Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, January 22, 1994 TAG: 9401240238
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Earlier this year, during the discussion of gays in the military, Sen. John Warner visited the Navy in Norfolk. He visited an aircraft carrier and a submarine. His purpose was to observe and to show to the public the crowded conditions in which our nation's defenders live. On submarines, bunks are stacked three high and the men sleep in three shifts. The young men, who are ready and willing to fight and die for our country, are more crowded than are our prisoners.
I don't believe in cruel and unjust punishment, but I've always believed that a prison should be a place that, once having been there, you'd never want to return. I don't see spending more money to keep a person in prison than is spent to send a student to college.
JUNIUS W. COBB
UNION HALL
Leave abortion issue to women
REGARDING Anthony Conrad's Jan. 11 letter to the editor entitled ``Murder at taxpayers' expense'':
I think it's somewhat strange for a man to voice such strong feelings on abortion. Will he ever bear a child?
Abortion is a woman's right and choice. And in my opinion, this should not be an issue decided by men. Unfortunately, men greatly outnumber women in our government. Does Conrad believe it would be better for a woman who cannot afford an abortion to have a child for which she cannot afford to provide? Also, how can choosing to have an abortion possibly be compared to soldiers being forced to kill children under 2 years old, as King Herod ordered in the Bible?
I strongly approve of President Clinton's decision to allow Medicaid funds to go to women whose lives would be in danger if they bore a child, or who conceived through rape or incest. Medicaid should provide for any underprivileged woman who chooses to abort. I believe this would go a long way toward assuring that every child will be a wanted child, therefore reducing the high incidence of child abuse and neglect in our society.
If you disagree with abortion, don't have one.
MARA E. BRADBURN
RINER
Truck traffic makes I-81 unsafe
THE EAST COAST dealt recently with snow, sleet and ice, while California fought fires and uncovered rubble of its earthquake. We've the best of the weather problems I'm sure.
Since driving was so bad, I drove my wife and daughter to work. As I returned home on Interstate 81 going north at exit 146, I saw an accident ahead involving two automobiles and a tractor-trailer that had jackknifed in the middle of the interstate. I started braking and noticed that the road had begun to get slick. As I looked into my rearview mirror, two tractor-trailers in the left lane were starting to pass me. As I continued to brake, I noticed the trucks now beside and behind me losing traction and sliding. The one behind me had the tractor in the left lane following the truck, which was out of control beside me, and his trailer had slid into the right lane and appeared to be passing the tractor. If I slowed too much, I'd be hit from behind with this trailer. As we approached the accident ahead, I saw an opening between one of the cars and the truck that had collided, so I went through and up the ramp to exit the interstate without being involved. Thank God things worked out as they did for me, and I'm sorry for those who were involved.
My family and I moved to Botetourt County because we enjoy the beautiful views and country atmosphere. I didn't know the volume of truck traffic that's on I-81. Most truck drivers are very polite and courteous, but occasionally we see one who's hellbent for wherever with absolute no regard for anyone, as they come flying by at 75 miles per hour splashing water and slush over anyone in their way.
Why can't freight be put back on the railroads? The roads would be much safer and would require less maintenance. Jobs excised from the trucking industry would be absorbed by the railroad, and most over-the-road drivers would spend their nights at home.
MARVIN BRATTON
FINCASTLE
Quality products aren't cheap
I APPLAUD staff writer Sandra Brown Kelly for her Jan. 5 expose about truth in pricing (``If you're gonna have a sale, better be sure it's real'').
For 66 years, my firm has espoused the old cliche that you get what you pay for. The public needs to be cognizant of this fact. Quality may be slightly more expensive, but be assured that quality products will last longer and be a lot more satisfying. The total-weight mentality and the 50 percent to 60 percent off discount is far too pervasive in our society. Price and value should not be equated! The consumer will be the one to ultimately pay for the ``deep discount.''
I'm thrilled to see enacted legislation about price misrepresentation. Also, pricing structure and markups are in question. Hooray for this piece of legislation. It's about time the law looked after consumer interests and protected the purchaser from the trench warfare of deep-discount advertising. It's still going to be a ``buyer beware'' market for all consumer goods. Shop around, compare and buy quality. You can't go wrong!
F. GEOFFREY JENNINGS
Vice President
Frank L. Moose Jeweler
ROANOKE
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