ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, July 2, 1996 TAG: 9607020017
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
I WAS disturbed by two news articles in your June 18 edition.
One stated that Roanoke City Council is giving priority to a multimillion-dollar stadium (``Council: Stadium a priority''). The other stated that special programs for reading and math at Huff Lane and Virginia Heights schools are being eliminated due to lack of funds (``City trims tutoring for poor'').
Do these articles give the values of our citizens and our governmental leaders?
I am a retired teacher from the Roanoke city schools, and I conclude the message is clear. That is, students who need extra help aren't as important as a new stadium that will enable us to keep up with Salem.
DORIS P. LEWIS
ROANOKE
Too much ado on background checks
WHY IS President Clinton attacked for doing what any president (or employer, for that matter) will do when he or she gets into office? I believe that background checks are routinely performed on employees to determine the type of people they are (June 15 article, ``More files turn up'').
For the president, the responsibility of the country is a large one. And he appoints people who share his viewpoint or at least to ensure the loyalty of his employees.
Why are people feeling offended about background checks if they were not used against them? Government employees know that background checks are made sporadically throughout their employment. Intelligence-bureau employees have to take lie-detector tests every few years, and are questioned thoroughly about their lives. They think nothing about this invasion of privacy.
In my opinion, this is blown all out of proportion. Why bring up something that occurred a few years ago, and why was it just brought to the public's attention? Is it a coincidence that this is an election year? Are we trying to make President Clinton look bad?
The press determines what is news, and directly influences the public in the way the news is interpreted. Why try to make big news over something so insignificant when it had no ramifications? If other Americans are like myself, they're too busy with their lives to worry about such matters. We want real news that happened yesterday, not yesteryear.
KATHERINE MANER
ROANOKE
How did she know what they were on?
IN RESPONSE to the "Talking It Over" feature on your June 20 Opinion page by Anne Lester, ``Too many kids are being doped'':
I can't believe that you would devote so much space to someone with absolutely no comprehension of hyperactivity and Attention Deficit Disorder. Since my son and I live with this every day, I would like to ask Lester a few questions.
* How can she know if the eight boys who left to take medication were taking Ritalin?
* Is it possible one or two of them may have asthma, diabetes or an ear infection?
* Why does she feel she had the right to ask a child if his doctor said he needed Ritalin?
I bet she would be unhappy if a stranger asked her child or grandchild about their medication, and then took it even further and asked why they were taking it.
We're glad to be residents of Roanoke. Because so many people like Lester are out there, I want her to know that she plays an essential role in making us feel comfortable - despite the difficulties - by being sensitive to our self-esteem. (Don't question my son or me about the medicine he's taking and why.)
With all the negative publicity that Ritalin has gotten, the general public, including Lester, should be aware that when properly used it's extremely effective.
And another thing: With her curiosity regarding all the children in the schoolroom being ``doped,'' how did she have any time to devote to her granddaughter?
PAM W. SMITH
ROANOKE
Do-gooders distort facts on tobacco
OF COURSE the tobacco industry is guilty of manipulating the nicotine level in its products. But not in the manner that those dedicated to destroying the tobacco industry are portraying. Quite the opposite.
The tobacco industry has taken it upon itself to reduce the levels of nicotine and tar in its products by introducing the ``Lite'' and ``Ultra Lite'' cigarette brands. This is a conscious effort to supply the demand for a ``safer'' cigarette while continuing to supply the demand for ``full-flavored'' cigarettes.
The social do-gooders who are attempting to vilify the tobacco industry are implementing the tactic of using selective information to promote their agenda and influence a constituency.
Several states are filing lawsuits against cigarette manufacturers in an attempt to recoup the monetary losses for the treatment of illness due to the irresponsible use of tobacco products.
It makes one wonder just what the states are doing with the billions of dollars of tax revenue generated by the sale of tobacco products.
DAVID ALLAN ROBERTS
GATE CITY
LENGTH: Long : 101 linesby CNB