Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, January 24, 1994 TAG: 9401250001
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
A Jan. 14 editorial (``Wilder's big surprise'') portrayed Lt. Col. Oliver North as a liar. I don't recall a similar editorial doubting the veracity of Sen. Charles Robb, who admitted to receiving a nude massage from a former beauty queen in a hotel room, but denied there was any infidelity.
Similarly, you apparently are willing to overlook incredible statements by President Clinton, such as, `` ... but I didn't inhale.''
Fortunately, the recent gubernatorial and presidential elections demonstrate that most Virginians disagree with your political views.
JOHN S. REPASS
SALEM
SPCA board looks incompetent
LACK of effort to resolve very real problems within the Roanoke Valley Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals leaves serious doubts as to its board of directors' competence.
Having been duly notified by the attorney representing a significant number of members that the December election was being contested, this board should have been prepared to at least show that an effort was being made to resolve the issue.
If a board meeting attended by many of these members, along with their attorney, was not the time or place, as Steve Davidson stated, then when and where?
Perhaps time spent bragging about their accomplishments, some of which were premature (contracts with Roanoke city had not yet been before City Council), could be better spent dealing with these issues.
A board member's motion to hire an accounting firm to ensure fairness of a new election was quickly squelched by the president and vice president, who seem to be the only board members allowed to speak freely at these meetings.
One must wonder if these men are truly representatives of the feelings of this board. If not, other members should stop allowing themselves to look like puppets on a string and speak for themselves. If so, this organization is in dire need of new leadership.
SUSAN DOOLEY
THAXTON
Clinton giving his all to job
I'M THOROUGHLY disgusted, nauseated, irritated and downright enraged over the incessant attacks on our president, his personal life and his administration. I'm sure there are many others like myself who've had it up to here with these Limbaugh-like lambasters.
To the Bill-bashers, Clinton-clobberers, Hillary-haters, Reno-rebukers and all those self-professed ``politically-incorrect-but proud-of-it'' elements, I suggest you form your own society of whiners and hate-mongers and emigrate to Outer Mongolia. Take Bob Dole with you as your illustrious leader, with Ross Perot for second in command (or vice versa). Then make it your daily agenda to vent your negative emotions on one another.
Bill Clinton didn't go into the office of the presidency to use his political power for personal aggrandizement or serve some selfish special-interest groups. On the contrary, he's striving to turn this country around and to help the whole planet to become a better place in which to live. He's doing this with the untiring energy and enthusiasm of a professional athlete, dedication and commitment of a religious leader, and the sincerity and belief that he's doing everything in his power for the benefit of our country and the American people.
Whether history will some day hail him as one of the greatest and most innovative leaders of the world remains to be seen. But just knowing he's doing his darndest for all of us, and with dogged determination, is enough for me to pay him my unquestionable respect and admiration, and to support him in any way I possibly can.
NINO A. SYLMAR
PULASKI
King's dream was integrated society
AS I REFLECT on Martin Luther King's belief in nonviolence, I remember that he worked for an integrated society. Many other good men have also worked for that dream: integrated, not segregated.
We must all be reminded that integration is why we went through the race riots of the '60s. Integration of all people into one country united under God. I feel that any and all organizations that segregate people are in direct conflict with the original goal. The Miss Black America competition and a black coaches' group are just as negative as the Ku Klux Klan and a ``Skinheads'' group. All of these defeat the goal of an integrated society.
It's one thing to want to remember our roots; it's another to make those roots the only thing we want to remember. It's time we start paying more attention to our similarities, such as wanting the best for our children, including good educations and safe streets. If we concentrate on those similarities, we'll not have time to hate each other.
I have a dream: a nonviolent revolution of forgiveness and acceptance of one another with all the differences mutually respected. A truly integrated society. Why not? We've walked on the moon and made test-tube babies. Those took cooperation.
B. KATHERINE BIERNOT
RADFORD
by CNB