Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, December 6, 1994 TAG: 9412060047
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
While describing the ``inclusion'' phenomenon and some local statistics about it, the story failed to raise a number of related matters of considerable importance, such as:
Teachers often instructing handicapped and disabled children without adequate training, materials or equipment.
The possible use of ``inclusion'' to save money in the long run at our children's expense by reducing or limiting the number of highly trained special-education personnel.
The possibly negative impact on the instruction of so-called ``normal'' children when regular classroom teachers are spending inordinate amounts of time with the handicapped and disabled.
These issues are of great moment for parents, children and educators, and must not be glossed over or ignored. Your staff writer should turn to parents and educators when writing about educational practices of significance to them and our children.
DORIS BOITNOTT
GARY WALDO
UniServ Directors,
Virginia Education Association
Districts 4 and 5
ROANOKE
Spending this nation into oblivion
I TOTALLY agree with Richard K. Culbertson's Nov. 29 letter to the editor (``Throw out the new bums, too''), especially about having another revolution or ``tea party.'' Talk about taxation with representation! Give government back to the people, and take it away from rich politicians.
Jefferson and his cronies did a good job writing the laws for a new government more than 200 years ago, but things have changed. Let's revise the Constitution to reflect today's society and its problems.
We're headed toward the 21st century. Let's act our age and have a government dedicated to preserving our great nation and not spending it into oblivion.
KATHLEEN BOGUNIECKI
ROANOKE
Memorial reminds all to be thankful
DURING WORLD War II, I had three brothers in service - two in the Army and one in the Seabees. Two brothers returned at the war's end. One brother, who was in the 29th Division, 116th Infantry, was killed while still in the landing craft. His body was returned home to Bedford later.
My brother served his country well, as did his friends. He'd like to be here in person to see any memorial to his friends who were killed on D-Day.
These young men left Bedford together, which is the way they preferred it. That's why we lost so many from here on D-Day.
The memorial that's to be erected in Bedford is for all D-Day veterans, not just those from here. I'm proud of all veterans who defended our freedom. Just be thankful you have such freedom, and quit complaining about our D-Day Memorial. Be thankful you made it home!
VERONA LIPFORD
BEDFORD
Celtics' big season was overdue
I'D LIKE to take this opportunity to congratulate the Roanoke Catholic Celtics on their perfect football season that resulted in a VIC state championship.
Many of the Celtics' past football seasons have been, let's say, anticlimactic. If memory serves, for example, the year I played, the closest we came to a win was a much-celebrated tie.
This year, however, the coaches, players and the Roanoke Catholic community showed me something different. I saw the ability, leadership and sportsmanship that took us farther than any other team in our district, even our arch rival North Cross.
So here's to the Celtics - a blind squirrel who not only got a nut, but got the whole tree!
DAVE LeGAULT
ROANOKE
An economy built on sand
REGARDING the Nov. 23 story, ``Americans not thrilled with the U.S.'' from the Associated Press:
How can we be? Government's logic is lost on me. We no longer have a major steel industry, or a machine-tool and machinery industry. We no longer have a major cotton, wool and clothing industry, or a shoe industry.
Our economy is built on sand. When the next world depression occurs, our eulogized ``service economy'' is going to disappear with the snail darter. How can an unfavorable balance of trade ever be overcome when we buy everything we need from outside the country?
I'm sure McDonald's will never be able to absorb all the unemployed at minimum wages. I wonder why Labor Secretary and former Harvard instructor Robert Reich can't figure that out.
A friend of mine who went to MIT was fond of saying, ``You can always tell a Harvard man - but not much.''
WILLIAM A. JUDGE
BEDFORD
by CNB