News-Record.com

Government has the responsibility to promote the public good. Schools, churches and parents are teaching values -- honesty, hard work and sacrifice. Now, the state considers promoting the something-for-nothing get-rich-quick lottery mentality.

It seems legislators are willing to rationalize their unethical encouragement of citizens to gamble in order to give us "improved education" while blurring their poor management of current revenues. The inconsistency of legalizing a government-sponsored lottery while criminally punishing other forms of gambling does not seem to cause legislators internal conflict.

Duke University ethicist Stanley Hauerwas says, "Using gambling as a form of taxation is an indication that your governments no longer have moral legitimacy. Governments may not be able to control vice, but they ought not encourage it." As George Will summarizes, "State sponsorship of lotteries and other gambling has changed the status of gambling in just one generation from social disease to social policy."

Wayne Lowman
Eden

I was subpoenaed to appear in Guilford County court. When I got there, I had to park in the parking lot with parking meters. The meters lasted for two hours.

During the course of the trial, I had to go back to the meter to put more money in. I did this twice. The trial started after 2 p.m. I had to stay in the courtroom. The trial finally ended at 4:30 p.m. When I got to my car, I had two parking tickets at $5 each.

There should not be parking fees for jurors or witnesses. When you arrive, you should show them your juror notice or your subpoena notice for a parking pass. I guess this is how the city of Greensboro rewards its citizens for doing their civic duty.

Fredrick Nimer
Greensboro

It is distressing that a responsible newspaper, such as our News & Record, would continue to print the garbage produced by the unprofessional, bigoted, race-obsessed "columnist" Leonard Pitts Jr.

I make every effort to avoid him, but the headline on his ludicrous piece [registration required] April 25, "S.C. loves its chickens more than its women," captured my attention.

In his fist paragraph, Pitts refers to South Carolina as the "most backward state." This defamation of our sister state continues throughout the column, with gross misrepresentation of legislative intent to reduce and prevent both domestic violence and cockfighting. I question the editor's decision to allow such outrage to appear in the newspaper's pages.

Pitts then refers to "the Confederate 'rag.' Sorry, flag." Although Pitts is probably not aware that there existed three national Confederate flags and hundreds of regimental colors that were carried into battle by our brave Southern ancestors who fought to repel invasion by Union forces in the 1860s, he probably refers to the Southern Cross of St. Andrew, which proudly flies on the Capitol grounds in Columbia, which city was burned to the ground by Yankee hordes in 1865.

Again, a gross insult to Southerners whose ancestors proudly suffered and died under that noble banner.

William K. Oden Jr.
Greensboro

The "cap and trade" plan, proposed by President Bush and explained in the April 24 paper, lifts the veil on this administration's environmental agenda. The plan lets some power plants pollute more than others, concentrating pollution in some areas while maintaining an "acceptable average."

Research shows that people do not have similar biological flexibility tolerating pollutants. If a child's brain is exposed to high doses of mercury, that child will have brain injury for life regardless of some "average lifetime exposure."

The Bush administration covers its pandering to big business with this statistical smokescreen: It uses "averages" to hide individual sacrifice.

It often uses the same statistical nonsense to suggest that if one combines 10 billionaires with 1,000 minimum-wage "wretches" in an economic model, the average income is more than a million dollars and hence economically desirable.

We know that with "cap and trade," children living downwind of heavy polluters will be injured for life.

I want cheap energy as much as my neighbor. But I am unwilling to poison any child to have it. That is the problem I have with this administration.

Kurt Lauenstein, M.D.
Greensboro

I greatly fear the Republican attempt to shut off debate regarding judicial nominees.

I do not want to see right-wing judges overturning laws that protect civil liberties, workers' rights and the environment. That would be nothing less than an assault on the majority of the American people for the benefit of the few.

The hard work of thousands of citizens over many decades and laws and protections that Americans take for granted are in jeopardy. We need to urge our senators to oppose ending the filibuster.

Barbara Council
Greensboro

I have a question about the Truth and Reconciliation project that I voiced in a gathering recently without satisfactory answer. The question is, who are we trying to reconcile with whom?

Normally, reconciliation is between adversaries. But I don't envision anybody wanting to reconcile with the Ku Klux Klan after the 1979 killings of Communist Workers Party members, and I don't think there's anything lingering against the long-gone CWP. The Klansmen bringing rifles (probably hung in the cabins of their pickup trucks) and seeking confrontation with the CWP's cap pistols is the school-ground bully psychology carried to a vicious extreme, but so what? Who disagrees about that?

I'll concede the sincerity of nearly all those pursuing the project, but I don't think there's any use now to explore the truth of questions like why the jury failed to convict. I have some curiosity about that myself -- I didn't follow the trial of the KKKs and was shocked at the result. But, I'm afraid the digging up of old truths will be polarizing. And I think digging them up, if possible, can only be harmful in a Greensboro that as a community had nothing to do with the event brought to us by visitors on both sides.

Dick Wharton
Greensboro

What? Allen Johnson's column (April 24) criticizing the way Florence Gatten spoke about the Truth and Reconciliation project is the strangest piece of fiction ever written about a Greensboro city leader. Florence is known for her tireless work on behalf of all parts of our community. A recent example is her leadership in keeping the SCAT bus fares from dramatic increases. Never resting, Florence continues to make personal sacrifices every day in order to help us achieve better things for Greensboro. And there is not a mean bone in her body.

