Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 10, 1995 TAG: 9505100064
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Our elected leaders want to place the blame everywhere but on themselves. They seem to think that everything these people say incites our citizens to violence, and what Congress says does not. Do they think that the constant accusations that all welfare recipients are freeloaders and cheats do not make people angry? Everyday, they plot ways to cut Medicare and Social Security. This makes me and a lot of other senior citizens angry.
And what about the way they give away the taxpayers' money? Whooey!
Hillary gave $100 million for the education of girls and women in three regions of the world. Who are we kidding? The men in these areas don't want their women educated. Mexico received a blank check for billions. It will use this gift to export more jobs out of the good old United States of America. Ask some of the workers who lost their jobs as a result of NAFTA if they are angry.
The politicians want to cut every social program, but they won't cut their bloated salaries and their much-too-generous pensions, not to mention their free medical services. Get real, Congress! Accept some of the blame for an angry America.
Last but not least comes the startling revelation from former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara that this country made a terrible mistake in the Vietnam War. This cost thousands of young Americans their lives. If members of Congress cannot understand why Americans are angry, all they have to do is turn on their TV sets to the news. The reasons are there everyday.
WALTER H. HANKINS
ROANOKE
Airline's troubles aren't exaggerated
IT IS indeed ironic that on the same day that a local USAir pilot, Ted Abernethy (April 26 letter to the editor, ``Coverage accents the negative''), chastised this newspaper for negative reporting on USAir's many troubles, USA Today ran a front-page story stating that the biggest decline in the rating of airline services for 1994 was that posted by USAir.
The USA Today story was based on an annual study of 19 airline-service factors done by the National Institute for Aviation Research at Wichita State University. The 19 factors included on-time flights, accidents, frequent-flyer awards and complaints.
In his letter, pilot Abernethy seemed to be threatening this newspaper and all of this region's USAir customers with possible curtailment of our service by USAir if the negatives continue to be publicized.
Abernethy and all USAir managers and employees need to be expending their energy at making significant improvements in service to their loyal customers rather than attempting to control or censor news coverage about a very troubled airline.
GARY WALDO
ROANOKE
Jack-booted thugs were in Waco
I APPRECIATE your May 4 editorial (``Who do they think they are?'') admitting that ``Federal lawmakers and employees can be justly accused of excesses, of arrogant insensitivity.''
You asked the question: ``Do we really believe, as Wayne LaPierre with the National Rifle Association warns, that `jack-booted government thugs' may soon be storming private homes `to take away our constitutional rights, break in our doors, seize our guns, destroy our property, and even injure or kill us?'''
Where have you people been? Have you never heard of the ``jack-booted government thugs'' - read ATF and FBI - who killed Randy Weaver's wife and child? Have you never heard of thugs from the same group who created false data to frame Leonard Peltier for a murder he didn't commit?
Surely you remember the ATF and FBI agents - including Clinton's very own Attorney General Janet Reno - and that those thugs killed all those little children in Waco because the agents were ``tired.'' They had tanks that they used to kill those little children, for crying out loud! If you don't call them ``jack-booted government thugs,'' what do you call them?
There is a rogue element in the ATF and FBI that is equal to that of the CIA and the KGB - and that is a very sad commentary for our great country.
D.A. JACK MILLS
MONETA
Contempt doesn't help smokers
I SMOKE nearly three packs a day. I hate them, and what they have done to my friends and my husband. He's had emphysema since 1988, and hasn't smoked for more than three years. Three years ago, we found out he had small-cell cancer in one lung. After 35 radiation treatments, his third follow-up test was clear, except for scar tissue.
Then, one year ago, his oxygen level dropped so suddenly and so low that he was rushed to the hospital. He had a number of seizures on the way, and was on life support for five days. After waking up, he had a memory attack. His memory will probably not get any better.
Although I stopped smoking for 10 months and felt much better, all this caused me to panic. So I picked up the ``crutch'' again. Now, I have emphysema, chronic lung disease, asthma and a chronic nervous disorder. Many times I've tried again to stop smoking. My nerves just won't let me.
I've said all this to make a point: To those with loved ones or friends who they want to see stop smoking, abusive language, fussing and belittlement certainly won't work. It only makes one smoke more, even if the person doesn't want to! Tender loving care helps when one finds such love. Health clinics are fine for those who can afford them, but I can't. I'd like to think that love, encouragement and a talk with Jesus will help.
Smokers or nonsmokers don't want to die from smoke, so let's love one another to health, and see if that works better than contempt.
DORIS GOAD
SALEM
Historic church had its finest hour
THE PICTURE in your newspaper of the Rev. Kenneth Wright, pastor of First Baptist Church, standing tall and determined, was an inspiring sight. If one is a Bible student, one could readily think of Moses, the ancient leader, bravely leading his people.
Whether Afro-American, Scottish-American or whatever, have you ever noticed that when we pray - Jew and Gentile - we all sound strangely alike, praying to our God and asking his help in a world gone mad? When we look through tears at a common sadness, we all look alike, too!
If the New Baptist Church should stand a thousand years, history will note: ``Her courage, determination and tears marked her finest hour!''
We love you all, and will stand with you.
THE REV. E. LEE CHATTIN
Montvale United Methodist Church
MONTVALE
Americans must share `royal' gifts
IN OUR SOCIETY, we give freely the ``royal things'' of liberty, freedom and independence, often upon a silver platter, to many who don't know what they are or how to use them. Yet what is liberty without laws for one another, but competition and survival of the fittest?
What is freedom without forgiveness, but intolerance and selfishness? What is independence without each other, but bigotry, racism and destruction?
Liberty, freedom and independence aren't royal things unless married to holy things. Does it seem so wise to divorce them?
MARSHALL TACKETT
BUCHANAN
Political affiliation is not the issue
FOR YEARS, Bedford County sheriffs have been independents, and not beholden to any political machine. The choice for sheriff is among persons qualified for the job, and it's up to the people to decide who is best qualified.
The issue should have nothing to do with the political party to which a contender belongs, nor his friends with funds in distant places.
DALE WHITEIS
HUDDLESTON
Memo: ***CORRECTION***