Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, August 23, 1994 TAG: 9408250071
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
You seem fed up with Congress for not passing this legislation now. What is the big hurry? You also make it clear that those who oppose it should stick their heads in the sand. This would be sad, but it's not going to happen. That's not the way we do it in America.
I'm so happy that our very wise founding fathers gave us a government with checks and balances. I do not want government-run health care. This could well be a giant step toward socialism, and this scares me to death.
We're already bogged down in too much red tape and regulations. Do you think we want more? No! Furthermore, our government doesn't have the expertise or knowledge to handle national health care, in my opinion. I don't see government doing very well now with what it has control over.
What we see going on in Washington isn't a battle between Democrats and Republicans, but about what would be best for the people. It's a struggle, if you will, between what makes good common sense and that which would enslave us in mandates and controls.
C. GLEN STINNETTE JR.
BEDFORD
Evolution plan sows seeds of destruction
CAN WE save the children?
Public-school students are taught that they're worthless descendants of slime. That's what the theory of evolution says. If that's the case, then I might think that human life has no inherent value, that virtue is just a word someone made up, and there's no God who rewards us for good behavior or punishes us for bad behavior. In fact, since there's no God, then I have every right to determine what's right and wrong for me. That's exactly what students are taught - ``situation ethics'' or ``values clarification.'' This subject directly opposes what the Bible teaches.
In the absence of God, there can be no absolute rights or wrongs. Each year, suicide is attempted by 250,000 teen-agers. This may be laid at the doorstep of lack of respect for life.
When we allow America's children to be indoctrinated with 12 years of nihilistic theology in public schools, don't be surprised at the consequences. The children act according to what they've been taught - no morality, virtue, value or purpose. Make your own rules. If it feels good, do it. If it serves your purpose, break any rule or law. For what really matters? Nothing.
We might conclude that our national explosion of crime (65 percent of all violent crime is committed by juveniles) and immorality can be attributed to the teaching of evolution and situation ethics in public schools, and wherever else they're taught. If we cannot somehow teach children the truth (the Holy Bible), then they'll be lost, and destruction and crime will continue.
AL TRIMPEY
MARTINSVILLE
Prisoners pay for cable television
REGARDING Barbara Groseclose's Aug. 8 letter to the editor (``Prison life offers good connections'') in which she made reference to the July 25 Associated Press article entitled ``Cable doing time'':
The cable in Virginia's correctional centers is put there by the inmates at various prisons. Their monies spent at the canteen in the prison is what pays for this cable. Taxpayers do not give inmates any luxuries. Some inmates work for their money, and others receive money from families and friends.
If people believe inmates are treated royally, they should visit prisons before speaking about things about which they actually have no knowledge.
GERALDINE S. WHEELER
ROANOKE
Grand old party of hypocrites
LIKE A kid who loses a coin toss and begs for a two-out-of-three chance, the Republicans have fired special prosecutor Robert Fiske, who didn't give them the decision they wanted in the Whitewater case, and hired a soul mate, Kenneth Starr. If this Jesse Helms clone doesn't come up with an indictable offense, I suppose they'll go for three out of five.
These same Republicans, who profess to be shocked that Roger Altman would mislead Congress, are strong supporters of Oliver North, and say that North's lying to Congress is a badge of honor. Go figure. Is there anyone out there who can't see the hypocrisy here?
If that's not bad enough, we have Sen. Al D'Amato from New York, who is under constant investigation for one thing or another, protesting self-righteously about the gang surrounding President Clinton. I don't know why people like D'Amato, Phil Gramm, Jesse Helms and David Duke gravitate to the Republican Party. But if we elect North in the fall, we'll add one of our own to that passel of rogues.
JOHN W. SLAYTON
ROANOKE
The judge has some explaining to do
RECENT news reports indicate that Oliver North's application for renewal of his permit to carry a concealed weapon was rejected by the judge who originally granted the permit. This rejection brings to mind several questions:
What has happened in the ensuing few years to change North from a person meeting the requirements to receive a permit to one who is not? Could it be the judge believes that North's becoming a Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate has so sullied his character as to make him unacceptable?
Could it be the judge believes North's strong stand against gun control deserves to be blunted, and he has chosen this method to do so?
Does His Honor believe terrorists have changed their aim in regard to North? If they haven't, perhaps an unarmed North would be eliminated by terrorist action where he would not at the polls.
Until this capricious act by His Honor is corrected, I advise North to buy a surplus holster and web belt, and strap it on his hip as he did for so many years in the honorable service of his country.
WILLIAM P. FREEMAN
PEMBROKE
It ought to be against the law
REGARDING city/county decals (July 26 news article, ``Stickerless cars may get stuck with $25 tickets''):
Issuing tickets on private property, and forcing people to purchase a decal for a nonoperable vehicle, after personal property taxes have been paid, should be illegal.
BARRY W. STANLEY
ROANOKE
Accused killer cut ties to church
IN REFERENCE to your July 30 Associated Press article (``Doctor, escort slain at abortion clinic; activist held'') regarding Paul J. Hill, the man accused of killing an abortion doctor and his escort in Pensacola, Fla.:
I wish to clarify Hill's severing of his relationship with our denomination. He was described in the article as a former minister of the Presbyterian Church in America. His ties to the PCA were broken in 1989, five years after he was ordained. He then joined the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. After three years, he was divested, or defrocked. Hill then joined an independent church with no connections to either of his former denominations. This church, Trinity Independent Church in Valparaiso, Fla., excommunicated him in June 1993. Thus, he has no connection, he isn't a minister, and he doesn't speak for the PCA in his words or actions.
The PCA holds a very high view of Scripture. As a consequence, the strongly pro-life PCA believes that taking the life of the born or the unborn is sin. Murder, in any form, is a violation of the Sixth Commandment, and is forbidden in the Old and New Testaments.
PCA members further accept the teaching of the New Testament that God has vested in civil authorities the power to govern and punish evildoers. All who resist lawful authority resist the ordinance of God.
The PCA is the second largest Presbyterian denomination in North America. It is recognized for a Christian world and life view that may be summarized as, ``No area of life over which Jesus Christ has not said, `Mine!''' This produces its commitment to biblical preaching and teaching, to build strong families while reaching out to the broken and disadvantaged at home and overseas, and to be well-informed, active and law-abiding citizens.
REV. JOHN R. FURMAN
Pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church in America
ROANOKE
by CNB