News-Record.com

As of June 23, your property became available for sale.

Previously, local governments could condemn and acquire private property under eminent domain only for public works projects such as community hospitals, schools, libraries, roadworks, etc. Now, in a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that private property may also be acquired under eminent domain if local government decides that the community is better served by the property being transferred to a different private owner.

Yes, you read that correctly -- your local government may condemn and acquire your home or real estate and transfer it to another private owner, if it believes the community would be better served by such actions.

Make no mistake, your rights as a private property owner were completely stripped away under this recent Supreme Court decision. If private businesses, corporations or developers decide that they would like to have your property for their own private enterprise, they now have the legal means to obtain it.

Tom Kirkman III
High Point

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Steve Bryant

I read Tim Allen's rebuttal (June 23) of Charles Davenport's piece (June 5) urging politicians to vote their personal convictions with a great deal of amusement.

To begin with, Allen's logic is completely flawed. He seems to be saying that because Christianity was used as an excuse to continue on with the institution of slavery in early American history, it follows that using principles of the religion to make future policy decisions would also be necessarily wrongheaded. If I were to hold that three plus five equals seven (obviously incorrect), would I also be necessarily wrong in declaring that two plus two equals four? Twenty years ago, the answer would have been condescendingly apparent. In today's world, I'm not so sure.

But Allen's truly faulty reasoning was in claiming that Christianity was what allowed slavery to continue on in the United States until the Civil War. Allen is correct in stating that in the 1790s, a majority in the North opposed slavery and that many in the South did, too. However, slavery was allowed to continue because, first, it was apparent that the issue would destroy the fragile, infant union created from the events around 1776, and also, because it was the law. At that time, America was still a nation of law rather than a people debating about what the meaning of is, is. With slavery becoming an institution guaranteed by law for a specific time, the injustice became a social issue. It was in the Christian church where moral indignation built the momentum that eventually culminated in the Emancipation Proclamation.

Upside-down. When will liberal elitists stop trying to turn our world upside-down?

The writer is a High Point resident.

Project Homestead, St. James, International Civil Rights Museum. The leadership of these very costly projects should quite frankly have the taxpayers shaking in their boots.

How long will the good people of our community have to keep forking out millions of our hard-earned dollars to these poorly managed projects? It makes one wonder why Skip Alston is always involved in them. For this he gives himself a raise. Give me a break.

Larry Frey
Greensboro

I have just read with true amazement and disgust the commissioners' budget for the upcoming fiscal year. An $11 million increase for an already bloated and inefficient school system, but no new sheriff's patrol positions (where is public safety when you need it?).

A 41 percent pay increase for the commissioners? Whatever happened to the idea of public service? If you do not like the current salary, why not resign and, hopefully, we can get some true leadership. And another tax increase for property owners.

When are people going to realize you cannot keep funding pet projects on the backs of the taxpayers?

Oh, and speaking of pet projects, I do not want any of my tax dollars going to any project that Skip Alston has his hands in. As a matter of fact, the next time he is up for re-election, why don't we just "Skip" Alston?

Michael A. Paquette
Browns Summit

Thank you for your expository coverage of Share-a-Home (June 17).

Love and community truly exist among the residents, board and staff in an amazing way. Hopefully, your coverage will elicit support from the great people and organizations of Greensboro.

Joanne Zito
Greensboro

The writer is the wife of a resident at Share-a-Home.

First, I have the utmost respect for Oprah Winfrey and what she stands for, and all her charitable deeds. But, this thing that happened to her at the Hermes store in Paris is being overblown.

If what the Hermes people are saying is true, the store closed at 6:30 and Oprah arrived with her film crew and entourage at 6:45 -- without any prior knowledge of her arrival -- plus the store had a private function scheduled.

One of Oprah's close friends said that Oprah had recently purchased close to $80,000 worth of handbags at the store but would no longer be spending her money there, and that she planned to tell her friends to stop shopping there.

Oprah supposedly said, if it had been Julia Roberts at the door, she would have been allowed inside. I'm sorry, I don't think this issue warrants all the press and airtime it's receiving. It doesn't rank up there with the American lives being lost in Iraq, or the high cost of prescription medicine for senior citizens.

I think Oprah has chosen the wrong cause to champion. Come on, get real -- goodbye Hermes, hello Kmart?

Willford Warren Jr.
Reidsville

Thomas Moore's letter (June 22) calling dissent (during a time of war) "treason" and an "embarrassment" needs some historical perspective, such as this quote from a former president who knew better:

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public." (Excerpt from "Roosevelt in the Kansas City Star," May 7, 1918.)

To deny our most fundamental rights at any time (to free speech, etc.) is to undermine the very reason and purpose for our existence as a nation.

Ron P. Russo
Greensboro

I taught in Guilford County public schools for over 30 years. In the early '90s during graduations, we resorted to having unruly, i.e. screaming, guests escorted from the coliseum by a sheriff's deputy.

In the late '90s, we tried long pauses and polite requests. The administrators finally quit trying. A few schools tried to maintain some degree of civility, until they were told by the central office to be more culturally sensitive.

If you attended any graduations, as many of us were forced to do, you noted that names that evoked the most raucous display of disrespect for others belonged to students who had no business graduating. Twenty-five years ago they would not have "walked." The bar has been lowered to accommodate those who have acquired no more education than their guests have manners.

Roger Chance
Jamestown

If we citizens of the United States of America disapprove of the way our government is being managed, we have the right -- even the duty -- to speak out.

We can do this by our votes, through newspapers or talk radio. We can get a soapbox or hire a hall.

The flag, however, is representative of our country as a whole and not any one faction of it.

If someone does not love this country, even with its imperfections, he can take himself somewhere else to seek Nirvana, but he must not burn our flag.

Kitty B. Edwards
Greensboro

After reading that the cast of characters who make up the Guilford County Board of Commissioners gave themselves a healthy raise -- receiving salaries higher than almost every other commissioner in North Carolina -- I vowed, once again, to vote these out-of-control "public servants" out of office (News & Record, June 26).

These commissioners will earn more than Mecklenburg's county commissioners.

Mecklenburg's budget is 2.5 times bigger than Guilford's and its population is 73 percent larger.

Of course, Skip Alston noted that the commissioners could choose not to accept the raise and "save the taxpayers" some money. Mr. Alston, would you be the first to volunteer?

Yvonne Cousino
Greensboro

If I reach 2010, I shall tell of TV advertising back in 2005:

• Automobiles: Instead of close looks at interiors and shapes, the ads show the car doing 70 mph on mountain curves while a voice screams about the wonder auto. Comment: I do not want a car that needs such speed to sell itself.

• Medicines: The ads show an old man acting young, a young woman sneezing in a flower garden, or a middle-aged man looking lustfully at wife or girlfriend, wondering if he needs four hours or 36. Then the admonition, "Ask your doctor." Comment: Poor Doc. He must keep up with every new pill. Med school never predicted this.

• Cell phones: Free minutes, free calls, loud statements, complete confusion about who is the best. Comment: I do not have a cell phone.

• Orange juice: Better than mixing broccoli, sardines and peanuts. Comment: I like orange juice, but I do not want to think I am mixing sardines and broccoli.

• Furniture: Always 50 or 60 percent off. Comment: Who set the original price?

• Hamburgers. Comment: My mouth will not open that wide.

Dick Douglas
Greensboro

I went to the grocery store early on Sunday morning to buy food for two weeks. When I got to the cashier, she said I could not buy beer because it was not noon yet.

If I am buying food for two weeks, why can't I buy beer for that time period also?

I do not understand the reasoning behind no alcohol sales before noon on Sunday. Is it because the lawmakers are majority Christians and Sunday morning should be devoted to prayer and God? What about Thursdays for Hindus, Fridays for Muslims, and Saturdays for the Jewish community?

I think that if a customer is purchasing 15 unique items or more, then alcohol should be sold at any time, due to the fact that the customer is purchasing groceries for a few days or more.

Steven Comas
High Point

We have long accepted the right of the state to take private property for public use. I have long said that the day would come when there would not be any private property rights in this country.

Well, today the U.S. Supreme Court has taken the first step toward my assumption by giving the states the right to take one's property for private use.

I had a college professor to say the same thing more than 50 years ago. In my way of thinking, we are living in the last days of a free and democratic society. We need to let our congressmen know that we will not stand for this type of treatment. I may not live to see the end result of this misfortune, but our children and grandchildren will suffer for this sort of misconduct by our highest court.

George Deaton
Stoneville

Billy Yow's comments on the fiscal irresponsibilities of Democrats and other comments and actions have not only been racist but also ignorant. Not only should he be forced to resign, an apology should be in order.

People in the city or county, whether they are Republicans or Democrats, should be insulted. I, personally, feel that he has disrespected the civil rights of black people. We have struggled, still paying the price for overwhelming ignorance such as Yow's and others' alike.

The museum is only a small percentage of the massive amounts due to the African American people. Yow's comment was more personal than a comment of a county commissioner. I am not shocked at all at such racism, but I'm sick and tired of Yow's personal feelings of ignorance.

There are people of all races, backgrounds and political views who have contributed to the museum and are still supporting the museum.
Yow needs to keep his personal and professional views and matters separate when he is speaking on anything in reference to county matters.

Toni Henderson
Greensboro

With Independence Day approaching, we need to take a new look at our freedoms in America. We have become complacent since the re-election of President Bush.

It seems 50 years is long enough to forget a time in American history that is reflected in politics today. Does anyone remember Sen. Joseph McCarthy? President Truman once said, "The House Un-American Activities Committee is the most un-American thing in America.” Does anyone recognize a connection between this and the Patriot Act? Look closely at the Patriot Act and you will see the most unpatriotic thing in America today. Truman also said, "McCarthyism is the use of the big lie and the unfounded accusation against any citizen in the name of Americanism or security.”

Be careful, America. Americanism and security are the Bushisms of your future. There is a big lie out there about this war, and he is playing on Americans' fears for security just as McCarthy did during The Nightmare Decade. We do not want to look back at this time as a period of condoning torture and putting aside health care and education in order to fund a war that profits our "leaders.” We need an end to Bushism.

Stephanie McMullen
McLeansville

I am writing to complain about the fact that senior citizens can't get prescription drug coverage from Medicare without paying (if they own more than $11,000 in property and life insurance, not including their homes). I think it is a crying shame that seniors have had to work and scrimp and save all their lives and then by the time they get to retirement age, they find that they have to take what little amount of money they are making from Social Security and use it to pay for their medicines.

I don't know anyone else's opinion, but I think it's coldhearted and callous to make an elderly person choose between food and medicine. I firmly believe we need a national drug plan for everyone, especially senior citizens, children and economically disadvantaged citizens.
I also believe firmly that we need socialized health care.

Jason Barber
Burlington

Last summer, regulations went into effect to limit the ability of Cuban Americans to visit their loved ones in Cuba. The new regulations now limit family visits to one every three years and go so far as to regulate how much money they could send to family in Cuba and what they could bring with them as gifts (no clothing or toiletries).

According to the Bush administration's logic, by visiting and giving blue jeans and shampoo to their relatives, Cuban Americans were supporting the Castro regime, and this, of course, had to be stopped. The administration's logic is fuzzy, to say the least. These Cuban Americans weren't supporting the Castro regime by their simple visits; they were supporting something much more important: their families.

Last month, the House voted on an amendment to overturn the ridiculous restrictions, and our Rep. Howard Coble voted against it. Coble will have another chance to vote to get rid of these horrible restrictions on families. Let's hope this time he'll do the right thing. We'll be watching.

Hope Bastian
Greensboro

The Bush administration is committed to leaving no childish self-deception behind.

It would have us believe that, since others have broken international laws "more flagrantly,” the United States bears no guilt for its acts of torture and murders. This reasoning employs the compelling and familiar kindergarten legal argument known as, "He started it.”

It also employs the more sophisticated reasoning of 7-year-olds: "God loves some religious groups more than others.” Hence, new federal regulations, and America's "crusade” in the Middle East.

One favorite example of White House childish logic is increasing the wealth of the wealthy because they are wealthy. It's simple and self-absorbed; unabashedly adolescent. Its logic clears the way for corporate kickbacks and presidential one-month vacations.

"No Child Left Behind” has it all: (1) criticize teachers for poor performance, (2) force untested approaches to education, (3) underfund the new approaches, (4) cut funding some more, and (5) blame the failure of education in America on "liberal atheists.”

One thing that comes hard for children is apologizing. But for the Bush White House, "being Republican means never having to say you are sorry.”

Kurt Lauenstein
Greensboro

Commissioner Bruce Davis' explanation for giving himself and his fellow commissioners a 40 percent-plus increase in salary on a job they volunteer to serve is pathetic. The commissioners knew what the job entailed and what the salary was before they ran for the job.

