AT LEAST WE HAVE OUR INDEPENDENCE

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, January 12, 1993                   TAG: 9301120402
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short
AT LEAST WE HAVE OUR INDEPENDENCE
WE THINK the American press is too unkind for printing things as they are. While I was visiting Scotland recently, Queen Elizabeth of England in a speech said: "The press has the inestimable advantage of hindsight, but it can also lend an extra dimension to judgment, giving it a leavening of moderation and compassion. Scrutiny can be effective if it is made with a touch of gentleness, good humor and understanding."
The next day, a cartoon in the local newspaper referred to the Windsor castle fire. It depicted Prince Andrew carrying out the "important pictures," preventing them from burning. The pictures were of topless Fergie, Andrew's wife.
Near the American Consulate, there were a group of protesters; they said they wanted democracy in Scotland. They said it was unfair for the royal family to have so many palaces, and expect Scottish people to pay taxes to maintain them. The next day John Major stated that the Queen offered last year to pay taxes, but the government had not had a chance to process them. The Scots think they are being treated like a colony.
I thank God for American democracy, and Thomas Jefferson and John Adams for their efforts in making this country independent. ZEMONE K. McMANAWAY ROANOKE

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB