Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 1, 1994 TAG: 9410130002
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A18 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
How can you conclude that, while literature tends to prove that a ward system increases minority representation, a ward system likely would produce the opposite result in Roanoke?
How can you assert that the 28 percent minority representation on City Council over the past decade may well decrease when one of the four wards, if properly drawn, will almost guarantee African-American representation, and one of the three at-large seats may well be filled by a minority member of our city, as has clearly occurred in the past?
How can you so cavalierly ignore the fact that a ward system is the only form of local government that assures geographical representation to citizens?
How can you omit any reference to the fact that a modified ward system enables the average citizen of limited means to run for City Council with a minimum of financial resources, rather than with the terribly expensive cost of running a citywide campaign?
The only system with protections for minority representation, geographical representation, and representation for citizens of lesser means, the only truly democratic form of municipal government for our city, is a ward plan or modified ward plan. Any other view is an elitist smoke screen.
GARY WALDO ROANOKE
When kids torment kids
MY SONS, ages 8 and 11, would like to request a small favor of parents, teachers and school officials that would make a big difference in their lives. People ought to educate their children regarding sexual harassment, starting at the kindergarten level and continuing this education into adulthood. Let me explain why.
Our last name is Gay. My sons are, and have been, relentlessly harassed from the very first day they entered school. Likewise, they're tormented on their sports teams, in our neighborhood, and with practically every activity in which they attempt to participate.
Why must they suffer this inexcusable behavior from other people's children? My little boys have done nothing to deserve the persecution they receive day after day.
I've complained to our school principal. I've phoned the parents of the worst offenders, with only temporary results. I've confronted these children directly and requested they restrain themselves from this obviously homophobic behavior. (One can only wonder where and how they learned to behave in such a manner.)
People should teach their children, as I've taught mine, to respect differences in others and to treat people as they themselves would want to be treated.
PATRICIA GAY ROANOKE
Stop pampering Virginia's prisoners
I AGREE with Gov. Allen on longer sentences for violent criminals.
I also recommend that instead of these violent criminals working out with weights, building up their strength to overpower guards, the guards should work out with the weights to prepare for any uprising.
I understand exercise is essential to your health, but what's wrong with basketball, touch football, running around the prison yard and jumping jacks? These men and women are in prison for a reason. Stop pampering them!
CAROLE BREEDLOVE ROANOKE
The creationists' unscientific intent
I'VE BEEN interested in the letters to the editor recently concerning the teaching of evolution and ``scientific'' creationism. These letters support the results of many surveys that show, in general, that the American public has little understanding of what science is, and how scientific theories are tested. The theory of evolution by natural selection is still the cornerstone of modern biological thought because there's abundant genetic and fossil evidence to support it.
Science isn't an equal-opportunity enterprise. Ideas that are shown to be false or that have no empirical support are rejected. There's no clear evidence to support the concepts of ``scientific'' creationism. The creationists' selective rejection of evidence against their beliefs and their comical misinterpretation of the second law of thermodynamics reveal their true intent - to establish religious dogma in the classroom. So-called scientific creationism doesn't belong in a science class.
CLIFF BOYD Associate Professor of Anthropology Radford University RADFORD
Evil actions must not be tolerated
NO MATTER what one thinks of the morality of alternative lifestyles, alleged hate crimes, such as the one against Jamie Stone (Aug. 25 news article, ``Man convicted of setting transvestite's house afire''), cannot be tolerated.
If we fail to speak out against such evil actions, we deserve the society we will get. Our country isn't perfect, but our Constitution, that so many have fought to defend, is for all of our citizens.
GWEN M. ABOUDARA ROANOKE
by CNB