ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, October 11, 1996 TAG: 9610110006
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
THIS IS a note of encouragement for concerned parents who have children in the public school system. I wish to sing praises and give thanks to John Busher, principal of Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Franklin County, for listening to me and acting positively and promptly on the matter I am about to describe.
My 11-year-old daughter brought home a book from the school library titled ``Wonder'' by Rachel Vail. It's about a seventh-grade, 12-year-old girl going through the trials of a new school and being a social outcast from the start. She uses words such as ``sh--,'' ``damn,'' ``t---'' (referring to breasts), ``slut'' and ``horny.''
This shocked and disturbed me. How could a book like this be in the library? Upon further investigation, I also found it to be in the children's section at the Franklin County Library! The library has temporarily removed the book, pending a review-board meeting. Busher and the Franklin County Library immediately pulled the book off their shelves. If there was a pornography section, that's where it would belong.
If parents will just read the books their children bring home, or at least ask them about the contents of the books, they can stop this kind of child pornography from ever being stocked on the shelves. Don't be afraid to call the school or librarian and voice your concerns. Too much complacency is why this kind of trash gets past the parents into the hands of innocent young minds.
Stand up for your views. Don't allow some author, with her mind in the gutter, to push these books off on our children as ``literature.'' This particular author obviously doesn't have children, or if she does, they will be sexually active in mind or body before they ever get out of middle school. Sexual purity is important in today's society, and actually always has been. God gave us a sex drive to be enjoyed inside the bounds of marriage, and certainly not at the age of 12.
VIRGINIA RICHMOND
HARDY
Good leadership requires integrity
IN RESPONSE to Matt Pethybridge's Sept. 22 letter, ``Clinton's ideas are what voters want'':
I found it particularly ironic that I should read his letter stating that Americans feel that character isn't important, only ideas matter, while a front-page headline said, ``Voters look for leader like Lincoln, Christ.'' The news article said that Americans do indeed care about a candidate's character about as much as their stand on the issues.
To think that character is of little consequence is to ensure that we elect individuals whom we cannot trust. If a person lacks integrity or strong character, then you can never trust that what they say is what they will do. Only people of strong character stand on their word whenever unpopular decisions must be made. Without this essential ingredient, an elected official is likely to waffle on positions; say one thing to get elected, and then do the opposite; and sometimes be involved in unethical, if not illegal, activities.
Many people at one time admired Hitler because he presented ideas to satisfy the people's hunger for a more dynamic society. His ideas did indeed rebuild Germany and restore temporary pride. However, for lack of character, his actions condemned his country to destruction and suffered his people to generations of agony and shame.
I have only my own voice, but I count myself among those Virginians who feel that character is important. For all the admired leaders of the past, their integrity was a key factor in their ability to lead and leave a legacy of prosperity to future generations. Character may not be the only virtue a candidate requires, but without it, there is no way he or she can be a good leader.
BILL FLEISHER
RADFORD
An exciting view of the past
BRAVO to the Art Museum of Western Virginia and to First Union National Bank! The exciting exhibit currently showing in the museum is on loan from the famed Currier Gallery in Manchester, N.H., and has been made possible by First Union. It's a superb opportunity for Southwest Virginians to view the best in American art and crafts from the Colonial period into the early 1900s. The show closes Sunday.
Anyone who hasn't seen silver crafted by Paul Revere, furniture created by artisans of the Dunlop school, glass by the Steuben and Tiffany studios, and original paintings by Gilbert Stuart and John Singer Sargent will want to take advantage of this very special presentation.
As society prepares for the 21st century, appreciation and understanding of our past is a real part of our courage and pride in embracing a new season of history.
RUBY HUDDLE SMITH
ROANOKE
Can cronies' actions be dismissed?
HAVE THE American people lost their morals or is it they just don't give a damn anymore? I am thinking of the upcoming presidential election in which Bill Clinton is leading in the polls by big margins.
Hillary Clinton is under investigation for Whitewater and also her involvement in the firing and cover-up involving the White House travel office. Important papers that disappeared from Vincent Foster's office the day of his death suddenly appeared on a table in the White House months later. No one knows anything.
We have unauthorized FBI files in the White House. Three current or former Cabinet officials are under investigation. Former associate attorney general and friend of the Clinton's, Webster Hubell, was convicted of cheating his clients out of $400,000. As if that isn't enough, people the Clintons call friends in Arkansas, the McDougals and the ex-governor, were convicted for their part in Whitewater loans. Susan McDougal is in jail for refusing to tell a grand jury how the Clintons may be involved.
The latest resignation involves Dick Morris, Clinton's campaign strategist. He was accused of conducting business with the White House over the telephone while his favorite prostitute was in the room listening to the conversation. (Makes one wonder if Morris was fired for not inviting Clinton to the party.)
I think it's obvious our president surrounds himself with people who are immature, immoral, incompetent and inane - and we're going to re-elect this guy? His campaign is ``something for everyone'' - at no extra cost to the taxpayer.
FREEMAN W. JENRETTE
BEDFORD
Voters should hear from all candidates
I COULD not believe that Bob Dole objected to Ross Perot's participation in the debates. What is Dole afraid of? If he is so concerned that Perot could hinder him in anyway, then maybe we should be a little concerned about Dole.
We need a strong, dynamic, powerful, confident person running for president. Not a wimp! After all, the winner is just going to hold the most powerful office we have.
I am a senior at Northside High School, and this will be my first election. I want to be well-informed on all the candidates so that I can make an intelligent decision on my own.
If Perot's name is going to be on the ballot, then he should be allowed to be in the debates. He shouldn't have to institute legal proceedings to get there. Every candidate should have the same opportunity to be heard.
TONYA L. MARSH
ROANOKE
Development isn't a dirty word
JEFFERY Scott happens to be a member of the Montgomery County planning staff. In his Sept. 25 letter to the editor (``Blame weak land-use rules, not VDOT'') criticizing weak land-use as a cause of the Virginia Department of Transportation road building, he failed to mention the zoning that he alludes to occurred in Christiansburg and was approved prior to annexation in 1988. The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors rezoned the major portion of the former horticultural farm and the resulting development was served by an infrastructure provided by the town of Christiansburg.
What is most distressing is the fact that Scott wants green space, but he also wants utopia. The NIMBY attitude of some in this area is totally unacceptable. He refers in his letter to development in Christiansburg as if growth in a commercial zone is a bad thing. What needs to occur is the realization that not all developers are bad and not all development is undesirable.
Scott has every right to speak out, but diplomacy might have been in order by him as his employers do not live in Giles County. Many of them live in Christiansburg. And based on recent local elections, the electorate has accepted the fact that business isn't a dirty word.
JON HALBERSTADT
CHRISTIANSBURG
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