Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 11, 1994 TAG: 9403110177
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The book is written supposedly from a child's viewpoint. The child's parents have divorced, and his dad has entered into an openly homosexual relationship with another man. The book depicts how they live, shave and sleep together, presenting their life together as very normal. When explaining it to the child, his mother defines ``gay'' as ``just another form of love.''
After researching it, I found that, according to Virginia law, sodomy is considered a Code 6 felony in Virginia. My question to the library's board and to the community is: Why are we spending tax dollars on materials that condone a lifestyle that's both illegal in our state and is contrary to the viewpoint of many if not most of the county's taxpayers?
I understand the library's responsibility to provide a wide assortment of materials to the public, and I'm aware that not all those materials are going to be agreeable to me and others in the community. However, I feel ``Daddy's Roommate'' crosses the line of acceptability for our community as a whole, and it's our responsibility to let our opinions be known.
I want to thank the library board members for their graciousness in hearing my appeal to take the book off the shelves in the children's section. The board agreed to reconsider the book, and will give an answer at their March 16 meeting.
NITA McNERLIN
BLACKSBURG
Women will rise to VMI's challenge
IN TODAY'S world, there's a sense that a woman can do whatever she chooses. In that liberation, why are we so surprised when she'd choose the challenge of Virginia Military Institute?
The problem for trailblazers are the obstinate who'd have people believe that VMI is no place for women. They worry for women's safety or that they may fail. Their real fear is that they may in fact succeed beyond all expectations!
In April 1967, Katherine Switzer ran the Boston marathon over objections of a tradition-bound director, Jock Semple. The thinking then was that no woman could possibly run 26 miles. Ten years later, the top female finished ahead of 90 percent of all who entered.
In July 1967, the first woman was appointed to the cadets' corps at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. In 1989, a woman earned the top cadet rank of brigade commander. Today, all service academies have female cadets and most of the women do better than average.
Most women wouldn't consider running a marathon or entering West Point. However, there are more than a few who'd consider the challenge of VMI. If for no other reason, female cadets at VMI would force their male counterpart to re-evaluate traditional ways of thinking about women and make adjustments accordingly.
Women shouldn't allow themselves to be directed by thinking of others. No one knows what they can do, and neither do they, until they've tried!
ERIK ANDERSON
MARTINSVILLE
Emergency system wasn't activated
ON JAN. 9, Tom Brokaw and NBC highlighted Blacksburg, the ``electronic village,'' as a whistle stop on the information super-highway. Two days later, Blacksburg became a major traffic jam on this marvel of communication; not a single electron was able to get through.
Not only was electric service disrupted for a week, but telephones, cable television and the water supply were also down in many areas. Icy roads made movement impossible. The only means of contact with the outside world was through battery-powered radios.
We eagerly awaited the shrill, high-pitched sound that announces the activation of the emergency broadcast system. But none of our elected officials, from our new governor down to town mayors, considered this to be a real emergency. No command centers or hot lines were set up, and the National Guard wasn't activated, though it could've helped with emergency road-clearing, water supply and generators. Appalachian Power Co.'s phone lines were constantly busy, and no one could give any information other than the monotonous list of school closings.
As Jim Shuler, our new man in the General Assembly, pointed out, something should be done to be better prepared for such natural disasters. The emergency system shouldn't wait for an atomic bomb attack to be activated.
ROBERT A. HELLER
BLACKSBURG
Tax-avoidance avenues kept secret
REGARDING Virginia's illegal taxation of federal retirees, several puzzling aspects surface.
First, the two avenues whereby a federal retiree can protest taxation must be the state's best-kept secret. For years, I've had professional tax-preparers complete my returns. Not once has anyone suggested I didn't have to pay tax on my Air Force retirement. I've trusted these trained professionals to look after my interest and believe that had such avenues been in place, and properly publicized, I and others would've been so advised. What are the two avenues? Why aren't tax preparers aware of them?
Second, Virginia officialdom's attitude is unsettling. On a continuum, it seems to range from complete indifference to outrage that restitution even be considered. What kind of people are we sending to Richmond? Is their only concern that which is politically correct - i.e., that which is most likely to get them re-elected? For state officials to drag their feet on this issue is to blatantly ignore a Supreme Court decision. It's also a not-so-subtle message to Virginia's federal retirees that if they don't like it .... This is hardly the way to treat those who've dedicated their lives to national conservation, defense and human services.
On the brighter side, though, Gov. Allen and a handful of politicians recognize that to drag out this issue is to continue to erode public confidence in state leadership. Five years of waiting is long enough. Virginia has already enjoyed benefits from this illegally collected revenue. The only fair course now is to return that which wasn't the state's to begin with.
RODNEY A. FRANKLIN
ROANOKE
Ollie's fans won't stand for the assault
IN RECENT weeks, some self-styled humorists have written letters to the editor of this newspaper comparing Oliver North to Oliver Hardy, of Laurel and Hardy fame. It offends me that some have such a sick and twisted sense of humor as to compare a great American who performed an invaluable service to his country and the world to a slow-witted, bumbling clown.
I call on Hardy's other fans to join me in demanding that this invidious character assassination be stopped at once.
JAMES G. SHELL
ROANOKE
Constructive ideas needed to prosper
IN RESPONSE to Dwayne Yancey's Feb. 16 news story, ``Roanoke Valley: Where few babies or jobs are born'':
It was an interesting report, especially since my family moved back last April. I agree with his viewpoint. I hope we don't turn into a Clifton Forge or Covington (no disrespect intended). Here are some ideas to think about to help bring growth and prosperity to our valley:
I'm not sure if consolidation is a solution. Cooperation is.
The ``smart road'' is needed to Virginia Tech.
Interstate 73 will bring more tourists and business travelers (perhaps from U.S. 220 to Virginia 419 to I-81).
Complete Hershberger Road along Reed Mountain to U.S. 460 and other roads for reduced traffic jams.
Tell Len Boone not to ruin the Blue Ridge Parkway with those hideous houses built so close together. Rather, he could renovate downtown and be a hero.
Find a better way to market our valley to relocate new businesses.
Why weren't more exits and entrances built around the Valley View Mall area? For instance, one mile before the exit for Hershberger Road, there could be a ramp going from I-581, entering the mall grounds and veering to the cinema area. From Sears, there would be an exit curving and going out to I-581. This would help expedite traffic, if an aircraft should miss the airport and hit the mall.
Have school boards elected by the constituents served.
This is a beautiful place, so let's keep it this way for our communities, children, environment, etc.
GEORGE EWEN
ROANOKE
The right person for the job
CONGRATULATIONS to the Roanoke County School Board and others involved in the selection process resulting in Deanna Gordon's appointment as the county's next superintendent of schools. The strength and integrity of one of the state's top five public-school systems will be carried forward, and individuals employed by the system can be assured that a good and honest work ethic is rewarded.
Contrary to Supervisor Harry Nickens' pleadings, those responsible for maintenance and improvement of our public schools did the honorable thing by promoting from within.
J. MONTY WILLIAMS
VINTON
by CNB