ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, December 17, 1995 TAG: 9512150035
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: F-2 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
YOUR DEC. 3 news article (``Possible embezzlement case idles in attorney general's office'') on Dr. Antoine Hobeika, founding director of the Virginia Tech Center for Transportation Research, raises several issues of concern to me as a faculty member at Tech. If the question about his ``possible embezzlement case'' involving a software program he developed and sold is ``right now not guilt,'' then why was the case taken to the Virginia State Police and attorney general's office?
There's a very specific policy about intellectual properties, under which developing software would fall, in the university's faculty handbook. It clearly spells out the makeup of an intellectual-properties committee and procedures it follows in a case of disputed ownership. Ought not that committee and those procedures have been used before the state police were called in to search Hobeika's bank accounts? Before a public accusation of embezzlement was made? For what purpose was a distinguished faculty member's reputation besmirched in public? His case involves far worse than simply putting ``people in awkward positions,'' to quote a Tech administrator from the article.
Questionable, too, is the failure of the attorney general's office to make a decision whether to ask for an indictment or drop the case after more than a year's time. ``Justice delayed is justice denied'' isn't simply an old bromide; it applies directly to this case.
As president of the local chapter of the American Association of University Professors, I'm concerned that the university's actions taken in Hobeika's case set a dangerous precedent in the relationship between the administration and faculty. It's vitally important to re-establish the concepts of cooperation, communication and trust between them. Without them, any faculty member may be subjected to this kind of public and professional ordeal.
FREDERIC J. BAUMGARTNER
BLACKSBURG
Real Virginians, too need newspapers
I SAY right on to David Miller. In his Nov. 27 letter to the editor (``Bias for decency is needed, welcome''), he points out the need for ``biased'' newspapers like The Roanoke Times that dare to be liberal instead of just reporting the facts. We wouldn't have opinions at all on some issues if this newspaper didn't tell us what to think.
Miller is also right that anyone who disagrees with The Roanoke Times should start his or her own newspaper instead of writing letters.
In fact, let conservatives start their own state! We don't need their kind around here. Real Virginians are liberal-minded - always have been, always will be.
KAREN BIRD
RINER
Environmental laws need balancing
REGARDING the Nov. 26 commentaries by Alexander Volokh and Gerald P. McCarthy, ``Does regulation help or harm the environment?'':
Volokh and McCarthy penned readable commentaries, but failed to tell us anything new. There's some consensus that some regulations are far too technical and lack a common-sense approach. Likewise, most agree that some businesses and individuals are willfully and knowingly violating environmental regulations that legitimately protect human health and the environment.
The real issue is how to properly align the system to develop cost-effective regulations that encourage, not discourage, businesses and individuals to obey the law, and also develop more innovative and less costly approaches to environmental pollution.
In an international marketplace, we want to be competitive while preserving the quality of life and health in America. Business and government can, in many instances, do this today. Self-audits, innovative technology, and regulations and permits that are goal-oriented and flexible can continue to improve on this.
I've been fortunate to have worked in both the Environmental Protection Agency and in industry. Both, in my experience, want the same thing: improved environmental quality and pollution prevention. They need not and should not be adversaries. Wild pendulum swings in governmental policy aren't helpful, and can be destructive to long-term business planning. Fairly enforced laws and regulations can provide a reasonable stimulus to industry to self-police and take the initiative in environmental improvement.
It's time the public demands a balanced, calm and logical approach to solving environmental challenges. Win-win solutions, not adversarial approaches, could make a better tomorrow.
PAUL R. THOMSON JR.
ROANOKE
Increase exports to balance world trade
I AGREE with Charles F. Roberts (Nov. 27 letter to the editor, ``Put some fairness in foreign trade'') that a balance of trade is needed, but I don't endorse his views on how to achieve it. Increasing import tariffs on goods and services from Third World countries - countries with an agricultural economy and still struggling to industrialize - isn't the solution. In fact, it would be counterproductive, as we've recently seen in the automobile-import policy battle with Japan.
Some U.S. manufacturing industries enjoy protection from imports from developing countries, especially on clothing made of cotton and man-made fibers. Each country is allotted specific quotas, over and above which no exports can be made to the United States. I don't know how much this helps American industry, but I know it encourages the creation of separate economic blocs in various world sectors, which eventually incite confrontation and war.
The solution to America's foreign-trade deficit is in greater exports. Encourage American businessmen to export more by offering them various export incentives such as tax holidays for export-oriented industries, export rebates and lower income-tax rates on export sales.
It isn't correct to say that U.S. corporations are leaving this country to set up factories in developing countries due to cheap manufacturing costs and lower overheads. Third World countries aren't as backward as they're thought to be. They have labor laws, health and safety standards, and must deal with labor unions and pollution-control devices.
No doubt, American factories in Hong Kong and Taiwan enjoy lower manufacturing costs, but not because of poor working conditions and lack of concern for workers' health and safety. Wages are low because cost of food and shelter is low.
A more effective policy of exporting more can only be done if American manufacturers cut unnecessary overheads. Fairness in foreign trade can be achieved not by carrying a big stick, but by being competitive.
ZIA REHMAN
ROANOKE
Welcome mat's out for high-tech firms
I SALUTE Gov. George Allen for encouraging the establishment of high-tech companies in Virginia. The prestigious Gateway 2000, Motorlola and IBM-Toshiba, all computer-oriented businesses, have recently decided to invest in bases in Virginia.
Even though these new facilities bring employment opportunities, revenues will not come without drawbacks. The new Motorola chip base alone will cost $86 million in incentives. However, it is expected to bring $564 million in tax revenue and produce some 5,000 new jobs.
New investments are risky, though. In the early '80s, Boston and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology suffered from high rates of high-tech job loss.
So get ready, Virginia, for innovative companies - and hope with Allen and all of Virginia for auspicious results.
ALLISON ELIAS
ROANOKE
Goodlatte must not go unchallenged
IT COMES as no surprise that our local theocrat in the U.S. House of Representatives, Robert Goodlatte, supports the Hyde amendment that would emasculate the constitutional separation of church and state (Dec. 3 article, "It's a fervent debate").
Nor is it surprising that your newspaper opposes his position editorially.
But in a strange sense, the electorate should thank Goodlatte for this latest display of his fawning adherence to the so-called Christian-right agenda. He adds one more item to the long list of reasons why he deserves early retirement next November.
This year's strong showing at the polls should inspire local Democrats to mount a creditable challenge to Goodlatte in 1996. Maybe this time around they'll actually enter a candidate in the race. Oh brave new world!
MITCHELL L. MENDELSON
ROANOKE
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