DATE: Saturday, May 10, 1997                TAG: 9705100001

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B6   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Letter 

                                            LENGTH:  124 lines

LETTERS TO EDITOR -- THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT

DRUGS

Billboards not to blame

It is absurd to blame billboards for enticing kids to smoke. Who entices kids to drink alcohol? Parents, peers or the desire to join adult life.

Tobacco may cause harm and death to some, but in no way can you measure the harm of alcohol.

I quit smoking cold turkey. I cannot see a smoker abusing his spouse and children or hurting others by driving under the influence of tobacco. Neither has tobacco broken up homes and caused fatherless or motherless children.

People had the choice to smoke. We knew it was not good for us. We knew alcohol was harmful. No billboard gave any of us either drug.

Let's take on alcohol as strongly as tobacco has been.

Mary P. Ashcroft

Portsmouth, May 3, 1997

NORFOLK

Tax increase

is a ``done deal''

I see that the city of Norfolk is raising our taxes, water rate and 911 fee again. Where does it all end ? I have lived in Norfolk 35 years, and taxes and fees have gone up each year.

We were told by earlier administrations that as the revenue base increased, our tax load would decrease. The revenue base increased and so did our taxes.

When are the citizens of Norfolk going to learn and get rid of the administration we now have? I remember when Councilman Wright fought for a rate of $1.15, until he was elected to City Council.

There is going to be a public hearing on the tax increase. This is all a show. It is a done deal. Quote the city manager: ``It is not conceivable that the city would lower the tax rate.'' Why are they bothering with a hearing?

Alfred E. S. Armfield

Norfolk, April 30, 1997

SPORTS

Keep our heroes

in perspective

After reading Chuck Flaherty's letter (April 24) concerning Tiger Woods' achievements meriting kudos but not making him into a messiah), I would like to say a hearty ``Amen!'' I am so tired of sports figures being made into heroes of almost mythical proportions simply because they are good at playing a game.

I am sure, though, that as long as the rabid fans fawn all over them and the sports media hang on their every word, freaks like Dennis Rodman and punks like Allen Iverson will not only continue to proliferate but will flourish. They will continue to command obscene salaries, where they make more in a year than most teachers and policemen can hope to make in 10 years, and they can act like spoiled brats, too.

We have made heroes out of overpaid, whining crybabies. It's ridiculous. So to all the sports fans who just can't get enough of their heroes, celebrate with them if you must but, please, let's have a little reality check and keep it all in perspective!

J. L. Peake

Virginia Beach, April 25, 1997

MILITIAS

Republic of Texas?

Ride 'em, cowboys. . . .

So a bunch of wackos calling themselves the Republic of Texas Militia want Texas to secede from the Union? Great. Bravo. Couldn't agree more. How can I help? Farewell to failed S&Ls. Goodbye to such great blowhards as Phil ``Ready Money'' Gramm, Dick Armey, Bob ``Mr. Democrat'' Strauss, Anne Richardson and Ross ``It's Just That Simple'' Perot.

Good riddance to all those tough independent Texans who want ``gummint off the backs of the American people'' while lining up at the federal trough. The Republic of Texas can become the North American repository for all militia groups.

And what an opportunity for Ollie North. He can't get elected in Virginia, but he sure could win in Texas. Maybe he can become foreign minister. Ralph Reed's looking for a new job. How about minister of religion and culture?

Peter E. Bureau

Virginia Beach, April 29, 1997

HAMPTON ROADS

Name won't stick

Why must we be bombarded with the name ``Hampton Roads,'' especially from radio and television announcers: ``Hello, Hampton Roads,'' ``Fair weather today in Hampton Roads,'' etc.? Do we all suddenly live in the harbor?

Why does this area persist in tossing away heritage and tradition (tearing down old buildings and seeking a new look periodically)? This trend has now extended to discarding our name.

A current $10 million dollar advertising campaign to promote Hampton Roads and ``convert'' dissenters is said to be under way. This is shocking!

We live in Southeastern or Tidewater, Va., which includes several well-known cities. The ``city'' of Hampton Roads is not among these. Hampton Roads is a port, the scene of famous naval battles.

Stop the propaganda campaign. It won't work. This is Norfolk/Virginia Beach/Newport News, or the greater Norfolk area.

Joyce R. Cobots

Norfolk, April 30, 1997

MILITARY

Retirees lose

benefits at 65

After 23 years in the Navy, the majority of which was spent at sea while my wife raised our family, I retired to enjoy the benefits promised while on active duty. Until recently our medical services were provided by the Army Hospital at Fort Eustus, supplemented by CHAMPUS for services that the hospital could not provide.

When we turned 65, we lost CHAMPUS and had it replaced by Medicare. Our benefits were reduced from that provided by CHAMPUS. Until recently, McDonald Community Hospital at Fort Eustus still provided us services. Now I am advised that we are no longer eligible to see doctors on the hospital staff. We can see a nurse practitioner. We are advised to seek nonmilitary services.

Anticipating this, we enrolled in T.R.O.A. Medicare Supplement Services effective Jan. 1. This costs us $1,515.60 per year. This is the equivalent of having our retired pay reduced by that much each year. To make this worse, two days ago I received a notice from the T.R.O.A. provider stating that it would not honor any bills covering illnesses that we had been treated for in the six-month period prior to our enrollment. This is the same as saying that we had to pay for six months of services for which we would receive no benefits.

To all active-duty military personnel, I know of no other group that the government wishes to die prior to age 65. Let your congressman know how much you appreciate this treatment.

James M. Baumgardner

Commander, U.S. Navy (ret.)

Yorktown, May 1, 1997

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu