ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, March 6, 1997 TAG: 9703060025
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
The military is no place for gays
IN YOUR ZEAL to chastise the military for allegedly disregarding Clinton's ``don't ask, don't tell'' policy on homosexuals (Feb. 27 editorial, ``Military must fall in line''), you fall into the trap of verdict first, evidence second. You come up just short of buying hook, line and sinker the allegations of groups advocating an open-door policy for gays in the military.
I don't know for a fact, nor do you, whether commands actively pursue and harass gays. But if they don't keep a weather eye open to the possibility of active homosexuals in their commands, they're inviting guaranteed disaster in the areas of discipline, morale and combat readiness. And that is fact, not theory, based on experience.
While I am on my soapbox, allow me a whack at the totally asinine efforts - mostly by those who have never served a day in uniform - to make coed military-recruit training and ground, sea and air combat units.
It should be obvious by now to all but the most avid feminists and political-correctness police that a genderless society - much less a genderless military - will never exist, especially with today's anything-goes philosophy.
Human sexuality and hormonal drives, especially among the young, aren't going to be neutered by social engineers or moralists of any persuasion. Saying so by policy or directives won't make it happen. When young males and females are required to exist in a restrictive environment, nature dictates more than moralists. Just ask any high-school principal or college administrator.
It's past time to return to sanity regarding these issues. While there are many legitimate places and real opportunities for women in the military, coed recruit training, combat units and ships are not them. And nowhere is there a place for active homosexuality in the military.
RICHARD K. CULBERTSON
Retired U.S. Navy captain
BLACKSBURG
High-speed chases should stop
YOU REPORTED (Feb. 14 news article, ``Trooper found guilty in crash that killed man'') that a Smyth County Circuit Court jury convicted a state trooper of reckless driving in a 100-plus-mph chase, which resulted in a minister being killed and his wife being injured.
This reflects a growing concern. I live a mile from where a family of three was killed as the result of a similar high-speed chase.
Such chases should be seriously evaluated as a method of law enforcement. I don't question the conscientiousness of law-enforcement personnel doing their best to apprehend violators of the law. However, police officers exist to protect people, not to contribute to their endangerment.
In our highly technological society, a better method can certainly be found to pursue criminals who try to run away. A perilous highway chase that endangers and kills innocent people cannot be the answer.
OWEN G. STULTZ
ROANOKE
The shared heritage of blacks, whites
IN RESPONSE to the Feb. 9 news article, ``Symbols of Old South split races'':
I believe the monuments, battle flags and symbols should remain as they are. They are apart of our heritage - ``our'' meaning black and white. The Virginia state song, ``Carry Me Back to Old Virginia,'' which has caused so much controversy, was in fact written by a black man.
The people who are complaining about these issues should just drop it. People cannot change what happened more than 100 years ago, and shouldn't waste their time suing for $44 million in damages. What damages?
JADA CURTIS
CHRISTIANSBURG
Poverty is the root of the problem
I ADMIRE the non sequitur as an art form. Scot Finley's Feb. 17 letter to the editor (``Leave abortion out of family planning'') approaches perfection.
If poverty doesn't cause crime or abortion, and both certainly exist, it would follow from his reasoning that wealth causes violent crime and abortion. To choose between wealth and more-prevalent poverty as causative factors, let's look at the real world.
Consider the case of a pregnant woman. For whatever reason, she is alone with two small children, and an occasional $300 a month in child support (if she's lucky). She goes to school in a desperate attempt to be better able to support the family, and works a minimum-wage job. A bus won't get her back and forth, and a 3- or 4-year-old car's value prevents her from receiving public assistance. She is under terrible stress, and a month away from becoming homeless.
Should she drop out of school? That won't improve her earning capacity, and the financial requirements of her two small children are escalating. Should she give up her two kids for adoption so she can have another? Can she get financial help from the anti-abortion claque? Possibly, in trivial amount and for a limited time (long enough to get by the period where abortion is a viable option). Long-term financial aid? When pigs play the trombone at the Philadelphia Philharmonic. Should she have an abortion? It's the best of bad alternatives.
Oh, yeah, today's violence was born in the Depression. (I was there; Finley obviously wasn't.) For the first time in American history, we had Prohibition (alcohol then, other drugs now), with resultant gangland wars and corrupt police. It wasn't wealth that was the cause.
RICHARD GODFREY
CATAWBA
Taxpayers, too, have their needs
THE FEB. 11 letter to the editor by Ruth Willson and Sherrie Boone (``Proposed tax cut is untimely'') says ``The city's capital-improvement needs are tremendous.''
I think the tax cut is needed. My assessment has increased $18,400 since 1992. This is a tax increase of almost $224 in five years, without any improvements in the real estate.
I have many repairs that need to be made, and would also like to make some improvements after I retire this year. But I will not be able to afford them at the present rate.
ROBERT McGEORGE
ROANOKE
Will Wal-Mart move to the mountain?
REGARDING your Feb. 14 news article, ``Mill Mountain panelists still seek mission'':
I hope Ralph Smith, businessman and Mill Mountain Development Committee member, doesn't open the door for growth on Mill Mountain. First, a small restaurant. Then, McDonald's. Finally, a Wal-Mart?
Why take ``environmentally and aesthetically'' out of the draft? Isn't that exactly what we want for the whole valley - to protect our environment and make this a beautiful place to live?
Preserve the mountain as a thing of beauty and joy forever. Who knows? In years to come, this could become the eighth wonder of the world - undeveloped land.
PAT WARE
ROANOKE
LENGTH: Long : 131 linesby CNB