Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, December 24, 1994 TAG: 9412270046
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
In two paragraphs, she displays unparalleled narrow-mindedness and bigotry, calling the Dec. 4 picture of an African-American Santa Claus in this newspaper ``ridiculous'' and inappropriate. And this just four days before Christmas. I challenge her to defend her suggestion that only her version of Santa is the correct one. I challenge her to defend her implication that a newspaper should only serve the ``general, literate (mostly white) public.'' I also challenge readers to join me in denouncing this reader's small-minded take on Santa. I think it's disgusting.
Sanders goes on to suggest that such depictions of Santa be kept ``underground and out of mainstream society,'' to protect our children from confusion. Excuse me, but I don't think it's the children who are confused in this case. And if that's mainstream society, let me out.
No one appointed her National Christmas Dictator and Seer of All that is Right and Proper. In a world of many beliefs and races, we should be thankful that our children can open a newspaper and see diversity in action, especially when there appears to be a sad lack of tolerance and understanding at home.
PAGE CHICHESTER
ROANOKE
Clinton can't erase the war crimes
THE SHAMEFUL decision to substitute President Truman for the mushroom cloud on a new U.S. postage stamp is a new low for the Clinton administration.
Other photos would have been more acceptable, such as the famous picture of a Japanese officer beheading a captured American aviator on Guam, or a picture of Japanese cooking and eating the flesh of captured pilots.
In case anyone refuses to believe this accusation, I suggest they obtain copies of the Guam and Tokyo War Crimes Trials, available at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. They make very difficult reading.
BUD FEUER
ROANOKE
Area takes bow for the Stagg Bowl
A HEARTY round of applause is due the Roanoke Valley Sports Club, the Salem Civic Center staff and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference for another excellent job with the Stagg Bowl.
Your entire area can be proud of the work done to make the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III football championship week a big success. Obviously, by extending the contract with Salem through 1997, the NCAA is also very pleased with your entire operation. Congratulations!
THOM W. WOODWARD
Saint John's University
Director of Alumni Relations
Secretary of the J-Club
COLLEGEVILLE, MINN.
Give locomotive a proper resting place
ON DEC. 15, I watched our beautiful burgundy-and-black Class J No. 611 as it rolled out of sight. It was being towed by a small yard engine into temporary storage until its final resting place is prepared. The giant boiler cold, no steam for the mighty whistle to moan, it was and still is an awesome and majestic locomotive. Our modern, computer-controlled, diesel-electric locomotives have not yet developed the power of this machine built almost four decades ago.
I was an accounting clerk for Norfolk Southern in 1985 when I first rode behind the 611. When I climbed into the engineer's seat to get my picture taken, it felt as if I was on a living, breathing thing. This mighty locomotive is part of our heritage and our working soul. I felt it that day in 1985, and again when I saw it roll away on Dec. 15.
Steam is a part of us. We should have kept it, no matter what the cost. We do a very good job for our customers today because of what we were. We were a great steam railroad (some say the best). Now, we'll still have our history, but the displays will be static. No more living history. I hope that when the final home for our locomotive is finished, it will be one fitting the treasure that will rest inside.
ARCHER LIVENGOOD
Locomotive Engineer
Norfolk Southern
ROANOKE
Recipient does not set good example
THE FRONT-PAGE news story (Dec. 17, ``Hardly a welfare queen'') on Paula Kirtley only reinforces the responsible citizen's frustration and anger at supporting people who continually live a life of irresponsibility, and expect the rest of us to patch up their messes and help pay their bills.
I cringe at the idea that a woman, whose judgment picked boyfriends who sired her two children but won't support them, might be working for the public welfare department, advising other recipients and handing out the dole.
DON L. GARDNER
HUDDLESTON
by CNB