ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, October 17, 1996 TAG: 9610170001
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
I WISH to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to Radford University colleagues, students, alumni and friends who have cared enough to offer encouraging words during recent weeks as I continue in my endeavors to serve the community, lead our institution and set a good example for our students. They have heard me say on many occasions that I consider it a labor of love.
Many have made inquiries of me concerning the purpose, procedures and timeliness of the evaluation of my presidency after one year in office. Presidential evaluation falls within the jurisdiction of the Board of Visitors. Therefore, I have referred any specific questions regarding this evaluation to board members.
Every university president expects to be evaluated, and I am no exception. I know that Radford University has made significant improvements since I took office last year. I hasten to add that the credit for these positive changes belongs to many. There is always room for improvement, and I feel confident that the university is positioned for further significant progress under my stewardship. Therefore, a performance evaluation that is conducted in a fair and professional manner not only reinforces effective presidential leadership. It also preserves the institution's integrity and good name.
A year ago, when I was installed as the university's fifth president, I pledged the very best of my efforts. Throughout the past year, I have worked hard to honor that commitment, and will continue to do so for as long as I am privileged to serve.
DOUGLAS COVINGTON
President, Radford University
RADFORD
The hypocrisy in Bono criticism
I HAVE been amused by the reactions of local Democrats to the controversial comments made by Rep. Sonny Bono at the recent fund-raiser for Bob Goodlatte. How dare Bono call our president a crook (Oct. 1 news article, ``Rep. Bono: Clinton's a crook'')! He should resign from office. Blah, blah, blah. This display of self-righteous indignation just goes to show what hypocrites we have in the Democratic Party and in the press.
Any criticism of Bill Clinton is called mean-spirited bashing. But these same people have no problem when it's open season on Republicans. Where are the cries of outrage when the GOP is accused of trying to starve children and kill senior citizens, or when Republicans are equated with those who killed 6 million Jews? The critics stand back and piously agree. Where were their demands for respect for the presidency when Dan Quayle's kids were being harassed at school because he was the national laughing stock? They were too busy laughing at the barrage of recycled Quayle jokes.
I have no desire to see a stupid cottage-joke industry develop around Clinton as with Quayle. But calling the president a crook isn't out of line. Despite his poor character, the press has given Clinton a free ride. Democratic Sen. John Kerry was even quoted as saying that Clinton is ``an unusually good liar.'' Furthermore, the dirty details on the travel office, the FBI file scandal, the stonewalling of investigations and so on show that this White House is literally more corrupt than Nixon's. If this were a Republican president, the press would be screaming for impeachment proceedings.
WILLIAM D. SLAGLE
ROANOKE
Robb proves he's morally bankrupt
SEN. CHUCK Robb's vote to allow gay marriages is a new low, even for him. He has proved to be morally bankrupt and totally lacking in character in the past, and he now has the dubious honor of being the only Southern senator to vote for such a bill.
It's difficult in this age to try and give children and the nation moral leadership, but we certainly expect our leaders to try. I admit the words leader and Robb are seldom used in the same sentence, and apparently with good reason.
It's sad that a state with the traditions and history of Virginia has a senator who will not vote the way most Virginians feel, but goes with his own warped sense of morality. Let's hope this vote is remembered in 2000.
WILLIAM LAWSON
MONETA
America resembles the Roman Empire
REGARDING your Sept. 25 Associated Press news article, ``Boy's smooch smacks of harassment'':
We are, indeed, a sick nation and a nation of double standards when we permit the suspension from class of a 6-year-old who innocently and spontaneously kisses another child. And then condone the actions of some elected officials who, in my opinion, have the morals of alley cats.
We tell our children not to smoke, not to use drugs and alcohol, and not to lie. However, it's OK for adults to do those things. Who is setting the example for children?
Read the "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire." The fall came about because of corruption from within. It reads much like what our nation is fast becoming. I only pray we aren't too late to reform.
DIANA LAWRENCE WIMMER
CHECK
War had many unsung heroes
REGARDING the many letters to the editor suggesting that a person's war wounds should be a factor in our voting decision:
With all due respect to the senator, I'd like to remind those who wrote that thousands of our gallant veterans gave a lot more than Bob Dole did in World War II.
My own brother was awarded the Purple Heart (compliments of the Normandy invasion). He also came home with a useless arm, plus dangerous shrapnel fragments buried so close to vital nerves in his back that the doctors dared not tamper with them. So, he was destined to carry them to his grave almost 50 years later.
Through the years, my brother worked hard and constantly to make a simple, honest living for himself and his family. And not once did he ever indicate that the Purple Heart he received entitled him to a job he wasn't qualified for.
To all those unsung veterans we never hear about, I'd like to say: You were the real heroes in that war, not the glory seekers.
After intense observation of the political mentality displayed around the nation since Bill Clinton became president, I'll close on this note: If character assassination is a virtue, God must be looking down on the Republican Party with great pride.
ANNE STONEMAN
ROANOKE
Pregnant women's health does matter
IN MARY Rigney's Oct. 3 letter to the editor, ``No limit to their extremism,'' she compares Bill Clinton, Rick Boucher and Planned Parenthood to ``Nazi German doctors.'' She calls them ``extremists'' because they disagree with her on an important question: Should one human's reproductive organs be protected from harm by killing another human?
In other words, should a woman whose uterus is about to rupture due to severe problems with pregnancy be allowed to discontinue that pregnancy? Or, more generally, is a woman's long-term health at all relevant when she is pregnant? Rigney says no. I, however, agree with the so-called extremists.
LINDA R. APPEL
ROANOKE
Republicans can't sanitize the house
ACCORDING to a Bob Dole campaign ad, ``America suffers from a moral crisis. The problem isn't in [our] house the problem is in Bill Clinton's White House.''
Can the electorate believe that if Dole is elected, immorality will cease in all American homes?
Voters should remember that it was a Republican vice president (Spiro Agnew) who was convicted of crimes, and a Republican president (Richard Nixon) who resigned in disgrace.
Are Republicans so stupid as to believe the voters are dumb?
RICHARD HERRING
BENT MOUNTAIN
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