ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, September 30, 1996 TAG: 9609300095
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
IN RESPONSE to an erroneous statement by Grant Hallock (Sept. 20 letter, ``Changes are due at Virginia Tech'') regarding the rankings of the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech, I would like to set the record straight.
We are currently ranked sixth in the country in the September 1996 issue of Money magazine. This ranking is for the "top values among schools that specialize in science and technical programs."
In the ranking of undergraduate engineering schools, U.S. News and World Report has published two listings during the past two years. They conducted their survey differently in 1996 than in 1995. In 1995, the magazine produced one ranking and we were listed 17th. In 1996, they divided the rankings into two categories: schools with a doctoral program and schools without a doctoral program. Our college ranked 21st for the undergraduate program, competing with schools that have Ph.D. programs.
In U.S. News and World Report's graduate survey conducted in March of each year, the college currently ranks 21st in the country for reputation as perceived by academics and 25th in the country for reputation as perceived by practicing engineers. Overall, we rank 35th. However, among land-grant schools in the country, we rank 13th.
The commonwealth and its taxpayers should be pleased with the rankings of the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech.
F. WILLIAM STEPHENSON
Dean of the College of Engineering
Virginia Tech
BLACKSBURG
When they take away your smokes
TOBACCO, guns, Bibles, what next?
I read with interest and much concern about using minors in the tobacco sting operations. This kind of governmental action can, and probably will, lead only to other deceptive tactics for investigating and controlling this country's citizens.
Somehow we have conceived the idea that whatever we do, ethical or unethical - as long as it's in the name of the children - gives the action credibility.
I wonder what will be next? Children, we need to know: Do your parents have a bible in the home? Do they have a gun in the home? Do your parents criticize the government? Sound ridiculous? This was the method Hitler used to gain complete control of the Third Reich in the 1930s and 1940s. History has a way of repeating itself.
I urge our country's citizens to be careful what they tolerate and whom they elect. We may get more than we bargained for.
JAMES M. BLAIR
VINTON
Libertarian Party should be included
IN RESPONSE to your Sept. 15 editorial, ``Include Perot in the debates.''
I agree that Ross Perot should be included in the upcoming presidential debates for many of the reasons you mentioned. What I can't understand, however, is your suggestion that the Libertarian candidate, Harry Browne, be excluded.
Like Perot, Browne is on the ballot in all 50 states and has qualified for, but not accepted, federal matching funds. Unlike Perot's newly founded Reform Party, the Libertarian Party has a 25-year history, is fielding candidates in a majority of the 1996 congressional races, and boasts the third largest number of members of all parties in the United States.
As for his message, Browne's Libertarian platform offers a real alternative to those of Democrats and Republicans. Those who have heard him deliver his message or have read his book, ``Why Government Doesn't Work,'' are convinced by his arguments. Nationally, more than 180 radio talk-show hosts and more than 23 major newspapers have called for Browne's inclusion in the debates. In addition, he leads in a majority of the Internet polls. Those credentials most certainly qualify him for inclusion.
No one doubts that the news media directly influence the polls monitored by the Commission on Presidential Debates. It has an ethical obligation to this country's people to present all qualifying candidates and their views in an equitable fashion. Sadly, the news media have done the people a disservice by focusing on personality, celebrity and power rather than the issues and potential solutions offered by all qualified presidential candidates.
I contrast this with your newspaper's commendable efforts in covering the races for the Senate and House of Representative. Likewise, the debate commission is duty-bound to recognize qualified candidates and to provide a level playing field - one that promotes the exchange of ideas rather than perpetuating the status quo, and one that's beyond the reach of the money interests.
To this end, I believe your newspaper should trust the intelligence of the electorate and call for the inclusion of all qualified parties rather than seeking some artificial limit of your own choosing.
TED CLARK
Campaign manager for Jay Rutledge
Libertarian candidate for Congress
ROANOKE
Terrorists target the feds
IT HAS been weeks since the crash of TWA Flight 800. And you demand to know why it happened?
Traces of an explosive device were found, indicating that a bomb was responsible. If someone did plant a bomb, it was probably an act of terrorism designed to humiliate the federal government.
International terrorists seem a likely suspect. However, they have been strangely silent concerning this incident.
What about domestic terrorists? Could their anti-government zeal motivate them to commit such an act? It isn't far-fetched when you recall how home-grown terrorism was responsible for the carnage in Oklahoma City.
Was the terrorists' goal accomplished? The federal government and all its agencies have been humiliated, and it clearly seems they can no longer protect the public. Even with 20,000-plus security personnel, someone was able to smuggle pipe bombs into Olympic Park in Atlanta, Ga., and detonate them.
JOE MAYS
LYNCHBURG
Why no offerings or barbecue protests?
IT IS ABOUT time to stop short-changing Leviticus! This latest assault, Calvin Rains' Sept. 17 letter to the editor (``Homosexual activity must be stopped'') as with previous letter-writers, is narrowly focusing on only one abomination - homosexual actions. This is really doing an injustice to Leviticus which has plenty of "abominations." Furthermore, there are prescriptions for rituals that are not being followed today, and they should be addressed with equal force.
In Chapter 1, we're instructed that the blood of sacrificed animals should be thrown around the altar. We're also told that the priest should wring the necks of doves and pigeons brought for sacrifice. There are 10 chapters that give instructions for various types of burnt offerings. Why is no one attacking the lack of respect for these instructions?
We're also called to avoid the meat of camels, rabbits and pork. Why is no one protesting barbecue shops?
I don't understand why, but Leviticus tells us that a woman is "unclean'' twice as long after the birth of a daughter as after the birth of a son. It's apparent that very few women are being "purified" after childbirth these days.
In Chapter 13, we're instructed to isolate the lepers. There is no mention of treating the disease. However, in Chapter 14, we're given instruction for "cleansing" the healed leper.
More importantly, Chapter 20 tells us that homosexuals who practice homosexual relations and adulterers - both men and women - should be put to death. If we obey this law, we would have a greatly reduced human population.
Maybe we would be better off to follow the great commandments, especially the second one. Regardless of where that person lives, the homosexual is as much a neighbor as a heterosexual.
JAMES A. HANCOCK JR.
BUCHANAN
Defeated by litter and apathy
IN REFERENCE to Adam Albertson's Sept. 19 letter to the editor, ``Cleanup efforts aren't appreciated'':
The Adopt-A-Road policy and the cleanup policy are a big joke. Several of us try but are defeated by lack of help.
If a basketball goal was placed at ``high litter'' areas, the tossers would at least get close to a can. If stoves, washers and other large objects were fingerprinted or traced to the owner, we could stop the litter. If high prices were paid for litter, the road would be clean. If workers would get away from the coffee pot and did eight hours of work for eight hours pay, this would be one spotless area.
THOMAS LEE COOK
CHRISTIANSBURG
LENGTH: Long : 160 linesby CNB