Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, October 9, 1994 TAG: 9410140006
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
All of the above are merely cheerleaders for the wrong side. Where is sympathy for those who have been terrorized and brutalized?
Criminals are truly equal-opportunity people. They bring misery and sorrow to everyone. Imagine the bitterness that's felt when a precious family member is harmed.
Nothing is perfect, but it's hard to find fault with the national crime bill or Gov. Allen's plan. One main argument centers on money. Does the expense of either bill matter when one's life is on the line? My life is certainly worth $850 million or so. How about yours?
ROBERT L. HOLMES BEDFORD
The enemies of animal research
HOW COULD you, in clear conscience, allow such dribble as ``Radical of note'' (Sept. 14 Extra section article) be printed in your newspaper? If you knew the truth about People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, you'd probably feel differently about the person glorified in that article.
The PETA organization's real agenda includes the abolition of all animal use. This includes pets and seeing-eye dogs for the blind. They consider all animal use to be the same as slavery. It seems ironic that approximately 85 percent of donations solicited to operate this organization comes from pet owners.
PETA wants to save all animals from the research environment. Reality is that without research on animals, the world would be a very dismal place for humans. I work with animals because I love them. Neither I, nor any of my colleagues, abuse animals. If we did, our research would be absolutely useless.
I abhor animal abuse. But animal-rights organizations have cost the medical community dearly. Animal-rights' activities cost America's medical schools in excess of $15 million annually. This money could be going into cancer, AIDS or heart-disease research, and educating tomorrow's doctors. Instead, the cost of good research has increased.
If you truly support individuals and organizations such as these, ask yourself: Would you want your children to grow up in a world without vaccines? Imagine not having the truly bountiful food supply that's so readily available in America. (If not for animal products in our diets, we'd all suffer from vitamin B12 deficiencies.) Imagine not having medications that most of us need to live more healthy lives. All these things we take for granted come from scientific animal research.
JULIAN D. BRAKE BLACKSBURG
Ultimate hypocrisy demonstrated
CLINTON recently demonstrated the ultimate hypocrisy in his efforts regarding Haiti. He was a draft-dodger during the Vietnam War, yet had the audacity to prepare to send thousands of Americans in harm's way in Haiti. He didn't have the intestinal fortitude to serve himself when his time came but, because he might lose face (as if there was much left to lose), was ready to send others to do what he wouldn't do himself.
The two most important principles of leadership are: setting the right example (not "don't do as I do, do as I say''), and accepting responsibility for your own actions (not blaming others for your own inadequacies). Unless he learns and practices those principles, his waning popularity will deservedly vanish completely.
DENVER T. DALE III HOLLINS
He got the bus to run later
IN A DAY and age when criticizing our elected officials is in style, it does my heart good to report on one official who actually listened and acted on behalf of a citizen.
I don't drive an automobile and have always ridden the bus. Working downtown for more than 40 years, I found the bus is an efficient and economical way to travel. Often, I prefer to remain downtown and eat before returning home in the evening. Until recently, however, I wasn't able to do that because the last bus ran at 6:15 p.m., which didn't allow me enough time to eat and get home. That was until I contacted Mayor David Bowers about the problem.
Bowers went out of his way to work with Valley Metro to see if it would be possible for buses to run later so folks like me could stay and enjoy downtown a little longer. Not long after I talked to him, bus schedules changed and now the last bus runs at 8:15 p.m., giving me plenty of time downtown before returning home.
I'd like to thank Mayor Bowers for listening, following up, and acting on my request. While his help may not mean much to many, it meant a lot to me.
JIMMY FOX ROANOKE
Where were Clinton and Robb?
YOUR newspaper is so gung-ho for anyone who is a Democrat. However, I haven't read that your draft-dodging president or your philandering Chuck Robb were leading our troops into the dangerous situation in Haiti. It's fine with them to send husbands and sons of others, but they'll never go.
Of course, Robb is still trying to get his foot out of his mouth after his ignorant statement about widows. Not all of us married into wealth and affluence like he did. Folks in Congress are always yelling for a raise. If he can't live off his big salary and freebies, what does he expect widows to do after he takes the bread from our mouths?
NELLIE M. ATKINS ROANOKE
A forgettable review of Taylor
I'VE been a James Taylor fan since ``Fire and Rain'' first told its story of loss and sorrow so long ago. I've been touched by his music, saddened by his struggles, and honored by his willingness to share his journey. I've seen him twice in concert, and on Sept. 20 at the Roanoke Civic Center, he was at his best.
Taylor seems to be what he is on stage, as he has described himself in interviews - a private person who is also a public person. If his shyness comes across in his concerts, he's only being himself. What's wrong with that if the self is true and human?
I was saddened to read your reviewer's judgmental review (Sept. 21, ``James Taylor not quite perfect but, shucks, good'') as he seemed to dismiss Taylor's personality while nodding to his talents. Is this your reviewer's attempt to be urbane? Is his idea of being a reviewer only one of critic in the worst sense?
I've never enjoyed a concert more nor been filled with such memories in song. I'll sing the music and enjoy the concert in memory for a long time. Others will fill auditoriums and buy Taylor's music. He'll be remembered and celebrated until we perhaps may enjoy him in concert one more time again. The review will be quickly forgotten and may find use to wrap fish.
HENRY D. SCOGGINS ROANOKE
The choice for change
YOUR BIASED coverage of the upcoming senatorial election is very unfair. In such a conservative area as the Roanoke Valley, why are your writers and editorial policy so liberal?
This election is about change. Do voters want business-as-usual politics from Chuck Robb, who salutes Bill Clinton and votes on large tax increases? I believe voters are ready for new faces in the Senate, faces who will represent people, strong leaders who will stand up to the good-ol'-boy network in Congress. Oliver North is clearly the best choice.
What is the easy way to decide whom to vote for? Just watch which candidate this newspaper endorses and vote for the opposite!
MICKEY MIXON ROANOKE
Count on one Democrat for North
AS A VOTER allied with the Democratic Party due to its history of protecting our rights, it's with a heavy heart that I've decided to vote for Oliver North.
Simply put: Chuck Robb voted to take away my gun rights. The least that I can do is to vote to take his job away.
JOHN E. STYLES VINTON
by CNB