ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, May 28, 1996 TAG: 9605290002
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
IT IS a sad day when people and their representatives are at odds with the principles that established this nation. Whether the legislators or the people by direct vote allow laws to be written that conflict with the guarantees of the U.S. Constitution, those laws are wrong.
The Supreme Court recently proved that our system works, albeit there were at least three justices who do not understand the document they're sworn to uphold.
Colorado voters were wrong, as the court so stated. Had the court allowed the Colorado amendment concerning gays to stand, what would come next?
Divorce is considered immoral, so maybe people who seek its benefits through the courts could be denied due process. The color red is associated with immorality. Therefore, a law might be made denying ``equal protection'' to those who wear red, drive red vehicles or display that color.
Reason should reveal itself to anyone who finds fault with the court's action. Patrick Henry, wherever he is, must have smiled as another blow for liberty was struck by the court. The values and rights of all citizens are sacrosanct, and must remain so.
Colorado's attorney general, the state's chief lawyer, demonstrated in reaction to the court her inadequacy in the practice of her profession and a lack of knowledge of the guarantees of the Constitution. Maybe she should step aside for someone who has that knowledge.
HENRY O. EMMERSON
ROANOKE
Bible verse is open to interpretation
IN HIS May 2 commentary, "Legal tampering with personhood," David Nova of Planned Parenthood offers his view on why a human fetus doesn't possess "personhood." His comments include the following: "British common law was ultimately based upon scriptural laws ... in the Book of Exodus. And though there are scriptural references where God recognizes fetal life, the most cogent scriptural reference to personhood is found in Exodus 21:22-25.''
After giving his quotation of that passage, he says: "In other words, death to the woman is punished by death. Death to the fetus results in a fine. This crucial passage ... clearly argues against the status of personhood for the fetus."
His opinion may reflect a contemporary interpretation at variance with historical views. ``The New Bible Commentary," Third Edition, 1970, explains verse 22 as follows: "The loss of a child (my emphasis) was to be compensated."
"The Interpreter's Bible" by Abingdon Press, 1952, interprets verse 22 as follows: "The men fighting might presumably hurt a woman with child while she was making an effort to separate them. If the woman does not lose her life as a result of the miscarriage there shall be a fine to compensate for the loss of the unborn child (my emphasis)."
I hope my letter may inspire Bible scholars to comment on these verses of the lex talionis, law of retaliation. We should consider Psalm 139:13, ``Thou didst put me together in my mother's womb,'' and Jeremiah 1:5: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you" (The Jerusalem Bible).
JOHN H. WOOLWINE
ROANOKE
Salem group targeted male voters
AS A Salem registered voter and female, I feel that other females of Salem should be informed of ``The Beacon'' that was mailed mostly to Salem's male registered voters from the political-action group known as the Salem Taxpayers Association.
I'm not sure if Aaron Smith and his followers think women cannot read or if they just don't care about politics in Salem, but I think he should know that we can read, and most of us are very interested in what occurs politically in our fair city.
It's time for him to get off his high horse and take a good look at himself. If he's so unhappy with the way things are done in Salem, he always has the option of moving.
KATHRYN A. EDWARDS
SALEM
Refugees set a good example
I WAS impressed by your May 18 article, ``Following in the footsteps of his five older siblings.'' I've read articles about children of other refugees who were valedictorian or salutatorian in their high-school graduation ceremonies. Their parents encouraged them through elementary school and high school, and saved and sacrificed to get them a college degree.
I wonder why the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and other black leaders don't encourage their people to do the same instead of voicing the complaints I frequently hear and read about.
GEORGE F. SNYDER
VINTON
LENGTH: Medium: 90 linesby CNB