Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, January 20, 1995 TAG: 9501200043
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
How can the complete story be told in a series of articles that goes on for nearly 70 columnar inches about the horrible polluting being done by the regulated community? A series that devotes only three paragraphs for a few passing words spoken in defense by a member of that community?
The fact is that, even to the present, Virginia's environmental-permitting process is slow, expensive, cumbersome, restrictive, and is a hindrance to economic development that in no way harms the environment. Positive changes are being made, thanks to the Allen administration. But it's hard for the public to find that out when the majority of newspaper space on the subject is filled with complaints of bureaucrats who don't even have the courage to give their names.
Fair's fair, Roanoke Times & World-News. Write about any topic you wish, but give equal time to all views.
SIDNEY A. CLOWER
General Manager
Public Service Authority
Henry County
MARTINSVILLE
Term limits needed in Roanoke County
THE ROANOKE County Board of Supervisors needs to impose term limits.
Please vote to oust Ed Kohinke, or as we've come to know him, Ed Indeterminate because he continues to vacillate on even the most basic issue - whether to run or not.
Then there's Bob Johnson, the county's answer to congressional Democrats - spend, spend, spend. Aren't funds really limited enough already? Tighten the belt, do with less, vote for government restraint on excessive regulation, justify the need to take property rights by regulation, and pay for the government intrusion in cash.
I read about some county officials' visit to Poland. We have a democracy. Poland's past communist ideas won't work here. They're trying to be democratic; please don't hinder them. Keep county officials away from Poland. The Polish have already suffered enough. Have mercy on them.
JASON SUMNER
SALEM
Better on the radio than in the Senate
I SEE where Oliver North intends to join that estimable group of gentlemen in the radio talk-show business.
This seems like a great idea to me. What better way to keep the gullible stirred up and the sucker money rolling in?
North says he wants to run for something, sometime, somewhere. But a guy who spends $20 million to lose to a weak opponent, in a conservative state, and while Republicans are winning all over the country, may not have great prospects for elective office.
BILL WOODS
BEDFORD
Men's role in the abortion debate
I'M SO tired of people complaining about abortion clinics. I believe in freedom of choice, and that's my business.
What bugs me the most are the comments and actions of men. They believe in murder, but not abortion. If men would keep their lust from overpowering their brains, the word ``abortion'' would be eliminated from all dictionaries.
INA W. DeHART
COLLINSVILLE
Miss Stella needed a good PAC
LAW-ENFORCEMENT authorities recently incarcerated Miss Stella, the palm reader. If the Williamson Road Improvement Association helped behind the scenes to imprison this notorious menace to society, we owe its members recognition, too.
Clearly, however, the campaign to clean up Williamson Road should also investigate a number of other enterprises of questionable social value - pawn shops, check-cashing shops, billiard parlors, gun shops, tobacconists, bars and violent-video rental shops.
Also, there is no evidence whatsoever that the promises of eternal life made from certain pulpits on Williamson Road have any more substance than the promises of palm readers or politicians. In fact, there are so many accepting money under false pretenses these days that the governor's prison-building program cannot get under way a moment too soon if society is to do justice on even a small portion of the Miss Stellas who prey on it.
Oh, well - so what if we have to pay taxes to feed Miss Stella for a couple of years? It's just our money. We're free, aren't we? Not locked up, that is.
One thing is sure. Prosecuting her demonstrates conclusively that just as soon as there are more empty prison cells, law enforcement will fill them with somebody. I'm certain the average citizen feels a lot better knowing government can railroad the hapless Miss Stella into the big house so efficiently for ``structuring,'' whatever that is, while the politically connected savings-and-loan crooks mostly got away scot-free with millions in fraud.
Poor Miss Stella. She just wasn't structuring enough to afford a political-action committee.
JAY RUTLEDGE
ROANOKE
Trumbo's splash and sizzle
REGARDING ``When Trumbo says `less,' he means it'' (the General Assembly Notebook in your Jan. 13 newspaper):
Republican Bo Trumbo's action, causing the Senate to shut down early on opening day, caused quite a splash. It reminds me of a drop of water hitting a hot stove. Lots of pop and noise. Little lasting effect, however.
BOB KIBLER
NEW CASTLE
Sleepless in a consumer society
REGARDING Donna Garrett's Jan. 11 letter to the editor, ``Dogs fare better than children'':
Sometimes, when the parachute of rationale and reason fails to open, we're left stammering questions in bewilderment: Is the sole purpose or value of an entity that which it can do for or bring to a human? If a mountain isn't able to ``fetch for the handicapped,'' etc., does it have no reason to exist? Do we know the definition of ``anthropocentric"?
Who in our democratic society gets to define what has purpose, thus what's existence is OK? Would the authors of such statements buy new clothes, shoes, cosmetics, gift wrap, air fresheners, jewelry? Would they watch television, professional sports? Would they spend money to go to the movies, to restaurants, on a Sunday drive, to play golf or on other recreational activities? If I define these as shamefully wasted money, should they be restricted or disallowed?
Is the choice to spend less on the purchase or consumption of things in preference for supporting loyal, loving dogs disgraceful? How many people could be fed annually by the money the average American woman spends on ``fashionable'' clothing ? How many meals for hungry children could be bought for the price of a set of golf clubs?
Garrett asks: ``How can `we' lie down and sleep ... when we realize the choices `we've' made in America?'': what was that idea about the right to individual choice? Can those of Garrett's mind-set sleep at night if they own eight good pairs of shoes, a closet full of brand-name clothing or a fuel-inefficient vehicle? Or when shopping malls and parking lots cover land, and factories pour forth pollution? How can anyone sleep?
KATHY DAVIEDS
FLOYD
by CNB