www.roanoke.com

Gun collectibles are too pricey for crime

In response to Gene Stuckey's letter, "Criminals do buy at gun shows" (Jan. 16):

If Stuckey has ever purchased a gun from a gun show or from a private seller, he would know that much is prohibitively expensive. No criminal looking to purchase a firearm with the intent of using it in a crime is going to pay a collector's price for it.

Nor will he expose himself to a public event where police are present and background checks are made by licensed dealers.

Not all those at a gun show are licensed, but they are not advertising that fact. No neon signs lead criminals directly to their table. Asking sellers if they do background checks is suspicious.

It is the cheap "Saturday night specials" that are found at crime scenes, probably traded for stolen merchandise or drugs, but not purchased from a gun show.

The Virginia Tech tragedy unfortunately is being used to continue the ultimate liberal quest for an outright gun ban, which is not impossible.

There is truth in the idea that if you outlaw guns, only the outlaws will have them. Best way to deal with an armed criminal? Choose not to be a victim.

Soot in the air mars a beautiful town

My husband and I have been residents of beautiful Blacksburg for more than 15 years and feel most fortunate. An issue of no small concern, however, is our town's quality of air.

On numerous occasions, our outdoor furniture and deck have been peppered with what appears to be black soot -- enough so that when the surfaces are wiped clean, the cloths are absolutely black.

Even more disconcerting is the knowledge that we are all breathing this same dirty material.

As our nation becomes more committed to going green, it would seem appropriate that whoever is responsible be required to make a reasonable effort to ensure that the air we are all breathing is clean and safe.

Room on the mountain for lodging, dining

I am a bit perplexed about the opposition to the development proposal involving a restaurant atop Mill Mountain.

I am not normally one who supports a lot of development initiatives. That is, I am a typically conservative Roanoker (Troutville should be close enough) who likes it just the way it is.

But the proposals set forth by Valley Forward just seem so potentially beneficial to the community that I hate to see such an opportunity passed over. In fact, I think the latest scaled-down proposal is not enough. They had it right the first time when plans for a larger structure were presented and subsequently rejected.

Think Grove Park Inn in Asheville, N.C. My recollection is of an attractive rustic structure, set in harmony with the natural surroundings on a mountainside overlooking the city, providing an upscale lodging and dining experience to residents and visitors alike.

I, too, favor preservation of the natural and outdoor recreational areas on Mill Mountain. But a new Rockledge Inn would not occupy such a large area (it is a mountain), and does not have to be in conflict with those goals.

I urge opponents to reconsider.

The mountainsides need protecting

The Western Virginia Land Trust has been the voice of compromise and reason in the debate over development on Mill Mountain.

In July 2007, the land trust requested that Roanoke City Council place conservation easements on parts of Mill Mountain Park and Carvins Cove Natural Reserve.

We requested that any additional development on the top of the mountain be conducted according to the recommendations in the Mill Mountain Park Management Plan to minimize its visual impact on the mountaintop when viewed from the city.

We also hold that regardless of whether city council decides to allow additional development on the top, the undeveloped sides of the mountain should be placed in a conservation easement to ensure that the majority of the mountain can be enjoyed by future generations in its natural state.

We applaud the intention of city council and staff to place an easement on part of Carvins Cove Natural Reserve, in a wise and forward-thinking effort to permanently protect one of the valley's most valuable assets: its drinking water supply.

We will continue to encourage city council to complete the protection of Carvins Cove by placing the remainder of the reserve under easement.

President, Western Virginia Land Trust Board of Trustees

A solution, or tomorrow's pollution?

Regarding Wise County's lengthy history with gob piles, some propose they now have an instant solution, like Walt Crickmer's ("Coal plant would be environmental boon," Jan. 16 commentary) to sell them and burn them. While this might be a boost to economic activity, I fear we will create yet another long-term problem by the unintended consequences of today's hasty actions.

Burning gob piles may not make them disappear; they may just morph into smaller gob piles of toxic ash that must be dealt with once again. In addition, we may disperse more toxic air pollution that would further harm our environment and human health.

I suggest we slow down and explore all the options for a permanent solution. I propose that we not look for instant solutions but have an adequate public debate, including many in the scientific community, as to what we do with gob piles.

We may find that it would not be best to move or disturb them but explore what we do to them in place, to make them the least detrimental to humans and the environment, and live forever with the consequences of our past shortsightedness that created them.

Even the insured face gaps in care

I agree with Dr. George Jones in his letter, "Some illnesses shouldn't be treated by phone" (Jan. 18).

Bladder infections and sore throats frequently cannot be diagnosed over the telephone. Today, antibiotic-resistant infections often develop because viral diseases are incorrectly treated with antibiotics because the patient may not be able to precisely describe his symptoms.

Yes, it would be ideal for everyone to have a primary care physician like I am privileged to retain through private insurance. But if I become ill, I am told that I must see the "doctor on call" who may have never seen me before.

If I need to be hospitalized, the situation may become even more critical because my primary care physician does not treat hospital patients.

Riffs should get with the digital age

I always get a laugh out of Ralph Berrier's ignorant ramblings, but the Riffs column "Digital music: Sometimes you crash and burn" (Jan. 18) takes the cake.

I am so sorry that he and his wife have not figured out what 10-year-olds everywhere have already mastered, using iTunes and other digital entertainment mediums.

His asinine musings are pure nonsense and nothing more than the thinly veiled rants of someone who has it completely wrong. We all fear what we do not understand, but this is his supposed expertise.

I along with all of my music-loving friends and musicians love iTunes. And against all odds (gasp) we do not steal our music. We buy it from iTunes or we upload our already legally purchased CDs. I use my iPod at work, in the car, when I run and at home, and it has enhanced my life.

Berrier, as a so-called music lover, should get this, but he clearly does not.

He should stop berating what he doesn't understand. And shame on The Roanoke Times for allowing such garbage.