ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, February 28, 1996 TAG: 9602280036
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-10 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
PRESIDENT Buchanan? Maybe, maybe not. But as the self-serving journalistic geniuses continue to batter away at him, they're missing the point. Let us, the average working-class Americans, clue you in on our forgotten secret. Now listen closely:
No, we don't believe the social climate that homosexuals create is advantageous to America. We feel abortion on demand is the taking of innocent life. Affirmative action is unconstitutional - every American should be judged on his or her own qualifications. Fair and free trade isn't fair trade if we're the only ones practicing its agreements. Prayer and God shouldn't be banned from our public schools.
Do you understand? Do we need to go over this again?
We, the middle class, are the social conscience and core of America. And no matter what social cultures erupt around us, our social values never waiver. We are America. Remember, it's not the messenger, it's the message.
DANA K. PADGETT
ROANOKE
Punishment must be sure and swift
ONE PRIMARY problem we face today as Americans has to do with lack of justice, especially as it relates to the committing of crimes and the punishment of the same. Where do you see today a fear of and respect for the law? It's virtually nonexistent. Why?
I believe the problem lies with the American justice system and specifically with the way crimes are punished or, as it were, unpunished. The author of Ecclesiastes 8:11 wrote: ``Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil."
Is it any wonder crimes are committed so frequently, and with little fear of reprisal? There's a good chance that punishment either will not come or it will be minimal in comparison with the magnitude of the crime. If only sentences could be executed quickly, then perhaps people would think twice about committing crimes. Then we could say with renewed meaning: "If you can't do the time, then don't do the crime."
TODD ATKINS
ROANOKE
Falconry helps support wildlife
MARY KNAPP'S point regarding feeding captive birds of prey is off base (Feb. 12 letter to the editor, ``A killing sport is not entertainment''). Weight maintenance is crucial to the sport, just as it is with any athlete in any sport. A falconry raptor is kept at peak of condition, not the depths of hunger, so that it can perform at its very best. The handler manages and controls the diet, as a trainer works with diet and nutrition for a human athlete. Falconers know more about raptor nutritional needs than many people know about human nutrition.
Knapp's second point regarding the apparent unnaturalness of humans ``scaring small mammals from their hiding places'' is also misguided. Many rural farmers have witnessed voluntary participation of a wild bird of prey in his or her farming activities: Wild raptors follow along above working combines, mowers, bailers and other farm equipment, awaiting the dash to safety of one of those small mammals. Like all wildlife, raptors are opportunistic.
Falconry isn't entertainment per se, but a natural-history sport, where the human participant learns about natural systems including the food chain, ecology, biology and weather factors that affect the wildlife surrounding us. If Knapp got out into the natural world as much as falconers do, she'd know how brutal nature really can be. Eighty percent of the raptors hatched each year do not survive their first winter. Falconers have the opportunity to hone the bird's skills, feed it well every day, offer vitamin supplements and give needed medical care. Then, many of us return the birds to the wild so the supremely conditioned athlete can breed and be wild again in the ``natural'' way.
A. LEE CHICHESTER
MEADOWS OF DAN
Segregation and bias still abound
I AM A student at Patrick Henry High School. Everyday I am exposed to racial segregation and prejudices. Between classes and during lunch, one can glance around and see the madness of these. There are various cliques of African-Americans, upper-class whites, lower-class whites, Vietnamese, Haitians, Arabs, etc. However, this isn't what disturbs me. Rather, it's the attitudes that so many students have toward people in other ethnic groups.
I have friends from several different social and ethnic groups. But on a regular basis, my peers and adults inquire as to why I'm friends with these people. At the same time, I often overhear students in other ethnic groups questioning their peers on why they associate with me. I find it rather upsetting that in 1996 so much of our society is still prejudiced toward people because of their skin color, sexual preference, physical appearance, family income, style of clothing or their taste in music.
This is Black History Month. Perhaps at this time, in addition to reflecting on the history of African-Americans, we should all examine our own prejudices. In reality, we're all brothers and sisters with much more in common than different.
R. DANIELLE STRICKLAND
ROANOKE
LENGTH: Medium: 98 linesby CNB