Commissioner Davis is now making a wage for an employee working full time of more than $10 per hour.

People of Guilford County: Until we wake up and vote for a balanced board of commissioners, we will continue to have these ridiculous decisions occur. We need to vote these thugs out.

Herbert Smith
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Barbara Hands

It was with despair that I first read Eric Collins’ article (June 18, News & Record) concerning Judge Albright’s decision not to allow a witness to swear her oath of truth on the Quran.

Collins reported that "the language of the law -- which refers at one point to laying one’s hand on the ‘Holy Scriptures’ -- precludes someone from being sworn in using the Quran." Many maintain that a Holy Scripture would be a sacred book of any individual religion and that it is narrow-minded to consider it to be only the Bible.

I thought it strange that such a well-respected man as Judge Albright would make what seemed to be such an insensitive remark, so I did a little research. I found that the judge did make an unfortunate assumption in thinking that the general public understands the use of the term Holy Scripture. In the many sources I checked, the term Holy Scripture refers to the Bible in particular, and not, as I had previously thought, to the sacred text of any individual religion.

Judge Albright has done his job in upholding the letter of the law. Let us not misdirect our dissatisfaction. Though a change in the law could be cumbersome, if supporters of other religions are unhappy with the judge’s ruling, they should lobby for a change. Should we have copies of the sacred texts of all religions available: The Bible for Christians, except one containing the Apocrypha for Catholics; the Old Testament only for Jews, the Quran for Muslims, the Bhagavad-Gita for Hindus? Many different Protestant denominations read from different translations of the Bible. Should the courts also provide a King James Version, a Revised Standard Version, a New International Version, and a New English Version, among others? The list could go on if each religion and variation of each religion was to be represented.

Collins claims that the law goes back to 1777 when some form of Christianity was the most popular religion. It is understandable that the term "Holy Scripture" was written into the law.

Rather than recognize all religious possibilities, perhaps it is time for the courts to remove the symbol of any one particular religion and require witnesses to swear an oath on their own conscience or fear of the law, if they are found to be lying, rather than out of fear of hellfire and brimstone.

The writer is a philosophy instructor at UNCG.

What a shame that the News & Record again chose to shed a negative light on a positive project in Greensboro. I refer to "Petting zoo closure saddens regulars" (June 28), concerning the recent closure of the petting zoo at the Natural Science Center.

Yes, the NSC has closed the outdated petting zoo to make way for state-of-the-art Animal Discovery; but why quote patrons not renewing memberships?

Why state that people were disappointed that the old is making way for the new? As an avid visitor to the Natural Science Center, I felt saddened as I read this pessimistic article which could have told much more about how people are excited about what is about to happen.

Not only is the outside zoo area to be transformed, but the inside of the museum is in for a major overhaul as well. Don’t give up on the NSC. It has been, and continues to be a wonderful landmark for Greensboro. After its multimillion-dollar renovation, it will be a true destination place in North Carolina.

Please continue to visit and show your support for this fine institution as it undergoes positive changes.

Karen Kelly
Greensboro

For the past few months, driving on Friendly Avenue near Friendly Center has been a bit of a "downer" for those of us who enjoy and value contemporary architecture and sculpture. What has bothered me the most has been lack of respect and attention given to the bright yellow sculpture by Robert Costelloe that is now lying in the uncut grass alongside demolition debris.

The sculpture was commissioned by Burlington in the early 1970s as a centerpiece of its headquarters’ interior courtyard. I believe if Costelloe, who used to teach at the N.C. School of the Arts in the early 1970s, were with us today, he would be highly disappointed in the handling of his work. Greensboro is a community that celebrates the arts, especially the visual arts.

Certainly Burlington Industries can find an appropriate use for this significant work. Let us not fall by the wayside by treating this respected modern sculpture like a piece of old lawn furniture.

Richard Richards IV
Greensboro

It’s sort of funny that graffiti is only labeled "vandalism" if it’s not properly authorized and sanctioned by the culture. If graffiti is commissioned by a business for advertising or such, then it’s "art." But if it’s done on the sly then it’s denounced by the state as "vandalism."

Why then are not all the signs tacked to utility poles reading, "we buy houses" and "lose 900 pounds today" pursued with equal passion and vigilance?

I think the answer is that Greensboro is still very uncomfortable with anything that doesn’t conform and isn’t officially controlled being seen by the public. Maybe this is one reason graffiti will continue to thrive here, because everything in Greensboro is so look-alike and monotonous that young artists have to create some boredom "relief."

D.M. Mitchell
Greensboro

The proposed greenway for downtown Greensboro is a great idea. However, the tracks on the west side of the loop should remain for a trolley car like in Charlotte’s downtown South End district. Capital and operational costs are very inexpensive and would require no overhead wires.

The trolley could be called "The Grasshopper." That would be a great name because it fits in with the theme of a greenway, it’s the name of our baseball team and that’s what the old trolleys used to be called.

Decorative iron fencing could be put in place for the safety of pedestrians using the greenway, and it would be a great attraction for residents and school children visiting downtown for field trips. One suggestion is to use this trolley to connect the ballpark and Bellemeade Village with the proposed development at South Elm and Lee streets. Hopefully, Greensboro citizens will support the greenway as a unique attraction for downtown.

Tim Jones
Greensboro

On June 28, a police car was stopped behind a motorist in front of the property of the old Burlington Industries building. They were changing a lady’s tire.

I am and have been very vocal in expressing what I feel is wrong with law enforcement.

These two policemen reminded me of what is right.

Thank you.

Andy Nelson
Greensboro

Once again, Skip Alston and his fellow commissioners passed a budget that falls squarely on the backs of those who are just making ends meet. What amazes me is that he keeps getting elected even though he is hurting the people who voted for him.

Those who voted for Skip need to start looking in their wallets and realize each year you are being legally robbed by this man and the rest of his fellow commissioners. The problem is that they always vote for tax increases to balance the budget instead of making the tough decisions.

Now is a good time to get a part-time job in addition to the one you have, because next year your taxes are going up again. Thanks, Skip, for your great leadership -- tax and keep on spending.

Don Wendelken
Summerfield

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Ed Crothers

To: Ed Cone, News & Record columnist and Triad blogger. From: "Old Glory."

You and others over some period of time have felt it is all right to burn me, stamp on me and generally show your disdain for me.

On the other hand, there have been supporters of mine who have held me high on Iwo Jima, at Omaha Beach and at Shiloh. They seem to take pride in me, and when I hurt, they hurt. I call them patriots.

Wherever I wave, you are now allowed to treat me like trash -- but it doesn't make me feel any better. I guess it is sort of like a Christian burning his Bible because God will forgive him. It stumps me how burning his Bible makes that Christian feel any closer to God. Or how an American spitting on me does much for either of us.

One of the real perks I have is being displayed along with flags from other nations. Then I really get proud. A great many of my Americans have and still do make great sacrifices to keep me flying. So it means a lot to me to fly -- and not be degraded. Fortunately for you and for me, it means a lot for me to fly to a great many of my Americans. Is it OK if I call them patriots?

Oh, and by the way, Mr. Cone, since you are all about free speech, let me give you a few words of advice that won't cost you a cent. If you plan to step on me or burn me, it would not be a good idea to do that if there is a member of our Armed Forces nearby -- like a sailor or a dogface or a Marine. They don't take kindly to that, and from that encounter you would very likely get a clear idea of how it feels to be stomped.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

Memo to Angela Schroeder (letter, June 30) from a proud American:

Your premise of an unsuccessful war in Iraq is the big lie being pushed along by the liberal media. Stop for a second in your obsessive Bush-hating and examine the Oct. 22, 2002, joint congressional resolution authorizing the president to take action, voted for by some of today's harshest critics of the administration's efforts to fight terrorism. The document reads in part: "Whereas members of al-Qaida responsible for Sept. 11 are known to be in Iraq" and "Whereas Iraq continues to aid and harbor terrorists that threaten citizens of the United States." There is more, but that's enough to underscore the hypocrisy.

Karl Rove's remarks have made Schroeder uncomfortable. The truth stings. Too bad. As columnist Michael Barone pointed out so rightly, Rove simply put the focus on the split in the Democratic Party: "On the one hand, there are those who think this is a good country, and despite reservations, want to see victory in Iraq. On the other hand, there are those who believe we are a bad country full of stupid people. This latter group wants more than anything else to see the president fail."

And by the way, contrary to the assertion in her letter, she is most certainly one of the ones (Bill Clinton) who let Osama bin Laden get away.

Fred Gregory
Greensboro

Last week's pep rally for the bloodshed in Iraq was a smashing success, except, of course, for the pep, and, well, the rally part. Mr. Bush decided to use the soldiers at Fort Bragg to further promote his failed Iraq war, and they responded through, well, a definite lack of response. The only applause during the speech was started by White House staffers, aside from the enthusiastic applause when the speech was over.

Bush's fool's errand is no longer being touted as a logical continuation in the war on terror, and rightly so. Sept. 11 is not connected with Iraq in any way. And, terrorism didn't begin in Iraq until after Bush flew onto the aircraft carrier and proclaimed with gusto that major hostilities in Iraq are over.

Since that day, May 1, 2003, 1,606 have perished in Iraq, out of 1,743 since the invasion. Ninety-two percent of the deaths in Iraq have happened since Bush's major-hostilities-in-Iraq-are-over speech.
This fact is sobering, disturbing, demoralizing and, sadly, was totally avoidable. Bring our troops home, Mr. Bush, it is the only honorable thing left to do.

Bruce Burch
Greensboro

I can't believe Oprah Winfrey is playing the race card, a woman who has so much in life and has such a well-respected celebrity status.

Let's make sure we understand. Oprah appears at a high-end retail establishment slightly after hours. She expects her celebrity status to get her and her friends into the store after it is closed. When this is denied, she pulls the race card. Instead of the race card, she should have pulled her "spoiled rotten celebrity who wants her way" card.

Welcome to the real world, Oprah.

Mebane Ham
Greensboro

I read Eric Madden's letter (June 10) about Bob Hinson being from Mayberry and his thoughts on having Andy Taylor-type values for the Guilford County Sheriff's Department. Of course, we know Mayberry is, in fact, Mount Airy, and Andy Taylor was a fictional character on "The Andy Griffith Show," but what caught my attention was the idea of having a helicopter for safety and security reasons, particularly after Sept. 11.

The rapid growth and size of Guilford County justify the need for such a vehicle. Doesn't Mecklenburg County have law-enforcement helicopters?

It sounds like Bob Hinson's intentions are to modernize the Sheriff's Department, and after all of the effort put into modernizing downtown, Guilford County will need this to take another step into the 21st century.

Chris Hargett
Greensboro

If raises are, in part, an acknowledgement of a job well done, I wonder what it is that makes the Guilford County commissioners think they should be awarded a 41 percent increase in pay.

We have Trudy Wade who can't concede, Billy Yow and Skip Alston who are both obvious racists, criminal warrants between two members who cannot treat one another with respect, and agendas that are rarely agreed upon. The division between parties is so significant that logic and judgment seem to have gone out the window. Now they're down to, "I'll support your proposal if you'll support mine." Never mind whether the vote is the best use of taxpayer money.

The Guilford County Board of Commissioners is an embarrassment to our city. Our board is quick to want everyone investigated/audited, engages in discussions about a review board for our local law enforcement, and squabbles over too much "pork" in the budget.

Meanwhile, they have become the highest-paid board in the state, and who oversees their actions? We, the taxpayers, do.

I hope that when elections roll around again, we'll be smarter about our voting decisions. Is it all about political parties rather than leadership and representation?

Martha Bennett
Greensboro

I feel it is very inappropriate to have a large story about beer on the front page of the Life section (June 29), only two days from a Fourth of July weekend.

I knew two young Christian people who were killed by drunken drivers in two separate tragedies. One had a very young baby boy.

Do you ever consider how much of an impact this makes on our young people? We all know alcohol is a drug, whether it is wine, beer or liquor. I hope you will reconsider next time such inappropriate promotion of alcoholic beverages.

Robert B. Setzer Sr.
Greensboro

The News & Record's report on the proposed Guilford County budget unnecessarily puts forth the notion that grants to such institutions as the International Civil Rights Museum and Mental Health Association are "pork."

While I am respectful of the Republican county commissioners' opinions of the proposed budget, I believe that the majority of Guilford County residents feel that such grants are a needed investment in Guilford County's future. It may be true, as some of the Republican commissioners contend, that such grants will drive up property taxes. Yet, to create a stronger community through broad prosperity, we all need to take mutual responsibility in the future of Guilford County.