Florence will not, however, sacrifice her honesty for anyone, editorial writers included. As an elected official, she believes citizens are entitled to know her views. She, therefore, speaks plainly on issues brought before City Council.

Florence's words about the Truth and Reconciliation project were not sugar-coated, and they did not please the proponents. But her words shed light on the realities of that project and why it is doing harm to Greensboro. And, looking beyond this issue, we should all agree that Florence's clarity, truthfulness and directness are rare qualities that should be praised, not criticized, in our elected leaders.

Reid Phillips
Greensboro

I'm a runner, live near Friendly Shopping Center and run because of the obvious benefit as well as for its value as a great way to enjoy those areas of the city, including our once-beautiful tree line.

My route takes me along Hobbs and through Northline. But today I feel the need to salute you, the omnipotent and great corporate citizen that chooses to devour most older trees with the alacrity and swiftness of a beaver with sharpened teeth.

Yes, I'm sure those trees had to go according to your hired bean counters to eke out every dime of profit that you so desire. So, I want to honor you and mount a star on the hood of my car for you, and all like you, to see so that it may represent what the Green in Greensboro is fast becoming -- a misnomer.

Pave your parking lot, replant trees, even make greenways in a shallow attempt to possibly atone, but at least you are unabashed in what you represent. So, Mr. Omnipotent Corporate Citizen, this Bud's for you.

Jim Irvin
Greensboro

Regarding Rosemary Roberts' column, "You, too, can 'give the gift of life' " (April 22):

The generosity of live organ donors is remarkable. But we wouldn't need live organ donors if Americans weren't burying or cremating 20,000 transplantable organs every year.

There is a better solution to the organ shortage: If you don't agree to donate your organs when you die, then you go to the back of the waiting list if you ever need an organ to live.

Giving organs first to organ donors will convince more people to register as organ donors. It will also make the organ allocation system fairer. About 70 percent of the organs transplanted in the United States go to people who haven't agreed to donate their own organs when they die. People who aren't willing to share the gift of life shouldn't be eligible for transplants as long as there is a shortage of organs.

Anyone who wants to donate their organs to others who have agreed to donate theirs can join LifeSharers. They do this through a form of directed donation that is legal in all 50 states and under federal law.

Anyone can join for free at www.lifesharers.com.

David J. Undis
Nashville, Tenn.
The writer is executive director, LifeSharers.

The city of Greensboro, the Coliseum Complex, Guilford County, the city of High Point and UNCG deserve a great deal of credit for working together to host a very successful collection of electronic devices for recycling on April 23. The detailed planning and organization of this event was obvious and extremely impressive.

And if possible, even more impressive were the attitudes and efforts of the many individuals there who almost joyously greeted us, directed traffic, unloaded our vehicles with an unexpected level of speed and precision, and who genuinely thanked every person for participating.

It was living proof of what a group of people with a common goal can accomplish.

Doug Anderson
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Wayne Smith

Regarding Daniel Malotky ("The right-wing attack of higher ed," April 17) [not posted], an erudite assistant professor of religion and philosophy and director of Ethics Across the Curriculum at Greensboro College: whew. What a hunk of biographical overkill. My attention span is always seriously challenged by loud and excessive back-patting of oneself.

Daniel reminds me of The New York Times assistant editor who whined after George Bush was re-elected, "I don't know how Bush got re-elected. I don't know a single person who voted for him."

Daniel might as well be studying the mating rituals of the yeti. What he doesn't know, he just makes up.

Daniel's basic premise is incorrect. Conservatives, those who have mastered the alphabet, are not accusing liberal professors of being tolerant. Quite to the contrary, conservative students (yes, Daniel, there is such an animal, prominent brows notwithstanding) are concerned about liberal professors and assistant professors being intolerant.

I was in college in the 1960s. Yes, Daniel, I am a biped; however, I do tend to run on my knuckles when in serious flight.

In my experience, conservative professors were much less likely to express their political opinions than were their liberal counterparts. I have found conservatives are more likely to deal in footnotes and liberals are more prone to volume.

Daniel is positive that conservatives are too stupid to be professors or assistant professors. He then demagogues conservative demagogues for their lack of his type of credentials.

The writer lives in High Point.

The David Brooks column (April 26) [not posted] on the abortion issue and its divisiveness in American political life is fundamentally confused about the relationship of the judiciary to the legislative bodies, both state and national.

The original Roe v. Wade case was but an example of judicial review of an application of Texas law. The only way to simply keep it "in the legislatures," as Brooks suggests, would be to deny judicial review -- a course of action now being promoted by various right- wing religious and non-religious groups. To deny judicial review is to destroy the tempered quality of American government.

The legislative and judicial branches are intertwined and should remain so. Brooks' ideas sound nice on first reading but are profoundly misguided and show a deep misunderstanding of our system of government.

Legislatures write laws. Courts interpret them, that is, try to apply them constitutionally. Without this balance, the Constitution becomes "unhooked" from the lawmakers and turns into an historic curio. Brooks' notion that states can differ radically over what is and isn't legal has been tested in U.S. history already. It resulted in the Civil War.

