THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 18, 1995 TAG: 9505160091
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT
Recently, the idea of the ``community reaching out'' has been made quite evident in the lives of me and my family.
It all began when my husband was admitted to the hospital for a serious condition. He was told that the operation that he needed was very critical. He decided to have the operation, and the medical treatment that he received while in Norfolk Sentara Hospital was superb.
The medical team consisting of Dr. Mark Greenspan, Dr. Allen Cohen, Dr. Demick, Dr. Stecker and Dr. Sperling, as well as the hospital staff, gave my husband outstanding care. During his ordeal the nurses provided around-the-clock care for him.
Every time I visited the hospital the nurses in the ICU on the third floor were either going in to check on my husband's condition or coming out. They were all so kind and thoughtful. The doctors were very cordial and took personal interest in my family. Dr. Greenspan even took time to counsel my teenage son after the death of my husband. He offered me the tie that my husband had complimented and said he felt it an honor to have my husband wear it during his burial.
Not only did the medical community offer encouragement during this sorrowful time, but many others did so as well. My church and school families provided much comfort and support. My principal, Ms. Deborah Holland, and the staff of Stuart Gifted Center in Norfolk, offered continuous support. They have been right there for me.
Our neighbors, who make up a diverse group of people, were there to support us. People have been very generous by contributing to the H.W.B. Walker Educational Scholarship fund.
Although there have been sorrowful times for us, the love and kindness of the community have brought healing. Thank you and may God forever bless this community.
Cora E. Bridgers and family
Windsor Gate Place
Virginia Beach
LET'S GET UNDER CONTROL
First, I want to state there is no justification whatsoever for the killing of innocents, for whatever reason, that took place in Oklahoma City.
That said, I must point out that one need look no further than his or her television set nightly to get a vivid glimpse as to why the nutcases (and not so nutcases) believe that the DEA, ATF and law enforcement agencies in general are out of control and out of touch with the rules/laws they are supposed to uphold/enforce.
On the TV show ``Cops,'' which I hate to admit I watch much too often, one is exposed daily to the members of whichever agency routinely abuse the rights of a citizen to unreasonable, at least in my eyes, search and seizure on many levels that to them are jokingly justified. These citizens are scumbags and such in their eyes, and most probably are, but they are citizens supposedly with rights nonetheless.
Armed with a search warrant, not to mention the firepower they take along, the guardians of ``justice'' rush up to the scumbags' door, shout who they are, then boom, smash in the door with a battering ram, all within a heartbeat, then proceed to force everyone to the floor at gunpoint and woe be unto him/her who does not instantaneously comply.
If you're of the persuasion that the cops and their informants/information are always 100 percent right while any suspect is always guilty until proven innocent, then this is great entertainment.
To anyone who knows better, this is the stuff that makes anarchists and builds militias as did those who wrote our Constitution. The Waco massacre and other documented abuses/mistakes with no punishment to those involved only serve to reinforce the view that the entire legal apparatus in this country is totally out of synch with its original intentions.
Russ Cupp
Shorewood Drive by CNB