ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, January 1, 1996 TAG: 9601020154
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: HOLIDAY
TYPE: LETTERS
CHRISTMAS TREES, Christmas plays, Christmas greetings on the windows, wreaths, Christmas worksheets, Christmas books, Christmas caroling, Christmas story telling, etc. Where might one find such an environment with such Christmas cheer? At church, Sunday school, a religious club, at home . . . ? Noooo, it's in the public schools.
Isn't it mandated that church and schools be separated?
I am a parent of students in the Roanoke city public school system. For the past 10 years, this year included, I have observed the festive symbols and spirit of this Christian holiday. I think it is wonderful that people share the sentiment about their religious beliefs and convictions. The problem is that most public school representatives (teachers, staff, etc.) encourage and promote this. I believe that it is extremely misleading for our society to suggest that religion is not promoted and taught in our public schools. It absolutely is!
Our school board's mission statement reads that they "pledge to prepare responsible citizens by developing understanding of self and diversity within the community." I admire those sentiments.
The way I see it, however, the Christian religion represents the majority and little or no regard is given to those individuals such as our Jewish, Jehovah's Witness and Islamic citizens, for example.
If we are going to be involved in the education of the children of the Roanoke Valley about religion and religious holidays, it is only fair, respectful and appropriate to inform students about all religions with the same fervor and enthusiasm as we do during the Christmas holidays. Let us not be remiss in attending to this need.
AMINA AL-HINDI
ROANOKE
Keep out of our yard
I SUPPORT Sen. Madison Mayre's statements regarding the "smart road." Why do you have to bad mouth everyone who is against it?
You sit 35 miles from Blacksburg and you'll not be content until you blacktop over the whole of Montgomery County just to benefit two entities, Roanoke and Virginia Tech.
Stay in your own back yard and let us handle our affairs in our own way.
ELLIOT F. BRUSSEAU
CHRISTIANSBURG
Don't hold industry liable for stupidity
MY COMMENTS are regarding two letters that appeared Dec. 18: John Kemp's "A trial lawyer's travesty and triumph" and Michael Hileman's "For consumers' sake, hold industries accountable."
Mr. Kemp's ending comments are right on target; his descriptions apply to Mr. Hileman and his ilk. I agree that industry should be liable for injuries caused by defective or poorly designed products. However, as with Mr. Kemp's objection to the jury's initial $135,000 award, I have read of a number of sizable awards for stupidity or not using common sense.
If a well-designed and well-built item is used for a purpose it was not designed for, or in such a way that common sense should preclude that use, why should the industry pay immense sums for that person's stupidity?
What was done to those baby birds and in front of children was heinous, but where was the $135,000 damage that this award (since reduced by a judge) can correct?
I read once that a farmer's ladder was too short to reach the barn roof where shingles needed repair. The ladder was put on top a frozen manure pile to access the roof and the farmer spent most of the day making repairs. Meanwhile, the day warmed up, the manure pile thawed, and when the farmer tried to descend, the ladder slipped and fell. The farmer sued and won $50,000 because the many cautions listed on the ladder did not include "Do not use on a frozen manure pile".
These types of cases should be thrown out of court. In what way can industry be liable? Can any manufacturer think of and list every way that his product might be misused? Yet, if he doesn't list them as a caution, he not only pays a steep price for someone's stupidity but also makes lawyers rich.
GEORGE F. SNYDER
VINTON
No reason to be in Bosnia
WHY ARE our men and women in the armed forces being sent into a country that the majority of our population cannot locate on a map? The answer is very vague.
There has been civil war in this area over the past 500 years. Does anyone really believe they will cease fighting because we send our military?
I personally do not understand what the U.S. stands to gain from peace in this area, and I don't think the president or Congress understands either.
In previous involvements with other countries, we always had a clear purpose. These purposes were ludicrous and not worth a single life in most cases, but at least they were reasons. In Vietnam, Korea, Grenada and the Persian Gulf, we had economic interests at stake. This time, there is none.
I realize that the ethnic cleansing is enough to stand as a crime against humanity, but why don't we invade about 50 other countries where such action is a daily occurrence?
I understand that there are people in this country with family over there, and I feel for them. But it is not the responsibility of this country to settle disputes around the globe just because they exist.
If you recall, we started out in Vietnam to aid the French in their efforts to end hundreds of years of infighting in a foreign country. Today, Clinton asks for 20,000 troops to risk their lives to keep the peace. Tomorrow he will ask for 100,000 more to support those already there. Escalation continues into another undeclared war.
If public opinion turns sour, will Congress cut off support and try to sweep this one away too? President Clinton can commit our troops to this battle as he sees fit. Ironic it seems that a man who has never served a day in the military can become the commander-in-chief of our armed forces, and send our men and women anywhere he sees fit.
This is not what we want. We don't want our children asking us in 15 years, "why"? We don't want to send our brothers and sisters, sons and daughters to a far-off land to die for no purpose.
TALLEY GRIFFITH
STUART
Can't hide a liberal agenda
IN THE EDITORIAL "A budget by Christmas" on Dec. 15, you implied that Republicans want federal spending cuts so they can give the wealthy a tax cut. Although this is typical rhetoric from Bill Clinton and his left-wing Democrats, how can you as journalists perpetuate this lie?
Medicare, Medicaid and education would increase at twice the projected rate of inflation. Why not mention the positive aspects of a balanced budget or the negative results from continued uncontrolled government spending?
It is also your position that the country cannot afford the tax cuts. However, if your staff did your homework you would find that when there is a decrease in tax rates, economic activity increases, thereby increasing federal revenues. The reverse has occurred when tax rates have increased. The increase in economic activity resulting from a reduction of the capital gain taxes would greatly benefit all Americans.
In recent commentaries you have stated that your newspaper is neutral and does not favor the Democratic Party over the Republican Party. For you to make these remarks is an insult to the intelligence of your readers. Your staff should accept the fact that your type of liberalism is basically dead and that conservative Western Virginia deserves a paper that does not have a liberal agenda.
BILL NUCKOLLS
GALAX
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