Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, December 16, 1994 TAG: 9501200021
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-22 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
However, at this particular time of the year - a time we call Advent - maybe we should re-evaluate our thinking.
We aren't religious fanatics, nor are we totally out of touch with moral values. At Christmas some 1,900 years ago, we were given a gift - a gift of hope to all people, the poor, homeless, afflicted, or anyone in need. Regardless of the reason, no exceptions.
What would he think if he knew we were planning to do nothing for the poor, that we didn't want to care for the sick or elderly, that we will take away the babies of poor mothers?
In the name of progress and profit, we're well on our way to destroying our land, water and air. Now we want to destroy or belittle all who are less fortunate than the elite.
Is this something to be proud of, and can we justify this action to our Creator?
Whatever holy book we read, maybe we should recheck the tenets of our faith.
PATRICIA and FRANK DAVIS
FLOYD
Animal protection on a roll
THE CIVILIZATION of a society may properly be judged not only by how people react to each other but also how it treats its animals. There's cause for hope when we're given frequent examples of humaneness toward that enormous part of our population lacking suffrage.
Much neglect and abuse suffered by animals are the consequence of ignorance. It's a mystery how anyone can expect an animal to survive that's been maintained one minute in the bosom of the household and the next thrust out into the elements to care for itself.
Fortunately, efforts of the Roanoke Valley Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the League for Animal Protection, and other such bodies to educate those who have a will to learn - and, failing that, to offset the results of those who won't learn - are, I believe, having an impact. The excellent and positive coverage in the media goes a long way, too, in making known matters involving humans and animals.
Since the nadir of the SPCA in 1989, its facilities in a deporable state, its resources plundered and its chief functionary apparently a suicide, much has been accomplished to make it a respectable, efficient, valued humane agency.
Progress has occasionally been thwarted by generally picayune personality conflicts. But never again were there such disruptions as those that nearly drove the agency out of existence. Nor are such likely to occur with such people involved as the new president, Frank Van Balen. The cooperation of the SPCA and the League for Animal Protection provides further assurance.
ROBERT A. WEBB
Former president,
Roanoke Valley SPCA
ROANOKE
Don't rain on Salem's parade
IN RESPONSE to Jerry Seidman's Dec. 10 letter to the editor, ``Salem parade not in the spirit'':
I wonder if he saw the same parade that thousands of people lining the streets on Dec. 2 saw? The parade featured seven spirited marching bands playing Christmas music, 11 decorated religious theme floats, and 20 decorated old-timey Christmas theme floats. Besides floats, there were marching units of community children representing their organizations, fire trucks, cars, etc., that seemd to delight not only the young, but also the young at heart.
The Salem Christmas Parade is for the community, with the help of many volunteers. A parade just doesn't happen over night. The first parade-committee meeting takes place in September, and by the second week of November, it's nonstop parade work. The Salem/Roanoke County Chamber volunteers its staff, along with Salem Kiwanis, Salem Police, Salem Fire Department, and sheriff's officers to make this parade the best and safest in the valley.
I invite Seidman to be one of hundreds of volunteers who work countless hours on floats and decorations for this parade. To these people we say ''thank you,'' Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year.
JUDY GRIESENBROCK
Executive Vice President
Salem/Roanoke County
Chamber of Commerce
SALEM
by CNB