ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, April 24, 1997 TAG: 9704240006
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-14 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
Let's also rid the riverbed of rubber
I CANNOT give enough thanks to those responsible for recently removing some 25,000 tires in the Roanoke Valley (April 12 news article, ```Oh, they're moving the tires!'''). It will certainly add a great deal to the beauty of the valley.
I would suggest, however, that removing the many tires that line the bottom of the Roanoke River would also improve the beauty of the city, especially along Wiley Drive, in Smith and Wasena parks. Nothing ruins the beauty of a scenic river through lovely parks as much as old discarded tires in the riverbed.
When the weather is warmer, this might be a worthy project that I would be willing to help with.
ROBERT F. SHERERTZ
ROANOKE
Medicaid ignores other services
REGARDING YOUR April 3 editorial (``For dentists, Medicaid is a losing proposition''), there are other health problems.
Chiropractors treat 40 percent of the low back pain in the United States, and research has shown this treatment is the most effective and least expensive, and gives higher patient satisfaction. More people are disabled from back pain than any other affliction. The U.S. government agency for health care and policy gives manipulations for acute, low back pain its highest rating. Yet, Medicaid doesn't pay for chiropractic care.
Too often legislators accept medical care as the epitome of care for all health problems, ignoring services such as dentistry and chiropractic manipulation.
JERRY R. WILLIS
Chiropractor
WYTHEVILLE
Homeless often turn down work
IN RESPONSE to Lindsey Richardson's March 30 letter to the editor, ``We must deal with the homeless issue'':
I know that one or two of the men who sit at the intersection of Interstate 419 near Tanglewood Mall were offered a day's work. They wouldn't take it. Also, I was at that intersection waiting for the light to turn green and I was cussed by ``the homeless.''
They should be taken off the street and made to work for their keep.
SHELVIE HALE
ROANOKE
Apologies are due from NAACP leaders
I HAVE lived to see the once-respected National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in Virginia become that which it was formed to abolish.
It's now a bigoted, biased and racist society, as demonstrated by its ridiculous call for our governor to resign (April 11 news article, ``NAACP says Allen should go'') because he showed fairness by signing a proclamation declaring April Confederate History and Heritage Month.
Who would have thought that the NAACP would degenerate into an increasingly irrelevant organization that now attacks the right of a people to celebrate their heritage and honor their ancestors?
I'm not a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, but I did have a great-grandfather who fought for the South. He was honorable, courageous and owned no slaves. For NAACP leaders to call ``fascist'' and ``racist'' a resolution that honors this man and other Southern patriots who fought to defend their homes and families is the height of absurdity and ignorance.
The NAACP leaders owe me, my family and Gov. Allen an apology. I don't expect such a sign of civility from an organization staffed with verbose and historically challenged leaders who are speeding the NAACP on its way to irrelevance.
CARTER T. GILL
ROANOKE
LENGTH: Medium: 77 linesby CNB