ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, June 8, 1996 TAG: 9606090011
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-9 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTER
ONCE AGAIN, after a grueling period of time, I've completed that archaic, asinine and arduous ritual of removing the city stickers from three vehicles. Automobile design and the physiological makeup of the human body make this task a near impossibility.
After regaining some semblance of composure, it occurred to me that Virginia is overlooking a wonderful opportunity in combating repeat criminals. Assign prisoners the task of removing these stickers, and they would swear off crime for a lifetime.
Prisoners cannot have an option in this matter for they would all opt for the chain gang.
LLOYD M. HOLFIELD
ROANOKE
A step toward a police state?
THE EDITORIAL writer who wrote the May 30 editorial, "Jerking the jerks' licenses," certainly seems ecstatic over Virginia's new law that allows the state to revoke the driving licenses of those habitually in arrears on child support.
Has the writer considered what an incredibly dangerous precedent this sets? The state can now revoke your driving privileges if it doesn't like your performance in some completely unrelated field. If that precedent is established, I assure you the state will expand it to other problem areas. This will come around and bite you where you sit down.
Please don't for a minute think that I approve of deadbeat dads. I loathe those slackers as much as you do. But the end doesn't justify such a risky means.
I also abhor drunken drivers, and I'm all for getting them off the road. But I question the wisdom of our judges allowing law-enforcement agencies to play fast and loose with one of our most important personal protections: "probable cause.'' What does probable cause protect us from? A police state.
J. RICHARD BROWN
ROANOKE
Child can read Limbaugh at home
IN RESPONSE to the 9-year-old boy who took Rush Limbaugh's book to school (May 24 article, ``Father undertakes `Rush' to judgment'':
If this child wants to read this book and his parents want to allow him to do so, he needs to read it at home or elsewhere. This kind of parent is what's wrong with our society today.
Children are exposed to things they aren't ready for, and I'm sure there are other parents from this school who don't want their children exposed to this.
I commend the Bedford County School Board for taking a firm stand on this issue.
MABLE HARRIS
MONETA
Bob Dole is no quitter
THE DEMOCRATS' latest negative ad, since pulled, which portrayed Sen. Bob Dole as a ``quitter,'' ranks right up there with their gobbledygook accusing the Republicans of starving children, throwing seniors out on the street and destroying the environment.
Dole served with distinction as a combat infantryman during World War II, was seriously wounded, and spent three years in military hospitals fighting his way back to health. He's a man of character, integrity and compassion. A quitter he is not!
HARRY R. WADDLE
HUDDLESTON
Warner's courage is remembered
TWICE his party has asked Sen. John Warner to act as a petty politician, and twice he has chosen to act as a statesman. Many people will remember his courage favorably.
STEVE SHEPARD
ROANOKE
GOP's future is on the line
SEN. JOHN Warner has done Virginians and the Republican Party a favor by challenging the power of the ultra-conservative extremist wing of the party. As a lifelong Republican, I appreciate what he's doing, but I don't know if the average Virginian fully understands. Let me explain.
The Republican Party that I joined in the '50s was moderate, based on strong principles of government and service. However, there was a certain degree of tolerance that, unfortunately, doesn't exist today.
If Warner wins he will deal a blow to the extremists and may put the party back in the center. I no longer attend conventions, although I'm sure I was born a Republican. The previous times I attended, it was obvious that I wasn't far enough to the right. I found far too many people to be intolerant of anyone else's opinion. Few would listen to the fact that Oliver North couldn't win. (Whether he was tarnished is immaterial. The fact remains he was perceived to be.)
Jim Miller could have beaten Chuck Robb, but Miller cannot beat Mark Warner. John Warner can. If Warner wins the primary, he may be able to save the Republican Party. I hope he will.
PATRICIA HAMMOND
ROANOKE
LENGTH: Medium: 99 linesby CNB