News-Record.com

The contest for county commissioner between Republican Trudy Wade and Democrat John Parks hinges on provisional ballots cast in wrong precincts. Recently, North Carolina courts ruled these votes illegal. Parks bemoans the plight of "innocent voters who just followed instructions of voting officials." Nonsense.

When legal voters appeared at wrong precincts, they were informed they were not registered there. A special precinct official then directed them to their correct precinct. Most voters went to the correct precinct.

Because the Help America Vote Act dictated that precinct officials give a provisional ballot to anyone who asked, some voters, finding themselves in the wrong precinct, elected to vote a provisional ballot. They either were or should have been told that provisional ballots are subject to review to determine their legality. The courts ruled these out-of-precinct votes illegal, as voters were told could happen.

The Democrat-controlled General Assembly passed new legislation to allow these illegal votes. This must be challenged. The same rules must be followed when a vote is counted as when the vote is cast. After a vote is cast, a retroactive rule change looks like an attempt to tilt a close election.

Betty Everhart
Greensboro

People, beware. There are some dangerous drivers on the road: those who stop for red lights. The surprise citation I received in the mail clearly shows me stopped at a red light with cars making left turns in front of me. My crime? My tires were over the white line. I had to pay my $50 in advance and take off work to attend my "hearing," with them ultimately having no intentions of giving my money back.

It's highly publicized that portions of the monies from this program were not going to the schools as required. Also, their wording of "entering an intersection in which a traffic signal is red" is being used to punish those who care enough to stop instead of speeding up and endangering lives. This seems to be another way of making money instead of stopping the dangerous practice of running red lights.

As a former supporter of red-light cameras, I must now say I am glad to see them being suspended in High Point and Greensboro. I hope other cities will follow.

Janice Cheek
Greensboro

Roadway worker deaths and injuries are tragic for all involved. One program that could help avert these mishaps is improved use of warning signage for lane closures, utility work, flagmen ahead and the like.

Interstate highways handle this matter well. Most state and local highways and streets in North Carolina, however, appear to have loosely enforced requirements for utility companies, construction crews and state and city work crews for placement of warning signs to alert motorists to an impending lane change or closure.

Warning sign placements range from 10 feet from a work truck to 200 feet or more. Obviously, improperly placed signage is unsafe for roadway workers. It is also hazardous for motorists. Activating a direction light lever is difficult, if not impossible, for drivers multi-tasking with cell phones, PDAs, drinks, snacks, grooming aids and audiovisual systems.

Workers on the blind side of a curve or beyond the crest of a hill present especially dangerous situations. Properly placed warning signs are imperative in these cases. Blind spots from curves and hills can also make compliance with the new "move over" law disastrous for motorists trying to quickly change lanes or decelerate.

Alan J. Greco
Greensboro

On March 18, Terri Schiavo's feeding tube was removed. In light of this event, I think it's important to enlighten people regarding end-of-life issues. Most people don't discuss their requests about death and dying, and the possible outcome is the turmoil that happened in Schiavo's case. No matter what society has made us think about death and dying, it can be a smooth transition for all parties involved.
Make sure that legal documents are in place to avoid misinterpretation of your wishes. Advance-care planning, which is an understanding of your current health status, values, preferences, etc., is a good way to start. Advance directives recognize specific decisions that are understood by everyone involved in the process and is the result of advance-care planning. It doesn't matter what the public's opinion is concerning Schiavo's story; the bottom line is to be prepared for the future.

For information that is more detailed, contact your local hospice facility and speak with a social worker, or seek a free consultation with a reputable law firm.

Terri Simmons
Greensboro

As someone who reads foreign newspapers online, imagine my dismay when I checked the World News Guide, part of the London, England, newspaper, Guardian Unlimited, the North American section and the section on North Carolina, and found that the five major newspapers of this state did not include the News & Record.

After contacting the Guardian Unlimited and pointing out the error, I received an e-mail from Jane Perrone of the Guardian thanking me for pointing out its omission. She stated that she would take steps to include the News & Record.

On March 23, I checked this site and Greensboro was listed. Now everyone in the world with access to the Internet will learn that the News & Record is a major North Carolina newspaper.

John W. Taylor
Greensboro

The editorial cartoon in the March 20 paper says it all. Having lived in Atlanta (Sandy Springs area) for 20 years, and witnessing the turmoil the city and county governments were always in with corruption, it's no wonder this grievous situation occurred. City Hall is where the problem began and, unfortunately, it ended in the murder of four people that didn't have to happen.

The Associated Press article covered it very well about the city that always promoted itself as capital of the New South and now struts a "tarnished image" which has been going on since the days of former Gov. Lester "pick ax" Maddox.

Charles O'Brien
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint article:

By Matthew Slotkin
March 19 brought news of the new law school in Charlotte and, similarly, confirmation that Elon University's new law school will open its doors in Greensboro in 2006. I have heard for years how, per capita, the state has among the fewest attorneys in the nation. Such statistics don't automatically translate into justification for opening new law schools and further saturating the legal markets.

As a 1994 UNC Law School graduate, I've watched in recent years as new graduates find it more and more difficult to secure employment. North Carolina is a sprawling state with a seeming glut of attorneys in the large population centers and few in the far-flung areas. It's not so simple as to expect new law school graduates to move away from the Interstate 85 corridor and large cities.

More law school grads will engender an already eroding code of civility among the bar. Competition for cases will spawn even greater contentiousness.

The notion of new law schools in Charlotte and Greensboro seems more an exercise in vanity, perpetrated by city leaders to boost the image of their cities. The actual need of such schools is lost amid the misguided civic advocacy.

I don't see the consumer necessarily reaping any particular benefits. To the contrary, as more attorneys seek to generate income, needless litigiousness may only rise. Some younger attorneys may offer services at a reduced rate. Caveat emptor, as one generally gets what he or she pays for. Legal advertising can and does confuse and mislead.

Sadly, I discern no mention of any monies apportioned to support those interested in careers in the public service. The middle and lower classes remain woefully under-served by lawyers. And there's little reason to believe that law school grads from high-priced ($26,000-plus annual tuition alone) Charlotte and Elon will gravitate toward addressing the needs of those marginalized.

The writer lives in Raleigh.

It's great to read that our local government does not allow politics to influence its judgment ("Child support agency split," March 24). Or, did they? It appears from reading the article that the split had nothing to do with performance, but was, as the article stated, "the focal point of a political conflict."

When will our government rise above not just voting along party lines, but voting based on sound judgment? Hopefully, Willie Best clearly communicated the need for the split, the improvement for the department and the projected savings to the county.

Best not only came up with a great cost savings but also believes that there is no one suited to do the job other than Harriet Miller. She must not only be a great manager but also leads the department in collections.

Finally, what was determined to be the real root cause or causes of the "high-profile" investigation in 2003? Was it just an attempt of one or two people to discredit a department, or were the complaints found to be valid?

Well, I guess our elected officials need some extra work if they have time to study and reorganize an apparently successful department. I would be amazed to think of what this group could accomplish if they would focus on the education of our children.

G.G. Searcy
High Point

I'm glad Rosemary Roberts' recent trip to New York was so heartwarming, but I find her "then and now" analysis simplistic and disturbing on two fronts:

1. There were good, kind, courteous people in New York in the '60s; I'm sorry she didn't encounter even one of them during her years there. Today, there are still kind, considerate people there; rude, inconsiderate ones, too. The good and the not-so-good probably exist in the same ratios that they do right here in Greensboro.

2. Her conclusion that it was only in the aftermath of Sept. 11 that New Yorkers learned to "engage and be nice" suggests that somehow New Yorkers needed this tragedy to learn to be "nice." That calls to mind the logic that some expressed that AIDS was just the tragedy the people in my Greenwich Village community needed to learn how to live right.

In trying to make sense of the unfathomable, we must be careful not to draw spurious connections.

When we infer that tragedy can serve to illustrate the error of one's ways, we tread in dangerous waters; one cannot begin to assume knowledge of what intrinsically personal lessons have been taught in the wake of the horrific.

Kim Leipham Freedman
Greensboro

The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a problem in the African American community. I feel that people should be aware of the dangers of having unprotected sex.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that in 2001, HIV/AIDS was among the top three causes of death for African American men ages 25 to 54 years and among the top four causes of death for African American women ages 20 to 54 years. It was the No. 1 cause of death for African American women ages 25 to 34 years.
It is important that we, as citizens, speak out about the HIV/AIDS epidemic in our community. CDC states that the leading cause of HIV infection among African American females was heterosexual contact.

The second-leading cause was injection drug use. The leading cause for African American males was sexual contact with other men. The second-leading cause was heterosexual contact and injection drug use.
One way that this epidemic could be addressed is by having more HIV/AIDS prevention programs and substance abuse programs. It is important that African Americans be tested to decrease the risk of putting not only their lives but also the lives of others in danger.

Margaret W. Burnett
Greensboro

Powerful elites have long tried to amass even more power. I thought our country was immune from such power grabs, thanks to the wisdom of our Founding Fathers.

But now it looks as though 200 years of bipartisan checks and balances are being threatened with extinction, thanks to the "nuclear option" being attempted by congressional neocons.

As powerful as their corporate sponsors already are, they are quite willing to overturn Senate rules to grant their cronies even more power and wealth.

Now that they are in the majority, they refuse to deal fairly in matters of judicial appointments. If they get their way, they will ram through even the most unqualified nominees.

Some would excuse slavery, environmental destruction or the subjugation of women; most would favor corporations. American justice would die.

What are these Republicans so afraid of that they'd try to seize absolute power? To even consider this reveals just how sinister their agenda really is. If we don't stop them, we can say goodbye to "the land of the free." It will have become an oligarchy. And the American Experiment will have failed.

Valerie Putney
Greensboro

Charles Davenport Jr., calls the American judiciary "the most dangerous weapon of radicals." By "radical," I wonder if he includes the likes of Robert Bork, who rails against the concept of "personal autonomy" in favor of "social authority."

In Davenport's view, personal autonomy is a problem. So what happened to the true conservative ideals of smaller government and keeping government out of our private lives?

Davenport simply doesn't like recent court decisions, so he proposes altering one of the fundamental strengths of our system: checks and balances. Davenport proposes having the Senate approve judicial candidates by a vote to ensure a judiciary sympathetic to the majority party. Now this is radical and dangerous. In no way can this be called a truly conservative position, because it doesn't conserve anything. Instead, it simply changes the rules when decisions don't go Davenport's way.

Thankfully, your nationally syndicated columnist, George Will, counters Davenport's shortsighted suggestion with a voice of reason to maintain the current system. Will has the wisdom to "conserve" the Senate's ability to stop judicial appointments with the filibuster, because he knows that his party will not always be in power. Will is a true conservative. Davenport is a rule-changer.

David W. McLean
Liberty

The following is a Counterpoint article:
By Michael Northuis

In a recent column, "Evangelicals drift from their mission," Cal Thomas put forth the argument that Christians should not waste their time on environmental issues until all peoples of this earth have been converted to Christianity.

Using Cal's logic (or lack thereof), perhaps Christians shouldn't waste precious time on frivolous secular activities such as bathing, cooking, vacuuming, watching sports, gardening, working for a living, or taking the time to form an intelligent opinion.

Thomas reveals himself as a huge hypocrite with his own reasoning. How much of his "evangelical" time has he wasted promoting "secular" political agendas for the extreme right wing?

Perhaps he does not realize that he is turning potential converts away from Christianity through this "...don't you worry your pretty little head" attitude.

While birth defects due to environmental mercury levels rise and the incidence of childhood asthma also rises due to pollution, one must wonder if it is the best "Christian" moral choice to ignore the danger signs.

One must also wonder how much time it really does take to become an active environmentalist. How much time does it take to choose the environmentally friendly organic pesticide over the toxic chemical ones that end up in the water table?

How much time does it take to call Liddy Dole and tell her you are not voting Republican again until they start protecting innocents from corporate polluters?

We are in the middle of a cancer epidemic that largely comes through ingesting chemical toxins from the air, the water table and our food supply. If the "evangelical" Christians do not see this as a "right-to-life" issue, they are ignoring God's gift of logic.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

An estimated 54 million Americans — or one in five — have a disability, and about half have a severe disability, affecting their ability to see, hear or walk (National Council on Disability, 2002).
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) holds that individuals should be limited only by the physical or mental restrictions of their disability, yet significant barriers persist in the areas of education, employment, access to state and local government services, and full participation in society.

For instance, the new Guilford County Department of Social Services building lacks handicap access, specifically automatic push-plate door openers, which must make the process of asking for help even more daunting and increase feelings of frustration, fear and helplessness. Given this information, can we really believe staff writer John Newsom's (June 25, 2004) claim that this million-dollar DSS office is "a modern, safer and efficient building"?

As we approach the 15th anniversary of the ADA, the landmark civil rights legislation for people with disabilities, we must examine tough issues, take action to remove these barriers, and ask ourselves if we are doing enough to help individuals with disabilities. After all, each of us is only an accident away from having a disability.
Amy Sams
Greensboro

Reflecting on the March 22 story about the tragic school shooting recently at the Red Lake Reservation, we are reminded once again of the urgent need to establish a U.S. Department of Peace. We need to much more seriously address the underlying causes of the problems of violence that we face today.

The Department of Peace will include a best-practices template for the amelioration of violence among America's youth. The department would implement measurably effective intervention for issues such as school and gang violence, domestic violence, reduced prison incarceration rates and international conflicts, to name only a few issues.

I believe we are at the place, historically, that Dr. Martin Luther King spoke of. It is no longer a matter of violence versus nonviolence. It is a matter of nonviolence versus nonexistence. I urge every citizen to act now, before another child loses its life to violence, to visit www.thepeacealliance.org for a more detailed description of the plans for the Department of Peace, and to contact your congressional representative to support the bill to establish the department when it is re-introduced in the House session on Sept. 12.
Mayme Putzel
Thomasville

One of your readers used this space on March 25 to question the integrity and judgment of Greensboro's finest journalist, Jim Schlosser.

For nearly 40 years, Jim has carefully chronicled the history, architecture and characters of Greensboro. Jim is a stark contrast to many local reporters who have limited experience and are here seeking access to a larger media market.

If you don't want the facts or if you don't want relevant background information, then don't bother reading a story with a Jim Schlosser byline.
Tim Kent
Greensboro

Of late, the stories about the illegal aliens working in the aircraft maintenance area at the local company TIMCO have gotten my interest. I keep waiting for the "illegal aliens only take jobs that Americans don't want to do" crowd to surface. Or the "they only fill low-paying jobs that Americans don't want" crowd.

Here we have very high-paying, responsible and technically demanding jobs being stolen from the American people by illegals, and no one is bringing that up.
Mac McAtee
Oak Ridge

Voters alone should decide elections. Candidates must stop running to the courts to throw out their ballots.

The Legislature and the boards of elections are to be commended for their efforts to encourage voting. Early voting and provisional ballots are good ideas. Once the ballots are cast, the voters are entitled to have them counted.

Steve Troxler won the agriculture commissioner post, and Britt Cobb finally did the right thing and conceded. June Atkinson won the public instruction post, and John Parks won a seat on the Guilford County Board of Commissioners.

Losers in those races are delaying the winners from taking their elected positions. The loser in the Board of Commissioners' race continues to occupy the seat.

Trudy Wade and Bill Fletcher should cease trying to disenfranchise voters and concede the election.
Larry Standley
Greensboro

I'm writing in response to your cartoon about the Terri Schiavo case on March 23. Could you be any more cruel? I'm sorry, but you just don't publish something like that in a newspaper. This was a life-or-death situation. This wasn't something like the Michael Jackson case or Martha Stewart. This is a family. A life. This was Terri's life, and I don't think that it should have been made into a joke.

Never should someone's life be made into a laughing matter. An individual is worth more than that and deserves better than that. I would think the News & Record, as a newspaper, would have more consideration than that and wouldn't just put a cartoon into the newspaper on a topic that's everywhere.

I would think you would actually put some thought and sympathy into what you're publishing. That's what I would think, but, then again, I'm only 15 years old.
Lindsay Levan
McLeansville

Again, a lottery is being pushed in our state Legislature. House Speaker Jim Black says a special committee is being formed consisting only of lottery supporters, including Democrats and Republicans.
Gov. Mike Easley, Black and others say we need a lottery for badly needed income and to prevent our citizens from spending money in neighboring states.

Critics contend that a lottery preys upon the poor who, statistics show, are primary lottery supporters. The results are alarmingly increased addictive gambling and crime rates, causing turmoil among many families, especially among children.

The lottery is called a "regressive tax." State legislatures often reduce education allotments following creation of a lottery. And income from a state-supported "education" lottery often disappears, instead, into the general fund.

Money magazine reports that, on average, lottery states collect more in taxes and spend less on education than nonlottery states.

The two-year-old South Carolina "education lottery" has spent only 14 percent of lottery money on education, and gas stations and convenience stores have received almost $53 million more of lottery revenues than K-12 schools.

I urge everyone to oppose the lottery and let your representatives know how you feel.

Mary Sue M. Cheek
Burlington

The Schiavo case has brought out emotions from all over. Instead of galvanizing the Christian church, it has brought out the worst in some who claim to follow Christ. I have seen name-calling, threats and even judgment from many others who had differing opinions.
I guess this is what Paul was referring to when he said our works would be tried with fire (1 Corinthians 3:13-15).

I just want to remind Christians that we represent Christ. Please act in a manner worthy of his name regardless of your stand on this situation. Doing less may impact eternity to those waiting to see Jesus in you.

Pastor Danny Thomas
Pleasant Garden

A judge ordered an innocent woman put to death last month. Lethal injection? Nope. Electrocution? Nope. Starvation.

The U.S. Congress stepped in and asked the court to review the case. The court refused. The woman was to die, said the court. Why? Because her "husband" said so, that's why.

No other proof was offered to the court except the husband's word that she said she wanted to die rather than live a life in a state of vegetation. Never mind the parents' pleas to spare their daughter's life.

Now, if you believe the media polls, Americans say that Congress should not have interfered. Seems to me that when judges start sentencing innocent people to die, for no reason other than a medical condition, it's the Congress' job to intervene. I wouldn't want to be represented by politicians who wouldn't stand up for the rights of their citizens.

Would it upset you if Gov. Bush refused to accept the judge's decision and took matters into his own hands? Then why doesn't it upset you that the judge was doing just that? Perhaps it's high time the judicial branch of this government is held accountable for its actions and decisions.

Jim Sartwell
Liberty

On March 28, Laura Gaffney wrote that Terri Schiavo was not "experiencing the feelings of starvation or dehydration" and that "during the end stages of dehydration one typically experiences a feeling of euphoria."

In order to be so certain of what Terri Schiavo was feeling, Gaffney must have some sort of telekinetic bond with her. This comes as a great relief. During this ordeal, I thought back to times when I have been hungry and thirsty (and there were times when I was extremely hungry and thirsty), and I felt anything but euphoric.

Has Laura ever seen pictures of the poor people in Africa? Does that look like euphoria in their hollow, sunken, pleading eyes? Perhaps Laura, and those who believe as she does, should visit Africa to let them know that their suffering will soon give way to euphoria.

It is more likely that Laura, and those who think like her, are in a situation very different from Terri Schiavo and are trying to make themselves feel better because what they believe led, indirectly to be sure, to the slow, torturous death of one of God's children.

Matt Zukowski
Browns Summit

Why not consider naming the new high school the Edward R. Murrow High School? Boards of education and county commissioners are often enough trying to honor meritorious service of individuals.

Edward R. Murrow, born in Guilford County, and near Greensboro, was a person of distinction. He is known among journalists and newsmen as the dean of modern journalism and reporting.

