Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 18, 1995 TAG: 9506170005
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: F-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
One article (``Execution request likely'') concerned Robert Michael May, who is accused of killing five people on New Year's Day. The second (``Man, 23, acquitted of rape'') told of two young people and an alleged rape. The third (``Bus driver's arraignment postponed'') reported on a school-bus driver with a driving-under-the-influence charge. All three articles identified alcohol as the force behind extremely poor choices of behavior.
On the same day, a large color ad for Virginia ABC stores glamorized the purchase of alcoholic beverages and encouraged readers to ``stock up on your favorite wine and spirits at unbeatable savings.'' How can we expect this community's young people to make good choices with such a mixed message on the printed page?
PEGGY WALKER
ROANOKE
Media bias is overstated
REGARDING Jeanne Pierce's June 3 letter to the editor ``Public doesn't want media's liberal slant'':
If there is a left-wing liberal bias in the news media as is so frequently charged, why is this so? Are there not right-wing-leaning publishers and reporters? If not, why not?
Do we try to deny that facts are facts because we don't like them? Many of the religious right would have us believe that the Earth is flat, and they become incensed that they cannot make everyone believe this.
It's my opinion that newspapers are losing circulation because people don't have or take the time to read, or have interest in exploring issues of much importance. They rely on television with its sound bites, advertising, limited and frequently biased presentations. These people aren't likely to change to reading good newspaper articles, no matter how good.
In my opinion, the frequent accusations of the left-wing bias of newspapers are considerably overstated. I certainly don't subscribe for the funnies or crossword puzzles.
RALPH E. BRUMFIELD
BLUE RIDGE
Joining the family long before birth
LAST YEAR, my wife and I found out we were expecting a baby. We began preparing the baby's bedroom. Those small kicks my wife felt gave us great joy. If a girl, we would name her Rachel; a boy, Nicholas. At 20 weeks, the sonogram did not say ``fetus'' or even ``pregnancy,'' but instead a baby girl! Rachel was born in April, but she was a living part of our family long before being born.
Appalling are liberal thinkers, as evidenced by John B. Hodges' June 6 letter to the editor (``A potential person isn't yet a person'') who try to intellectualize abortion and the taking of human life by suggesting a baby's brain isn't developed enough to be a life. He forgot to mention that the baby's heart begins beating early in the first trimester. Trivializing a baby as only a ``fetus'' or a ``pregnancy'' attempts to suggest we're discussing a tumor or a disease. They're babies, for crying out loud!
Pro-life people are labeled ``mean'' and ``hateful'' to poor women, and anti-this and anti-that for speaking our conscience. Taking the lives of the estimated 31 million babies since the Roe vs. Wade decision strikes a far meaner, more hateful and destructive chord than simply asking one to be responsible and carry a baby to term. Further, anti-life intellectuals fail to discuss the devastating long-term effects to the mother of depression, regret and risks associated with a botched abortion. Liberal wanna-be intellectuals need to get a clue.
STEPHEN B. MUNRO
ROANOKE
For safety, support legal abortions
ACCORDING to Debbie Rogers' June 2 letter to the editor (``Parents pay for botched abortions''), Dr. Newell Falkinburg, a candidate for the state legislature, opposes abortion rights because of his concern about botched abortions. Yet anyone who is concerned about botched abortions should actively support legalized abortion.
Botched abortions were commonplace during the time of coat hangers, knitting needles and unsanitary back-alley abortion procedures used by charlatans out to make money. Abortions are safest when performed by professionally trained physicians who are required to obey state regulations and the American Medical Association's ethical standards.
Legal abortions mean safe abortions. Illegal abortions mean unsafe, botched abortions.
If Falkinburg opposes abortion for his own personal and ethical reasons, that is his right. But if he opposes legal abortions for medical reasons, he's wrong.
CHARLOTTE PORTERFIELD
ROANOKE
The Bible's lessons point the way
REGARDING your June 5 editorial, ``Coalition to GOP: Sign on bottom line'':
Your phrase, ``But [the Christian Coalition's] aim remains clear: to transform America into a Christian nation,'' bothers me greatly. Many problems our nation is now wrestling with might find some solutions if the commandments found in God's holy word were observed and kept by our people. ``Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord'' (Psalm 33:12).
While Christians have their faults and weaknesses, I believe the teachings found in God's word are what our nation needs. To ignore God is to court disaster.
The Christian Coalition is but one of many Christian organizations that are pointing us back to the biblical principles we have abandoned.
THURMAN H. KINZIE
TROUTVILLE
Circumstances may dictate incentives
THE FOLLOWING information will provide some background regarding our purchase of an industrial site from Botetourt County. This was referred to in your June 4 Business section article ``Incentives carry a cost.''
Sematco, Inc. did receive a reduced price for the land purchase from the county. The reduction was needed to offset the $60,000 to $80,000 costly site-preparation expense due to the difficult slope of the terrain. Of the eight acres purchased, only four are suitable for industrial use. The land value, as expressed in your article, is inflated, and therefore incorrect. The discount for the land purchase will be exceeded by the large development cost.
Our decision to build in Botetourt County was made at least a year before we started negotiations with the county. Our company employs 30 skilled people, and we anticipate approximately 15 more after our move. At this time, it appears, for business reasons, we shall continue our manufacturing plant in Roanoke city as well.
Each situation regarding business incentives should be evaluated in depth. Ofttimes there are justifications that are overlooked.
JOHN G. KEARNEY
President Sematco, Inc.
ROANOKE
Racial division will last for decades
THIS LETTER is written to help me vent my anger concerning the destruction of Gainsboro.
I was born in Roanoke and raised in the Gainsboro community. I have vivid memories of the Dr. Isaac Burrell home, the YMCA, Claytor Memorial Clinic, First Baptist Church (now burned), and Henry Street, once pulsing with life and commerce.
Historians and other members of this great community, heed this warning: From the ashes of Gainsboro shall rise its phoenix, but not to the glory of this valley.
Civic, political, religious and social leaders of all walks of life of this wonderful city will soon witness a racial division that will last well into the 22nd century, and all parties who had a part in this destruction will choke on it.
To bring home my point, the people of old Northeast were uprooted first, and they, their children and grandchildren have nothing positive to say about Roanoke. Gainsboro now joins the list of the uprooted.
The lines are drawn. And from here on out, the unforeseen problems that you thought could never happen from a low-income black and throwaway community will be Roanoke's undoing.
DONALD C. MUSE
ROANOKE
by CNB