Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 20, 1995 TAG: 9508180086
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: D2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
My daughter once had the same status that I enjoy. She's in jail. She, too, is an addict. Her diagnostic code is 304.20 - Cocaine Dependence - and it states: ``Persons can spend extremely large amounts of money in a short period of time. As a result, the person using the substance may become involved in theft, prostitution, or drug dealing to purchase the drug.''
My drug of choice, as suggested by Dr. David L. Lewis (Aug. 11 letter to the editor, ``Tobacco's trail of carnage''), is probably the most lethal drug available, and the most expensive in terms of medical dollars. Alcohol, another legal drug, is certainly a close second. Why, I wonder, am I out here and my daughter is in jail? Apparently, the Food and Drug Administration has decided, surely not based on logic or statistics, that my drug is legal and hers isn't.
It's estimated that three-fourths of those in the prison system are there due to drug-related charges. Should the FDA change its ruling on the legality of certain drugs, I might find myself serving 10 years for possession of one cigarette. My cell mate might be the nice woman at the neighborhood Alcohol Beverage Control store, doing 40 years for ``possession with intent.''
Until someone rationally and logically decides if using some or any drug constitutes a criminal act, Gov. George Allen will be able to justify the need for more prisons. Should I end up in jail for my addiction, I'll stop using. As of July 1, Roanoke City Jail is smoke-free. Nicotine is too dangerous to the health of its inmates.
KATHRYN A. ST. CLAIR ROANOKE
The judge followed state guidelines
REGARDING Robert Michael May's murder trial:
I'd like to relay to the public the way in which our judicial system is designed. A judge who tries a case doesn't base his or her decision on personal feelings and opinions. This would be prejudicial, and our system is specifically designed not to be prejudicial. Our courts have strict guidelines that mandate a judge's decisions. The Code of Virginia is very specific about crimes involving the death penalty, and I feel that Judge Clifford Weckstein was fair in rendering his decision pursuant to those guidelines.
May will spend the remainder of his life behind bars with no chance of parole. I realize that family and friends of the five victims get no relief from knowing this, but I think that attacking the judge who rendered the decision is unfair. Weckstein followed the rules of law in his decision in the case, and it wouldn't have mattered if the victims were more affluent.
If you want judges to change their procedures for conducting trials and rendering sentences, then you need to change the Constitution of the United States, Supreme Court rules, the Code of Virginia, and the laws and guidelines concerning sentences that are imposed by our court system.
I, for one, am very glad our court system doesn't rely on human prejudices, because no one would ever get a fair trial.
GINA PHELPS ROANOKE
Judge not by the color of hair
IT'S GROSSLY unfair to judge people from their outward appearances. In the seven years I've worked in downtown Roanoke, I've come across all kinds of people. It never occurred to me to classify their manners, intelligence or worth by their hair color, the amount or location of jewelry worn, or the number of people accompanying them.
Many professionals considered highly successful by their peers color their hair or wear toupees or wigs, and have double-pierced ears in which they wear two sets of earrings, in addition to numerous rings, necklaces, bracelets and watches worn elsewhere. Troops of these professionals go to lunch together.
If we started with respect for individual differences, we might be surprised at what true tolerance for those differences can accomplish.
JUDY HENSLEY ROANOKE
President Truman deserves thanks
I HAVE been watching television news and reading published accounts of the pros and cons of President Harry Truman's decision to drop the atomic bomb, and would like to add a few comments.
I participated in six invasions in the Pacific theater of operations at Eniwetok, Siapan, Tinian, Leyte, Luzon and Okinawa, and saw firsthand the resolve of the Japanese military personnel to die fighting as they crashed planes and suicide boats into ships in an effort to kill as many Americans as possible. Hundreds of civilians jumped off cliffs at Siapan rather than surrender.
War Minister Anemi was calling on Japan's people to fight one last glorious battle during the coming invasion of Japan, set for Nov. 1. American prisoners had been told they would be shot the day of the invasion.
Japanese military leaders didn't agree with Emperor Hirohito's decision to sue for peace, and wanted to continue fighting. Would they have prevailed had the bomb not been dropped?
I still remember Pearl Harbor, the Bataan Death March, the beheading of prisoners, the massacre of thousands of Chinese in Shanghai and Nanking, and the inhumane treatment of prisoners. Thanks again, President Truman.
BOB SAMS ROANOKE
A new focus on regional art
WILL JOANNE Kuebler, newly appointed director for the Art Museum of Western Virginia, do for art what Victoria Bond did for the Roanoke Symphony? Let's hope so. Bond reached out to the people, and the people responded.
With the recent find and subsequent approved purchase of Asher B. Durand's ``View Near Catskill With Round Top'' by Kuebler, Kuebler demonstrated her skill in bringing to the region art that can be celebrated by the people. The people will respond.
HARRY C. NICKENS VINTON
Many subsidize interests of a few
THE MYTH that local government ``nearest to the people'' is the best way for the governed to control excesses by those chosen to govern has died a quick and painful death in Botetourt County.
For reasons best known to those who concoct them, governmental entities often express the necessity of having to ``invest'' the taxpayers' money. Government is a service, not a brokerage business. Why should Botetourt County taxpayers underwrite commercial corporations? Clearly, any of us subsidized with millions of taxpayers' dollars can successfully launch commercial enterprises. Obviously, this outrageous idea will cost taxpayers dearly in the future.
A casual reading of the tea leaves leaves the impression that a proposed industrial park is a done deal, regardless of the feelings of those who oppose it. The only thing left to do is bury the myth.
WILLIAM N. GILES TROUTVILLE
Clay Ferguson, a local treasure
ON AUG. 7, Roanoke lost a treasure. Clay Ferguson was a model of a man - a Christian, devoted husband and father, faithful church member and encourager, a strong civic leader.
On Aug. 9, Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead died after a life of abusing his body. This newspaper chose to make that front-page news. I know the Grateful Dead has a devoted following - fans of all ages. But I believe that Ferguson, in his 80 years of life, touched more people in a positive way than Garcia.
No, I'm not naive. I know there are thousands of Grateful Dead fans - many in the Roanoke Valley. But I also know that if folks patterned themselves after the likes of Ferguson and others here at home who stand tall for what's right and who love God and their families, our nation wouldn't now find itself on the brink of self-destruction.
ANNE WEAVER ROANOKE
by CNB