During the critical days of World War II, Murrow kept the people of the United States, the so-called home front, and their allies who had shortwave radios, informed of the war's progress with his broadcasts and columns. Murrow rallied the people to the tremendous challenge of winning the war against Adolf Hitler and his fascist regime. The informative and eyewitness accounts by Murrow stirred the hearts and souls of families, friends and neighbors on both sides of the Atlantic. He brought the war home to the people.

Excellence in journalism is important in maintaining a free and democratic society. Naming the school for Edward R. Murrow would make the people of Guilford County stand taller and more proud. Naming a school for one of their own distinguished citizens is the right thing to do.

Leota Falls Deaton
Stoneville

I hope you don't run out of Carolina blue ink because of your excessive use of it. Between your reporting and WFMY (Channel 2) coverage, it seems the only school is UNC-Chapel Hill.

I do hope Carolina wins the championship tonight, it being the only ACC team now in the final two, but there have been days when each front page and sports page front were covered with Carolina Blue. You and WFMY 2 love to put extra in for your team.

My favorite yet was when WFMY cut into a program three minutes before the news to announce Roy Williams was coming to Carolina. It was only a news break for those fans of UNC.

News should be just facts, not personal preferences and opinions.

Kathy Hayes
Reidsville

Responding to Sam Hensley's letter, "Is there still any room in ballpark for a fan?" (March 24), I give him a resounding yes.

Tickets to the Grasshoppers-Marlins game and the season opener were available at 10 a.m. March 19. Wonderful press coverage two months earlier had my children marking the calendar.

At 7 a.m. that day, my son ran into the kitchen reporting that TV showed the line for tickets was getting longer. We left immediately. After 4 and 1/2 hours of waiting with other patient, friendly Grasshopper-loving fans who shared their snacks and Bats stories, we got our coveted tickets to the game opener, on the "lawn."

Getting tickets had nothing to do with who had the most resources; ticket prices were as cheap as last year. Getting tickets had everything to do with loving the game and the team. I told my son I could get eight tickets for our family, and he could get eight tickets for friends who weren't in line. His 12-year-old response was, "Mom, that's not fair; look at all these people who've been waiting for hours."

All I can say to no-tickets Charlie is, "Sorry, Charlie, you needed to be in line."

Meredith Millard
Greensboro

What a relief it is to read Bill Burckley's comments about how wrong it was for private interests to spend their own money and build a new baseball stadium in Greensboro ("Stadium dispute divided the city," April 2).

Burckley has become the Gate City's leading opponent of progressive movements.

It is a nasty job, Bill, but someone has to do it. Unfortunately, your irrelevancy on this issue may render your opinion on those to come impotent. Get over it!

Dave Alexander
Swannanoa

The writer was a Greensboro resident for 35 years and is a former editor of the Greensboro Record.

Feel free to comment; that's why this blog exists. It's fine to disagree with one another's opinions, but please attack ideas, not people. Personal attacks have no place here. Also, please present factual information and cite sources where appropriate.

The editors

It has been brought to my attention that six Guilford County school health centers may now be at risk of losing their health care programs. It is clear that health issues have become a major problem in schools today.

Many students in the Guilford County school system are underprivileged and do not have the money it takes to provide themselves with adequate health services. In order for students to perform at the best of their ability, they need to be healthy. Taking this service away from students could result in loss of attendance, low test scores and an unhealthy environment in classrooms.

The Moses Cone-Wesley Long and High Point Regional Health System foundations have provided six Guilford County schools with the funding they need to have nurses and social workers on location to help underprivileged students who sign up for this beneficial program. These organizations need to keep providing schools with the funding needed to support health issues that occur in schools with children.

Martha Swain
Greensboro

Our Social Security Act, passed in 1935, was a landmark event and a significant sign of an administration and Congress with responsibility and vision.

Here's what President Roosevelt said when he signed the act: "This law, too, represents a cornerstone in a structure which is being built but is by no means complete. It is a structure intended to lessen the force of possible future depressions. It will act as a protection to future administrations against the necessity of going deeply into debt to furnish relief to the needy. The law will flatten out the peaks and valleys of deflation and of inflation. It is, in short, a law that will take care of human needs and at the same time provide the United States an economic structure of vastly greater soundness."

The White House and members of Congress today are tinkering with Social Security as if they have either not read this statement or have chosen to go on a radically different tack in administering it. This is what I get, at least, from press reports. There is an urgent need for all who care about good government to urge our congressional representatives to block such wild tinkering.

H. DeWitt Barnett
Greensboro

The case of Terri Schiavo is sad for all involved. It dramatically illustrates the importance of a living will, even for young people.

The government had no place in the case. There are many other pro-life issues where it has urgent responsibilities. Here are a few that come to mind:

Enough of the government deciding what is moral or not moral for the public. Put the question of a lottery to the public to vote. Let the majority decide.

I personally have had enough of the government deciding what it believes to be morally acceptable for me. It's my money to spend, so if I want to spend it on a lottery, I should have that right.

Let the government spend its time trying to decide how to lower the gasoline tax. That would be more helpful to everyone.

Tony Hummel
Reidsville

For environmentalists, the 51-49 Senate decision allowing oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) is catastrophic. Compared to what?

Compared to importing 60 percent of our oil from countries either sympathetic to or supportive of Islamo-Fascist terror? How about leaving our military vulnerable to fuel shortages in time of war?

Increasing domestic oil output is not a cure-all for America's energy needs. But without a significant technological advance, oil-based products are going to be an integral part of those needs for the foreseeable future.

Rational choices, as opposed to political ones, require looking at the world the way it is, not the way we would like it to be. The increased demands by China and India are already driving us toward increased competition for oil at best -- or an outright war over dwindling supplies at worst.

Drilling in ANWR buys us a "commodity" crucial to our well-being, time. Time to find viable alternative sources of energy, time to redesign our cars, time to create a national energy policy, etc. Is it a perfect solution? Compared to what?

Thomas Moore
Greensboro

Every person should have given some thought to the sad dilemma the Terri Schiavo family has faced. Now is the time for all of us to do something to prevent this from happening to another family.

I would suggest that a campaign be undertaken to lobby state representatives to add a check box on our driver's license that indicates your wish for a living will, just like we do for organ donors. Possibly, we could make available a standard living will (with no exceptions to it allowed) at the post office, library or online. The individual could complete, have it witnessed, notarized and presented to the DMV when getting their license renewed. North Carolina requires the signature of two witnesses (who are not related to you) and a notary public.

Campaigns to get organ donors and voter registration have worked, so I am sure something could be done to make this happen.

No family should have to go through this. No person should have to make these decisions if you are able to do so on your own behalf ahead of time.

Paul Johnston
Whitsett

If you wish to understand Greensboro and its attempts with the anti-apartheid Greensboro Truth and Community Reconciliation Project, you must keep certain things in mind.

First, most of those making noise are not native-born Greensboro people. They are either darn Yankees, carpetbaggers or from Durham.

Second, those native-born politicians are the offspring of the people who grudgingly held onto segregation along with the financial and political control of Guilford County. I have often wondered if those children at Grimsley and Gillespie schools who spat on the children who integrated the publicly financed schools are the same people who now want Greensboro to be a major draw for jobs and convention dollars.

Growing up in Morningside Homes and later near Dudley High, our parents did not take us to places where they were not comfortable. We did shop downtown but rarely questioned why we could not eat at Woolworth. This city wants international status but not everything that comes with it. With age, experience and listening to our folks at supper, we realized Greensboro is a divided city racially and socially.

Two things gleaned from father's conversations: Steer clear of Caucasians and any place where Nelson Johnson is protesting.

Mark H. Woods
Greensboro

I am a senior social work major at UNCG, and I intern at a local elementary school in Guilford County. I work with third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students who have a passion to learn but do not know basic emergency information.

When given a survey, several of them did not know their zip code, parent's real name, or the year they were born. Such issues bother me because knowledge of such information is vital, especially in emergency situations.

I really do not know who to blame for the lack of knowledge of some of these students, but I do feel that parents and teachers need to open the lines of communication to improve the well-being of all Guilford County students.

Qutina Mercer
Greensboro

The main objection to a state lottery is that it will hurt low-income people disproportionately.

So why doesn't some visionary politician link it to final repeal of the "temporary" food tax, imposed in 1961, which will help us all, but particularly low-income families?

Christopher Rees
Greensboro

Editorial page editor Allen Johnson sank to a new low when he printed the despicable cartoon of a clown running into Terri Schiavo's room with a suitcase marked "politics," with the caption, "Second opinion anyone."

Schiavo's life-and-death situation was not funny. This poor woman was legally being murdered by her adulterous husband who has been living and having children with another woman for the past 10 years. It doesn't help that the judge who was helping him kill his wife accepted a political contribution from Mike Schiavo's lawyer.

This judicial fiasco should prove once and for all that activist judges do not belong on the benches of the nation's courts. This arrogant "I am God" attitude of these judges is another reason to question lifetime appointments for some judges, even those on the U.S. Supreme Court.

I would bet our Founding Fathers are spinning in their graves when they see what's going on in our courtrooms today.

Allen Johnson is quick to reject any letter that goes against his personal liberal views while he pretends to be fair to all. Greensboro conservative Republicans know better.

Too bad we can't vote for editors.

Dave Derence
Greensboro

After reading Rosemary Roberts' column (March 18) about female quotas at news publications, I was prompted to pose a question to Roberts. She writes, "If anything, quotas are insulting. Because they blatantly tell aspiring female op-ed columnists that you won't get the job on your merits but because you wear a skirt."

I am interested to know Roberts' position on affirmative action, which clearly grants entrance to colleges and universities on the basis of skin color rather than ability and talent. Please advise.

Jerome Burcham
Greensboro

Soon the Senate will most likely vote on what the radical conservative Republicans call the "nuclear option." This is about radical Republicans grasping for absolute power so they can appoint Supreme Court justices who favor corporate interests and an extreme-right agenda over the rest of us.

I sincerely urge our senators and my fellow Americans to stand up for the centuries of checks and balances that have made this country so great, and oppose the "nuclear option."

Despite Senate confirmation of almost 95 percent of President Bush's nominees, radical Republicans are threatening to eliminate the filibuster to gain complete control over the Supreme Court. They want to use their courts to pay back big donors by rolling back worker protections, environmental laws, and privacy rights -- all at our expense. This is not a partisan issue.

Ultimately, you don't even have to oppose President Bush's judges to oppose the "nuclear option." This is about supporting checks and balances and opposing absolute power in the hands of one party. And that's something we can and should all agree on.

Stanley H. Garber Jr.
Greensboro

George Will's column assuring readers that Nevada is the best place for a new radioactive waste site omitted important details. He failed to mention that the entire project is now jeopardized because of the U.S. Geological Survey's investigation into credible allegations that USGS employees falsified suitability study data on the proposed Nevada waste repository six years ago.

This hardly engenders trust from the citizens of the region. Secondly, although Will seems confident in assurances by the government that its site safeguards will function correctly, many of those potentially affected are already aware of unkept governmental promises at radioactive waste sites such as Maxie Flats, Ky.; West Valley, N.Y.; and Sheffield, Ill., as well as another site in Beatty, Nev., a few miles to the west of the proposed Yucca Mountain facility.

To add additional context to these exposure fears, it must also be noted that citizens of the region were assured in the 1950s that fallout from the atomic testing performed at the nearby Nevada test site posed no dangers. The government ultimately agreed to pay more than 8,700 residents of nearby areas who proved damage from radiation exposure resulting from the testing.

Gene Lewis
Greensboro

Regarding Rosemary Roberts' lies bashing New York City (March 25):

Millions of people a year enter and leave Central Park alive with their wallets and their throats intact.

As a former New York City police officer, I worked in and around Central Park, in and out of uniform, on a horse, a patrol car and on foot. Funny, I did not trip over all the dead bodies in the park. Where were they?

The filth in New York City was the non-native New Yorkers of the "hippie generation." Was Roberts a member? The "great unwashed" was always protesting something.

Roberts lived in Washington, San Francisco, Shangri-La and London. The mayor of London said he would feel safer in New York City since the crime rate in London is more than double New York City's.

I'm proud to have been a New York City police officer.

Greg Brown
Pleasant Garden

I am sure that the local businessmen mentioned in the News & Record hockey article ("Hockey team debt on ice: city stuck," March 31) had good intentions when they attempted to salvage the Greensboro Generals. The article said that they were not personally liable for the approximately $200,000 that their company owes to the city.

There are other obligations, however, that go deeper than their wallets. Obligations to family name, setting good examples for their children, being honest and forthright to the community that has helped to support their family businesses for so many years; these are the real things that matter in the big picture.

These gentlemen should own up to their business mistake and pay off the debt owed to their neighbors from tax money -- plain and simple. We look forward to a future article in the News & Record where these gentlemen and their families have stepped forward and made the right decision to pay back their neighbors that support their businesses.

The article should also include the many other positive deeds these gentlemen and their families have contributed in the past to their community.

Joe Plante
Summerfield

It's disgusting that five supposedly civic-minded Greensboro businessmen would invest in a hockey team for profit and then stick the taxpayers with $200,000 in debt. Hiding behind the corporate veil does not relieve them of a moral responsibility to pay this debt. If the franchise had been successful, they would not have shared the profits with the city except for what is required by law.

Shame on Don Brady, Bill Black, Willard Tucker, Porter Thompson, and Ken Conrad. My outrage will be expressed by never again doing business with these men or their companies. I have dined at Ken Conrad's Libby Hill Seafood Restaurants, bought automobiles from Bill Black Cadillac and had service work done by Brady Trane, but never again. Matt Brown should be fired immediately for his role in the city having lost another $259,187 by the Greensboro Coliseum.

The officials of Greensboro have the philosophy that it's "only taxpayer money." The "good old boy" network is alive and well here.

Melvin E. Hooper
Greensboro

I was disappointed in the News & Record's reporting (March 23) regarding my comments at House Speaker Jim Black's appearance in Greensboro. The comment was taken out of context, making it sound flip.

The entire comment was that Jim Black has presided over the legislature in years when there were budget surpluses, one year to the tune of $800 million. That year, the legislature stayed in session over 100 extra days trying to figure out how to spend the surplus. I told Black that if that happens again, they should just leave the money in the budget for a rainy day and go home. We would not only have the surplus, but it would save the taxpayers the cost of having the legislature in session an extra 100 days at whatever the cost per day is.

Your reporter, Eric Dyer, told me I made one of the more interesting comments of the event. Too bad he chose not to report them in context.

Allen Daniel
Greensboro

Editor's note: Dyer explains that, since 1999, when Jim Black took over as speaker, the legislature met well beyond its normal ending date only in 2001 and 2002 when there were large budget deficits, not a surplus. That's why he did not include Mr. Daniel's comment in his story.

It is ludicrous for anyone to argue that North Carolina should not have a lottery when it is the only Eastern state not to have one and when N.C. residents cross into neighboring states to buy lottery tickets. The money that these states are making off of N.C. residents should be going into N.C. schools and projects.

When will people learn that you can't legislate morality and that it is wrong to prevent people from doing things just because some people feel it is wrong? No one is going to force them to gamble, and they should not force others to travel to other states to gamble if they want.

Religion is an individual thing, and no one should push his religion down other people's throats. I don't recall the commandment, "Thou shalt not gamble."

Fred Riek
Jamestown

Hewlett-Packard just gave its new CEO Mark Hurd a $20 million package just for taking the job. He hasn't done anything yet.

Since the GOP-controlled Congress recently refused to raise the minimum wage from the current $5.15/hour where it has been for seven years, I thought it would be interesting to determine how long it would take minimum wage-earners to earn what Hurd was given before he even started to work. It would take 100 such people working 40-hour weeks nearly 19 years to do so. Of course, three years ago, Honeywell gave its new CEO a $60 million package, which would take these workers 56 years to match.

If you aren't outraged by this, you must be a compassionate conservative.

Bud Talley
Randleman

When I saw "My dear Wormwood," I knew where you were going without looking at the bottom of the article until I had finished it. C.S. Lewis was not only the greatest Medieval English professor, but also Oxford's greatest lay theologian and logician. Of course, that's my opinion. He has been my mentor since 1952.

I'm sure you knew, but I'm going to remind you anyway; his secretary was Walter Hooper of Reidsville, and two of his brothers are still living here, one in the same block as I. I believe Walter is coming for a visit this spring.

Walter, years ago, converted to the Anglican church and became a priest; more recently he became a Roman Catholic priest.

I thank you for the article and wholeheartedly agree with you.

John Kincaid
Reidsville

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Don Cameron

On behalf of Guilford Technical Community College, I would like to express my thanks to the News & Record for the positive and enthusiastic coverage of GTCC's new 69-acre East Wendover Campus. I would also like to thank the voters for their support of the bond referendums that have allowed us to continue to expand our services in Greensboro and eastern Guilford County.

This expansion will provide access to lifelong learning opportunities for personal growth, work force productivity and community service, serving all segments of Guilford County's diverse population.

The proud presence that we have planned for Greensboro includes a 117,000-square-foot Technical Education Center housing state-of-the art programs in civil, architectural, mechanical and electronics and engineering technologies.

Moving these programs to the Greensboro campus enables GTCC to uniquely align certain programs for collaboration with N.C. A&T State University. It further positions us to partner with the construction and manufacturing industry and to serve the emerging presence of business and industry in the Rock Creek Industrial region.

The Greensboro site will also house industrial systems and machining technologies, and skilled construction trades including air conditioning, heating and refrigeration, plumbing, carpentry and construction management technology. A just-completed countywide survey of CEOs has confirmed the validity of these programs by indicating a "consistent and current need for skilled plumbers, electricians, carpenters, heating ventilation air conditioning technicians and engineers."

These quality programs at GTCC's Workforce Development flagship campus are designed to provide pathways to employment, high wages, job security and an elevated standard of living for the citizens of Guilford County. GTCC is proud to be a part of the redevelopment in this eastern gateway and looks forward to professionally and productively serving more citizens of Guilford County.

The writer is president, GTCC.

Choice plan, school of choice, first choice, second choice, third choice. How about a couple of choice words?

It is astounding to me the audacity the Guilford County school board has to use these terms with the High Point "You Won't Get Your Choice" Plan. Zero children who "chose" High Point Central and Andrews as their first choice were denied entry. However, 149 students who put Southwest as their first choice were denied.

Doesn't anyone else see what's going on here? Terry Grier and friends are just throwing money out the window with this plan. Gas prices are well over $2 a gallon. Why don't they give that money to the teachers and not the Middle East? Build up education and stop tearing apart our children.

I'm sure they'll tell us that it was all on the up and up. It was all handled out in California. The school board will feel its hands are clean. This is so far from clean I can't even write what it really is.

Get a backbone and handle what the real issues are, like education and discipline, and stop this reassignment farce.

Elaina Matthews
High Point

I am working in Shanghai, China. Imagine my surprise this morning when I opened my newspaper here, the Shanghai Daily, and saw a 3/4-page article on the News & Record from the Associated Press. It had a nice photo of John Robinson, Matt Williams and Nancy McLaughlin. It was a very complimentary article.

Keep up the good work. Great to see someone from home.

Sheila Beck
Greensboro

It seems that the political infrastructure for commuter rail is gaining speed without much comment from the (ultimately paying) public. The cost of $700,000,000 -- read those zeroes -- will add up to little help for you and me in our cars and less than 3/10 of one percent positive impact on traffic.

We have read past arguments. Is the public listening, or will it just wake up one day and see fewer road improvements, money misdirected toward a massive transit cost overrun, and ever more cars on existing roads because we did not push the feds to allow us to "block grant" the $700 million to complete the Triad's loop roads?

My comments are based on fact, not fiction. My challenge to our representatives: Provide us data showing any rail system in the country that has not been a waste of money and terrible tax drain. If you can't, then let's force Congress to allow these monies to come to the Triad as block grants. If it happened, I wonder if commuter rail would even get remote consideration.

