Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, October 6, 1995 TAG: 9510060030
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Imagine pristine forests; wild, clean rivers; and abundant fish and wildlife. This picture from the Western United States of the late 1800s dates the 1872 Mining Act. The Congress of that era felt the need to aid expansion and industry out West by passing this act, allowing the federal government to sell public lands at bargain prices to mining concerns.
The picture out there today shows a land scarred by the effects of an outdated law. Not only does this act give our land away, it makes no provision on how the land should be treated, nor does it impose any royalty on our minerals.
Recently, Faxe Kulk Inc. of Denmark purchased 110 acres in Clark County, Idaho, for $275. Persuasion from mining-industry lobbyists on weak-willed elected officials has kept this outdated act in place. In response, our government officials claim the act keeps and promotes jobs out West.
Meanwhile, our national parks and wildlife areas are eroding away due to a lack of funds for their upkeep. If we could revamp this law by raising land prices and adding royalties on deposits found, we could have funds to improve our parks and natural areas. This added revenue could create jobs to safeguard our environmental investment as well.
Our elected officials on Capitol Hill must stop abusing our trust and get on with overhauling the 1872 Mining Act.
DENNIS W. EPPERSON
SALEM
Re-elect Marye to the state Senate
TIRED of hearing political candidates bash each other? State Sen. Madison Marye of the 39th District is more interested in solving problems than in attacking the opposition.
Madison's traditional values of plain speaking and plain dealing include a refusal to engage in negative campaigning. His occasional digs at opponents are done with humor, not vindictiveness.
We need to keep a senator whose approach to issues is a practical one, grounded in common sense, not political rhetoric. He votes his own opinions and isn't controlled by pressure groups or captive to a political platform.
Hats off to Marye!
MARY R. FESSLER
BLACKSBURG
Parkway belongs to everyone
REGARDING the diatribe of William M. Guthrie (Sept. 20 letter to the editor, ``Was parkway bought or stolen?'') and Mary Bishop's Sept. 11 article (``Pretty road stirs ugly memories for landowners'') about the Blue Ridge Parkway and prices paid for the land used for this purpose:
I rode a truck up the mountain, worked eight hours, then rode back to Roanoke. In those days (the early '30s), the road was called the Skyline Drive, and Sam Weems was supervisor of the whole thing. I worked from the top of Bent Mountain to the North Carolina line.
I met a lot of nice people in Floyd County, and all I talked to were very pleased at the price they received for their land. They said $18 (per acre) for ridges and mountainsides was excellent.
In case Bishop is interested, we were paid $33 per month for our labor. That figure is for 160 hours. Do you wonder that land was so cheap?
It makes me sick to see such drivel in your newspaper. The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most beautiful highways in the world, and it belongs to all of us.
JAMES PAYNE
ROANOKE
Cranwell must be feeling the heat
I REALLY don't know what causes me to laugh more: The idea that House Majority Leader Dick Cranwell actually believes that his opponent, Trixie Averill, has a ``bounty'' on stolen Cranwell yard signs, or the fact that he has been airing campaign spots on the Rush Limbaugh radio show.
After two decades of virtually being unopposed, Cranwell must be feeling some heat. Any other explanation is above me.
JAYE CLARKE
ROANOKE
Cartoon was insensitive
REGARDING your Sept. 26 Opinion page cartoon:
What an insensitive and tasteless portrayal of the elderly who are participating in the Medicare insurance program.
Let us not forget that many, if not most, of them have worked many years, and paid taxes and Social Security payments with the expectation that they would eventually receive this benefit. To portray them as kid killers after such a horrible occurrence as took place in Los Angeles is unforgivable.
A more appropriate cartoon might be a picture of a bride (the elderly) left standing at the altar with the caption ``broken promises.''
ELIZABETH W. PAYNE
ROANOKE
Teen-agers can be nice
THERE has been a lot of talk about teen-agers in the valley. I don't have much occasion to be at the Roanoke City Market late at night, but I've been at Valley View Mall many times until closing. Most of us who go to the mall know it's a teen-age hangout. At most times, these young people are polite and considerate.
Many times I've encountered groups of four or five who are enjoying each other's company and forget to be polite, but I blame this on the intentness of their conversations and enjoying each other. Generally, they'll disperse and let you by. A smile and a wink generally do wonders!
Recently, I had an occasion to be at the mall one evening. My 4-year-old grandson was with me. It was his ``night out with grandma,'' and I let him choose our activities. Having grown up so far in a push-button computer world, naturally he wanted to go to the game room. You can imagine the trepidation I had upon his request.
We walked hand in hand up to the door: a 4-year-old boy and his grandmother, easily the youngest and oldest person there. The room was crowded with boisterous youngsters. I swallowed, gritted my teeth, and entered the room, trying to ignore the fact that many eyes were on us. This was my grandson's night out, and he was going to get his due!
How surprised I was when upon trying to get change, a young man graciously offered to help me. My grandson and I sat at one of the machines, put our money in, and waited for the action. When nothing happened, two young boys came to our rescue, showed us how to work it, and even stayed to cheer us on.
My grandson and I had an enjoyable time. We had an audience intent on helping us work the machines and our own cheering section in the youngsters. When my grandson dropped his coins, young men gallantly scampered about to retrieve and return them to us.
What a pleasurable evening! I enjoyed the young folks' attention and courtesy. Needless to say, I'll not be the least bit concerned to go into the "lion's den'' of teen-agers next time - and there will be a next time!
NORCE LOWE
SALEM
Jurors can protect our freedoms
TO SERVE on jury duty is an American tradition, a great honor, and a huge responsibility. The constitutional right to a trial by jury was intended to be one of the checks and balances in our system of government, to ensure that legislative and judicial systems are operating properly.
Jurors hold thousands of lives in their hands every day as they deliberate innocence or ``guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.'' Few jurors know, because they're not told, that they have the power to reduce charges against defendants, veto bad laws, and say ``no'' to unjust prosecutions.
Unfortunately, the ``war on drugs'' isn't only a complete failure, it's a war on citizens' rights, setting precedents that undermine the freedoms this country was founded upon.
Prosecutorial injustices, Congress' ``mandatory minimum prison sentences,'' and property seizures have become exceedingly harsh and abusive. More than 60 percent of the U.S. prison population are drug offenders, of which the majority are nonviolent, first-time offenders.
Prohibition proved to be a poor policy. Many high-ranking federal judges have come out in favor of decriminalizing marijuana, as a start, because they know the system has failed.
One question jurors should ask themselves: Who is the victim, who was adversely affected by the alleged acts? If the answer isn't clear, then the true victims are the defendants, their families and our country. Votes of ``not guilty'' in these cases can help put our country back on track again and restore our freedom.
KELLY KREYLING
FINCASTLE
by CNB