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

DATE: SUNDAY, June 6, 1993                   TAG: 9306070124
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: F2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

STILL WAITING FOR THE PUNCH LINE

WHEN I read that I should give up my job to a man in order to help the economy (May 24 letter, "Women can help the economy by giving up their jobs - to men"), I surely thought Timothy M. Barrett would indicate somewhere along the line that this was a spoof. Really a great tongue-in-cheek piece! Absolutely had me going.

But wait: He is serious!

Barrett apparently attempted syllogistic reasoning in his letter, though I was never able to get from A to B, much less to C. An illicit syllogism, or is this chauvinistic mishmash the parroting of ideas not your own?

I personally do not know any women willing to become brood mares at this time, nor am I acquainted with any men who want to attempt the upbringing of the 10 children that Barrett's visionary woman would produce.

By the way, Barrett, are you married?

I'm afraid I don't understand your brand of economics, nor do I find it amusing to be insulted. Have I nothing to offer but biological reproduction? Personally, I feel denigrated, demoralized, dejected and defiled. Somewhere along the line I hope you learn compassion, concern, consideration and coherence. Don't drug readers with dogma, awe them with alliteration.

You're not a master of polemics yet either. PATRICIA SAUNDERS ROANOKE

by CNB