Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 8, 1995 TAG: 9511080011
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-18 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Geographic Information Systems is fine insofar as giving information such as detailed aerial maps, road maps and physical condition of residents. Any medical information that can aid in rescue or emergencies should be in the terminals.
However, we take strong exception to the public's eventually being able to access land-assessment records and tax information. This is just one more intrusion that the individual is neither asked about nor has any control over.
We're not dazzled by this kind of invasion of privacy!
ELMER and NANCY MITCHELL
HUDDLESTON
Off-key quiz for a musician
BEING A fairly new resident of the Roanoke area, I hadn't yet had the opportunity to attend a Roanoke Symphony Orchestra concert. However, as a professional musician, I certainly hope that the symphony staff objected (as I do) to the ridiculous questions in your Oct. 16 interview (``RSO welcomes first of 5 conductor finalists'') with conductor-candidate David Wiley.
He must have been somewhat disconcerted (no pun intended) to have received questions such as: "How would you rather spend an afternoon off: hiking the Appalachian Trail, shucking oysters and drinking beer in front of a Redskins game, or reading a book in a hammock?" Oh, and here was another ``good" question for an aspiring conductor for our city's symphony orchestra: "Do you have any recurring dreams?"
Surely, the staff and personnel, as well as Roanoke Symphony patrons, would much rather learn the details of a candidate's musical knowledge. Or perhaps it would be prudent to include his or her personal goals or visions for an orchestra such as Roanoke's.
Please, Roanoke Times, don't insult your readers' intelligence or the dignity of such fine candidates by interviewing them as though they were appearing on Ricki Lake's talk show!
Music, as an art form, is a blessing that is full of dignity and grace, not "beer in front of a Redskins game''!
MARGARET COURTNEY
ROANOKE
No respect for one United Way agency
REGARDING the Oct. 12 letter to the editor by Jan Dowling, ``United Way agencies grow in value'':
Everyone to his own cup of tea, but I have no respect at all for Planned Parenthood. I understand that it started out as a worthwhile organization, but now all it cares about is politics and money. If citizens knew how much Planned Parenthood received from the government, different companies and its business of murdering preborn babies, they wouldn't believe it. It's estimated that 35 million babies have been aborted in this nation.
CHARLES R. HAYNES
RADFORD
No welcome mat for nation's enemies
MUSLIM radical Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman declared our country to be "the No. 1 enemy of Islam." Fortunately, our government agents uncovered a plot by seditious Muslims for massive destruction before any harm was done. Ten radicals, including the sheik, were convicted of conspiracy and face prison terms when they're sentenced next year.
The plot featured five bombs to destroy the United Nations, the Lincoln and Holland tunnels, the George Washington Bridge and a federal building housing the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Just before their arrest, the defendants were videotaped mixing bomb ingredients (Oct. 2 Associated Press article, "10 found guilty in bomb plot).
Why are such self-declared enemies of our beloved country allowed to take up residence here, to enjoy the same privileges and blessings as those afforded to peace-loving citizens? It behooves us to determine exactly who are the real enemies of our democratic way of life and deal with them appropriately.
MILDRED SADLER
SALEM
Tipping the balance to industry
KUDOS on your reporting of state and local governmental issues. As a new Virginia resident, I've learned about important issues and agendas from your articles.
One thing obvious to me from your Oct. 21 article (``Picking regulators for expertise or gifts?''): There's a definite lack of balance when it comes to Gov. George Allen's appointed regulatory watchdogs vs. the undermining of our natural environment and its resources. I guess our governor's idea of putting ``the people back in charge'' is to appoint affluent heads of industry to power positions who have the most to gain by relaxing laws that protect the environment in the name of ``economic growth!'' Ugh!
DEBRA HALL
BOONES MILL
by CNB