I, like anyone else, must admit that taxes seem burdensome sometimes. Homework in school is at times burdensome, too, but you have to do it if you're going to learn anything. Taxes, too, are necessary if we are going to make wise investments in our county's infrastructure that will pay off for future generations.

Gregory P. Grieve
Greensboro

Now that the county commissioners have raised their salaries, maybe they can pay their county and city taxes on time. Note to tax department: Don't count on it.

Norman Welker
Greensboro

Regarding the story "New budget raises commissioners' pay" (June 24), about the board's $6,000-a-year pay raise: What I'm going to say applies to all local, state and federal governments. Who else vote themselves a raise? No one but the politicians, and they have bankrupted our nation. We're close to the World Bank taking possession of our country and the United Nations will run it. That's globalization. Then every person will get paid the same wages worldwide for the same job.

We can take back our nation at the voting booth. We need "independent volunteer servants" willing to do the job without compensation -- someone who has already earned enough money to support himself and who knows how to profitably run a big business. There are plenty of qualified servants out there who want to give back to society.

The way it is with some politicians is that the taxpayer ends up listening to the politician. A dedicated servant would listen to the taxpayer.

Picture the following on a campaign poster: Running for public office, John Doe, IVS ("Independent Volunteer Servant").

J.B. Brown
Asheboro

Congratulations on getting it right June 27 with your lead story (upper right corner, front page) on the possible duration of the Iraq war. You bet your boots that is relevant information newspaper readers want -- and need. You've published many letters from dissatisfied customers or former customers about your decision to cancel The New York Times syndicated columnists, and you must know there are many others who are equally distressed but don't think their voice matters to you. I was among those until today.

Yes, we want to know the latest shenanigans of the county commissioners and other local news, but please give us credit for being able to turn to Section B to find it. Continue the tradition of giving the weightiest items appropriate emphasis.

There has never been a time when we needed to be as well informed about the conditions in our world, and your new substitute columnists are pale imitations for those you've dropped.

Do you really think it's an improvement to make us more provincial? I wonder if you can be big enough to say you got it wrong and undo the damage. I fervently hope so.

Susan Dorn
Browns Summit

On the night of June 28, in a city that sometimes has been undeservedly considered boring, I enjoyed, along with more than 700 others, the first concert of the Eastern Music Festival and afterward a party hosted by the Green Valley Grill to celebrate the event.

For the next month, world-class musicians are performing in Greensboro, and they offer something for everyone. Classical, Latin, bluegrass, world, country, jazz and even California surf music with Go-Go Dancers. Eighty different events and several after-parties are planned as part of the EMF and its "fringe" festival.

The EMF has a rich cultural tradition in Greensboro and has quickly grown to provide us many opportunities to experience live music by incredible performers in small venues for a great price. I encourage every reader to check the schedule and attend an EMF event to see what our great city has to offer.

Joe Wheby
Greensboro

The Canadian House of Commons has approved civil marriage as a basic civil right for all gay people, while leaving intact the rights of religious denominations to make up their own minds whether they also want to bless gay couples who form families. This is an appropriate recognition of the rights on both sides of this contentious issue.

Gay couples already form families, buy homes, raise children and take care of their elderly. These families deserve the recognition and protection of civil law, as expressed through marriage.

Dave Parker
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By The Rev. Laurie A. Valentine

Contrary to the News & Record's June 29 editorial, the Ten Commandments were not literally given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. Any credible biblical scholar would agree. The Old Testament texts and portions of the New Testament were oral traditions passed down by generations of people long before they were ever written down. In the case of many of the Old Testament texts, the time frame was hundreds of years.

The story from Exodus about the giving of the Ten Commandments fits in this category. It served as a metaphor for how the nation of Israel shaped its identity as a community of faith and experienced God moving in their midst. I am grieved at the time and energy expended in the public and judicial arena over the Ten Commandments. God is not found in whether or not we post them in public places, or in the debates over creation versus evolution, or in whether or not we allow prayer in schools, or in banning marriage between same-sex couples.

God is found in the raw, visceral places where people live and love and laugh and cry and try to find the wholeness and abundant life to which God calls us. Jesus exemplified this in his life and ministry. So have many other religious and spiritual leaders. Can the Ten Commandments guide us today?

Absolutely, but they must be understood in their original historical and cultural context. For example, the commandment that speaks of one not coveting his neighbor's wife is usually abbreviated for our hearing. It also talks about how a man shall not covet his neighbor's ox, nor ass, nor any other thing. A wife was property like every other thing a man owned. Even though these "laws of Moses," as they are often called, were never intended to be moral proclamations for all time and history, we can learn from them about how to be in relationship with God and with our neighbors. Ultimately, God calls us to build each other up and, as John Shelby Spong says, to come before God as we are in order that we can become all that we are created to be.

So, let's spend our energy making a difference in the world and in people's lives. Spending money, time and energy on inert granite monuments and plaques does not help us do that.

The writer serves as parish associate at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Winston-Salem.

A bill currently before the state House of Representatives could set a dangerous precedent for the future of environmental and economic policy in North Carolina. The bill, S629, would transfer an inholding in the DuPont State Forest near Brevard from the bankrupt DuPont Corp. to the state, then transfer it to Swiss manufacturer Ilford, which would be responsible for cleanup. State officials have found arsenic in the soil and flame-retardant chemicals in the groundwater. The cleanup cost could exceed $7 million, most of which taxpayers will eventually have to pay.

The only thing justifying this disastrous proposal is the potential creation of 50 to 60 jobs in a depressed part of the state. The bill, however, is very complicated and wide-reaching and is only now beginning to receive proper scrutiny.

The governor, attorney general, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and environmental groups all have serious concerns about the long-term consequences of this action. It has the potential to reverse the fundamental "polluter pays" principle, which has guided environmental policy for decades, and to create an improper form of economic incentive.

Please contact your legislators in Raleigh to express your concern about this dangerous bill.

Malcolm M. Kenton
Greensboro

How many of us have rescued children from burning buildings, lifted injured people from car wrecks, performed the Heimlich maneuver or given CPR to bring someone back to life? A scant few, certainly. But many can be heroes. How? By donating blood.

It's quick, easy and virtually painless (OK, there's that little pinprick that's necessary, but not much else). Eligibility is determined by answers to health-related questions, the answers to which remain confidential. There is no sensation or "feeling" when donating blood. You're comfortable and feel the same upon leaving as upon arriving, except for the added wonderful knowledge that you helped save a life. You can return to normal activities.

The donation takes about an hour and can be repeated several times a year. Talking to a blood donor will confirm there's nothing to fear. There's no health risk -- nothing can be "caught" through a blood donation.

The News & Record prints blood donation sites every Sunday in People & Places. The American Red Cross, 333-2111, is at 1501 Yanceyville Street. The need for blood increases in summer, so please consider taking this simple, vitally important step. You can be the heroic lifesaver.

Patty McIrvin
Greensboro

Please help protect our vote, and work toward voter verified ballots.

The issue is that the proposed state law, S223, lacks a provision for a paper trail of our ballots, the weak link in past elections -- and Alamance County is scheduled for new machines that don't have a paper trail.

What funds are needed to protect the integrity of our votes?

DRE (direct-record electronic) "mystery machines" like those in Carteret County are expensive to buy because you need one machine for every 250 voters. The average precinct will require $30,000 for 10 DREs, plus a ballot-marking device for the blind. This is $66 million statewide. But optical scan machines with a voter-verified paper ballot, like those in Wake and Durham counties, meet standards outlined in the Help America Vote Act and cost only $10,000 per precinct, including a ballot-marking device. Total cost: only $21 million.

Let's make each vote count.

Michael Holland, Ph.D.
Saxapahaw

Whoever designed the intersection of Horse Pen Creek Road and U.S. 220 must have had a bad day when the plans were made.

I live on Four Farms Road, off Horse Pen Creek Road, and if I want to get gas at the BP station on the corner, I can't get back on Horse Pen Creek Road to go home. Instead, I have to get on 220, do a U-turn somewhere, and then turn back on Horse Pen Creek Road.

Also, if you are heading north on 220, you can't turn into the BP, nor can you turn off of Horse Pen Creek Road. You have to do a U-turn on 220 or on Horse Pen Creek Road to get in.

The BP station has served our neighborhood well the past few years. Just because Eckerd has moved in across the street, the BP station should not have to suffer. What is going to happen at that intersection when 25 condos are built on Four Farms Road? What is the purpose of the median? Is crossing several lanes worse that doing U-turns all over the place?

Jean Weatherman
Greensboro

After reading the story about Oprah not being allowed in Hermes to buy a watch after store hours, I almost had an aneurysm. Why does she think a store should let her or anyone else in after hours? It is not safe to allow anyone in after hours regardless of race.

If she wants to buy a watch at odd hours, she should go to Wal-Mart. To say this happened because she is black only makes her look stupid and foolish.

Berkley Alcorn
Ruffin

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Kathe Latham

I was stunned yet again by the media's coverage of the president's speech on the war in Iraq and wondered anew just how far we have wandered from practicing true democracy. In a democratic society, our communication systems should reflect a diverse participation and representation in the framing and articulation of major issues that so deeply effect us all. Recent polls show that more than 51 percent of the American people now believe this war is wrong. We are now clear that most of what we were told to be the reasons for rushing to war, against world opinion, are now false. There were no weapons of mass destruction, no depleted uranium, and there is no connection between Sept. 11 and the war in Iraq. The recent Downing Street memo confirms our worst suspicions -- that the administration wanted to go to war so badly in Iraq that the intelligence was fixed to fit the policy.

With so much evidence and support against the war, the major networks just spent several hours presenting the president's plea for support and an almost exclusively pro-war analysis by others. The president continues to mislead us by connecting Sept. 11 and Saddam Hussein, while the real perpetrator continues to recruit and expand his forces. Why don't we hear more about the complexity of the issues? Why no mention of the people in the streets in Fayetteville, including members of military families, deeply opposed to the war?

Yes, we heard another point of view, not much different from the president's, from Democratic Party representatives. The American people are so much more than simply Democrats and Republicans. We're mothers, sisters, brothers, black, white and brown, from diverse economic circumstances, regions, ages and political persuasions, many opposed to this war. Why not include our stories in your coverage of this issue?

We are being fed primarily a pro-war stance with a multitude of sound bites and pictures of soldiers kissing their wives and babies, rather than also hearing from a growing majority of people, including military families who are deeply opposed to this war. This issue is dear to the hearts of the American people. We will not achieve peace by killing each other's children. With a more open and democratic media, the possibilities of an honest exchange of information and opinion could provide for the flourishing of true democracy and a far greater understanding of what is needed to achieve peace for all.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

Cameron Wilkin (Young Voices, June 25) [not posted], by saying it is "patently un-American" to consider the Bible "more valid" than scriptures of other religions, has just told everyone who believes God inspired only the Bible that their view is less valid than his. Everyone believes his own view is "more valid" than the contradictory view. That's not intolerance, that's logic.

If everybody's scripture is equally true, either God is at the same time and in the same sense one and many, distinct from nature and synonymous with it, personal and impersonal, and many other impossibilities; or no scripture has the validity they all claim. Therefore, either every religion is wrong or every religion except one is wrong. They can't all be right, even "for you."

We can't escape saying somebody is wrong except by abandoning reason for the intellectual suicide of relativism.

Even if Muslims can swear on their holy book, that doesn't mean I have to think it is God's holy book. That's the difference between genuine tolerance, which presupposes difference, and today's pseudo-tolerant bigotry, which demands that we all accept anything anybody believes or be labeled "un-American."

Stephen G. Wessells
Greensboro

I would like to respond to the editorial, "Signs of life in council race" (June 24) [not posted].

The editorial states there is a need for fresh names and faces. I am new to the public political arena, though I've been involved in party politics for years.

I served on the Reidsville Appearance Commission and the Chinqua-Penn Plantation Re-opening Committee. The editorial indicated candidates should be people who have prepared themselves by working on boards and commissions, which I have.

In 1995, I began working for Guilford County. County personnel policies prohibit political activity so I became involved in the Greensboro Jaycees. I have worked on Empty Stocking Fund, Greater Greensboro Nike Open, and the Chrysler Classic of Greensboro.

On May 7, I graduated from N.C. A&T with a degree in political science. This education, my previous work experience and my volunteer activities have given me the foundation for the position of city council person that I seek.

The editorial expresses a desire for young professionals. I am 36 years young and a relationship manager with First Horizon Home Loans.

I am young and hard-working and care about the community and the people where I live. I will do an excellent job as the City Council District 4 representative.

Janet M. Wallace
Greensboro

There is a wonderful well-kept secret on Battleground: the Earthfare Grocery Store. This store should be appreciated for all the wonderful foods and items they carry plus the healthy and tasty buffet they serve most of the day. (Disclaimer: I do not work there.)