Geoffrey King
Greensboro

UNC-Chapel Hill's victory in the NCAA men's basketball championship took up much of your paper's front page on April 5. (Though above the fold, there was a little space devoted to a newsworthy article regarding possibly deporting a person with a criminal past.)

I read the article about the possible deportation first, as I thought it was more newsworthy than a basketball game. When I turned over to page A4 to continue reading the article, I noted that there was an article documenting the posthumous presentation of the Medal of Honor to Sgt. First Class Paul Ray Smith. When I saw this article, I was immediately struck by how the News & Record found the basketball game's results to be more newsworthy than the report of Smith's heroic stand to protect the lives of his fellow soldiers. Granted, many find sports, soap opera and metaphysical fantasy to be more newsworthy then the actions of a true American hero, but the News & Record should be able to discern the important from the merely interesting.

Smith did not get an above-the-fold front-page mention in your paper, but he and others like him should be above the fold and at the forefront of our thoughts and prayers.

George Michael Raynor
McLeansville

The atrocities occurring in Darfur are horrible, yet the world community has not become outraged enough to take effective action against the government of Sudan.

Sens. Jon Corzine and Sam Brownback have introduced the Darfur Accountability Act, which would strengthen the resolution passed by Congress last July declaring what is happening in Darfur genocide and calling for appropriate diplomatic action. Since the passage of the resolution, little has changed, and it is time for the United States to face this tremendous moral challenge. The bill would extend the arms embargo to the Sudanese government and would give faster assistance to the African Union military, which is trying to bring peace to the region. The United States should also be doing everything possible to persuade the United Nations to declare the atrocities genocide and increase sanctions against the Sudanese government.

For weeks, the country was involved in the moral and legal issues surrounding one woman's right to live. Shouldn't we also care when more than 200,000 innocent people have been murdered, raped and tortured? Please contact Sens. Dole and Burr and encourage them to co-sponsor the Darfur Accountability Act.

Sue Jezorek
Greensboro

Terri Schiavo has finally been granted peace. Her memory has been disgraced by those who claim to have God on their side but just couldn't muster up enough courage to "let go and let God."

Now Terri won't be remembered as a loving wife or daughter so much as she will be remembered by the conflict that preceded her death. A woman who obviously struggled with self-image issues that resulted in an eating disorder has become the poster child for political and religious controversy plaguing our society. I doubt with all my heart that is what Terri wanted. I think it's safe to say Terri wanted to be confident and comfortable in her own body and mind, which was taken away from her 15 years ago.

Her husband, Michael, must be commended for his dedication to his wife. The easy thing would have been to walk away, but he fought for Terri's honor and dignity while others fought for control. Terri will always be with Michael. As he moves on in this life, she will move on to the next.

Terri C. Walton
Kernersville

It is great to see so many politicians concerned and taking action for Terri Schiavo. I just wish the same energy could be used to help keep kids safe from predators. It seems politicians would do more to protect kids if kids could vote.

Dellave Brown
Winston-Salem

The following is a Commentary column:

By Knick Dixon

Incidents in our district and most recently in Minnesota point to the fact that many children are crying out for acceptance in a seemingly unforgiving society. Yet, there are many bright spots that we can point to here in Guilford County schools.

I have the pleasure of facilitating the learning of more than 100 eighth-graders at Southeast Middle School. Each day my students exhibit passionate idealism, which is a hallmark of our democracy. Their positions on world issues are beyond adolescent as they have pinpointed national hunger and poverty, underage drinking and drug abuse as top priorities for the future. They honestly feel these issues are for them to undertake because in their view, public officials have failed to adequately address them.

Reggie Holley, deputy state director for Sen. Elizabeth Dole, recently made a visit to our school and conveyed the powerful message of leadership to our students. Holley challenged them to lead by writing to our legislators, lead by engaging in community service projects, and to role model acts of civic virtue. Needless to say, they were inspired and are in the process of organizing a charity event for the poor.

The message is simple: There are great things happening in our public schools. It is our duty as educators, parents and members of our community to continue to inspire each student so that they can be great. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once stated, "Greatness is best defined by one who serves his fellow man."

The writer lives in Greensboro.

It was with great disgust that I read in your newspaper an article regarding the efforts of Bruce Davis, a county commissioner from High Point, investigating the integrity of Steve Arnold, another commissioner from High Point.

I have known Arnold from many years and served with him as a county commissioner and at no time did he exhibit any leanings toward taking advantage of his office or of any dishonest dealings to benefit himself or anyone else. He has always been straight as an arrow. I resent as a person who knows him well that Davis implies Arnold would do anything intentionally underhanded or dishonest.

Davis should take his "witch hunt" somewhere else or find another tree to climb. Obviously, he does not know Steve Arnold. Before he starts throwing rocks, he should find out the facts.

Steve Arnold is straight as an arrow and I resent his being held up for false, unfounded accusations. When you point a finger at someone, remember three more pointed at the accuser.

Jackie Manzi
Greensboro

Has anyone noticed that new traffic lights appear to be popping up like the early flowers of spring? Within the last few months, traffic lights have been added on North Elm Street and on Pisgah Church Road and probably other locations that I have not had the privilege to encounter. The flow of morning and afternoon traffic seems to be of little or no concern to our well meaning traffic engineers.

What did we ever do before the advent of traffic lights? Do the words common sense and courtesy mean anything? At the rate that the city continues to add traffic lights, it will not be so many years in the future before the 30-minute commute will take an hour and a half to complete. As anyone knows who spends much time in commute, delays don't have the tendency to give one a warm, fuzzy feeling for one's fellow commuter.

Much study should be done before placing new traffic lights and that they should not be placed merely to make convenient egress to those whose time is of more value than the public at large. This may not be the case, but the locations appear odd to the untrained eye.

D.L. Whitfield
Greensboro

I feel that there is a misconception created by your excellent article by Dawn DeCwikiel-Kane, "Opera and Baseball" (Go Triad, March 10). The article suggests that "Opera at the Carolina" is a program of UNCG School of Music when, in fact, it has been the center of the Greensboro Opera Company's education program for nearly 25 years.

In establishing this program, Greensboro Opera Company's objective was not only to provide students the opportunity to attend operatic productions, but also to enjoy performances in the beautiful and historic Carolina Theatre.

Greensboro Opera Company originally contracted with the National Opera Company, with support from A.J. Fletcher Foundation, to produce "Opera at the Carolina." For the past several years, Greensboro Opera Company has been pleased to contract with the award-winning UNCG Opera Theatre to present opera programs for the benefit and enjoyment of approximately 6,000 fifth graders in the Guilford County schools.

David Holley, UNCG Opera Theatre director, has delivered several excellent operatic productions, including his recent production of "The Mighty Casey," which was presented at First Horizon Park shortly after Greensboro Opera Company presented it for "Opera at the Carolina."

Richard H. Hicks Jr.
Hillsborough
The writer is past president, Greensboro Opera Company.

Regarding the March 31 letter, "Why show up to meet when it's a done deal," Daniel McMillin could not have said it any better.

The objectives appear as though they have been set and thus agreed upon. I have two questions:

1. Will the FedEx planes enter the traffic pattern at a 45-degree (standard practice), or will they attempt the straight in approach? At the normal pattern, noise would be extended out much farther than the map that the News & Record printed earlier.

Those who dispute this claim can watch the aircraft being crammed into the flight pattern arriving from various parts of the country at levels low enough to wave at the pilots (of course, with earplugs in). Let's hope the FAA sets strict flight pattern objectives.

2. Given the concerns associated with the flight paths and noise, what will happen to the flight paths of regular passenger jets and how is this going to affect Greensboro?

Gary Fuchs
Greensboro

I have one simple message regarding oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: over my dead body.

Our great leader went to Iraq in search of weapons of mass destruction, and found the big one: Oil. Now, big oil and its stooges in government want to destroy our national treasures for private gain at public expense.

The nation's oil addiction is wrecking this country and threatening our national security and I am absolutely opposed to destroying publicly owned wilderness for an oil supply estimated to last us six months. I don't care if it's 600 years; the price is too high.

It's time the liberal economy crowd and free-market radicals posturing as conservatives remembered that the origins of that mantle arise from "conserve," something that has never been genuinely attempted in this nation.

Drill in ANWR so soccer moms and dads can drive their Suburbans, alone, to the grocery store and meatheads can tool around in Hummers and RVs. No how, no way, not ever.

Bryan Chitwood
Greensboro

The News & Record continues to be -- to best I ascertain from Web news searches -- the only large North Carolina paper doing a decent job on the illegal immigration. Coverage idea: Of hundreds of articles I've read on illegal immigration, none so concisely and powerfully explains the costs as does, "There is nothing cheap about immigrant labor," by former Colorado Gov. Richard D. Lamm (Denver Post, April 3).

Tom Shuford
Lenoir

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By John Worsley

Regarding your editorial of March 28 [not posted] supporting the proposed ATV regulations:

I have to balk at the provisions, too. The regulations would ban ATV riders under 12 and limit those under 16 to 90-cubic-centimeter engines. Once again, Big Brother (or Big Nanny in this case) knows best.

Unfortunately, good parental judgment is lacking in many other activities, such as riding bicycles, skateboarding, rollerblading, etc., but I don't see you supporting banning those pursuits. In fact, this law would be difficult to enforce if passed, since most riding is done on private land.

This law penalizes the vast majority for the poor decisions a small minority. It appears to be supported by people with very little knowledge of the sport. It uses a broad brush without any concession to the wide spectrum of physical sizes and maturity levels rampant in these age groups.

One writer in my e-mail network wondered what he was going to tell his neighbor if this bill passes. If his 15-year-old son could possibly scrunch his 6-foot-2, 220-pound frame onto a 90-cubic-centimeter ATV, it would promptly burn up its clutch trying to move him.

Any physical activity has its risk of injury. If we ban any sport that has any risk, there won't be any sports left.

All of our children will be reduced to playing video games, and maybe not even that. There's always carpal tunnel syndrome to worry about.

We shouldn't take away another right of the majority of parents to raise their children the way the they see fit due to the misjudgments of a minority. Contrary to popular opinion, it isn't the government's place to ensure everybody a risk-free life.

The writer lives in Greensboro and is president, N.C. Trail Riders Inc.

Well, there you have it -- on the front page of your paper. Not a brick has been laid, or mortar set, but the truth is out there about our newest corporate citizen, Dell.

Seems this manufacturer wanted to move here so badly that we had to put out bribes that would make the mafia blush, especially the one sending us their dry cleaning and restaurant bills until they get settled. It turns out that part of their operation will be in -- where else? -- China, then assembled here behind those bricks on all that free land.

We know operations that make things require trained workers who become valuable to their employer, plus many suppliers of raw and processed materials that cluster around those that are major -- all providing the kind of boost to an area that Dell has been giving in Texas for years.

What we are getting is an operation that assembles parts with fewer workers needing fewer skills, having less value to their employer, and fewer suppliers of the fewer materials they need.

Not to worry. Our "officials" are high-fiving over the great news that all those manufactured goods packed on to jumbo jets in China might be landing between 12 and 4 a.m. right here.

In our hub. Our really big hub. Hip, hip.

Bill Yaner
Jamestown

While the new school calendar law has attracted a lot of attention lately, fine-print provisions of this same legislation threaten to harm the very teachers it pretends to protect. Teachers will be required to work approximately three weeks beyond the date of their last payroll check to finish out the school year.

While most experienced teachers may not feel the pinch of such a regulation, our newest teachers, who are expecting to supplement their meager incomes with summer jobs, will find that they have to work well into the month of June for no additional income. School districts have brought this discrepancy to the attention of lawmakers, but the bill that seeks to remedy this problem, HB 389, "Additional Flexibility on Teacher Pay Date," has been bottled up in a committee in the General Assembly, where it may die from lack of attention.

This bill needs to be passed, and soon, to allow school districts to modify their pay plans to ease the transition to a later school year. Without it, some of our newest teachers may be forced to quit their jobs before the school year is out just to be able to feed their families.

Bill Bucher
Salisbury

As a follow-up to the letters of Laura Gaffney (March 28) and Matt Zukowski (April 4) regarding the Terri Schiavo case, I offer the following comments:

I find very little comfort or reassurance in the statement by Gaffney that Terri did not perceive hunger or thirst and was existing in a state of euphoria. My scientific training would ask, " Show me the data."

Also, I know that human suffering is truly an affective phenomenon and not subjected to the usual means of scientific measurement.

There is a moral component here that has been overlooked in that human life is sacred and we do not have the right to say that it is time for this person to die. It is frightening to me that our society has come to the place where such a scenario has become a reality.

Margaret Hancock
Jamestown

I don't always agree with Rosemary Roberts, but she is spot on with her opinion (April 1) that the Terri Schiavo reporting is "not the media's finest moment." I thought that with Schiavo's death at least the media frenzy would go away, but now, must we endure the very personal agony of whether to cremate or inter? When will it end?

The one very positive and comforting thing that comes from this tragedy is that the American judicial system held firm and its opinions were not swayed by the media and the politicians. Thank you, Rosemary. I may not always agree, but I will always read your columns.

Paul S. Watson
Jamestown

Some people use cellular phones as if it's literally their lifeline. Cell phones are making appearances everywhere, from vehicles moving 65 mph to public restrooms. May I add, neither place is ideal for thought-provoking conversation.

I am aware that cell phones are needed in some situations, but in most cases they are used to counteract boredom. Asking a friend to reveal previous weekend activities when in a fast-food line or inquiring about dinner while roaming the aisles of a public library does not constitute necessity.

Tiffany Ingram
Greensboro

Twelve hundred international scientists agree "Earth's health getting worse" and may sustain us for only 50 more years (News & Record, March 31). With the oceans dying, glaciers melting, the temperature rising, deserts increasing, water and food diminishing, how are we correcting the situation?

We certainly can't wait for the Bushies, who consistently commit more crimes against nature. But where are the rest of us, thoughtless, unconscious? If we are the world's worst creator of garbage, waster of food and energy, polluter of air and water, still unwilling to join the Kyoto Treaty like any other "civilized" nation, feeding our families mercury in their fish, how will we fix this? Or won't we?

Let the politicians and corporations have their way with us. In 50 years, we'll just lie down, praying for the next inhabited planet to be much more moral and concerned for life, each other, their home than we have been. In the meantime, explain this to your grandchildren.

Gay Cheney
Browns Summit

I recently read an excerpt of Jeffrey Sachs' "The End of Poverty" in the March 14 issue of Time magazine.

The book delves into the numerous issues that surround both the existence and persistence of world poverty. The author makes several valid points regarding the role of the United States and the rest of the developed world in putting an end to global poverty. While the words are powerful and the photographs are jarring, for me he somehow fails to make the issue truly real.

No one would deny that horrendous poverty exists. We've all seen the pictures and read the articles. Some of us have even made pledges during fund-raising telethons. But until we have seen it for ourselves, it is hard to comprehend.

I am not suggesting that all affluent Americans pack up and head to a sub-Saharan village for a few months; rather, I am suggesting that we all find our own ways to make world poverty forefront in our minds. Sponsor a child (www.children.org), participate in a work trip (www.orphanage-outreach.org), agree to become a regular donor to a world organization (www.unicef.org). Do something to make the plight of so many around the world seem vitally important.

Mary Lee
Greensboro

During President Bush's first term, 20 of his 230 judicial nominees were rejected because they consistently ruled in favor of corporate interests and against civil rights, privacy rights, workers' rights and environmental protections. In his second term, Bush has renominated those same controversial people. The Republican-controlled Senate cannot confirm them without changing the rules, so that is what they are threatening to do.

The senators' plan is known as the "nuclear option" because it is so disruptive to the two-party system. Under the nuclear option, Democrats who oppose extremist judges will be silenced. Their long-standing right to filibuster will be eliminated. Thus, a "nomination" would, in effect, be a unilateral appointment. After stripping Democrats of their right to object to any nominee, no matter how appalling, Republicans will stack the courts, including the Supreme Court, with judges who favor corporate interests and the extreme right. After all, they have millions in corporate campaign contributions to repay and no incentive to appoint moderates.

These judges are appointed for life. Their potential influence on our rights is incalculable. Even worse, all three branches of government would be under the control of one party for the first time in American history.

Natasha Rath Marcus
Greensboro

It is alleged that Hillary Clinton and Ted Kennedy are spearheading a move to have Clinton become the foremost candidate for the presidency in 2008 on the Democratic ticket, heaven forbid. This, in a saner world, would be beyond belief.

We do not believe that we need someone in the White House who does not realize the importance of telling the truth.

Dan Rather once asked Hillary about the possibility of her running for the presidency. She answered that she had never once thought about it. This, like so many things she says, is untrue.

New York Times columnist William Safire publicly labeled Hillary as a "congenital liar." Safire was wrong. There is no such thing as a congenital liar. In Hillary's case, many long years of practice as a liar made her appear to be born with this talent.

John R. Bumgarner, M.D.
Greensboro

As Earth Day approaches this month, I would like to remind everyone that littered cigarette butts pollute the environment.

Cigarette butts are the most littered item in the world, as about 4.5 trillion are tossed onto public streets, in parks and waterways annually. Most people believe cigarette butts are biodegradable, but this is simply not true. They are made with cellulose acetate tow (plastic) and can take up to 10 years to decompose.

Littered cigarette butts can cause major health problems for small animals, marine life and even small children who mistake them for food. They are filled with toxic chemicals that are released into water sources when the cigarette butts are carried by the rain or wind into streams and creeks. Those who love to spend their summer afternoons in lakes and public swimming pools can ingest those toxins.

So smokers, this Earth Day and every day, please remember that every cigarette butt you litter is not only violating the state's littering law but is harming the environment.

Michelle Gill-Moffat
Whitsett

I just want to thank you for the article that Jim Schlosser wrote about me and my wife ("Paul and Judith Sams are 'lintheads' and proud of it," March 21).

Because of the article I got the sweetest e-mail. It seems that my fifth-grade teacher at Caesar Cone, Irene Lineberry, read the article and commented to one of her nieces that she taught a boy named Paul Sams and remembered that he was a nice boy and a good student. She also said that the fond memories brought smiles to Mrs. Lineberry's face. It just about brought tears to my eyes that she remembered me and I could bring a smile to her face.

She was a great teacher and was born in Revolution, where I grew up. I guess the Proximity reunion still brings a lot of happiness to a lot of people, and it keeps getting better. Thanks again for keeping the memories of the mill village alive and well in Greensboro.

Paul E. Sams
Whispering Pines

With all of the excitement about the new ballpark and other happenings downtown, it is important to remember a "treasure" of many years, the Carolina Theatre. The classic films and the new Cinematique Carolina offer moviegoers wonderful entertainment options.

I am a regular attendee and am often surprised by the sparse turnout at fantastic movies. If you haven't been to a movie at the Carolina, you've missed a treat. The large screen, congenial staff and volunteers and bargain concessions all add up to a great evening out.

Bobetta Waynick
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Martin B. Foil III

Every war has its signature injury. With the conflict in Iraq, it's head injuries.

Our military is beginning to see dramatic increases in traumatic brain injury (TBI) in our soldiers serving in Iraq. In one study, the Defense and Veterans Head Injury Program (DVHIP) found that 62 percent of soldiers admitted to Walter Reed Army Medical Center from Iraq suffered brain injury. This should not be a surprise given what we read and hear about roadside blasts harming our brave troops.

As chairman of the National Brain Injury Research, Treatment and Training (NBIRTT) Foundation, as well as executive director of Hinds' Feet Farm, a nonprofit long-term care home for survivors of brain injury in Huntersville, I have seen firsthand the courage of both our soldiers and my own brother, injured in an automobile accident, fighting to recover from TBI.

Some 5.3 million Americans, civilian and solider alike, live with disabilities caused by TBI. It is a leading cause of death and disability among children and young adults.

At least 1.4 million Americans suffer a TBI each year, incurring health care expenses of approximately $56 billion.

For our nation's military, the DVHIP is the only federal program that provides direct, brain injury-specific care to active-duty personnel.

