Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, January 30, 1995 TAG: 9502010007
SECTION: EDITORAL PAGE: A6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
He should come visit us in Roanoke and bring a radio. Scanning the stations, Gingrich would hear plenty of rock n' roll and country music. My guess is that he'd be surprised to find only one place on the dial playing classical music or jazz: WVTF Public Radio.
Maybe the speaker has lived so long in cities like Washington and Atlanta, where ``the market'' is large enough to support great variety, that he doesn't know the situation in places like Roanoke. We should tell him.
In this part of the country, we need public broadcasting in the same way we need public libraries: Market-operated bookstores are fine, but if you're looking for the complete writings of Thomas Jefferson, you need the public library. If you're not rich, you need the public library.
I understand the need for budget restraint, but I also believe there's a compelling argument to be made for the Brandenburg Concertos and Oscar Peterson. And around here, there's only one place to hear them.
TOM RYAN
BOONES MILL
Again, blaming the victim
PATRICIA HENRY (Jan. 10 letter to the editor, ``Pro-abortion mentality is violent'') would have us believe that the shootings of seven people, allegedly by anti-abortion extremist John Salvi, was ``the result of the pro-abortion mentality that upholds a personal choice to decide if and when life is sacred and worthy of respect and protection.'' This is classic blame-the-victim thinking. It tries to deny that Salvi, if guilty, is ultimately responsible for his own actions and should be punished accordingly.
Henry would have us believe that it was Lee Ann Nichols' ``pro-abortion mentality'' that caused her to be shot nine times with an assault rifle, and it was Shannon Lowney's violent mentality that got her murdered at a Planned Parenthood clinic.
She also suggests that a woman raped and impregnated by a violent attacker should be forced (against her will, if necessary) to give birth. I say such a requirement is just another form of violence.
Henry denies that the increase in shootings and violence at reproductive health-care clinics has anything to do with the war-oriented rhetoric of anti-abortion groups. She may ``denounce all violence,'' but her flawed reasoning makes me wish she'd keep her nonviolent views to herself.
CAROLYN BUSSI
BLACKSBURG
Doctor's successes should be reported
I READ with much sadness the Jan. 15 news story (``Back patients hit back at surgeon'') regarding spinal fusions and some patients' dissatisfaction with Dr. Eric Korsh. I feel there's another side to this story to be addressed.
I was fortunate enough to become a patient of Dr. Korsh's after having gone through a period of seven years, numerous physicians and countless heavy drugs to cover up symptoms of a serious back problem rather than finding a cure. Following a very thorough examination, with absolutely no pressure, he outlined my options. In July 1992, I decided to have the spinal-fusion surgery, and now I live an active and virtually pain-free life.
After the negative report by your newspaper on this surgery and this physician, I felt compelled to write about my experience. As I read about how these people felt pressured into this surgery, I was astounded because my father had gone to Dr. Korsh with a similar problem. However, he was a heavy smoker and Dr. Korsh refused to do the surgery due to the risk involved.
I realize good news doesn't sell newspapers, but in all fairness and responsible journalism, your newspaper should also do a thorough report on the tremendous successes this doctor has had with this surgery.
HOLLY BILBRO
ROANOKE
A bothersome book review
I READ the review of Daniel J. Boorstin's book ``Cleopatra's Nose.'' The review (Jan. 15 Book page) was done by Marian Courtney. It's the dumbest book review I've read in many years.
Courtney is apparently ignorant of Boorstin's distinguished academic credentials, and she proceeds to devote nearly half of her review to criticizing Boorstin's refusal to corrupt the English language in the name of being gender correct. Dumb.
JAMES MICHAEL BESTLER MARTINSVILLE
Advice on foreign policy wasn't sought
J. RICHARD Brown's letter to the editor (Jan. 13, ``Radford University: ship of fools?'') was a genuine puzzler.
If a self-appointed elite isn't dictating U.S. foreign policy, then who is? I don't recall being asked whether the United States should support Russian moves against Chechnya. Did they ask Brown?
Did Averell Harriman phone him before deciding to rescue the petroleum and manganese industries in a young and vulnerable Soviet Union? Did the Union Banking Corp. ask him in 1932 whether it would be a good idea to help Fritz Thyssen finance a madman named Hitler? Did the infamous Bundy brothers (McGeorge and William) and Dean Acheson consult with Brown before crafting a disastrous Vietnam policy? I don't think so.
MICHAEL S. BARBER ROANOKE
Get the feds out of state business
THE FAMILY retired from military service and moved to Roanoke. The first year was spent in the county, and we've been in the city for more than 30 years. We've voted. We've heard the news. We haven't overlooked the continuous lagging in individuals' attitude.
Time has now come for Virginia's citizens to remove prime attention from the pocketbook and concentrate on the future of our state, our counties and cities.
For more than 30 years, the federal government has nipped, cut, abolished and torn apart every right and privilege of the state. The state has denied rights and privileges to the counties. In Virginia and Louisiana, separate cities have been denied. For good reason?
For 30 years, the federal government has said, ``We can handle this better. Don't worry.'' No one worried. County needs something? Apply to the proper federal department. Small town needs water purifier? Apply to a federal agency.
Tell me what item necessary to a city, county or the state of Virginia may be obtained today without reams of paper work, many signatures and an administrative delay of eight weeks to six months? Why should anyone in the federal government tell us what shall be done or not done?
There's one way out. Every citizen must qualify to vote. Forget fancy titles. Democrats, Republicans and independents no longer exist. For each position, vote for the man or woman who will follow your desires. Be as stringent with state elections as federal. Vote no one into office because his or her father voted ``that way.'' Let each office seeker tell you why he or she should have the job. Let the federals pull in their horns and be content with federal business.
HAROLD R. JONES ROANOKE
It's time to try charter schools
I SUPPORT Jeff Artis' letter to the editor regarding charter schools (Jan. 16, ``Why charter schools are needed''). In times past, I've not always agreed with him, but his letter is right on the mark. Every point he makes is, unfortunately, true of our public schools, and stands as an argument for change.
Today, we spend more and more money on schools, and every year we turn out a more inferior product. It's evidently time to go back to turning out a quality product, i.e., students who can read, write, spell and accurately count, multiply, divide and subtract. I can hear it now: That kind of thinking belongs to the past.
Private schools still do require the above things of students, and do the job with far less resources than we put into public schools. I know because I taught in and was a private-school administrator for 11 years. We always had to do more with less, and we couldn't go back to Big Daddy for money.
We've tried magnet schools, the city school, the governor's school, so why shouldn't we try charter schools? Or are we afraid that they'll further expose the weaknesses of our public schools?
I'm in Artis' corner on this. And, of course, Sen. Brandon Bell's as well.
RAYMOND D. CAMPER JR. ROANOKE
by CNB