
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, June 22, 1995                   TAG: 9506220028
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

REGULATORY RELIEF FOR MEDIA MOGULS

THE MEDIA deregulations proposed by the Republican-controlled Congress, unquestionably orchestrated and constructed by House Speaker Newt Gingrich, have lots of big winners. Unfortunately, we consumers aren't included. In fact, we'll be big losers.

Topping the list of winners is Rupert Murdoch, the Australian media mogul who has been gobbling up television and radio outlets and news publications as fast as he could acquire them, limited only by the present law that puts a maximum on how much media can be controlled by foreign owners. Happily for Murdoch, this law will be one control that will be eliminated, if Gingrich succeeds in his efforts to emasculate present media regulation.

It's sheer coincidence, no doubt, that Murdoch and Gingrich have a warm and mutually rewarding relationship. More than once when Murdoch has been in difficulty due to his insatiable appetite for increasing his string of American media outlets, Gingrich has either personally galloped to the rescue or provided support of congressional colleagues in the foggy-bottom game of you scratch my back and I'll do the same for you.

Despite his feel-good rhetoric about his goals for the American people, it appears that Gingrich is just another politician using his power and influence for his own personal gain.

|BUD SANTORO |ROANOKE

Support is growing|

for power line|

A JUNE 2 article (``Stacks and stacks of letters pour in'') about Appalachian Power Co.'s proposed power line mentioned all the parties involved in this project except the largest, which is the Coalition for Energy and Economic Revitalization. CEER includes 476 labor, business and civic groups that support the project. The groups represent more than 272,000 Virginia and West Virginia residents.

It would be nice to have your newspaper include mention of CEER or its members when covering this power-line story. For example, I know that many letters supporting this project that were discussed in the article were from CEER members.

I believe the vast majority of the public recognizes the growing need for this project and supports its construction. Without construction of additional 765,000-volt transmission lines, we cannot continue to enjoy the low cost of electricity that we have in the Apco service areas.

Marines again show|

their right stuff|

THE ENTIRE country was happy when Capt. Scott O'Grady was snatched from the jaws of the Serbian bandits who disguise themselves as soldiers.

American history has shown many times that with the help of God and a few Marines, all things are possible.

|JERRY RICE SR. |ROANOKE

American virtues|

aren't radical ideas|

THE ROANOKE Times & World-News digs up any excuse to attack the Christian Coalition. Your outrageous criticisms (June 9 editorial, ``A family contract minus vows'') of the coalition show how far you reach.

The Christian Coalition presented a ``Contract with the American Family'' to Congress. The contract consists of 10 recommendations for federal legislation, which polls show are endorsed by a majority of Americans. The contract supports private charities, parental rights, religious freedom in public places, local control of education, school choice, family-friendly tax policies, restrictions on late-term and taxpayer-paid abortions, restrictions on pornography, removal of federal funding/influence of culture, and punishing criminals instead of victims.

The liberal media, including this newspaper, try to convince us that the Christian Coalition is ``radical right.'' This isn't true, and you know it. As its contract demonstrates, the coalition is mainstream, using Judeo-Christian morality and traditional American virtues as the basis for its positions on issues.

|ERNESTINE B. FRITH |RADFORD

Pulpits can be used|

against violence|

AFTER HEARING the latest report regarding crime related by the American Medical Association, I feel I must speak out.

We as a nation are rapidly going into decline, and killing is one of the main factors. Guns, television violence and sex are contributing to the sorry state of affairs.

Why don't the clergy speak from their pulpits about this horrendous situation? They could have an enormous influence. Are they afraid? Why don't they urge their members to write to Hollywood and Washington?

As long as we remain passive and believe nothing can be done, it won't be! Let us wake up before it's too late.

|CONSTANCE PARSONS |ROANOKE

by CNB