That's why NBIRTT has been asking Congress for $14 million to fund the DVHIP. America has an obligation to fight this silent epidemic for our soldiers, veterans and Americans with brain injury. People across the nation are writing and visiting with their members of Congress to fight for the necessary funding.

It's important to fight for treatment for our service people suffering brain injuries as hard as they fought for us.

The writer lives in Huntersville.

Moses Cone Memorial Hospital cares for its patients like a surrogate mother. We are treated not just as cases, but as individuals who are fearful and in pain. Staff members at all levels and volunteer aides project an aura of competent support that is highly comforting.

I was admitted to the Day Surgery Center recently, where the operation went well. But during recovery, it was discovered that there had been a significant change in my heartbeat. This led to my being transferred by their ambulance to the Emergency Center, where I was given intensive testing. At last the cause was determined. I was medicated, given a prescription and released.

Throughout the long day, I was surrounded by skillful, cheerful, patient and reassuring care. Greensboro can be proud of, and grateful for, Cone Hospital.

Mary Chamberlin
Greensboro

Numerous individuals fail to realize the impact newspapers have on the lives of people, especially those living in public housing. Many people feel that public housing is a place for "ghetto" people who only sell drugs, get on welfare, and have babies.

As a potential social worker and current intern at Resident Services (Ray Warren Homes), I must commend the News & Record and UNCG for taking the initiative to recognize that the people of public housing do actually read. Many tenants of public housing would love to have a daily newspaper, but they may not have the money to pay for it. This program (in which the News & Record provides 240 newspapers a day to residents and UNCG students and faculty meet with residents for discussions) has been very beneficial to the tenants of this community. Not only do the individuals receive free newspapers, the tenants can read about job opportunities.

Providing free newspapers to every tenant in public housing is virtually impossible, but recognizing that these tenants are competent is what really matters.

William Moore
Greensboro

Something horrendous has happened in our country. Our political system knowingly and intentionally put to death an innocent human being. This woman's only fault was that she was unable to swallow and had to be fed by a tube.

People are outraged that this could happen in our country. Our president asked to take the side for life, not death. He, and Congress, asked the courts for a complete review of records and facts. But our courts turned a blind eye to what was just and right. Appeals and pleas were of no avail. The justice system openly thumbed its nose at our country's executive branch as if to say it had total control to do and say what it pleased, even to the point of murdering an innocent human being.

This monstrous action, committed under the guise of law, is only the beginning of a court system that has for years forgotten that its job is to enforce laws, not make them; to work for us, not for itself. It is up to the citizens of the United States to take control and put our court system back in its proper role.

Jim Freeman
Greensboro

Remember the 1973-74 Arab oil embargo and the resulting 55 mph national speed limit? Many studies have shown that today's automobiles operate most efficiently when driven in the 55 mph range. Fuel consumption increases markedly when driven over that speed. The difference in fuel consumption increases by 20 percent when driven at 70 mph versus 55 mph regardless of the size of the automobile.

Because we import 24 percent of our oil from the Middle East, it's time to bring back the federally mandated 55 mph speed limit. This would "instantly" reduce our dependence on Middle East oil, reduce pollution, and reduce your cost per mile.

For this to happen, we have to have a Congress that has courage to pass this law and a president who can convince us that it's our patriotic duty to obey. Write your congressman.

Charles Van deZande
Greensboro

I recently went to the GLSEN (Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network) and Greensboro Public Library's panel discussion about how LGBT students are treated in our high schools. I want to commend every panel member for being so courageous and for telling his or her stories.

With the passage of the Discrimination-Free Environment and Equal Opportunity Employment laws in Guilford County, we are taking steps to ensure LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) students and teachers can be who they are and aspire to all that they can be regardless of their sexual orientation. But much still needs to be done. There has been many a time when I have had teachers not step in when gay bashing and harassment occurred in their classrooms, or they even initiated the anti-gay dialogue. I can't count how many times I hear the words "that's so gay" and terms such as "dyke" or "faggot" during the day.

We need our students and teachers to tell others that this type of language isn't acceptable and step in when gay bashing and harassment is occurring. My wish is that all students' schools will be safe, whether they're gay or straight.

Samantha Korb
Greensboro

I'm sure I share the gratitude of News & Record readers for Jinni Hoggard's courageous, ongoing account of her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in the Life section. Thousands are reading what Jinni writes. This experience is in some ways similar and in other ways different for each of us.

Some of my experiences at our Regional Cancer Center differ from Jinni's. I never found anyone there "distant." From the beginning, everyone has been appropriately and genuinely caring and kind. At one point, someone did have momentary difficulty retrieving one of my records but that was quickly rectified.

Our Regional Cancer Center attracts many new patients and carries a high rating for patient satisfaction. I think the physicians there are extraordinary. I found the nurses and staff in chemotherapy and radiation professional and loving. Moreover, the thoroughly researched and well-designed support programs offered via the Regional Cancer Center by Chaplain Terry Moore-Painter and her colleague Laura Herring are making a creative and meaningful difference in the recovery of many.

Whitney Grove Vanderwerff
Greensboro

The news out of Washington these days is indeed disturbing. Republicans are going for the ultimate power grab by trying to silence the voice of Democrats in the United States Senate.
Congressman Tom DeLay and others think that being the majority gives them the right to do whatever they want. They want to change the rules and eliminate the filibuster, which has protected the voice of the minority for more than 200 years.

This abuse of power would eliminate debate and dissent in Congress, giving President Bush a blank check to push the most radical agenda and the most extreme judges. It would put our most fundamental values at risk by eliminating the checks and balances that keep our democracy strong. Government works best when both sides are heard.

I urge our senators to stand up and protect our democracy by opposing the GOP "nuclear option."

Gedeon Maheux
Colfax

According to the March 31 News & Record, a group of local businessmen acknowledges owing Greensboro $200,000 for managing the Greensboro hockey team. The article goes on to say lawyers doubt the money will be repaid because the group has no assets.

These are successful businessmen who have done much for the city. I am sure their intentions were good when they tried to save the team. But I am tired of legal maneuvering that allows people to walk away from their obligations and leave us to pick up the tab.

These are presidents and owners of successful companies in our city. The amount of $200,000 divided equally makes it $40,000 each. To them, that's really not that much money.

So my request is simply this: Do the right thing. Pay the money you admit that you owe.

I'm sure they are aware of how public opinion affects business, so once more -- do the right thing.

Thomas P. Martin
Greensboro

The Generals Brigades organizers say they can't pay the taxpayers the $200,000 they admitted they owe. If you believe that, I've got some oceanfront property in Arizona I'd like to sell you.

And why do they say they can't pay? They failed to get enough investors, and whose fault was that? They say it was the News & Record's. Sound familiar? Does Project Homestead ring a bell?

Take the taxpayers' money, play with it, lose it with no payback and no accountability; but it is the newspaper's fault. Yeah, right.

Ward Bowman
Greensboro

What a concept, a voluntary tax. One doesn't buy a lottery ticket unless he or she wants to, and the proceeds go to education.

I can't think of a better arrangement, and I strongly object to our local government telling us what is good or bad for us.

If government thinks that "the poor" need to be protected from themselves, check consumers' income tax W-2s when selling cigarettes and alcohol.

That would be equally absurd.

Alan Weidt
Greensboro

Prayer is not allowed in schools and some even want the word "God" deleted from the Pledge of Allegiance, so strong is the desire to remove "church" from "state."

Yet, Guilford County Schools spent $45,000 for a reverend who leads a ministry to conduct workshops; attendance is mandatory.

Crossroads Ministries is leading anti-racism workshops for the school district. These are some of the sentiments its facilitators have expressed, in workshops and in a book, according to a letter to the Tuscaloosa Times from eight University of Alabama professors who protested the Crossroads workshops on their campus:

The people of Kansas and other states have voted to define marriage as the union between one man and one woman. Although 70 percent of Kansans voted for the measure, those opposed have already promised to appeal the voters' decision to the courts.

The question is whether Americans, voting in large numbers to limit marriage to one man and one woman, will be allowed to shape society through the democratic process, or will they be deprived of that right by courts, where judges increasingly ignore the will of voters and impose law by judicial fiat.

When people are allowed to vote on gay marriage, they overwhelmingly reject it. Homosexual rights advocates are undeterred by voters, however, and seek to override marriage amendments in the courts where sympathetic judges have decreed that, despite 2,000 years of Western civilization, which has been wildly successful, there is no good reason for limiting matrimony to a man and a woman.

Will Americans allow Jefferson's "robed oligarchy" to dictate how culture is shaped and permit judges to impose on us their visions of America? Or will we demand that courts reassume their proper role in a representative democracy with equal and divided branches of government?

Paul Daniels
Greensboro

I support a state lottery for one reason only. Our schools. If our elected officials were fiscally responsible, we would not be debating this issue -- or if our tax money were being used properly instead of being stashed away in some politician's hidden fund, or to pay a buddy's salary in a job "created" for him.

Laura Wiley says, "It's a regressive tax on the poor." Well, what do you call repeated tax increases? The voters of this state bear as much responsibility in this as anybody. We keep sending these irresponsible idiots back into office to continue wasting our money year after year. Then when they come up short, who gets the bill? Why don't we hold them responsible? Because in North Carolina we must maintain the "good ole boy way."

Hey, Mr. Basnight, we need us a bridge over a swamp down east, funnel us $50 million or so down here. Don't worry about the thousands of people coming into Greensboro on N.C. 68 and U.S. 220 every day at 10 miles per hour.

People, please send letters or e-mails; better yet, call your elected officials and demand they spend our money responsibly or they are out.

Keith Goodman
Stokesdale

After being admonished by a retired school teacher that Southwest Guilford County parents should stop "cocooning" themselves, I got to thinking; you know, she's absolutely right. Why should Southwest parents want to send their kids to a relatively safe school that is meeting testing standards and is a short distance from their home, when their kids can waste eight hours a week on a bus as they are carted off to schools that are farther away, that are not meeting standards, and where statistics show they are three times more likely to be involved in assaults or witness police activity? In fact, the whole world should stop cocooning.

So folks, sell those homes in Irving Park and Emerywood. It will broaden you and open you to new friendships. In fact, why cocoon and limit yourself to just the United States when you can spread those butterfly wings and fly to places like North Korea, Bulgaria or Somalia -- places where your lives are dictated by self-interested party hacks or insane political demagogues?

Wait a minute, you can stay right here for that.

John Gehris
High Point

Personally and spiritually, I wish to thank Rabbi Fred Guttman from Temple Emanuel for taking the time out of his busy schedule to visit with us at Saint Paul's Roman Catholic Church on April 2. His sincere words of condolence to the clergy and our congregation meant so much to all of us regarding the passing of our Pontiff, Pope John Paul II. I appreciate who Rabbi Guttman is and what he does in so many ways.

James F. Scherer
Greensboro

I could not put Rosemary Roberts' column (April 1) aside without responding to it. Her cynical attitude toward media coverage of the Terri Schiavo case was too much for me to tolerate without expressing my views.

Yes, the story was heart-wrenching, but it was not covered because there were no other events to report. It was because, I sincerely believe, they cared. Not only for Terri and her family, but because they wanted to alert the public about people who can use a domino effect to murder someone who is no longer in the so-called quality of life that is considered acceptable. This husband (again, so-called) was able to achieve his wishes with the help of runaway, uncontrolled judges. The press warned us well.

I applaud them. As for Jesse Jackson, praise God that he and Sen. Rick Santorum were willing to be counted, regardless of their motives. I thank you, gentlemen, and all young and old who paraded before the cameras to have your beliefs and opinions heard.

Sympathy to you, Ms. Roberts, and to your "disgusted" reporter friend.

Jeanne S. Edmunds
Greensboro

The three-ring circus that surrounded the Terri Schiavo tragedy is disgusting and an abomination. It is nothing less than criminal that some politicians, lawyers and religious leaders would take advantage of this pitiful person's plight for their self-aggrandizement.

This was a private matter whose only players should have been her husband and her doctors. It was such incredible bad taste and a lack of class that her parents would hold press conferences every day outside her hospice. Right-thinking people grieve for a lost loved one in private, not in front of television cameras.

For the politicians, such as the president and others, to inject themselves in this matter is almost unbelievably bad judgment and just plain crass politics. Has our society lost every vestige of good taste, common sense, selflessness and good manners? I think not -- only the ones who seek publicity. May she rest in peace.

Bob Swanson
Wilmington

Our Guilford County commissioners are getting ready to destroy our tax department. According to the information released to the public, collection rates are some of the highest in the state. I think the commissioners should have the people who work in the tax department come before the board and give specifics on the "bad things going on in the tax department" instead of saying they had "received a number of telephone calls from people who made serious allegations about wrongdoing in the tax department."

Bring these people before the board and Jenks Crayton, be specific and give Crayton the opportunity to respond to each and every charge made against him. Either put up or shut up.

I am a registered Democrat, but I am ashamed to admit it now. Forget about your party affiliation and look at the facts and only the facts.

Betty Almond
Greensboro

"We do not believe that we need someone in the White House who does not realize the importance of telling the truth" (John Bumgarner letter, April 11, referring to Hillary Clinton).

This is just another instance of the pot calling the kettle black, but it is also a portent of what can be expected in the next election –– name-calling and dirty tricks.

Let's all try to stop the childish playground behavior and learn to play fair.

Svea Sauer
Greensboro

I am deeply saddened by the obvious attempt of several of our county commissioners to discredit one of Guilford County's best leaders, Jenks Crayton. His performance as tax director by all objective standards has been impressive. His collection rate puts him in the top 1 percent in the state. He also turned a poorly managed Child Support Office into the top-performing agency in the state.

Even so, our county commissioners are trying him in the newspaper to settle some political vendetta. If the allegations were true, which I do not believe they are, any responsible body would investigate them in private, not public, until the facts are known. Crayton already has been cleared by the SBI. If the commissioners do not get the answer they want, who will they bring in next, Barney Fife?

Citizens deserve better from their elected officials. We need to keep and support quality employees and rethink the quality of leadership we have on the Board of Commissioners.

Robert T. Braswell
Greensboro

Americans have an insatiable thirst for gasoline. With so many SUVs, we are only getting thirstier. The United States consumes an average of 20 million barrels of oil per day. According to the Department of Energy, of that, 45 percent is used for motor gasoline. Typically, the demand for gas spikes during summer, when lots of people go on vacation. This high demand translates into higher gasoline prices.

Let's look at the big picture. Does a hike in gas prices lead to inflation in the overall economy? It could, as long as the increases are a steady, long-term rise in prices. Expensive gas means it's expensive to ship products by truck, expensive to drive long distances and expensive to fly. All those costs mean the cost of virtually any product you can think of will go up if gas prices stay high.

We are reminded on a daily basis that Europeans pay high prices: London, England, $5.05; Oslo, Norway, $4.54; Paris, France, $4.28. I too, would hand that over at the pumps gladly with a smile if I knew I had a thing called social medicine. Let me pocket the cost of a thing called health insurance.

Dawn C. R. Brown
Winston-Salem

I read the article in the April 11 paper concerning the requests by the City Council to eliminate smoking in the coliseum. I am once again amazed at how far out of touch with the public our City Council is. Instead of backing a bill that would eliminate smoking in all public places, they choose to ask for an exclusion for one small area of the coliseum.

There is also an effort in the House to let counties choose to designate smoking regulations for the county without having to get permission from the state to set standards stricter than state standards. Why not back this initiative? What will it take to get the message through to our elected officials that the majority of their constituents do not smoke and do not want to be subjected to secondhand smoke in public buildings -- all public buildings? All we ask is that they use some common sense.

Max Madrin
Greensboro

Hoo, hah. How thoroughly delicious. We now know why the dollar is falling so precipitously, and continues to fall, especially against the euro. We now know why every trade agreement or pact concerning finances works against us.

Please see the "duck" article on page A4 of the April 9 edition.

"Quite Please! Duck Nesting Do not Feed or Disturb Thank you!"

According to Treasury spokesman Nichols, Treasury Secretary John Snow and "foreign leaders, members of Congress, everybody who visits Treasury has to pass by the duck."

These people can't see the trees for admiring the forest. They overlook details like spelling, punctuation and capitalization. So much for expecting the details of an agreement to be examined.

Even the Associated Press missed this. So much for a press that examines what it reports.

Flora Memory
Randleman

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Marjorie Gullick

"Ignorance is bliss." If there is one saying in the whole world I wish I could change, it most definitely would be that.

Ignorance perhaps gives the illusion of bliss, but all it is capable of being is destructive. Too long have people been ignorant to the pleas for mercy and despairing cries of our fellow human beings, too long have we forgotten the meaning of the word life. It's not about the riches, or fame, or personal glory, it's about being able to accept your neighbor as a brother and helping him most in times of trouble and need. I decided to write an article to bring the seriousness of this issue to light.

I am an eighth-grade student at Southeast Middle School and my social studies teacher, Knick Dixon, wrote an article to you recently (April 8) explaining our sincere interest in world issues. We discuss, like he said, many diverse ones, but it seems that hunger and poverty are at the top of our list.

We finally came to the decision that we are able to sit in our cozy homes, lavished with fortune, and talk endlessly about how imperfect our world is, but what does it amount to? Nothing. If we are ever to make a difference, if merely even a small indentation in our world, we must make our actions speak louder than our words. That is why my class and I are currently trying to mobilize a charity event. It is our way of saying we care.

If an eighth-grade class, full of your sons and daughters, can at least attempt to make such a forward step for the less fortunate, just imagine what we could do if we would all come together for one goal of bettering our world.

I challenge every one of you who reads this not to be ignorant to reality, but to see it is in our hands to make this world, maybe not a utopia, but at least a place where all people, no matter their social or economic status, can live.

Ignorance is not bliss, it is a deadly weapon that will bring the massacre of humanity if we forget to care about our neighbors.

The writer lives in Pleasant Garden.

As a pediatrician, I often find myself advocating for Medicaid and other programs that provide access to health care for children living in low income households. But children and other vulnerable groups should not have to compete for the same ever-shrinking pool of federal dollars. The elderly, disabled and people with chronic illnesses like AIDS, cancer and diabetes are equally needy.

Health care in America is currently a privilege reserved for those with the ability to pay. When deciding how to disperse health care dollars among disenfranchised groups, should our state lawmakers really have to choose between insuring a sick baby or a mother with multiple medical problems?

We as a community and a nation must embrace the fundamental moral value that health care is a right. Then we can begin to work with our policy makers to plan for an efficient, cost-effective and just way to make quality care accessible to everyone. Health care policy should be decided after such open and deliberate debate, not dictated by budget cuts.

Deborah Leiner Fields
Greensboro

I think that if you live in Guilford County and see all the conflict that our commissioners have brought on themselves, we should fire them all and start all over again. They cannot get anything done because everyone wants to be the lead dog or fight to be king of the mountain. It is sad when grown adults act more like children in a sandbox.

Too much is based on party lines and too little clear thought is given to what would be good for the people.

David Gregory
Whitsett

This past week marked the beginning of "Sesame Street's" 36th season. The show's producers decided to focus on children's health, nutrition and exercise for the season. I think this is fantastic. I applaud "Sesame Street's" management for placing a high priority on children's health. Studies confirm children are eating poorly, getting heavier and less active.

We cannot start too early in teaching our children the importance of eating well and exercising to maintain a healthy life. Parents' instruction needs to be reinforced by our media and music industries as well as by our educational system. In addition to providing healthier lunches, our schools need to increase the scheduled time each week for students to participate in physical education. Children who have consistent time to exercise at school are more attentive and alert during class. This also promotes an active lifestyle for our youth. Some elementary schools in our state only have P.E. one day a week.

Ask your state representatives to vote for House Bill 865. It requires 30 minutes a day of physical activity for all children in grades K-8.

