
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, February 11, 1991                   TAG: 9102110272
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

FIGHTING CAN'T BE TUNED OUT LIKE TV

TOM SHALES (article, Jan. 24), in reference to "television's First Live War," said the continuous live broadcasts may induce "a kind of early shell-shock in those who watch," and that it leaves TV viewers "inundated, overwhelmed and exhausted."

How true. However, if those watching on TV wish to take a break from war coverage, it is as easy as switching a channel or turning the set off. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the brave men and women serving with Operation Desert Storm could simply "turn off" the war when it got overwhelming and watch an hour of Andy Griffith reruns instead?

Unfortunately, they cannot do that. The war in the Persian Gulf is the reality they must experience every moment of every day. I'm sure that must leave them "inundated, overwhelmed and exhausted" sometimes as well.

The live media coverage from the Middle East is so compelling and true that at times, one forgets that he or she is in the living room watching it on television. It is only then that we at home can even begin to grasp what it must feel like to be a part of the war that is thousands of miles away.

The more we can feel and understand both the glory and the horror of the war in the Persian Gulf, the more support we can give to the men and women fighting it for us. They need our support desperately. The least we can do is not to ignore them by turning off the TV set or asking the networks to limit their coverage.

Besides, if the networks keep up the coverage and the world gets really sick and tired of war, maybe the world will be determined to not have any more of them. KENNETH L. DAVIS BLACKSBURG

by CNB