Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, November 1, 1994 TAG: 9411010062
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
From Cave Spring Corner to the top of Bent Mountain on U.S. 221 South, a 10-mile strip, I've counted more than 70 signs on the roadway, trees and utility poles. According to the Roanoke County Code, Section 30-93-4, paragraph 3, states, ``Any sign, except an official public notice, which is nailed, tacked, posted, or in any other manner attached to any utility pole, or structure supporting wire, cable, or pipe; or to public property of any description'' is prohibited. Paragraph 4 also prohibits ``Any sign located within a public right-of-way, except for signs displayed by a duly constituted governmental authority.''
The Roanoke Valley is a beautiful place to live. However, with all the distracting, abandoned and dangerously placed signs along the roadways, it has become hard to see the forest for the trees.
STEVE GALLIA
ROANOKE
Decision time for Christians
TO COUNTER scare tactics portraying Christians as dangerous and irrational, I thought a true account should appear in this newspaper, at least once.
By definition, Christians are people who have personally accepted Jesus' death on the cross as payment for their own sin, thus enabling them to enter into heaven. Many Christians look to the Bible, which is God's owner's manual for life, for instructions as to how to conduct their lives. Who could provide a better source of instructions than the creator and owner?
Every human bears God's image. In numerous references, the Bible calls life in a mother's womb a ``baby'' or a ``child.'' ``Fetus'' or ``women's choice'' is never used in the Bible in referring to a baby. A baby is a baby. Whoever takes the life of one is guilty of violating the Sixth Commandment, ``Thou shalt not kill.'' Should Christians trust God or Planned Parenthood?
Homosexuality is clearly presented in the Bible. In Genesis, chapters 18-19, God appeared to Abraham, and explained that he was going to Sodom and Gomorrah ``because their sin is very grievous.'' Then the Bible describes how ``the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; and he overthrew those cities and all the inhabitants of the cities.'' Clearly, God has strong feelings against the sin of homosexuality. Will Christians believe God or deviants?
The upcoming election will be decision time for many Christians, including those in black assemblies who traditionally vote for Democrats. Will you vote for Sen. Charles Robb, who pushes the homosexual agenda and is backed by Planned Parenthood, a leader in the baby-killing-for-profit industry?
Or will you vote for Oliver North, who takes the traditional Judeo-Christian position and stands with God on these critical moral issues? This stand is the real reason North is being so heavily attacked in the press. Christians, it's up to you.
STEVE W. LAWRENCE
BLUE RIDGE
Coleman supporters should speak out
I'M TIRED of hearing so many people say that they would vote for Marshall Coleman if they thought he could win. They don't want to waste their vote. If we only vote for a candidate because we think he or she can win, our vote no longer has any importance. We've turned an election into a casino game, where media polls, out-of-state money and the highest campaign expenditures decide for us how we should vote.
As voters, it's our duty to take a good hard look at all three Senate candidates, and make our own decisions. Our vote isn't a bid on which candidate has the best chance to win, but a statement as to who is the best candidate for the job. Only then will the election be a true measure of the people's choice. The only vote wasted is the one not cast.
It's time for Coleman's silent supporters to stand up, speak out and be counted. Coleman supporters who don't vote for him are giving up their right of choice, and they take away any chance he may have to win. If every Coleman supporter actually voted for him, who knows what might happen. There are no winners or losers until the last vote is cast.
SUSAN FRANK
ROANOKE
Credentials should count for Coleman
MARSHALL COLEMAN has some experience as attorney general, was an Eagle Scout, a great character builder, and a Marine during the Vietnam era, which attests to his patriotism. If everyone who is uneasy with the other choices would forget the losing-vote syndrome, he would win in a landslide.
KATHERINE H. HYPES
ROANOKE
by CNB