ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, January 16, 1997 letters TAG: 9701160010
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
Students need sex education
COULD THERE be a greater contrast than the Jan. 9 letter to the editor by Stephen J. Konig (``Birth control isn't the answer'') and the Jan. 10 commentary by William T. Butler (``America's reticence on sex does the young a disservice'')?
Butler, chancellor of the Baylor College of Medicine, makes a clear and compelling case for providing students with information about preventing sexually transmitted diseases and avoiding pregnancy - before sexual activity begins.
Most would probably agree that adolescents should delay sexual activity until they have the maturity to handle all the possible consequences. But as Butler points out, ``Seven of 10 high-school seniors have had sexual intercourse and a quarter of high-school seniors have had four or more sex partners.''
I agree with Konig that ``contraceptives are frequently used improperly or not at all.'' But couldn't a rational person logically conclude that this makes the case for realistic and complete education? He's wrong that ``sex education in the public schools has brought our youth unparalleled knowledge about contraceptives and how to use them.'' In fact, only 10 percent of our students receive responsible sex education, which includes information on birth control.
Many schools have well-planned curricula for family-life education, but the program is only as good as the classroom teacher who presents it. And, in reality, it's often presented badly by an ill-prepared, embarrassed teacher or ignored completely.
Young people need information to make intelligent choices about how they will conduct their lives. It's argued this should be taught in the homes. Of course, it should. But where the homes fail, for whatever reason, schools must be the source of this vital information.
I have trouble understanding politicians who bow to an ideology that mandates that welfare clients will not be paid for more children and reduces family-planning funds at the same time.
We all bear a responsibility for the crises precipitated by unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Those who believe in education and services must renew our efforts to influence politicians and educators who determine policy.
NANCY R. EDDY
ROANOKE
Teachers are rarely found in lounges
JEFFREY MORRIS' Jan. 8 letter to the editor (``Be thankful for any salary raise'') had advice for teachers that began: ``When you're drinking your coffee in the lounge before your six-hour workday begins ''
He apparently is unaware of what a teacher's workday involves. Most teachers arrive at school well before the first class starts, and many are there long after the last bell has rung.
Teachers sponsor and supervise school clubs and organizations, including meetings and events. Band practice, play practice and football practice require extra hours before and after school and in the evening. Teachers and coaches also must attend concerts, performances and athletic events that often take place on weekends. And don't forget about parent-teacher meetings, parent-teacher conferences and other events throughout the school year. Teachers have to be at those, too.
At night, teachers return calls from parents who have phoned the school with questions and concerns about students. Many teachers also initiate calls to parents if there is a problem or situation of which parents should be aware. They also spend their evenings working on lesson plans and grading papers.
Morris and others might assume that I am a teacher, but I am not. I am the mother of two school-aged children, and my comments are based on personal experience with teachers
BETTY LIEDTKE
ROANOKE
Area residents are good neighbors
ON BEHALF of Roanoke Area Ministries, I want to thank the citizens of the Roanoke Valley and surrounding areas for their generous response to the Good Neighbors Fund. Once again, local residents have demonstrated a caring, compassionate attitude toward their neighbors.
I also want to thank The Roanoke Times for its continued support of this project. It has set a wonderful example for others to follow by encouraging people to work in a cooperative effort for the common good of less fortunate citizens.
RAM was established 28 years ago as an ecumenical ministry whose mission is to assist needy citizens with emergency financial aid. During 1996, we were able to offer assistance to approximately 2,900 individuals and families who found themselves in crisis situations. The monies raised through the fund are used strictly for emergency-outreach services. Much of this assistance involves rent, utilities, heat, medical prescriptions and transportation.
We anticipate that with the changes in many government programs, we will experience an increase in requests for assistance in the coming months. Because of the generosity of our community, we will be able to offer help at the same level in 1997.
We are extremely grateful to each Good Neighbor Fund contributor. The expressions of support will truly make a difference in the lives of many disadvantaged citizens living in our community.
WENDY W. MOORE
Executive Director
Roanoke Area Ministries
ROANOKE
What has Goodlatte to say on Gingrich?
READERS OF your newspaper and other daily newspapers in Congressman Bob Goodlatte's district are normally kept well-informed by him about important issues affecting our political leaders and their actions. But for months now, he has kept us completely in the dark about how he feels about the ethical violations of House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
Does his uncharacteristic silence on the speaker's troubles mean that Goodlatte approves of what the speaker admits he has done - using public funds for partisan personal advantage and lying to Congress? It is to be hoped that isn't the case.
Maybe Goodlatte has learned some undisclosed information at the recent, closed meetings of Republican legislators that suggests Gingrich's actions were OK after all. If so, let's hope he soon lets us in on the scoop so that we can relax, knowing that the leader of our national legislature sets the right example for our children and is the best leader our elected representatives can pick.
Maybe the speaker will favor the congressman with a choice committee assignment in the new Congress. Or in the new Republican leadership. Could that be sufficient reason to quietly support the speaker at his time of greatest need, and report not one word on the subject to his voting readers?
Over the past year, Goodlatte has kept us reasonably informed on the issues he believes are important to us and our families, and his position on them. We trust he will promptly tell us what he knows about the speaker's actions, how he feels about them, and what he has told other congressmen they should do.
EDWARD M. BURNS II
WAYNESBORO
Bedford system is ripe for criticism
REGARDING your news articles of Jan. 7 (``Judge's foe accused of `vendetta''') and Jan 9 (``Critic: Get Judge Wallace off family court bench'') about Jack Mills' criticism of Judge Philip Wallace and others in the Bedford County system:
I am not familiar with the judge or Mills. However, I know from firsthand experience with some in the Bedford County government that we shouldn't write Mills off so quickly as some kind of a nut because he had the courage to question situations. A Bedford attorney, R.L. Harrison Jr., was quoted as saying that Mills is an anarchist.
I could tell you of some happenings in Bedford County where the system is sowing seed for anarchy (lawlessness) by its actions on nonactions of lawlessness. The conspiracy of silence so often encountered in the county is an insult. When I told and showed evidence to support some of the ways that Bedford County has trashed the Bill of Rights, a Roanoke businessman was stunned.
Mills, give 'em hell. I hope he will question everything and everyone, including me.
EARL W. BOWYER
VINTON
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