Bill Hicks
Siler City

The U.S. government incorporates a system of checks and balances to prevent one branch from becoming too powerful. The executive, legislative and judicial branches are essentially independent, acting as a check on each other. Even within a given branch, there are checks.

The Senate has rules that give the minority party significant power even when badly outnumbered by the majority. The filibuster rule is one of these controls, whereby debate on an issue can only be stopped with 60 votes or more.

Now, the conservative majority wants to change the rule to stop debate with a simple 51-vote plurality. The reason given is that Senate Democrats are blocking a few of the president's judicial nominees by filibustering. Republicans claim the Democrats are against the faith of these nominees. Democrats say they are just against their radical right-wing agenda.

Whatever the case, eliminating this check against absolute power by one party is a bad idea. It is a bad idea no matter which party is in control. To paraphrase the old saw, "absolute power corrupts absolutely." Checks and balances make democracy messy, but democracy without them becomes dictatorship of the majority.

Jack Jezorek
Greensboro

Contemplating life in America from the vantage point of 8 1/2 decades is rather confusing.

On the one hand, Americans are mostly good people who not only support themselves, but also open their hearts to others. Strangers are usually friendly and helpful. People rush to open doors for us. Recently, when we fell getting into our car, a lady stopped and helped us.

Americans support charities and give billions to other nations. Even our financially challenged citizens mostly use their initiative and ingenuity to live lives that would be envied by multitudes elsewhere.

On the other hand, we tolerate bloated budgets and deficits, bloated gas-guzzling vehicles and bloated medical and drug costs. We ignore many current problems and focus on a trumped-up future "crisis" in Social Security. Our leaders vow to "fight tyranny" everywhere. We have appointed ourselves as arbiters of what other nations should believe and how they should act. Our horrendous misadventures in Iraq illustrate our futility. Defense, yes. Aggression, no.

Seven score and two years ago, perhaps our greatest leader prescribed "government of the people, by the people and for the people." We, the people, need to make it so. And soon.

Dan W. Maddox
Greensboro

I wanted to express my dismay and disgust that once again the city of Greensboro and developers have put commerce before the public good.

While driving past the late Burlington Industries office building on Friendly Avenue recently, it was hard not to miss the destruction of all of the beautiful oak trees on that property. It is truly a travesty that the developers and city could not see a way to let these trees remain standing and build around them.

If we are going to allow builders to develop property, they should incorporate the standing trees in their plans; clear cutting land in this manner should never be an option, especially when it involves trees of the size and age that these trees were. It is a sad day for the city and an even sadder vista that we are left with along that street.

Ginny Gaylor
Greensboro

Help me understand all this:

Our president said the United Nations was doing a bad job disarming Iraq. So we attacked.
Found out U.N. was doing a good job (no WMDs found/existed).

President commented, "Unfortunately no WMDs found."

I would have thought that was good news (U.N. pressure worked. Right?)

Do you suppose Bush tells his staff, "I certainly hope North Korea has the bomb. I would hate to be wrong twice"?

What am I missing?

Oh, well, time to take a nap. Maybe things will become clearer when I wake up.

Dave Colin
Greensboro

Only a few years ago, Bennett College was about to collapse. Crippling debt, jeopardized accreditation and a crumbling campus were the realities of that time.

Then here comes Sister Cole with an idea, a policy and a plan summed up in one word: excellence. And in the time since, just look at what has happened.

Under Johnnetta B. Cole's presidency, Bennett's coffers are filling, academic rigor is returning and the campus is being repaired. It's not surprising that she has detractors after such shoddy performance.

How dare she. What nerve.

Those who oppose her are likely contributors to Bennett's problems before her arrival. Feeling threatened, are they? Well, good.

For many, the expectation of excellence is anathema, when their norm has become mediocrity. Excellence is what Cole demands, as well she should. She has earned the right to demand it. More importantly, the bright young women seeking a quality education at Bennett College deserve it.

Sister, I'm glad you're staying. Well done.

Steve Strong
Greensboro

Bennett College President Johnnetta Cole is really a go-getter. She did wonders for Spelman College.

She's a very skillful lady who knows how to get what she wants, brilliant. However, I don't understand what has happened in one week.

Last Monday, an article appeared about the college, its needs, her projections and what she intended to do to achieve her goal. Wednesday a bombshell fell on the college with her announced resignation. Friday she reconsidered.

Is this grandstanding?

Charles O'Brien
Greensboro

On the pharmacists refusing to dispense birth-control pills because of their personal beliefs: What next?

Isn't that rather like someone joining the Navy SEALS, then refusing to kill because it's against his or her beliefs?

A garbage man refusing to pick up dead animals because it would break the natural cycle of decomposition?

The mind boggles.

If you object to doing something that is part of your job, then leave your profession. There are probably a few folks out there who wouldn't mind taking your place.

As for objections over "health risks," I don't remember these pharmacists digging in their heels over Viagra, hormone replacement therapy drugs, or other drugs that raised questions about risks. I smell hypocrisy.

