Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, November 19, 1995 TAG: 9511170098
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: F-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Why is it that no one asked Cranwell why, despite increased spending of our tax dollars, Virginia's education system has declined under his 24-year watch? Why have Scholastic Assessment Test scores fallen under Democratic leadership?
While new schools, smaller classrooms and computers are appealing, they aren't essential. One great American president - Abraham Lincoln - was unable to avail himself of any of these luxuries. He was driven by hard work, resourcefulness and an insatiable desire for knowledge. Unfortunately, recent reports on education and history show that many of today's students may not even know who Lincoln was.
Perhaps it's because schools aren't teaching the same history that I learned or students aren't learning to read phonetically the way I, my parents and grandparents learned. Computers aren't needed by children who cannot read and who cannot perform basic mathematical functions. Minority children who are told they don't need to be held to the same high standards as other children because they're black or Hispanic don't need computers. Children of unwed teen-age mothers and absentee fathers who didn't complete their own educations don't need computers.
The solution to improve our education system is hard work on the part of students, teachers and parents; discipline in school and at home; stronger traditional family values; and a return to the basics. I hope people in the Roanoke Valley and Virginia will join me in keeping a watchful eye on Cranwell and his ``education party.'' We must hold them accountable this time. Our children's future depends on it!
GLENDA DANIEL
BLUE RIDGE
Roanoke needs a traditional college
RADIO ADS for Vice Mayor John Edwards, in his pursuit of a Senate seat, promised to ``fight for an education center so people can get four-year degrees without leaving town.''
I would note that all of the plans to date have passed over bachelor's degrees in favor of continuing education and graduate studies, with only a minor peep of interest from Roanoke's officialdom, including Edwards, in the past few months.
Keeping that in mind, let me state why this approach is inadequate for the majority of the clients for state-supported higher education. Nearly all classes will be in the evening to allow employed people to attend. The real reason is that it allows the institution to avoid paying the faculty fringe benefits.
But the main job opportunities for traditional students are in the evenings. While I lived in Richmond, both community colleges and Virginia Commonwealth University followed the evening-class philosophy. And I knew young people who had to choose between work and required courses.
To make it worse, with the limitations of public transportation around here, it will be very difficult to go to school without a car.
From the point of view of a family with a college-age child, the limitations on participation in the work force and the need for more transportation will mean enough expense that dropping the kid off at Roanoke College will be a competitive option. The price of keeping an extra car on the road for four years would pay for a dorm room at Virginia Tech or Radford.
Roanoke needs a real college, even if it's a small one, with buildings, a library, auditorium, a gym, professors to consult with during business hours and even a dorm.
JACK R. PATTERSON
ROANOKE
Diversity enriches the lives of all
BEFORE we can attempt to solve the problems of race relations, we must understand and admit that racism does exist and that each of us must do what can be done to completely eradicate it or reduce overt actions of discrimination that result from racism. We must be sincere, search deeply within our hearts, and face whatever we find. Then get busy and get rid of any racism found lurking in dark corners.
We should constantly remind ourselves of a very significant part of our pledge to the flag, which states, `` ... one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.'' In my opinion, the Bible still remains the greatest book in the world. During these sad times, we need to read and apply the principles of living explained in the Bible. We need to know, accept and apply the answers it contains for solving our race-relations problems.
Persons of different backgrounds and races really serve to enrich our lives. Think how sad and less beautiful our world would be if there were only one kind and color of flower! Wouldn't it be much less beautiful and a great deal sadder if all people were the same?
People of all races, color, sexes, sexual preferences, ages, education, ethnicity and any other category must come together with sincere respect and a willingness to address the silent killer known as racism. We should honestly communicate with each other, and listen with open minds and hearts to defeat hate, ignorance, arrogance and racism before they destroy us. Frederick Douglass once stated, ``I know of no rights of race superior to the rights of humanity.''
HELEN E. DAVIS
ROANOKE
Taking the GOP down a few notches
I APPLAUD Virginians' wisdom in once again rejecting those extremists the Republican Party keeps trying to shove down our ``soft, whiny throats.'' That party is apparently controlled by Pat Robertson and Jay Timmons. How else can it be explained when their front-runners continue to be the likes of Oliver North, Mike Farris, Trixie Averill, etc.? Two of those had far-far right-wing agendas, and one is a puppet for a one-term governor with no agenda other than to do King George's bidding.
The only major victory Republicans have enjoyed recently has been by George Allen, who defeated an extremely weak opponent. Halfway through his term, voters realized that they made a mistake, and they are rebuking him and his scorched-earth policies. He's finding out Virginians don't want Newt Gingrich wannabes in Richmond. They want a statesman: a sensible, compassionate leader who promotes Virginia, not himself.
Well, this just goes to prove the system works. When one side gets too big for its britches, voters come along and do the necessary alterations.
BUTCH JOHNSON
SALEM
It's a sad day for Cleveland
AS MY family and I traveled to our new home in Christiansburg recently, I was excited. One of the few regrets I had in relocating here from Lima, Ohio, was that I would miss the in-depth coverage of the Cleveland sports teams that I have followed for more than 25 years. As I drove here in the late evening, I was able to pick up radio station WWWE out of Cleveland. The news was just breaking. Mike Trivasono, WWWE Sports Line host, got wind of the potential Browns defection to Baltimore via ``Greedy'' Art Modell.
As the hours passed, I couldn't turn off the radio. I went to Wal-Mart to get a little portable radio to keep up once we arrived here at our new home, void of furniture or other personal belongings. (They were en route on the moving truck.)
Devastation? Sadness? Disappointment? Anger? Yes. All of the above. Of all the teams in professional sports, has there ever been one that has had the following that the Cleveland Browns have had? Snow, ice, cold - it didn't matter. That stadium would fill up to its 80,000-person capacity most of the time. The Dogg Pound - it doesn't get any more intense than that.
It's a sad day for Cleveland, me and millions of fans who have stood behind this team. The Browns are the epitome of football. If this happens, as it appears it will, this is one sad day for Cleveland, and for football in general. Money - is that all there is?
CHRISTOPHER A. CANFIELD
CHRISTIANSBURG
by CNB