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

DATE: FRIDAY, October 29, 1993                   TAG: 9401260033
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A14   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

WHO ARE THE RADICALS HERE?

Moderate Republicans profess to have problems with the ``takeover'' of the party by the ``religious right,'' which is personified (in their views) by Pat Robertson. To read some of the rhetoric that's been put forth, one would think that the devil was trying to take over the party.

From what I've read, it seems that Farris has gotten where he is by earning it. He did this by mobilizing his supporters, many who've never before been involved in politics, to spend their own money to attend the nominating convention in Richmond and to nominate him for lieutenant governor. It seems to me this represents what our political system is all about: grass-roots organizing.

The Republican Party should ask: Why haven't they been involved before? What is it about Farris' positions that has caused them to become involved? Is there a major constituency not being adequately represented by either major party? The answers just might enable them to be a more significant party.

The media's response to Farris is particularly intriguing. Last year, they proclaimed the ``Year of the Woman'' with great fanfare, and were exultant as women were elected to numerous positions. They also made much of the political influence of the homosexuals, who formed a significant percentage of President Clinton's constituency. Very little was said when feminists and homosexuals joined with other major liberal groups to orchestrate the Democratic National Convention and effectively stifled dissent by those who disagreed with them. Why is there such an outcry when the ``religious right'' begins to organize as the left has done?

Who are the "ogres" that are trying to destroy our state by organizing behind Farris? Many are your friends, neighbors and good, decent, moral people who care deeply about the direction they see our country taking. They attend church regularly and believe their faith is a vital part of their life. They also believe their children's education is one of their most important responsibilities, one they are unwilling to delegate to bureaucrats in Richmond and Washington.

Why are the media and politicians on the left side of the spectrum going to such lengths to paint the ``religious right'' as radicals? Is it because activists on the left are scared of them and scared they will lose the monopoly they have if these good, decent people get organized and make their voice heard? It's something to think about.

ROBERT B. COPENHAVER

DUBLIN

Farris takes right stand on abortion

AS ONE WHO comes from a family of Democrats, I have supported causes and candidates of that party. Why am I voting for Mike Farris for lieutenant governor? One reason: abortion.

America is marching toward abortion on demand at any time for any reason. The ever-changing language of the Freedom of Choice Act will provide few safeguards for those yet to be conceived, and all restrictions are certain to be challenged. Do Americans want abortion as a means of birth control or gender selection? Do feminists want girl babies aborted as they are in China? The next step is infanticide!

As one who identifies with the party for those who most need protection by statute, I speak for future fetuses in encouraging a vote for Farris!

JOHN H. WOOLWINE

ROANOKE

County board needs Millican

ROANOKE County needs fresh thinking on the Board of Supervisors. We need a person with solid, proven business experience and a personal conviction to do right by his constituents.

We need Charlie Millican for Hollins District supervisor, a man who neither drinks nor smokes. A local businessman who knows what it takes to meet a payroll every week, his qualifications for supervisor are outstanding. He will set an example and encourage more small-business people to run for public office. We must get away from the preponderance of lawyers and real-estate agents.

With his education and training, Millican will bring a badly needed common-sense approach to county government, which has been lacking on the board for many years.

Beholden to no special interests, Millican will not have to abstain from voting on county business. He will not disenfranchise his constituents by pulling some fast fiscal voodoo.

Since he refuses money from special-interest groups, Millican will only have to answer to his constituents. He won't be serving two masters.

He'll deal with his constituents and fellow board members with courtesy and patience, and will never verbally assault them at meetings and then hide behind protocol that prevents the citizen from rebuttal. He's a real gentleman.

A fiscal conservative, Millican will question every dollar and deal with all budget requests fairly and evenly. In these times, we need a tight-fisted economic policy on the local level. It's time for a change.

DON TERP

ROANOKE

Griffith deserves citizens' support

THE ROANOKE Times & World-News never ceases to amaze me, so I don't know why I'm so shocked at your endorsement of Howard Packett.

A portion of an Aug. 31 editorial, entitled ``Democrats' polls: a study in sleaze,'' referred to Packett's ``sleazy tactics'' regarding Morgan Griffith as an attorney. And I quote your last paragraph: ``But sleaze - by whichever party it's practiced and however it's defended as `opposition research' or the like - still looks and feels like sleaze. And a sleazy poll cat - however you spell it - still smells like a skunk.''

And now less than two months after the above appeared, you're endorsing Packett as your choice for the House of Delegates. Liberalism is alive and well at our local gazette!

It appears that you're taking lessons from President Clinton's flip-flops on everything from soup to nuts. Packett continues his negative campaigning, which seems to be a characteristic of the Democratic Party. Griffith has tried to stick to the issues that are important to him. He's a proud Virginian and wants to represent the people in his district. Having known him for more than 10 years, I know of his dedication to Virginia. He's always had a love for government and is very knowledgeable of issues important to our area.

Your editorial implied that Griffith was not a proven leader. This is not true. Among his qualifications are: director of Salem Lions Club, vice chairman of the Blue Ridge Mountain Council of the Boy Scouts, volunteer coach of the Stonegate Swim Team, member of the Salem Race Relations Task Force, member of the Salem Education Foundation, and sponsor of the local Youth Legal Explorer's Post.

Griffith is honest, hard-working, intelligent, aggressive and not a ``yes'' man. He'll fight for issues in which he believes and will do an excellent job for the 8th District.

MAGGIE DREWRY

ROANOKE

Brumitt is unknown candidate

WE HAVE a candidate who wants to take Dick Cranwell's seat in the House of Delegates. How familiar is he with the area he wants to represent? Does he know the topography and population centers? Would he know who you are or what you want pertaining to the area? Has he ever met and talked with you? Do you know anything about him? How many of our roads has he traveled? Does he want things that you want for Virginia? Did he really want to be a candidate or was he the only one who came forth for that party? If he's sent to the General Assembly, would we have a man who's just shooting at an unknown target?

I see no reason why anyone in Craig County would want to trade a Cranwell for a Brumitt.

BRUCE LEE

NEW CASTLE

State's legal office needs Dolan

VIRGINIA'S attorney general is not a criminal prosecutor. The office requires much broader experience. Among other duties, the attorney general advises the governor, all state agencies and writes opinions for citizens on the laws of the commonwealth. The attorney general also can, as Mary Sue Terry did, sue companies to enforce consumer-protection laws.

Bill Dolan is an attorney of broad experience whose qualifications were recognized by his peers who elected him president of the Virginia State Bar.

Don't put a one-dimensional attorney in the state's legal office. Vote for Dolan.

VIRGINIA G. HOPKINS

ROANOKE

Griffith offers same old slogans

I RECEIVED a piece of campaign literature from Morgan Griffith that has me completely puzzled. In it, he says, and I quote: ``While Virginia has experienced record growth and prosperity, our part of Virginia has lagged behind.'' Does he mean, contrary to what George Allen says, that the state has done well under Baliles, Robb and Wilder?

When he talks about the lack of past leadership as being the reason for lack of growth in this region, is he talking about Steve Agee, who represented this region? When he talks about the failed policies of the past, as do all GOP candidates, what policies are being talked about? And if they are failed policies, how come Virginia shows record growth and prosperity, and is rated the top state in the nation for fiscal management?

I truly wish Griffith and all the other candidates, both Democrat and Republican, would stop treating the voters as unintelligent cattle who will follow a slogan rather than judge informationally.

PHILIP ROSDOL

ROANOKE