Mark F. Dozier
Winston-Salem

In the April 10 Parade Magazine was an amazing statement regarding U.S. government spending: "Including estimates for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, we will spend $527 billion on military expenses this year. In fact the U.S. spends as much money on its military as all other nations combined." At the same time the BBC said the United Nations was about to cut food and dollars for Darfur, Sudan, in half. They are cash short.

What are we going to do about it? Those who think that the military will solve our problems should read Saint Augustine's "City of God" to see how the mighty Roman Empire fell in spite of its great power. Our greed and our materialism are leading us down a path to a bad end. Like Rome, we will fall by our own hand. Big cars, big houses, big spending on the wrong things.

Children starve. Medicaid is cut and good jobs are hard to find. Have we lost our sense of community? "Where one's treasure is, there is his heart." Forget about blue state-red state. Where is our heart?

Rich Houseknecht
Greensboro

As one who has questioned all the money spent in ridding the state of the poker machines while drugs and illegal immigrants are increasing every day, it came to me in a flash why all the concern. The state is preparing for the lottery and everything that has anything to do with gambling will interfere with its take on a lottery.

We are told how much money poker machines take in but we should also note how much the states take from the lottery in taxes and plain ripping people off. No one ever gets over half of the money from the lottery win.

The state legalizes anything that is controllable and taxable and outlaws the things it has not figured how to control. Figure the odds of winning a lottery against winning at poker or a ball ticket. Internet gambling and the Cherokee Nation now get the money that did float around locally from poker machines.

Ken Sawyer
High Point

Ward Bowman's letter ("That's the ticket, blame the newspaper," April 13, is correct. The News & Record is not responsible but our city government is for money owed by the Generals Brigade. Prominent businessmen in Greensboro formed an LLC for this venture. Why did the city not require "personal guarantees" from these businessmen? These businessmen had all of the upside and no downside in their venture. If the venture worked, they stood to make money. If the venture failed, without personal guarantees, there is no liability outside of the LLC.

We can still make a difference. We are not only voters; we are consumers, too.

Bryson Preston
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Lynn H. Karlet

During the debate on Amendment One last autumn, I warned of its dangers and the proposed "historical designation" of Greensboro's old Wachovia Building squarely fits this concern.

The problem: free market interference by career politicians picking economic winners and losers. Look at the wreckage to date: Project Homestead, St. James II and the Global TransPark east of Raleigh. The latest heist: Dell, a case of taxpayers held up at pen-point by politicians, forced out of more than $100,000 for each moderate wage assembly/shipping job created, jobs the governor said were "high tech" but nothing is "high tech" about assembling products, even computers, and shipping them.

Now, waving a bureaucratic wand can magically transform a comparatively young building into "historic" like Merlin's lead into gold. Politicians should know better from previous "investments"; they now have Amendment One to fund projects that make no sense. Even the developer, as quoted in your April 8 article, sees this.

"Wachovia tower could receive a historic designation," Roy Carroll II said. "Just to go out and rehab the building isn't worth it. … The revenue will not support the cost of improvements … We have quite a gap to cover."

Carroll believes taxpayers should cover his gap, shoulder his risk and help fund the project with tax abatements and public bonds under Amendment One. Why not? After all, "the 16th floor would be converted into a penthouse suite for Carroll's family."

Did Skip Alston receive a similar perk at St. James II? Naw. But he sure tried to wash the stink from his hands and blame the rest of us for his failure. Good luck, Skip.

Seriously, should taxpayers underwrite unwarranted risk that no bank or private investor would touch? My late father's words still ring true: Someone else's money sure spends easy.

Our politicians and those feeding at the public trough echo that truth and make my decision to leave this state all the easier day by day.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

The most obvious advantage of growing old is being alive to enjoy life's benefits. Sometimes they come from unexpected quarters.

In North Carolina, one of the least-known benefits is that the University of North Carolina offers a tuition-free undergraduate education to any citizen over the age of 65. For retirees who have always dreamed about a college degree and now have time for attempting it, this savings of several thousand dollars a year is a significant incentive for doing so.

I took advantage of it at UNCG to earn a degree in political science and to begin the study of Spanish.

The benefits for seniors go beyond the monetary ones. UNCG has a Department of Adult Students to help older students acclimate to college life. The other outstanding facilities on campus, such as the library, computer labs and bookstore, are also available to adult students. I began in 2000 at 65 and ended in 2004 at 69 while I built a rewarding, intellectually involved life that I had never expected.

North Carolina's tuition-free undergraduate education is one of the best educational benefits in the United States at any age.

Leslie E. Levine
Greensboro

The leaf shadows from the Bradford pear trees danced with the light breeze on the walls of the building. We basked in the warm spring sun. We sat sipping cups of green tea in the courtyard behind The Carolina Coffee and Tea Shop on State Street.

And, to make this enchanted afternoon even more glorious, we enjoyed the heartfelt, inspiring and sometimes humorous words and voices of six of our own very talented Greensboro poets.

During the month of April, these and other local poets will be giving poetry readings for our community in different locations around town. They are sponsored by the Greensboro Public Library and The Triad Writers Group. Get to know some of your truly talented and creative neighbors and give yourself a treat by attending at least one of their events. You, too, will be delighted if you do.

Margie H. Bowman
Greensboro

The April 7 meeting of the Guilford County commissioners was the worst example of government I have ever seen. Both sides have drawn a line in the sand and one of them will lose badly in the next election.

To suspend a longtime county employee on innuendoes or complaints from disgruntled former employees is extreme, particularly after two investigations have found no improprieties. The Democrats better be right or this will cost them dearly.

Wayne Stutts
Greensboro

Skip Alston: a master puppeteer with a vindictive personal agenda to appoint his choice of leader to any county position he desires. Puppets: Bruce Davis, Carolyn Coleman and the other Democrats faithfully and fearfully obey his every command.

Tune in to the televised commissioners meetings if you doubt this. It might make you sad and embarrassed you voted for a Democratic puppet.

John Meyler
Greensboro

Hillary a liar? I promised my wife that I would send no more letters to the editor; however, I could not let the letter by Dr. John Bumgarner (April 11) go unanswered.

First of all, Dr. Bumgarner says in a sense that Hillary is a liar and should not even be considered for president. Has the good doctor looked at who we currently have in office (Bush and Cheney), or don't they matter?

I agree that Hillary would not be a good choice; however, it is not because she is a liar but because she is a woman, and this country would never consider a woman, which shows how out of touch we are. If the Democrats cannot win congressional seats in the 2006 midterms, then they will never win anything else.

Hillary is no more of a liar or hypocrite than about 90 percent of what we have in Congress.

Don Edwards
Greensboro

Whew. I'm feeling a lot better these days. Worrying about my grandchildren's future was becoming pretty stressful, but now I can relax because the Cookie Monster tells them cookies are a "sometimes food." Even better, their teachers won't be using aggressive red ink, which would permanently damage their self-confidence. I'll sleep like a baby tonight.

Keith Hoile
Greensboro

Excuse my narrow vision, but in the case of Terri Schiavo a few weeks ago, did the courts of state not tell the church that it had to starve one of its members to death, not even giving her a drink of water? I pray to God this didn't happen in America. But, how else can it be explained?

Marion Johnson
Greensboro

A lottery is a losing proposition: 99.99 percent of those who play the lottery will lose.

First of all, lotteries encourage materialism and the illusion of an easy way to easy street. Lotteries often draw many from lower incomes to gamble the little money they have rather than working hard and investing.

A lottery destroys the American work ethic. What are we teaching our children when we help fund their education with a lottery? "We want you to be hard-working, upright citizens, but we will fund your education with games of chance."

Also, lotteries and gambling can become addictions for many people. Why introduce state-sponsored temptations to those with weaknesses in these areas?

I'm also wondering about that House of Representatives vote. It was a very narrow margin (61-59) in favor of the lottery. I've been on, and chaired, quite a few committees, and when a vote comes that close, we always reconsider it. There are obviously many representatives who are not in favor of the lottery.

Why not let the general populace vote on this like we do on some other issues? Let's be a winning state and do what's right for our people.

Gary Moyer
High Point
The writer is pastor, Greensboro SDA Church.

There are times when the liberal's nostalgia can touch one's heart. In his letter published April 9, Bryan Chitwood writes this gem of devotion to the unsung herds of the north: "I have one simple message regarding oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: over my dead body."

He's a bit late to offer his all since exploration is well under way and drilling may soon begin. Maybe there's another way he can help us preserve this frozen tundra under the midnight sun.

Where did he buy the scythe and cradle to harvest the barley and oats he feeds his horse? I mean the horse he rides to work every day. The firewood he burns in the winter, does he cut it with an ax? Two-man crosscut saws are now antiques. And the axles in his horse-drawn wagon, does he grease them with lard or beef tallow?

Surely, he doesn't write letters by moonlight. Which means he has mastered the science of beekeeping. But how many hives must he tend to make 365 beeswax candles per year? Twenty? Forty?

Bryan clearly favors the old times when his heel smelled of pine tar, another form of "black gold." That's devotion that mellows the heart of a conservative.

Ernie Sawyer
Greensboro

Facts regarding the filibuster and so-called "nuclear option":

Congress began the technique of filibustering in the 1820s to ensure full debate. It soon became a mechanism to stall any unfavorable legislation.

The Constitution, which makes no mention of the filibuster, requires super-majorities only in very specific cases, but not in the advice and consent of presidential nominees where a simple majority is required.

The so-called "nuclear option" now being decried by Democrats was first introduced and used by Sen. Robert Byrd in 1977 to forestall a Republican filibuster of a Carter ambassadorial nominee. Byrd used it again in 1979, 1980 and 1987. Senate Democrats are showing their blatant hypocrisy by conveniently forgetting their own precedent.

Under the Constitution, the judicial branch is to interpret law based on the Constitution. Justices are sworn to uphold the Constitution. Interestingly, nowhere in their oath are they empowered to create law out of whole cloth or utilize international standards in their judgments. Jefferson foresaw a day such as this, warning against judicial tyranny.

Last November, Democrats lost control of Congress and the presidency. It is time the majority governed as they were elected to do, appointing judges who will abide by the Constitution.

Mike Crouch
Greensboro

Jim Freeman's letter (April 12) parrots the intemperate, inflammatory language of Tom DeLay and Rush Limbaugh surrounding the Terri Schiavo case. Their ilk goad and incite, presuming self-infallibility. Opponents are satanic minions, judges are murderers, tolerance is craven capitulation. They have every right to say so, and I claim my right to condemn their torrid rabidity and self-serving selective ignorance of available fact and information.

They prefer the dictionary definition of life as "the properties and functions of protoplasm" rather than "existence regarded as a desirable condition." Their "just and right" invokes a vengeful rather than nurturing God. Judicial adherence to existing precedent in law equals nefarious revolution against the executive branch. Yet, they encourage congressional allies to trash our Constitution in service to their viewpoint.

After endlessly trumpeting the "sanctity of marriage" for one political end, they willingly judged the Schiavo marriage as lacking. Calling on U.S. citizens to "take control of our court system" emphasizes their contempt for 229 years of effective governance when it frustrates their scheduled tyranny-of-the-few. The deep sincerity of their followers' convictions is undoubted, which makes their imperious cultivation of cynicism utterly despicable.

They will undermine my beloved country over my dead body.

Ruth Mary Weston
Greensboro

Recently, a local real-estate agent festooned our "No Solicitations" neighborhood with fliers, in plastic bags, attaching them to mailbox posts with large, colorful pushpins. I removed the pushpin at my mailbox and disposed of it, picked up another flier from my lawn and took the two fliers into the house. I fed my two small dogs, then put the fliers, in their plastic bags, into the trash can. In doing so, a pushpin fell out of the bag and before it could even hit the floor, it was snapped up by my young, inquisitive Yorkshire terrier.

After anguish, pain, emergency surgery and a vet bill of nearly $700, Sasha is home and recuperating nicely.

This letter is a plea to anyone who ever feels the need to distribute their junk mail in this manner. I picked up six or seven of these pushpins from our street the day after the fliers were distributed.

Please, use scotch tape and not pushpins or thumbtacks. These pins are not only extremely hazardous to small animals, but could cause injury to the children who are running around barefoot these spring days. They can also puncture tires, and they are not biodegradable.

Sandra Barnes
Greensboro

I have never been so tearfully appalled to watch a mother pleading to this justice system to save her daughter's life, whose only crime was being disabled and alive. How the judges accepted the feeble lies of Michael Schiavo. His insistence to make sure she died seems to speak to something to hide.

This case presented reasonable doubt. There was no confirmation of her wishes. The feeding tube (which is a normal body requirement, not artificial life support) could have been replaced until new evidence could be presented. A legal representative should speak for someone who is unable to speak for themselves. It was a moral case.

Many of our laws accommodate political opinions instead of protecting people or their wishes. Every event has to be analyzed and spun to create sensation. This was not euthanasia; it was homicide.

We are labeling Iraqis as barbarians while our so-called democratic justice system is being superimposed onto their culture. At the same time, this barbaric act was committed in our country. There are laws against starving domestic animals, but they do not apply to disabled, loved and cared-for humans.

May God cleanse your sinful souls.

Marietta Gaines
Greensboro

I read the letter from Mary Lee (April 11) regarding world poverty and while I found it commendable, I think there are situations in our own backyard that need a "closer look."

Many Guilford County residents (as well as many in surrounding counties) are having trouble living from day to day. County and federal agencies are allotted only so much in funding to help these folks, and it's nowhere near enough.

There are elderly and disabled who are "living" on less than $600 per month and must make choices between rent, utilities, medication, or should they "splurge" and eat this month? I wonder how many readers have been in this position.

There are people who are homeless, many not from a personal choice. Yes, there are shelters; yes, there are food kitchens -- sort of reminiscent of Scrooge in Dickens' "Christmas Carol," isn't it?

Help world poverty. Help locally. Americans are known for their "generosity." Let some of it begin at home.

Perhaps then, like Tiny Tim, we'll be able to say "God bless us every one." For it is in giving that we receive.

Diane Black
Archdale

The issue of a lottery is not about morality, religion or finances. Elections are won because voters had choices. Some good; some bad.

Based on government surveys, I'm in the poor category because I choose to pay taxes, health care and insurance. Based on my doctor's weight chart, I'm overweight -- but I have the choice of buying a 700-calorie burger.

I believe in God, but I have a choice of places to worship. Would the Grahams or the Dean Smiths refuse contributions from lottery money? I hope not.

Yes, I buy lottery tickets, when I choose. In fact, I enjoy the drive into Virginia on roads far superior to North Carolina's. See the billboards posting the millions given to Virginia schools. Our schools resort to students selling candy, biscuits, etc., to supplement their needs. Also, our teachers use personal income to buy teaching supplies.

I don't think our Raleigh leaders' job titles include the right to categorize North Carolina citizens. Your priorities should be growth, schools, jobs and health care.

Meanwhile, I'll continue to enjoy my ride to Virginia. The gas prices are lower. With the savings on gas, perhaps a trip to South Carolina would be nice.

Delores C. Tucker
Stokesdale

Can you tell us how the name "Grasshoppers" came to be? Not being from the area, I'm not sure how long they have had that name. Being an old Carolina League fan, I'm still partial to the "Patriots" of old.

With such a beautiful new facility, it seems a shame to stick that tag on a team. I've often wondered why we stick 10- to 15-letter words on a sports team, and then the newspaper has to condense it to three or four. I see you have cut it to "Hoppers" in your headlines. Surely you won't go now to say "Hops." Seriously, I know what newspapers have to do as I was in the business.

A good name for the team would have been "Gems." That is a "precious" thing and does not have to be abbreviated. Yes, Greensboro Gems -- now that has sparkle.

W.L. Shelton
Danville, Va.

Editor's note: When the new nickname was announced last fall, Donald Moore, the club's president, said, "We wanted something we thought was a fun name and would easily transfer to uniforms and merchandise."

I saw the last portion of the county commissioners meeting April 7. I was embarrassed and appalled. It looked like a lynching in progress. An atmosphere of animosity seems to hover over our county commissioners.

My feeling is: When the fire truck shows up or the water flows from the spigot, it makes no difference if the driver of the truck or the person in charge of the water department is a Democrat or Republican. It's the duty and responsibility of the county commissioners to make the county departments work for the citizens of Guilford County. Our commissioners look foolish, and that makes all of us look foolish for having supported any of them.

If an impartial investigation (and it had better be impartial) turns up no wrongdoing by the head of the tax department, then the anonymous sources of the allegations should be named, and if employed in county government, fired.

If the head of the department did wrong, then fire him and press charges against anyone who benefited illegally.

I'm very concerned about this investigation becoming another opportunity for both parties to dig in their heels and not work for the betterment of this community. The commissioners must get their act together.

Mike Sigmon
Greensboro

Everyone who has an elderly and/or disabled relative on Medicare/Medicaid had better listen up before the Jan. 1, 2006, deadline for declaring a Medicare Drug Benefit Plan.

My mother thought she lived the American dream. She was a World War II bride. She worked all her life at low-paying jobs with no benefits. She had a stroke at 62, leaving her disabled. Her husband cared for her until cancer killed him.

Her home was sold. When her funds were exhausted, she went on Medicaid/Medicare. What happens Jan. 1, when she has to pay a much larger co-payment and a monthly premium? What happens to this woman who played by the rules? She gets kicked to the curb. So much for the American dream.

We keep hearing "culture of life." How about this "culture of life"? A 79-year-old widow who can't afford to pay for the drug "benefit" will be left with nothing. Too bad.

Is the plan to kill off the sickest and poorest of our elderly and disabled by denying them the drugs that keep them alive? Whose "moral values" are these?

America is supposed to be better than this.

Sandi Campbell
Siler City

In the latest bit of "whistling past the graveyard," Sue Schultz reported on concerns about the Las Vegas furniture show and its possible impact on the High Point furniture market.

Schultz writes:

But Las Vegas isn't the only place with glitz, she noted. High Point will host a few sparkling celebrities itself this week. Celebrity events this market would include NFL great John Elway promoting a game table for his new line by Bassett Furniture -- although he would not be playing poker on it.

Former television talk-show host Cristina Ferrare also would be strutting a red carpet in front of Showplace accompanied by one of the tuxedo-clad penguins from the 1997 movie "Batman and Robin."

Glitz? A football player, a 55-year-old former supermodel (who was famous as recently as 1985) and a guy in a penguin suit?

If we expect to have any chance against Las Vegas, we need a definition of "glitz" by someone other than Aunt Bee and the Mayberry Ladies Club.

David Allen
High Point

Regarding the article, "Two heads are better than one" (April 10), on Becky Dolinger and Chris Roe's leadership of the Greensboro Christian Women's Club: I admire their battles with MS and their willingness to become community leaders, and I believe that their hearts are in the right places. However, I feel that their efforts are extremely limited by their elitist mind-set. The photo that accompanied the story shows them both wearing lots of expensive jewelry; they charge over $13 for a brunch, and they hold their meetings at a country club.

This will not spread the word of God or change people's lives. If they, and others like them, truly want to do those things and leave the world a better place, they must reach out to those in need. They can begin by volunteering at animal shelters, feeding the hungry, or cleaning up area parks and streams.

Remember, Jesus said, "It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God" (Matthew 19:24). And trust me, the feeling one gets after activity working in the community will be a thousand times better than anything an overpriced brunch can give.

Catherine Wright
Greensboro

The April 11 news article, "Fighting racism with truth," would be just another comical oxymoron if it weren't such an excellent example of liberal journalism. The article states, "Klansmen fired on the group; five demonstrators were killed." That is false. The CWP opened fire on the Klansmen, that's why the KKK was acquitted in court; they argued they were firing in self-defense.

Liberal misreporting of facts to cater to minorities at the expense of the truth is reprehensible, at best. Apparently, the News & Record is not interested in facts or news, just furthering a political agenda by distorting facts to make the public believe what you want them to believe.