L.J. Allen
High Point

Cynthia Adams (letter, "Don't discriminate in filling prescriptions," April 30) longs to be in the "land of the free," where she is free to follow the dictates of her conscience, but where a pharmacist isn't free to do the same.

A pharmacist has no right to confiscate someone's prescription, but he or she sure as heck shouldn't be required to fill it, either.

Bob N. Garner
Burlington

Regarding the letter (April 27) by Jack Hart of Conover: Hart refers accurately to the Klan-Communist incident (Nov. 3, 1979). Yet, the editorial page headline writer chose to use the term "Klan-Nazi."

The editors/reporters at the News & Record continue to call it the "Klan-Nazi" incident, which it was not. (Please put the correct term in your style manual if you have such a thing.)

It was a group of communists led by Nelson Johnson, whose inflammatory rhetoric incited a bunch of Klansmen and Nazis to Greensboro for a gunfight. It was not the Klan and the Nazis engaged in warfare, although perhaps that might not have been a bad idea, but in an area where innocent bystanders would have been out of harm's way.

Just curious, if anyone knows what the budget is for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, who is providing their funding, how they are spending this money and how many paid employees/staff they have?

Drop a letter to the editor.

Fred H. Gregory
Greensboro

Editor's note: According to an April 21 Truth and Reconciliation Commission news release, "The Commission is funded by a combination of private donations and foundation grants, including $15,000 from private local and national donors who believe in this work." The release adds, "... answers about our finances are readily available from members of the Commission, its staff and the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, which manages our funds."

Some Republican senators want to abolish the use of the filibuster as a tool to block the confirmation of undesirable judicial nominees. The filibuster, previously treasured by Republicans, has long been used to protect the minority from being tyrannized by the majority. Thus, it is one of the few devices between the American people and one-party rule.

As a practicing Christian, I find it especially offensive that this ploy is being portrayed as protecting somebody's "Christian" moral values. The hope seems to be that far-right judges who are able to prevail in the absence of the filibuster will use their positions to promote narrowly defined, fundamentalist principles. If that happens, it could very well lead to theocracy.

Since totalitarianism is associated with fascism and communism, and since theocracy is sometimes embraced by Islamic extremists, one would think that patriotic, freedom-loving Americans would oppose this "nuclear option." It will be interesting to learn how Sens. Burr and Dole vote on this issue.

Richard G. Cox
Greensboro

At an accident site recently at Holden Road and Friendly Avenue, I was blessed to meet a group of extraordinary people. The two young female drivers met and embraced each other -- more concerned with the safety of the other than their vehicles. A neighbor, Aaron Skiles (a Guilford College student), brought water and helped direct traffic. Another young man, Chris Nunez (a Grimsley High School student), stopped to help comfort and direct traffic in the other direction. Still another young man, Gary Hatcher (a Lowe's employee), worked an hour or more. Jean Lappen, a visiting Washington state resident, stayed with one of the drivers, calmly helping her find all the necessary items for the police. The father of the younger driver was as calm and reassuring as possible, making sure that everyone was doing all right -- not just his daughter.

Too often, most of us fail to take time from our busy lives to offer our time and support to others. What a beautiful lesson that day to watch these total strangers sharing and helping each other.

They are part of what makes Greensboro a great place to live.

Judy C. Glasgow
Greensboro

Do 52 lottery tickets make a deck? Can I shuffle them up and get a winning hand? Can I take everyone else's money if I have the right combination of numbers?

Take a chance; it's not really gambling. It's for education and schools. The state cares about our children.

Tell this to the people, as noted in our newspaper last week, who wanted to do a "Las Vegas" fund-raiser. They found out that even if no money changed hands, they could still be arrested for possession of gambling tables. I don't see the politicians rushing to change that law, to help our children.

The sponsoring High Point Junior League knew that all the money made for its fund-raiser would go to a good cause. How much of the lottery money, after hidden expenses and "administrative fees," will go to a good cause? The politicians don't care if an out-of-state person wins our lottery; the state will always be the big winner.

The deck is stacked. Fifty-two lottery tickets won't make you a winner. North Carolina is filled with winners -- they are the hard-working people who don't expect something for nothing.

Glenn Andrews
Greensboro

Each week, evidence is revealed that reflects problems with the administration of the death penalty in North Carolina. As problems become more visible, the need for our state to pass a temporary suspension of executions increases. During the last legislative session we came close. The bill passed the Senate but was held up in the House.

Now we have another chance. House Bill 529 calls for a two-year suspension on executions and establishes a bi-partisan commission to study the process by which the death penalty is imposed. The bill doesn't release anyone from prison or change any existing sentences. It simply calls on this commission to make recommendations that ensure that we mete out the ultimate punishment justly. Given our track record, which includes documented racial and economic bias and incompetent legal defense, the need for passage of the moratorium is great.

Recent statewide polls show that nearly two-thirds of our citizens support a moratorium. The bill has statewide support across municipalities, organizations and religious institutions. Even ardent supporters of the death penalty want a system that eliminates the possibility of executing the innocent. Please contact your representatives and urge them to support House Bill 529.

Brian Goldberg
Greensboro

I am beyond dismayed that both of North Carolina's senators, as well as my representative, Howard Coble, voted "yes" for drilling in the Arctic preserve for oil.

