Friday, April 25, 2008
A failure to see that traffic stops are dangerous
A failure to see that traffic stops are dangerous
In response to Frank La Fon's letter ("Move over, or get a ticket," April 22):
He stated that a friend of his received a ticket for failing to yield to emergency lights while a police officer was on a traffic stop. I am a police officer in the Roanoke area and people with attitudes like La Fon's are one reason there is a law on this matter. It's common sense. It's very dangerous.
Police officers are killed by driver inattention more than any other reason. I know three officers who have been hit by drivers while on traffic stops.
La Fon also stated that he does not believe that it is an emergency when police are issuing traffic citations. So the next time he is on Interstate 81 and sees something on the side of the right shoulder, he should go on and stop and kick it to the side. He just might understand how dangerous it really is out there with cars passing by in excess of 70 mph.
You move over for officers' safety
In response to Frank La Fon's letter to the editor ("Move over, or get a ticket" April 22):
The law to move over when a police officer is giving a ticket should be common courtesy to keep officers safe. Too many troopers have been killed by drivers not paying attention to activity on the shoulder.
As for the notion about honking when passing a vehicle, the Virginia Code states that you have the right to honk or use high beams to urge vehicles to merge right when in the left lane so that you can pass them. You aren't required to honk, though the sheer number of people coasting in the left lane sure makes it tempting.
Remember, Roanoke: The left lane is for passing, not cruising. Especially on Interstate 581.
In Salem, Garst did her homework
In the Salem City Council election, the only candidate who researched all phases of the intermodal railyard and looked at all the consequences was Lisa Garst.
She did the research into the deadly diesel soot, the disruption to everyday life and increased traffic and said, "Salem must consider all that will be lost if we turn part of our home into a giant, asphalt parking lot." Garst then said, "We need to approach each opportunity with the question: What are we getting versus what are we sacrificing?"
Garst has a degree in political science; she is the mother of two and is involved in many volunteer activities. She has more than 20 years experience in business, marketing and communications. As a Salem business owner, she understands that city officials must do everything possible to attract new businesses and provide for the economic benefits of its residents.
Garst would help guide the city to a path of smart, responsible growth and she wants to work with council to consider options that would allow a lower property tax rate. She is committed to keeping the quality of life we've come to expect in Salem. Check out her Web site at LisaGarst.com.
America doesn't need more regulations
Amen to Eric Pritt's ("Don't be scared into more regs," April 7) and Suzanne Dunn's ("Tech families shouldn't put a price on their grief," April 6) letters protesting an ineffectual, out-of-touch and parasitic elite that sucks the lifeblood from the country, perpetuating the cycle of poverty and unrest.
Americans do not need more regulations. Between 1970 and 2006, the Federal Register nearly quadrupled. From 2000-2006, the number of regulators increased by 65,000. While the $1 trillion-a-year costs of federal regulations are staggering, it is the corrupting influence that is worrisome, as regulations are sources of kickbacks.
Tolerance makes the nation great
Delano Thomasson certainly does not speak for me when he states, "Our world welfare system of tolerating all beliefs is destroying the foundation of this great nation," ("Love it or leave it -- now," April 19 letter).
What this gentleman fails to realize is that we are a great nation for exactly that reason. We accept and respect all beliefs that affirm humanity. I do love my nation, and that is why I could never leave it or leave it in the hands of people such as Thomasson.
Peace symbol has another meaning
Kevin Kittredge's April 19 feature story "Peace, man," quoted Michael Sweeney, co-author of "Peace: the Biography of a Symbol," on its meaning: "You can sort of read what you want into it."
It's a strange thing about symbols. Years ago, in graduate school, I came across a book of runes and discovered that the peace symbol contains the death rune, important in Germanic mysticism. Turned upside down, this rune becomes the life, or protection, rune. The Nazi Women's League and some neo-Nazi groups adopted the life rune to denote the proliferation and preservation, not death, of the white race, especially the Nordic branch.
Although it's a sign of the times, I'm afraid that not all people who normally wear this talisman and say "Peace, man" would like this interpretation pointed out to them.
No one's attending to citizens' struggles
I read the paper every day and I see the news. I watch as my budget no longer covers expenses -- gas prices, health care, foreclosures and food spiraling out of my ability to pay. Roanoke City Council makes deals and decisions behind closed doors with no care of its citizens' needs. We worry over a mountaintop restaurant while families fall apart all over the city.
Our national picture has no sign of hope for the future, but simply more of the same. Even the middle class, as I am, are scrambling through all their savings just to make ends meet and then must use the credit cards to survive.
What has happened to us? We need to stop complaining and do something before time is gone. I pray to my God every day that he show us how trivial we are being and to come together as a whole city, state and country because without hope, humans do stupid and dangerous things.
Focus the race on growing threats
Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama were faced with questions about their views on whether human life begins at conception, whether abortion is ever appropriate and if creation according to Genesis is accurate.
More than 4,000 brave Americans are dead in Iraq in an invasion based on false premises. Afghanistan is sliding into chaos. Osama bin Laden is plotting the destruction of the United States. People are being slaughtered in Darfur. China is abusing anyone who supports the freedom of Tibet. Food shortages are endangering much of the world; global warming is threatening the climate. The rain forest is diminishing.
In this country, people are losing jobs, have inadequate health care and see no secure retirement. Gas and food prices are rising. Many future generations will have to pay off the nearly $10 trillion debt. Added to this mess are the Bush administration and a couple of candidates who are threatening war against Iran.
Do we believe God created this world in seven days? How many days will we take to destroy it? While the candidates' beliefs are important to some, let's pose questions to the candidates that deal with global issues and threats to our nation instead.