According to President Bush, the war is worth the cost we are paying. If one of his children was serving in Iraq and was killed in the line of duty, would he still think it worth the cost?

I found Andy Brod's article on marijuana (June 26) [not posted] to be most interesting. It was fair and balanced and contrasted the personal costs of using pot to the cost for law enforcement related to marijuana.

"Judge Parker" is a waste of space on the cartoon page. There have got to be better comics out there. Now they are running a tired, sad version of Indiana Jones. How slack!

I wish I had the opportunity to ask the average Iraqi citizen the famous question posed by Ronald Reagan, "Are you better off now than you were four years ago?"

Kent Tager
Greensboro

I would think that a medical professional (letter, "Legalizing marijuana a dangerous notion," June 29) would know better than to rely on drug-war propaganda for information. If he took the time, he could review the opinions of the Lancet, New England Journal of Medicine and the studies and papers written by Dr. Ethan Russo and Dr. Lester Grinspoon of the Harvard Medical School.

Another doctor, though not of medicine, is famous for saying that if you tell people the big lie often enough, they will believe it. His name was Goebbels, and Dr. Joel Heller has proven him correct.

Robert Gregg
Marshville

My son is serving in Iraq. He and his comrades have a very dangerous job in a very dangerous place. Nobody supports our troops or loves this country any more than I do. I listened to our president the evening of June 28 hoping to hear something that would give me some confidence in his plan for Iraq. I heard nothing to give me any hope in him or his administration.

After Sept. 11, this country was more united than it has been any time since World War II. The entire free world was ready to work with us to go after the people responsible for Sept. 11. Now, four years later, look where we are.

The coalition he talks about consists mainly of us. We're the ones doing all the fighting, the dying and bearing the financial cost of this war; all because our president wanted to invade a country that had nothing to do with Sept. 11.

The president called for everyone to show our support for the troops and fly the flag. I've been flying mine. I would like to ask him if he was showing his support when he sent them to war without body armor, armored vehicles or competent leadership.

David Kennedy
Robbins

I read the News & Record daily and applaud coverage of the Truth and Reconciliation Project, Bicentennial Mosaic Partnership and others that promote understanding and acceptance. It is amazing, however, that the recent legalization of same-sex marriage in Spain received mediocre coverage. Do you realize more than 4 million Spanish residents are no longer second-class citizens? Do you realize that in one fell swoop millions in Spain now enjoy the same rights as their straight contemporaries?

Your failure to cover this step forward in the name of equality speaks volumes. One, it seems our media and to a large extent communities in the USA, forget that equality means equality for all -- not just as it relates to race issues. People think of equality in segments and brand issues as a "gay issue" or a "race issue" not realizing they are all interconnected. And two, it's a sad commentary when the actor Haley Joel Osment gets the front page while a story about millions whose lives will forever be altered appears on page A12 (July 1 News & Record). This begs the question, why?

Brian Cockman
Greensboro

The writer is Guilford Green Foundation Board Chair.

The Institute of Government of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill publishes the Notary Public Guidebook for North Carolina. This book sets forth the laws, practices and forms essential to the office of Notary Public. Notaries Public are asked if they have the current edition before taking the oath of office.

On page 90 of the eighth edition, it says: "A person taking an oath should place one hand on the Holy Scriptures. This book will vary depending on the person's religious beliefs: Christians should use the New Testament or the Bible; Jews, the Torah or the Old Testament; Moslems, the Koran; Hindus, the Bhagavad-Gita; etc."

If a Notary Public follows the directives applicable to the office of Notary Public, some documents furnished to a court under oath, such as affidavits, will not follow the rule that Judge Albright applies to oaths taken in court. If a Notary Public follows Judge Albright's rule, some documents will not have been sworn as provided in the directives applicable to the office of Notary Public. Either way, this controversy has created a minefield for out-of-court takers of oaths.

David Polinsky
Greensboro

The Democrats on the Board of County Commissioners have done citizens of this county a great injustice. Residents of all races must realize they do not have us in their best interest but are using us to give themselves obscene raises and to fund self-serving projects. They knew what the job paid when they ran for the office they are now making a mockery of. People on Social Security mean nothing to them. They have guaranteed our property taxes will be raised for the next several years because of their foolish, irresponsible selfishness.

Read everything you can to help understand the bad decisions they have made against the advice of the County Finance Department. A red flag should be raised when an elected official has the gall to ignore the wishes of his or her electors and proceeds to fulfill whims. I don't appreciate the vast number of hands in my pocket.

Let's be better informed so we can elect commissioners who won't let the "stress" get to them and who expect a whopping increase and trips to Hawaii so they can relax and laugh at the people who elected and trusted them.

Sherre Schorr
Greensboro

Thanks for the tip on the kind of neighbors I might expect in not-so-friendly Friendly Acres. I frequently drive through the neighborhood, and was considering buying there. I often admired the wonderful terraces and waterfall going up on Friendly Acres Drive, wondering how it would turn out.

Now I see that Starmount and a handful of neighbors have the right to watch a man put his time and money into improving his property for four years, only to override his dream with their own selfish view of what the world should look like. Evidently a homeowner either conforms to the local taste police or gets his property rights trampled in court. How utterly callous and un-American.

As far as I'm concerned, property values just dropped to nothing in Friendly Acres.

Michael Lewis
Greensboro

While I support Mayor Keith Holliday, I was extremely disappointed in his welcoming remarks before fireworks at Grimsley High School on July 3.

He referred to the war in Iraq numerous times, but not once did he mention the other major conflict Americans are giving their lives for -- Afghanistan.

As the proud father of a son in the 82nd Airborne currently seeing battle in Afghanistan, I am appalled at how that war seems to be relegated to second-class status. Shame on all who do so.

We apparently need a wake-up call and a greater awareness of this ever-growing situation.

Steven Brandt
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column

By Matt Handley

Since Sept. 11, 2001, the operational tempo of the North Carolina National Guard, both Army and Air, has been at levels not seen since World War II. Our citizen soldiers have bravely accepted missions here at home and in the most dangerous frontline positions around the globe.

In a recent News & Record article, staff writer Stan Swofford told a story of the problems of two soldiers not receiving their travel pay settlements upon redeployment to the United States. The article accurately quoted a Government Accounting Office report that there are problems with the system for handling post-deployment travel vouchers. These systemic issues are often exacerbated when paperwork errors are made at the individual, unit or mobilization center, prior to the voucher reaching the Defense Finance Accounting Service offices in Indianapolis, Ind. However, this article, through the omission of details provided to the reporter, inadequately portrayed that there was no help available to N.C. National Guard soldiers who find themselves in financial difficulty.

Since 1991, the N.C. National Guard has had a fund available for soldiers finding themselves in a financial bind. The N.C. National Guard Soldiers and Airmen Assistance Fund is one of the most promoted benefits to N.C. National Guardsmen and their families. This fund has been the subject of countless promotions in our National Guard publications, Web site and meetings, as well as in media throughout the state.

The fund has been appropriated $250,000 from the N.C. Legislature, and has been the recipient from corporate and individual sponsor donations. Soldiers may receive these grants by simply applying for one. North Carolina citizens can contribute to the fund through the purchase of special license plates or to the fund directly by visiting the N.C. National Guard Web site at www.nc.ngb.army.mil and follow the link to the N.C. National Guard Soldier Airman Assistance Fund.

The National Guard Bureau, Defense Finance Accounting Service and N.C. National Guard finance personnel are using all available resources to complete the travel pay corrections. Eighty-five percent of these vouchers have been processed and soldiers should receive the balance of their travel pay in the next two weeks. The sacrifice of all our N.C. soldiers, their families and employers is a debt that should not come with the added stress of a financial hardship. The N.C. National Guard Soldiers Airmen Assistance Fund is there to relieve that burden.

The writer is a captain with the N.C. National Guard and chief of Public Affairs.

I would like to remind people that this country was founded on Christian principles and continues to be a Christian nation whose book is the Bible and only the Bible.

Our Founding Fathers, in their wisdom, set up the nation in Christianity as witnessed by the following:

1. Near the top of the Supreme Court building is a row of the world's lawgivers, and each one is facing one in the middle who is facing forward: It is Moses holding the Ten Commandments.

2. There are Bible verses etched in stone all over the federal buildings and monuments in Washington.

3. Patrick Henry, a patriot and Founding Father, said, "It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists but by Christians, not on religions but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

4. John Jay, the first Supreme Court justice, said, "Americans should select and prefer Christians as their rulers."

Christians need to speak out against the use of any book other than the Bible in any court in the United States. Countries of other religions do not allow the Bible in their courts.

Charles R. Cronham
Archdale

There they go again. The Democratic commissioners have tried to insult the intelligence of the citizens of Guilford County, again.

I have talked to several residents of other districts other than my own and no one agrees with what happened that fateful Thursday night when the budget vote was riddled with so much pork that for the third year in a row our taxes have increased.

Also, the outrageous pay increase they voted in at the 11th hour is unacceptable. We, as taxpayers, need to hold our commissioners more accountable for where our money goes.

Let's get involved. Come to the meetings, voice our opinions, then go to the polls and replace the commissioners who waste our tax dollars.

Ernie Andrews
Greensboro

Recently I went to the courthouse in High Point. I realized that the police officers inside the courtroom were standing up looking toward the judge and turning their backs to the spectators. I thought how stupid must be the two officers because every time I have been at the courthouse I never saw police officers with guns, but this time was different.

I didn't understand such a mistake. The case in Atlanta a few months ago came to my mind, when a person killed the judge. I hope the person in charge of the Sheriff's Department is careful about this, because a crazy person here could kill somebody.

What are other opinions about it?

Jose Luis García Reyes
High Point

I am honestly ashamed to let people know I am part of America that ruled for Mohamad Haj-Mohamadi to tear down his beautiful water fountain, walls and planters, etc. ("Demolished dreams," July 2).

To our garden lovers, it was a beautiful thing to see. The only thing I see to this picture is his neighbors are so jealous of his beautiful place and they can't afford to do theirs that way.

I do hope people will get behind Mr. Mohamadi and support him in beautifying his yard.

Why didn't the homeowners association get in behind this before he finished it and put a stop to it if it was so disgraceful? What has happened to the American people?

Irene Clodfelter
Summerfield

In reference to Charles W. Ward's letter (June 26), I would like to set the record straight about Jimmy Carter's Iran experience.

I was in military intelligence during President Nixon's administration. He did not weaken the military. Carter did. The intelligence field warned Carter of the situation in Iran and asked him to reduce the number of people in the American Embassy, down to the Marine guards and the ambassador only. He ignored their advice. The rest is history.

Carter also was advised not to try a rescue after March 1 because of the dust storms in Iran. He ignored that advice, too, and, consequently, we lost airmen, a helicopter and a C-130 airplane. The helicopters did not have dust filters to keep the dust out of the engines because the funds had been cut, and the military did not have enough money to purchase the filters or the flashlights needed to direct the air traffic on the ground.

I also lived in Georgia when Carter was governor. While in office, he started a dental Medicaid program. Four years and $94 million later, the state had to cancel the dental Medicaid program to keep from going broke. Donald Bernstein's letter (June 20) was very accurate.

Robert H. Ingram
Greensboro

I understand why the Guilford County commissioners are the highest-paid commissioners in the state. Good comedy acts pay well.

Lou Layton
Archdale

I am so tired of hearing "racists" every time something doesn't go someone's way or to their liking. I don't understand the letter, "Yow owes an apology for insulting remarks" (July 2), or maybe I do.

Why should Billy Yow apologize for not agreeing to more of our tax dollars going to the Civil Rights Museum? I don't want any more of my tax dollars going there, but I don't have a choice. I must be a racist. Yow speaks for a lot of citizens. That is why he was elected. Then I read, "The museum is only a small percentage of the massive amounts due to the African American people." I am sorry Toni Henderson feels that way.

I did not know the African American community was owed anything by anyone. When certain members of the African American community stop saying that we owe them -- owe them for what, I don't know -- and learn to live with others' opinions without playing the race card when someone of the white community disagrees with them, maybe we can move forward and take the race card out of the deck.

I owe the African American community nothing. I must be a racist.

Robin Pittman
Greensboro

Five justices reduced us to serfdom. The Connecticut eminent domain ruling declared that we own nothing.

According to a Brigham Young University Law Review article, "The earliest use of 'eminent domain' was probably in the seventeenth century writings of Hugo Grotius, who states that 'property of subjects under the law of eminent domain belongs to the state, so that the state, or the person who represents the state, can make use of that property, can even destroy or alienate it ... whenever it is to the public advantage.' " A formal declaration of related "just compensation" principles first occurred in France's 1789 "Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen": "Property being an inviolable and sacred right, no one can be deprived of it unless the public necessity plainly demands it, and upon condition of a just and previous indemnity." Hah.

