THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 6, 1996 TAG: 9610030024
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 31 lines
Your devotion of one-fourth of the editorial page to plead the case for restoration of the voting franchise to convicted felons (Sept. 26) was the proverbial last straw for me!
Heaven forbid that you should take a stand on something of real importance or controversy. Let me give you a few topics for your future consideration:
1. The ``vocal few'' have succeeded in obtaining passage of ridiculous statutes denying any display of our religious heritage, even on Jewish or Christian holy days and holidays.
2. We have a state senator who cast one of the handful of votes proposing the legal acceptance of same sex marriages. We have a large group of leaders in our executive and congressional branches that would approve near-term abortions.
3. We are fast approaching a time when euthanasia on demand is within the law.
4. Laws and court rulings have given the poor nonvoting felons more rights than their victims.
5. Your own newspaper just reported that drug use and crime in the youth of America is on the rise again.
In summary, I believe there are many more pressing problems to face and correct than worrying about whether a convicted and/or incarcerated felon has or has not forfeited his right to vote in our state.
RONALD J. PARKER
Virginia Beach, Sept. 26, 1996 by CNB