Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 9, 1995 TAG: 9508090043
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Many years ago, our city leaders pursued the dream of revitalization in our downtown market area and began targeting tourist trade for this area. All that has been gained is now in danger if something isn't done soon to control the bands of young people sporting purple and green half-shaven hair and multiple body pierces who noisily roam the streets and loiter on the farmers' tables. These young people are intimidating and disruptive by virtue of the size of their groups, their blaring boom boxes and their efforts at begging money from passersby. I feel certain they're not patronizing the area's restaurants or cultural institutions. Quite honestly, they may indeed keep others from doing so.
The bridge from Hotel Roanoke and Convention Center will serve no useful purpose in attracting new visitors to the market area if this public menace isn't addressed soon.
SUSAN C. SHORTRIDGE
SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE
Don't rationalize killers' actions
I AM angry and sad! I am disappointed, too!
The punishments given to Robert May and Susan Smith illustrate the inability or unwillingness of courts or juries to match the punishment to the crime.
Both defendants confessed to heinous crimes. Their guilt isn't in question. So, how do we deal with individuals with no respect for their victims' lives? We look high and low for a reason they did what you and I could never do. It was the alcohol or the child abuse or what they had for breakfast, say counsel for the defendants. In an effort to be fair and rational, the legal system turns its back on those without voice - the victims.
Death-penalty critics abhor the barbarism of government execution. But society's first obligation is to protect the innocent. And in that regard, it is compassionate to eliminate those individuals proved to be guilty of murder. Perhaps not compassionate to the murderer, but compassionate to victims' families. The death penalty may not serve as a deterrent to people who have not yet committed murder, but it sure cuts down on repeat offenses.
Now, the burden of compassion has been transferred to the collective backs of America's favorite pack mules, the taxpayers. At a conservative estimate of $30,000 a year, the bill for housing and feeding these two confessed murderers will exceed $3 million. What a bargain! For only a small percentage of what one movie costs to produce, television now has two scripts to add to its fall lineup.
In an effort to be compassionate, what in God's name have we become?
JEFFREY DEATON
ROANOKE
Warner flouted the public interest
JOHN WARNER'S vote on Aug. 2 to prevent public hearings in the Sen. Bob Packwood case is an outrage that shouldn't be tolerated by Virginians. Warner voted to violate a basic American tradition of open public hearings to give the accused and the accuser a chance to be questioned before the eye of the public.
For more than 30 years in the U.S. Senate, there has been an unbroken record of holding public hearings on matters in which there's substantial, credible evidence that a violation of ethics laws has occurred. Despite more than 40 witnesses, 17 abused women, thousands of pages of secret testimony behind closed doors and Packwood's own diary pointing to his guilt, Warner chose to protect a member of his party rather than protect the public's right to face Packwood at a public hearing.
Seventeen women have sworn that Packwood sexually abused and harassed them. There's evidence that he may have abused his own power of office to get government favors for his wife. There's evidence he altered his diary to mislead officials investigating the case. However, Warner is worried about protecting Packwood.
JAMES W. LAYNE
CLINTWOOD
by CNB