
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, April 7, 1994                   TAG: 9404070331
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By CODY LOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

ROANOKERS SEE JUDGE FROM DIFFERING VIEWPOINTS, POSITIONS

Though Harry Blackmun was the author of the Roe vs. Wade decision, it should be remembered that was a collaborative process, said David Nova of Planned Parenthood of the Blue Ridge. ``Seven of the nine members of the court concurred with the decision,'' Nova said.

He considers it ironic that abortion is now a ``liberal'' issue, when at the time it ``was very much in keeping with the Barry Goldwater conservatism that wanted government out of our lives.''

For abortion opponent Andrea Sexton, spokeswoman for the Virginia Society for Human Life, the departure of Blackmun is less cause for comment than the prospect of who follows him.

``What everyone should be focusing on is who his replacement will be. ... I can't imagine Clinton would not appoint someone who feels just like Blackmun does about abortion,'' Sexton said. From her point of view, a new appointee ``will be just as bad, only younger.''

Although Blackmun's notoriety as author of the abortion decision is likely to be his legacy, his recent statements condemning the imposition of the death penalty also have drawn attention.

Bob Fetter, a Roanoker who has protested the use of the death penalty, feels that Blackmun's departure won't negatively affect the debate over that issue.

Blackmun brought the applicability of the death penalty into the public arena again, he said. ``In a lot of things, we pass the responsibility for these issues from generation to generation. This one may or may not be picked up by the next appointment, but the dialogue will continue.''

by CNB