In 2004 U.S. production was about 5 million barrels a day, yet we consume about 20 million barrels a day now. That means we have to import about two-thirds of our oil -- and drilling in the Arctic preserve will come nowhere close to making up this glaring deficit. How about conservation of current resources? Not one thing is suggested by the Bush administration.

This is a sad and sorry time for any American -- and saddest of all for the children, who will have to bear the brunt of a permanent future energy crisis, along with the disruptions of climate change and epidemic disease. I will be watching to see how my representatives vote on the budget reconciliation bill later in the year, but right now, not one of them has my vote for next election.

Jeaneane Williams
Greensboro

If Willford Warren learned "the truth" about Homeland Security from "60 Minutes" (letter, April 28), the name Dan Rather must not ring any bells.

Mr. Warren, do you also rely on crack reporter Rosemary Roberts to provide you with the "real story"?

Roger Chance
Jamestown

Thanks for printing the informative, incisive "Why the left's Air America radio show is suffocating" (April 24) [not posted], which expertly summarizes the liberal mentality and bias that send liberal talk radio into a black hole.

Liberals cannot deal with loss of political power or rejection of their socialist, stupid, unconstitutional ideas, so they resort to their usual responses: Label conservative listeners as unintelligent and advocate a "fairness doctrine" requiring equal time for liberal shows the market freely rejects.

The observation that "the big three networks" and NPR render liberal radio talk shows superfluous is true. For example, note the number of times these outlets emphasize the lack of federal regulation of a certain activity (without questioning whether the Constitution authorizes it). Note also their consistent use of college professors as commentators. Charles Davenport's column of the same date ("The hypocrisy of liberals on our campuses) demonstrates that liberal bias is rampant among college professors.

In the end, liberals cannot accept or comprehend that intelligent people simply do not like the ideas and thus freely choose to reject them. That choice -- having it and exercising it -- is the essence of our free society.

Charles A. Jones
Norfolk, Va.

I am 14 years old and in the seventh grade. My mom has her state license for wildlife rehabilitation to help injured and orphaned wildlife. She has a very hard time finding a safe place to release the wildlife because there are so many roads, houses and buildings.

I think we should not build any more buildings, roads or houses. I think we should use all the empty buildings and houses before we cut down even more trees; that way, when I'm 30 and have my own children, there will still be squirrels, birds, rabbits and deer in the wild.

If we keep building things though, there will not be any wildlife left in the wild because they will either be in a zoo or dead. That means the next generation will not be able to enjoy seeing the wildlife in its natural habitat.

Think about this, too: those trees we keep cutting down are the only things giving us fresh air. Please reconsider doing this to our nature and wildlife.

Virginia Helene Coe
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Gil West

The ongoing stories in the News & Record regarding the immigration investigation of workers at TIMCO have sensationalized an immigration issue by implying that airline safety and security have been breached. But the erroneous story on April 24 (Airline safety: Flying high or about to crash) [not posted] crossed the line into unfounded assertions related to airline safety and security.

At no time was airline safety or security compromised at TIMCO. All work performed by the individuals involved was supervised by appropriately certificated, trained and qualified TIMCO personnel. As an industry leader in aviation maintenance, our safety standards surpass those required by both the FAA and commercial airlines. We adhere to the highest hiring practices and provide services to many of the country's largest airlines and air cargo carriers.

We believe our practices are the best in the industry and are superior to the services provided by many commercial airlines. Many airlines concur with this assessment. This is one of the primary reasons our business is growing.

The News & Record story pointed out that "at a time when the industry has moved toward greater use of repair stations, its safety record has improved." The News & Record has chosen to downplay these and other facts, and instead has focused on baseless and factually unfounded charges by critics of TIMCO who, for the most part, are union employees pursuing their own political and personal agendas.

Over the past four years, federal agencies have conducted nearly 200 immigration actions at airports and airline maintenance facilities around the country. These actions have resulted in the discovery of nearly 6,000 unauthorized workers. The immigration issue exists on a national level and not solely within TIMCO.

It is a disservice to your readers, our 4,000 employees and the flying public to raise unfounded concerns about airline safety when that issue is not relevant. TIMCO has an extremely well-trained, experienced, skilled and diverse work force -- 2,000 of which call the Triad their home.

TIMCO is proud of its leadership position in our industry and the Triad community. We hope the News & Record's sensationalized coverage of our company and employees will cease and that future coverage will be more balanced, unbiased, fair and accurate.

Further information about our company may be found at www.timco.aero.

Gil West is president of TIMCO.

Well, it seems, as predicted, that the Ham's poker bust turned out to be a bust for the taxpayers. More money and time spent by our law-enforcement agencies pursuing the easy mark instead of serious personal and property crime. What about the totally benign and fun Las Vegas shindig being declared illegal with threats of arrest? Don't they have anything better to do?

What sure seems strange is that I know of several curb markets and various establishments (I'm fairly sure that some of our law-enforcement officers know of these establishments also) where I can go and gamble and lose (or win) hundreds or even thousands of dollars on video poker machines, but let me have a make-believe card game and the wrath of "big brother" is upon me. Not that I'm against allowing consenting adults to gamble, but what kind of mentality dictates, "Let's go after the pretend gamblers" and not the real thing? Maybe real gamblers have more political pull than we realize. To paraphrase an ex-South Carolina congressman: "Cash talks, trash walks." The hypocrisy of it all.

