Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, November 5, 1994 TAG: 9411080003
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
An important concern is the impact of the proposed regulations on emotionally neglected children.
Many children with special needs are identified by the school system. Their parents sign written forms allowing certain services. What about emotionally neglected children or those abused by their parents who aren't formally identified as needing special services? Because their parents don't often respond to teachers' notices regarding school events, ``opt in'' procedures will eliminate these children's access to helpful information. They'll be denied guidance from teachers and counselors who are often their only positive role models.
Restrictive ``opt in'' procedures will ensure that these troubled children become the ones who fill the jails and prisons that Virginia is preparing to build.
KATHLEEN M. WAGER
BLACKSBURG
Kudos for the men, women in blue
LIVING amidst somewhat rowdy mountain people as I do, I've had a chance to observe members of the Roanoke police when I've had to call them to cool such impetuous behavior. I've noticed both men and women police officers appear extremely fit. How they do it from a patrol car is beyond me, but maybe I haven't watched enough television.
Our police seem to have an almost chameleon-like ability to be ``accepted'' in the roughest circles soon after the initial front-door knock. They are intelligent, polite, and there when you need them.
It's obvious our policemen and policewomen are carefully screened. Badges and guns aren't doled out to just anyone. As one officer recently said to me, ``Right on!''
BOB SHIELDS
ROANOKE
Abortion interferes with God's plan
REGARDING Eileen Taylor's Oct. 20 letter to the editor, ``Worry about women who could've died'':
She seems to be confused about the difference between an abortion and a miscarriage. I'd like to try and explain.
God gives life and God takes life. He has that right. If God decides it's time to take a woman's life or the unborn child's life, who are we to stand in his way? When a woman decides to abort her child, she has then interfered with God's plan. She'll have to live with and answer for that decision. If a woman decides to have her child, regardless of what inconvenience it may have on her life, she accepted a blessing that she'll soon be thankful for.
Only a very small percentage of abortions are done for life-threatening reasons. The rest are done for reasons only God and the mother knows. If all of us were planned by our parents, we wouldn't have a problem, but we aren't. Most of us were accidents, and thank God our mothers were unselfish enough to give us the chance to live.
DEMATRESS HITCHCOCK
ROANOKE
Poor marksmanship is the concern
I HAD no objection to the killing of Gary Wayne West by Roanoke City Police on Sept. 18. I believe police demonstrated praiseworthy restraint in their handling of West, and probably gave him one more hour of time than he deserved.
However, I'm concerned regarding the horrendous marksmanship displayed by the police in dispatching West, and the ramifications for public safety. My calculations indicate that nine hits out of 35 shots (excluding the shotgun blast) mean that only 25 percent of the shots fired found the target. The thought of 26 missed shots flying down Williamson Road terrifies me.
Roanoke's citizens were fortunate that West had backed himself up to a cinder-block wall before threatening police. I don't think it's unreasonable for the public to expect better than 25 percent marksmanship out of professionally trained police when they're lawfully employing deadly force.
A 75 percent miss rate would have been an even greater tragedy had an innocent bystander been killed or wounded. The public's safety justifies the additional training or range time it would take to ensure at least a 75 percent hit or higher in broad daylight on an essentially fixed target.
JOHN P. KEMP
ROANOKE
`The Far Side' will be missed
I WAS upset to hear that next year Gary Larson, creator of the syndicated cartoon ``The Far Side,'' plans to retire, therefore not having a comic in the daily newspaper.
Bringing humor to our sometimes dull lives is what he does best. His comics add color to our black-and-white daily routines. His talents are too valuable not to be used, and his humorous ways let us laugh at society and ourselves.
Larson is one of a kind. No replacement can be found. He should continue to entertain us with a reason to laugh and be challenged.
JULIA BRIGHT
ROANOKE
by CNB