Or are you guys just getting a head start on rewriting history for the Truth and Reconciliation bozos?

John Appel
Greensboro

Editor's note: According to expert court testimony based on an audio analysis, the first shot was fired by one of the Klansmen and Nazis. The first shot linked to a demonstrator was the 12th, fired by protester Dori Blitz.

Regarding recent letters about feral cats: Guilford County has an ordinance, "Animals running at large prohibited," that should be obeyed by all residents. "Prohibited" is the key word that makes each person "responsible for his or her animal."

How can anyone be responsible if his or her animal is "running at large"? The American Bird Conservancy, Florida Fish and Wildlife, and other organizations concerned about our environment recommend that cats remain indoors, for they harm wildlife outdoors.

Mating season is here, and it would be good if birds, etc., were protected from cats, which are not a part of our natural wildlife since cats originate from Africa.

Jennifer McCollum (letter, March 10) asked me to spend money on spay/neuter education. Having gone hungry many a day, intermittently, to pay my rent allows me few extras.

If I had the money, I would educate people that "Animals running at large (are) prohibited."

Judy Stierand
Whitsett

Regarding the editorial (April 5, not posted) about the RISE bill sponsored by Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., and supported by Rep. Mel Watt, D-N.C.: This bill would overturn the rule that prohibits college students and prospective college students who have had drug-related convictions from applying for and receiving federal student aid.

I asked myself what happened to being rewarded for following the rules and being punished for not following the rules? Have our leaders lost their minds? Once again, it appears our elected officials are catering to the minority segment of our society.

In today's world, we ask ourselves what is wrong with our American youth. What is wrong is that our elected officials are sending out the wrong message. Passage of this bill will signal to our youth that bad behavior is acceptable and that it will not affect your life. Furthermore, this bill says "go ahead and break the law and we will reward you (federal student aid) for your bad behavior."

John S. Nosek
Greensboro

More and more each day it seems the Patriot Act should be titled, "No Privacy Left Behind." The cartoon on the editorial page (April 11) was particularly on target.

How much longer will Americans permit the Bush administration to interfere in personal lives? Who wants the federal government to intervene whenever there is a controversial family issue at stake? Why does the federal government want colleges and universities to submit the names, addresses and Social Security numbers of all students to the government? Whatever happened to our Constitution?

Does "...life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness..." only apply to those in the current administration?

What will it take for us to become outraged and to speak out for our rights? Hear my voice now.

Lynn Bennett
Greensboro

Republicans, led by the present administration, are just ruining this great country of ours. From unjust wars, to reckless spending, to tax giveaways, to cutting social benefits to the poor, to abolishing educational opportunities, to restricting stem-cell research, to an unfettered privatized heath industry, to a bloated bureaucracy, to extremist religious dogma, these eight years may well exceed all predictions in societal regression.

Richard Lloyd
Thomasville

A recent Associated Press article, "College to close dorm lodging disabled" (April 14) [not posted], failed to tell the whole story.

The physically disabled students didn't know the college was even considering closing Burris Hall and the college didn't seek student input. The disabled students can't understand why the college refuses to see if the dorm could be saved by exploring other financial options.

It is hard to believe the college's claim that it has lost $1 million or more in dorm operating costs, since vocational rehabilitation and other sources covered students' expenses. There could easily be more than 13 disabled students in the dorm next year if the college had not discouraged them from enrolling. St. Andrews' assertion that the disabled students can simply move off campus is naive, because such housing doesn't exist in Laurinburg.

All of St. Andrews' financial concerns are interesting because expensive horse barns recently were built for the equine program. Are horses more important than disabled students?

The physically disabled students at St. Andrews are remarkable, courageous young people whose inspirational achievements are possible only because Burris Hall allows them to attend college.

Why St. Andrews is really pushing these students out of college is the story the AP should be writing.

Mike Booher
Greensboro

Regarding Cheryl Smith's letter, "Racism workshops playing blame game":

A 1999 Crossroads Ministries newsletter article written by founder Rev. Joe Barndt can be found at http://www.cwsworkshop.org/pdfs/CARA/Overview/2_Preaching.pdf
The newsletter features statements such as:

1. "Every issue of our daily existence is defined and lived out in ways that are race-based."

2. "Race and racism are embedded into our institutional genes."

3. "Every system and every institution in our country was created and structured -- legally and intentionally to serve white society exclusively. They are still designed to distinguish between races, and to serve white people better than people of any other racial identity."

4. Neither racial injustice nor racism will go away until the race-based nature of our society is dealt with, and until we remove the white privilege that the race-based society was designed to protect.

If these statements were written in the 19th century up to the 1960s, I could understand the sentiment. It is outrageous that the Guilford County schools waste our tax money to hire people like Barndt. Such rhetoric only serves to divide races further, hardly indicative of a reverend.

Please voice your opinion to Terry Grier and the school board if you agree.

Tom Imbus
Browns Summit

At first I did not pay close attention to our casualties; they seemed a necessary part of war. As the war in Iraq continues to escalate, I have become much more aware. Every night on the news, I see a picture and hear a brief biography of another young American soldier who has died in Iraq.

Our president assured us we were in imminent danger from an Iraqi attack. Now our country has never found the weapons of mass destruction we so fervently sought. And why Iraq? North Vietnam can send atomic bombs any day they wish. So can a growing number of other countries hostile to America. Saddam Hussein was a tyrant, but many tyrants exist in our world today.

I am old enough to remember the war in Vietnam. Already, many veterans returning from Iraq are being diagnosed with mental illness and drug addiction. The similarities of both wars scare the hell out of me.

If George Bush has a grudge over his father's failure in Iraq years ago, he has no right to involve the rest of America. I am tired of watching needlessly dead Americans every night on the news. We must end this war now.

Cabell Borland
Gibsonville

Rare coincidences, or coincidences with low probability, are of great interest to ordinary people and journalists -- for their low probability must mean something. However, statisticians tell us that rare coincidences are observed frequently. Suppose there are 23 persons in a room. There is a 50 percent chance that at least two have the same birthday. With 50 persons, the chance is 97 percent, and with 100 persons, this chance becomes a certainty.

So, if we actively look for coincidences in newspapers, we will find them. Similarly, it is not difficult for conspiracy theorists to search for coincidences that support their beliefs.

However, rare coincidences have their own beauty. Using them judiciously, a writer can render an article more colorful and interesting. This is the case with Rosemary Roberts' column, "Diana's ghost hovers over wedding?" (April 8).

I have been a bit disturbed to hear people say it is a coincidence that the Gulf War ended on the Jewish holiday of Purim, which celebrates the defeat of the evil Haman by Mordecai. However, I enjoyed Roberts' skillful use of the coincidences surrounding Prince Charles' wedding and the pope's funeral, and his honeymoon and the interment of Prince Rainier III of Monaco.

Thank you, Rosemary, for another interesting article.

Phung Nguyen
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Ralph Day

Regarding the April 12 editorial, "Union drive resumes":

The National Labor Relations Board's union election process is exploited by bad employers and inadequately protects workers wanting to organize.

In many of today's union organizing drives, workers are routinely intimidated, harassed and even fired by their employers. In North Carolina for example, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union twice lost elections, in 1994 and 1997, at the Tar Heel, N.C., Smithfield Foods hog processing plant.

Although the UFCW's organizing drives took place in the 1990s, it was not until December 2004 that the NLRB found Smithfield guilty of illegally firing 10 workers during the campaigns. More disturbingly, the company was also found guilty of conspiring with the Bladen County Sheriff's Department to physically intimidate and assault union supporters.

In High Point, anti-union organizations are interfering in the Thomas Bus organizing process in an attempt to keep employees from joining the other already unionized Freightliner-owned facilities in North Carolina. These same organizations, generally funded by corporations, also work to eliminate societal gains born from organized labor, such as the minimum wage, the living wage, overtime pay, and the 40-hour workweek.

The decision of whether or not to join a union should be based on facts, not fear. And the facts are:

1) Union workers enjoy better wages, better health care, better retirement and less discrimination in the workplace; and 2) Recent polls show that as many as 57 million workers would join a union today if they had the opportunity. Sadly, however, the Smithfield and High Point stories are repeated in thousands of workplaces across our state and throughout our nation.

As a remedy, there is growing support for the Employee Free Choice Act. Among other important safeguards, the EFCA would place stronger penalties on employers who violate labor laws while their employees are attempting to organize a union.

The only proven way for America's workers to protect themselves in a terribly unjust global economy is to organize into unions. Passage of the Employee Free Choice Act is truly the best way to remove fear and intimidation from the process.

The writer is president, Triad Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, and lives in Greensboro.

Many of us should be appalled at our representatives in Raleigh and the recent consideration of granting illegal or "undocumented" aliens in-state tuition to our universities. These people have no way to prove where they came from, police records, mental stability, or if they are who they say they are.

After the two murders at UNCW last year, many in the system called for tighter background checks on those entering our university system. How can an appropriate check be done if these people are undocumented? How do we know the next al-Qaida cell isn't being formed at ECU? Even if officials can conduct a check, why shouldn't someone from Iowa be allowed in-state tuition status? Why do "undocumented" aliens deserve the same rights as the rest of us? How many of our "documented" children will be denied admission because an "undocumented" person has been allowed the tuition break and admitted?

It is unfortunate that whoever decided to sponsor the bill has not considered these questions. If that person had, it would not have been drafted. We should never allow this. Our representatives should watch out for the best interests and safety of this state's "documented" citizens.

Ed Foster
Jamestown

It is a crying shame that wholesale prices of brand-name drugs increased by 7.1 percent in 2004.

Older Americans take most of these drugs because they cannot take the generic drugs.

We older American citizens live on our Social Security and pensions and cannot afford to have our prescriptions filled each month.

Retirement pensions from some places are $40 to $50 a month, and if you are lucky, $60 a month.

This is a very big problem, and I think our elected officials should be working on the problem instead of worrying about something else.

Our senior citizens have made our country strong by serving in the wars and doing all they could do and still do to keep us free. They need help now, so please help to get the pharmaceutical companies to lower their prices for their customers -- and make less profit for themselves. It can be done if they want it to be done. God bless us all.

Iris Newby
Eden

Haven't you learned by now to ask the citizens when you need the rest of the story? The only "partnership" involved in Summerfield's building Sheriff Barnes a substation here was the husband/wife one: The mayor of Summerfield is the wife of the Guilford County sheriff. She told the media publicly in February that she promised the sheriff five years ago she would build him a substation. How arrogant -- not to mention the inherent personal conflict of interest.

Guilford County never "joined forces" with us on this project -- that was our gripe. This never was a legal "joint undertaking" in which the county would pay its pro-rata share.

Summerfield was to bear the onus entirely while representing only 1.6 percent of the county population. Perhaps if they had offered fair commercial rent, not $1 (that's right, one dollar) yearly, the outcome would have been different. But not a 10,500-square-foot facility for 33 people on a 1.2-acre tract with inadequate well, parking, and requiring off-site septic. Everyone associated with this $200,000-plus fiasco is an embarrassment to Summerfield.

I acknowledge that Sheriff Barnes needs an adequate substation in northwestern Guilford County. But with county tax dollars, not Summerfield's.

Becky Strickland
Summerfield

Anyone paying attention? Taxpayers are getting deeper in debt due to "tax and spend." Ever noticed all the school buses running all over the county with only three to 11 kids on each one? Yet school officials want to buy more high-dollar buses, hire more drivers, hire more teachers, build more schools, and the list goes on.

What's wrong with the old-fashioned ways when there were more than 30 kids in one class with one teacher and yet kids actually learned how to add, subtract and respect themselves and the authority figures over them? Many people want to know why we have to change what was working with our schools back in the old-fashioned days.

Politicians and board members think their way is the only way. Guess what, folks, it isn't and never will be. Your way definitely isn't the answer. If it were, we would not be raising a society of children who cannot carry an intelligent conversation. Eliminate property taxes. Put children in Christian schools. They'll learn basic skills, morals, values and principles that will get them through life.

Children need role models, not idols, phones, computers, TVs, etc. Could this be why drugs and suicide are on the rise?

Shirley deLong
Jamestown

In this oh so negative world, here's a positive thought. In order for the patrons of the Greensboro Library system to save fuel, why not place return book deposit boxes at Adams Farm, Bridford, Friendly and Brassfield shopping centers?

How economical and sweet that would be.

Elizabeth Stout
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint colum:

By Joan A. Hunt

It was not the first time that newspaper readers were subjected to irresponsible claptrap by ignorant but well-paid columnists. Cal Thomas is one of the worst, and he was joined last week by Elizabeth Schuett. Their articles on Charles and Camilla were typical examples of writers not knowing what they are talking about.

I lived outside of London from 1985 to 1991. They were the most horrific years for the queen as all of her progeny were in trouble one way or the other.

Charles was by far the worst. The hatred and disgust of the people of the United Kingdom regarding his behavior with Camilla before, during and after both of their marriages are more than justified. It has absolutely nothing to do with their ugliness of face, only for the ugliness of their sexual antics and arrogant attitudes. Their time spent together over the many years reads like a porn novel.

Tapes of Charles' phone conversations with Camilla are too disgusting to put into print. The entire monarchy was red-faced for a long time after they were made public. Poor Diana was used from the very beginning, and she was too young and naive to realize it. But it didn't take her long to see what was going on as Charles not only didn't hide his extramarital affair, he bragged about it to her. She was used strictly to produce an heir to the throne because Camilla was not a suitable subject to marry -- she was not a virgin. Can you wonder why he had to pick a teenager for a bride when he was in his mid-30s?

To criticize Diana's "bad" behavior and insinuate she was only loved by the British people because she was beautiful is ludicrous and dirty journalism. She did more to improve the image of the royal family than any of the other royals, except maybe the duchess of Kent. Her charity work was all on behalf of the poor, AIDS victims and, in general, the people who needed her most. They loved her for it, and rightly so compared to the so-called good works of the other royals.

I was fortunate to be in London for Di's tragic funeral. I will never forget the outpouring of love from around the world, the number of flowers sent to her, and the stillness all week of one of the largest cities in the world. It was the most moving experience of my long life.

I will also never forget the ugliness of the royal family's performance during the funeral ceremonies. My heart cried out for William and Harry. I sincerely hope William will be the next king for the good of the monarchy.

Charles and Camilla should have quietly eloped and moved to another country.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

Thanks for informing me (April 15) of additional reasons to consider the "preposterous" (John Hood, April 14) slavery bill a waste of tax dollars.

American slavery has been a tragedy for individuals, families and a culture. It seems that at some point forgiveness should be given so people can get on to more productive life tasks. I appreciated your suggestion that a wiser use of time and energy would be to encourage more education in schools about horrors of slavery.

As a parent of three being educated in Greensboro, I feel students have an adequate understanding of injustices that have taken place in North Carolina and the United States.

However, a more global perspective taught to students about slavery, poverty, hunger and genocide in the past and present around the world would create more compassionate, intelligent adults who look past their personal deprivations (even ancestral ones) to making a difference in today's world.

Marjorie Gullick wrote about her Southeast Middle class (April 15). Her teacher, Knick Dixon, taught about horrific past and present realities, then channeled students' knowledge and compassion into positive action. This experience will create future citizens who know they can make a positive difference. What better use of time, energy and taxes than the expensive slavery bill.

Lynn Thompson
Greensboro

When I read about North Carolina folks buying lotto tickets in neighboring states, no one's mentioned collateral spending. I know people who make a lotto run to Virginia for tickets who delay topping off their gas tank until they get cheaper gas there. North Carolina loses.

I've heard of a person who wanted a newer computer who waited to buy it in Virginia, with less sales tax. North Carolina loses. These trips by themselves consume time and resources. North Carolina loses.

Bill Lawson
Stoneville

Dr. Gaylord Hageseth, retired UNCG professor of physics, is learned in his field and a good man, does good works and has good intentions. But his letter of March 29 judges our president in a biased, harsh way and is filled with cliches from the "Handbook for Liberal Professors."

Dr. Hageseth states that President Bush is a hypocrite, does not care for the poor; has slashed funds for several social programs; has cut taxes for the wealthy while allowing only crumbs to trickle down to the poor; says there is no money for social programs while channeling social service funds to faith-based organizations (whatever that means); and is denying affordable housing, health care and a living wage to the poor, all of which constitutes injustice, oppression and a lack of compassion, in violation of the laws of God and the teachings of Jesus.

Hageseth's view is not a correct picture of our president, nor does it acknowledge that authorization for the spending of federal funds is the function of Congress and not that of the president. The view expressed by Dr. Hageseth can only serve to promote class warfare, to the detriment of the poor and the affluent alike.

Stephen P. Millikin
Greensboro

I am an eighth-grade student at Kernodle Middle School. I would like to comment on the article, "U.S. obesity shortening life spans" (March 17).

Our lunch lines contain more junk food than healthy food. Many kids have salt and sugar for lunch rather than the vitamins and minerals they need to be healthy. Kids are eating two slices of pizza or nachos with a side of chips or fries every day. They also will buy an ice cream bar and sugar water.

Though our cafeteria sells many fruits and vegetables each day, there is too much junk food to compete with so many of these bad choices that are made regularly. But schools need to bring in more fruits and veggies and take away lots of the junk food.

If there isn't as much, there will be less of them to sell and not as much to pick from. Kids will be picking between whether to have an apple or an orange rather than a cookie or pudding.

School is a place for kids to learn how to be healthy. The first place to start is by improving the nutrition of our schools.

Jessie Lowe
Greensboro

Last Saturday's lead story regarding the Virginia lottery is incomplete. It would have been preferable to have had a story that analyzed legislative educational spending before and after the lottery was enacted.

I suspect there is much promotion about the lottery funding millions toward education, but very little publicity as to what degree the Legislature changes future educational spending raised through taxes, perhaps freeing these funds to be used for other pet projects. In the market place, this is called "bait and switch."

If approved, the proceeds from the lottery should be designated only for projects that are not at present being funded through taxes, like Georgia does with college scholarships.

The article did not discuss why Virginia's administrative costs were 5 percent versus the House's proposed 16 percent for North Carolina. Sounds like a lot of new bureaucrats to me.

I lived in Florida when its lottery was established. Believe me, the hype was everywhere. As we became more inured to advertising, it was increased to keep the revenue flowing. I do agree with the last sentence of the article that says we should "worry about the politicians and what they'll do with the money."

Bill Christiansen
Greensboro

Regarding the sheriff's substation in Summerfield:

At one dollar a year rent plus utilities, it would have been a sweet deal for Sheriff BJ Barnes. The sheriff's wife, Summerfield Mayor Dena Barnes, announced she'd promised the sheriff a facility five years ago on a news broadcast. She and the council voted unanimously to force Summerfield citizens to assume 100 percent of the tax burden to build a county facility, even though Summerfield represents 1.6 percent of Guilford's population. She further stated "the sheriff wasn't obligated to provide Summerfield with law enforcement and he does so at his pleasure."

Summerfield spent $55,000 to buy a 1.2-acre tract of land for "a free-standing sheriff's substation." Disregarding their constituents, they've spent more than $200,000 on this project. The land was found inadequate for well and septic and there were only 44 parking spaces.

This reckless spending didn't make sense until Councilwoman Carolyn Collins stated, "The money (a taxpayers reserve fund of $7 million) isn't doing any good just sitting in the bank." The project now has been scrapped, but more taxes and spending will follow. Maybe there's hope yet for the sheriff.

Robert Flowers
Summerfield

Edward R. Murrow lived in Guilford County, Washington State and New York. Washington State honored Murrow by naming the School of Communications at Washington State University, the Edward R. Murrow School of Communications. New York City named one of its high schools the Edward R. Murrow School of Science and Technology.

In contrast, Greensboro has named a city street that is approximately one mile long for him. This is not sufficient. Edward R. Murrow was the greatest broadcast journalist of his generation and a role model for young people. His memory is much like that of James B. Dudley. It has stood the test of time.

