Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, December 7, 1994 TAG: 9412070097
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Many Roanoke residents were upset and very critical of the current downtown Christmas decorations simply because they appear ``dirty.'' The decorations, which are only 7 years old, had cost $100,000. This figure divides into $14,000 per year for the two months they're used. Now they supposedly may need to be replaced for the sum of $300,000, not because they're damaged in any way, but because they're ``slightly dingy.''
Excuse me, but have any of you glanced outside from your warm and comfortable offices? If so, you would have noticed that there are hundreds of homeless men, women and children whose winter clothes appear much more soiled and dingy.
Keep in consideration these tattered clothes are their only protection from the chilling weather they'll face this winter. We can only imagine; this is the reality of a homeless person.
I hope everyone will enjoy the new $300,000 decorations next year. After all, great Christmas decorations are what this holiday is all about, right?
MELISSA MOORE
CHRISTIANSBURG
Humorless attacks
GARRY Trudeau's ``Doonesbury'' attacks on Newt Gingrich's character contain not the hint of humor nor a trace of political idea. This is a purely wicked and humorless attack.
You're the same newspaper that canceled Berkeley Breathed's ``Outland'' because it made fun of feminism. Shame on you and your staff.
JAMES M. BESTLER
MARTINSVILLE
Ready to defend states' rights
YOUR Nov. 23 editorial, ``The new federalism,'' struck a nerve. Your Lincolnian view of federalism and fear of ``states' rights'' as a re-emerging issue in politics are certainly no surprise to anyone who is a regular reader of your specious opinions.
Like Lincoln, you can only see a nation held together by force and coercion. Like Lincoln, you would justify any government action against citizens of any state who sought their own freedom and independence.
You claim that ``the governors' push for a new state-federal relationship is reasonable, but it must be achieved without dismantling the Constitution'' (read, federally controlled union). Good grief, what do you think gun control does to the Second Amendment in our Bill of Rights?
Besides, this ``new'' push for more state powers is the direct result of the progressive dismantling of the Constitution by the federal government. Thomas Jefferson declared that people have the right to alter or abolish their government, whenever they feel it is in their best interests to do so. Do you have the arrogance to deny this right?
I think you misjudge the loyalty Americans feel for their states. We're all proud to be called Americans, but I believe we may be even more proud to be called Virginians, Tennesseans and Georgians. I know I am.
If our states ever ask us to rally to their standards in defense of our heritage, our freedoms, or our sense of right, we'll be there to reclaim our children's inheritance, this newspaper notwithstanding.
WAYNE DAVID CARLSON
DUBLIN
Better to run than to sit
ONE REASON given for Norfolk Southern's decision to no longer run the steam excursions is that it's too costly for them. I understand they want to make money, but please explain how they'll save money. The excursions were the best advertisements that company could ever ask for.
Thank you, Norfolk Southern, for giving us the extra few years with her, but I don't want to see our baby condemned to sit. For you see, the 611 is alive, and I hope NS will save her again for all.
Just a few trips a year is a lot better than coming to the museum to sit and never breathe again. It's a rolling piece of history every child should see, hear and maybe ride some day.
What better lesson for a sixth-grade student, when learning about the invention of the steam engine, than a field trip to see the 611 in action? Yes, students will miss their trips in the spring, just as parents and grandparents will.
I know how much NS has done for our city, and I appreciate it. But I hope they'll rethink their decision about the 611. We all really need it.
EDITH A. CRAIG
ROANOKE
Fat isn't just in the genes
IT WOULD be most unfortunate if your report on the genetic predisposition to obesity weakened your readers' resolve to follow a prudent diet (Dec. 1 news story, ``Obesity gene spotted'' from Cox News Service). According to the report, Rockefeller University researchers found that obesity is frequently associated with the malfunction of a gene that signals when the body has enough fat.
Obesity is a life-threatening condition that's become prevalent in our country. Some 30 percent of Americans exceed their ideal body weight by more than 20 percent, according to one estimate. Obesity elevates substantially the risk of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and cancer of the breast, uterus and kidneys. It promotes arthritis, interferes with immune response, and discourages an active lifestyle.
Genetic predisposition notwithstanding, obesity and other life-threatening conditions are still inexorably tied to the excessive caloric content of our diets. We can reduce our caloric intake by following recommendations of the U.S. surgeon general and other health authorities to replace fat-laden meat, poultry and dairy products in our diet with grains, vegetables and fruits. This plant-based diet contains abundant protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and fiber.
We have the knowledge to compensate for the occasional failures of our genetic makeup. All we need is the will!
TOM OLIVER
ROANOKE
The Pentagon still overspends
PRESIDENT Clinton wants to add billions to the military. I say no way. He needs to cut their stupid overspending, like on hammers, toilet seats and ashtrays. And fire the top brass who OK these dumb purchases.
DON WOLFE
ROANOKE
Gingrich needs to find the middle
KUDOS to this newspaper's editorial staff for the Dec. 1 editorial (``The good thing about Gingrich''), which gave some historical context where it's so often lacking in today's media.
Former House Speaker Joe Cannon lost his power - the ability of person A to persuade person B to do something - because he persisted in trying to be an autocrat in the face of division among his Republican supporters. What lesson should Newt Gingrich learn? He clearly wants to be a strong leader, but will be trampled if he doesn't pay attention to opinions of the rank and file.
I believe the ``Contract With America'' is deeply flawed. I hope American voters will recognize this platform is filled with empty promises and holes large enough for an elephant to drop through. But until Judgment Day 1996, I'm giving Gingrich some free advice. If he wants to remain leader of his party, he'll need to align himself with the party median. If he wants to carry the day in Congress, he'll have to align himself with the House median, which won't be at the same place on each issue. He needs to trade in his bullying tactics and learn the meaning of moderation to get his boat to float.
And maybe it isn't too optimistic to hope that the new speaker will have some latitude to strike deals with Democrats. No one could ever accuse him of being a closet liberal. Add that to the (short) list of ``Good things about Gingrich.''
CHRISTIE L. MEREDITH
ROANOKE
by CNB