Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 13, 1993 TAG: 9303150541
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
TSK, TSK
THE CUSTOMER approaches the counter at Ace Hardware with his big-ticket purchase - 20 Phillips-head wood screws, at a nickel per - in hand.Rrriiinnnggg!
"Yes, we have snow shovels," the clerk says into the phone, "but we don't have any sleds."
The clerk returns to the in-person customer.
Rrriiinnnggg!
"Yes, we have shovels," she says into the phone, "from $7 on up."
Etc.
Thus did one customer wait to buy his screws, and Western Virginians prepare for a heavy snowfall predicted to begin Friday evening and to continue, near-blizzard-like, through today.
Assuming the weather reports were reliable (no cheap shots here), we are experiencing now the second serious snowfall of 1993, after several winters with nothing more than light dustings.
On the snow issue, the editorial board of this newspaper is not, alas, of one mind. Our editorial position on this is, well, somewhat confused. (Remember: No cheap shots here.)
This promise of snow, it was argued from one quarter, is a promise of redemption. The flakes will in their purity provide cover for the grayness and mud, innocent glee for the sledders and snowman-shapers, and sweet relief from the drearily snowless winters of recent memory.
No, no, arose the cry from another quarter, 'tis a foul forecast for so late in the season. It is nigh onto the vernal equinox; we are into the third week of Lent. It is time for easing into spring.
Easing into spring? Easing?, expostulated the pro-snow faction.
One doesn't "ease" into spring. Spring is supposed to be sprung. One simply awakes one fine morning and there it is, like wow, man.
Spring has sprung, came the rebuttal. The croci are up; the daffodils have begun to bloom. Snow on the ides of March is a foolish inconsistency, the hobgoblin of great minds.
But you forget the real issue, harrumphed one staffer. Why must the snow come on a weekend, when there are so many better things to do than endure a blizzard? (And when children cannot delight to reports of school-closings? observed another.)
Because it's worse during the week, it was answered in earnest.
Yes, snow closes schools. But kids as a consequence lose education time. How, as we enter into the 21st century, can America muster a world-class work force for the future - how can we maintain competitiveness in global markets - if schools are all the time having to close on account of snow?
It ain't the sleet, it's the stupidity, everyone forbore from saying.