Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, November 28, 1995 TAG: 9511280028
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
My guess is that the Democrats will raise taxes - since that's all they know to do anyway.
It also will be interesting to see how the definition of the word ``cut'' will suddenly change. So far, the word has been used to signify any increase in federal spending that's still below the Democrats' desired increase. The playing field is now level; the same rules will apply to both sides.
The polls say that people favor the president's plan over the Republicans' balanced budget. What plan and what budget? We should all thank the leaders of the conservatives in Congress for standing their ground. If not for them, Democrats would never put forth a balanced budget. Let me emphasize the word ``never.''
STEVE STEC
ROANOKE
Via brothers aren't running for office
IN YOUR Nov. 12 news article titled "Tuesday's election results have ups and downs" by Dwayne Yancey and Dan Casey, why was it that your staff writers found it necessary to bring the names of Edward and Peter Via into their political analysis? These guys weren't running for anything. They were only contributing to a cause they saw as worthy. After all, it's their money, and they can contribute to whomever they see fit.
Had they contributed this amount of money to the Democrats' nominees, they would have been praised endlessly. This type of journalism is so petty and frequent in your publication. Is there no quality control there?
BETTE N. GILLESPIE
ROANOKE
Prison rules have profound results
I AM FAMILIAR with the problems you cite in your Nov. 12 article (``New rules at prisons spur anger'') concerning regulations being enacted for state prisons.
Few people would argue that criminals should not be punished. However, everyone deserves to be treated with basic respect and given an opportunity for rehabilitation. To destroy incentives for learning and self-improvement is to exacerbate the inmates' problems. And for them to have to forgo medical treatment in order to buy toothpaste, shampoo and postage stamps is reminiscent of the gulag.
Up until this time, Virginia has had a fairly good record in its correctional institutions. These institutions have been staffed with qualified, compassionate people. There have been programs that allowed inmates opportunities to learn skills, perform needed tasks and experience a degree of self-worth. Such programs are a wise investment for the state.
I urge the governor, the Department of Corrections, and all those in authority to be wise in the rules and regulations they make for our prison system. Their decisions have a profound effect on those who live in these places and who may never get out.
MARY RAINE PAXTON
LEXINGTON
Tough love from Coach Rohrdanz
REGARDING the Oct. 26 article in your Neighbors section, ``Rohrdanz left memories and more in valley'':
Having played football at Jefferson High School under Coach Rudy Rohrdanz, I'm sure, along with many other players, I gave him cause for verbal abuse - the kind we now witness on television from many college and professional coaches.
It's a pleasure to say that in the four years I participated, I never heard one word of profanity directed at me or any other team member from Coach Rohrdanz.
Substituting for the legendary Paul Rotenberry, I fumbled on an apparent touchdown run against Kingsport, Tenn., which could have won the game for Jefferson.
I expected a much-deserved tongue-lashing, but Coach Rohrdanz put his arm around my shoulder and smilingly said, ``Bolling, when they put handles on footballs, we'll get you one!''
Truly, he was a real gentleman whom coaches could learn from today.
ROBERT BOLLING
ROANOKE
Wade on into the mainstream
GEOFF Seamans' Nov. 12 column (```Thank you Roanoke Times, [for] not endorsing us ... ''') was interesting, to say the least. His main premise seems to be that the newspaper's editorial board isn't capable of political bias. In fact, he wrote, ``We consider this not only a nonpartisan page, but also a middle-of-the-road page ideologically.''
He then attempts to explain his overwhelming favoritism toward Democrats and their liberal ideals with the puzzling statement: ``As the Republican Party has drifted from the mainstream in recent years, we have tended to endorse fewer Republicans.'' I suggest he review the work of his news department, which has reported on what voters of Virginia and the nation believe is ``mainstream'' in recent years:
In 1995, the Republicans gained two seats to achieve a 20-20 split in the Virginia Senate, and maintained the same number of seats in the House of Delegates.
In the congressional elections of 1994, Republicans enjoyed a victory of epic proportions, gaining control of the House and Senate for the first time in 40 years.
In 1993, George Allen won more than 60 percent of the vote to become the first Republican governor in many years.
In 1992, President George Bush had a 92 percent approval rating, but he quickly fell from grace and was defeated in that year's election. Your newspaper endorsed Bill Clinton for president, yet 57 percent of Americans and a like percentage of Virginians voted against him.
In the 1980, 1984 and 1988 presidential elections, Republican candidates (whom your newspaper didn't endorse) won tremendous landslide victories.
I suggest Seamans dust off his dictionary and look up the terms ``nonpartisan'' and ``middle-of-the-road.'' Then come join us in the mainstream.
MARK L. BAIN
SALEM
How can doctors not treat babies?
I COULDN'T believe the Nov. 13 article in your newspaper titled ``Doctors: Don't treat babies of HIV moms.'' The article is based on a 1991 survey, but how could doctors be so cruel? It isn't the babies' fault; they didn't ask to be born that way.
If I were a doctor, I would treat them, regardless. And if the mothers didn't have enough money to pay for it, I would help them out. How would they feel if they died and went to heaven, and God told them, ``Sorry, you can't enter heaven because you are HIV-infected, even if you are saved''?
It sounds like discrimination to me. I bet if these babies weren't infected, doctors would waste no time giving them aggressive treatment, such as for kidney or heart disease. It shouldn't matter whether the babies are infected.
This world is getting so bad with people not caring at all. This is further proof that God is going to soon tell Jesus to gather his children home. It's time to get right or get left.
KAREN KING
SALEM
Romance comes via junk mail
HERE I was minding my own business - a 78-year-old widow doing quite well - when I received an envelope addressed to THE SINGLE at my house number. I was incensed! What an intrusion! After scanning the enclosed letter and questionnaires, I trashed it all.
Since then, though, I've thought what fun it might have been to embellish my ideas of ``Mr. Perfect,'' and to add some fictitious details about myself, as well as to include some truths such as gray hair, wrinkles, body bulges, age spots, ad infinitum.
What a challenge I could have offered those matchmakers!
More power to those elderly newlyweds who honeymoon cruising the Amazon or aboard the Ecstasy in the Caribbean. May they Hokey Pokey, Bunny Hop, play bingo or whatever to their hearts' content. I'm sure there are a number of sedate couples who happily marry late in life, but I wonder how many are united through electronic surveys? 'Tis my opinion that romantic attractions ``just happen'' - but who knows?
One thing is certain: I resent the invasion of privacy and the depersonalization of life in general brought about by computers.
ADELE GILES
ROANOKE
by CNB