Dear Editor,
I have been involved in economic and community development in Roanoke for over 30 years. During that time period I would be hard-pressed to name another person who has had a more positive impact on important Roanoke projects than John Rocovich. Therefore, I was disappointed but not surprised to read an article in the Roanoke Times last weekend bashing John Rocovich for getting appointed by Governor McDonald to a higher education commission board.
Back when we had “normal people” at the Times and in any other “normal” progressive community in their local newspaper the story would have highlighted how great it was that someone from Roanoke was nominated to a Governor’s Commission. That was the news story. Once upon a time our local Times also celebrated and encouraged dialogue and people expressing themselves on a wide variety of subjects. Mr. Rocovich was guilty of expressing himself on a variety of topics which automatically puts a target on you at the current Times. No matter what the topic, if the editors at the Times disagree with your position, you are routinely bashed and your motives questioned. Sadly, dialogue on any subject in Southwest VA has been completely muzzled by the Times.
Fox News has played a similar role in our national debate. We never were able to have a mature conversation about what we want our future health care to look like because our leaders were afraid of being labeled as proponents of “death penalties.” The lack of a mature debate and discussion has caused more damage to our Country than almost any other factor I can think of in the past 10 years. The same can be said of our local Roanoke Times and how they have contributed to stifling mature discussion throughout the region over the past 10 years. People know what you mean when someone is running for elected office and you say that candidate is being “swift-boated” and their campaigns react accordingly. Sadly, we can now add another term to our national debates. We can add that a person is being “death-paneled” to our lexicon. Unfortunately, every day the Times is “death-paneling” someone with John Rocovich just being the latest.
Brian Wishneff , Roanoke
Good observation BW. The RT’s is but one of many sorry excuses for a “news paper” found in this country. Like all left wingers, they just will not allow the truth to be printed without putting their left winged slant on it. I suppose no one knows this better than you. Sorry to see you out of the policital picture.