ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, February 14, 1997 TAG: 9702140013
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
Merck's payout pales in comparison
I WAS amused reading David Poole's Feb. 11 news article (``Company prescribes donations'') on Merck's hefty $11,000 campaign contributions. As usual, Poole was making a mountain out of molehill.
Even in Virginia politics, $11,000 is a pittance, especially if spread out among numerous legislators. Poole will be aghast when he sees what Democrat Don Beyer will spend running for governor. Putting his story on the front page with the Associated Press article (``Simpson penalty $25 million'') on O.J. Simpson made it even funnier.
While President Clinton, Vice President Gore and the Democratic National Committee are raising millions of dollars in illegal campaign contributions by entertaining communist-Chinese gun dealers, convicted drug dealers and embezzlers at the White House, Poole is going after Merck.
Allow me to let The Roanoke Times in on a little secret. Having signed welfare reform followed this year by proposed tax cuts, Clinton is now a moderate Republican. Do you know what this means? Your newspaper can aim both barrels of its liberal bias at the president.
STEPHEN B. MUNRO
ROANOKE
Honor same-sex marriages today
wHAT BETTER day than Valentine's Day, the day of love, to celebrate the joy of marriage. Marriage brings families together, unites loved ones, and has received the blessings of society for many years in the past and in the present.
Except, of course, if you're a lesbian or gay male. Their loving unions aren't legally recognized, their families are torn apart, and the children are taken away from them because of their sexual orientation. Not only is this intolerance but it is illegal.
The U.S. Supreme Court declared marriage a fundamental right under the Constitution. Without the legal right to marry, same-sex couples do not get family-health coverage, medical and bereavement leaves, child custody, tax benefits, pension plans and sick leave to care for their partners and children.
But last year Congress passed the ``Defense of Marriage Act,'' which defines marriage as ``the legal union between man and woman.''
A short time ago, it was unheard of to marry anyone of a different race or religion. Yet slowly Americans are opening their hearts and minds to accept these changes, and to realize that everyone has feelings and a heart - despite the person's race, religion and, it is to be hoped someday very soon, sexual orientation.
We need to stop discrimination and to give individuals, not the state, the right to decide when to accept the responsibilities of marriage. It's about basic human rights - the right to love, cherish and support.
I look forward and will praise the day when lesbian and gay couples can live free of discrimination and intolerance, and finally live in freedom here in Roanoke. Isn't this, after all, the land of the free?
CHRISTINE REIMER
ROANOKE
Teachers want to clarify the situation
IN RESPONSE to Jeffrey T. Morris (Jan. 8 letter to the editor, "Be thankful for any salary raise") and Douglas Chandler Graham (Jan. 25 letter, "Teachers: quit griping or just quit"):
Some things need to be clarified. I, too, have read every response to Morris' letter. The letters haven't been complaints, but enlightenments.
For the most part, teachers are happy with their jobs. But like any other job, there are many daily duties, requirements and unforeseen things to be dealt with that only teachers are aware of. We are not complaining about "horrid and inhumane conditions" - we are just clarifying for Morris what a typical day is like.
Yes, my school is air-conditioned. The teachers' lounge is a conference table with chairs that we may use if it's unoccupied. Most of us park on the city streets since our parking lot isn't large enough. (Some teachers' cars have even been hit while parked on the street.) I deduct a hefty sum from my monthly paycheck to provide health insurance for my family of three. My guess is that Graham's yearly salary, assuming he is a professional, is more than mine. Likely he, too, earns sick days and has a retirement plan.
Since their idea of a teacher's day is one of free periods, short hours, coffee breaks, and quiet and conversational lunches, why don't Morris and Graham spend a day with me? I am sure that would alter their perspectives.
LAURA McFADYEN
ROANOKE
King agitated for positive changes
DONALD R. Johnson (Jan. 27 letter to the editor, ``King's communist leanings recalled'') said that Martin Luther King was a communist and racial agitator. It went on to back these claims with many ``facts.''
We didn't agree with much of his letter, but we did agree with one point.
In a way, King was a racial agitator - if that means he wanted to stir up things to bring about change. He stood up for blacks and said no to injustice everywhere. Without him, we would have many unjust laws and could still live in a segregated nation. Unless you believe segregation is a good thing, then being a racial agitator wasn't one of King's downsides.
As for being a communist, there was a time when anybody who didn't agree with the government was given that title.
ERIK SCOTT
RIVES ELLIOT
ROANOKE
LENGTH: Long : 105 linesby CNB