Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, August 20, 1994 TAG: 9408220051
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
I would appreciate an explanation of how he can compare a woman of the Jewish faith to a young woman who wishes to attend an all-male military academy. The Nazi labor camp was a place where you were put due to your religion, and where death was a certainty. The military academy is where this young woman wishes to be. One has nothing to do with the other - one is by choice, and the other is not.
I fail to see the similarity between choice and no choice. If, on the other hand, this cartoon was supposed to be humorous, then the mark was missed entirely. Funny, no; pathetic, yes.
JOYCE MASTERS BLUE RIDGE
Responsible dads get little credit
I FEEL rage over reading many news articles about ``deadbeat dads'' who don't pay child support. What about those loving and caring fathers who do pay child support, college tuition and any additional expenses their children may need? When do we ever hear praise or thanks for these individuals? I'm tired of hearing about scums who don't pay, and wish there could be some kind words for those who pay on time, and care very much about their children's welfare!
My husband and I live in constant fear that when we buy a new home, a car, or have a child of our own that the dreaded ex-wife, who remarried and doesn't work, will assume we have more money than we need and demand additional child support. This has happened in the past, and it makes me furious! What appreciation does my husband get when she demands more? None. He only reads articles about deadbeat dads and sees his out-of-state kids once a year.
Why doesn't government give a tax break to those who take care of their children by paying support regularly and on time? I believe it's time to thank those who are responsible child-support payers. Let them know they're appreciated.
AMANDA K. CRAWFORD ROANOKE
A hodgepodge on the tube, too
I WAS amused at Penny Zirkle's recent critique (Aug. 3 letter to the editor, ``Three cheers for the parking lot'') of the new Cox Cable building's design. As I ponder her displeasure with the building's diversity of forms, materials, colors and textures sited among the office park's monochromatic neighbors, I can only speculate as to her reaction if Cox Cable offered one black-and-white television channel to its customers.
STEPHEN LEIGH SOWDER ROANOKE
Give employees more options
CURRENTLY, at places of employment, an employee may be granted options to select insurance coverage, income-tax deductions (by specifying the number of dependents, etc.), or other optional benefits. I suggest these options be expanded.
Citizens who pay income taxes should be able to designate - at their place of employment and on their income-tax returns - where they want their proportionate share of taxes that supports health care to be applied. Those who are pro-choice could specify that it be applied to the cost of abortions.
Since it would then be the woman's choice, the amount that otherwise would be allowed for an abortion should be extended to mothers who choose to carry their pregnancies to term. Pro-life supporters could designate that their tax money go for this choice, according to their convictions. This would be fair, and would still preserve religious freedom.
For government employees, eliminate the nine paid holidays, and then apply the amount earned during those nine days to finance the health-care program. The costs likewise could be shared by nongovernment employees for holidays honored at their places of employment.
ROSS G. HILL CHRISTIANSBURG
Reasonable action followed the spill
REGARDING the Aug. 3 news article (``Small spill turns into major turf battle'') about the hydraulic fluid spill on Greenway Drive:
The news article was factually pretty accurate. But when the staff writer digressed into editorializing, a reference to the ``comedy of errors'' may have left a mistaken impression.
I agree that bureaucrats sometimes provide us with some very amusing anecdotes, but this wasn't one of those occasions. An accident occurred, a regrettable action (pressure washing) then followed. But from that point forward, county administrators proceeded in a very responsible and professional manner.
Without stomping around, threatening legal action as many are prone to do these days, Greenway Drive's affected residents simply asked that their property be returned to the neatly kept, uncontaminated condition that existed prior to the spill.
I believe that I speak for all residents in thanking county administrators and Environmental Directions Inc. for their concern and efforts in rectifying the problem.
By the way, many homeowners' policies specifically exclude all types of contamination from their coverage, regardless of the source. And that isn't funny either!
BERT ATCHLEY ROANOKE
by CNB