ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, February 10, 1996 TAG: 9602130045
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A9 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTER
CAN TAKING your children to the movies be considered contributing to the delinquency of a minor?
My wife and I saw Quentin Tarantino's new movie ``From Dusk to Dawn,'' rated ``R,'' and I was shocked by what I saw. Although I greatly enjoyed this gangster/horror movie, it was loaded with violence, nudity and profanity. What was shocking wasn't the movie itself, but rather to see two boys, who appeared to be ages 4 and 6, exiting the theater with their father.
It was clear from the first scene (when one person is shot in the head and another is set on fire) that this wasn't a movie for young children (nor is any movie rated ``R,'' for that matter).
The father became upset with me when I called him a moron, but I couldn't think of a more appropriate word at the time. Parents need to be more aware of their children's environment. They absorb and remember much more than you may think. DAVID COHAN NEW CASTLE
Age does not excuse a crime
VALENTINE'S Day will soon be here and many sweethearts will exchange gestures of love. Gary Kitts will not celebrate this wonderful holiday because his high-school sweetheart and wife of 24 years was killed on Dec. 14, 1995, by a car driven by an intoxicated teen. They were walking within 2 feet of each other - a time of togetherness - when the careless teen ran over Bonnie Kitts with his car, killing her by her husband's side.
This foolish act is likely to be overlooked by many as an ``accident'' because the teen is ``such a smart boy'' and surely ``he didn't mean to hurt anyone.'' Gov. George Allen is asking us to re-examine teen crimes.
Isn't it time to expect consequences for actions - or will age continue to allow criminal acts to go unaccounted for? DIANE KITTS CHRISTIANSBURG
Nation is heading into bankruptcy
MY GENERATION has seen federal taxes go from 5 percent for the average family in 1950 to 25 percent now. Yet government has blown $5 trillion more than we've paid.
Last year we spent $235 billion to pay interest on the federal debt. The debt interest is costing us about as much as national defense. My granddaughter faces more than $185,000 in extra taxes just to pay her part on our debt that we will pass on.
Congress has passed 57 times in the past 18 years a ``continuing resolution'' - to borrow more money to continue appropriations spending at accelerated base-line levels rather than to cut spending. Of course, sacred-cow entitlement spending is completely out of control.
Why have the media stopped presenting facts and numbers showing the future results of our lavish spending? Why do we see only the emotional issues raised by a few who are temporarily inconvenienced by a serious effort to balance our budget?
It's easy to gain support for reasonable environmental programs for our children's good. They require sacrifice by all. But why do we label as ``extreme'' those who make a genuine effort to save all our children from facing a bankrupt government before they reach college?
Many other countries in the past 40 years have preceded us on the socialistic path with higher taxes, massive social spending and huge debt. Every country that took that path now faces serious economic and social problems. Study 1996 Europe. Look at confused, chaotic and near-bankrupt France.
To maintain support for its agenda, socialism has always fought for destroying the fundamental faith of its people. The present effort to divide Christians into ``mainstream'' and ``right-wing extremist'' camps is the first step.
If we allow the trend of the past 30 years to continue, the next generation will have a bankrupt government for its god. IVAN M. GREEN ROANOKE
Abuses by Reagan not forgotten
AS THE Republicans continue to try to prove that President Clinton is guilty of some crime, it's my duty as an American to make this point to readers: Nothing he has ever been accused of is minutely comparable to ex-President Reagan's abuse of power in the arms-for-hostages crime while in office.
Voters need to keep news in perspective, and not be manipulated by the GOP's efforts to malign our president. THOMAS G. HELLER COPPER HILL
LENGTH: Medium: 85 linesby CNB