's no such animal as a front license tag in Connecticut - never has been, in contrast to Virginia.
GLENN FRIEDLAND
ROANOKE
by CNB