Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 16, 1994 TAG: 9408090061
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
That letter suggested that the $75 million of federal money sent to International Planned Parenthood Federation was wrongly spent because if there are, indeed, homeless people and hungry children in this country, the money should go to them. It also suggested that International Planned Parenthood will ``force'' reproductive choice and abortion on people in Third World countries.
I disagree that the money is wrongly spent. It's an extremely wise investment in preventing current misery and future overpopulation of our world. While there certainly are hungry and homeless people in this country, and we must try to help them, we must also try to prevent more of the same problem in other countries. Further, International Planned Parenthood doesn't ``force'' reproductive choice or abortion on anyone.
As far as I'm aware, the organization provides voluntary family planning to some of the many people who want it through clinics, mobile units and community-based distribution programs. Also, according to Planned Parenthood of the Blue Ridge, the money contributed to International Planned Parenthood by the federal government can only be used for abortion referrals, not for abortions.
Support of international family-planning endeavors is crucial for the future health of this planet, and the current health of people in Third World countries. Unwillingness to address this problem may bring disaster on us all.
DOROTHY M. McCORKLE ROANOKE
Is the nation over the hill?
HAVING survived 218 years, it's expected that our nation should show signs of aging. With failing eyesight, she expects her citizens to accept alternate lifestyles, while venomously condemning other citizens who smoke.
With crooked and covetous hands, she cuddles the eggs of an eagle; declares corporations to be people; but is unwilling to recognize and protect the personhood of her own fetus.
Many mock her and want to call in Dr. Kervorkian to help her in the final hours, while others turn away, too busy to notice and too cold-hearted to care. After all, she has had her day, but this is now. Let her be judged with the same judgment she's used on others. Where is our forgiveness?
MARSHALL TACKETT BUCHANAN
Help for elderly is overdue
I WAS glad to see that some help is on the way for the elderly people of Rocky Mount (June 24 news article by staff writer Adrienne Petty, ``Old homes granted new life''). They have done without too long. It seems like help can be sent to any foreign country, while U.S. citizens do without. I hope they'll enjoy indoor plumbing, repaired homes and plenty of water.
Remember, charity begins at home. Let's take care of our citizens first.
JOHN D. OLINGER SR. BLACKSBURG
Whose get-rich scheme is U.S. 58?
YOUR EDITORIAL was right on target (July 5, ``The road not to be taken'') in questioning the wisdom of pushing an upgraded U.S. 58 through the middle of Mount Rogers National Recreation area. Whether this route follows the present course of U.S. 58 or turns at Volney to cross the area west of Troutdale, easy access afforded heavy truck traffic would cancel out a large part of the recreation area, and the semblance of ``wilderness experience'' for increasing numbers who turn to outdoors recreation. As a public, federally managed facility, it belongs in theory to all the country's people, whose wishes about its future quality have not been solicited by those interests determined to have a major divided highway through the center of Grayson County.
It might be rewarding for an investigative reporter to determine exactly what interests are so powerful in this respect. The Virginia Department of Transportation's own consulting firm considered a number of alternative routes between Galax and Abingdon, and had to confess that the least-expensive option, and the one with minimal environmental impact, would be to merge U.S. 58 with Interstates 77 and 81 between Hillsville and Abingdon. This route has been endorsed by several state and federal agencies, local citizens' groups and environmentalists. Who insists on building a road through a scarcely industrialized, pastoral part of Virginia, and why? Who stands to make a bundle?
Big-highway proponents wrap themselves in the flag of ``enhanced economic benefits.'' If anyone really takes this fantasy seriously, let's put highway money where it would do the greatest good: Construct a bee-line superhighway from Beckley to Knoxville, skewering three counties in Southwest Virginia, which will need all the help they can get when coal-mining phases out in the next few years.
RICHARD L. HOFFMAN RADFORD
Bell's vote was for more tyranny
REGARDING Ronkeith Adkins' June 22 letter to the editor, ``Sen. Bell has built a solid record'':
His sentence stating, ``I oppose any gun control, yet I support Bell's vote for the Republican compromise,'' is like saying, ``Oh, I oppose tax increases, but I vote for them.''
Adkins also makes the statement that ``there's strong support for Bell from Republicans, independents and many Democrats.'' Apparently, with his vote, Bell was also reaching out for support from Sarah Brady, Mary Sue Terry and the liberal media.
This isn't just about guns, it's about freedom. For anyone who cares to listen, the jackbooted heels of tyranny are on the march - from President Clinton's push for unconstitutional warrantless gun and drug sweeps to Bell's vote for gun-a-month purchase limit.
MARK E. STUMP DUBLIN
by CNB