Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, January 16, 1994 TAG: 9401170224
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: D2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
It's apparent these people believe we locals are only good as a servant class. As laborers, repair people and clerks, or the merchant class. This feeling is so pervasive that we think ourselves fit only for this type of employment.
Whenever there's an opening for a high-profile, decent-paying position, do we ever have a valleywide search for a qualified applicant? It's a nationwide search. Let's begin, so the thinking goes, somewhere other than on this fallow ground.
No one questions the system. The few local toadieon't get it. That's not access. Meeting with a person who defends the status quo, or with people dismissing an idea because it's not been done before, also is not access.
Good ideas are plentiful. Implementing them - there's the rub.
DOUG GRAHAM
SALEM
Read what Jefferson said next
ALAN Denekas' Jan. 6 letter to the editor (``Which is law of the land?'') objects to the view that the Bible is not the law of the land. He quotes the Declaration of Independence: ``We are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights'' ... ``to secure these rights, governments are instituted ... '' He argues that, therefore, the authority of our government derives from God. However, the rest of Jefferson's sentence states that governments ``derive their just powers from the consent of the governed.''
The declaration, though a major historical document, has no legal standing. The Supreme Court interprets the Constitution, which says ``We, the People of the United States, ... ordain and establish this Constitution ... ''
Moral rights come from the idea of justice, which is older and more widely spread than Christianity. Legal rights come from peace treaties. The founders, recalling the religious wars of Europe, designed a peace treaty that left religion a private matter.
If the Bible were law, the Supreme Court would have to interpret it also. There would be an official theology, enforced by the police. If government's authority came from God, how could there be any limits on it?
Those on the theocratic right are teaching that the authority of government is divine to prepare us for their ultimate conclusion: If you're not their kind of Christian, you have no rights.
JOHN HODGES
BLACKSBURG
Surely, no justice for Dustin Washburn
I READ Sarah K. Brady's letter to the editor (``And justice for all?'') in the Jan. 2 Roanoke Times & World-News. She states she's outraged and confused by the disparity of sentences received by Kari Frasier and John Stover. She ends with the comment that there is no justice.
Quite possibly if Skip Burkhart had prosecuted Ms. Frasier, she would be incarcerated just as Stover is. But since there are differences in their cases, who knows? Ms. Frasier's victim, her boyfriend, had been out drinking with her and should have known better than to have let her drive or to ride with her. So his negligence or indiscretion may have contributed to his death. That's not fair, but he was not an innocent victim.
Dustin Washburn, though, was entirely innocent. He was going to the store with his mother when Stover killed him. Dustin's only ``crime'' was that he wanted a candy bar and had talked his mother into taking him to the store.
I'm confused and outraged by Ms. Brady's attitude, because I think Stover got off easy. Sure, he'll have to spend some time in jail and then perform community service while on probation. But he's still alive. His family and friends can visit him, talk to him, support him and let him know that he's loved.
On the other hand, Dustin's family and friends must go to a cemetery to visit him. We're left with memories of him.
I do agree with Ms. Brady on one point, though. There's no justice.
TED ALLEN
ROANOKE
School nurses can't cure all social ills
AS A registered nurse who retired from Roanoke County Schools in 1992 after 33 years of service, I appreciate the Roanoke Times & World-News focus on school nurses (Jan. 2 editorial, ``The school-nurse scandal''). However, it's unfortunate that much of the information was incorrect or misleading.
The person in Roanoke County schools referred to as an ``assistant'' is a registered nurse, certified in school health, and with 20 years of experience in providing health services to medically handicapped students. Also, it should be known that no procedure or medication is ever administered without a written order from the student's physician or without written permission from the parent. Also, no procedure such as tube-feeding or catheterization is performed at school unless it's also being performed in the home by family members. School personnel must be instructed and supervised by a registered nurse to carry out such procedures.
Twenty years ago, we started keeping our handicapped children at home rather than putting them in institutions. This is good, but it's taken a large piece of the education pie. Take time to look at some classes, at the ratio of teachers and paraprofessionals to students. Also, look at costs of related services such as speech, physical therapy, psychological services and transportation, to name a few. Look also at other aspects of the school-health program, such as regular visits to the schools by public health nurses. School health is a traditional part of public health and, like education, is funded by our tax dollars. The School Health Advisory Board plays an important role in assuring that health services are provided to all students in a safe and efficient manner.
School nurses are an important part of the educational team, and your call for state funding is needed and appreciated. However, school nurses cannot provide medical care, improve housing or solve all social problems in our communities. The work of school nurses is very important and can stand on its own merits without being sensationalized.
BOBBIE R. JACKSON, R.N.
DALEVILLE
Roanokers are good neighbors
ON BEHALF of Roanoke Area Ministries, I want to express my gratitude to the Roanoke Valley citizens for their generous response to the Good Neighbors Fund. The people have demonstrated once again that this valley is a caring community, willing to join in a common effort to help neighbors.
I also want to thank the Roanoke Times & World-News for its continued support. It sets a fine example for others to follow in encouraging people to work in cooperation for the common good of less fortunate citizens.
As an ecumenical ministry, RAM is designed to assist people with emergency situations. The monies raised through the fund are used in their entirety for emergency outreach while a small portion is used for RAM House, our comprehensive day shelter. During 1993, because of the community's generosity, RAM was able to provide assistance to thousands of families and individuals who found themselves in crisis situations. Because of the success of this year's fund, we'll be able to assist even more people.
We're grateful to citizens for their overwhelming concern and support of the disadvantaged in our area.
JULIE HOLLINGSWORTH
Executive Director
Roanoke Area Ministries
ROANOKE
`Liar' label applies also to Clinton
REGARDING the Jan. 2 editorial in the Roanoke Times & World-News entitled ``Reaganites flock away from North'':
In the editorial, you ask: ``Why the disparity among those most closely acquainted with North's so-called public service?'' You then stated that ``one reason, presumably, is that North is a liar.''
What difference does that make? After all, the consummate liar presently occupies the highest elected office in the land.
BEN THOMAS
ROANOKE
by CNB