Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 1, 1994 TAG: 9406010044
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Most Second Amendment supporters know it's this one, and this one only, that guarantees the integrity of all the others. They wish to retain the right to provide security for their families and communities, and to protect the rights our forefathers died to provide.
Take a look at freedom of the press. Peel away the pious veneer and self-righteousness and what do you have? It seems to be a motivation for profit - the ``scoop,'' the method to break the big story, no matter who you hurt to get it. Is it really ``the public's right to know'' that motivates you in your rabid efforts to retain your First Amendment rights, or is it just plain greed?
Think about this. Let's say government was able to disarm the American people through strong-arm, Nazi-inspired tactics. Would you report it? Would government allow you to? Who would protect your freedom of speech, and what would they defend it with? Never say it couldn't happen here - it's already started.
JOHN W. WILEY
TROUTVILLE
Specific word refers to specific problem
LINDA Lang's May 2 letter to the editor (```Retarded' label no longer acceptable'') took offense to the term ``retarded'' on aprons worn by Roanoke area Knights of Columbus who were soliciting funds, which were being collected for Knights of Virginia Assisting the Retarded. She said the term should be replaced with a less-offensive one, ``mentally disabled.''
The problem faced by KOVAR, or any organization dealing with retarded citizens, is that the term ``retarded'' is an actual medical diagnosis. When we solicit funds, they're for the sole use of people with this, and only this, condition. Therefore, we feel the need to be specific.
Cognizant that some find the term distressing, we've considered various alternatives. However, no other term suggested to date truly identifies those our organization serves. If someone's mentally disabled, do they have a form of mental illness or do they carry the diagnosis ``retarded''? While the mentally ill deserve support, that isn't KOVAR's purpose.
When the word ``retarded'' is used by us, it isn't meant to be offensive. Unfortunately, some good-meaning people will find fault with our use of it. All we ask is that they consider our purpose and help us in overcoming prejudice experienced by those with this condition.
TIMOTHY M. TETREAULT
Vice President, Grants Knights of Virginia Assistance for the Retarded
HOPEWELL
Falwell's tactics offend a Virginian
VISITING in my native state, I'm almost ashamed to call Virginia home because of Jerry Falwell.
God must feel ashamed, too, to have Falwell speak for him. How can he call himself a Christian and use tactics he continues to get by with? His two-hour video on Clinton is the last straw (May 14 Los Angeles Times article, ``Falwell markets anti-Clinton video''). When will a responsible press stand up and expose this wolf in sheep's clothing?
VIRGINIA L. DENTON
BROOKLYN, MS
Children's health, safety scrimped on
AMEN to Anne Phelan-Adams' April 21 commentary on the need for seat belts in school buses (``School buses need to have safety belts'').
Judi P. Yon, a Montgomery County school-bus driver, argued, ``if children are sitting in their seats facing forward, as they're told to do, then they're safe'' (May 12 letter to the editor, ``Seat belts on school buses are not the best answer''). But what about side impacts, swerving to avoid accidents, or if the bus rolls over? Foam padding on the back of the seat in front of each child would not protect a child at all.
This is just one example of school boards' choosing to chance a child's health and safety. Typically, the first items cut from school budgets are arts, and health and safety items. Especially in Southwest Virginia, school nurses are lacking. Shame on school-board members who delay action until a state mandate on school nurses takes effect.
My son injured his ankle at school, and we were not notified because, we were told, ``it was close to the end of school and he wasn't complaining too much.'' So nothing was done. When he returned to school two days later in a cast and on crutches, imagine his teacher's surprise.
A few years ago when a local high-school student collapsed, two students defied a teacher's order to sit down and performed lifesaving CPR while a third one called 911. Thanks to their efforts and rescue personnel, the student survived to later receive a successful heart transplant.
As a shock-trauma technician and firefighter, a health-and-safety educator, nursing student and mother of two, I'm appalled that Virginia's teachers aren't required to have first-aid or CPR training to be certified. Yet teachers must determine what injury is or is not serious!
This is a wake-up call for school boards, administrators, teachers and school-bus drivers. There are liabilities more expensive than putting seat belts in buses and paying school nurses' salaries. Quality of education becomes a moot point if it costs a child's life.
KAE AUSTIN BRUCH
ROANOKE
by CNB