Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 18, 1994 TAG: 9411180062
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-22 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
At this point, the public certainly doesn't need another sermon on the blessings that can flow from free trade; that isn't an issue now. No one who I know is opposed to the idea of free trade. The problem is how to obtain an agreement that will accomplish genuinely free trade while ensuring fair treatment for American businesses, workers, consumers, taxpayers and the global environment.
My reservation about GATT is that the public knows virtually nothing of what's included in the treaty. Few persons in this country, other than the negotiators and hired guns along K Street in Washington, D.C., have read more than a handful of the thousands of pages that make up the agreement and its implementing legislation.
You're urging your readers to support a treaty they know nothing about, and apparently neither do your editorial writers. You provided a 30-second sound bite in a short editorial just two weeks prior to the scheduled congressional action.
The proper role of a responsible press is to inform and educate the public on important issues, not serve as a cheerleader to whip up enthusiasm for some political agenda.
CHARLES F. ROBERTS
BLACKSBURG
Sen. Robb's new best friend
THE REVOLUTION that has swept the nation in the elections for the House of Representatives and the Senate has ominously passed over the commonwealth. Virginia has opted for business-as-usual politics, thanks to Sen. Charles Robb's new best friend and fellow ``Democrat,'' John Warner!
JOSEPH A. SCHUPP
GOODVIEW
Think of millions who die nameless
THE NATION has been riveted by the tragedy concerning Susan Smith and the killing of her two boys. As a mother of three boys, I asked myself how and why this happened. As have others, I've thought of punishments that would be fitting for such a horrible crime.
However, there are other points I've come to see. Smith chose to kill her two boys, just as our laws say that women have the right to do to their unborn babies by means of legal abortion. The only difference in what she did and what 4 million mothers do each year is that she gave her sons more time to live, they were loved, and she named them. But the outcome of her choice was the same - death! It's time to acknowledge abortion as murder, nothing less.
The 4 million babies aborted each year would have loved to live, to be loved, and to have a name just as Michael and Alex did. But government has made laws denying them this right.
Smith chose to deny her boys the right to live. It's not right what she did, and neither is it right to have murder clinics on America's street corners. Murder has never been and never will be right.
For those who chose to kill, our God will forgive you. He's a loving God and wants to help mend your life. Smith and other mothers who made the same choices will always have memories. God gives us life; he's the only one who has the choice.
MICHELLE R. BUSH
WARM SPRINGS
An unnecessarily long traffic jam
REGARDING the Nov. 9 picture in your newspaper entitled ``Highway horror'' of the truck wreck that happened on the Roy L. Webber Expressway on Nov. 8:
Why was traffic not stopped from entering the road at U.S. 419 and Franklin Road, instead of letting traffic back up all the way and then letting motorists get off at the Towers off-ramp?
Looks like poor coordination for three hours of confusion.
RANDY PRILLAMAN
ROANOKE
North showed no manners in defeat
IT WAS reasonable to expect Oliver North to have been a good sport, a gentleman, and congratulate Sen. Charles Robb on his senatorial race victory. It was disappointing to see North fill his acknowledgement of defeat with excuses and finger pointing.
During any competition, regardless of where it's conducted, it's a tradition for the loser to express warm wishes to the victor. This takes place in the courtroom, on athletic fields and after elections.
North didn't engage in this courtesy because he's indeed not a gentleman or a good sport. I hope no one will ever nominate him for another public office.
GILLIAM M. LEWIS z ROANOKE
No appreciation for country
REGARDING the Oct. 29 review on the Sawyer Brown concert (``Sawyer Brown: No phoniness, but too little country''):
The review was completely negative as they always are when it comes to country-music performers.
First, your reviewer said that no hats on Sawyer Brown's band was refreshing. Then it was stated that the lack of hats symbolizes a certain lack of country soul. Please make up your mind.
Next, David Ball is very original! He's written most of his songs, and has gone back to the roots of country.
I'm concerned about all the negative comments made whenever your reviewer writes about a country-music concert. If the reviewer can't have more of an open mind, please give those assignments to someone who can.
RHONDA WRIGHT
SALEM
Tech needs lesson in flag etiquette
YOUR STAFF writer in the Nov. 12 news article (``War hero Murphy is remembered'') reports: ``The color guard of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets dipped the American flag and other flags halfway to the ground ... ''
Someone must inform the responsible supervisor of the Corps of Cadets that the national ensign is never dipped in salute to anyone, under any circumstances, as I learned when I once did that as bearer of the Stars and Stripes in a color guard while a U.S. Marine. My lesson in flag etiquette was conveyed in forceful and very colorful terms, and in a way I shall not ever forget.
FRANKLIN P. WASHBUSH
BLUE RIDGE
GOP needs return to the center
IT'S VERY interesting that the far-right wing of the Republican Party of Virginia jammed down the throats of their fellow Republicans a notorious senatorial candidate who spent in excess of $15 million on his campaign and, at the time of a nationwide switch to Republicans, still lost to a very tarnished Democrat who could have been defeated easily by an acceptable candidate.
It appears the far right needs to re-open the Grand Old Party to the moderates in the center whence it came. Or perhaps Virginia needs a third party for moderates of both parties.
WILLIAM J. THORNTON
ROANOKE
Sore losers aren't in state's tradition
THE TERM ``gracious in defeat'' certainly doesn't describe congressional candidate Steve Fast. A native of Ohio who only recently moved to Southwest Virginia, he refused to congratulate his opponent on election night after results showed Congressman Boucher easily carrying the 9th District. Fast wouldn't call his opponent because, he said, ``The battle is not over.'' He went on to attack Boucher again, as if still campaigning.
After an election, it's customary that the losing candidate congratulate his or her opponent and offer to work together toward a better Virginia. Fast's refusal to follow this long-standing tradition smacks of sour grapes. Maybe if he had grown up in the state he sought to represent, he would have learned what most Virginians already know: One should always be gracious in defeat.
MARK R. GRAHAM
ABINGDON
An eyesore that stands tall
I SUGGEST you leave the American Chemical Co. alone (Oct. 26 Extra section article, ``Time for a paint job''). It's a raving beauty compared with the First Union Bank Tower. That's the real eyesore in the Roanoke skyline.
MARTHA HULL
ROANOKE
by CNB