In the final analysis, names like East, West, South and North tend to divide one section of the county from other sections. We need the school board to bring us together, not to further divide us. What if the school board in 1928 had named the new high school East Greensboro High School instead of James B. Dudley High School? Would that have been a better choice? I think not.

Joe R. Stafford
Greensboro

One of the things that bothers me most about the stated purpose of the Truth and Reconciliation Project is its claim that this event has not been discussed and has been swept under the rug.

I was a member of the Greensboro Human Relations Commission during that time. I attended numerous meetings and forums with thousands of citizens that included representation of many races, neighborhoods and constituencies from all across Greensboro and surrounding communities.

The Rev. Nelson Johnson attended many of these meetings. I cannot understand how he and many others who were at those meetings can say that this event has not been discussed, debated and analyzed. There have been countless efforts over the years to improve race relations in our community, and they are ongoing.

There is nothing wrong with examining our past, including mistakes that have been made. However, we should not try to change the past to satisfy a few people who can't seem to let it go. We should spend our time, energy and resources addressing current problems while moving forward.

Jerry W. Lawson
Greensboro

You do a great service to the community by consistently reporting on the "magical" powers of the new stadium. Could you do the community another favor and remind them that the elected and non-elected leaders of Greensboro promised to restore War Memorial Stadium?

Also, please don't pull out that old argument about how there was a bond issue for the stadium and it was turned down. That vote was eight or nine years ago, and many people had War Memorial Stadium confused with War Memorial Auditorium since a major bond issue for the coliseum was also on the ballot. If you remember, people were overwhelmingly opposed to that particular bond issue.

Charles A. Newell Jr.
Greensboro

I was appalled at the negative letters to the editor that were so critical of some of our outstanding citizens. I am aware of the historic generosity of these people and feel that they were being judged unfairly.

It appears to me that the critics have a grudge against Matt Brown and the coliseum that transcends to a group that tried to do good things for the city. The mentioned businessmen were not making an investment but were trying to keep hockey in Greensboro and help the coliseum.

These outstanding citizens create jobs, make generous donations and perform volunteer tasks throughout the community and should not be treated as greedy individuals. It would be interesting to know what the "bashers" have done or are doing now for this community.

Dick Michaud
Greensboro

Your editorial, "Home-school move doesn't make sense" (April 13), is absolutely correct. However, you're inaccurate about "monitoring attendance and occasional testing."

Home-schoolers must have nine months of school. And, home-schoolers must take end-of-grade tests every year.

Non-public education saves North Carolinians $980 million per year. We pay county school taxes that publicly educated children benefit from, not our own.

For more than 10 years, several champions, and eight of the top 10 contenders, for the National Spelling and Geography Bees have been home-schooled. Many families home-school for religious reasons. We tried two private Christian schools and found them nearly as worldly as public schools. Our children take ballet, art, gymnastics, roller skating and other extracurricular activities every week. There are also soccer, basketball and football teams. Don't think they don't develop social skills.

Yes, sir, you're right. Why change a system that upholds personal choice and yields such financial benefits for all North Carolina taxpayers? Keep up the good work.

John Shuke Jr.
Siler City

The N.C. General Assembly is in session, and it proves the adage that "No man's life, liberty or property is safe as long as the legislature is in session."

The most ludicrous proposal is to require companies to research their past to see if they benefited from slavery and to sign an affidavit that they did so, or face having state contracts canceled and not be able to bid on future ones. This is nothing short of extortion. Rep. Earl Jones, D-Guilford, admits this in the April 14 News & Record.

As slavery was legal in this country until 1865, no company that can trace its business back that far owes anything to anyone, and this kind of extortion should be not be allowed. This would cost millions of dollars in research and payoffs.

I wonder if Reps. Jones and Larry Womble include black-owned businesses that existed at that time and owned slaves? Slavery is wrong, but this is wrong also.

This proposal should have been killed in committee. I urge all citizens to let their state representatives know how they feel. I will not be voting again for any who support this nonsense.

Tony Milosky
Oak Ridge

I find it hard to believe that with all that is going wrong in the nation, the News & Record still denounces a lottery and video poker machines. Why isn't the paper questioning the following:

Regarding Paul Daniels' letter, "Robed oligarchs target traditional marriage" (April 13), I suggest he review our nation's history and Constitution. Using his logic, women and blacks might have been denied their right to vote.

Further, if a gay couple marries, how is that interfering with his right as an individual to marry a person of the opposite sex? A ban on same-sex marriages would be imposing a personal belief and denying the right of certain individuals to choose whom they want to marry.

What if the state passed a law where opposite-sex marriages were banned? How would you feel about your rights as a human being? Wouldn't you want the option to turn to the courts to defend your rights as an individual?

Finally, let's leave individual rights as protected in the Constitution alone and get down to business and address the more serious issues we face as a nation: Social Security, our deficit, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, poverty, the draft, our educational system, environment, health care, the growing disparity between the rich and poor, national security, immigration, the exporting of jobs to other countries, rising fuel costs, minimum wage.

Lisa Fullington
Greensboro

It is pretty bad when I can drive across the Virginia state line and find gas for $1.93 a gallon for regular unleaded and buy a lottery ticket.

We live in Reidsville, and it is only a 20-mile drive for us to go to Ridgeway, Va., and get gas. If they can sell it for that cheap, why can't North Carolina?

We see more cars there from North Carolina than from Virginia. What does that tell you?

Tina Gump
Reidsville

The media have the power to influence people's daily lives and energize different emotions in people. That is why Republicans and the religious right have the recurring tendency to blame all of society's ills on the "liberal media" and liberals in general.

The media, if used correctly, can have a positive influence on society. The News & Record piece, "She's my mom. She's my hero" (April 17), was very inspiring to me. If more of us attempted to have the heart, courage and fortitude that Lorraine Tutt has, this country would be a far better place to live for the masses.

If the News & Record could put more pieces like this on the front page daily, some of that heart, courage and fortitude could replace the articles on the battling commissioners, the war in Iraq and the thievery of some of our nationally elected officials.

We hear frequently that there are copycat killers, rapists and terrorists. Maybe if all that negative-type news could be placed at the back of the newspapers and replaced with pieces such as this, it could generate energy for citizens to be caring for one another on a regular basis.

Mitchell L. Jennings
Greensboro

For the parents who are upset about the loss of gifted programming in the county schools, you do have options. If you have not checked out the home-schooling community lately, I urge you to do so. No longer is home-schooling just for religious reasons or political ones. There are many parents, like yourselves, whose children were not being educated in the public school system. They have now chosen to set their kids free and give them the opportunity to learn at their own pace.

There are plenty of support groups in North Carolina for home-schooling families, including the Gifted Home Scholars of North Carolina, that give parents of gifted children the opportunity to network and gain support. These groups can be found online, as well as through contacting the Home School Alliance of North Carolina.

Home-schooling is not for every family. It takes a lot of dedication and flexibility. However, when the school system refuses to provide the education your child deserves, it is an option worth looking into thoroughly, especially now that home-schooling has moved into the mainstream.

Mary Kimrey
Burlington

Slavery ended 140 years ago, and now they want to make companies pay for their ancestors' wrongdoings. The bill states that "companies will have to submit an affidavit stating their research findings but (the state) would not take specific steps if they should find they profited from slavery."

Companies waste their own time and money to see if 140 or more years ago the company, which has changed presidents and owners many times, benefited from slavery in any way. The bill does not make the company pay reparations, but it gives the state the choice whether or not to allow that company to bring its business to the state. The North Carolina economy is down, jobs are on the decline, and we are trying to pass a bill that would make it harder for companies to bring jobs and income to the state.

The article also stated that in California, companies were "prompted to contribute to organizations that work to improve life in the African American community." No one should be punished for actions they were not involved in and that took place over a century ago.

Riley Inman
High Point

"Never again." This was the pledge we made to ourselves after the Holocaust in respect to preventing future genocide. The United States and the world community failed that moral test in 1994 when we didn't act to stop the horrendous genocide occurring in Rwanda.

Today, we are once again presented with another great moral test: Whether to assist in ending the growing genocide in the Darfur region of the Sudan. As of today, 300,000 people have been killed and more than 2 million have been displaced in Darfur. The Janjaweed militia, aided by the Sudanese government, has been barbarically slaughtering men, women and young children in an effort to rid the Sudan of non-Arabs. Unlike Rwanda, Congress has already admitted that genocide is taking place in the Sudan.

If President Bush is truly committed to spreading democracy and to the sanctity of human life, there is no reason why we cannot take swift actions in order to bring about a peaceful resolution and end the violence in Darfur. Rather than to simply say, "never again," Americans should be united in our resolve to prevent genocide, and we should proudly stand and say, "Not on my watch."

Matt Mabe
Greensboro

Some months ago, Wal-Mart announced another store to be located on the old Carolina Circle Mall property off U.S. 29 North. The article gave as start dates February/March 2005 as best I remember. I see no activity on the property and wonder if plans to build at this location are still moving forward.

An update would be appreciated by the residents in that area since they now have to travel a substantial distance for any shopping since the Kmart closed in that area.

Ken McMasters
Greensboro

Congratulations to Daniel Malotky (April 17) for his recent contribution. Never before had I read an op-ed piece [not posted] that consisted entirely of liberal self-congratulation. That is, to borrow a phrase from Dr. Malotky, quite a "tricky maneuver" to pull off.

I was similarly impressed by Malotky's ability to completely avoid any discussion of the facts relevant to the issue of liberal bias in academia. So many surveys, so much data that might have been addressed. The esteemed professor remained steadfast, though. No need to let reality interfere with liberal self-esteem-building, right?

It wouldn't seem to take much intelligence, or honesty, for liberal academics to admit they run a guild system, which would certainly explain Malotky's observation that "there are few scholars of the far right from which to choose." If the people doing the hiring think that tolerance requires intolerance of normal, mainstream conservatives, wouldn't that just maybe discourage young conservative students from pursuing academic careers?

Perhaps Malotky and his liberal colleagues are the ones who are hiding in an "epistemological foxhole." I invite them to come out and engage in a real debate with conservatives, should they ever feel up to the challenge.

Jack Bladel
Greensboro

I want to respond to the price-gouging articles concerning the furniture market.

I went to Syracuse, N.Y., for the basketball regional games, and our rate at the Marriott Courtyard was almost doubled. Syracuse's population is more than 140,000, and the Carrier Dome seats less than 42,000. Was this price-gouging? Did the NCAA care? Nothing else was going on in Syracuse over Easter weekend.

When you travel, you pay the going rate, whether it is seasonal or not. If you travel to resorts in season, the rates are more. The furniture market reflects our seasonal rates for lodging. High Point is being treated unfairly by the travelers and the media.

Vegas will not give its rooms away if its market gets successful and brings in more than 100,000 people for a week or so. Vegas is known for gambling, and I suspect its rates will reflect gambling or furniture market.

Herman Hunter
High Point

A state-sponsored lottery is just plain wrong.

How can it be acceptable for the state to avidly promote an activity it deems illegal for individual citizens? That just doesn't make any sense.

Furthermore, a lottery simply provides too much political cover for our elected officials. If our legislators can't figure out how to run the state without resorting to heretofore illegal means, then clearly we need new legislators.

If other states choose to dupe their citizens and bilk the poorest and least informed of them for millions, so be it. North Carolina is -- or should be -- better than that.

Eric R. Calhoun
Greensboro

The Boston Globe recently reported that Home School Digest has been advertising "The Rod," a flexible whipping stick, for use in punishing children. The advertisements justify the use of such methods with quotations from the Bible.

Just a few months ago, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission rejected appeals to have the device banned. The commission said there is "no basis for determining that the product constitutes a substantial product hazard."

What about the hazard the product inflicts? "The Rod" may not inflict any permanent physical damage, but any kind of corporal punishment almost certainly can produce lasting psychological damage. Many adults look back on being spanked in childhood and say, "I was spanked, and I turned out OK." It is hard for us to believe that people who loved us would intentionally hurt us, so we feel the need to excuse that hurt.

A landmark analysis of 88 corporal punishment studies over six decades by Dr. Elizabeth Gershoff (2002) showed that spanking was associated with 10 negative behaviors in adults. While most of us who were spanked "turned out OK," it is likely that not being spanked would have helped us turn out to be healthier. The "rod of correction" is a contradiction in terms.

Matthew Greene
Greensboro

Dear Sheriff Barnes, dear Guilford County Commissioners,

Recently, at half past midnight, an airplane took off right over my neighborhood, jolting me out of a deep sleep. I know that you are trying to do something about loud noise by passing an ordinance that fines people for making noise between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. that "interfere[s] with the normal peace, calm and good order of the neighborhood" (News & Record, April 6, page B5).

I happen to know the offending parties and where they live (shhh, the Piedmont Triad International Airport). With the planned noise ordinance in hand, couldn't you give the offending parties a warning first, and then after each offense a fine that is proportional to the severity of the noise disturbance and the recklessness of the repeat offender? This may become particularly useful once the FedEx cargo planes start landing and taking off in the middle of the night in a few years.

Just think how much money in fines the county could make. Wow, I would definitely vote for you the next time (ha, ha) if you'd pull that one off. Thank you in advance.

Michael H. Hoppe
Greensboro

For the past weeks I have observed what I call the "death watch" of high-profile individuals and leaders who were heroes to many. I would like to pay tribute to a man who was a hero to his family, his employees and his country.

On Friday, April 1, Thomas Ward passed away with his family at his bedside. He served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. For more than two years he was a POW, receiving the Bronze Star "V," as well as several other medals.

He was owner of a foundry in Greensboro and provided jobs for many. He worked up to the day he entered the hospital for heart surgery, always concerned for his employees, including his wife, daughter, sons and grandchildren. Mr. Ward also received two Congressional citations for outstanding service to his community.

In the midst of all this, he found time to act in community theater. I will never forget going to a play where he was a lead actor and being amazed at his acting abilities. In the measure of a man, Thomas A. Ward was a quiet hero who will be sorely missed by his family, friends and employees.

Jill Stone
High Point

For at least the last 15 years, anyone who has paid the slightest attention to local politics knows that we have a haunted institution within our community.

An evil energy surrounds this institution and rubs off on everyone who chooses to become a part of it. Gender, race, age, religion, political party, nor any other factor has made a difference in determining individuals' abilities to resist the negative force that haunts the Guilford County Board of Commissioners.

Individual commissioners may imagine themselves bringing a positive spirit to this governing body, but the dark political nature of this board invariably infects everyone associated with it.

A resulting absolute devotion to self and party compels commissioners to sacrifice basic decency, morality, respect, responsibility and humanity.

Our currently possessed commissioners suffer all the symptoms of past representatives, proudly rationalizing their infinite sins against our entire community.

Because citizens have failed miserably to find and elect candidates with the moral strength to withstand this institution's wicked influence, we should demand as high a tax increase as necessary to fund the hiring of a priest powerful enough to exorcise the demons that haunt this hopeless board.

Seymour Hardy Floyd
Greensboro

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (German poet, 1749-1832) said, "Individuality of expression is the beginning and end of all art."

Surely, Raleigh city officials have more important battles to fight than the one against the man there who considers a wrecked motorcycle in a tree in his back yard a work of art. Unless it is threatening to fall on a neighbor's head or house, why not let it be? Isn't this the good old U.S.A. where freedom of expression is valued and encouraged? I hope it is still true.

Nancy L. Poulos
Greensboro

The editorial "Slavery bill's point is lost in translation" (April 15), while quite good, neglected to focus on what I believe would be the most significant costs to the state should it enact such a law. The total cost of this bill, in terms of disqualifying the lowest-cost suppliers, could be enormous to North Carolina at a time when the state does not have enough tax dollars to pay for the goods and services it purchases each year.

If the bill becomes law, I can imagine that requests for quotes sent out by the state to potential suppliers throughout the United States would contain a line that required each would-be supplier to state whether it had done the necessary research and filed the necessary affidavit.

For many years to come, whenever the state of North Carolina goes out for bids for products and services, the state may have to disqualify up to 90 percent of all bidders -- especially out-of-state bidders -- who simply have not, in advance, 1) researched whether they or their predecessor companies ever profited from slavery, and 2) filed an affidavit attesting to the results of that research.

Harry G. Gordon
Greensboro

(Knocking sounds. Door slams open.)

"Somebody, I say, somebody knocked. DeLay's the name, Congressman DeLay, that is. I'm from Texas. I'm so conservative, my Lincoln (what else) Town Car has no left turn signal; my underwear is red; and I never eat Boston baked beans. Speak up, what can I do for you, boy?"

"Congressman, our question of the day is: 'Is it right for politicians to pay exorbitant salaries to relatives to work for their election campaigns?' "

"Well, it ain't 'left.' That's a joke, son. Why ain't you laughin'? But, seriously, son, everybody does it, and we Texans always live up to our country's traditions."

"But is it ethical, Congressman?"

"Listen, boy, I'm head of the ethics committee. Ethics are what I say they are, especially since we are the majority.

"A little ditty says it all. (Sings to tune of 'Dixie.') 'I'm glad I am in a House beholden, All my sins won't be unfoldin.' They look away, look away, look away, lobbyland.'

"Well, so long, son. Got some people waitin' to whisk me off on a fact-finding trip to Provence."

(Door slams shut.)

Michael J. Scotto
Greensboro

The hearings for John Bolton, President Bush's nominee for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, once again highlight the "liberal" Democratic Party's most glaring weakness: national security.

If one assumes that everything negative they say about Bolton is true -- that as an undersecretary of state he was a "bully" to his subordinates and overly guarded about release of information -- then his angry, in-your-face style will further alienate U.S. relations with the United Nations.

When put in context: Sept. 11 was the result of colossal intelligence failures due in large part to bureaucratic turf battles and careerists resistant to reform. The United Nations is a swamp corrupted by the oil-for-food scandal, child sex rings run by U.N. "peacekeepers" and indifference to the ongoing slaughter in Darfur. Should America have an ambassador willing to preserve the status quo (the liberal left's position), or one who will press for meaningful reform?

Democrats lost in 2004 largely because of their willingness to subordinate U.S. national security to other interests -- e.g., a "global test" for using military force. The liberals' criticism of John Bolton proves nothing has changed, hopefully proving, "He who does not learn from history is doomed to repeat it."

Donald Bernstein
Kernersville

In a recent article published in the News & Record, Greensboro Mayor Keith Holliday was quoted saying the tragedy that occurred on Nov. 3, 1979, had little to do with race. I used to think the stupidest thing Mayor Holliday ever said was when he suggested freezing death row inmates instead of killing them. That way they could be thawed out if their cases were ever overturned.

He has now topped himself.

How did he come to the conclusion that a "Death To The Klan" march that was interrupted by KKK and Nazi gunmen was not racial? You see, the KKK and the Nazis are racist organizations. Now keep in mind, they have a lot of hate to go around and give it freely to whomever opposes their twisted ideas. However, they really hate minorities.

Knowing this, by saying the tragedy had nothing to do with race is like saying Santa has nothing to do with Christmas. I heard the mayor also say he thought the KKK and Nazi killers should have been found guilty. If they were black, they would have.

Wake up and smell the burning cross, Mr. Mayor. It stinks of racism.

Ben Holder
Winston-Salem

Todd Rundgren and Joe Jackson are both seasoned musical performers. They don't have Top 40 hits anymore but have worldwide cult followings.

Rundgren's and Jackson's audiences tend to "skew older," but despite the predominance of late- 40- and 50-somethings at their April 20 show at War Memorial Auditorium, I have never seen such juvenile, disruptive behavior at any concert. Whose bright idea was it to allow beer to be brought into the auditorium? Groups of noisy, unsteady people were still being led to their seats 40 minutes into the program. Drunken babbling and continual hopping into and out of seats went on during the entire three-hour show.

