Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 15, 1995 TAG: 9506150015
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-14 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The May 28 Extra section article (``Rave''), in two and one-quarter pages, made approximately 45 references to drug use. To the average reader, this would make the local rave scene sound like some Bacchanalian chemical free-for-all that would make Dr. Timothy Leary proud. Judging from the fact that we have now been labeled ``evil'' and ``direct from hell,'' someone must be quite proud of the damage they have done.
However, before local bluenoses start patting themselves on the back for such a job well-done, they should consider that when more than 1,000 of the valley's kids came together under extreme scrutiny for the latest rave at the Roanoke Civic Center, there were only four arrests - two of which were for out-of-town, drug-dealing members of the U.S. Navy.
That means that half of the city police watched 1,000 black, white, other, gay, straight, celibate, jock, punk, freak and average suburbanite kids get together, and the police could find only two who were doing anything wrong. Perhaps there weren't as many teen-age crackheads inside as the article led us to believe. And just perhaps there were a lot more honor students in the civic center dancing under the pretty lights. I know that I'm one of them.
Just to make things even, let's have half the police force go undercover at the next Festival in the Park, the next Affair in the Square, Valleypointe and First Fridays. Put those events under the same scrutiny as our raves, and see how many of the valley's finest citizens are pulled over with a little too much ``relaxation'' on their breath. Just maybe they'll then understand how we feel.
PATRICK BULLION
ROANOKE
Stop messing with the Constitution
AS A voter in five presidential elections now, and being somewhat jaded to political tactics in general, I'm still appalled at the obvious transparency of Sen. Bob Dole and other GOP wanna-bes. And I'm also mystified by the so-called liberal bias in the media. To report that Dole missed passage of the balanced-budget amendment by one vote implies there's one lone Democrat out there who needs fixing. You fail to mention that two-thirds of the states' approval is required before messing with the Constitution.
Dole and his ilk are for repealing the assault-weapons ban, yet they hammer Hollywood and the First Amendment. The Constitution works just fine as it is, and to have any of these Newtniks and other Republican presidential wanna-bes altering it for pure political reasons is not only appalling but frightening and dangerous.
STEPHEN RICHARDSON
BEDFORD
Trash cans aren't goodie troves
THERE IS a problem in the Southwest area of Roanoke city. We're frustrated with people who wander around, going through trash cans, and using our alleys for bars, bathrooms, bedrooms and dining rooms. They leave places littered with empty bottles and discarded trash. We have to try and clean up their messes. Also, they have stolen chairs and other things off our porches .
There are shelters, meals and clothes supplied by various agencies for such people. It seems that they could be put to work, cleaning up the messes they create.
MARY B. PUGH
ROANOKE
Buckle up on the school bus
YOUR May 31 editorial ``School-bus safety - '90s style'' prompts me to express an opinion on the big yellow buses.
Why install cameras? Safety? I think not! Why not install safety seat belts for each child instead? The law requires all automobile passengers to wear them so, for goodness sake, why not in the school bus?
Special seats are required to bring newborn babies home from the hospital. Why endanger our school-age children? Are they not also our future?
BETTY SWINK OBENCHAIN
ROANOKE
GOP has full stable of characters
THE REPUBLICAN Party of Virginia never ceases to amaze me. The characters they sometimes endorse for public office make me think they're running a deficit in their mind banks.
With George Allen elected as governor, arrogance of the elitists became apparent quickly. The party chairman expected the newly elected governor to pledge undying love for him. Didn't happen; chairman pouts. The governor tries to force-feed his policies down soft, whiny throats. He gets his lunch handed back to him; governor pouts.
The party embraces Mike Farris, who would have us home-school children so they won't have to associate with others. He is trounced; Pat Robertson pouts. The party miscalculates, thinking we would vote for Oliver North regardless of how dishonorable a scoundrel he was. Robb 46; Dummies 43. Rich folk and idiots pout.
Now, the party chairman and the aforementioned losers want to get rid of John Warner, who has shown integrity, ability to win elections and the guts not to endorse stinkers, even when the party chairman tried to intimidate him into doing so.
The Republican Party hasn't shown an ability to lead, follow or even get out of the way. It has shown an amazing ability to self-destruct, largely due to greed, abuse of power and extremism. So, what does it have in store for us simpletons in Southwest Virginia? Trixie Averill. Qualifications? Party bureaucrat; party toady. This is what the GOP offers as a viable candidate to oppose Dick Cranwell?
Cranwell needs to keep up the good work in Richmond for Southwest Virginians. He has shown nothing but respect for citizens he represents, and has been instrumental in our area, prospering in spite of the current, incompetent regime headquartered in the governor's mansion.
If voters want to continue having a voice in state government, and want a knowledgeable statesman who knows how to outmaneuver fat-cat, scorched-earth policies, re-elect Cranwell. However, if you prefer high-brow fluff or a person who will jump through hoops to please party concerns instead of citizen concerns - wow, the Republicans have a candidate for you!
BUTCH JOHNSON
SALEM
Could be the cost kept crowds away
THANK YOU for the humorous ramblings in the May 30 Extra section article (``Few for the show'') concerning Bonnie Raitt's first excursion to the Star City. My only regret is that a crying towel wouldn't fit into this envelope to help console staff writer Mark Morrison's emotional outpouring to Roanoke. Where was he in the late '70s when she was paying her dues in small clubs and music venues across the nation? Why has it taken him nearly 20 years to send out an attendance appeal to the Save the Raitt Foundation?
Maybe the real issue we need to examine is not whether Raitt is a better musician than the New Kids on the Block or the Moody Blues, but the price of entertainment. Quite possibly, the Raitt concert was more an example of cautious investment practices than an intentional slap in her face.
JEFFREY YENTZ ROANOKE
Credit is due TAP's staff, volunteers
THANK YOU at Times-World Corp. and to the community for the gracious tributes paid to me on our 30 years of work with Total Action Against Poverty.
Let me emphasize, however, that the work was done by TAP's dedicated staff. The current staff is the strongest we have ever had. But over the years, we have had a remarkable group of dedicated directors, teachers, aides and others who have worked because they knew the mission was important and not because of the small salary they received. The same is true of the thousands of volunteers.
The 39 separate programs that are in effect now, each targeted to offer a hand up in some way to a child or a family that isn't making it in our society, are run by the TAP staff. Volunteers are critical, and help enormously. Those of us who served on the boards as volunteers tried to give leadership and direction, but we, too, are part-time volunteers.
The tributes should go to the current and past staffs for continuing to run one of the most effective and efficient community-action agencies in the country. TAP making a difference in the lives of thousands of people in our area every day.
CABELL BRAND
Retired President
Total Action Against Poverty
SALEM
by CNB