Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, July 28, 1995 TAG: 9507280025
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Many of us who were older than the protesters were horrified. Some of us called these protesters drug addicts, traitors, communist and immoral. Many had bumper stickers attached to the back of their cars that read, ``America, Love It Or Leave It.''
Now, history seems to be repeating itself. It's 1995, and dissension and violence have come alive again in our nation. Only this time radio, television, and newspapers are being used by individuals and organizations to spread their criticisms of our government, its leaders, and those who disagree with them. And this time, it isn't so much the young as the older people.
It's a famous preacher who, a few months ago, sold a video in which the president was accused of being an adulterer and even a murderer. It's a talk-show host suggesting the best way to kill federal law-enforcement agents. It's a National Rifle Association official calling the FBI or Secret Service storm troopers, and using the old outworn statement that the president is going to take away people's guns.
Perhaps it's the young now who need to get out that bumper sticker again, ``America, Love It Or Leave It.''
I would never suggest that we shouldn't criticize our government and its leaders when we think they are wrong. Goodness knows, I do. I'm just calling for responsible criticism based on fact, not fiction. I'm asking people to allow others the same rights and privileges that they demand for themselves.
I demand the right for each of us to be a person - to be different if we choose to be. I ask that you not encourage others to commit acts of violence in what you say or do.
ASHBY LAZENBY
BEDFORD
A flag burning on Independence Day
ON JULY 4, four senior citizens, including myself, went to Victory Stadium for a lovely patriotic music program and the best display of fireworks I've seen at this annual affair.
On leaving the stadium, we decided to go to Mill Mountain Coffee on the City Market. There was a band at Mill Mountain Coffee, so there was nowhere to sit inside. All the people, except for one man, seemed very young.
With coffee in hand, we discovered a bench on the street. Just as we started toward the bench, I saw fire. At second glance, the fire was burning an American flag. This shocked and offended me very much. The burning flag was thrown into Campbell Avenue and the culprit fled. We were all very offended by this act, and too stunned to do anything about it.
Burning the flag is no crime by law, but burning anything in the middle of the street is. There could have been a spark to hit one of the old buildings in the market area, and it could have started a major fire.
A few years ago, the Supreme Court ruled that flag burning is freedom of speech - which is perfectly asinine according to my way of thinking. Thank God a new ruling has been passed by the House of Representatives. If passed by the Senate, it will await ratification by the states.
Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I'm very proud to be a citizen of this great country. And acts like flag burning, for whatever reason, are very distasteful to me.
SARA LOU HANCOCK
ROANOKE
The forgotten constraint
AM I living in the United States of America?
A statue of Arthur Ashe on Monument Avenue? Can I expect to see a statue of Babe Ruth next to the Lincoln Memorial?
A constitutional amendment to force people to respect our precious flag? Can I expect an amendment that speaks to apple pie, baseball and mama?
Give me a break! Has everyone forgotten the word inappropriate?
MARY B. BURTON
SALEM
In no position to grab land
REGARDING Robert A. Waid's and Joseph G. Johnson Jr.'s July 11 letter to the editor, ``Park Service must justify land grabs'':
They claim to be ``informed'' citizens. I want to know where they are getting their information.
They say the Park Service appears to possess unlimited finances and unlimited powers of condemnation in its attempt to acquire land near U.S. 220 for the Appalachian Trail. Apparently, they haven't read their newspaper lately, because this couldn't be further from the truth. In this time of intense budget cuts, the Park Service seems to be targeted for big cuts.
According to the National Parks and Conservation Association, the House and Senate have recommended slashing the Park Service's operational funds by 10 percent next year and by as much as 40 percent over the next seven years. Does this sound like unlimited finances?
In addition to budget cuts, there are also several bills before Congress attempting to downsize the Park Service. The House Committee on Resources passed H.R. 260 on May 17. This act would set up a review commission to identify candidates for removal from the park system. In Virginia, H.R. 1091 was introduced in an attempt to freeze Shenandoah National Park and Richmond National Battlefield Park at the boundaries of current federal ownership. The Park Service wouldn't be able to acquire, even by donation, private lands within the current legal boundaries of Shenandoah. Does this sound like unlimited powers of condemnation?
America's parks reflect some of the greatest heritage this country has to offer, and represent the majestic beauty, the ruggedness and culture of this nation. As Congress attempts to strip the Park Service of its resources, we should do everything in our power to support the Park Service.
If the service would like to acquire land to increase a national park's boundaries, I would rest easier knowing that land will be around for future generations to enjoy.
DAVID CHRISTENSEN
PILOT
Let cameras roll - with rules
IN LIGHT of the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson, Ronald Goldman and the Smith children, I am compelled to write about the trials following these events.
The question arises: Should cameras be allowed in the courtroom?
I believe the public has a right to know the facts in a case as long as witness and jury identities are kept confidential. Showing the public how our system works is the ultimate in checks and balances. I believe, in most cases, cameras are the most accurate form of recording these events, so let the show begin.
But before we offer up these unfortunate proceedings to the sick and twisted commercial media, let us consider how to do this in an appropriate manner.
There is no need for many different camera crews recording the same thing. One official camera crew will do fine.
Since the effects of showing the event as it happens are detrimental to the process (contamination or pestering of jurors, tampering with witnesses, etc.), there is no need to show the event to the public until after the case is concluded. This way the public is fully informed and the process is preserved.
What, you say? You need to know every detail of every moment while the families, victims and criminals are torn apart? Rent a movie.
We as citizens of this country have a right to know. However, no one has the right to make a circus out of our judicial system. If you were accused of a crime, would you want the media affecting the verdict?
STEVE D. PRICE
BLACKSBURG
Pornographic pollution
WE HAVE been infested with ``pornography pollution'' in our neighborhoods - from magazines, videos and movies being sold in our local stores and malls.
Pornography degrades women, draws men into destructive addictions, and is a substantial cause of sexual violence. Pornography is a favored tool of child molesters, contributes to the spread of AIDS, destroys marriages, ruins neighborhoods, and invades the home through the mail, computer, telephone and television.
Parents are very concerned about the influences of pornography on their children. There are decent people who have never witnessed pornographic material - thank God! But if they did, we would have more citizens outraged by this problem.
ANGIE DALY
MONETA
by CNB