Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, July 8, 1994 TAG: 9407280001
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
I suppose she'll deny the fact that she's ``hooked'' on tobacco, and will claim she can ``give it up anytime'' she wants. Those are the exact words my mother used before going into a coma the nine days prior to her death from breast cancer. My mother also berated those abusing drugs. She was never convinced her addiction was the same as those addicted to illegal or prescription drugs.
If smokers who defend their right to smoke in public could witness the excruciating pain and suffering my mother went through the last year of her life (such as it was), perhaps they might think differently (but I doubt it).
I applaud any public place that bans smoking, and will continue to give my business to such businesses. In fact, I've stopped doing business where smoking is allowed.
Yes, smokers have the right to destroy their bodies with tobacco, but not in such a way that my health can be endangered from their actions. While I can choose not to frequent places where smoking is allowed, I feel sorry for children exposed to it unwillingly with smoking parents. If someone cared enough to bring a child into this world, you'd think they'd care enough to want to give it the healthiest environment possible.
BETH NEWBY RADFORD
Robb isn't making the taxpayers' grade
THE NATIONAL Taxpayers Union rates senators in Congress on federal spending. The organization was founded in 1969, and has grown to more than 250,000 members. It represents people interested in reducing taxes, fighting government waste, limiting government spending, and working for taxpayers' rights. It is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization.
Of the four senators representing Virginia and North Carolina, all received an ``A'' (Taxpayer's Friend Rating), except Chuck Robb. He received a ``D,'' or a poor rating. Robb's score indicates the senator has a poor voting record on controlling taxes and federal spending.
JAMES SWAGGERTY ROCKY MOUNT
Finally seeing the Northern light
AFTER READING R. Keith Whitley's June 24 letter to the editor (``Elect Oliver North; impeach Bill Clinton''), I've had to completely revise my views regarding politics and economics.
Whitley's thoughtful and balanced analysis shows a careful study of these matters. And I see now that North is an unblemished hero, whose election in November is essential to saving our country. Likewise, my eyes have been opened to the fact that our president is an unmitigated villain. If he remains in office for more than a few days, we're surely faced with complete ruin.
Thank you, Whitley. I will be forever grateful that there is still someone with insight and calm judgment necessary to put our present precarious situation in perspective. How could I have been so wrong?
BILL WOODS BEDFORD
Control costs; don't add bureaucracy
THE WAR between Clinton's health-care plan and the American Medical Association seems so unnecessary. Big government, with its self-serving Congress, is turning our democracy into a ``dumbocracy,'' and Congress and the doctors' union have too much self-serving power.
Congress sets its own salaries and exempts itself from laws it imposes on others. Medical costs in our country are considerably higher than in other countries, and our citizens are squeezed between ever-increasing taxes and exorbitant bills for illness. But government-run insurance would increase taxes more, and head us into socialism.
To protect our citizens from exorbitant health-care bills and higher taxes, wouldn't it be better if Congress would simply regulate and contain the charges that doctors and hospitals could make? We don't need any more bureaucracies. Government is already so big and unwieldy that it's permeated with mismanagement and fraud.
GERTRUDE H. SIGMON FERRUM
Global warming is no laughing matter
THE PUBLIC will continue to confuse global warming with ozone depletion as long as editorial writers and commentators equate the two. Your June 25 ``Briefly Put'' on bovine flatulence was amusing, but a blatant example of this confusion. The research described concerned emissions contributing to global warming. You flippantly declared that cows were ``not doing their part to protect the ozone layer.''
No wonder people aren't concerned about the depletion of ozone in the stratosphere. The predictions for global warming are based on a variety of factors, and studies aren't in agreement on the extent and timetable for this phenomenon. However, the ozone layer has been seriously eroded. It will not begin to be restored for at least 70 years, assuming the production of certain chlorine compounds is curtailed. If the public thinks that science is uncertain about the rapid erosion of the ozone layer, it will be unwilling to support the political decisions necessary to reverse this condition.
Please be careful of your facts, even in light editorials. In this complex world, scientific illiteracy is dangerous.
ELIZABETH FETTER ROANOKE
Do we protect sacred cows?
IT WAS refreshing to read in the June 14 article entitled ``Liberty at home upheld by court'' that the Supreme Court upheld the window sign of the lady in Ladue, Mo.
The ruling informs my neighbors of their right to place a sign in their window or yard to express their ``opinion'' of me, if they so desire. It reassures me of the right to place a sign in my yard to shame politicians and some newspapers that refuse to talk about their sacred cows.
For example: Why do we grant a tax exemption to Moose Clubs (which are, in truth, country clubs) and other fraternal organizations, and within weeks raise taxes on the masses? Is this the legacy we wish to pass to succeeding generations? They'll be ashamed of us. We should be ashamed to allow this to continue.
The reason sacred cows survive is because they're part of the good ol' boy-girl system, for those who must be popular at any cost. These people are afraid to face truth. Too much energy is wasted in refusing to face issues, in order to get elected, to sell more newspapers, to be popular. When this energy is linked with truth and openness, and toward problem-solving, then the world will be changed.
We must start somewhere. Why not with you, me, Dick Cranwell, Faye Eubank? An informed public opinion is the best check on the officials of a democracy. Do we inform the public, or protect the sacred cows? Time will tell. Truth will shine.
EARL W. BOWYER VINTON
Coleman puts self ahead of state, party
THE REPUBLICAN Convention is over, and Oliver North emerged the winner. Jim Miller has joined with North to support the GOP.
Marshall Coleman didn't choose to enter the nomination process as Miller did. He knew he couldn't beat North. I supported Coleman in 1977, 1981 and 1989, but will not in 1994. He abandoned the pro-life cause (as Mary Sue Terry did in her bid for governor). Now he's pro-abortion/pro-death. He placed his personal career ahead of the best interest of the party that's loyally supported him in the past, and the state that elected him as its first Republican attorney general.
This country is in grave danger due to the ineptitude of its current president and his socialistic agenda. Above all else, we need to replace Sen. Charles Robb with a conservative Republican who will stand up to threats the Clinton agenda poses. Robb supported broad tax increases, including a tax increase on gasoline, and means-testing for Social Security and other federal entitlements.
North worked long and hard to get the Republican Party's nomination. He deserves the wholehearted support of all its members. We need North and Steve Fast to replace the insider crowd of Robb and Rick Boucher.
DOROTHY McREYNOLDS ST. PAUL
Explore's future now up to the public
EXPLORE PARK'S opening on July 1 was the culmination of long-awaited dreams and endeavors. Surely, there's a long way yet to go, but it could be seen in the accomplishments at the park to date that there is great potential, and the direction is a much-needed and very important one for this region, as well as for the country overall. Explore is on the right track!
I applaud all efforts that each responsible person has made, and that which they have accomplished. Their hopes for a valuable educational goal are evident. It is now up to the public to support the park, to attend, learn and enjoy as the summer and future years roll on.
SAMUEL EDMUND COFFEY MONETA
by CNB