Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, January 15, 1995 TAG: 9501270008
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: G2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Unfortunately, the world has abundant problems that no reasonable person can ascribe to rich Americans or transnational corporations. Is the blood shed in Bosnia caused by AT&T? Did the carnage in Rwanda result from some action by IBM? Did Ross Perot trigger the clan fighting in Somalia? Martin will probably say ``yes,'' using the same twisted logic used in his letter.
He asserts that the unemployed black man, the lower-middle-class factory worker, the small dairy farmer and the store clerk have no global interests. On the contrary, all of them depend on this country's stability and prosperity for their livelihood, for the markets they participate in, and for support during hard times. The stability and prosperity of the United States is inextricably tied to the economies and governments of the rest of the globe. Unrest in the Balkans triggered World War I, the militarization of Germany and Japan caused World War II, and the recent drop in the value of the peso has had an impact on other economies in the Western hemisphere. Contrast the situation of the unemployed man, the dairy farmer, and the factory worker of Chechnya or Haiti with his/her counterpart in the United States, and the difference should be obvious, even to Martin.
Who supports the ivory towers whence Martin draws his salary? Does Radford University eschew support from General Electric or the Mellons? Perhaps he should refuse to accept any part of his salary derived from taxes on or contributions from multinational corporations or wealthy individuals.
PAUL G. SHERLAND
BLACKSBURG
Education is taking too many cuts
I CANNOT believe that the governor's budget plans, if allowed to proceed, would be good for Virginia.
State colleges and universities have already taken a number of hits during the four years of recession. I know of some departments at our local universities that have zero funds for the rest of the academic year. The budget slashing proposed for Virginia Tech and Radford University would be devastating. They have already made the cuts and restructuring required by the state. Lack of support now, when the economy is improving, is nothing less than a betrayal.
I also oppose the further attack on education through reduced support for public television and public radio. These programs reach and help educate many people without being influenced by commercialism. Unfortunately, the combined effects of Allen's actions would create a climate hostile to higher education in Virginia.
MILLIE F. GREEN
RADFORD
Name-calling serves to avoid the issue
DEMOCRACY is healthiest when voters and public officials debate issues logically and with civility, assuming that honest people of good will can disagree. Thomas Jefferson had this in mind when he said that error can be tolerated so long as reason is left free to oppose it.
When political discourse drops below logic and civility, democracy is in trouble. The recent response of Gov. Allen's press secretary, Ken Stroupe, to Sen. Hunter Andrews, suggests that under Gov. Allen, democracy in Virginia may be in trouble.
Old-fashioned formal logic long ago identified a series of fallacies, or errors, in logical thinking and gave them Latin names. One of the commonest is the ad hominem fallacy, in which the arguer ignores the issue and attacks his opponent. By calling his opponent names, or questioning his motives, the attacker avoids the actual issue. It's a way of changing the subject and putting one's opponent on the defensive, while avoiding the question.
The fallacy here is obvious. The opponent's motives are beside the point. Whether the opponent opposes a measure for personal reasons or from concern for the public good isn't the question. The question is whether the measure is good for the commonwealth. Calling names and questioning motives isn't honest debate.
When Andrews and other legislative leaders asked Allen how he would pay for a $2 billion tax cut, a response calling these leaders ``tax-raising, fat-cat career politicians'' trying to protect pet projects doesn't answer the question. It commits the ad hominem fallacy. A proper response would be either to answer the question, or give logical reasons why it cannot be answered at this time.
PAUL T. BRYANT
RADFORD
Tax and spend in Roanoke County
THE ROANOKE County vultures have struck again. Real-estate assessment changes are in our hands, advising of another healthy increase.
We get a small increase in our pensions and before we get a nickel of it, we find a graduate of the Jesse James School of Assessors out in the street, pencil in hand, taking it away.
I've protested several times, to no avail. I asked the county assessor how he expected us to survive, and he as much as told me he didn't give a whit about the people, that his job was to raise our assessments.
Members of the Board of Supervisors brag about not raising real-estate taxes. They just keep raising our assessments, and we pay more taxes. They must think taxpayers are stupid.
We requested that our street have a light and fire hydrants like other subdivisions, and we were told we didn't qualify. All we qualify for is to pay taxes on property, cars, food, medicine, income, gas, electricity, water, gasoline and everything we come in contact with. We'd have to pay for the air we breathe if they could measure it.
We need to get rid of politicians who can't remember their campaign promises past Election Day, and put people in there who can do something besides spend large sums of money on useless projects. We need people interested in something besides screwing taxpayers at every turn.
W. HAROLD GREGORY
ROANOKE
Find America's underlying malady
THERE ARE so many issues that have been raised in this country - alcoholism, teen pregnancy, welfare, crime, abortion. The list seems endless. Various political groups have different answers to the problems: jail, execution, coddling, abstinence, a ``war'' on drugs. It's obvious these approaches aren't working, and I'm afraid this pattern will continue as long as we address the problems as we do today.
Before going on a witch hunt, attacking others and the various social issues of this country, I suggest we step back a moment and reflect. Why is the United States plagued with so many severe social issues as compared to other industrialized nations? Why do we have so many involved in substance abuse, committing crimes and suicide, on welfare ... everything? We must ask ourselves why.
Instead of attacking a symptom (which will invariably come out in some other undesirable form), why don't we search for the malady of it all? Let's talk to people, not persecute them or clone them to our liking, and find the common strand leading them to the present.
This will undoubtedly be more difficult. It's much easier to judge others than ourselves. However, most doctors will tell you that they search for the underlying disease, treating symptoms only if necessary. Something greater than abortion, drugs and crime is hurting our society. Not until the true ailment is identified and dealt with effectively will our efforts to reform this nation be fruitful.
DANA J. PARK
RADFORD
First Elvis - now Marilyn?
SO THE village idiot finally gained employment! He must have, because only someone of such mental caliber would have selected the likes of Marilyn Monroe to be nationally honored on a postage stamp.
I join the ranks of those who weep for the deplorable trend on which this great country of ours is bent. Let us start a turnaround by ousting Postmaster General Marvin Runyon.
JOAN S. HOWE
UNION HALL
by CNB