ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, November 22, 1996 TAG: 9611220006
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A12 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
IN RESPONSE to Attorney General Jim Gilmore's friend-of-court brief aligning Virginia with tobacco giants (Nov. 15 Associated Press news article, ``Virginia joins smoking battle''):
I say that he isn't speaking for most Virginians, only the tobacco companies and tobacco farmers.
His arguments (loss of tax base, jobs, millions of dollars to tobacco farmers, and sponsorship of cultural and sporting events) for supporting tobacco are weak to nonexistent. You cannot equate his reasons to support the tobacco industry with human life. I can think of no other industry supported by the government that harms and kills people. It's the duty of the government to protect its citizens, not encourage activity detrimental to its citizens' health.
If tobacco sales were outlawed, there would be a greater financial impact on hospitals, doctors, the cold- and headache-relief industry, even short-term impact for the funeral industry, than on a handful of tobacco farmers.
It's really sad if tobacco farmers cannot make millions growing soybeans instead of tobacco. Perhaps they could manufacture and sell handguns to make their millions. Fewer people would die.
HADEN WAYNE FINCH
DALEVILLE
Wiley, symphony, were in top form
I ATTENDED the Nov. 18 symphony concert under the baton of David Wiley. And a concert it truly was.
After a very brief few minutes of getting everyone into the picture, the opening number - ``The Overture to the Marriage of Figaro'' - kept a tempo I would never have expected from this orchestra. Speed, precision and expression were first-rate. The ``Mozart Sinfonia'' was excellent with the highly talented artists performing at a level above other performances.
(Roanoke audiences need to raise their knowledge and not applaud between movements of a sinfonia, symphony, etc.)
The ``Stabat Mater'' was beautifully done. The Choral Society was impressive. Its members, too, were clear, precise and showed good emotion.
And the ``Beethoven Fantasia'' was amazing - a joy to listen to. Wiley was masterful at the piano, the orchestra rose above itself in every detail, the Choral Society and soloists were magnificent. A tremendously stirring and incredible performance had the audience on their feet, cheering and applauding at its culmination.
Kudos to Wiley. He has brought this orchestra from mediocre to first-rate. There was electricity in the air at the Roanoke Civic Center that night, and boy, I was glad I was there for it.
JOAN ANGEVINE
MONETA
Foreign aid hardly favors Arafat
I TAKE issue with Alvin W. Finestone's Nov. 4 letter to the editor, ``Much is sacrificed for terrorist leader.'' He has accused our presidents from Jimmy Carter to Bill Clinton of ``patronizing the Palestine Liberation Organization chief, Arafat.''
Apparently, Finestone is unaware of what has been happening in the Mideast over the past 40 years. Regardless of all the crimes committed by the Israeli government, every U.S. president has given that ungrateful nation billions in foreign aid. The Palestinian leader, Arafat, has received nothing.
ROBERT ALAN HAY
RICHMOND
Patterson was a real sports hero
I WAS saddened to learn of the death of Edward L. ``Bona'' Patterson Jr. (Nov. 15 news article, ``Big brother to Bedford kids dies''). For those of us lucky enough to know him by our association with the Bedford area recreation program, he was always ready to help out with a smile and with anything we needed. I could always depend on him to assist me in finding a practice time in a gym or a ball field or equipment needs for my teams. It was great knowing him. And I, as well as many others, will certainly miss his presence.
Too many times we look to superstars in sports for role models and examples, admiring them for their talents and money. But it is people like Patterson, who always kept the gym open late, took care of the equipment and the field and coached a team when no one else would do it, who paved a path in life for others to become superstars. I hope we all will realize that sometimes when we look for heroes, they are right here among us.
MALCOLM C. HARGIS
BEDFORD
A fine production at Roanoke College
MY PARENTS and I had the pleasure recently of attending Roanoke College's theater production of Carlo Goldonis'' ``The Servant of Two Masters.'' The program was an absolute delight, and a tribute to the talent and hard work of all who were involved in the production of this play. The actors played their parts with zest and enthusiasm, and Molly Littrell stole the show with her superlative portrayal of Truffaldino.
I wish to thank the troupe for an evening of laughter and entertainment, and congratulate them on their success.
STEFANIE SCHOLAND
ROANOKE
LENGTH: Medium: 97 linesby CNB