THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 9, 1994 TAG: 9409090014
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A16 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 34 lines
I don't know if Marc Tibbs was around during Greekfest '89, but ``Oceanfront taking step to shed ghost of Greekfest'' (column, Sept. 1) seems typical of the revisionist approach to history that abounds in the media and the overused victimization plea that permeates society today (example, ``Yes, I did it, but aren't the reasons why justification enough?'').
The city didn't cause the riot; nor did the police or the unfortunate merchants who were looted and put out of business.
Any group that becomes drunk and disorderly, destroys public and private property and puts other citizens at risk is breaking the law and should be dealt with accordingly.
Other coastal-resort communities - Fort Lauderdale and Daytona come to mind - have experienced civil disorder during major holidays. My recollection is that these cities let it be known that such misbehavior would no longer be tolerated and the revenue generated by those groups was inconsequential compared with the overall damage and the loss of tourism dollars. In short, those cities did not want to protect that kind of image. Our city does not either.
Tibbs' conclusion is right. If we neglect history, we run the risk of repeating it.
RONALD L. SWAN JR.
Virginia Beach, Sept. 2, 1994 by CNB