ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, February 18, 1997 TAG: 9702180053
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
Hold men responsible for abortions
IN RESPONSE to a Jan. 18 letter to the editor, ``Wanted: a debate on the economic impact of abortion" by John C. LeDoux:
Wanted: a debate on the economic impact of the vast number of babies born who are growing up without emotional or financial support from the men who produce them.
Notice that I did not call them "fathers" or "daddys.'' The only term to describe the role these men have played in the lives of their children is "sperm donor.''
LeDoux's facts and statistics fail to account for the human side of life. Planned Parenthood's clinics, for instance, are used by people with few other resources. To me, this accounts for the high number of abortions performed as a form of birth control at these clinics. I believe that if boys and young men were taught by society that birth control is their responsibility, these birth-control abortions would show a drastic decrease.
Many doctors perform abortions, due to extreme medical conditions affecting both mother and baby. How many of these mothers and babies could have potentially become a drain on Social Security, Medicaid and Social Services if laws prevented the mothers from having a medically needed abortion? How much of an economic burden would some of the 40 million aborted babies put on our system? Did LeDoux deduct the cost for those who would have been unemployed, on welfare, physically challenged, mentally ill, addicted to drugs or incarcerated?
When will people like LeDoux take up causes to help care for the "gifts from God" who are here now and in need? Why not attack the men who are producing these "gifts" and walking away from them - free and clear?
I challenge LeDoux to stop attacking women who have had to make the painful decision to have an abortion and begin a crusade to hold men responsible for the results of their unprotected sex.
What does the church say to these men? I'd bet LeDoux may be sitting next to one of them Sunday morning.
PENNY PRICE
SALEM
Roanoke needs an arts workshop
REGARDING THE use of the old Norfolk Southern office building for a college, as described in your Feb. 1 editorial, "Don't let higher-ed center get off track'':
The editorial stated that the railroad's ``art deco monument'' was a link to our region's proud heritage, and it would make a great site for an educational institution. I agree. The possibilities for the old building are many.
But what about an even older office building that was constructed by one of Roanoke's pioneer citizens, C. Markley (1859-1931)? Couldn't this old building on the corner of Jefferson Street and Shenandoah Avenue be put to better use?
Roanoke needs a place such as Richmond's Hand Workshop Art Center where area artists can teach their skills and display their work. Ceramics, sculpture, weaving, woodworking, photography, jewelry making, drawing and painting are a few things that are offered at the Richmond center as high-quality arts experiences. The workshop incorporates practical information about technique, method and materials with experiences that inspire, provoke, question and satisfy. HWAC was started more than 30 years ago, and continues to offer classes to the young and old.
The Roanoke Valley area has numerous artists who could share their talents and make some money. A workshop center in this valley could be a showplace for local arts and crafts.
Roanokers, don't let this beautiful, old historic building be torn down someday. We need to start thinking about other uses for it. It has stood vacant too long and needs to be preserved.
JUDITH MARKLEY BAUMGARDNER
ROANOKE
Clinton deserved top billing
I WAS disappointed to see that O.J. Simpson had headline billing (Feb. 5 Associated Press news article, ``O.J. liable for slayings; damages of $8.5 million'') over the State of the Union presentation by President Clinton (Associated Press news article, ``President focuses on education'').
I expected big coverage on the results of the trial, but the president should have had top billing.
HAROLD REEDY
SALEM
County's policy is not unfair
I DISAGREE with Dennis Berube's interpretation (Jan. 30 letter to the editor, ``Vietnam veterans are penalized'') that contracts/commitments made by the military should be binding on the Roanoke County school system some 28 years later.
I salute all those who served in Vietnam while in the military. However, just because Berube extended his time in Vietnam, with the promise of being released from the military five months early and being credited with serving two full years, was between him and the military. Apparently, that worked out to the satisfaction of both parties. But the fact remains that Berube only served 19 months on active duty. Should the county, or anyone else, have to acknowledge something that never occurred?
It would be a nice gesture on the part of Roanoke County to grant him credit for two years of service. But I think Berube is looking for something that just doesn't exist, and he blames his frustration on the fact that he is a Vietnam veteran.
PETER A. HOPKINSON
MONETA
Throwing away the state's heritage
I CANNOT believe that the people we voted into office have approved throwing away our state song (Jan. 29 news article, ``Senate: Retire state song''). We can vote these people out of office, just like we voted them in. What is next?
Are we supposed to forget that Virginia is still a state? My grandfather fought for this state - not because he wanted to, but because he had to. Everything about the Confederate War is made out to be evil. What about all the men and women who died in this war?
I'd like to see if rap music, with all its filth, can be banned from Virginia.
What are we to look forward to? I will always sing our song because I am very proud to be a Virginian. Maybe those who do not like our state should relocate. Go to the North.
Our red bird and state flower will be next.
J. DILLON FOSTER> ROANOKE
Clinton's in - like it or not
HAVING READ all of the letters to the editor about the hatred felt for President Clinton, it's amazing that nothing is ever said about Newt Gingrich. I wonder why.
We survived eight years under Ronald Reagan, with Nancy and her astrologers, Irangate and the savings-and-loan scandal - and we will survive under Clinton. I am doing real well.
The election is over. The inauguration is over. And Clinton is president of the United States of America. Let's forget the tears and fears. Get on with the program, or get out of the way.
Fences are built to keep people out of the United States, not to keep our folks from leaving. Hope you get it! God bless America!
RONAL LEE BAXTER
NATURAL BRIDGE STATION
Top priorities for the mountain
SUMMIT solutions:
Mill Mountain is a beautiful, natural scenic Roanoke city property. Let's preserve it as such.
Let's protect Crystal Spring's watershed from developmental damages, present and future.
Let's honor the integrity (purposes) of the donor for a gift to the city he loved.
Proclaim Mill Mountain Park with your voices and visits. Indeed, a splendid view for all of us.
The zoo, if expansion is needed, should be moved to Explore Park and gain regional and state support. Explore Park is a tourist destination with growth potential. Adequate parking and a restaurant will be completed at Explore soon, along with the Blue Ridge Parkway entrance road.
J. KEITH BOHON
ROANOKE
LENGTH: Long : 157 linesby CNB