Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, October 3, 1995 TAG: 9510030058
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The trooper stopped the truck to see whether there was a problem and noticed the smell of alcohol on the driver's breath. He arrested the driver, who flunked field sobriety and blood-alcohol tests. The driver was convicted of drunken driving but appealed, claiming the trooper had no reason to suspect a crime was being committed and the arrest violated the prohibition against unreasonable search and seizure. A three-judge panel of the Virginia Court of Appeals agreed and reversed the conviction, but the full court reheard the case and upheld the trial court. An appeal to the Supreme Court followed. The Virginia Supreme Court reversed the felony conviction to not guilty because the driver's odd conduct, without more, didn't give rise to a reasonable suspicion, based on objective facts, that he needed police assistance. Justice Henry H. Whiting wrote the unanimous opinion.
Can you believe our taxes pay for these judges? Vehicles were made to drive on streets, not through people's yards. Thanks to the officer who stopped this dangerous drunken driver before he killed someone, and for dedicated law officers who try to stop these potential killers. Then we have lawyers and judges who set them free. There are good and bad people, but it seems all the bad ones go free because of one little error. Get real, judges. This man was drunk, driving illegally, and endangering every person in our state. It looks like grounds to protect Virginians and the guilty driver himself by making him get help for his serious problem.
GEORGE J. PALMERIO VINTON
Bedford needs library additions
BEDFORD County has an upcoming referendum that will enable county residents to have four new branch libraries and expand an existing one. Despite our brand new large central library, these additions to the system are necessary, especially for our school children as a supplement to their school libraries.
Anyone who patronizes our current branch buildings recognizes that their present size is much too small for the number of people who wish to take out books. They're crowded.
Today, more than ever, our country needs citizens who are well-informed. Libraries are the best way to do this.
BARBARA A. McEWAN FOREST
Branscom is better qualified
AS WE draw nearer to the November elections, I feel inclined to comment on a statement being made by our commonwealth's attorney. He says that crime is down in Botetourt County, which is entirely possible. But how can he take credit for it? I doubt very seriously that convictions are up!
Sometime ago my wife and I witnessed an individual breaking the law, which could have resulted in someone getting killed. We received a subpoena from the commonwealth's attorney to appear in court to testify. We were never allowed to testify, and the truth of what happened never came out at the hearing. The individual received no more than a slap on the wrist. I was very upset over this and voiced my displeasure. And I was charged with contempt of court.
After I paid my fine, Sheriff Reed Kelly came up to me and said that he was sorry I had been charged and he understood exactly how I felt, because he and his men were confronted with the same thing all the time.
The next day Rob Hagan called to apologize for what had happened. He said he realized ''he hadn't done his job'' and some important facts hadn't come out at the hearing because he didn't allow us to testify. His reason for not allowing us to testify was that ``he wanted to speed up the cases and get them through the system.''
We need a commonwealth's attorney who is willing to spend the time it takes to ensure that the work of our law-enforcement officers isn't wasted. We need Joel Branscom!
MIKE ALLRED BUCHANAN
Restore prayer and discipline in schools
ARE THEY called hypocrites when a priest kneels beside a wounded soldier and prays, or a police officer kneels beside a slain partner and prays? Many times in our lives we feel compelled to pray to our father, so are we hypocrites? When a child prays in school or a football player prays in the end zone, are they hypocrites?
There's a big difference between a silent prayer to our father in public and a person who prays out loud in public to gain attention to himself. A hypocrite prays out loud in public trying to impress others.
Those who demand prayer to be abolished completely do not understand prayer at all, and try to use the words of God against him.
People have demanded that prayer and discipline be removed from our schools. Look at our inner-city schools in the major cities and see the results. Without prayer and without discipline, there's chaos.
JOHN DAILEY ROANOKE
Police response to 911 call was prompt
MY PUSH-button phone was taken away from my 22-month-old grandson recently. Less than 5 minutes later, the police were at my door asking if we needed help. They had gotten a 911 call from my phone (courtesy of the baby).
I thought that in view of recent bad publicity some places had received on 911 calls, Roanoke could be proud of the promptness of our police response.
JEWELL TRENT ROANOKE
Domesticated birds need special care
THE CHANGING of the season reminds me of a sad experience I had last fall. I observed a blue parakeet that came to my bird feeder every day. He must have flown out of his owner's house due to someone's carelessness.
During the next six months, I saw this little guy struggle through sleet, snow, and below-freezing temperatures. I called him ``Kong'' because of his brave determination just to survive. I tried to catch him many times, but to no avail. Many nights Kong had to endure the extreme cold, and I thought I wouldn't see him again. But somehow, each morning he was back. This went on until March of this year. Just when the weather began warming up, he stopped coming. I have no idea what happened to that parakeet.
Any creature that has been domesticated since birth usually has a small chance of surviving in the wild. Bird owners need to be aware of how quickly their feathered friends can get away if their wings aren't properly clipped. They may grieve for their pet days after it escapes, but in reality, their bird may suffer alone for a very long time.
ASTRA T. BOWYER ROANOKE
Re-elect Marye to the Senate
SOME POLITICAL candidates have an exemplary record in the General Assembly to recommend them. Madison Marye is such a candidate. He has always demonstrated the understanding of the need for balance in government.
Fiscally conservative, Marye has done his part to help maintain Virginia's outstanding credit rating; yet he's careful to provide the infrastructure needed for economic development and services required by the citizens. No one has a better record for thoughtful and responsible representation and service to his/her constituency. He views education as an investment and believes protecting the environment is important to the quality of our lives.
Not one to do what's politically expedient, he isn't easily swayed by special-interest groups. He must be persuaded that proposed legislation is for the common good. It's comforting to know Marye is a member of the Senate Finance Committee which oversees all spending bills. He's also an effective member of the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee and chairs the Senate General Laws Committee.
Marye is respected in the General Assembly by members of both political parties. They know he works hard, believes in fiscal responsibility, is experienced and reliable, unassuming, and good-natured. His integrity is unquestioned, and his life-long dedication to public service is laudable. We in Southwest Virginia owe him a debt of gratitude for his work on our behalf, and he should be re-elected to the Senate.
BETH C. NELSON RADFORD
by CNB