THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, December 20, 1994 TAG: 9412200002
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 42 lines
Your recent report on the firing of Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders used the word ``defiant'' to describe Dr. Elders. Granted, she has been outspoken but to my knowledge never defiant.
From the moment Dr. Elders mentioned studying the legalization of drugs, which is a thought that originated long before her appointment as surgeon general, to her comment about 5-year-olds and condoms, she has been watched with an eagle eye; and her statements have been consistently half-written or totally misquoted.
In a society where 11-year-olds are giving life as well as taking others' lives away; sex is an instrument of pleasure and death; guns are common in schools; and those who are ordained or appointed to preach against murder become murderers themselves, it amazes me that anyone can actually find fault with Dr. Elders' statement about studying masturbation.
I am sure that the 12-year-olds who contracted AIDS through sexual intercourse would have benefited from the knowledge that sexual gratification could have been attained by other means.
Sexual education was started in schools for a reason. It is a shame that children must suffer because adults are uncomfortable with certain subjects.
I do not agree with everything that Dr. Elders has said, but I do feel that her comments have been a wake-up call for self-inspection.
I did not vote for President Clinton because of his views, specifically on homosexuals. But because of his outspoken comments, I have since reconsidered my stand on certain issues.
How sad that others will not have this same opportunity with Dr. Elders. With Dr. Elders' resignation, politics has removed a great social conscience from a world that so desperately needs one.
CAROLIS A. SHROPSHIRE
Norfolk, Dec. 10, 1994 by CNB