ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, January 19, 1997 TAG: 9701210007
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
Peace is unlikely in the Mideast
THE CONCESSIONS Israel has made for peace are unprecedented in human history. It gave the Palestine Liberation Organization legitimacy, power, money and weapons.
Israel turned a blind eye time and again to Palestinian violations of the Oslo Accords. It went along with the fiction that Palestinian authority was trying to crack down on terrorism.
The time has come for Israel to face reality: There will be no peace in the foreseeable future, not with the PLO. No matter how much Israel yields, the Palestinians will demand more, and the Arab world will back them up.
For the Arabs, peace isn't a goal but merely - as they openly avow when speaking in Arabic - a tactic. Arafat says that the struggle will continue until all of Palestine is liberated. As difficult as it is for civilized men and women to accept, he means it.
ALVIN W. FINESTONE
CLIFTON FORGE
A deft touch with bulls and sisters
I ENJOYED very much reading Dan Casey's news article (Jan. 9, ``Man's work shows in downtown'') concerning the retirement of my brother-in-law, John Bradshaw, from the city's Planning Commission. It brought tears to my eyes as it accurately touched many aspects of his personality, all of which I have come to treasure.
Certainly, like Planning Commissioner Barbara Duerk, I've had moments of displeasure with him - beginning with one of his first dates with my sister Matilda when he stubbornly refused to clip the London Fog label from his coat for me to sew on my own fake, look-alike. I remember as a 14-year-old thinking that I wasn't going to like him very much.
Of course, that was before I noticed how he always seemed to appear when life was dishing out the worst, offering very rational suggestions at extremely emotional times.
Little did he realize that when he married, in addition to obtaining a wife, he would ``inherit'' three extremely sensitive sisters who, with wife, would inherit a lot of equally sensitive cows. And no one but the cows knew one end from the other. Where else could we turn for help in such matters but to a MIT graduate who not only knew a bull from a cow, but now delivers calves during blizzards, drives a tractor over hill and vale while sporting his favorite straw hat, builds ponds to ensure adequate water for the cows during dry weather, erects good fences for the benefit of our good neighbors, and can change a baby bull into a sweet young steer in a flash.
My father died three weeks before my marriage, so Bradshaw gave me away (with the understanding that he wouldn't take me back). And he became my husband's dear friend.
He gives without expecting much in return. He just does what needs to be done in the most expedient and logical manner possible - knowing that a good head, as well as a good heart, is mandatory for a positive result for all concerned.
ANDREWS HOLLAND OAKEY
ROANOKE
Overtime is SOP for teachers
IT IS a shame that Jeffrey Morris' perception of teachers is what he revealed in his Jan. 8 letter to the editor (``Be thankful for any salary raise'').
I challenge him to find a teacher who works a six-hour day. It's virtually impossible in that time to make daily lesson plans for up to seven subjects, grade papers, confer with parents, file reports and handle numerous other tasks. We work many hours on weekends, and often work without any break during our contract hours, including lunch.
There have been several years in which Roanoke city teachers had salaries frozen. It's very misleading to see a percentage raise quoted in the newspaper because it never shows the small increases that most teachers receive. Many take on extra school duties, moonlight and/or work during the summer to make ends meet. We don't find it demeaning to get loans or grants to educate our children.
Maybe Morris should visit a school to see how teachers spend their days.
SUSAN T. LOVERN
SALEM
Jack Trent deserves the credit
LAWRENCE HAMMACK'S Jan. 9 news article about Coyner Springs' improvement (``Coyner shows `improvement') failed to mention the person temporarily appointed to bring about the improvements. The gentleman responsible for the turnaround is Jack Trent, manager of Youth Haven.
MARJORIE SMITHEY
ROANOKE
Administrators must also be counted
YOUR JAN. 6 news article (``Roanoke schools seek ways to attract more black teachers'') distinctly stated the exact number of African-American principals, assistant principals and teachers in the city system.
However, you omitted the exact number of African-Americans who are in administrative positions in the school system's central office. Would the number be so low that it would stagger Roanokers into realizing that a concerted effort isn't really being made to fill positions in an equable manner? Are there only two there?
CURLEY B. SPENCER
ROANOKE
More must stand by their convictions
REGARDING Tom Taylor's Jan. 9 commentary, ``In which the Lord creates confusion along with the world'':
I was thrilled to see a pro-Christianity commentary printed in The Roanoke Times. He certainly made his point, though, for a minute, I was taken aback by his means. I applaud him and anyone who lives and stands for Christian moral and ethical issues in today's society.
I, too, was dismayed when I heard the pope accept evolution. In an age of jaded religious leaders, I am sorry to see one of the last few widely respected religious leaders begin to give way. I think mainstreaming is worse than changing stands completely.
Our society needs people who stick to their convictions, whatever they may be, and people who will speak out for their beliefs.
KERI KAUFMAN
FINCASTLE
Sign language is not like Ebonics
JIM MARCHMAN'S Jan. 7 letter to the editor (``Playing politics with dialects'') compares American Sign Language with the dialects of Appalachia and Ebonics and even with Braille.
All hearing people have an equal opportunity to learn any spoken language. The deaf cannot hear the spoken word and must rely on visual signs to communicate. Their problems with standard English are quite different from those due to origin or background.
In the past, ASL was looked down on as improper English. But during the past 30 years, studies have found that ``ASL is now recognized as a separate and complete language with its own grammar syntax.''
ASL is a visual language of concepts that is necessary for the deaf in all educational, community and social contacts. Pre-lingually deaf and profoundly deaf students have difficulty learning spoken and written English, and would find it almost impossible to satisfy a spoken foreign-language requirement. Sign-language interpreters must become skilled users of ASL to be effective aides in communication for the deaf. Therefore, House Joint Resolution No. 228 helps both groups achieve their educational goals.
English itself is often a second language for many deaf individuals, and ASL - their visual first language - should not be equated with any spoken language.
BETTY HARDEN
Retired teacher of the deaf and hard-of-hearing
ROANOKE
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