Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, October 28, 1995                   TAG: 9510300014
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-11   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

POLITICS

A nice-sounding phrase.

But like many other gentle-mannered political phrases - ``standing for election,'' for instance - it is apparently too fuddy-duddy to have much currency these days.

Instead, elections and the political process are presented to us - by politicians, their handlers and the news media - in the lingo of warfare and violence-prone sporting events such as football and boxing matches.

Unfortunately, slash-and-burn, beat-them-while-they're-down rhetoric aptly applies to much that goes on in politics today. It also engenders increasing disrespect for the democratic process.

Fuddy-duddy or not, we think people should keep in mind that many individuals, worthy of respect in their personal and professional lives, get involved in the process because they believe in public service. Often they do so with considerable sacrifice, for themselves and for their families, of privacy, dignity, time and money.

This year in Virginia, hundreds of our friends, neighbors and fellow citizens are running for school boards, sheriffs' offices, commonwealth's attorney, boards of supervisors, the state legislature, etc.

Whether we vote for them or not, we owe them some measure of gratitude and respect for ``standing for election'' - for, in many cases, trying to present their views and credentials honestly and honorably.

They, in turn, would do more to earn such respect and graditude if they maintained higher standards of civility than are often applied. Mud-slinging muddies more than one's opponent. It adds to everyone's resentment and disaffection.

Indeed, it's getting hard even to imagine campaigns and elections as refreshing events.