Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 10, 1994 TAG: 9407290003
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: E2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Dennis Frith stated correctly in his June 21 letter (``Some GOP delegates are liars'') that Republican State Convention delegates refusing to support Oliver North are liars. They're violating a pledge that they would support the party's nominee. Nevertheless, Hammond criticizes Frith and the Republican Party, and defends breaking her promise.
She writes: ``Do we want blind obedience to a political party, or do we want obedience to the integrity of one's own mind?'' She misses the point. We want honesty. No one forced her to participate in the convention. We just expect those participating to do what they promised to do.
According to the first sentence of the Virginia GOP's ``Plan of Organization,'' people participating in Republican conventions may be required to ``express in open meeting, either orally or in writing, their intent to support all of its [the party's] nominees for public office.'' Almost everyone would surely agree this is a reasonable stipulation. Hammond says a loyalty pledge ``was not mentioned in my preregistration literature.'' Why not? It was mentioned in everyone else's.
She went to the convention and signed a pledge to support the nominee, knowing she wouldn't support the candidate most likely to win the nomination. Now she says her integrity causes her to break her promise. She would have demonstrated integrity by staying home.
MARK B. FRITH CHRISTIANSBURG
Steve Fast will provide fresh ideas
NINTH DISTRICT Congressman Rick Boucher has been quoted as saying, ``Economic development and job growth is now and will continue to be my highest priority.'' If this statement indicates a long-standing commitment, and if he has been doing a good job in this respect in his 111/2 years in office, why have abnormally high unemployment rates persisted in Southwest Virginia - higher than the Virginia and national averages?
It's time for a change. Steve Fast, Republican candidate for Congress, is committed to voting for lower taxes so that more of Southwest Virginia's hard-earned dollars remain here to help our economy. Boucher voted for President Clinton's tax hike, the largest tax increase in history, which requires more of Southwest Virginia's resources to be spent by decisions in Washington, D.C. Individuals and families here know better how to invest these resources.
It's time for some fresh ideas. Vote for and elect Steve Fast in November.
CHARLES A. POE BLUEFIELD
Long, hard road to graduation
HURRAH FOR Beth Macy, and hurrah for the 13 teen mothers who graduated from high school against huge odds (June 23 Extra section, ``Teen moms pay the price for a diploma'').
What a shame that Principal Alyce Szathmary didn't allow the recognition that these young women greatly deserved. Recognition also needs to go to all the outside support these young women received from teachers and social workers. It shows there are many who care.
Making it to graduation under the best circumstances is a hard, long road. These young ladies accomplished this and so much more, and I thank Macy for bringing it to our attention. I only hope those individuals who read and disagreed with past articles on teen pregnancies opened their eyes to the positive side of the issue - and said hurrah, too.
KAREN E. ST.CLAIR HARDY
Excuse for towel thievery is all wet
IN THE June 25 Roanoke Times & World News, there was a front-page story from the Associated Press entitled ``Clinton blasts critics for `cynicism' frenzy.'' There's a quote about the White House staff stealing towels from their staterooms aboard an aircraft carrier in Europe for the D-Day remembrance. The quote is from Bill Clinton: ``We're not sure that just the White House staff did that.''
Didn't Slick Willie's mother teach him that no matter who did it, stealing is wrong? If this person will not stand for anything, he'll fall for anything at our expense.
JEFF BORTHEN ROANOKE
Put hate's energy to better use
HOW REFRESHING it was to read Amanda Cockrell's June 23 letter to the editor, ``Taking pride in Clinton's war record.'' Ms. Cockrell suggests the first step toward true Christianity is tolerance. May I make a further suggestion?
If Virginians were to take all the hate they have for President Clinton and channel it into good deeds, perhaps this state and the country could once again become the kinder, gentler place it once was - when our president was respected because the people elected him.
ANN VANDEROEF WIRTZ
by CNB