ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, April 26, 1996 TAG: 9604260027
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-10 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
THE ACCIDENT that killed three people on April 21 didn't have to happen. The police could have ignored that blue car. Come to think of it, they could ignore all speeders, criminals and lawbreakers. But fortunate for us law-abiding citizens, they don't.
The person at fault here is the driver of that blue car. For whatever reason, when the police tell you to pull over, you should. For those who cannot comprehend that concept, a refresher course should be in order.
As for Jimmie Allman's comments (April 23 article, ``Police defend fatal chase''), he's right that his son wasn't out there with a knife or gun. He was in charge of something much worse - a two-ton deadly weapon traveling at speeds of 90 mph. And to make it worse, he didn't have the right to drive.
So, Jimmie Allman shouldn't try to explain his son's action. The son must face the consequences of his actions.
JAY WILLIAMS
ROANOKE
Roanoke is worth the commute
SINCE JANUARY, I've been driving weekly to Roanoke from my home in Goldsboro, N.C., to serve as interim pastor at First Free Will Baptist Church. I've enjoyed meeting the friendly folks of Roanoke, and have been thrilled at the beauty of your city. I've visited your shopping malls, and they're outstanding. I've viewed the city from Mill Mountain with the star atop. I had no idea previously that it was so breathtaking in scenery.
After having retired from a full-time pastorate of 40 years, I'm truly sorry that I haven't ministered in your area before. You are, indeed, a fortunate people, to enjoy such God-created landscapes right in your back or front yards.
And, again, you are a friendly city. I'm happy to serve in Roanoke for awhile.
GEORGE C. LEE
GOLDSBORO, N.C.
Pseudo-scientific claims won't wash
IT WAS appropriate that your article on creationism ("Scopes Monkey Trial revisited") was published on April 1. "Scientific" creationism is one of the biggest hoaxes of the 20th century.
I grew up in a creationist environment. As I got older, creationist materials became more and more bizarre, and I decided to check up on what I was being taught. In comparing the scientific literature to creationist claims, I was appalled by the blatant way that creationist writings quoted out-of-date materials and misquoted, misrepresented or completely disregarded what legitimate scientific research said. Also, creationists seem to have no qualms quoting nonexistent studies or studies so inept that they've never been published in recognized scientific journals.
Indeed, many "scientific" creationist writers aren't real scientists at all. Everett Kier's letter to the editor (April 1, ``Don't close minds to biblical orthodoxy'') praises the creationist books of Phillip Johnson, but neglects to say that he's a lawyer! And those creationists who do have some scientific credentials have proved to be quite barren when it comes to actually doing significant experimentation to support their claims.
I've been examining creationist writings for more than 20 years, and the more I study them the more it has caused me to be very suspicious of any of their "scientific" pronouncements. If you're interested in the facts, the next time you read creationist propaganda take a little additional time to find out what legitimate scientists have to say on the subject.
If you still feel you must believe creationist claims because your religious beliefs depend on them, that's your decision. Just be honest enough not to try to pass off such claims as science because, as the March 14 editorial ("Teach kids real science") pointed out so eloquently, they simply aren't legitimate science.
JIM WEBSTER
CHRISTIANSBURG
Experience doesn't seem to count
AGE discrimination still runs rampant with companies in this area, even though it's against the law. I know because I've applied for numerous jobs in the area where I was more than qualified but turned down because I'm 47. Only one company had the nerve to admit that age was the reason, and I give it credit for that!
There are organizations such as Green Thumb to help older people find good paying jobs, but you have to be 55 or older. So what does one do between the ages of 40 and 55 - starve?
I find it hard to fathom why a company would choose youth over experience. Over years of life, one gains knowledge in many facets that cannot be gained in any school. As the saying goes: "Older people have forgotten more than the young ones know."
DANIEL G. BUONOCORE
ROCKY MOUNT
Mothers shoulder all responsibility
YOU HEAR about welfare reform, but what about father reform? A lot of welfare recipients don't want to be in the welfare system, but have no choice because of their child or children. We put all the responsibility on the mother, but what about so-called fathers? We act like it's the mother's sole responsibility to have the child in school, bathed, well-dressed, and looked after in a day-care facility. And, at the same time, work an eight-hour shift, come home and put up with the child(ren). Where is the father through all of this? You never hear about him putting the kids on the bus or picking them up from school or the baby sitter's house.
If we'd have stronger laws when it comes to making fathers be more responsible, fewer mothers would be asking for help. Just paying child support doesn't get it. The same way mothers have to work their schedule around their children, fathers should be made to do the same. Many mothers must work, take care of the children and manage to pay all the bills on time with a minimum-wage job. Please tell me the answers so I can tell other hard-working mothers who have to leave their jobs and get on welfare to make sure someone is there to care of their children.
MARTINA CARRIE FUDGE
ROANOKE
Restore funds to prevent drug abuse
AT A time when drug and alcohol abuse at the high-school level is on the increase, it's quite distressing to hear about the student-assistance programs in local schools being reduced. Nearly half the high-school seniors surveyed, or 48.4 percent, said they had used an illegal drug. Marijuana is reportedly used daily by 2.8 percent of 10th graders and 4.6 percent of seniors.
How can drug abuse at this age be prevented? Certainly not by cutting a program from five student-assistance coordinators in 1993-1994 to one for this current school year. Local-government funds need to be made available to reinstate the student-assistance program at a level of five coordinators: one for Patrick Henry High School, one for William Fleming High, and three to cover the six middle schools.
Looking at our local picture, how much more of a wake-up call do we need than the recent alcohol- and drug-related deaths of area students?
TERRI KIRALY
TROUTVILLE
Standing pat for Buchanan
I APPLAUD Pat Buchanan and what he stands for - America first; doing what's best for our country and its citizens by way of moral and ethical policymaking.
Take America back from greedy politicians who are influenced by foreign lobbyists. These lobbyists spend millions of dollars yearly to manipulate America's political and economic system, thereby advancing their own national interests. This is one reason why America is the largest debtor nation in the world.
Stop foreign aid. We have to borrow money from other countries to give foreign aid. This is insane.
Stop sending our young servicemen and women all over the world to risk their lives for other countries. Their lives are too precious.
We must have fair trade. Our trade deficit keeps soaring. Our markets are flooded with foreign products. Some countries, such as Japan and China, refuse to trade fairly and honestly. Why haven't they been held accountable and dealt with appropriately?
The North American Free Trade Agreement and General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade will affect our economy adversely.
Abortions are immoral. Illegal immigration is unlawful.
Buchanan speaks facts.
MARY J. CALLAHAN
RADFORD
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