                                ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Friday, May 31, 1996                   TAG: 9605310027
SECTION: EDITORIAL                PAGE: A-8  EDITION: METRO

IN SALEM A KINDER, GENTLER GOP? =LO THIS WEEKEND, CROWDS WILL CONVERGE ON THE ROANOKE VALLEY FOR TWO BIG EVENTS: THE CONTINUING FESTIVAL IN THE PARK IN ROANOKE, AND THE REPUBLICANS' STATE CONVENTION IN SALEM. WE WELCOME ALL THE GUESTS, AND WISH FOR ALL AN EXCELLENT TIME. OF COURSE, FESTIVAL ATTENDEES DON'T NEED THIS REMINDER, BUT SOME GOP CONVENTIONEERS MAY: TRY NOT TO DO ANYTHING THAT COULD MAKE A MOTHER FEEL ASHAMED. REMEMBER: THE WHOLE COMMONWEALTH IS WATCHING.

Now, don't get us wrong. We love a good ol' political hootenanny - fireworks and all. We recognize, too, that with the John Warner-Jim Miller senatorial match getting down to the June 11 primary mat, tempers are running high. People have emphatic points to make.

Still, it has come to our attention that some of the ladies and gentlemen of the Virginia GOP persuasion seem to be taking their cues more from Marge Schott than Miss Manners.

Boos, hisses, raspberries, catcalls? Calling each other ``traitor'' (and worse)? Shouting down such respected state Republicans as Sen. Charles Hawkins of Chatham and former Del. Pete Giesen of Waynesboro?

In-your-face insults and unruly outbursts have marked Republicans' recent district conventions and other gatherings, and truly there is no excuse for such a lack of civility. Not in Virginia. This is, after all, a primary election - not Armageddon.

Here in the Roanoke Valley, spiritual birthplace of mountain-valley Republicanism, home of gentlemanly moderates like Linwood Holton and Caldwell Butler, an ill-mannered display of venomous extremism would be especially unseemly and unwelcome.

Yes, we're aware this part of the state is now a regional anchor for the Oliver North faithful and their part of the party, in contrast with the suburban centers of temperance in Northern Virginia. No, we don't actually expect convention-goers to abide by Ronald Reagan's 11th commandment, not to speak ill of fellow Republicans.

Perhaps, though, they might at least keep in mind the old words of Desiderata: ``As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others ... .''

Have a swell convention. Remember that children will be here for the festival, and some may be thinking of getting into politics. Set a good example for them - and for the Democrats.

LENGTH: Short :   49 lines

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