ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, February 8, 1996 TAG: 9602080013
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-14 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
REGARDING David Rakestraw's Jan. 25 letter to the editor, ``Bring prayer back to classrooms'':
I'm somewhat confused. He and others insist that our country was founded on the teachings of Christ. As an elementary-school teacher, I relate the story of the Pilgrims to my class each year. Remember that they came over seeking religious freedom?
Also, his perception that prayer isn't allowed in schools is untrue, and if it were true, it would be unenforceable. How could anyone prevent others from offering up a silent private prayer as they walked down the hall or prepared for a test?
Perhaps Rakestraw is referring to oral prayers said aloud by individuals or groups. In this case, as a parent and teacher I must support the view that this kind of prayer doesn't belong in school. While I consider myself a Christian, my personal religious views don't coincide with those of any particular religious group that I know of. And I reserve the right as a parent to be my children's religious teacher.
As a teacher, my instructional time is precious. Why should students in my class spend their instructional time vegetating so that someone else can voice prayers? The only reason I can imagine for some to insist that others participate in their prayers is to convert them to their beliefs.
Another point I'd like to take issue with is the belief by some that because there's no group prayer in school, there's no teaching of values. My fellow teachers and I spend a great deal of time teaching children to respect others and their property, solve problems without violence and take responsibility for their actions. This isn't an easy task, and it's one for which teachers don't receive enough credit.
It's very disturbing when Rakestraw says, `` ... to allow a mix of religions in a society will eventually cause the destruction of that culture.'' What exactly is he advocating? Should we send everyone who doesn't share his religion to another country in a sweep of religious cleansing? Here's where his religious intolerance really comes through. Hmm. Perhaps I should start packing.
MARIA ARNOLD
DUBLIN
Let's speak out for diversity
WHEN A handful of frightened people can force a business person to renege on his contract by threats of violence, it only saddens those of us who believe that diversity does enrich us (Jan. 25 article, ``Ad manager: Threats killed `diversity' billboard'').
The only solution may be education. Those not threatened by diversity must now speak out. Quietly and calmly talk to your friends, neighbors, co-workers and family, and show by example that we can love and support all our children.
I wish I knew the exact quote, but it goes something like this:
When they came for the Jews, I did not help because I am not a Jew. When they came for the gypsies, I did not help because I am not a gypsy. When they came for the blacks, I did not help because I am not a black. When they came for the homosexuals, I did not help because I am not a homosexual. When they came for me, there was no one left to help.
It only takes a small group of people who fear and hate another segment of society to create great turmoil, especially when the rest of us are silent.
SUSAN SETZLER
DUBLIN
Dole needs help getting up to speed
THE REASON Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole wants to become president of the United States isn't for health care, Medicare, education, tax cuts, etc., but for a retirement check for the rest of his life.
Having Dole in the White House as president would be like putting a 1924 Ford in a NASCAR race with a 1996 Ford. He'll likely lose just like the last three times he's run for president. But Dole might have a little advantage this time. He's got Newt Gingrich for crew chief.
ROGER SHELTON
SALEM
Subliminal message isn't tolerable
YOUR JAN. 27 editorial (``Signs of hate mar the community'') bemoans the lack of success that counterculture groups are having in their efforts to subliminally slip their "Diversity Enriches" message into the everyday thoughts of area commuters.
One possible reason for the public's distaste for this message could be its failure to clearly state its intended message. That is: Homosexuality is just as normal as heterosexuality, and people are just going to have to accept it.
Your editorial also says that out-of-wedlock births and the breakup of families are serious problems in America. What gives you the right to condemn the lifestyles of unwed mothers or people who choose to become unmarried? If "Diversity Enriches," then no lifestyle is superior to any other.
The possibilities for catchy slogans are almost endless: "Bestiality is Best," "Depravity Deifies," "Virginia is for Loathsomeness."
CLONNIE H. YEAROUT
ROANOKE
A simple solution for the VMI issue
FOLLOWING the ongoing debate between those who wish to see the Virginia Military Institute retain tradition and those who feel that women have a right to access, I propose a solution that's so obvious to me that I don't know why it hasn't been proposed before.
It's simple. VMI should purchase (or merge) with the failing Southern Seminary College for Women and devote its entire program to a tough-as-nails all-military, all-female public education. These campuses are within close proximity, and professors could commute to one or the other. The degree would be from VMI, and both women and men would have the option of an all-military, single-sex program steeped in tradition.
Let us not sneeze at the value of single-sex education. If all institutions were either-or, I would agree that changes should be made. However, VMI is but one institution out of thousands. Let us give both women and men without the means for a private education this one opportunity to be educated without the distractions of the opposite sex.
LESLIE MEGA
ROANOKE
A helpful guide for regional interests
IN YOUR welcomed editorial on Jan. 18, "A nudge for regionalism," you state that local governments must "realize that regional cooperation must be more than an occasional, reluctant thing." In some small yet important ways, regional cooperation among local governments already has a well-established history.
Since 1983, the League of Women Voters of the Roanoke Area has worked with a consortium of local governments to provide up to 15,000 copies of Facts For Voters for use in libraries, government offices, school systems and by the general public. Facts for Voters is a reference guide of elected and appointed officials, voting information and tax rates.
The 1996 version covers the local governments of Franklin, Botetourt and Roanoke counties, and the cities of Roanoke and Salem. Fortunately for the public and for local governments eager to work together, copies are available in voter-registration offices, government buildings and libraries.
JULIE UMBERGER
Past President, League of Women Voters of the Roanoke Area ROANOKE
Federal workers learned a lesson
WE ALL have had the perils of job layoffs, plant shutdowns, transfers to new locations, income reductions, medical insurance terminations and loss of pension accruals as we worked in our ``blue collar'' or ``white collar'' trades or professions.
All of us in the private sector have been forced to make drastic changes in our lifestyles as the economy suffered through recessions, mergers, trade deficits and layoffs.
Meanwhile, federal employees collected their pay, used their insurance, and maintained their usual day-to-day arrogance if a private citizen attempted to use a service they were in charge of. Recently they got a small taste of what it's like out here in the real world.
Out of every bit of bad comes a little bit of good. And I, like many others, feel the budget shutdown of government was a good education for federal employees, although their suffering was only minimal.
FERDIE G. TANNER
SALEM
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