Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, September 4, 1994 TAG: 9409210018
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: D-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
However, as Harry Truman once remarked, ``No one was in favor of it but the people'' - explaining why a popular bill had failed to pass in Congress.
Everyone likes passenger trains in theory, but highway interests, airlines, freight-focused railroads and bus companies are probably sharpening their knives even as I write this.
For those who favor this plan to initiate passenger service between Bristol, Washington and Richmond, now's the time to inundate legislators, mayors, city councils, city managers, and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation with our views. The wheel that squeaks the loudest is the one that gets the grease.
RANDOLPH GREGG
ROANOKE
Tech's priorities are out of step
WHO ARE the Marching Virginians?
My son attends Virginia Tech, and I assumed that students from Virginia were the majority of the band members. Well, it's a slim majority, it would seem. Last year 40 percent of the graduating band members were from out of state - not Marching Virginians at all.
Students from Virginia aren't given any priority when it comes to the selection of band members. Although Virginia taxpayers contribute to the school for years, a student who pays the out-of-state tuition (a real bargain for most) has the same opportunities and privileges in our state university as do our students.
We voted to spend more of our tax dollars for our colleges and universities. Is this to benefit Virginians or anyone who comes to our state for a cheaper education?
Who are the Marching Virginians? They're really Marching Students from Anywhere.
DIANE SMITH
TEMPERANCEVILLE
Robbed of a good woman
I WOULD like to thank your staff writer for his July 30 news article (``Her family grieves for a life that ended much too soon'') on Ilse-Marie Morgan. It was well-written, and gave readers a glimpse of the essence of Ms. Morgan. She was one of the sweetest, most generous and compassionate women I've known. I miss her, and will always remember her.
I was thankful to read, not long afterwards, that the reportedly drunken man who killed her is to be charged with murder (Aug. 6 news article, ``Man faces murder charge in crash''). The report that he consumed 13 beers before choosing to get behind the wheel of a car, if true, suggests he had no concern for others. Because of his apparent flagrant disregard for human life, so many people will be robbed of the blessing of knowing Ms. Morgan.
My prayers go out to her two daughters, to her family in Germany, and to Chris Kidd, who gave her a year of happiness.
RUTH E. JOHNSON
CHRISTIANSBURG
Showing no respect for North's record
THE BIAS of your news presentation is truly tiresome. In point is your Aug. 22 news article ``All present and accounted for - except. Sen. Robb.'' In citing the whereabouts of the Virginia Senate contenders, it's former state Attorney General Marshall Coleman, former Gov. Douglas Wilder, and incumbent Sen. Charles Robb.
But is it the decorated hero and U.S. Marine Col. Oliver North? Of course not. That would let escape the opportunity to slant your writings against North by throwing in your ever-present ``Iran-Contra figure,'' as if your readers might fail to recognize who he really is unless you make very clear who you think he is.
RONALD and ARLENE CAMPBELL
BLUE RIDGE
Congress gives until it hurts
CONTEMPORARY riddles:
When does an automobile become an ``assault''-mobile? When you blame the vehicle for the car crash instead of the reckless driver.
When does a health-care bill become a ``crime bill''? When your government takes your money and ``gives'' you back benefits at about 10 cents on the dollar.
When will America cease to be the land of the free and home of the brave? When the boys inside the beltway start working around the clock to ``give'' us the ``change'' we deserve!
LARRY S. DAVIS
SALEM
by CNB