Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 21, 1995 TAG: 9509210022
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Supervisor Bob Johnson turned down the proposed bonds to air-condition Cave Spring Junior High School, saying ``when you retire a facility, you shouldn't put $2.5 million in it.''
Somehow the decision to retire Cave Spring Junior escaped my notice. Since he feels the solution to the overcrowded, out-dated facility is so near, why don't he and other supervisors show solidarity with students and give up their office air conditioning, eat lunch at 10:40 a.m. in a hot, crowded room, and limit their use of electrical outlets to two?
Perhaps this would get the supervisors out of ``study mode,'' and committed to solving the problem before my children graduate.
CAROL WOOD RYAN
ROANOKE
Medicare is the least of the budget woes
HOUSE Speaker Newt Gingrich and his band of Medicare-bashing accomplices are bent on further destruction of the quality of life for those of us on what used to be called a ``fixed'' income, but in reality today is a diminishing income.
I don't accept the numbers game with which pandering politicians have been trying to brainwash us in an attempt to gain public support for designating Medicare as the No. 1 enemy in budget fixes.
The real budget leeches are many, including a bloated federal bureaucracy whose sole purpose is self-perpetuating make-work activities. Along with bureaucratic fat cats sucking up federal monies is an out-of-control immigration policy that hands out hard-earned taxpayer dollars and costly services that should be privileges of citizenship only. Our foreign policy is a marvel of irresponsible spending in handing out millions to ungrateful and corrupt foreign governments.
Because it's financially beneficial to them, our politicians refuse to require big business to pay its share of taxes, and corporate earnings continue to grow, while average workers' earnings stagnate or decline. Worst of all is the pork-barrel philosophy that's deeply rooted in Congress. Every politician on the hill is bent on providing subsidies, grants and other lavish spending, for which the sole justification is the politician's own continuation in office. Congressmen are guilty of wasting public funds while they decry the expense of Medicare.
Medicare isn't the culprit. Our greedy, self-serving, pandering politicians are our No. 1 problem.
BUD SANTORO
ROANOKE
A positive message was censored
I AM shocked and saddened that Lamar Advertising has refused to allow the ``Diversity Enriches'' message to be printed on its billboards this year (Sept. 8 article, ``Company rejects ad from gay-rights panel'').
As a heterosexual, I was very proud of the ``Celebrate Diversity'' billboards, which were sponsored by ``Gay and Straight Citizens of the Roanoke Valley.'' These billboards were beautiful in appearance, and positive and unifying in their message. For those in the Roanoke Valley who work for a greater understanding and appreciation among different groups of people, they symbolized much hope.
Furthermore, I'm concerned that Lamar has, in effect, a monopoly on short-term billboards. Therefore, its decision means the billboards cannot be put up at all. One of the most sacred principles upon which this country was founded is freedom of speech. Whether or not Lamar agrees with the message printed on the billboards shouldn't be an issue. I've always believed that the content of billboards reflects the beliefs of those who purchase the space rather than the beliefs of Lamar or other billboard companies.
When a respectful message such as ``Diversity Enriches'' isn't allowed, I wonder what group Lamar will deny space to next? Will it be an African-American or Jewish organization, or perhaps a political party with which Lamar doesn't agree?
I think it's dangerous for Lamar to have this type of power. My hope is that Roanoke Valley citizens - gay or straight, Democrat or Republican, liberal or conservative - will see this issue for what it is: unfair, unjust and unquestionably wrong.
ALISON ALLSBROOK AYLOR
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
ROANOKE
Free speech isn't for liberals only
HERB DETWEILER'S diatribe (Sept. 14 letter to the editor, ``The GOP genuflects to Robertson'') against the Christian Coalition is such a typical liberal reaction to the introduction of some sanity into the public square.
In less than half a century, liberals have succeeded in dumbing down education, reducing the value of human life and all but eliminating from society the moral values that made America great. And few voices were raised in protest. Now those who speak up in an attempt to slow our moral decline are guilty of ``elitist exclusivism,'' and, among other things, are bent on victimizing women through ``forced childbirth.'' I was under the impression that childbirth occurred as the result of a deliberate act by two people. I suppose Detweiler means that premarital abstinence is an evil we shouldn't tolerate.
Detweiler seems to admire America's founders who rejected a ``theocracy ruled by `high priests' of any religion.'' But when Christians advocate a return to the values that characterized the America these men founded, they're castigated. The leaders who listen to Christians, who make up a rather large group, are described as ``toadying and genuflecting'' (and this newspaper's editors apparently agree). Has he been asleep while the president panders to every conceivable special-interest group (including Christians in his speech about school prayer)? That's different, right? Free speech is great, except when practiced by Christians?
I'm no fan of Pat Robertson, but I thank God for those who speak out against the moral decline that will ultimately do for us what it did for the Roman empire. (You do remember your history, don't you?)
DANIEL C. ESAU
ROANOKE
Bridge wasn't ready for prime time
THE CITY and the public are so concerned about naming the new $7 million ``white elephant'' bridge that they haven't noticed the things that are noticed by those of us who use the bridge each day.
The first weekend the bridge was open to the public, a maintenance worker told me that the escalators were broken by vandals and were out of service. It took several tries by the repair company to get them running again. They've been down on several occasions since then. The elevator had an ``out of service for cleaning'' sign on it. This sign was up for three days. The entire bridge could have been cleaned in three days.
The steps on the Shenandoah Avenue entrance don't look like they've been swept since the bridge opened. I've seen bubble gum on the walls beside the escalators.
What happened to the expensive security system that was put in for our protection? It should have been able to spot the vandals. Trash cans could also be used at both entrances or in the bridge itself.
I guess this is another taxpayer rip-off.
GEORGE A. STULTZ
ROANOKE
Kids will find the bad news
IN AUSTIN Spruill's Sept. 12 letter to the editor (``Articles need to be family sensitive''), he wants you to place sensitive material (stories on murder, rape, etc.) in a PG section. This will remove the necessity for him to hide the offending material from his children, and will make your newspaper ``family sensitive.''
Instead of rearranging articles, why not just change them? Hence: ``Man goes happy, waves at 5 people at Xmas party.'' Or, ``Woman left to play alone at roadside. Has no fear of AIDS.'' How about ``Sniper twirls M16 at 15 people from roof. Mass funeral will be an upbeat occasion''? Maybe the violent articles could be wrapped in plain brown paper.
If a child has enough interest to read a newspaper, he or she will be more intrigued by what's missing from said newspaper.
If Spruill ever wakes up in the real world, will he discover that you print more than one copy?
DOROTHY SHELTON
MARTINSVILLE
by CNB