ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, January 20, 1996 TAG: 9601220008
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-9 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
REGARDING Myer S. Reed's Jan. 5 letter to the editor, ``Does prejudice thrive here?'':
Reed's attempt to castigate the good citizens of Roanoke is itself an example of intolerance toward those who disagree with him.
The ``Diversity Enriches'' ad campaign is nothing more than a deliberate and skillful attempt by the lesbian and gay community to promote its lifestyle. Diversity indeed has enriched our culture in many ways, but homosexuality isn't one of them. This is a destructive lifestyle that flies in the face of God, who created male and female for propagation of the species.
It isn't intolerant to reject the premise that homosexuality is positive and enriching, as Reed suggests. It isn't prejudiced to demand the truth, and I commend Lamar Advertising, WVTF and others for refusing to be taken in by false and misleading advertising.
DAVID GOFF
ROANOKE
Show respect for your neighbors
I AGREE with Sam Hollingsworth's Jan. 7 letter to the editor headlined ``Trash cans are a county eyesore.'' They don't have to be if people wouldn't overload them, wouldn't put them out until pickup day, and would bring them in after the trash has been picked up.
There are lots of neighbors who don't seem to have respect for others. They let their trash blow in others' yards. Trash contents should be in tied bags, and heavy items placed at the bottom of the can to keep it from turning over. I use plastic bags that purchased items come in for my trash. The plastic bags prevent trash from blowing around in case the can turns over.
I've seen cans still out four days after trash has been picked up, and have also seen them out a couple days ahead of the pickup day. I agree with Hollingsworth that we should keep the county clean.
On another matter of disrespect for neighbors, a car parked on the end of a cul-de-sac during the recent snowstorm caused mail and newspaper boxes to be blocked, and snow equipment couldn't remove the snow. It's going on the second week with no mail delivery because of this.
JAMES E. BRATTON
VINTON
Resolve to take care kindly for cats
MY WISH for the new year is that people will be more responsible with their kittens. People should have them fixed so they will not have babies. This is my wish because I found out that cats are put to sleep at animal shelters, and it made me sad.
AMBER LEE
SALEM
Snow's legacy may be a baby boom
I AM WRITING to the baby industry and all related fields. Beginning in September, all states that were ``state of emergency'' snowbound for days on end expect to see a phenomenal baby explosion.
Diaper companies, manufacturers of infant furniture, baby food and infant clothing, day-care centers and pediatricians' practices must all expand accordingly.
This fallout can be far-reaching, too. In about 20 years, it will affect the sale of cars, real estate, clothes, jewelry and insurance, and also the colleges.
Just know that the entrapment of thousands of people, socked in and not used to it, will either result in untimely deaths or in multiplication of the family name!
DONNA GARRETT
ROANOKE
Enough, already, of social programs
I HAVE never written to a newspaper before. But concerning Karen Bird's tongue-in-cheek Dec. 17 letter to the editor (``Real Virginians, too, need newspapers''), it was apparently misunderstood by some. She was simply using irony to comment on The Roanoke Times' slanted editorials, but I guess her approach was just too subtle for some readers. She's my daughter-in-law, and I know her to be as conservative as anyone in Southwest Virginia.
Our families have always been the payers, never the payees. We're weary of most of the social ``improvement'' programs this newspaper endorses because, after paying, we have to make do with what's left to us. This is socialism at its best!
BETTY J. BIRD
CHRISTIANSBURG
Compassion wasn't lost in the snow
WHEN EACH television newscast seems to begin with the details of the latest murder, and many television programs are based on tales of killings and mayhem, when politicians tear each other and the government apart to advance their own causes, it's heartwarming to read an article as appeared on the front page of your Jan. 15 newspaper, ```Guardian angels' brave storm for safety, romance, lost puppy,'' about people helping one another.
The big snow showed that maybe we are a caring people after all, when we are just given the opportunity. Congratulations to The Roanoke Times for reminding us.
VIRGINIA CURRIE
BLACKSBURG
LENGTH: Medium: 99 linesby CNB