Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 8, 1995 TAG: 9503080041
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
On Feb. 9, a front-page story was about the local Planned Parenthood chapter beginning to offer abortions (``Agency to offer abortion''). On Feb. 10, there was a follow-up story on the front page of the Virginia section (``Abortion reactions are mixed''). On Feb. 9, Beth Macy had a follow-up commentary (``Hopefully, the pride is still there'') regarding her series a year ago about teen-age pregnancy. I realize these are hot news topics, but why isn't it possible to publish an informative article on adoption?
I see you advocating your Newspaper in Education program for school students. Most important in the acronym NIE is the word education. This is all adoption proponents are asking - a chance for the public to become knowledgeable regarding adoption, either as a way to build a family or to plan a life for the innocent child.
Does the public know that 500,000 infants are born to teen-agers every year? Only 2 percent of these women plan adoption. In Virginia, every 47 minutes an infant is born to a teen-age mother; every 36 minutes a child is abused or neglected. Adoption is obviously not the answer to all unplanned pregnancies or abuse problems. The answer is to provide complete information to any pregnant woman (and her family) who feels she's unable financially or emotionally to parent a child.
You should welcome the chance to inform the public about the positives of adoption with a comprehensive story. After all, as many articles have noted over the past month (in relation to Gov. Allen's proposed budget and welfare reform), isn't the child the most important person in these developments. What happens to the other 490,000 children born each year to teen-agers?
VICKI HODGES
BUENA VISTA
Edwards' candidacy deserves support
HAVING learned of John S. Edwards' candidacy for nomination and election to the state legislature, I urge the Roanoke area's favorable consideration of him.
I've known him since 1979, upon my retirement to my native Roanoke. I served with him on several boards and in our church. I'm convinced he has the attributes and credentials to serve the public well in the legislature. To name some, he's intelligent, industrious, imaginative, insightful and compassionate. He's a person of high morals and ethics, and has displayed integrity, fidelity and faith of the highest order. His experiences in the U.S. Marine Corps, as a U.S. attorney, in private law practice and in many civic endeavors are strong assets for the post to which he aspires.
Were I a current resident of your area, I'd vote for Edwards. I recommend support for him.
JAMES O. GRAVES
WHISPERING PINES, N.C.
Taking a page out of Goering's book?
``WHENEVER I hear the word culture, I reach for my revolver.'' This quote is attributed [The Columbia Dictionary of Quotations] to Hermann Goering (1893-1946), German Nazi leader.
When certain very influential people in Richmond and Washington take up such vehicles for culture as the National Public Radio, Public Broadcasting System, art galleries and libraries, they reach for their budget cutters. If they find this comparison outrageous, let them rethink their attitudes!
MORTON NADLER
BLACKSBURG
The debt clock is a turnoff
I MAY not like the earring in Big Boy's ear or the tattoo, but I'd rather see that than the debt clock. Who needs it? It makes me feel bad, so I stay away from downtown.
And who is paying for the clock? I hope not taxpayers. I cannot see any good reason for the debt clock except to make people feel worse than they already do about our government.
GLO SHADDLE
ROANOKE
Editor's note: The debt clock is privately financed.
by CNB