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

DATE: SUNDAY, July 25, 1993                   TAG: 9307260309
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: D-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

GARLAND GOT IT WRONG ON ALLEN

THIS IS IN response to Ray Garland's July 15 column ("The great gubernatorial debate wasn't all that great"). In it, he dismisses the debate between George Allen and Mary Sue Terry on issues of abortion and public schooling as not significant. Garland summarizes Allen's response to limits on abortion as "standard" and says "the country has already decided on abortion."

Quite the contrary, Garland! The debate on abortion is alive and growing. Americans need to be informed of a new procedure for second- and third-trimester abortions, as outlined in the American Medical News, July 5, 1993: "The abortionist removes the baby [sic] as far as the head and then suctions out the brain. This allows the head to be more easily removed - and it allows easy access to fetal brain tissue for transplantation. Dr. Haskell said he personally has done 700 of these procedures."

The majority of Americans are not all decided about the acceptability of this appalling behavior, which is currently legal in Virginia. Terry supports this behavior, by not calling for limits on abortion and by her support for the Freedom of Choice Act. Allen, by calling for limitations on what has become an out-of-control abortion industry, is clearly the candidate of moderation.

Most Americans are painfully aware that the public-school system is failing to prepare young people for the future. The concept of fostering choice and competition among all types of schools is being considered in all parts of the country. For obvious reasons, the National Education Association and Virginia Education Association vehemently oppose any variance from their agenda, and they support Terry for her fealty to their program.

Parents from all walks of life and social strata are vitally interested in their childrens' education. This is not an insignificant issue. Once again, Allen comes down on the side of common sense and moderation. PATRICIA A. HENRY, R.N. ROANOKE

by CNB