ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, April 10, 1996 TAG: 9604100006
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-10 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
IT WAS with great sadness that I read of the unfortunate death of Edwin Plunkett. As a physician, I often have to deal with the painful issue of abusive relationships, and know the hardship they can cause. But Billie Patton's reaction - that the use of force by the officers was unjustified - bothers me.
I realize that an investigation is needed to clarify the events. I'm certainly not in a position to pass judgment as to how many shots were or should have been fired. As reported, however, these officers were responding to Patton's call for emergency aid and found an intoxicated, armed man with a long history of violence. To quote, ``He approached the police with a loaded easily reasoned with. These officers were dealing with a very volatile situation, one that Patton had obviously not been able to resolve by peaceful means.
As a society, we cannot expect those who put their lives at risk to protect us not to be able to defend themselves with deadly force when threatened with same. I'm not saying that police officers should be free to use their weapons with impunity. We seem to be too willing, however, to blame the police for the tragic results when an individual chooses to threaten officers or others with armed violence. Would the officers not have been subject to criticism if Plunkett had seriously wounded Patton or another individual while the police tried peacefully to disarm him?
My sympathies go to Plunkett's family and Patton, but this doesn't change the sad truth that those who lead violent lives often meet violent ends.
ANTHONY STAVOLA, M.D.
ROANOKE
The bubba humor has got to go
ENOUGH already! Count me in on any petitions, boycotts, picket lines or embargoes that will motivate WROV-FM station manager Shelton Jones to reconsider the station's new morning-show format.
This newspaper quoted a listener (Feb. 24 article, ``WROV hears static over morning shift'') who spoke for many of us when she described the John Boy and Billy Show as an ``insult to my intelligence.'' The article also mentioned a couple of points that Jones uses to promote the change, such as the show's popularity in ``Southern markets,'' and the assertion that in three months we'll have learned to appreciate John Boy, et al.
As a transplanted Yankee, I can impartially inform Jones that Virginians, for the most part, are much too sophisticated for relentless bubba humor that would understandably have an audience in the Carolinas and southward. Concerning the remark that the show will grow on us and win us over - what? Are Roanoke Valley's rock 'n' roll listeners suddenly going to lose 70 to 80 IQ points each, along with any sense of good taste?
Why exchange a quality product like Sam Giles (no relation to me) and company, covering the local scene and playing more music, for a couple of bubbas whose main source of amusement seems to be bigotry-laced comments and NASCAR follies?
QUILL GILES
SALEM
Suicide is not the right option
ALTHOUGH not surprised, I was sorry to read your March 8 editorial, ``A right to die with dignity.''
From unborn babies to elderly people, it's now legal in some places to terminate human life. God says, ``You shall not kill.'' This means yourself, someone else or an unborn baby. Just because a person decides to take his or her own life or someone else's doesn't make it right.
Society says suicide is morally correct. Christians say there's always hope in God, no matter what. God says no matter how much compassion one has for someone suffering, it's still murder to take a life.
J. NEAL McCARTY
ROCKY MOUNT
No compromise on abortion's sin
AFTER reading your March 12 article, ``Can faith affirm right to abortion?'', it seems to me that this is another attempt to compromise this subject and convince people that abortion is OK. Well, it isn't OK!
God's word to man, the Holy Bible, teaches us that life begins at the time of conception. Therefore, an abortion is destruction of life. Unfortunately, this is done a piece at a time - a piece of the hand, leg, brain, etc. This kind of act would be unacceptable among adults and children. How then can an abortion be any different?
I beg citizens and local pastors not to compromise this subject. It's murder and sin, and it's wrong!
CHARLES E. JONES JR.
ROANOKE
Don't confuse the two issues
A MARCH 11 letter (``Don't send jobs to West Virginia'' by James V. Noonkester) asks why American Electric Power doesn't build another generating plant instead of a transmission line to take care of the increasing need for electric energy. This is an often-asked question about two easily confused subjects: generation and transmission.
A good analogy might be a water-supply system. If demand for water in an area increases greatly, the usual choices would be between a new reservoir or a new water main. As long as its existing reservoir has a sufficient capacity, a community wouldn't build a second reservoir. The economic and environmental costs of a new reservoir wouldn't make sense.
In this case, AEP has sufficient base-load generation capacity for many years to come, so new coal-fired power plants wouldn't be appropriate. The only new generation AEP plans to add is gas-fired peaking units that have high operating costs, and are designated to be operated for only short periods of time. More generation would only increase costs, and wouldn't solve the problem of getting electricity to the area that needs it. It would be like having an additional reservoir, but still not having the water main to deliver the water.
Based on current projections, AEP has enough base-load coal-fired generation until the year 2014 or possibly longer. Plans call for a new plant to be built at that time somewhere in the AEP Virginia or West Virginia service area. Any such new generating plant, however, wouldn't affect the current and pressing need for a new transmission line.
When there's a need for more generation, I'm certain AEP will consider all possible sites - including those in Virginia.
JOE HAYNES
Coordinator, Coalition for Energy
and Economic Revitalization
CHARLESTON, W.VA.
Listen to the words of Lee, Lincoln
REGARDING your March 21 editorial, ``Rebel flag without a cause'':
You say that Robert E. Lee met his Appomattox 131 years ago. This is what Gen. Lee had to say about Appomattox when speaking to Gov. Stockdale of Texas:
"Governor, if I had foreseen the use those people designed to make of their victory, there would have been no surrender at Appomattox Courthouse; no sir, not by me. Had I foreseen these results of subjugation, I would have preferred to die at Appomattox with my brave men, my sword in this right hand." (August 1870.)
You say that race undergirded the war from beginning to end. Lincoln wrote in the New York newspaper, The Tribune, in August 1862: "If there be those who would not save the Union unless they could at the same time destroy slavery, I do not agree with them. My paramount objective in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it ... '' This is the Great Emancipator.
The avowed war goal of the Northern states was to deny the Southern states their independence, not to end slavery.
Think not that the Georgia flag will be an embarrassment to America, at least not to Southern people. And don't be surprised if some from countries across the seas carry the Confederate flag alongside theirs.
WALTER LYNN MEEKS
ROANOKE
Bond's defeat calls for cooperation
IN ALL The Roanoke Times' coverage of the Roanoke County school-bond referendum, I've seen nothing taking into account the facilities, resources and needs of Salem and Roanoke city.
Are there less expensive, more effective or quicker solutions to school problems in Southwest Roanoke County that would involve cooperation or consolidation with another school jurisdiction?
Would the county rather pay a high price in taxes and time for racism and elitism?
JAMES F. SMITH
CATAWBA
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