Neal Hall
Reidsville

Why do the editors of the News & Record whine incessantly over the $259,000 the coliseum may have lost operating the Generals hockey team? Are we getting the real numbers? What is the cost to the taxpayers for the coliseum that now sits empty almost every night of the year? What is the cost to the taxpayers for the ACC men's basketball tournament pulling out of the coliseum?

I'm no rocket scientist, but it seems to me that the costs to the taxpayers for operating a big empty coliseum would be less if 2,000 fans show up at least 35 nights per year, buy tickets, pay for parking, buy beer, soda, hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and miscellaneous other trinkets at grossly inflated prices. Does the News & Record's calculation include concession money made during hockey games? I wonder if the same accountants and finance managers who dole out public housing money for the city came up with the $259,000 figure.

It doesn't appear that hockey is the News & Record's game but, out of a sense of fairness, shouldn't the editors pursue the almost $1 million loss of taxpayer money from Skip Alston's various housing schemes with the same vigor and tenacity as they do Bill Black and his cohorts?

W.L. Linton
High Point

Recently I did an analysis on preserving Social Security, which I sent to the following representatives: Howard Coble, Elizabeth Dole, Richard Burr and Mel Watt. Coble's office was the only office that had the decency to respond.

His letter thanked me for "additional remarks about Social Security and your work in showing the amount of payroll taxes to be gleaned from removing the cap in the income subject to payroll taxes. We appreciate hearing from you."

I can see why Democrats and Republicans continue to support him. I do not understand why the other representatives did not respond. After all, I am an American and a North Carolinian -- whom these officials are to represent, even if I can't vote for all of them.

I could have voted for Dole but did not. Maybe that is why she didn't answer. I don't know what the excuses are for Watt and Burr.

Democrats and Republicans, we need more representatives like Coble who will respond to Americans no matter where they live or for whom they can vote.

William Joseph Colozzi
McLeansville

County election. No end to the nonsense? I am registered as an unaffiliated voter, largely because of the preponderance of self-serving silliness or outright wrongheadedness in both parties.

I evaluate a candidate by trying to discern who has the most concern for the "little guy" with no voice and who appears to show at least a modicum of common sense. I erred in that discernment when the two choices I made in the county election last fall were John Parks and Trudy Wade. I thought they sounded more sensible than the rest. How wrong I was. The behavior of both in the endless machinations since has made it clear that neither deserved my support.

Come on, y'all -- the election is over. The recounts have been recounted, at who knows how much expense to the already hurting budget. Accept the figures and spend some of that litigation money on the folks who really need it -- school support for our kids and grandkids, housing for those who have no decent place to stay, anything that would do some positive good. It is past time to put an end to the nonsense.

Grow up, for crying out loud.

Ruth Martin
Brown Summit

The letter by Stephen Millikin (April 23) was right on target. Gaylord Hageseth is but one of many professors who have achieved their position without acquiring any knowledge of the U.S. Constitution. Either that, or they simply don't care what it says.

Anyone who believes that the federal government is supposed to finance any form of charity is just plain wrong. One of the best examples of this is a speech made by Davy Crockett, then a member of the House of Representatives, to that body. They were considering an appropriation for the widow of a naval officer, and it was expected to pass unanimously.

Crockett said, "...We have the right, as individuals, to give away as much of our own money as we please in charity, but as members of Congress, we have no right so to appropriate a dollar of the public money..."

Crockett went on to give a week's pay to the cause, and challenged the rest to do the same. No one took him up on it, and the bill failed. The story can be found at www.Constitution.org/cons/crockett.htm.

It should be mandatory reading for every liberal.

Robert Hudson
Pelham

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Calvert Stewart

It is not surprising that the law-enforcement leaders in Guilford County and Greensboro are opposed to videotaping interrogations. What are they afraid of?

We know that the sheriff doesn't want any other law-enforcement agency to look over his shoulder. He keeps all of his internal investigations within his department. What is he afraid of? Will they find something he wants to keep hidden? Maybe the city police are afraid some of their tactics may be uncovered.

The statement, "If it ain't broken, don't fix it," made by the district attorney, shows he is not comfortable with moving into the 21st century. Here in Guilford County, the justice system is very much broken if the top law-enforcement officers are afraid or just don't want to use the available technology to administer fair and equal justice. If there is proven technology, and there is, the departments should be eager to embrace change that will make their jobs easier and cases less challenging in the courts.

Taping the complete interrogations, not portions, should make it easier for both parties in the cases. It should not be done like the cameras in police cars, turned on when they feel it convenient. I think all cars should have cameras that should be used at all times during a stop. The patrol officer should not be able to turn them off.

Interrogations should be recorded from beginning to end. With the available technology today, fewer mistakes will be made in the courtroom. At this time, another problem will arise. Has the tape been edited or tampered with in any way? Whom can you trust?

I am elated that some citizens are beginning to realize that just because a cop says something, it isn't always the truth.