By allowing state larceny of private property to benefit developers for tax revenues -- not for a necessary "public use" -- the Supreme Court converts us all from citizens to subjects. North Carolina's forced annexation laws come close by imposing taxation without representation, but the Supreme Court has made stealing land the law of the land. Where are Patrick Henry, George Washington, James Madison and Ben Franklin now that we need them again?

Jay Callaham
Greensboro

What has happened to this world in the last few years? Has it reverted to a sort of barbarism? As Christianity has declined, rudeness and violence have increased. Neighbors quarrel with neighbors. Fighting is a major problem in our schools, and the gang wars of teenagers have come to present a serious problem in our cities.

Fathers and mothers wrangle and bicker with each other. Homes are disintegrating. High government officials in Washington engage in name-calling and in heated disputes not at all in keeping with the dignity of their office.

Why and how has all this savagery crept into our social life? It is because we have forgotten Jesus' words, "Happy are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Happy are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." The mercy the world needs is the grace, love and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is His transforming and regenerating power that the world needs more than anything else.

Nick Nicholson
McLeansville

As a registered Democrat, I am appalled at the actions of the Democratic Guilford County commissioners. They gave themselves a 41 percent pay increase when a lot of people are losing their jobs; gas, meat and medication prices are skyrocketing; and everyone's savings are dwindling to nothing.

Bruce Davis states, "I put more hours in this job being a commissioner than that $1,500 could ever compensate." Maybe if he didn't waste all of his time investigating the county tax collector and spent more time on real county business, it would be worth it.

But as far as I am concerned, the results that we have received are no better than the judgments that recent juries have passed down. With that thought, they should receive the same amount a juror receives for a day's work.

And to add insult to injury, they gave the Civil Rights Museum $250,000 but slashed five patrol positions from the budget that Sheriff Barnes needed. I want to know how Skip Alston was able to vote on this when there was obviously a conflict of interest.

We get all this and a tax increase. Wow, are we ever lucky.

David Austin
Greensboro

As a traveling businessman, one of the few pleasures that I look forward to is coming home and knowing that, without a doubt, I will get to read another episode about the antics of the Guilford County commissioners. This pay raise issue is the best. If anyone in America does not deserve a pay raise, with absolute certainty, it is this group.

In fact, I'm surprised that when they enter their chambers, the music played is not Judy Collins' "Send in the Clowns." This is definitely a three-ring circus. Is there any way we can dump this group of buffoons, rescind the pay raise, and get someone in there who really cares about public service? These people are embarrassing.

Is voting these jerks out our only option? Can't we get rid of these charlatans now? I'm sure I can live with my disappointment of coming home and not reading about them anymore.

Jerry Stack
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column

By Tim Allen

I drove to "Friendly" Acres to see what the fuss was all about ("Demolished dreams," July 2). Entering this subdivision, I found pretty much what I suspected: a cluster of McMansions on tiny lots whose owners, above all else, had attempted to put their best foot forward -- toward the street. Although the houses were individually designed in some way, they were at heart all the same.

There seems to have been a competition among the owners as to who had the most and largest windows, how many gables and other breaks in the roof line could be crammed onto these structures, and how generously the garages provided for SUVs and other essentials. More than one poor owner, alas, had his whole "rear," including oddly placed windows, fake chimney and high-flying deck, exposed as I turned past his corner lot. But this was the back of the house, and we all know that nowadays it is the façade that counts.

In the midst of this obvious display of affluence was the house of the Haj-Mohamadis. I immediately regretted that I had not seen it before the marauding equipment (still parked on the property) had begun to systematically destroy the structure in the front yard. What a shame. The pictures in the newspaper showed a fascinating, thoroughly designed and well-thought-out system of terraces, pools and places for falling water. None of this was to my own taste, actually, but what an imaginative idea it had been. I would love to have seen all the water in action.

I believe "a man's home is his castle," and as much as I might not like it, my neighbor can paint his house purple, and I'll back his right to do it. Maybe one difference in attitude about these matters is how one regards his residence. Note that in the old line I quoted it says "home," not "house."

Our own house is also our home, and we keep it pretty respectable by traditional standards. It sits quietly among those of our neighbors. I think the people who object to eccentricity the most are those who look at their residences as investments, as mere possessions, houses whose resale value is more important than their happiness there.

The writer lives in High Point.

Update: This letter contained an incorrect byline. The writer's name is Terry Allen.

So, Muslim imams would like to use the Quran for courtroom oaths. Do those imams recognize that the philosophical basis for their right to practice Islam freely in America stems directly from the uniquely Judeo-Christian concept that each individual is a child of God made in his image, with a God-given right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness? Let the Muslim leadership publicly endorse these principles upon which this country is founded, then perhaps the Quran could be recognized for courtroom oaths. A good start would be to publicly and unequivocally condemn the Muslims who were responsible for the Sept. 11 massacre -- something long overdue from those leaders.

That should be followed by similar absolute condemnation of those responsible for the London bombings.

Walter J. Sperko
Greensboro

Thank you, Tom Kirkman III of High Point, to others who have written letters to the editor, and to Paul Donohue for his excellent column in the July 3 paper about home ownership and "the American Dream."

With the U.S. Supreme Court's decision allowing private property to be acquired by another private owner, it appears that "the American Dream" is becoming a nightmare for those who are forced to sell their private property for the personal gain of someone else -- under the guise of a "benefit to the community." (There are many ways to benefit communities, but this should not be one of them.)

The Supreme Court has taken another step in removing individual rights in this country. Start saying goodbye to these rights, folks, because they are leaving us and going away at a rapid pace.

Nancy L. Poulos
Greensboro

Regarding Steve Gorden's Counterpoint column ("Knowing torture when you see it," June 27):

I would like to suggest that there is nothing "tired," "flowery," "misguided" or "liberal" about treating all human beings as we would want to be treated.

I am sorry, Mr. Gorden, but sadly, you have "missed the boat." The ship of compassion has sailed.

E.A. McConnaughey
Supply

I am outraged. I am disgusted, amazed and horrified. Many people in Greensboro and Guilford County are out of work; even more are struggling daily to pay their bills, feed their children, buy necessary prescription medication. And the county commissioners vote themselves a 41 percent pay raise? Two of them are taking an all-expense- paid trip to Hawaii to learn how to save money? They hand out still more taxpayer money for the International Civil Rights Center and Museum without demanding an audit? The taxpayers have already been forced to "donate" monies to St. James, Project Homestead and countless other mismanaged projects. Where does it stop?

This is a wake-up call for all voters and taxpayers in Greensboro and Guilford County. You can make a difference. Take the few minutes necessary to vote in the next election and get rid of these people. We deserve and desperately need commissioners who will represent us, not the developers and other special interest groups who are stealing our hard-earned money and using it on pet projects, 41 percent pay raises and trips to Hawaii.

Sandra Barnes
Greensboro

It was great to see so many people celebrating our nation's birthday on July 4. I am sure they were all patriotic, well-meaning people who would never purposely dishonor or show disrespect to our flag, but I was amazed at how many people did just that. There were even several photos of this published in your newspaper.

I saw shirts, blouses, playsuits, handbags and other items made out of the flag, just as though it were ordinary cloth. One gentleman even used it to wrap around his head for shade. I'm sure none of them saw anything wrong with using it as a fashion statement or to soak up sweat.

I guess they've never heard of the Flag Code. Look it up on the Internet, folks. Section 8 of the Flag Code says: "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel." What part of that don't they get? Just because someone in China makes a shirt that looks like our flag, you don't have to buy it. People are dying for this flag. Please make an effort to learn about our national banner and show it more respect.

Tom Netsel
Jamestown

The recent holiday celebrations caused me to reflect on the proposed flag burning amendment that attempts to legislate appropriate uses of the flag.

Over the July 4th weekend, one did not have to look far on television, at public gatherings or in stores and shops to see: flag socks soon to be in contact with the ground or smelly tennis shoes, flag underwear and swim wear for adults -- worn (or perhaps not worn) during heaven-knows-what party activities, flag shorts and underwear for pre-toilet trained toddlers (uh-oh), flag bandanas and head wraps for soaking up the sun and sweat, flags draped over railings that only the night before had served as roosting places for pigeons, flag grill ornaments on trucks and flag decorations on autos decimating the monarch and June bug population along the highways, even flag pyrotechnics that by their very nature burn themselves to ashes.

It will take great skill and care on the part of our politicians to legislate proper or improper use of our flag. It will require more than stripe-by-stripe, star-by-star detail to define use and abuse. Good luck to them, but such efforts seem doomed to fail in their goal.

Ernie Schiller
Greensboro

Could you please tell your readers how they can make a contribution to The Alight Initiative for Breast Cancer Survivorship?

I read with great interest your July 4 article on this model program that would provide breast cancer patients and their families with emotional support and a special place to learn more about their diagnosis and treatment options. Once up and running, I know this initiative will fill a gap for many women as they seek to confront the ominous diagnosis of breast cancer.

Jane L. Johnson
Greensboro

Editor's note: Make checks payable to the Center for Women's Health and Wellness, and write Alight Initiative in the reference line. Mail to the Center for Women's Health and Wellness, 401 Health & Human Performance Building, UNCG, P.O. Box 26170, Greensboro, NC 27402-6170. For more information, call (336) 334-5744 or visit www.uncg.edu/hhp/cwhw/

My breakfast this morning (July 7) was interrupted by the announcement of the slaughter that took place in London, no doubt committed by members of the radical Islamist movement who do not subscribe to the peaceful teachings of the Quran.

It is long past time the civilized world organizes a serious movement to assist these individuals to achieve their greatest reward of paying a one-way visit to paradise.

Benjamin E. Wilson
Greensboro

The News & Record's editorial response (July 4) to the Downtown Greenway proposal completely failed to even mention the critical health and community benefits the Greenway would provide.

While it is always a valid point that funding priorities must be evaluated, your editorial and glib "thumbs down" dismissal of the Greenway as a "costly walk in the park" was unduly negative and strikingly short-sighted. The sarcastic "Summary Judgment" remark suggesting that in light of the proposed cost to fund Greenway components, such as a tunnel under mainline railroad tracks near Freeman Mill Road, "they may as well drive pedestrians across that intersection in limousines," ironically betrays a failure to appreciate the Greenway's primary objective: to get people out of their limousines, cars, and SUVs, and get them exercising on foot and bicycles in an environment that will facilitate and encourage community interaction.

As issues relating to the area's poor air quality hang like a smoggy haze over Greensboro's future, and the societal costs of obesity-related medical conditions continue to soar, one can only hope that a majority of Greensboro citizens will appreciate the tremendous long-term dividends that a modest investment today in the Downtown Greenway will pay.

Marsh Prause
Greensboro

Phil Shu said it all in his July 2 "Faith Matters" commentary, "Court no place for Quran." America claims to be a Christian nation so why are we allowing immigrants to come into our country and try and change the traditions we were founded on? Would an Islam court have a Christian Bible for an American? I don't think so.

I disagree with the Rev. Julie Peeples, pastor of Greensboro's Congregational United Church of Christ, who says we no longer live in the Bible Belt. She and others would like to change that image, but she uses the same Bible I use and it plainly states in the New Testament, John 14:6: "Jesus said, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me." Now our newspaper seems to be softening by writing an editorial suggesting we open the courts to use any and all religious material.

It's sort of like the 1970s, when whatever seemed right to you was considered OK to do. I believe it was called "situational ethics." I applaud Judge Albright for his standing.

Charles O'Brien
Greensboro

As a non-religious person, we find Phil Shu's article (Faith Matters, July 2) repugnant. We can only imagine how a Muslim reader would feel after reading it.

The facts Shu uses to prove that the Quran should not be allowed in the courtroom are far from convincing. He claims the Bible does not permit breaking an oath for any reason. Well, Mr. Shu, does this also apply to non-Christians? It seems to me that if the Holy Bible does not have value to a person, then what hinders them from lying? It is my opinion that a country that is founded on separation of church and state would not allow either book in the courtroom.

I believe it would be better to have each defendant and witness sign a legal document affirming to tell the truth or face perjury charges. That at least seems fair and would perhaps solve this dilemma. Let's take all of these religious books out of the court and use fairness and unbiased methods to extract the truth.

Dave and Filiz Van Zandt
Greensboro

Which book should be used for "swearing in" in court? Probably no book. I never understood why we would trust that anyone who is a deceiver (willing to commit robbery or murder, or willing to defend such a person) would care if his or her hand were placed on a book as they gave their oath.

