ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, April 18, 1997 TAG: 9704180018
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-16 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
Policy change can advance food safety
I ATTENDED meetings recently for the president's Food Safety Initiative. Ironically, as experts from across the country were discussing how best to improve food safety, the media were informing us of strawberry-related hepatitis contamination in school lunches.
I often worry that when food-safety reforms are highly publicized, people may be lulled into a false sense of security. Most of these new reforms are in the data-collection stages and haven't been implemented yet. Therefore, consumers must continue to use smart food-safety practices.
One of the data-collection problems relates to reporting regulations in Virginia and some other states. Virginia only requires reporting of outbreaks of E-Coli O157:H7. Furthermore, physicians, laboratories and local health departments aren't required to share knowledge of individual cases with anyone. Obviously, in today's mobile society, reporting individual cases would expedite the identification of outbreaks and their sources.
Every local health-department official I've spoken to supports case-by-case reporting. These hard-working officials know all too well that access to this information would enhance their ability to safeguard us. I'm embarrassed that Virginia has not yet implemented such a simple and important policy.
RENET A. AUSTIN
BLACKSBURG
New look; same old liberal bias
THE NEW Roanoke Times? This newspaper is like a rotting house covered with new vinyl siding - new look on the outside, same old liberal bias inside.
Cody Lowe's March 23 Back Pew column (``Open letter to the Rev. Phil Whitaker'') was a feeble attempt to defend this newspaper's hostility to the conservative Christian viewpoint. His argument that ``most of the senior editors ... are Christian churchgoers'' is hollow. Mussolini went to church, too.
Why does Lowe feel that some perceive a ``godless, liberal conspiracy'' at the Times? Because the editorial board doesn't have the backbone, unlike Sen. Ted Kennedy and others, to say ``we are liberals and proud of it.'' Its members may be self-deluded enough to think the newspaper is ``fair'' and ``impartial,'' but the public knows better. You will never get credibility or respect from your readers until you're honest.
The second, and most disgusting, bias of this newspaper is also revealed when Lowe notes Dr. Dobson's opposition to gay ``rights.'' Dobson and other conservatives do not oppose anyone's rights, but rather special privileges and status disguised as ``rights.''
If past articles' pandering to homosexuals isn't proof of this bias, two news articles are illustrative: The death of an unfortunate sexual deviant was treated as ``community news,'' and the perverted love life of a female victim of violence was trumpeted (complete with pictures).
Homosexuality isn't an outward, God-given characteristic (like sex or race), but is a chosen behavior known only when the person reveals it. When someone chooses to publicly proclaim his or her perversity, he or she must be willing to accept the legal, negative reactions of others.
My suggestions to the newspaper? Own up to your pro-bigger government, pro-gun control and anti-conservative Christian bias. You have the right to your opinions, but be honest about them. And keep homosexual perversion off the community pages - or change your name to The Roanoke Blade.
MARK W. BONDS
MONTVALE
Those who got fooled should lighten up
WHAT IS America coming to when we cannot laugh at ourselves?
WROV's April Fools' joke was great (April 2 news article, ``Fans still cheer after April Fools' joke''). What did it hurt? Nothing. People who were fooled got out of the house, enjoyed the day, danced a little, had free drinks and a good laugh.
If Kevin Costner had been there, would people still be upset? Big deal - everyone would have gotten to see a movie star.
Even though some people wasted a day, people need to laugh a little or they're going to be in sad shape as life goes on.
CRIS RHODES
VINTON
Simple answer is respect for life
YOUR MARCH 24 news article, ``No simple answers: The story of a teen-ager's abortion,'' demonstrates again pro-abortion's deceptive reasoning.
Of course there is a simple (but challenging) answer: Life is to be respected at all stages. Let's encourage values and lifestyles to minimize the tragedy of teen-age or ``unwanted'' pregnancies.
Pro-choice people conveniently neglect to mention that these people have already made a choice. The result can be the creation of a child. To kill that child can never be justified.
I wonder if the ultrasound technician informed the pregnant teen that, at two months' gestation, the heart had been beating for a month; the liver, the stomach, the kidneys and muscles were functioning; and the fetus (Latin for young one) could curve its fingers around an object placed in the palm of his or her hand.
The teen didn't report any counseling regarding fetal development or adoption (key factors when making an informed decision), only reassurance and encouragement toward the abortion.
All life is precious. Let's act accordingly.
MARY O'CONNOR
ROANOKE
Oh, how soon students forget
I FEEL that students should go to school year-round because we would have a better education if we did.
When we get out for the summer, I do so much playing that when I go back to school, I've forgotten everything.
BRENNA LAFON
VINTON
First, we fire all the supervisors
DAVID S. Courey's letter to the editor (March 26, ``Taxed to the max in Roanoke County'') concerning the enormous taxes that have been placed on county citizens is right on target. I hope that would be the thinking of all county taxpayers.
Enough is enough. It's time that taxpayers take Roanoke County back under our control. And the first item on the agenda would be to replace all county supervisors and eliminate a number of higher-paid administrators and department heads. This would be their reward for giving us the West County reservoir, and it would be taxpayers' start on reducing monthly water and sewer bills.
It would also help to remove the arrogance encountered when you go to the county's administration building to deal with a problem. It's the only place I know where you are wrong and they are right - no matter what the issue.
This is a time when companies are reducing the number of employees, services, etc. Roanoke County apparently thinks it doesn't need cost-saving measures because it has unlimited tax resources. County taxpayers need to speak out against any new taxes or higher taxes!
RANDY TURNER
ROANOKE
LENGTH: Long : 130 linesby CNB