Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 7, 1994 TAG: 9407080019
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-14 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
All these stereotypical words describe a group of Americans mentioned daily in broadcasts and the print media. They're portrayed as a small, vocal minority, a fly in the ointment, the price we pay to present ourselves as a truly free society.
Strangely, although they're considered radicals, their antithesis doesn't seem to exist. When was the last time you heard someone called a tolerant, left-wing, liberal non-Christian?
Such people do exist, and their ranks are becoming legion. But they're almost invisible, camouflaged as ``moderates'' by the American media. They occupy the highest positions of power and influence, and their actions may prove to be irrevocable by future generations. Sometimes called ``progressives,'' their progress can be measured by America's declining strength and influence in the world. If this is positive progress, then label me a regressive.
Add ``intolerant'' to that. I refuse to tolerate governmental actions that endanger freedoms espoused by our founders. And being called a conservative doesn't insult me in the least. My dictionary defines conserving as keeping from loss, decay, waste or injury. It must be more than poetic justice that the word ``right'' is now almost synonymous with conservatism.
Finally, there's ``Christian,'' a word that has never meant tolerance or all-inclusiveness. Had Jesus the Christ been tolerant, there would have been no crucifixion.
So, those labels suit me just fine, thank you. I'm happy to be an intolerant, radical, right-wing, conservative Christian.
CLONNIE H. YEAROUT
ROANOKE
Something missing at the top
WHENEVER I see a column written by Cal Thomas, I immediately read it, as every word he writes is meaningful. Thomas said, ``the expressions of shock came because O. J. Simpson was an icon, the epitome of the way so many Americans define success and happiness'' (June 22 column, ``Total eclipse for a man who had the world'').
Boris Becker was at the very top of the tennis world. He was rich, had all the material possesions needed, and yet was so unhappy. There was no inner peace, as is the case for many movie and pop stars who commit suicide.
What's missing? When these people get to the top, what isn't there? A relationship to God. The Creator made us with a need for meaning, purpose and hope that only he can satisfy. He meets that need when we enter into a personal relationship with Christ.
America has been blessed because it was founded on biblical principles. With a growing refusal to acknowledge him, it's no wonder violent crimes in the United States have climbed more than 75 percent during the past 20 years. As Thomas said: ``Or we will come to our senses and realize there is no profit in the life of anyone who may gain the whole world but who loses his own soul.''
My heart breaks for a man like Simpson. The police and courts failed him because they worship the same golden deity as he did. If justice had been done in 1989, Simpson might not have to go through this.
MARGARET A. HIGH
ROANOKE
Record shows U.S. is not so tough
SOFT ON crime? Not in America, you say? See how tough we are.
We pass federal crime bills every year (with no teeth). Between 1966 and 1990, the rate of violent crime increased 500 percent - one burglary every 11 seconds; one car theft every 20 seconds; one rape every 5 minutes; one homicide every 30 minutes.
Since the Supreme Court said OK to capital punishment in 1976, we've had - get this now - 350,000 murders. Compare this to World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam where approximately 390,000 died. (Do we have a war on our hands?) Executions for those 350,000 homicides were 235. (Yes, tough on crime.)
Yet, on the other hand, instead of passing more laws, maybe we need to take other steps - responsibility, self-discipline, compassion, friendship, work, love, courage, perseverance, honesty, loyalty and faith. These values can be embraced by all, regardless of politics, color or religion.
DON M. KOTCHISH
SALEM
Congress snubs its constitutional duty
THE CONSTITUTION requires that, on application by the legislatures of two-thirds of the states, Congress ``shall call a convention for proposing amendments.''
Effective May 15, 1979, New Hampshire's legislature became the 34th (exceeding the two-thirds requirement) to make application for a constitutional convention. (On Feb. 24, 1982, Alaska's became the 37th.) Since 1979, Congress has been in outright violation of the constitutional requirements and has violated the public trust. Where is the outcry against this violation?
I believe a great majority of the elected masters aren't even aware of their duties, or that the Constitution requires their action. L. F. Payne Jr., Chuck Robb and John Warner, where are thy voices? None of you seems to be aware of your obligations. Or is it that you really don't care?
JERRY R. JOHNSON
UNION HALL
Clinton's been given benefit of doubt
IN RESPONSE to Amanda Cockrell's June 23 letter to the editor, ``Taking pride in Clinton's war record'':
I'm not going to debate the rightness or wrongness of the American mission in Vietnam. But if there were no communists involved, where did they get their AK-47s?
I also wonder if Clinton's and other draft dodgers' convictions would have been so strong if they had not had the money and clout to get deferments and had, instead, faced prosecution.
I'm sure many men who served in that war opposed it. But they did what they were asked, and did it well under unfavorable conditions, there and at home. They had the strength of character to do what so many didn't want to do, and refused to do. That's what it takes to be a leader.
As for giving Clinton the benefit of doubt, I'd say we have. He still has his citizenship. At one time, people avoiding military service wouldn't have been allowed to vote for a presidential candidate, much less hold the office.
GRAELEN STIKE
RADFORD
Entitled to say no to entitlements
R. KEITH Whitley's June 24 letter to the editor (``Elect Oliver North; impeach Bill Clinton'') appeared to be a rather harsh condemnation of many of Virginia's Democrats, and maybe a few Republicans. One could reasonably assume he isn't a fan of President Clinton's, or a supporter of Democratic members of Congress.
Since Whitley feels social programs are destroying our country, I reckon he must be independently wealthy, has never received, and will never accept, any government assistance. Good for you, Whitley. I hope you stand by your principles, refusing Social Security and/or Medicare benefits.
Also, let's look at the national debt. What was our deficit in 1980, when Republicans occupied the White House? And, 12 years later, what was it?
If Whitley believes North's rhetoric can deliver us to the land of milk and honey, Gawd help us.
JAMES E. HALE
COLLINSVILLE
Before leaping on VMI's heritage, learn
OVER THE PAST several years, I have read article after article giving arguments against the male-only admissions policy at Virginia Military Institute. The thing that angers me is that there were no complaints for more than 100 years prior to the start of the VMI court case. It took a lawsuit and hordes of media coverage to get so many people on the political bandwagon. I, as a proud VMI cadet, would like to tell unknowing individuals why we don't want our school to change.
The pride of a VMI man comes from the past, present and future. Cadets of yesteryear were given the chance to show what they were made of during the Civil War. In the Battle of New Market, about 300 cadets led a heroic charge into enemy artillery fire and broke through the Union line, thus carrying the field. The fearless and gallant actions of those cadets are held in reverence by today's cadets, who have much to be proud of as well. Each must endure the rigors of the rat line in his first year. People cannot understand what we go through. That is why they attack us; they just don't know anything about us.
Virginia should feel a pride like no other state's to have something like VMI. We have shed blood, sweat and tears for the love of our state and country. Instead of getting gratitude, we are shunned. If this continues, VMI will see its high standards, traditions and brotherhood crushed by people who know nothing about us. As a favor to those cadets who have given their lives from the Civil War to Desert Storm, learn a little!
BRANDON R. CORNETT
VMI Class of 199%
ROANOKE
by CNB