For those who have the strength to speak the truth, no book will change that.

Rightfully, followers of non-Christian faiths are asking that their religious texts be acknowledged. A practicing Jew should be insulted if someone asks them to swear on the Christian Bible. A Buddhist might believe that such thoughts are simple and worldly and would gladly place his hand on any book.

Whether religious or not, humans have proven adept at lying and justifying their lies. But what of the specific case of the Quran? For many adherents deception and violence are entirely compatible with the teachings of the Quran. What then of an oath spoken over it?

No book should be endorsed by the state.

Davis Cloward
Greensboro

I do not believe Allah is real. I never accepted the divinity of Zeus or his wife Hera. I think it's pretty obvious that this Jehovah which is all the rage in these parts was made up by the Chosen People.

I do have a faith, however. I believe Gepetto carved a puppet. I believe that since the log from which he created this puppet was enchanted, the puppet came to life. Like all the people of my faith, I accept that after the puppet's trials and tribulations, the beautiful child with blue hair turned him into a real boy.

Should I be summoned into a Guilford County courtroom, therefore, I shall require an original unabridged copy of "Pinocchio," in Italian, by Carlo Lorenzini (before he adopted the pen name, Carlo Collodi), with the original illustrations.

Without such a book upon which to swear, I'm afraid my testimony will be invalid.

Larry Surber
Stoneville

Regarding the letter (July 5), "Sheriff's department needs modernization," by Chris Hargett:

Hargett agrees with Bob Hinson, a potential candidate for sheriff of Guilford County, that the Sheriff's Department should seek a helicopter for law enforcement needs.

When I was sheriff of Guilford County, my staff and I looked into such a possibility. A surplus military helicopter was available to us at no cost to the local taxpayers. However, once we calculated the costs of training/hiring a pilot, the costs of fuel, maintenance and mandated frequent overhauls, no justification could be made considering the limited use we'd have for one. Those resources could be better spent for new personnel and increased patrols in the county.

As sheriff, you have a responsibility to the taxpayers to spend their taxes wisely resulting in the most kick for the dollar. Needs must be prioritized based on money available. Showboating with a helicopter is just that -- showboating.

Jim Proffitt
Greensboro

The writer was sheriff in Guilford County from 1982 to 1986.

The Monday Counterpoint "Homeowner loses right of happiness" contained an incorrect byline. The writer's name is Terry Allen.

Establishing sex offender registry laws and sex offender "treatment" programs is worse than doing nothing about the problem of sex offenders. Both of these supposed remedies have no real outcome data to support their effectiveness and only contribute to a false sense of security.

How many children will have to die before people start demanding that the legislature pass laws that keep sex offenders out of our communities and behind bars where they belong?

Bill Garrot
Greensboro

The article, "Landing more destinations key at PTI" (July 4), inaccurately states that Southwest Airlines offers much of the nonstop service at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. In fact, nine major airlines offer service from RDU.

Southwest Airlines serves 18 percent of the passengers who fly out of RDU. This is the same percentage that Delta Airlines, US Airways and American Airlines each serve. These airlines, combined with five other major carriers, offer 238 daily departures to 38 nonstop destinations.

Mindy Hamlin
RDU Airport

The writer is marketing communications manager, Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority.

Fred Gregory and his "conservative" ilk (letter, July 5) must be suffering from selective memory or have not been paying attention. The 9/11 Commission concluded that there was no connection between Iraq and the attacks on the World Trade Center.

During the 2004 debates, both Bush and Cheney begrudgingly concurred that these findings were indeed factual -- debate over. Every reason given not to go to war turned out to be correct: no WMDs, no al-Qaida connection or nuclear threat.

By illegally invading Iraq, we put our troops in a deadly quagmire that has become a recruiting tool for terrorists. According to Mideast experts, Iraq is spinning out of control as the insurgency grows. How many trillions of dollars are we prepared to spend there? Why are we not finding bin Laden, the actual Sept. 11 perpetrator?

In response to Ed Crothers' tear-stained testament to protecting "Old Glory" (letter, July 5), I'd like to ask: How many flag-burnings have you witnessed lately? I don't have health insurance, but I sure am glad that all those flags made in Mexico and China are safe.

Can't this government spend our tax dollars on anything better than "protecting" us from fictional evils?

Michael Northuis
Greensboro

Wow, am I relieved that noted military analyst Rosemary Roberts, returning from a few days of touring the country, has pronounced that China "doesn't pose a military threat to United States." For a while there, I wondered why the Chinese were threatening Taiwan and shooting missiles across the island, building a modern fleet of submarines and aircraft carriers, maintaining the world's largest standing army and developing long-range missiles with a nuclear capability.

And, if we don't think the Chinese are a threat, their military leaders certainly consider us the most likely military adversary. And the Chinese are in a rush to lock in their oil supplies. Sort of reminds one of the Japanese "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere" of the 1930s and '40s. But, not to worry. Rosemary reassures us there is nothing to worry about. I will certainly sleep better tonight.

Mike Crouch
Greensboro

Update: Column link now available here.

This letter goes out to our county commissioners, including Billy Yow, Paul Gibson and others who have expressed disagreement with giving yourselves a pay raise. If you truly regret it and feel it is unjustified, considering all the other needs of our county, then return the raise portion of your paychecks, and go on record as doing so. Then, come next election, the voters will know which of you truly put your money where your mouth is.

Kathy Horne
Greensboro

Why is Trudy Wade still sitting in a county commissioner seat? She lost. It's time for her to stop stealing the election and go. Now.

This newspaper and the voters of Guilford County need to demand her immediate concession.

Wayne Abraham
Greensboro

I'd like to talk to you folks about something that I hold near and dear to my heart. I'm not a foster kid myself, but my home is a foster home, and I have seen some wonderful children in my lifetime. Unfortunately, some of the older ones will probably never be adopted because the younger, cuter babies will often be adopted first. But there are older kids out there who would make any mom and dad proud -- kids who have been jostled around from home to home their entire lives and just want a permanent place to lay their heads and some folks to call "Mom and Dad."

Patty McIrvin talked about being a hero by donating blood (July 7), but being a parent to a child is another valuable way to be a hero in your community. For information on foster care or adoption in Greensboro, call 641-7632 or (866) 812-3125. Please, call today and give a child a place to call home.

Jenelle Peterson
Greensboro

It's July 10, and your editorial page cartoon by Marlette brought an emotional tear or two to these old eyes.

There was the silhouette of Winston Churchill, standing tall amid the smoking ruins of a double-deck bus, subway trains and the chaos of terrorism. The caption: "We shall fight them on the beaches … we shall fight in the fields and on the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender."

What an eloquent rallying cry that was for fearful and uncertain nations drawn into World War II. And as history again repeats itself, able leaders of great courage are with us.

George Bush and Tony Blair are modern-day counterparts of Roosevelt and Churchill. They fit these times and its challenges as did their predecessors.

Thank God for the bond between the United States and Great Britain -- and for the will of strong leaders to persevere through firestorms of criticism and opposition.

History will surely honor Bush and Blair as giants of their era. I wish more of us would voice support for them as the war against mindless evil intensifies.

Bill Beerman
Greensboro

Don't trash your heritage for the abyss of pluralism because the Muslims in Greensboro want to use the Quran and not the Bible in the courtroom. The Bible has given the Muslims and others freedom in this country, whereas the Quran has not provided likewise to others in Muslim countries.

The Bible, with its high morals and absolutes of right and wrong, coupled with mercy, forgiveness, acceptance and a savior for eternal life -- who brings consolation and coherence -- has been America's historical foundation and source of common law. Without a high moral standard to lead, we are lost in the abyss of unknowns and instability.

We can be proud to have had connected to our common law virtues of moral purity, faithfulness, trustworthiness, righteousness and justice. Maybe that is why in the 1776 North Carolina Constitution, only Christians were allowed to handle the affairs of the State.

The South Carolina Supreme Court affirmed in 1846, "Christianity is part of the common law of the land …"

E.A. Timm
Walnut Cove

There is a song by Aretha Franklin titled "Think," which includes the following line: "You better think, think about what you're trying to do to me." I want to dedicate this song to the governing body of North Carolina.

It seems that they are determined to place a heavy tax on cigarettes.

I don't wish to condone smoking, for I believe it is harmful to one's health.

On the other hand, if these industries decide to move offshore, taking at least a quarter of a million jobs with them, it's enough to be concerned.

Hershey Crenshaw
Brown Summit

Thanks to the News & Record and to reporter Ellica Church for the fine article on Glenwood and the NeighborWoods Grant in the July 5 edition.

The article draws attention to the important things the Glenwood Neighborhood Association is doing to improve our neighborhood and assist its residents.

In addition to the NeighborWoods Grant, the Glenwood Neighborhood Association has received approval for a Neighborhood Small Project for the city to install a new neighborhood sign. GNA also has received two grants to implement revitalization efforts on Grove Street, including a substantial grant from Building Stronger Neighborhoods, and a Greensboro Beautiful grant to install flower boxes. We deeply appreciate that these organizations have recognized the Neighborhood Association's value and are willing to invest in our continuing efforts to improve the Glenwood community.

We meet the first Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Glenwood Recreation Center on Coliseum Boulevard.

Mitzi Griffin
Greensboro
The writer is president, GNA.

I support Greensboro's push to inform the public on laws allowing people to abandon infants within seven days of birth. However, changes first need to occur in education. Teenage mothers abandon/murder the majority of infants, more than likely from lack of education. Youth are only taught abstinence.

If a girl becomes pregnant, she is unaware of options because she is only taught not to have sex; by that point this is no longer helpful. Lack of communication at home also may be at fault. She believes her parents will neither accept the situation nor support her. The mother is still a child, so she resorts to childlike behavior, hiding the evidence. In this mindset, she is not able to think ahead and realize she is killing a child.

If she knew about this law, she could stay out of the trouble she is avoiding, and her child would be able to have a life. Schools would be the perfect place to advertise this law, but they must first admit that youth have sex and become pregnant. If Guilford County is devoted to decreasing infant murders, they need to educate our children on every aspect of this situation.

Caryn Nelson
Summerfield

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Christina Crisp

I read the article (July 7, online edition) about the child in Madison who was attacked by a dog. Having grown up in Rockingham County, I sincerely hope I am not the only person disappointed by police Chief Perry Webster's knee-jerk reaction motivated by a poorly instigated tactic of appealing to fear. It is not unpredictable or even unreasonable to assume a mother dog would attack anyone attempting to disturb her puppies, especially a toddler who should never have been allowed to approach or handle nursing puppies.

Furthermore, the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Centers for Disease Control have both warned that dogs tethered to chains are more likely to be aggressive, as are unaltered dogs. A chained Belgian Malinois -- a breed commonly used by law enforcement K-9 units -- most likely would have attacked a stranger disturbing her litter. Consider an unspayed female, a new litter of puppies, a chain, and an unsupervised toddler, and it is not a Herculean task to understand why any dog in this same scenario would attack.

But please, let's not ask why a responsible pet owner had a dog nursing 3-day-old puppies chained up outside. Don't even fathom asking who allows a 2-year-old to freely roam near a wooded area. Apparently, it is easier to overlook these two overwhelming factors. I'm sure it is also a lot safer to ignore the fact that mixed-breed dogs are more likely to be involved in inflicting bites on people than pure breeds.

I will agree with Chief Webster when he says the wrong people are obtaining the wrong dogs. The popularization of pit bulls (not even a breed of dog) is disturbing, but not because they are vicious dogs. They were never bred to be aggressive toward people, and a dog that is an aggressive bully indicates a less than desirable person holds ownership of the dog.

As someone who has worked with animal rescue, it infuriates me when I see people using a dog for unscrupulous purposes. But it also disturbs me when I see a community leader administer a blanket band-aid without exploring alternatives to an unnecessary ban, such a registrations, age limits, or permits for owners of certain breeds. Blame the deed, not the breed, and more importantly, blame the irresponsible parties that contributed to this unfortunate incident.

The writer lives in Winston-Salem.

Now, I readily admit that I am not quite as interested in our local government as some. Nor am I looking to rectify this. I am quite blissful in my ignorance of all those things that so irritate others. But one thing I would like to delve into a little more is the North Carolina lottery.

Those who claim this would encourage gambling and sin, provide a few examples (fact-based only, if you please) as to why you feel this would cause our ultimate downfall as a society.

And the argument that providing a seemingly addictive substance to someone who is weak or prone to enticement doesn't quite fly with me. After all, putting a gun in my hands on a bad day doesn't mean I will shoot someone. Temptation is best when fought hard and defeated.

