Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 1, 1994 TAG: 9410030020
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
For those unaware of that period, the result was the closing of public schools in Prince Edward County and, to the laughter of the rest of the nation, the erection of two flagpoles at all state and most local government buildings (so the Virginia flag would fly as high as the U.S. flag).
It's taken almost 40 years for the ``mother of presidents'' again to be such laughingstock to the rest of the nation, but we've outdone ourselves this time.
RICHARD HERRING
WYTHEVILLE
North is for the middle class
AFTER MUCH reading, thought and discussion, it appears that the middle-class people of the United States don't want:
To have our sons and daughters killed restoring a Marxist to Haiti simply because the racist congressional black caucus wants it.
Our guns taken away so that we can't defend ourselves.
Our soldiers and sailors acting as targets for the United Nations.
Government-run health care.
More laws to interfere with our freedom in Clinton's police state.
World government such as the World Trade Organization.
We must rid ourselves of that arrogant Clinton clone, L.B.J. Robb, and vote for a man - Oliver North - who will work for less government, not more.
DICK LAMBERT
EAGLE ROCK
Magnet-school policy hurts kids
I READ with interest the Sept. 15 news article (``Magnet-school policy baffles parents'') about the magnet schools in which it was stated ``they told us they were recruiting whites for Westside.'' Another couple was told ``their children must `transfer to Westside' because they are white.'' They were told they needed more white students at Westside.
Since early this year, we have tried unsuccessfully to get our grandson transferred to Westside, or any city school that offers the extended day-care program. Both his parents work and pay city taxes. It's essential their son be enrolled in a day-care program. He was assigned to Hurt Park school, which doesn't offer the program. Apparently, they needed him there to try to achieve racial balance.
It's a shame the city school administration doesn't care about one of its residents, but can make room for pupils outside the city. It has a vacancy now in Hurt Park school because we're paying tuition for our grandson to attend a school outside the city.
KENNETH S. HAMBLIN
ROANOKE
Doing what government wants
THERE appears to be a double standard regarding opinions about government directives when it comes to war and the right to bear arms. On the one hand, World War II veterans say that they were proud to serve in that war, and it was their patriotic duty to serve the country since their government had called on them to fight. Some of these veterans and certain conservative-minded individuals say that anyone who didn't fight in the Vietnam War was either a coward or not a true patriot since government was again calling on them to serve.
On the other hand, these same conservative-minded individuals and National Rifle Association members say that government shouldn't be able to take their guns away, because the right to bear arms is written in the Constitution. Whether this right is referring to the militia or to the individual isn't entirely clear. But my question is: Do people just go along with what government suggests when they happen to feel like it or when it is for a popular cause?
MARGARET JORDAN
ROANOKE
Police need public support
HOW MANY more letters to the editor from Douglas Chandler Graham of Salem must we endure?
I refer to June 7 (``America already has too many police'') and Sept. 2 (``More police more threats to freedom''). In both letters, he suggests that we have too many policemen. This at a time when crime, particularly violent crime, is increasing at a record pace, as evidenced in this newspaper's series ``Facing the fear.''
Graham and others like him are obviously very ``anti-police,'' which is fine. They're entitled to their opinion. But I believe they should make the trip to Washington, D.C., to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. It's inscribed with thousands of officers' names killed in the line of duty. Every year, approximately 157 names will be added. That's one officer killed every 56 hours in this country. These brave people died in service to the public, which includes Graham.
Police are human, and prone to occasional mistakes like the rest of society. But they're overworked, understaffed and underpaid, doing a job most wouldn't do at three times the pay. They deserve a little support. People like Graham should remember: A society that makes war against its police had better learn to make friends with its criminals.
MIKE GREEN
SALEM
by CNB