An unfavorable impression of a concert is usually due to the performers having an off night or to technical problems. Not so with Todd and Joe. They gamely played and sang beautifully, despite the steady chatter and hollering typically heard at an arena show.

Those who left their manners at home could have taken a cue from the 7- or 8-year-old girl who sat in front of us. She was good as gold, listening attentively and applauding enthusiastically. These outstanding performers deserved the same respect from everyone in attendance.

Elizabeth C. Jones
Durham

Regarding the Klan-Communist incident, I remember it very well. A bunch of communists, stupid as they were, said, "Hey, Klan, come on down; we will kill you."

The Klan, who are even more stupid, and who also carry guns (something most of the communists apparently didn't think about), responded. End of story.

Why these people are trying to bring all that back up is beyond me. It was stupid people doing stupid things.

Jack Hart
Conover

I would like to thank Craven Williams and the faculty and staff at Greensboro College for making the campus and surrounding area such a beautiful sight. It is a pleasure to drive by there every morning on my way to work and see flowers, lush green grass and beautifully restored buildings.

All of Greensboro needs to take a lesson from their leadership and restore and spruce up Greensboro instead of tearing down and building all new structures that look exactly alike.

Kay W. Tiddy
Greensboro

Here are some thoughts about the furniture market while it is winding down. Hopefully, High Point won't sit on its success like IBM did years ago. Look what happened to them.

First, with a city like Las Vegas, would you want your spouse or significant other going away for a week doing who knows what after a day of furniture business? Too many temptations.

Next, and most important, if the market moves totally to Las Vegas, it will become just another convention among the multitudes of conventions. In High Point, the market is anticipated for months and all visitors are coddled and treated with "good ole-fashioned Southern hospitality." You can't do any better than that.

Michael B. Zales
Greensboro

President Bush has congratulated the new pope, Benedict XVI, by saying, "This is a man who serves the Lord." The new pope said that he was a humble servant in the vineyard and planned to follow in the shoes of Peter the fisherman.

He was received with smiles and anticipation. He seems to be a mirror image of Pope John Paul II. He said he felt as if Pope John Paul II were holding his hand and was telling him to "be not afraid."

He seems to stand up for the truth of the Bible while so many are trying to change the meaning of the words of the Bible. He is clearly ready to fight the "moral relativism" that is rampant in Europe and in North America.

I am not a Catholic, but I was stirred by the coverage and the Lord's hand that was evident in these proceedings. I am a Southern Baptist and marvel at the lack of a difference in the "substance of worship" when you disregard the style and drama of the service.

Billy F. Hammack
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Patti Gilbert

In his column, "Verbal assault tears through child" (April 20), Doug Clark laid out so clearly what happens when a child is yelled at over and over by the very person the child looks to for encouragement and nurturance. He showed how the child suffers and also how the abuser might be suffering. He made readers ponder what we should do to prevent child abuse.

Each act of verbal abuse ends up hurting us all. Unchecked, the suffering ripples and tears through the community, revealing itself most often in violent acts and lost productivity. A conservative estimate is that more than $94 billion is lost annually due to child abuse. The total direct costs incurred because of child maltreatment -- including hospitalization, mental health care and law enforcement -- dwarf those spent on prevention by 400 to 1.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. In Guilford County, Family Service of the Piedmont convenes The Blue Ribbon for Kids Campaign with many community partners, working together, not only to reverse the effects of this devastating abuse, but to get the message out that we all can do our part to prevent child abuse.

Families can help reduce stress by "Getting RREAL." RREAL is an acronym for five areas parents and families can practice to help build healthy and confident children: Respect, Routines, Encouragement, Actions and Listening. To access a quick-reference sheet about getting RREAL, visit www.safeandhealthyfamilies.com.

Individuals can also help make a difference in preventing child abuse. Consider helping a friend, neighbor or relative if they are having difficulty with their family or need some adult time away from their children. Volunteer at a local child-abuse prevention program or advocate child issues to your legislators. Adults without children can still encourage kids around them with praise and conversations about their interests.

More information can be found at www.preventchildabusenc.org.

The writer is the prevention education coordinator with Family Service of the Piedmont Inc. and chairs the Guilford County Blue Ribbon for Kids Campaign.

I was disheartened to read the editorial "City Council's welcomed ban on the sale of crack pipe flower stems" (April 21) [not posted]. It stepped out of line by claiming that "supporting a [crack] habit usually means turning to violent crimes."

Research by the Department of Justice and others has repeatedly found that the vast majority of criminal activity perpetuated by habitual drug users is nonviolent. This is not to say that nonviolent crimes don't exact a burdensome toll on society. However, the editorial board's wording only encourages society's dehumanized view of "dangerous, violent crack heads."

Similar misinformation has been propagated by WFMY's coverage of the needle exchange issue. WFMY suggested the county was interested in "distributing needles to drug users," when in fact the county is discussing whether to establish highly accountable needle-exchange programs, lauded by every established legal, medical and scientific body to study them as effective at reducing disease (thus saving money) without increasing drug activity.

When our media rely on such uninformed views, it has a direct effect on public opinion and policy, often keeping needed treatment and outreach services -- the most effective way to reduce the drug threat -- from ever being established.

Arthur Williams
Greensboro

Regarding the graffiti showing up in Greensboro (letter, March 26):

I know that this is a problem the city of Tucson, Ariz., has to deal with frequently. They have a separate department set up within the police department that handles the calls, and within a couple of days the graffiti is painted over. The police department says there are groups of graffiti artists that travel from city to city showcasing their artwork. Eventually they move on.

Patricia Murphy
Greensboro

After watching "60 Minutes" recently, I was shocked at the amount of squandered funds being dispensed in the name of "homeland security." Oh, what a bottomless pork barrel.

The avarice that was shown by local officials in that piece was shocking -- and the actions of the legislators in each instance to get their portion of the pie for their states, only to get re-elected, overshadowed the local officials' actions.

I recently heard on the news that airports are getting ready to eliminate hundreds of security jobs. The hassle of arriving early, standing in line and having to be scanned is a pain. But remember the weapons of destruction on Sept. 11? Planes, hello.

Why not take the funds allocated to Oklahoma for harbor security (a landlocked state) and pay qualified personnel to do the security work at the airports? This is only one example of the waste; there are a hundred more.

I thought the whole idea behind the Homeland Security Commission was homeland security. What did I miss? This is just another example of our government at its finest.

Willford Warren Jr.
Reidsville

Some ideologues have long wanted to deny women the right to use birth control. And now North Carolina Rep. Jeff Barnhart, R-Cabarrus, wants the law to protect pharmacists who use their position to do so. They can't be allowed to get away with it.

Pharmacists have a responsibility to provide their customers with the medicines prescribed by their doctors. They have no right to substitute their own moral judgment for that of the customer or the medical judgment of a physician. There's a solution if a pharmacist doesn't want to fill prescriptions: Find another line of work.

Americans value individual rights and individual conscience, but we rightly place limits on exercising those rights in the public sphere. A real estate agent who believes interracial marriage is immoral may not refuse to sell such a couple a house. A business owner may not fire a single woman because she is pregnant, nor refuse to hire a married woman because he believes she should remain at home.

Refusing to fill a prescription for a woman falls into the same category. A pharmacist's responsibility to meet the needs of a customer must take precedence over his or her personal beliefs. And the law should ensure that it does.

Brian E. Dixon
Washington
The writer is director, government relations, Population Connection.

The letter by Lynn Bennett (April 20) exemplifies the attitude of many that the Patriot Act is a clandestine scheme evilly designed to deprive American citizens of their constitutional freedoms.

Bennett and others who whine about losing freedoms should remember Sept. 11 and the many dead Americans, and others, as well as the heroic firefighters and policemen whose duty demanded unquestioned response and whose bravery set an eternal example. She should also remember those true heroes aboard the plane that was intended to destroy the White House or the Capitol. They took it down knowing they would die with those who sought to deny her the freedoms she so naively takes for granted. Her outrage over losing freedoms is misplaced, and her definition of liberty is confused.

At most, she has lost perhaps a few conveniences, if that.

We hear your voice, Ms. Bennett, and it is one of shallowness and disregard for perhaps the most dangerous time in American history. I hope all who disparage the Patriot Act live to understand that it might well have already saved some of their lives.

Bill Smith
Greensboro

Patsy Campbell's and Lisa Stewart's attempt to protest gas prices is unreasonable (article, "Gas costs driving women to protest," April 16). I agree with them: Gas prices are high. However, Americans actually pay some of the lowest prices for gas. Prices are at $4 a gallon in Canada, $5 a gallon in France, and $6 a gallon in the Netherlands. So how far are they planning to take this protest?

The world is approaching its oil-production peak, so all future oil will inevitably be more expensive, worse in quality and harder to get. Oil companies aren't trying to cheat Americans by increasing prices; there just isn't enough to go around.

Expensive gas is only a short-term quandary in the enduring struggle for a society that can sustain itself without oil. The oil crisis provides an opportunity for us to seriously look for ways to save money and gas at the same time: carpooling, public transportation, and the development of alternative energy sources.

These are suggestions that we have heard for the past decade, but maybe now, since Americans are having to pay, people will actually listen.

Sarah Lupton
Greensboro
The writer is a student at Page High School.

Regarding the article, "Mental illness takes toll" (Life, April 18):

I was left with many questions about what this family can do for help. The spokeswoman for the hospital stated that its only obligation was to return Jessica to the home, but what about its responsibility to provide answers for this family in crisis?

These professionals need to take a more proactive role in helping this family find long-term treatment for this young girl. Money is always a problem, but for the betterment of society and this family, Jessica should be a priority. It is going to cost society less to help this family now than for this child to grow up without getting the help that she needs. It is a question of priorities. This family needs help right now. It is our responsibility to provide assistance and services to individuals in need.

As we know, Medicaid is experiencing serious cuts in funding that will exacerbate this problem. We need to find answers to these questions so this child is not lost. This tragic story could be any one of our families.

Kirsten Bliss
Pleasant Garden

Thank you, News & Record, for publishing your latest anti-lottery propaganda, "Lottery bill deserves death in the Senate" (April 18). The editorial gave no facts about the benefits of a lottery but instead chose to see it as only immoral (typical of the current right-wing stance).

The editor wrote, "Today's vice becomes tomorrow's virtue," "The Senate should kill the lottery outright," and "It's not the proper role of state government to run any kind of gambling activity."

The lottery is not some evil being. Currently, 40 states have lotteries. Are they immoral or bad? Who are you to say what the state government's proper role is, or what is right or wrong, or how we choose to spend our money? Participating in the lottery is voluntary, and it happens to be a viable way of funding education.

Tennessee, which enacted its lottery in January 2004, brought in $863 million that year, with $246 million in profits for education (source: Amy Gardner, staff writer, News & Observer, April 10).

What are you afraid of? You have nothing to lose since you aren't going to play anyway, right?

C.C. Lasek
Greensboro

You recently reported on a middle school teacher leading a modified recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Wheat Ridge, Colo., school counselor Margo Lucero made a last-minute change in the pledge, substituting "one nation under your belief system" for the fairly recent verbiage "one nation under God" while broadcasting over the school's public address system.

I am a Quaker, which places me into Protestant-Christian tradition. I pledge allegiance to a higher power rather than to any symbol or any nation, especially one that includes polytheists and non-Americans among its population. I believe Everitt Middle School Principal Kathleen Norton should apologize for pressuring students to pledge any sort of allegiance, except maybe to the learning process. I teach and might find such a pledge useful.

Still, I would feel uncomfortable if, while legally working overseas, my daughter and I were expected to begin our school days pledging allegiance to some foreign power, praising Lord Krishna or reciting, in Arabic, "There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet." I believe religious worship simply doesn't belong in public schools unless it's all-inclusive.

Peter Deane
Thomasville

I noticed something this year that bothered me: There was little or no notice of April being Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Sexual assault is something that continues to happen to women everywhere. One in four women will be sexually assaulted in her lifetime, and 80 percent of those sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim knows.

According to the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault, most of these sexual assaults are not reported. This could be because the woman is ashamed of what happened to her, or because she feels it is her fault. She could be afraid that her life may in danger if she tells. And with the way that women who report these crimes are put on trial (most recently the woman who alleged Kobe Bryant had raped her), many women want to avoid that re-victimization.

If you know anyone who has been sexually assaulted or raped, the best thing you can do is believe her. The majority of women who tell are not lying, and the best thing we can all do is be there to support her.

Andrea Maslowski
Greensboro

The war on Iraq has its highest cost in the lives lost and maimed. But the war's current $207.9 billion cost can also mean lives and opportunities lost in our own state.

A national priorities analysis shows that taxpayers of North Carolina are paying approximately $5 billion to fund this war.

Every time you hear of essentials cut from our national or local budgets, picture what that $5 billion could have brought people in our state.

For example:

We live in one of the most beautiful cities in America, especially during the spring. We have Earth Day and clean-up days to encourage us to keep Greensboro clean and beautiful. However, allergies accompany this beauty, causing severe discomfort and misery for many.

After cutting our grass as needed, we get out the noise-polluting, gas-driven blowers and rearrange the clippings, blowing them out into the street, causing more pollution and unsightliness.

Our vehicles then drive into the debris, scattering it around some more. We are all responsible for continuing and magnifying this cycle -- landscapers, homeowners and the city.

There are solutions to these problems: Sweep up the clippings and dispose of them properly, or vacuum them up. There are many machines available for this, which, over time, would not be any more costly to operate than the gasoline blowers.

Surely, there must be some way to control this cycle of cutting, blowing and scattering so all can enjoy the great beauty our city has to offer without unnecessary pollution and misery.

Vernon O. Aune
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Jim Neilson

In response to "Discover sights, smells of Antarctica" by Nelda Howell Lockamy, April 17:

As a member of the U.S. Coast Guard assigned to the icebreaker USCG Westwind, I took two trips to Antarctica. Our primary functions were to clear ice fields at McMurdo and Palmer stations, then escort ships that resupplied the bases for the winter.

Antarctica, and getting there, is very dangerous. On both trips, we got radio messages from cruise ships informing us of their arrival after being told not to come, and both times they went aground with us involved in rescue missions keeping them afloat.

We went around Cape Horn many times with an average of 30-foot seas slamming us about for days. On one trip, we encountered a wave the size as depicted in the movie "The Perfect Storm." The wave was so immense it turned daylight into a nighttime of green and almost capsized the icebreaker, which was the size of a football field. The wave -- we never saw the top -- was estimated to be eight to 10 stories tall.

The other way to reach Antarctica is from Australia, taking you through the "Roaring Forties." Want to guess why mariners call it the Roaring Forties?

Our last trip, we left headed for Australia through the Roaring Forties and spent 10 days of 30-foot seas in sub-zero water. More than half the crew was so seasick that they were unable to get out of their bunks. When it was safe to go outside the ship's interior, the deck crew, armed with baseball bats, spent two days beating the thick ice that coated the ship.

However, if you enjoy the nastiest weather on the planet, seasickness beyond description, and the possibility of losing your life, have a blast.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

Why did the News & Record print [not posted] an adversarial column on April 24 (Ideas) regarding Air America? In the first place, if you live in the Greensboro area, you can't hear this station unless you subscribe to SIRIUS or you have access to the Internet. Air America's closest station is in Chapel Hill.

Brian C. Anderson denigrated Air America by saying that it only has 53 markets versus Rush Limbaugh's huge market. First of all, Air America is an infant in the radio business, having been started only a year ago. Second, Rush Limbaugh and Bill Bennett as well as many others are broadcast on right-wing radio networks. To allow Anderson to say that the media are dominated by liberals is an out-and-out lie.

I am fortunate to be able to hear Air America on the Sirius network and enjoy hearing the truth which is sadly lacking in right wing broadcasting. Let's encourage the public to listen to Air America and find out what is really happening in this country instead of Limbaugh's drivel.

Alice Ashman
Greensboro

Two years ago, our political group was charged by the U.S. Postal Service an unimaginable fine for placing our literature on mailboxes in our neighborhood. They determined that we owed postage on the fliers for our entire neighborhood. We had not placed the literature on every house in our area.

Since that time, we have been inundated with numerous fliers advertising yard work, pizza coupons and other political groups. I cannot believe that each of these groups is charged postage for the information that they leave.

I looked on the Postal Service Web site and found that it was actually against the rules to place things in or on mailboxes. The Web site stated that "... no part of a mail receptacle may be used to deliver any matter not bearing postage, including items or matter placed upon, supported by, attached to, hung from, or inserted into a mail receptacle. Any mailable matter not bearing postage and found as described above is subject to the same postage as would be paid if it were carried by mail."

Therefore, I would like for these folks who consistently plaster my mailbox with advertising and other literature to stop or be subject to fines by the post office, too.

Mindy Wray
Jamestown

I am emotionally numb regarding the City Council's vote on the Truth and Reconciliation issue. Florence Gatten is my representative and I found her comments unorganized and inflammatory. I am extremely disappointed in Keith Holliday, and I discovered that it is more important for some folks to get reelected and to be popular in the media than it is to do the right thing.

Since everyone seems clear on what racism isn't, what is it? The Klan/Nazi groups? No, those are extremist hate groups. The mayor knows he is acting out of racial superiority, and he should just say it and be honest like Robbie Perkins.

John Greene
Greensboro

Where am I exactly? How can I believe the heartfelt song that wafts over ballparks, the one that says we're proud residents of "the land of the free and the home of the brave," if:

As much as I hate to admit it, we can learn something from our friends in Europe. They have a more basic view of automobiles, which is mostly due to pricier gasoline and more concentrated populations. An individual's auto is not so much a source of pride or extension of personality as here in the United States.

I spent two and one-half years in Europe and noticed how many Europeans disapprove of those "wasteful Americans" and their large autos. I would explain that we are more spread out and thus rely more on our cars. As well, cheaper gasoline affords us more latitude in stylings of our auto choices. But where do we go from here?

I believe we should demand exploration of the Alaskan wilderness to help address our enormous consumption.

But why shouldn't consumers also demand that 21st century technology "catch up" to auto manufacturers and dealerships to offer us basic, high-quality and extremely fuel-efficient alternatives?

Frank M. Freeman III
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Hank McGovern

Moved by Doug Clark's column (April 20), my sadness was matched by disappointment. The telling phrases were "... doing nothing more helpful than mouthing a brief prayer for that pitiful boy ... I'm left with worries..." To reference Hillary Clinton, it really does "take a village." We are all a part of a potentially nonviolent village.

In Clark's situation, I think he could have taken a more proactive approach with the hostile woman that may have made a positive difference. I would like to believe that had I observed the woman yelling at the boy, I would have approached her and used a respectful yet assertive response to her, saying something like, "Excuse me, miss, may I please interrupt you from talking to the boy just a second? You sound like you are very upset and it seems like your mood is only hurting the child. You probably don't want to hurt him, do you?"

If she responded angrily to me, I hope I would have replied back in a firm voice, "Well, ma'am, in all due respect to you, what you are doing sounds hurtful to the boy, so please change how you are talking to him, OK?"

Chances are the approach probably would not immediately enlighten the woman and may have exacerbated her anger. Hopefully, though, it would plant a seed. There's no one right approach, of course, and, for some, a humorous attempt might be preferred and may have defused her anger. "Excuse me, ma'am, but I have been trying hard to hear that car honking its horn down the block. Could you please turn down your volume? I'll bet the boy you're talking to right next to you can hear you." That could make her angrier, too, but I think one or both approaches or perhaps another statement in support of the boy would also send him the message that there are adults who know that how you are being treated is wrong. That message could prompt the boy to talk to a teacher, school counselor or another responsible adult about the emotional abuse.

Regarding our anger toward the abusive woman, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote, "If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should find sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility." We can only imagine the pain she may have experienced as a result of abuse. However, our sympathy for her must not condone her actions. Can we stop the cycle?

The writer is a licensed psychological associate and lives in Asheboro.