We all know that all cops don't always tell the absolute truth, just as the suspected criminals don't. Some jurists are beginning to question their testimony and tactics.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

On a recent field trip with fourth-graders, I reprimanded a boy for elbowing his classmate. "He poked me first," the boy replied.

I was reminded of this philosophy in Cal Thomas' column of May 4 [not posted]: "Should the U.S. engage in torture to protect America? Yes. We are at war against ruthless enemy."

He says, "We are dealing with people who have repeatedly demonstrated they have no moral constraints and are willing to perpetrate mass murder…." In other words, we should conduct warfare according to the moral standards of the enemy.

Throughout history, those on one side of a conflict have consistently painted their opponents as being amoral and as having no regard for human life. Regardless of whether it is smart strategy, it is not right to define our opponents' low morals and then propose that we stoop to that level.

In addition to being inherently wrong, it is also unwise. Consistent lowering of the global moral tone will guarantee that in the near future combatants from every country will be tortured because "everyone" is doing it.

Beth M. Woodard
Jamestown

It amazes me why the black community can't figure out why prejudices still exist today, when we have state representatives like Earl Jones and Larry Womble stirring the pot, wanting business to prove whether their ancestors owned slaves.

What possible difference could that make now? Blacks and whites should be trying to come together, and this type of legislation sure doesn't accomplish this. If blacks, Hispanics, Asians, etc., would stop referring to themselves as African Americans, Latin Americans, etc., and just plain Americans, this nation would be a lot better off.

I doubt that most of the people in these groups have ever set foot in their so called native countries, so why refer to yourselves as such?

I wonder how many people know that slave traders dealt with African tribes that sold their captive enemies to whites? There were even some black plantation owners who had slaves.

Since slave ownership was legal until the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, maybe relatives of plantation owners who lost everything when slaves were freed should ask for reparations. After all, the government took away their property and destroyed their lives.

James O. Smith
High Point

A few days ago, I read a report concerning the murder of two people, one only 17 years of age. Such behavior has become endemic in our fair city and begs relief from any persons of bad character illegally entering our country.

We should not rely on the president of Mexico, whose army aids in the illegal crossing of the border into the United States. To stop this invasion, we need 10,000 additional well-trained Border Patrol personnel to ensure that only persons of certified good character are allowed to put their foot on American soil.

Our government has been too kind to those individuals, when we give them free education and health care, while many of our elderly poor must choose between eating or necessary medication.

A recent news report noted some educators want to give free college tuition to foreign non-citizens while many of our own students cannot afford higher education.

Under present circumstances, we are in danger of harboring many illegal immigrants suspected of wanting to snuff out the lives of all persons of religions other than their own.

Write your congressional representative and senators and demand better control of our borders.

Benjamin E. Wilson
Greensboro

The North Carolina General Assembly is proposing a pay cut for correctional staff who are employed in the state's prison system.

Correctional staff who work either second or third shift receive a weekend shift premium. All shifts receive holiday pay when they must work.

There now is a possibility the weekend shift premium will be reduced as well as the holiday pay. That would result in a grave financial hardship for those people.

Wayne Adams
Biscoe

When it comes to video taping police interrogations, the Guilford County district attorney believes in the adage, "If it's not broken, don't fix it."

Suppose a person of interest says he was threatened with torture during interrogation? What if a black suspect says cops used racial epithets against him during questioning?

Suppose a female perpetrator says she was sexually assaulted during interrogation? Wouldn't videotapes of these incidents tell whether these people are telling the truth?

Without these tapes, the courts and the media would have to rely on police testimony. It is a good thing that there is a law that requires on-duty police officers to always tell the truth. Oh wait, I forgot, no such law exists.

Well, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Right?

Chuck Mann
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint commentary:

By Nancy Banks

It should be noted that when Eddie Davis, the full-time paid employee of the North Carolina Association of Educators, endorses the proposed state lottery, he does not speak for all North Carolina teachers.

I am retired public school teacher with 32 years experience in the classroom, and I don't believe the lottery will help our public schools. I understand that public education needs more money, and new schools need to be built, but the lottery is not the answer.

Many of us understand that the lottery is primarily a grab for money and power by politicians who will probably use the money as they please. That's what has happened in other states where the lottery was established as a so-called education lottery, and I fear that is what will happen in North Carolina.

A state-run lottery contradicts the most important thing we teach children: that they should value knowledge and honest work, and a good life will follow. The lottery teaches just the opposite: "Don't work. Don't educate yourself. Buy a ticket and get rich quick." What the lottery hucksters won't tell you is that your chances of getting struck by lightning are greater than winning the lottery.

School construction funds were among the first to be diverted to general government expenditures two years ago during the budget crunch. Gov. Mike Easley is recommending a $15 million cut in school construction funds this year. Budget writers in the General Assembly now are contemplating a $200 million-plus reduction in education funding, apparently in anticipation of the lottery.

I believe Bill Friday and former Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Ward when they say after much thoughtful consideration that a lottery will hurt, not help, our public schools in North Carolina. People will believe what politicians have told them over and over that lottery money will solve our education funding problems. Thus, taxpayers will be less likely in the future to support increased school budgets.

If lottery money becomes available, politicians will reduce traditional revenue support and our schools will go begging. That has happened in Florida, California, Ohio and many other states where lottery money was promised for schools, and it will happen in North Carolina.

