Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, November 14, 1993 TAG: 9311160248
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: D-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The other end of downtown Roanoke presents a different appearance. The Hotel Roanoke restoration and the new First Union Tower buildings are giant positive steps. However, each day as I drive to my office in the tower, I drive by the burned-down Hotel Earle and the vacant building behind it displaying a faded Dixie Caverns placard and plastered with years of handbills. I then wind my way underneath the remnants of the viaduct that shelters a collection of dumpsters.
From my office on the 15th floor on the south east side of the tower, this whole area presents an equally apparent eyesore. On the other hand, from my aerial vantage, I can easily imagine how it would look without Hotel Earle, its adjoining building and the remainder of the viaduct, and with the resulting open space (even if left in parking lots) attractively landscaped on its borders.
Given the millions of dollars that have been and are being spent to revitalize downtown, the tattered window dressings that have been allowed to remain present a ridiculous situation.
CLINTON S. MORSE
ROANOKE
Allen, Farris, Bush and Quayle
BECAUSE George Allen won, why do Republicans think they're ready to take over the whole country? They complained about how Mike Farris was treated so badly in the campaign. What about Bill and Hillary Clinton? Never in history has anyone running for office ever taken such abuse, sleaze and mudslinging as they did, but they were mature enough to keep quiet.
George Bush and Dan Quayle lost the election because of their childlike, petty, mudslinging sleaze against the Clintons. They even attacked his mother. Read the childish phrase quoted by Bush: ``I guess you will be measuring the drapes in the Oval Office. Keep your hands off, Buster. You will never sit in the seat of the Oval Office.''
Some ministers say they're called by God to preach the Gospel. They should do the job they're called to do and not engage in mudslinging, name-calling and passing judgment on others who don't meet their approval. God isn't the author of confusion and he's neither a Republican nor a Democrat.
Most Republicans in high office are very conservative, because they were born in wealth and will remain that way. They'll never share with those less fortunate, who are called liberals. Their attitude is, ``I've got mine, now you get yours the best way you can.''
Bush went out in ``glory'' by giving himself and the Republicans a big bonus that was paid for by the poor taxpayers.
It's been so nice not having to listen to Quayle, but the immature boy is rising again, threatening Clinton for 1995. Come on, Mr. Quayle, grow up!
JEAN PHILLIPS
ROANOKE
Trade pact is good deal for U.S. labor
VERY SOON Congress will vote on the North American Free Trade Agreement. Passage is critical to the country's economic future. A commentary published in the Oct. 31 Roanoke Times & World-News (``How NAFTA can boost the economy'') by former Gov. Gerald Baliles states the consequences.
NAFTA is good for the United States and Virginia. Agreeing to it will give this nation, its industries and employees a competitive advantage in the Mexico market because tariffs will come down. For example, cars will be exported from this country to Mexico without barriers, while Japanese autos will continue to face trade limits to Mexico. Is this not good for U.S. labor, to give the United States a competitive edge in the Mexican marketplace over our competition in Europe and Japan?
Labor-intensive, low-wage industries, like the apparel industry, may move overseas to any low-wage country regardless of whether NAFTA is approved. If jobs are lost because an apparel manufacturer moves out, federal retraining programs are in existence to take advantage of new employment opportunities resulting from expanded markets. With new production methods, a declining work force in the United States can produce anything people of this country want to buy in consumer goods. To expand the work force and to create jobs, we must increase our exports by accessing foreign markets. The results of improved markets will mean higheremployment, better jobs, higher income and a boost in our standard of living. What an opportunity for labor in this country!
The world still looks to us for leadership. NAFTA's defeat would be a blow to the confidence the world has placed in us. There exists a great desire by all Latin American countries to improve relations with us. Approving NAFTA would promote economic prosperity and will enhance democracy, freedom and political stability in these countries. Repudiating it would be a mistake!
HENRY W. TIELEMAN
RINER
The North has no match for it
AFTER RECENTLY moving here from the densely populated Northeast, the splendor and beauty of these mountains is a constant wonder to me. The Blue Ridge Parkway is probably the most beautiful drive I've ever had the good fortune to take. I don't think there is any roadway in the Northeast that has such breathtaking views around every turn.
Thanks to past presidents who had the foresight to create the parkway project and forever save this national treasure for future generations. We are truly blessed to have this natural beauty all around us. I hope our residents will never take it for granted.
JOHN BLAZIER
SALEM
Party favoritism wasn't played
REGARDING staff writer Dwayne Yancey's Nov. 4 news story entitled ``A postelection `Who's Who':''
He remarked that the Lewis-Gale Political Awareness Committee continues to back Republicans. Please note that in the recent election, we publicly endorsed Democrats Dick Cranwell, Vic Thomas, Chip Woodrum and Republican Morgan Griffith. This committee is bipartisan.
HCA for Good Government PAC also provided bipartisan financial support to several local and state-level candidates.
ROBIN BARNHILL
ROANOKE
by CNB