Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, September 24, 1994 TAG: 9409270018
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Unlike so many politicians who have held office in Virginia over the past several years, Allen is intent on keeping his campaign promises to the people of the commonwealth. I view his honesty and commitment as highly desirable qualities that distinguish him as a true leader.
The simple fact is that the citizens of Virginia gave the governor a clear mandate for reform of the criminal-justice system. Those criticizing the plan would do well to remember that voters have spoken in resounding numbers.
Allen knows that government can neither devise nor afford a plan that will correct all of society's evils. The past 40 years of American history teach this lesson all too well. He has chosen a course that will protect our society from those who refuse to respect its rules. Is this not one of the basic reasons for government's existence?
Some suggest that eliminating parole will drive hope from the hearts of those who find themselves on the wrong side of the law. I submit that it's more humane to let convicted felons know exactly where they stand under the law, and to eliminate inequities and false expectations that the parole system engenders.
In any event, the more important consideration is that it's fundamentally wrong in a democracy to frustrate the will of the people.
MARY ANN CONRAD ROANOKE
Base foreign policy on U.S. interests
THE UNITED States must not be a guarantor for any American troops in the Golan Heights.
There's much talk about moving Syria and Israel to conclude a peace treaty. If there's no vital interest involved for Syria in making sure that peace with Israel will work, then there's no reason to hope that American lives will make Syria understand the situation differently.
The best peace is mutual deterrence. Russia and the United States had a mutual-deterrence policy that worked.
The United States cannot afford to be linked to a U.N.-Golan Heights peace-keeping force, nor should it send American boys to be on the Golan.
The United States' foreign policy must be based on its own vital interests, and the need to keep Israel strong enough to be truly able to defend its own citizens.
ALVIN W. FINESTONE CLIFTON FORGE
Point of protest lost in turtle story
ON AUG. 10, the League for Animal Protection staged a small protest at Dr. C. Allen Duvall's clinic. Our purpose was to express our disapproval of the needless killing of a small creature, a baby turtle. We knew we risked being labeled radical and extremists in carrying out our protest, but our convictions were stronger than our concerns about labels.
At this point, our primary concern is the fact that so many untrue statements have been made, and our point has been completely lost.
It seems that Duvall's greatest concern was the potential for transmission of salmonella from the turtle. Turtles can and do sometimes carry this disease, but not always. You're also at risk when preparing chicken and turkey, if not careful. It angers me that the simple act of washing one's hands after contact with these sources (sufficient protection) was never mentioned. This is unbelievable!
It's not as Duvall stated - that it's illegal to sell baby turtles in pet stores. Granted, the law requires that turtles sold in pet stores must not be smaller than 4 inches, and a 4-inch turtle is unquestionably still a baby. But this law is designed to prevent the sale of those specimens small enough to be placed in the mouths of children playing with them, and nothing more.
When asked why this creature wasn't simply released where it was found, Duvall stated that its chances for survival were ``nil to none.'' Wrong! This animal was born in the wild, and had been kept in captivity only briefly - certainly not long enough for it to lose its survival instinct.
WAINE TOMLINSON President League for Animal Protection, Inc. ROANOKE
Prison riots would appear inevitable
I'M CERTAIN it is simple to transfer whatever anger one may feel for those of us who have committed crimes in the commonwealth. Therefore, anything that may happen to us may be dismissed as deserved. And, to a degree, I can also appreciate the current fervor sweeping across not only the Old Dominion but the rest of America: the philosophy of ``lock 'em up and throw away the key.''
But what I simply cannot understand is the idea that by jamming prisoners into already overcrowded penal plantations, without hope of parole, massive, extremely violent riots will not result.
JOHN B. CORCORAN LAWRENCEVILLE
United States owes nothing to Japan
IN REFERENCE to the Sept. 16 letter to the editor, ``U.S. owes Japan an expression of regret'' by Allyn Moss:
We Americans owe the Japanese nothing. Remember the Bataan Death March.
ROBERT ENGLUND ROANOKE
by CNB