Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, October 24, 1995 TAG: 9510240029
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The Republicans are right, and the Democrats are wrong. Governmental approval and/or promotion of gambling is a moral issue. A government encouraging people to believe they can get very much by giving very little is immoral.
This warped mind-set doesn't preserve a great, thriving society, but contributes to a decadent, dying society. If the debilitating attitude of seeking great value for little value pervades our society, the very existence of our nation will be threatened.
Democrats tend to think of legalized gambling as a means to raise money for the government. They fail to consider the cost to the state's economy and damage to our society. With the introduction of state lotteries and other forms of legalized gambling, there's a huge increase in the number of compulsive gamblers. And in just the first four years of casinos in Atlantic City, crime almost tripled, the police force doubled, welfare increased greatly and the number of homeless people multiplied. The cost of legalized gambling to our society and economy is big.
Virginians are disturbed about the influence of special interests on politicians. Influence wielded by the gambling industry is especially a reason for concern. It's disappointing to learn the General Assembly's Democratic leadership is cozy with this poisonous industry. It's encouraging to learn that the Republican leadership is not.
LEWIS R. SHECKLER
RADFORD
Schools don't need a gay curriculum
IN RESPONSE to Cynthia Obrist's Oct. 12 letter to the editor, "Gays and lesbians have rights, too":
Many in today's society label anyone who disagrees with homosexuality as homophobes, implying that they are the ones with the problem simply because they're not tolerant of actions they hold as morally unacceptable. Many also feel that the definition of a wrong act is one that in some way hurts another individual. Obrist implies that she agrees with the latter by suggesting that homosexuality be taught in schools, and she justifies this by quoting suicide rates of homosexual teens.
The lack of "education" about homosexuality can hardly be blamed for the suicide rate of any subset of teen-agers. I agree that a gay teen is better than a dead one, but why accept the lesser of two evils? Objective teaching about homosexuality is an indirect form of promotion. As a heterosexual citizen, I have the right not to subject my children to things that I hold as morally unacceptable. I don't disagree that gays and lesbians are citizens and have their rights, but I strongly disagree that their beliefs should be condoned and taught in the schools, especially when they're so opposed to the other side (namely morality) being taught.
Why not teach kids to express and talk about their feelings and how selfish and damaging suicide is, rather than telling them things that the liberal National Education Association promotes?
CHRIS ASSAID
BLACKSBURG
Black justice, white rage
THE FACT that Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman were murdered is very sad. The fact that white America is so angry and outraged that O.J. Simpson wasn't convicted is even sadder.
If these two victims had been black, would white America care? No!
This country hasn't achieved or come close to racial harmony, and it never will. Whites will never accept blacks as equals. The same desire of lynch mobs 100 years ago to ``kill another nigger'' is still very much alive. Guilty whites have been walking free, forever using their white skin and money. And that's always OK. On the other hand, blacks have been lynched, beaten and killed, although innocent, due to the color of our skin. Guilt or innocence was never relevant.
Now, white America knows what it feels like to be black in America and get justice - American-style. And it makes white America so angry.
Get over it!
FRAN DELANEY
ROANOKE
Branscom is clearly the better choice
IN RESPONSE to Dan Martin's Oct. 9 letter to the editor, ``Rob Hagan is experienced,'' and also to comment on some other claims being made for and by this candidate:
I've lived and worked as a lawyer in the Roanoke Valley for nearly 17 years. I live in Botetourt County, and have followed the commonwealth's attorney race with interest. I worked as a Roanoke city prosecutor for 51/2 years and left that office as chief assistant to the commonwealth's attorney to go into the private sector, where I remain to this day. During this time, I've had professional contact with Hagan and Joel Branscom in their capacities as prosecutors for Virginia. As a result, I've come away with a clear and unequivocal opinion as to which of the two is better qualified to lead Botetourt County into the 21st century.
Branscom is my choice. He is, first and last, a prosecutor. He has handled every type of criminal case, and he's been involved in all types of investigations from the most mundane shoplifting offense to the most complex capital-murder charges. He has been a member of a well-respected office in Roanoke for 10 years. As a member of that office, he has on numerous occasions been asked to travel to other jurisdictions throughout Virginia to handle sensitive and complicated homicide cases in which the local prosecutor had to step aside.
The results of these efforts have shown him to be an extremely capable prosecutor who has the tenacity to deal with the most hardened criminals. However, he has also demonstrated compassion, common sense and the ability to recognize when justice should be tempered with mercy. His peers in the legal community respect him.
I cannot say the same for Hagan, the incumbent. He claims that his 14 years of part-time general practice combined with his part-time service as a prosecutor give him the advantage of having ``broad experience.'' Through my own practice, I can say that the everyday demands detract from, rather than add to, the ability of a good prosecutor to perform his duties. His one year of full-time prosecution experience simply doesn't stack up against Branscom's 10 years of full-time commitment.
WILLIAM H. CLEAVELAND
CLOVERDALE
Hotel's restaurant is fabulous
AFTER READING a Sept. 9 letter to the editor (``Regency Room ranks with the best'') in your newspaper about the Regency Room and the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center, we decided to try it out for ourselves. What a fabulous place! The food was absolutely delicious, and the service was outstanding.
Roanoke is fortunate to have such an outstanding restaurant.
TIM and LOLETA JOHNSON
ROANOKE
Averill was a hit with schoolchildren
I APPLAUD Trixie Averill for being such a positive role model for our youth.
I'm a fourth-grade teacher who is very concerned with developing civic responsibility and civic pride in our youth. I invited House Majority Leader Dick Cranwell and Averill to speak to fourth- through seventh-graders about the importance of local government.
Her aide scheduled a school visit for Averill within a week of my phone call so that arrangements could be worked out. Cranwell's aide never returned my call. I have to assume that his so-called interest in education isn't as sincere as he claims.
Averill inspired, encouraged and informed the children. She focused her remarks on the importance of being involved in local government, as I had suggested. She explained that service to the community and commitment to people were reasons she was running for the House of Delegates this year (after having been asked to run by those convinced of her effectiveness and ability to represent them).
Averill also answered questions from the children, showing concern for them and their ideas. She aptly answered with patience, clearly and honestly. I believe that many students were inspired by her clear communication and her obvious enthusiasm for the political process. What better way to encourage them to become involved in our local government?
KATE CAMPBELL
ROANOKE
by CNB