
                         THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
                 Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 29, 1994                    TAG: 9406290006 
SECTION: FRONT                     PAGE: A10    EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: Short 
DATELINE: 940629                                 LENGTH:

WHY PAY FOR THIS?

{LEAD} National TV news recently carried a story concerning the danger of in-line skating (roller-blading) and the U.S. government's chief czar of consumer affairs' advice to be careful and wear protection. We have heard the same advice from Dr. Joycelyn Elders regarding sexual activity.

I wonder how much and why we are paying these high-level administrators to research the results of these activities and to provide us with such sage advice. My dad or mom or my own observations of the consequences of not being careful or wearing some protection when skating, sledding, bicycling, etc., proved sufficient to get me through my early years with a minimum of scratches, cuts and broken bones. Further, Joycelyn Elders seems far less effective than my church, parents or my own observations of the potential consequences of sexual activity.

{REST} While I grew up in the '50s and '60s, my belief is that people haven't changed; rather, our government, priorities and expectations have changed. I advise our senior officials in government to ``get a life'' and for the parent/parents/guardians and church to take charge.

JOHN G. HORAN

Virginia Beach, June 9, 1994 by CNB