Christy Robbins
Greensboro

How much longer do the taxpayers have to put up with that bunch of clowns who are serving as our commissioners? It is easy to see that they do not have the taxpayers' interest at heart and they just throw our money around like it grows on trees.

I watched the replay of their meeting on TV recently, and how we ever got a bunch of the people together to serve the interests of Greensboro is a mystery to me. There must be some way that we can get rid of Skip Alston and Bruce Davis. It is a shame that a lot of us senior citizens are old and too poor to pull up and move elsewhere.

June Pardue
Greensboro

In her guest column, "Being American doesn't mean being alike" (July 10) [not posted], Sarah Jones supports cultural pluralism, writing, "America has long been considered a melting pot, but I think that is an inadequate metaphor. A melting pot, you see, is a homogenous goo, like fondue..."

In this context, "melting pot" has no culinary meaning. Its origin is metallurgical, designating a crucible. Ralph Waldo Emerson referred to the "smelting pot" for the assimilation of all races and nationalities into American culture.

By 1909 Jewish playwright Israel Zangwill had written "The Melting Pot," in which he proclaimed, "America is God's crucible, the great melting pot where all the races of Europe are melting and reforming." He dedicated it to Theodore Roosevelt, proud of his multiethnicity but foremost an American.

Jones wants to consider America a "stew pot" where cultures and nationalities are not assimilated, but she neglects to state that a good stew needs a recipe, which implies control over the ingredients. Anything less would be an undigestible mess.

I am wary of people who want to make multicultural, politically correct recipes for society. I prefer for our nation to be tested in the crucible and come out pure gold.

Billye Higdon
Greensboro

Regarding Charles R. Cronham's letter, "Founders designed a Christian nation," (July 10): Cronham asserts that because we were founded on Christian principles, the addition of any holy book into our judicial system must be fought by Christians. Well, let's take a look at everything this nation was founded on.

Christianity? Yes. Slavery? Absolutely. Women as property instead of people? You better believe it. Our Founding Fathers owned slaves and maintained women were second-class citizens who couldn't own property, and it was OK to beat them when necessary.

These wonderful Founding Fathers built wealth on the backs of slaves, caring little if they lived or died. African Americans were less than human, so what the heck.

As we progress as human beings (which only 50 percent or so seem to be doing), we must also embrace what this country was founded on. The premise was freedom, not Christianity. Introducing other holy books into our judicial system is a moot point.

What matters is that we collectively embrace the idea that this wonderful melting pot of people and cultures is the richest and most powerful in the world because of our differences, not in spite of them.

Carmen Crabtree
Elon

I have heard from my son's baseball coach that Greensboro Parks & Recreation is considering not having any fall baseball. Please say it isn't so. I'm convinced this program keeps more youngsters out of trouble than any program Greensboro has.

I know problems have arisen with some coaches and have caused Parks & Recreation a lot of trouble, but any program worth its salt can bring problems with it. We can't throw the baby out with the bath water can we?

Please reconsider if you will. After all, the kids are only young once, and if we take away this program from them, we can never give it back to them. Even if brought back later, the kids today will have missed out.

Thanks for listening.

Bill Ahrens
Greensboro

A lot has been written about the county commissioners' trip to Hawaii. If you are interested in the schedule for the five-day event, go to www.naco.org for details. Then decide whether you believe this is money well spent.

At a minimum, each commissioner should provide the press, and the press should print, a list of the sessions attended, what was learned and how it will benefit Guilford County. Lest anyone get apoplectic about the Kernersville address, I live in Guilford County.

Douglas Brackett
Kernersville

I agree that "no one owes support for the civil rights center" (July 11). But, unfortunately, the civil rights museum project has become the scapegoat of the recently passed Guilford County budget.

Few people would agree that the commissioners needed a raise. They remain an embarrassment to our community whether Democrat or Republican. Few also would agree with the way the $250,000 grant for the museum was approved and the potential conflict of interest it raises with Skip Alston.

I ask my fellow citizens, however, to realize the worth of the project itself and the thousands of dollars the civil rights center will bring to our community and downtown.

I support the center as I did the FedEx hub and the possible ACC Hall of Champions. All of these things are good for Greensboro and help bring money into our community. Don't let your anger over the budget and the commissioners giving themselves a raise influence your thoughts of a truly worthwhile project.

Lorrie Reid
Greensboro

After reading "Town considers ban on some dogs" (July 9), I was angry at the public's ignorance concerning pit bulls. I work at a veterinary hospital and I am subjected to many different breeds.

Police Chief Perry Webster only displayed his ignorance by stating that "Often, pit bulls and Rottweilers are raised to be vicious, attack dogs and are usually owned by drug dealers." It is truly sad that someone this uninformed has those dogs' lives in his hands.

The American Kennel Club Association strongly and openly opposes any legislation that determines a dog to be "dangerous" based on specific breeds. Also, according to statistics kept by Animal Care and Control, Labradors were responsible for an astonishing 18.9 percent of the 748 dog bites from 1997 to 2003 (German shepherds came in second with 8.5 percent).

I believe the problem we are faced with has to do with people, not dogs. A dog's training and upbringing are what determine temperament and aggressive or non-aggressive characteristics. I also believe that dog owners who encourage aggressive and domineering behavior should be punished. Perhaps revising and enforcing the laws we have would be a much better approach.

Rachel McSwain
Whitsett

I am a proud resident of Greensboro and deeply concerned about the city's future and its past. However, I question living in a city that refuses to address its past and current racial issues.

I was startled when the City Council voted 6-3 not to endorse the work of the Greensboro Truth & Reconciliation Project. This action is a major setback for African American and other minority communities. The council's refusal to endorse the project says to me that some people in our communities are more important than others. It also says that if you are poor and a person of color, what affects you is unimportant.

This should serve as a wake-up call for citizens. What are our leaders doing to improve race relations? Refusing to hear people's concerns is unacceptable and insulting. Living in peaceful communities begins with respecting and treating each other with dignity without regard to a person's race, age, socioeconomic status or level of education. If the City Council were to receive a grade on this, they would receive an F. Greensboro's leaders are clear: Concealing the truth, not truth and reconciliation.

Shelia Manning-Moss
Greensboro

Monday morning, July 4, I went to work. When I arrived, I noticed a dog across the street. She had a towel, food and water bowls. Why did you leave her there? She obviously had recently had a litter of puppies. I just wanted you to know she's fine. She's been to the vet, had all her shots and been groomed. She's housebroken, listens when I call her. I just don't understand why you left her by the road.

The Guilford County Animal Shelter would have gladly taken her in, so why not drop her there instead of taking the chance that she might get run over? Thank you for the wonderful dog, whoever you are.

Steve Benoit
Jamestown

Regarding the Guilford County commissioners' self-inflicted, obscene pay increase, I am reminded of two famous quotations.

First, "Methinks they doth protest too much."

Although Commissioners Trudy Wade and Mike Winstead rightfully turned their backs on the increase, Republican Commissioners Yow, Arnold and Shaw "reluctantly" accepted the increase. Yow saying that he would rather accept it than turn it back into the Democratic commissioners' "slush fund" is disingenuous at best. If he, Arnold, and Shaw have a moral fiber in their bodies, they will take the differential and earmark it for charity. Publicly.

As for the Democrats who passed the measure, this second quote's for you: "What a revoltin' development."

Stephen Kelly
Greensboro

How disappointing to read the July 13 News & Record and see our community's "can do" attitude slipping away. I hope our elected officials and our newspaper will think and plan with a long-term vision of community investment in mind.

Will a water feature in our signature downtown Center City Park cost money? Yes. Will a greenway around the city require both public and private investment? Absolutely. At the same time, investment in these two projects can bring tremendous benefits to our community.

Just recently, Mayor Holliday introduced Knox White, mayor of Greenville, S.C., and praised that city's vision for its revitalized downtown, including retail, parks, trails and public art. In this great example, success has bred success as they recently announced a new $65 million investment into that area -- obviously, a great catalyst for additional development. We already have a tremendous park system.

If we really want a signature park in our vibrant downtown that creates a sense of place and a source of pride for our citizens and spurs economic growth, then we need to think about solutions, a dynamic vision and how we can make things happen. We deserve it.

Liz Summers
Greensboro

Charles Cronham (letter, July 10) argues that because we are a "Christian nation," we should fight attempts to allow sacred texts of other religions in court. I beg to differ.

My Baptist ancestors, both in England and in the colonies, were jailed and publicly flogged because they did not hold the views of the majority church. Baptist founder Thomas Helwys died in an English prison for suggesting that whether persons were Jewish, Christian, Muslim or of no religion at all, the state had no right to compel any kind of religious belief or practice.

That's why Baptists pushed for a Bill of Rights, guaranteeing the free practice of religion. They knew firsthand the dangers of being a minority voice and they paid a steep price for it.

That's why it seems to me to be unconscionable to demand that people affirm a sacred book that's not their own sacred book.

Whatever the faith of the founding fathers and mothers, it was both their wisdom and their intention that this new nation be a place in which people of all faiths could worship, practice and believe as they felt led, without fear of coercion or punishment.

The Rev. Peggy Haymes
Greensboro

I would like to thank Elyse Ashburn for coming to the press conference that North Carolina Public Interest Research Group held July 12 on the shore of Lake Higgins. Her article touched on many of the important issues covered in NCPIRG's recently released report, "Our Lakes at Risk: The Impact of Growth on North Carolina's Water Quality."

The lakes of North Carolina are so important to us for both recreation and drinking water, but these reservoirs are at risk from non-point source runoff from overdevelopment.

Thankfully, the General Assembly has listened to the public and recognized this problem. They are working to reverse the damage through passing the Clean Lakes Bill through the legislature.

We look forward to Gov. Easley signing this bill into law very soon.

Mary Ellen M. Kustin
Chapel Hill

The writer is a canvasser for NCPIRG.

What age do we live in? I sense we've entered a time when money and humanity are at deadly odds with each other. I tremble to think that ordinary people have become obsolete, have become a blight upon riches.

We, all of us, argue over matters as if humanity were the culprit, as if it were the reason life is hard. How can this be?

I personally know no one who deliberately asks for a hard life. Human beings of every degree of riches deserve life and, in the United States, they deserve the constitutional privileges of pursuing it.

Those willing to address money as imprimatur to existence loathe the idea that human beings can be poor and content. If we are to remain human first and rich second, we need on our U.S. Supreme Court someone disaffected by money and its power to abuse the poor.

William McCarver
Reidsville

Almost one year ago, the United States declared that genocide was occurring in Darfur and that the government of Sudan and Arab militias were responsible. However, we have done very little to stop the genocide, and it is past time for the United States to step forward as a moral leader of the world.

Leonard Pitts Jr. recently wrote about Darfur and encouraged readers to "give a damn" and offered suggestions for action. I'd like to add that people concerned about this situation can go to the "Africa Action" or "Worship In the Spirit of Justice" Web sites and sign the petition demanding that the U.S. government do everything necessary to ensure an urgent multinational intervention in Darfur. The group hopes to get 400,000 signatures by Sept. 9 to represent the estimated 400,000 murdered in Darfur.

African Action says that officials who were silent during the Rwandan genocide in 1994 claim that if Americans had demanded more action the United States would have been forced to work with the United Nations to intervene, and thousands of lives could have been saved. We said "never again," but it appears that what is happening now is "never again," again.

Sue Jezorek
Greensboro

I am a member of the Greensboro community and a frequent visitor to Share-A-Home. I appreciate the recent attention the News & Record has given to this home, where citizens live who should not have to live alone.

The residents, their families and the staff have formed a family with much love. It is important that the community step up and help this family stay together.

Carol Vignolo
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Craig Fox

There has been quite a bit of reaction to Guilford Superior Court W. Douglas Albright's refusal to allow Muslims to swear on the Quran in the courts. This issue is not only being discussed in Guilford County, but also throughout North Carolina. Even now, the ACLU is defending the rights of Muslims to swear on their holy book.

One of the early groups to settle Guilford County were the Quakers. The Religious Society of Friends, or the Quakers, still play a prominent part in shaping our county. In this debate about religious liberty and religious freedom, it is interesting to note that Quakers refuse to take oaths at all, using neither the Bible nor any other holy book.

There's a clear and unambiguous prohibition in the Bible (Matthew 5:33-37) against swearing oaths, which most groups tend to ignore. Quakers tend to take it very seriously, and further observe that, for instance, if you can't trust a person to tell the truth unless they have sworn they're telling the truth, how do you know they weren't lying about swearing to tell the truth too?

The implication that there are two standards of honesty -- a low one for everyday use and a high one for special occasions — is likewise unacceptable. So, perhaps this whole debate could be settled by removing religious oaths entirely from the judiciary process. Perhaps it is time to look again at the understandings of the founders of Guilford County and to "let our 'yes' be 'yes' and our 'no' be no'."

