Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Attempt to shame deadbeats visited upon the children
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Attempt to shame deadbeats visited upon the children
Usually, I'm a strong advocate for exposing deadbeat parents and forcing them to take responsibility for caring for their children.
However, after seeing the advertisement placed by Social Services in the Sept. 29 Roanoke Times, I now have some reservations.
My adopted daughter saw her father's face in the ad. She was devastated by conflicting feelings of shame for her father not taking care of his responsibilities and guilt because she knew the child support was owed because of her and her siblings.
While I certainly agree that these parents should be pursued, we need to make sure that we don't make victims of the ones we are trying to help. Children shouldn't have to bear the shame of their parents' actions.
Nicki Joynes
Roanoke
Next, city will outlaw skunks and songbirds
Have we lost our minds and gone too far? Picking up people's cats because of no license and crossing property lines (Sept. 20 editorial, "A different animal altogether").
Does Roanoke City Council not have more important matters to deal with -- high crime rate, no jobs, a lagging economy and a floundering city?
Now, people have to keep their cats on chains or penned in cages. Many cat owners have their cats spayed.
Now, a cat sanctuary. What? Use those same tax dollars for free spaying and neutering.
What about the rats, skunks, raccoons, possums -- even in the best neighborhoods? How about those nasty birds? Let's just get rid of all the animals.
Wake up, Roanoke.
Barbara Maberry
Roanoke
Lessons of compassion found in hurricane relief
After watching the effects of Hurricane Katrina unfold, I've learned some valuable lessons. I will be reminded of them each day as I reflect upon Katrina's fury and aftermath.
The first lesson is that the small problems I have today may be nothing compared to what someone may endure tomorrow. Katrina made this clear when I saw her victims endure agonizing days on rooftops and in muggy heat without food, water, medicine or sanitation.
The next lesson is that my government is there for me when I need help and that each individual state is there to offer help. I was overcome with emotion by the amount of support states have given to the hurricane zone.
Not only has nearly every state taken in hurricane victims as guest residents, but each has provided food, shelter, employment opportunities and schools for children.
Let's not forget countries such as Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, England, Mexico, China and Australia that have made generous pledges and provided plane loads of supplies.
Probably the most important lesson is that "I am my brother's keeper." Whatever affects my fellowman affects me. Therefore, I need to volunteer my services whenever possible or make a monetary contribution, no matter how small.
matthew thomas jr.
lynchburg
A theory for your 1,000 body parts
If they aren't explained by evolution, I would like to know why the Intelligent Designer gave me toenails and an appendix.
John Muench
Blacksburg
Kaine wanted gas prices to rise even higher
Every campaign year, we hear a lot of talking from candidates. They promise this, they promise that, and they always seem to say just what we want to hear. That's why voters need to forget the rhetoric and focus on their records.
With gas prices at all-time highs, I recently decided to focus on the records of the candidates running for governor. Guess what I found.
We all know that Tim Kaine is so proud that he led the charge to pass the biggest tax increase in Virginia's history last year. But what many don't know is that the plan Kaine actually wanted was two to three times larger. If it had become law, it would have given Virginia the nation's highest gas tax.
The Virginia Petroleum Institute says that if Kaine had gotten his way, the gas tax in Virginia would be double what it is today. It would be 34 cents per gallon. Can you imagine paying 17 cents more per gallon than what we are already paying?
Kaine's record is quite enough. Once a tax-hiker, always a tax-hiker.
I'm voting for Jerry Kilgore who has a record for honesty and is against tax hikes.
Melvin Johnson
Salem
Pride goeth before the fall
It appalled me to read your news article celebrating "freedom" for gays and lesbians (Sept. 19, "Roanoke-area lesbians, gays celebrate in the park"). Event director Charles Richards said, "The march is a way to get in celebration mode."
I wondered what they were being freed from and what they were celebrating, on Sunday morning no less. Then it hit me. They're celebrating their freedom from God and freedom from morality.
As in the days of Rome, God has given these men and women over to their vile passions.
As reported in the article, 16 years ago this behavior wouldn't have been applauded. But in 2005, we read it on the front page of our Virginia section.
Whom do we owe this acceptance of behavior? It isn't the majority. It's the media and our public officials.
In the end, as it was in Rome, God's wrath will be "revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness."
It's ironic that the name they choose for their celebration is "Pride in the Park," pride being the very thing that removed Satan from heaven.
Gwen Goodman
roanoke
Perhaps Brownie can offer conservation tips
Well, here we go again. We're seeing once again what a fine leader President Bush is.
He asks the citizens to conserve gas during this time of gas shortage and high prices (Sept. 27 news article, "Bush asks drivers to put on the brakes").
Yet, he has made seven trips to the Gulf Coast recently on a plane that uses thousands of gallons of gas on each trip. Now, how's that for setting the example to conserve?
And how about Michael Brown, former head of FEMA. He was asked to leave his job (Sept. 28 news article, "Former FEMA leader Brown blames others").
Yet, he's being kept on FEMA's payroll as an adviser. Giving advice on what? How to be incompetent on the job?
Pat Ware
Roanoke
Doctor's style endeared him to patients
Kudos to Joe Kennedy's Sept. 24th column, "Beloved doctor squeezed out of Roanoke."
Just two days prior to the publication, I reluctantly had my last appointment with Dr. Bill Mirenda.
When I was born, I had deformities in my hands and feet. After having multiple surgeries at Duke University Medical Center, I became a patient of his in 1995.
He's the only doctor I've ever enjoyed going to. We would talk about school, life, sports and joke around. After surgeries, he'd ask his nurse to call and see if I was doing OK.
My parents and I ran into him and his wife once at a Sting concert in Roanoke. While on his night off, he was more than happy to do a mini-consultation right before the show began. When he told us he was leaving Roanoke, I had to hold back the tears.
Although he has an incredible opportunity before him, I know myself, as well as thousands of others in the Roanoke Valley, will be heartbroken to see such a talented, caring, incredible friend and surgeon leave forever.
Good luck, Dr. Mirenda.
L. Shay McLaughlin
Blacksburg
