THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 24, 1995 TAG: 9508220122
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Long : 137 lines
What would mates say
Regarding Bob Kernell's letter of Aug. 3, 1995, ``A plea for an apology,'' I do hope he wrote this with tongue in cheek as I wonder what those shipmates whose bodies I assisted in dragging from Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 8 and 9, 1941, would say? The Japs have never apologized for their senseless attack. Please, Bob Kernell, swallow that one!
Ron Mack
Dan Court Maybe he doesn't know
In a letter to the editor (Compass 8/3), Mr. Bob Kernell wants our government to formally apologize to Japan for using atomic weapons against them during World War II.
Not being acquainted with Mr. Kernell, it is not known whether he fought against the Japanese in the Pacific during World War II. It is also not known to what extent he has read reliable history concerning Japan's military.
Perhaps Mr. Kernell has never heard of the atrocities committed by the Japanese army during the Rape of Nanking where some 200,000 civilians were slaughtered including the impaling of infants on bayonets of rifles by Japan's finest. Mr. Kernell may also be unaware of the brutal and savage mistreatment of more than 140,000 Allied prisoners of war by the Japanese. Their deaths were caused by malnutrition, a lack of medical care and being worked to death.
Does Mr. Kernell know that the Japanese started the war in the Pacific by an unannounced visit to Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941?
Before our government even remotely considers any amends for using two atomic bombs against the Japanese, let them first acknowledge their ugly aggression and the multitude of atrocities against their Asian neighbors and the United States and its Allies. After such a formal apology is received by our government, it can then assure Japan that we will never again use nuclear weapons against them unless they forgo any more Pearl Harbors or comparable military incidents.
Myron O. Wilcox
Lucian Court Muslims not assisting
Why haven't the Muslim countries of Saudia Arabia, Kuwait, the Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Yemen, Iran, Egypt, Pakistan, Jordan, Lebanon and all other Muslim countries supplied military troops to assist their Muslim ``brothers'' in Bosnia during this period of Muslim ethnic cleansing resulting in thousands being murdered?
I have not seen one news article addressing this lack of effort by Muslim countries to assist in this problem.
Why haven't these Muslim countries assisted the Muslims in Rhwanda and Zaire - where 500,000 Muslims were slaughtered and butchered in three months last year?
King Fahd and other heads of Muslim countries with President Yeltsin and the heads of state of surrounding Russian areas can negotiate a settlement with the Serb Bosnians.
The U.S. State Department and other countries should pressure these Muslim countries for an immediate solution to the problem of ethnic cleansing in Bosnia.
We helped Kuwait and Saudia Arabia in their war with Iraq. Who are they helping in this war in Bosnia? It is not their ``Muslim Brothers.''
Bruce H. Banks
Pecan Point Road qualifications questioned
I would like for Ms. Betty Graham or anyone else to show me where and how Mr. Wright has experience in ``legal affairs and handling documents, fees and fines'' as stated by Ms. Graham. Does Mr. Wright have a Juris Doctorate or any other degree that would be associated with legal experience? Has Mr. Wright worked in the Clerk's office? Has Mr. Wright ever tried a case before the Circuit Court? Being a member of City Council or other boards does not educate a person to the approximately 700 duties assigned to the Clerk's office by the Code of Virginia. Without a working knowledge of our court system and the Clerk's office, I cannot see how Mr. Wright can pretend he has the experience to be Clerk. Mr. Teich is the only candidate who knows the difference between an injunction and an indictment. That is why Mr. Teich will be elected Clerk of the Circuit Court.
Leigh Stewart
McLean Avenue Remember Sen. Walker
As we prepare our children for the return to the classroom, let us not forget which candidates supported education when we vote. When Governor Allen proposed that the funds for the Norfolk Campus of Tidewater Community College be eliminated, Senator Stanley Walker led the crusade to restore the funds and save Norfolk's million dollar investment. Senator Walker also fought to restore $1.8 million to Old Dominion University, $2.1 million to Norfolk State University and over $700,000 to the Medical College of Hampton Roads.
With the costs of a college education prohibitive to many parents, it's good to know that we have a legislator in Norfolk who's afraid to say enough is enough and fight to keep the costs of higher education down. Senator Walker has a long record of supporting our state colleges and universities.
So, when we go to the polls in November, let us remember who stands for what - Senator Walker stands for education.
Alexis O'Neil
Graydon Avenue On community policing
Your cover story, Aug. 10, 1995, ``High on Norfolk,'' was excellent and very informative. The mission Chief High was given, to broaden and improve the city's community police program, is everyone's responsibility. Community policing acknowledges that the whole community is responsible for public safety - not just the police.
Drugs and youth gangs have changed the complexion of crime in America. We are developing a culture that tolerates violence. We have a society that is increasingly insensitive to violence and the public is aroused only when it affects them directly.
The Coronado/Inglenook neighborhoods are active supporters of the Norfolk Neighborhood Crime Prevention Coalition and the Second Gold Sector PACE Team, which mobilizes and empowers people to work with the police to effectively address crime.
Walter Dickerson
Philpotts Road
President of the Coronado/
Inglenook Civic League
Writer's work appreciated
In this day of much criticism and little gratefulness for a job well done, I would like to say a word of thanks to and in behalf of Dawson Mills, correspondent, for the most recent article he wrote and published about my son, Malcom, and his family as they are preparing to go to Bolivia as missionaries. It was in the Beacon on July 8 and in the Compass on July 13. The article was well-written, truthful, unbiased and also uplifting to God, who is the real reason for the calling. Malcom and Debbie and the family feel called to go and tell the good news that there is hope in this life through Jesus, God's son.
Thanks again, Dawson, for the article and seeing that it was published in both supplements, since they have family in both cities.
Patricia Massey
Mapleshade Avenue by CNB