Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, October 11, 1994 TAG: 9410120029
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
I recommend that the $163 million approved by the government of Virginia for that project be used instead to upgrade our real historic sites all over Virginia. That money can still be used to create jobs and infrastructure that will benefit all Virginians.
MEREDITH McGRATH
FLOYD
Emotional barriers in Clinton's way
THERE ARE two tremendous and unnecessary emotional problems eroding the Clinton presidency.
First, a continuation of the War Between the States. The Northeastern mentality, from which we get the Puritan work ethic, doesn't handle Southern presidents well. Historically, the Southerner is supposed to be lazy, good-for-nothing, sitting in the sun, eating hoecakes and swatting flies. The energetic Clinton presidency doesn't fit this picture, so squash it!
The second is even more emotional and unreasonable, but very real. There are able women in the Clinton organization. This threatens the masculine peace of mind. Barefoot and pregnant women are still more acceptable.
Recently, I had the excitement of actually hearing a grown-up and successful man say, ``Men have got a lot to learn, and they aren't learning it fast enough.''
Governing would improve and go forward if we could somehow exorcise these two emotional problems.
KATHARINE FONTAINE HEATH
RINER
Judgment is not cartoonist's to give
REGARDING the Oliphant cartoon published on the Sept. 22 Opinion page showing a caricature of Richard Nixon in hell with Satan:
Has the cartoonist no respect for a family which, only months ago, buried a father and grandfather? I suppose great leaders set themselves up for such abuse when they dare to serve their country by holding public office.
The horror of hell is not a joking matter, and we're commanded by Jesus Christ to leave the judgment of other people's sins in the hands of God, whose holiness gives him the prerogative.
Oliphant implies that some members of the Republican Party are ``stupid.'' I submit the word ``forgiving'' as a better description.
CATHY HUTTON
GLADE SPRING
Why is it evil to be liberal?
I'VE SEEN ``liberal'' and ``Marxist'' a few times recently in referring to the Democratic Party and President Clinton. Now I want to ask hard questions to this Christian nation of Americans.
Jesus Christ was an extreme liberal. Yes, there's no doubt of this fact. Liberalism is bad? And as for Marxist - would Christ be considered one?
I gain nothing by wanting the needy to be helped. The poor and the working lower-middle-class need programs from local, state and federal governments in order to have a chance for security and a measure of success for themselves and their children. This is evil?
MARIONETTE WIGGINS
MARTINSVILLE
Parkway is unfair to hunters
REGARDING the $15 "hunters access program" on the Blue Ridge Parkway:
The fee is for hunting, parking and crossing for access to the National Forest Game Land. What this amounts to, in my opinion, is having to pay $15 to park and walk through the national forest.
During the summer on any given day, you see cars parked at overlooks or on the grass with tourists taking walks or hikers walking the trails. Do they have to pay $15 to park on the parkway? Why should hunters have to pay to use the parkway to park during hunting season, when tourists don't pay to park during the tourists season?
LYNN D. ALLEN
FAIRFIELD
Play on slogan is gesture of contempt
IN YOUR Sept. 29 news article (``Robb, North battle'') concerning Republican challenger Oliver North and Democratic U.S. Sen. Charles Robb, your staff writer erred in stating that ``Semper Fi'' is the Marine Corps' motto. ``Semper Fidelis'' is the motto, and there's no abbreviation or contraction.
My first experience with the term ``Semper Fi'' occurred at Parris Island in '51. Its history of usage in the Marine Corps probably goes back much further than that, and I'm sure it extends beyond my retirement in '75. I can state unequivocally that it was in use during my last tour in Vietnam in '72-'73. In the vernacular of the corps, ``Semper Fi'' is the antithesis of ``Semper Fidelis.'' And in its least offensive translation it means: I'm aboard, pull up the ladder. At its most emphatic, it's the verbalization of a historic physical gesture of contempt.
Sloppy research by your staff writer rates a published apology to the Marine Corps, and to those who serve or have had the privilege of serving therein. I also think one of the candidates in the election this fall owes an apology to those who have been recipients of his letters that have closed ``Semper Fi.''
RODNEY O. LAWRENCE
Lt. Col., USMC (Ret.)
PEARISBURG
Christian artist's concert was ignored
MY CHILDREN attended the concert by Carman, a contemporary Christian artist, at the Roanoke Civic Center on Sept. 24. The civic center was full to capacity (many were turned away). It seemed odd, but not surprising, that your newspaper didn't have an article on Carman, prior to the concert or after.
It seems to never fail that when a secular artist (rock or country) comes to town, you seem to cover the concert quite well, many times having a full-page article.
Whether it's Christian artists, Christian politicians or others who speak of morals and lift up the name of Jesus, they're either left out of this newspaper or made fun of as uneducated or as religious fanatics. Have the media completely lost their sense of values or is it just this newspaper?
WAYNE LINKOUS
CHRISTIANSBURG
The best kind of term limits
THIS YEAR in the Virginia Senate race, we have a choice between three candidates. Many Virginians will vote against one of them, instead of voting for the one they feel is most qualified. The majority of people in this country no longer trust their congressmen and congresswomen. People can be heard screaming for term limits to ensure against corruption and life-long service. Why?
As I understand the situation, already in place is such a measure that acts as a term limit. It's called an election. I'll admit, though, that if we enact legislation mandating term limits, not only would we place yet another restriction upon ourselves, but we could also reduce the responsibility of each American to remain an active participant in our government. Then we wouldn't have to blame ourselves for making a mistake.
BRIAN JAMES PHILLIPS
ROANOKE
Is movie reviewer the wizard of odd?
YOUR newspaper's newest movie reviewer praises transvestites in ``Priscilla, Queen of the Desert'' (Sept. 24, ```Priscilla' is a magical trip'') and lesbians in ``Go Fish'' (Oct. 1, ```Go Fish' rises above its problems''), but condemns ``The Lion King'' (July 4, ``Even a 5-year-old can detect lack of heart in `Lion King''') as morally objectionable. My, Toto, it appears we're not in Kansas anymore.
JIM WILKERSON
ROANOKE
by CNB