I'm confident that many North Carolina teachers understand this and agree with me. Shame on our leaders for trying to deceive us with this sinister scheme.

The writer is a Raleigh resident.

After extensive coverage of the death of Pope John Paul II and the election of Pope Benedict XVI, the media continue to criticize the latter. They say he is medieval in thought, backward in theology, and unwilling to accept the modern world.

I believe that all Christians, even with conflicting religious details, still accept our religion as based on Christ's teachings, preserved by the Gospels and Epistles of the first Christians. Our standards of morality and justice come from such teaching. When new worldly situations arise unknown to earlier thought, a true Christian tries to analyze the new ideas in the light of religious heritage. The Christian does not abandon age-old standards to fit new concepts or to accept the current relativism, which seems to say, "There is no objective truth; only what you decide for yourself."

St. Paul tells us to hold fast to the truth in Christ's teachings, not to decide all things according to changing worldly standards. The old-time Methodist circuit rider, preparing his Sunday sermon, never deleted an admonition to his people because it might offend someone. Pope Benedict seeks to bring the truth to a changing world, not to change our morality to suit the world.

Dick Douglas
Greensboro

I think you have the comics confused with the religion section. The May 1 comic "B.C.," by Johnny Hart, derides evolution and calls Darwin (who was devout and studied at Cambridge to be a clergyman) a non-Christian. Ha. Ha. Even "Family Circus" was funnier than this.

Hart has a history of sticking anti-science, anti-Jewish, anti-Muslim Christian extremism into his strips. If you put "Doonesbury" on the opinion page, then you should put "B.C." there, too, or, better still, in the trash.

Dave Dobson
Greensboro

I recently heard there were beach closings at Jordan Lake and other lakes in North Carolina due to pollution. This concerns me as a person who enjoys our natural places. I am also concerned that beach closings will adversely affect North Carolina's economy, since $1 billion a year is spent in North Carolina on recreational fishing. We've had our share of economic turmoil in the last few years; it is irresponsible to risk such a vital resource.

North Carolinians need a vital economy, not one restricted by indifference. We need clean drinking water and places for recreation. Right now we have an opportunity to change how we manage our resources. So, I ask everyone who believes in protecting our resources to call your local legislator to support "The Drinking Water Reservoir Protection Act" (S981/H1134).

R. Ryan Halas
Greensboro

I thank you for the excellent coverage your paper gave to the events that took place in the Catholic Church in recent days, namely the death of Pope John Paul II, his burial, the election of Pope Benedict XVI, his inauguration, etc. Your Catholic readers in this area are definitely pleased with your editors and reporters who did an excellent job. Please continue the good work.

Matthew Thekkekandam
Greensboro

I am appreciative of the Greensboro Police Department's Traffic Division for their vigilant lookout for speeding vehicles over the past few weeks, on Aycock Street and the block off the old Aycock Street. I understand the UNCG police have been part of this vigil.

Some seem to use the block off Market Street as a racetrack, and the newer Aycock as a flying-machine track. The signs read 35 mph with two red flags blowing in the breeze, indicating the speed limit. Are cell phones, putting on makeup, combing one's hair, trying to keep the children quiet or leaving them unbuckled causing the drivers not to watch the speed limit?

People, those signs are put up for our own protection. See if you can't do a better job of driving by obeying the traffic signs.

Good work, Traffic Division. Well done. Many thanks.

Agnes Joyner
Greensboro

Do we want to elect a female president in 2008? Why would anyone think that?

Most women are second-class citizens, are underpaid, have to be subservient to husbands, are blamed for unwanted pregnancies, and are used by corporations to explain some irregularities that are shady at best. If a woman tells it, it doesn't seem so bad. Some women are blamed for things happening in their homes and other things too many to mention.

Women in history all over the world have been burned at the stake, sacrificed as virgins, persecuted because someone said they were witches. The list goes on.

If a woman were elected president, it would send a strong message that we truly are a democracy and that we care about the under-appreciated of our society.

After all, women usually have to clean up most of the mess in this world. That's how I see it.

Eugene J. Palladino
Archdale

Two hundred years ago, reasonable people may have participated in a discussion on the merits of slavery. When is such a practice justifiable? When do the economic benefits outweigh the inconvenient reality?

One hundred years ago, intelligent people may have had a discussion of when it was justifiable to sterilize or even exterminate certain groups of people for the "betterment" of society at large.

Thankfully, these discussions are now embarrassing anachronisms.

I was embarrassed and horrified to see that my paper featured a "discussion" of the "pros and cons" of torture (Second Opinion, May 4). To feature such a discussion is to lend validity to a practice so heinous and despicable that it belongs in the same category as slavery and genocide. The News & Record ought to be ashamed.

Torture, like slavery and genocide, is never, under any circumstances, acceptable or justifiable.

Eric Schaefer
Reidsville

Has anyone noticed the unusual cool weather?

It seems that as soon as summer actually gets here, the global warming crowd will start blaming us humans again for all the hot weather. The news will read, "Global warming having effect on local weather."

Don't put those snow shovels and rubber boots away yet; you are going to need them because things are going to get deep, and I don't mean from the snow.

Don Wendelken
Summerfield