Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, December 29, 1994 TAG: 9412300077
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
At a time when children are raised on Power Rangers and gruesome video games, he wants to cut funding for a company that finances educational programming, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Yet Republicans are first to point out how today's society is too violent and to blame it on the media.
I don't understand how Gingrich can say that ``Sesame Street,'' ``Mister Roger's Neighborhood'' and ``Square One'' are representative of ``biased television.''
These are shows millions of Americans have grown up on, and the shows are responsible for the early education of many. They teach us numbers, spelling and manners. Maybe Mr. Speaker should watch some of CPB's programs. He could learn a thing or two.
I hope this country hasn't come to a time when its citizens are willing to sacrifice their children's education for a couple of tax dollars. Although I'm only 17 years old, I have the common sense - due to Big Bird and Fred Rogers - to recognize a good thing when I see it.
I hope someone will pull the wool off Gingrich's eyes, and he'll realize that he's not the foolish child who always knows what's right for everybody else.
PETER NEVIN ROANOKE
Carry a bully stick and a fire hose
I HAVE a suggestion for Roanoke city to save money and provide better fire and police protection for its citizens.
Combine the two departments. Cross-train police and firemen to do each others' jobs. The police could be stationed at fire houses around town, which would provide quicker response time, etc.
Also, a lot of money could be saved by using foot-patrol officers instead of high-priced cars. Equip officers with whistles and batons; no guns, please.
WILLIAM B. FERGUSON ROANOKE
Golan Heights must not be sacrificed
REGARDING the history of Israel and the Golan Heights:
From 1948 to 1967, Syria used the Golan Heights to shell Jewish communities in Northern Israel. The terror finally ceased when Israel liberated this area in 1967.
Today, more than 13,000 Jews live in 32 communities in the Golan.
The Golan Heights provides 35 percent of Israel's vital water reserves.
Syria and Egypt attacked Israel in the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Possession of the Golan Heights enabled Israel to block the Syrian invasion.
Syria is now engaged in a massive arms buildup - thousands of missiles and tanks. Abandonment of the Golan would be suicidal, resulting in Syria overrunning Northern Israel and bringing about Israel's destruction.
ALVIN W. FINESTONE CLIFTON FORGE
Try sprucing up Crossroads Mall
REGARDING a Roanoke landmark that has nearly become an eyesore - Crossroads Mall.
Recently, my brother and I went to the new Books-A-Million bookstore. It's beautiful with its hardwood floors, coffee shop, children's area and various other amenities. In fact, it's so nice that it's really out of place there.
These unique places of business are typically found in larger cities. Now that Roanoke is beginning to sprout them, I believe we should do more to spruce up existing buildings such as Crossroads Mall to further entice future business and to aid current merchants.
As you look around the Crossroads area, you see a new airport, a gleaming Valley View mall, Town Square Shopping Center with the new additions of Kroger and Lowes, and the remodeled Shoney's Restaurant.
It would seem beneficial if Roanoke city and the mall owners collaborated to give Crossroads Mall a face lift. A complete refacing, coupled with attractive landscaping, would definitely do wonders.
We not only owe this to surrounding businesses that have gone to great lengths to enhance their appearance, but also to Crossroads' current loyal merchants, local citizens and our visitors.
GREG LAND ROANOKE
Look for ways to keep the excursions
MUCH publicity has been in the news since Norfolk Southern decided to cancel its steam excursion program, most of it strongly against the decision. As to the reasons, the media have received a lot from NS, most of which aren't correct. I understand from sources inside NS that the bottom line is liability insurance.
Obviously, with trips only on weekends, and those scattered all around the NS system, there was only minimal, if any, effect on freight schedules. And with NS making record earnings and profits, it is not losing any business due to the excursions. In fact, if NS were to take a survey of all customers and employees, I think it would find that an overwhelming majority would favor keeping the steam locomotives running, maybe even pulling a few freights between Roanoke and Norfolk on occasion.
Various National Railway Historical Society chapters and other organizations that sponsored the trips were responsible for marketing the trips and selling tickets.
Out of their ticket revenue, NS was paid for crews to run the trains and to service the locomotives, and paid fees for trackage rights to operate the excursions on NS tracks. The profit, left after all expenses were paid, was divided between the sponsoring organization and NS, with the NS share going into the steam-program budget.
As for liability insurance, I suggest continued discussions about the sponsoring organizations providing whatever limit of liability NS requires to keep these excursions operating.
Also, communities from which the excursions operated - communities that will lose a revenue source - could share some of this cost.
But the ultimate solution to the liability problem would be for legislators and Congress to enact new laws, putting caps on liability amounts awarded by the courts. This has been an ongoing problem for too many years.
Please, NS, let's try to work out something to keep these locomotives running in some way.
WILLIAM R. BAUMGARDNER JR. ROANOKE
The season is for the colorblind
REGARDING the Dec. 21 letter to the editor on the African-American Santa (``More confusion concerning Santa'' by Claire E. Sanders):
Are African-Americans not a part of American society? They're just as much a part of it as any other race.
When Sanders says an African-American Santa isn't appropriate for the ``general, literate (mostly white) public,'' is she saying African-Americans are illiterate? It certainly sounds like it to me.
Also, whites may outnumber other races in America, but so what? They can be a part of American traditions because, after all, they are Americans!
Sanders says that African-American communities are fine, but then she says that an African-American Santa is a ``ridiculous portrayal of Santa Claus.'' This doesn't quite go together. To me, it seems like she's saying that African-Americans do not have a part in Christmas.
Sanders probably won't like my letter, especially when she finds out that a 12-year-old wrote it. I don't really care. She can think of me what she will, but her letter doesn't fit my definition of equality.
GENA McGHEE ROANOKE
by CNB