ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, January 24, 1996 TAG: 9601240007
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
SELDOM have I read a more misleading letter to the editor than the one from Jenni Nolen (Jan. 12,``Goodlatte's dubious distinction'') in which she distorts Congressman Bob Goodlatte's voting record. She claims that he opposes family-planning services. What he opposes are taxpayer-funded abortions, except in cases of rape or incest or when the mother's life is involved. He only opposes taxpayers' funding of family-planning services for organizations that also provide abortion services.
Goodlatte didn't vote against Medicaid funding for rape and incest victims seeking abortion, but only to allow citizens of states with stricter laws to make their determination in their own legislatures. He understands that more decisions should be made locally and at the state level instead of in Washington, D.C.
Nolen states that ``some people believe women should be denied abortions, even if forcibly raped;'' that ``poor mothers should be denied access to contraceptive services;'' and that ``fetal tissue should never be used to treat deadly diseases.'' Goodlatte doesn't support any of those positions.
It's disappointing that Nolen would send in a letter with so many blatantly distorted statements. Goodlatte is a fair-minded man who believes in fair protections of the rights of mother and child.
PAULINE JOHNSON
ROANOKE
How about diversity of beliefs?
SEVERAL letters to the editor have been printed recently to the effect that Roanoke Valley people should be celebrating diversity. Is that slogan only for sexual behavior? What about celebrating diversity of thought?
Do not Lamar Advertising Agency (if such be the case) or others have the moral obligation and right to stand for their beliefs, and not yield to pressure to encourage any lifestyle they consider immoral or detrimental to their society and country? I offer the following points to our ``celebrate diversity'' folks:
We don't hate you. Sure, maybe some people hate. But, by and large, most don't. We don't hate people who are into drugs, lying, gossip, homosexuality, pride or whatever because that's our family member, neighbor, co-worker or ourselves you're talking about. So please get rid of that word ``homophobic'' you use to describe anyone who disagrees with your lifestyle.
Yes, Christians disagree with your lifestyle. The Bible says in Leviticus, ``You shall not lie with mankind as with womankind: it is abomination. Neither shall you lie with any beast to defile yourself therewith.'' Christians believe the Bible. It's God's holy word.
Though God clearly states his judgment about homosexuality, he isn't homophobic. He loves everybody. He sent his son, Jesus, to die for all the wrong things we do.
BEVERLY JESSUP
ROANOKE
Disabled students face frustrations
REGARDING your Jan. 7 news article, ``Teen with learning disability faces rigors of mainstreaming'':
The article about Nathan Amos and his dilemma with Roanoke city's schools was very sad and frustrating, especially since I had some problems of the same sort last year and received no satisfaction from my phone conversations and meetings. I now regret that I didn't file a formal complaint as the Amos family did and take my complaints higher, but I will definitely consider it in the future.
My deaf daughter attends the city schools and is mainstreamed in all honor classes. She is very gifted. There were various problems last year, but the worst was that she had no interpreter for many classes. Some interpreters even lack the ability to interpret at a high-school level. How would you like to watch television without volume and then be told: ``You will do just fine. You are so smart, and can lip-read so well.'' No one can lip-read that well.
I know the mental anguish the Amos family has experienced, not to mention the sadness that Nathan must feel. Thanks for having the guts to pursue this story, and for giving me and other parents the incentive to pursue a better and fairer education for all children.
BONNIE SHORT
TROUTVILLE
Hockey fans' boos offended many
MY HUSBAND, 9-year-old daughter and I have been attending the hockey games at the Roanoke Civic Center. During the singing of the Canadian National Anthem, some Roanoke fans recently booed the song. This is offensive and embarrassing to us.
Do these people not realize that some of the players of the Express team are Canadian? Are they ignorant or just plain rude?
DONNA ENGLISH
MONETA
Jordan's vision will be missed
WE APPRECIATED your Jan. 19 editorial (``When she spoke, we listened'') in memory of Barbara Jordan since we both revered her as one of the most inspirational figures of our time. In fact, one of us wrote in her name on a ballot for president of the United States on more than one occasion.
There have been many times since the '60s when this country needed to hear a resounding voice reminding us that liberty and justice for all is the ideal on which this nation was founded. In today's climate of hate politics, Jordan's vision is sorely missed. But her voice will remain vivid in our memories.
ROBERT and PATRICIA TRACY
BLACKSBURG
LENGTH: Long : 106 linesby CNB