ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, January 2, 1997 TAG: 9701030002
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-10 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
Allen keeps Virginia off the hook
LOVERS OF liberty owe Gov. George Allen a debt of gratitude for his refusal to allow Virginia's schools to be suckered into the federal government's Goals 2000 program.
As a Virginian, I am proud to be led by the only governor who wouldn't prostitute his state's educational system for a few measly dollars.
Frank Williams' Dec. 19 letter to the editor (``Va.'s windfall went to other states") stated that he had read the Goals 2000 document and found ``nothing invasive about it.'' Indeed. A fisherman depends on this same lack of perceptiveness when he baits his hook with a fat, juicy worm. Both the fish and the school systems will be blissfully ignorant until the fisherman or the federal government sets the hook. Then they will go wherever the rod pulls them.
For a case in point, consider Virginia Military Institute. Its long and proud history may have included periods when it lacked finances, but there was never a moment when it lacked integrity - until it succumbed to the lure of federal money. When the first check arrived, some probably said they found ``nothing invasive about it.''
And Uncle Sam was a patient fisherman. He undoubtedly felt the twitch of his line but waited until the baited hook was deep inside VMI's throat before setting his hook. Even then, the hook could have been spat out, but that would have meant losing the worm. So the once-proud school sacrificed its standards and is now in Uncle Sam's creel, just another smelly fish, indistinguishable from the others.
The governor's efforts may mean only a brief pause in the surrender of Virginia's educational autonomy. Lt. Gov. Don Beyer, Allen's possible successor, would deliver our schools to Washington on the day on his inauguration.
But George Allen can advance to his next station of public service, having proved himself an able guardian of Virginia's educational tradition.
CLONNIE H. YEAROUT
ROANOKE
Let the city do the city's job
I AM very glad to see we are not going outside the city management for trash collection (Dec. 20 news story, ``Bids show it's cheaper for city to pick up trash'').
In my opinion we have excellent service. City management should handle these services, which is its job.
A.L. BUSH
ROANOKE
The whitewash of Newt Gingrich
CAL THOMAS needs a reality check. If he would only remove the blinders that contribute to his narrow-minded views, he would realize the mouth from the South is not free from sin.
Thomas (Dec. 25 column, ``The Democrats go after Gingrich'') curiously omits numerous sins committed by Newt Gingrich, not the least being a gross misuse of power in the arrogant, single-minded way he pursued and ran Jim Wright from office. Nor did Thomas mention that Newt failed to offer Wright the luxury of admitting his sins, begging forgiveness and retaining his office.
I would suggest to Thomas that he print the truth, and quit the whitewashing business.
Needless to say this is a pipe dream. The ones who believe his drivel - boobus Republicans - will believe anything.
L.M. HOLFIELD
ROANOKE
Nurses are not a health-care frill
THIS IS in response to Dr. Janice Luth's Dec. 20 letter to the editor (``Carilion strives to give excellent care'') on patient care and the role of nurses.
Educating is one of my roles as a registered nurse. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to educate Dr. Luth on what a registered nurse does. Let me start by saying that I have never acted as anyone's hands, eyes or ears. I believe that job description is for seeing-eye dogs! My role as a well-educated member of the health team is to prioritize my patients' needs and then collaborate with the physician regarding the type of care that is delivered.
Nursing is not only a job, it is a mind set. It requires heart, soul, mind and spirit to do it well! To take care of human beings properly, this profession must know the rationale and outcome of every task performed.
Dr. Luth is correct when she says ``it doesn't take an R.N. to start an IV, place a foley cath or an n/g tube, change a dressing or give a bath.'' However, if one of the outcomes were a life-threatening infection, a perforation or a symptom overlooked during that bath or dressing change, whose license will be held accountable? We all know it will be the person who delegated the responsibility. This is one nurse who will never designate patient care to minimally trained staff members!
Anytime an invasive procedure is done, it benefits the patient (as well as risk management) if the person performing the task is well-trained and licensed. I don't regard any type of direct patient care as a waste of my training. This ploy to take nurses away from the bedside for more "important duties" is propaganda and the beginning of deskilling our profession.
I agree that the health-care system needs to cut costs. However, nurses' salaries are not the cause of the financial strain. I also don't believe that cutting costs should begin at the patients' bedside. If costs mut be cut, start with all the bonuses, perks and useless aesthetic purchases that exist in all areas of the business world, including health care.
Doctors and nurses should become a collective voice in protecting our roles as patients' advocates, and not sell out our professions to the highest bidder. Consumers must also speak out and let health-management organizations know they will not settle for "no frills" health care that, in the end, may be very costly.
MARY WRIGHT
ROANOKE
Alcoholics do not suffer by choice
IN RESPONSE to Jo Ann Walthall's Dec. 20 letter to the editor, "Alcoholism is not a disease":
What a shame her knowledge of alcoholism is so limited that she believes the alcoholic chooses to be addicted, chooses to be homeless, chooses to lose his or her job, chooses to be incarcerated, chooses to lose his or her family, and chooses to die. Alcoholism does kill the alcoholic, as well as individuals on highways and in homes.
It is local, state and national agencies with the same mind-set as Ms. Walthall that make it very difficult for men, women and teen-agers to get the treatment they need for the disease of alcoholism.
When individuals who control the purse strings begin to gain knowledge about the disease of alcoholism and other drug addictions, maybe, just maybe, there will be resources available for treatment to those suffering, not by choice, from this disease.
I hope the disease of alcoholism never touches Ms. Walthall and, if it has, I hope that she begins to seek knowledge about the disease. She will be surprised at how much she will be able to help the addicted person because there comes a point in the alcoholic's life when he or she does not have a choice.
KAT McCLINTON
CHRISTIANSBURG
Hurrah for Salem football
THROUGH GOOD times and bad times I have followed Salem's football team. I am glad that I never gave up on our team, our school or our town. When Salem lost a ball game, I was sad with the team; when Salem won, I was there to celebrate. After seeing most of the practice sessions, I know mistakes and why they occur. The citizens of Salem are very proud of our kids and coaches and they deserve our best.
It has been a privilege to watch two generations play football for Salem. My hat goes off to Coach Willis White and his staff. Congratulations to all of the young men on the football team.
ROY C. TAYLOR
SALEM
Time to change The Times' slant
YOU FOLKS at The Roanoke Times print a good newspaper. But I think it's time you changed your slant.
To the best of my knowledge, the Dole-Kemp ticket carried Virginia, and Virginia includes your circulation area.
All those cartoons on the editorial page by Mike Luckovich really stink. You folks never know when some rich, conservative Republican might move into this area and publish a real right-leaning newspaper. If that happened, you might find out just how the Maytag repairman feels.
JOE WEBBER
BLUE RIDGE
LENGTH: Long : 159 linesby CNB