ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, December 11, 1996 TAG: 9612110007
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-10 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
VIRGINIA should set an example for its citizens in matters of protection of life, justice and fairness to all. Virginia, in its history, has executed more people than any other state. And this has escalated in the latter part of this year.
Added to our escalation of executions is a grossly unfair law known as the ``21-day rule.'' It prohibits any new evidence (even proof of innocence) being considered if discovered more than 21 days after the time of the death sentence. We're the only state in the Union that has such a law. Texas had a ``30-day rule'' but repealed it after it became clear that they had put to death an innocent person.
The only possibility of any consideration of evidence of innocence is that an appeal be made to the governor of Virginia to consider clemency. This puts the decision in the political arena, instead of the courts where it belongs. A study conducted by the Center for Survey Research of Virginia Tech reveals that 74 percent of Virginians oppose the ``21-day rule.''
My position is that a life sentence without parole is a more appropriate sentence than the death penalty. It speaks more against violence, is less expensive to taxpayers, and has the potential for justice in the event a person is wrongly sentenced.
OWEN G. STULTZ
ROANOKE
Who was Victoria Bond?
SINCE YOU asked, Victoria Who? in your Nov. 28 editorial ("A provincial Thanksgiving"), I will tell you Victoria who:
* The top contestant in 1986 for the position of music director and conductor of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra.
* Brought the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra from a small-town concept to a $1 million entity.
* Brought the symphony to a new high level of performance, which attracted almost 200 applicants from all over the country to fill her position.
* Brought visiting artists as diverse as Leontyne Price, Ray Charles and Marion McPartland to Roanoke.
* Promoted women composers and commissioned compositions by Margaret Brouwer, since gone on to a prestigious teaching position at the Cleveland Institute of Music.
* Is one of five or six women conductors in the United States - a fact Roanoke should be proud of.
* Showcased the orchestra in new levels of outreach, taking the symphony to Virginia Tech and Radford University.
* Introduced the local public to Pop Symphonies, introduced her own original jazz composition, and played cocktail music on a harpsichord for Artemis receptions.
* Sold out performances and stimulated interest in all the arts in Roanoke.
The sniping in your Extra section article (Oct. 20, ``New maestro in town'') and your editorial at Victoria Bond, past conductor and music director of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, is offensive, snide and immature. It brings no credit to the orchestra, its present director, and surely not to The Roanoke Times.
In short, get over it!
ANN WEINSTEIN
ROANOKE
Give blood - the gift of life
AS WE approach the Christmas season with gift giving (and receiving), the gift most of us can give to save lives is the gift of blood! The Red Cross always has a critical shortage at this time of the year due to automobile accidents, etc. Believe me, giving blood will give you a great feeling of sharing.
I was in line at K&W with my wife when a lady behind us said, ``Remember me? You gave blood which saved my daughter's life several years ago." Although I had forgotten, it made me feel like I had hit the winning home run in the World Series or scored the winning touchdown in the Super Bowl. But thinking back on it, I know what I did was more important than either.
Give blood! You will be a winner.
HAP PENDLETON
SALEM
Opportunists fuel racial conflicts
SOME DISPARAGING racial remarks made by a few Texaco officials, and its company pays $176 million. While answers are being sought, why do Americans tolerate this lawsuit outrage?
While racial slurs are idiotic and reflect the ignorance of those using them, how conceivable is it that these immature statements be quantified to the tune of $176 million? When will we restore humanity, decency, common sense and dignity that our once-respectable legal system sorely lacks? When will we put an end to the outrageous actions of these self-righteous parasite special-interest advocates and the lawyers who manipulate the system to fulfill their greed? Only when hard-working, productive America wakes up and reclaims what is rightfully theirs. Otherwise, these abuses will be more severe and more frequent.
Rev. Jesse Jackson is a divisive opportunist who, along with Kwaise Mfume and a handful of lawyers, is trying to capitalize on the wrong viewpoints of those officials to advance their own causes. Do they care that the small businesspeople who operate wholesale and retail stations and those working for them will pay the cost of the settlement? Does Jackson realize the lawyers will get more than one-third of the settlement for their fees? Is he aware his actions will promote more racial tensions?
Do not punish the majority to reward the few. Working-class whites already resent being punished by affirmative-action quotas and discrimination lawsuits. Real rights for one person or group cannot come at another's expense.
It's interesting to compare the philosophy, maturity and ideals of Jackson with that of Nelson Mandela, prime minister of the new democracy of South Africa. Mandela was imprisoned and tortured, yet he invited his jailers to his inauguration in an attempt to bury the evils of apartheid and display unity and universal franchise so that all South Africans would have a better future. However, Jackson exploits the plight of blacks for his own financial and political purposes. A millionaire made by contributors to the Rainbow Coalition, he is incessantly fomenting conflict. The philosophy of entitlement and the victim mentality he preaches and fosters among minorities harm their efforts to assimilate with and contribute to society.
What is troublesome is that a significant minority of Americans have allowed their tolerance to turn into apathy. If we continue not to be intolerant of gross inequities and absurdities, this nation - just like the Roman Empire - will be destroyed from within. While panic isn't a solution, if there is no sense of urgency now, there will be no hope to reverse the downward trend that is destroying our prosperity and values.
HARSHA SANKAR
COVINGTON
Dudley qualified to be state senator
I FEEL honored to have the privilege of endorsing Del. Allen Dudley as the next senator of the 20th District. The Honorable Virgil Goode, who served with distinction for the past 24 years, was chosen to be your congressman for the 5th District, thus creating this vacancy.
Dudley and Goode have shown their enviable nonpartisan characteristics as they worked closely together for the good of their constituents and the good of the commonwealth. They both possess the character, integrity, intelligence, faith, common sense and courage of conviction to accomplish the most good for their people. Dudley is exceptionally qualified to be your senator with experience as a farmer, student, teacher, businessman, delegate, and most importantly, a good husband and father.
Dudley is highly respected by all who know him, including members of the General Assembly. He is, and always has been, a man of his word. He will represent all of his people, young and old, all of the time. He has never been, nor never will be, a threat to our senior citizens or younger generations. And he's dedicated to making a better, safer and more honest world for us all, as his record verifies. I pledge this to you as a man in his mid-70s who knows Dudley well.
CHARLES W. GUNN JR.
Former member
House of Delegates
RICHMOND
LENGTH: Long : 148 linesby CNB