Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, November 2, 1993 TAG: 9311040242
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Kristine Gebbie's preface that we need to view sexuality as ``an essentially important and pleasurable thing'' is readily agreed to. But then she indicates that to validate that belief, we must not deny early sexuality, nor homosexuality, particularly in teens, because that leaves people abandoned with no place to go. Such ideas would seem to exacerbate the problems rather than help solve them.
Why not teach self-discipline, social responsibility and respect for the opposite sex? What about abstinence and working toward making virginity on your wedding night the ultimate in peer pressure? And, if all else fails, why not suggest personal gratification as a better alternative to pregnancy, or to a social disease of some sort, at least one of which can kill you?
There are many of us who aren't prudes but who, nevertheless, feel it's high time to treat premarital pregnancies with a small dose of shame and a very large dose of disapproval, especially including the male involved. Perhaps we should be a little less understanding, and even less compassionate if it happens again.
As for homosexuals, society would be better served if it were asked to treat them with respect only if they stayed as close to the closet as possible after announcing their romantic preference. Second-grade children should not be reading stories about ``Suzy has two mommies'' unless one of them is grandmommie.
The really serious AIDS problem cannot be solved by accepting the symptoms in our society that caused it. It seems to me we do that with our ``get real'' and ``if it feels good, do it'' and ``haven't you heard of the sexual revolution?'' attitudes.
It would probably be a mistake to go all the way back to that ``repressed Victorian society'' that Ms. Gebbie so dreads, but we need to head back in that direction, and quick. A good first step would be for the Clintons to get rid of her and hire someone with a tougher, more realistic long-term approach. But most important is a long-overdue shift in attitudes and behaviors by people, and in our acceptance or disapproval of what we do.
CLIFF LEWEKE
SALEM
School atmosphere should bother all
I ASKED a young boy how he liked school. He looked at me and said, ``OK.'' After a moment of silence, he said, ``It bothers me that I have to go through a metal detector before entering, that police officers are in the halls and cafeteria and that the windows have bars. There's just something about all that and it bothers me.''
School-bus drivers, teachers, principals and assistant principals, are you bothered? Office workers, guidance counselors, cafeteria and maintenance workers, are you bothered? Students and parents, are you? I am.
God may be illegal in the schools, but he's not illegal in our hearts.
May I suggest to all who are bothered that you take a moment and pray silently, to whomever, before the day starts and while in school. May I also suggest that if you want to be in a safe place that you pray to God through the Lord Jesus Christ.
JOYCE GODFRYT
TROUTVILLE
Why not tax calories, too?
IF WE'RE to believe that an additional tax on tobacco products will generate funds for health-care programs, why stop there? There are behaviors, other than smoking, that lead to an increased risk of heal th problems that overburden the health-care system.
Many Americans are overweight. The medical community tells us that heart disease and high blood pressure are related to obesity. Why not impose an obesity tax on overweight people? Each one could be tested for their percentage of body fat and then pay a tax on the fat that exceeds the normal level. This testing could be done through the workplace, since working people are about the only ones paying taxes anyway. In keeping with the current administration's plan to pass the cost of health care on to employers, they could pay for the test.
Since diet is directly related to obesity, why not impose a cholesterol tax on foods high in fat and calories? With the amount of fast-food consumed in this country, just think of the revenues that would generate!
I feel sure that smokers are willing to do their part and will not mind paying more for their next smoke, if the president is willing to pay more for his next meal.
WILLIAM M. MUSSELWHITE
BUCHANAN
The gun lobby is soft on crime
THE NATIONAL Rifle Association is known for accusing politicians for being soft on crime.
To me, the NRA is soft on crime. It wants all types of guns available to everyone. What possible reasons of substance could it have for opposing a waiting period for a gun purchase? Let's make it harder for criminals and those who are in a moment of anger to get them.
The NRA knows as well as I do that more people are killed with handguns by friends and family than by intruders, muggers, etc.
The NRA says that gun control will allow only criminals to have guns. How many people became criminals only after using a handgun or other gun to shoot another human being? A great number!
Handgun control is just that - control, not a ban. The NRA fights handgun control only to watch law-abiding citizens become murderers.
I'm not a hunter, but I have many friends, relatives, co-workers, etc.. who are. I have absolutely nothing against responsible hunting.
FRANCIS JOSEPH
BLACKSBURG
by CNB