Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, September 19, 1993 TAG: 9310280330
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: F2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Quite frankly, it appears that a lot of the valley "wars" are attributable to the asinine rantings of the newspaper's editors who apparently have no grasp on reality, much less an inclination for using facts in their editorials. This particular one was obviously intended to resurrect the Explore fiasco, which lately has been a (mercifully) dead issue and which should remain so.
They brag profusely about the opening of a new 14,000-square-foot re-creation of the desert Southwest, at a cost of $32 million, at the North Carolina Zoological Park. Big deal! We've got bigger Kroger stores here in Roanoke - and they aren't state subsidized.
The paper attacks Len Boone for wanting to build an upscale, highly tasteful housing development in view of the Blue Ridge Parkway, yet it is completely in favor of desecrating the Roanoke River and the parkway with a tacky, tourist attraction that will never put permanent money into the valley as Boone's project will.
The paper attacks David Bowers and the Roanoke City Council for attempting to look at ways of solving the city's socioeconomic problems while, at the same time, criticizing Roanoke County for not wanting to take on the fiscal burden of consolidation.
It criticizes Gov. Wilder for making fiscal responsibility a hallmark of his administration and, at the same time, demands that tax increases be instituted to take care of every ridiculous idea that crops up, such as the Virginia Tech "smart road" or the Roanoke River parkway.
All in all, it appears that if the newspaper's editors would stop inciting "wars," the valley might solve some of its problems, repair some of the relationships, and stop trying to be Greensboro or Charlotte. Perhaps then the valley could be what it is: a really nice place to live, with a lot of potential, few of the curses of a big city, and no delusions of grandeur!
RON BARKER
VINTON
Stop stalling on pension refunds
VIRGINIA'S FEDERAL and military retirees filed suit to recover wrongly collected income taxes they paid prior to 1989. The Virginia Supreme Court denied the repayment twice, but the U.S. Supreme Court found for the retirees and the case went back to the state court for further consideration. The state was fortunate it was not charged on the back taxes for a period beginning in the 1940s.
The state, meanwhile, is balking and trying to find a loophole to hold off the repayment. Perhaps the state hopes that, by delaying, some of the retirees will die and their part of the case will also die. But because this is a just cause, the retirees will no doubt fight to the end.
No money on hand to pay back the retirees? How about the interest that is accruing on the outstanding money while the state sleeps on it? It would be just as well to borrow the money, pay the interest on it and let the retirees get their due - it'll cost the same either way. So why not quit back-pedaling and get on with it?
ROGER MITCHELL
Blue Ridge
Terry campaign getting bizarre
THE MORE George Allen moves up in the polls, the more bizarre Mary Sue Terry's campaign becomes. For example:
Shortly after the Fraternal Order of Police responded to Mary Sue Terry's inaction on crime by endorsing George Allen, the Terry campaign attempted to brush up credentials on another issue that she has neglected over the years: education.
The Terry campaign ran a television ad talking about how wrong it is that only about half of every education dollar actually makes it to the classroom. What it failed to mention is this: First, if it is so wrong, why didn't Mary Sue Terry speak out during her 15 years in state government before she started running for governor? And, second, George Allen has been talking extensively about this issue for a long time. Terry didn't even mention it for campaign purposes until two months before the election.
Another fact: In the most bizarre tactic to date, the Terry campaign has stooped to attacking George Allen for something that not even Stephen King in his wildest imaginations could possibly connect to Allen. They are attacking George Allen for the fact that the National Rifle Association is running an ad depicting a pro-gun control politician explaining to his staff that he is only interested in winning elections, not in actually solving the crime problem.
While this politician has a great deal in common with Mary Sue Terry, the NRA has been running this ad for several months, and it does not mention George Allen, Mary Sue Terry or the Virginia gubernatorial race.
One might get the feeling Mary Sue Terry is very self-conscious on the subject of politicians who will do or say anything to get elected.
PETER FOSTER
SALEM
Send resume for Judgment Day
IT MUST BE a great burden on Lonnie Malcomb of Hillsville (Sept. 10 letter, "If it's right, they're against it") to be the arbiter of who will go to heaven and who will not. It is, however, a great windfall for those of us in Southwest Virginia. We need only send our names and a brief resume to her for evaluation and final judgment. American Civil Liberty Union members (which I am not) need not apply.
It is funny, though, that I do not remember ever seeing her name printed anywhere in the Bible.
PETER H. REILLY
ROANOKE
Golda Meir got it right
THIS LETTER is in regard to James M. Bestler's Sept. 7 letter, "In defense of the Tailhook spirit." Bestler states, "Women, however, can be expected to avoid the company of large drunken boys."
This reminded me of when Israel legislators suggested a curfew for women to lower the chances that they would be raped. To this, Golda Meir replied: "But it is the men who are attacking women. If there is to be a curfew, let the men stay home."
The armed services, Mr. Bestler, are no place for boys. Women are the victims, and while they should avoid dangerous situations, they are not to be blamed. This boys-will-be-boys attitude has no place in the sky or anywhere else.
ELIZABETH JONES
GOODVIEW
Make it another Democratic sweep
IF IT ain't broke, don't fix it! Twelve years of Democratic administrations in Virginia have steered us safely through very hard times nationally. Financial World magazine has rated Virginia first among the 50 states for financial management for the past two years in a row. For the past year, City and State magazine agrees. Virginia is one of only five states whose bonds are rated AAA by both independent national bond-rating agencies.
The Virginia Republican Party, traditionally sound and conservative, has come under the control of the most radical movement in the history of the commonwealth. Their candidates propose wild changes in the way Virginia does things. George Allen, Republican candidate for governor, would spend extra hundreds of millions of dollars on the prison system by abolishing parole.
A prudent Virginian will vote the straight Democratic ticket on Nov. 2.
AUGUSTUS C. JOHNSON
SYRIA
Practicing the art of national defense
I'VE TRIED for the past several months to hold my tongue, but after the blistering letter to the editor of condemnation from Myron R. Way of Moneta (Aug. 18, "Too-wild blue yonders"), I've come to the defense of the Navy Intruder pilots who practice their art near Smith Mountain Dam.
First and foremost, these men are not rogue jet-jockeys who get their jollies in $50 million toys by scaring the bejesus out of a bunch of civilians, as described by Way. These are well-trained pilots practicing their art of low- level flying and dive-bombing, so that if it ever becomes necessary, they will be able to protect civilians.
This is their job, and I'm sure they look at it as such.
It gives me a warm feeling of security in the pit of my stomach every time I see them fly by, and I live a lot closer to the dam than Way does.
In World War II, I flew P47 Thunderbolt fighter-bombers on missions similar to what the Navy pilots fly here at the lake. The exception was that in World War II we didn't have time for much practice and went into combat unprepared.
RAYMOND G. HAYMAKER
HUDDLESTON
by CNB