Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 23, 1995 TAG: 9506230081
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Foster is the creator of the highly praised "I Have A Future" program in Nashville. This program stresses job skills, education, personal responsibility and self-control, and was originally designed for teens in tough housing projects. It was founded on the concept that young people are less likely to participate in risky behavior when they're focused on their future. During its first four years, there was only one unintentional pregnancy, compared with 59 unintentional pregnancies in a similar group of nonparticipating young people. Thus, the program prevented 58 potential abortions.
Abortion is a failure when our children aren't educated and instilled with the pride of their potential, when they partake in behavior that jeopardizes their futures, and when education and programs like Foster's should be readily available to them. Instead of trying to derail Foster's nomination, Franck should have realized that Foster has spent decades trying to obtain the same goal of the pro-life movement - rare abortions.
What else defines a failure? Foster not becoming our next surgeon general.
VICKIE MARTINES
VINTON
The sock hop has lost its bounce
GET A grip, people! Don't believe everything you read.
The May 28 Extra section article ``Rave'' was disturbing, and maybe a little distasteful. Although most of the information on the background and history about raves was true, the portrayal of ravers as freaks of society and raves as all-night sexual orgies was way off base.
Individuals from all ages, race and social classes attend and enjoy raves. Also, not everyone who attends these events uses and distributes drugs.
Ravers come to hear great disc jockeys, to dance and socialize. (Imagine that.) Just because we dress, act and like to do things a little differently doesn't mean we're all sinners headed straight for hell.
Wake up! This is the '90s. Bingo and sock hops just don't cut it anymore.
JEFF ALDERSON
VINTON
Club is changing with the times
AS A member, I read with interest your June 14 Business article by Jeff Sturgeon (``Jefferson Club waives fee in bid for more members'') on the Jefferson Club. There was much factual information, but the spin in the article left me wondering what's next. My thoughts:
nChange is constant. And in this day, buzzwords and phrases like ``re-engineering the corporation'' and ``reinventing government'' are in vogue. Simply put, the Jefferson Club is refocusing its efforts by broadening its appeal.
Yes, it's possible to spend $15 for lunch (without wine), and take two hours to do it. It's also possible to have a $4.95 express lunch and be back on the job in less than 45 minutes.
There is also a focus on what members want and expect from their club. (Did you check out the Father's Day special or our wine tasting with Chateau Morrisette?)
The dues structure has been revised downward, and specials that the club promotes in conjunction with The Homestead Room have been well received. It's great to have a big sister like The Homestead so close to home.
Any well-run business must adapt to current market conditions. That's what the Jefferson Club is doing - balancing its members' wishes with the club's needs. In fact, you're looking at the new Jefferson Club.
JIM CAVENDISH
ROANOKE
News should stick to the facts
I DID not subscribe to the Roanoke Times & World-News to read news columns from The Washington Post with its always left-leaning slant.
Use of the verb ``jeopardized'' in the first paragraph in its June 13 article (``High court sets tough standards'') on the Supreme Court decisions on affirmative action represents its ``opinion'' of the impact. If I want opinions, I look at the Opinion and Commentary pages, not the news pages.
The lead would have been better stating that ``The U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling Monday that set a new standard ...''
Please, just present the news straight. I'll draw my own conclusions. I'm a refugee from The Washington Post's biased news columns.
WILLIAM S. STORY
MONETA
by CNB