ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, April 13, 1996 TAG: 9604150003
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-7 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
I HEARD on the news recently of City Council's intent to allocate $13 million to redo Victory Stadium. I think this money would be put to better use in a project called ``Independence Inc.''
It could exist in whatever empty space the city could find, with stations set up to train welfare recipients in computers, typing, cashier operations, hearing-equipment operations, etc. - any skill an individual could learn in six months to a year. After the required classes, a certificate of completion could be given with the stamp of the welfare system and the city, and the recipient would be assisted in job placement by the Employment Commission. Talk about welfare reform.
I achieved my independence from Roanoke's welfare system. I wish the city would ask me to direct this project and appoint someone to assist me.
Victory Stadium is fine as is. We have enough entertainment in Roanoke for all ages. How about assisting others to be more productive?
LYDIA BARLOW REGARDING your March 14 editorial, "Teach kids real science":
I'm disappointed that it dismisses the significance of faith in creationism
compared to faith in evolution. The main concern seemed to be that children
will be deprived of scientific truth if evolution isn't taught in our public
schools. The secondary concern seemed to be that giving any room for teaching
creationism would be misleading (``sham"), and would "encourage disrespect for
scientific reasoning."
I believe the greatest harm is done when children aren't taught the facts
involved in the reasons for faith in either creationism or evolution. To deny
children an understanding of the difference in these two belief systems is to
teach them something less than the whole truth.
What harm could possibly result when children are taught that those who
believe in creationism base their faith on principles found in the Holy Bible
and on research in the field of science?
Is "disrespect for scientific reasoning" more offensive to you than
disrespect for the God of creation and for those who still hold him in
reverence?
INEZ CYBRY
ROANOKE
Supervisors dodged a tough decision
WHILE IT appears that Roanoke County doesn't care about education, I think
we need to take a closer look.
A message was sent to the county when the Board of Supervisors presented
the first bond referendum in 30 years. A vote is a choice. We were led to
believe that Cave Spring might not need a new high school.
Now, since we know that isn't true, our tax dollars will be spent in far
less effective ways. We will be air-conditioning a school that should be
condemned, and adding more mobile units to schools. And the problem will
remain. When we finally address the need for a high school again, the cost
will be much higher.
While we've been fighting among ourselves in this county, our supervisors
have come out of this with their hands clean. The bond went to a vote because
they couldn't make the tough decisions that needed to be made. They were too
caught up in the business of pleasing people.
I don't believe the citizens of Roanoke County don't care about education.
I'm afraid it's our supervisors who are guilty of that.
LUANNE SCHRADER
ROANOKE
Police officers had no time to spare
IN RESPONSE to Barry W. Martin's question - ``why one more split second
wasn't taken before lethal action was executed?'' - in his letter to the
editor (March 30, ``Police were too quick on the trigger'') about Edwin
Plunkett:
In one more split second, a police officer might have been dead.
JESSE C. HUBBARD
ROCKY MOUNT
When truth isn't admissible in court
THE HEADLINE on Cal Thomas' March 27 column said, ``To respect life,
society must kill those who take it.'' Most of us do nothing about injustice.
We shouldn't be silent in the face of evil and unfairness.
Thomas states: "Clinton-appointee Judge Harold Baer Jr. ruled that 80
pounds of cocaine and heroin seized by police from the trunk of a suspect's
car was not admissible." My, oh my! To many government officials, truth is
whatever the majority of people agree with or whatever advances their own
political goals. When there's no basis for truth, there's no basis for moral
right or wrong.
Thomas said, "Some of the legal minds oppose capital punishment'' and ``the
principal reason our nation needs to maintain and carry out capital punishment
is the only proper way we can place the highest possible value on human
life."
Liberals make educated guesses, but only God has wisdom. And there's only
one place to find wisdom - in the word of God.
MARGARET ALEXANDER HIGH
ROANOKE
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