That is the clear command of Jesus, and that should be acceptable to both followers of Christ and followers of other religions or no religion at all.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

On a recent warm Friday, my friend and I sat outside Hemingway's on Elm Street to have a cocktail and relax. Good music flowed down from atop the Kress building, and the city bustled with folks walking about either well- or neatly dressed. It was a friendly lot heightened by a downtown atmosphere. Strangers smiled and spoke to one another, and occasional hands were raised to say hello even to passing cars, whose occupants always waved back. How pleasant it was. Others talked about the coming restaurant with dueling grand pianos across the street. We stepped a few doors down later to 223 for a gourmet dinner.

Downtown Greensboro has grown into an attractive and engaging venue, and it made me proud.

J. Michael Williams
Summerfield

After several years of planning, fund raising and renovations to the former Woolworth building, water has been found in the basement. Another round of fund raising has been announced.

Rather than delay opening the building to visitors, why not put in a sump pump to take away this water? With the millions already consumed in planning and renovations, how could the water problem have been overlooked?

The International Civil Rights Center and Museum needs to be done right in deference to contributors. Moreover, these students who literally risked their lives, who are the subject of this memorial, deserve nothing less. Do the directors expect or need carte blanche support to make ready this memorial?

Gerald C. Parker
Greensboro

Editor's note: A sump pump won't be sufficient. The building's footings are too weak to support mechanical equipment that must be installed on the roof, museum officials say. Also, the museum has decided to affiliate with the Smithsonian Institution, which requires strict control of heat and humidity. The water problem wasn't discovered until concrete slabs in the basement were being removed during the construction process.

On July 11, there was a bad accident in my neighborhood on Hill Street. A man plowed head-first into a telephone pole with his pickup truck. The pole he hit was adjacent to the entrance to the Bronco ball field at Latham Park, where many people walk, ride bikes and walk their dogs. The accident required more than eight service trucks to repair the power lines.

While I appreciate the job these people do, I do not appreciate gazing upon all the trash and rubbish they left behind, in the park and in the street, after their work was complete. My dog picked up a splinter in her paw from the wood chips left everywhere but luckily missed the lengths of wire and pieces of metal left lying on the ground. In addition, there were empty water bottles and snack wrappers strewn about.

I realize these folks were out there for a while, but how long does it take to pick up after yourself? This is a neighborhood, not a dump. Thanks a lot, Duke Power.

Tess Sebastian
Greensboro

Growing up in Greensboro in the 1940s, I frequently rode my bicycle from Sunset Hills to the Carolina Theater on Saturday mornings. A special treat was caramel ice cream cake at the Tea Room in Meyer's Department Store. Later as an adult, I enjoyed the unique sandwiches at the Mantelworks, and now my husband and I go to the Broach Theater and the Greensboro Historical Museum as often as we can. Obviously, I am a supporter of Old Greensborough and am delighted with the renewal of downtown.

I have read about the new Center City Park and plans for a fountain. I agree that fountains are attractive, but maintenance costs should be considered. What really bothers me is what is attracted to water, namely mosquitoes and geese. "If you build it, they will come."

Greensboro is already infested with these birds that hiss at humans and leave their droppings everywhere. Mosquitoes can breed in small puddles of water.

I hope Action Greensboro and the city have figured out how to avoid these problems. Otherwise, be sensible and omit the fountain, and discourage people from feeding the pigeons. And before I get accused of being a scrooge, I have two bird feeders and an occupied bluebird box in my yard.

N.H. Clark
Greensboro

President Bush needs to keep his word. According to the New York Observer (September 2003), Scott McClellan said he spoke for the president regarding the Valerie Plame outing when he said, "If anyone in this administration was involved in it, they would no longer be in this administration." Karl Rove's lawyer has come forward to say he was indeed involved.

This outing has jeopardized our national security as well as the security of certain individuals. We must believe our president is truthful in what he says and that he will now ask Rove to step down.

Christina Beam
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Lee Keith

Regarding Terry Allen's Counterpoint piece ("Homeowner loses right of happiness," July 11): Beautiful composition, excellent grammar, but methinks Allen has missed the point.

The homeowner who is having to demolish his fountains should have done due diligence when he purchased his house. Had he done so, he would have known, plain and simple, that he was totally in violation of covenants and restrictions doing what he did. It amazes me that anyone would make such a monumental purchase and not be aware of restrictions, covenants and, in general, what he was and was not buying.

A minimum amount of effort would have disclosed that the project violated deed restrictions and, even if legal, had to be completed in 90 days. This project has been going on much longer than that. If he had this dream, why not buy a few acres out in the country where he would have the freedom to construct his dream, raise chickens, slop pigs or whatever in his pursuit of happiness?

Others in this Greensboro neighborhood invested their hard-earned money based on the covenants and restrictions being enforced. They all operated within the covenants and restrictions. What about their rights? What about their happiness? They did their homework before purchasing, and they followed the rules. Should they now be penalized for doing so? I think not.

Let's remember, we do not have a right to happiness. We have a right to the pursuit of happiness. In that pursuit, we are responsible for understanding what we are doing when we make major life decisions (like buying a home). We should further understand that, just because we might have a dream, we don't necessarily have the right to ignore codes, covenants and restrictions, thereby negating the rights of everyone else in the neighborhood.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

It was with a sinking feeling of disgust and recognition that I read about the murder of poor Rhonda Roane-Smith in the News & Record (July 15). Yet another woman in a violent relationship who made the very courageous, difficult and often life-threatening decision to leave.

Yet, another victim who did not get the support from the community and the criminal justice system that was needed to keep her safe. There have been too many cases of this. Period.

Americans routinely ignore the plight of women like Rhonda. It's time to put an end to it. We must demand accountability from the judge who refused to put a protective order in place, when Roane-Smith's husband had a prior criminal record in neighboring states. We have to demand laws that will protect women from the men that would hurt them.

Above all, we have to create a society that will finally turn its back on centuries of domination and abuse.

Vada Bostian
Greensboro

The ongoing saga of mismanagement in public and low cost of housing continues and no one seems to be guarding the hen house.

Recently, more good news in that our super-smart, Democrat-controlled county commissioners treated themselves to a nice 41 percent raise. This is followed by a donation of $250,000 of taxpayer money to the Civil Rights Museum, which has already spent $3 million on everything but construction.

Skip Alston plea-bargained with the commissioners that he would vote for money for the school system if he got $250,000 for the museum.

To quote Robin Saul of the News & Record, we "sure would like to know more about what's going on to keep our confidence high."

And Jim Melvin of the Bryan Foundation: "Until we get some definite answers on this, I don't think any of us know where to go."

The News & Record has done a good job in pulling information out of the not-so-up-front museum directors.

The paper needs to continue its investigative reporting as an obligation to the citizens and corporations who have contributed to this cause. A noble cause, but terribly mishandled.

To date, I have not heard of much support (financially) from the wealthy individuals in the entertainment world or the millionaires in the sports world.

Anthony Bundros
Greensboro

Alistar Millar (on the Web site Sojourners, July 13), contends our "leaders" navigate us into ineffective counter-terrorism strategy based primarily on the use of force.

I would just add that we know that violence begets violence.

If we want to deny terrorists access to resources, we Americans should quit paying our taxes, so the biggest terrorist operation of all will grind to a halt.

Arden Kirkman
Greensboro

You editorial, "An ominous turn" (July 14), is symptomatic of one of the more troubling trends of our time. You say that "Leaders in London and on our shores must reach out to those whose sense of disenfranchisement and disconnection create fertile ground for extremism."

To me, this statement suggests that these poor, misunderstood souls need our sympathy rather than our condemnation. Well, I say "Not on your life."

I believe you are naive to think that somehow our society is to blame for these deviants murdering innocent people. Perhaps we would be better served by people who are willing to state what seems obvious to me: These people hate free people everywhere and only want to kill those who enjoy that freedom.

When, and if, the day comes when people in influential positions are willing to say that cold-blooded murder for any cause is wrong, we at least will have the satisfaction of knowing the inmates were not running the asylum.

Butch Carpenter
Greensboro

When I first read the story "Demolished Dreams" (July 2), I was concerned about the News & Record's financial situation. At first I thought it must have been too expensive to talk to supporters of the judge's ruling forcing Mohamad Haj-Mohamadi to destroy his fountain.

Some of the other side of the story: Haj-Mohamadi, originally given 90 days to complete his fountain in his Friendly Acres home, took more than four years. Haj-Mohamadi cut down a co-owned hedge that would have blocked his neighbors' sight lines of this fountain, against his neighbor's expressed wishes.

Neighbors planning to sell their houses, before Haj-Mohamadi's project, had to take their houses off of the market because Haj-Mohamadi's dream devalued their property.

What of these neighbors' dreams?

Maybe people who wrote to the editor condemning these innocent neighbors were unaware of these facts when they wrote their screeds.

How could they know? Our media were too poor to mention them.

Matthew Zukowski
Browns Summit

Editor's note: The News & Record story contained interviews with neighbors, a representative of the Starmount Co. and a lawyer of one of the neighbors who had sued Haj-Mohamadi (that neighbor otherwise had declined to comment).

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Audrae Erickson

The July 11 Life section article, "Energy drinks booming, but questions remain," by Katie Reetz unfortunately mischaracterizes high-fructose corn syrup, a natural, homegrown sweetener from U.S. corn fields by stating that it has been "linked to increases in obesity and diabetes."

This mischaracterization of high-fructose corn syrup, or HFCS, as a unique cause of obesity does not represent the consensus opinion of scientific experts. The Center for Food and Nutrition Policy at Virginia Tech issued a report last year compiled by scientists who reviewed a number of critical commentaries about HFCS.

Their analysis found that HFCS is not a unique contributor to obesity. The Associated Press also reported on July 17, 2004, "There is no reason to think high-fructose corn syrup is worse than regular table sugar or any other sweetener as a contributor to obesity."
Many parts of the world, including Mexico and Europe, have rising rates of obesity and diabetes despite having little or no HFCS in their foods and beverages, which supports findings by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the American Diabetes Association that the primary causes of diabetes are obesity, advancing age and heredity.

HFCS contains approximately equal ratios of fructose and glucose similar to table sugar. The human body cannot discern a difference between HFCS, table sugar (sucrose) and honey because they are all nearly equivalent in composition.

In 1983, the Food and Drug Administration listed HFCS as "Generally Recognized as Safe" for use in food, and the FDA reaffirmed that ruling in 1996.

As a natural, nutritive sweetener, HFCS can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet.

According to the American Dietetic Association, "Consumers can safely enjoy a range of nutritive and nonnutritive sweeteners when consumed in a diet that is guided by current federal nutrition recommendations ... as well as individual health goals."

The writer is president, Corn Refiners Association, Washington, D.C.

Editor's note: The story was based on articles and research from The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, The Journal of the American Medical Organization and the World Health Organization.

Doesn't anyone else find it a bit strange to have all this furor over the use of the Bible or Quran in courtrooms, when the very book itself that folks so adamantly insist upon using to "swear" forbids any swearing at all?

Please refer to Matthew 5:33-37, where Jesus states very plainly: "You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows that you have made to the Lord.' But I say to you, Do not swear at all (there follows a list of common oaths) … Let your word be 'Yes, yes' or 'no, no;' anything more than this comes from the evil one."

Is it "honoring" the Scripture to disobey its instructions?

Ruth Martin
Brown Summit

Do you ever wonder about the contradictions occurring in our great country now? The Supreme Court recently ruled that Internet service providers can be held liable if their programs are used by teenagers (or others) to download copyrighted music files, and our Senate Majority Leader, Dr. Frist, is attempting to push a bill through Congress that would exempt gun-makers from being held liable for any harm their products might cause in the hands of teenagers (or others).

Stanley Wilson
Greensboro

Viewing China through rose-colored blinders does not change the murdering communist government. The people appear content because they shoot dissenters, drug dealers, and pimps.

China has a modern army, air-force, submarine fleet, missiles and nuclear weapons. North Korea is their pawn. Their purpose is to counter our military, while we are defeated economically.

The Chinese plan to dominate the world economy, and defeat the U.S. economy, as the United States did to the USSR.

Our country must compete in the world economy and win. We cannot survive erecting trade barriers, and trading with ourselves. The Chinese, with a capitalist economy and communist government, can defeat our economy.

The Chinese are buying technology from other countries. Unlike the Japanese, they do not have a constitution that prohibits an offensive military.

Foreign energy is our Achilles' heel. While we do nothing, China is developing the Yangtze River basin from Shanghai to Tibet. Building hydroelectric dams with locks that permit ships to go inland. A pipeline to the vast oil reserves of Siberia is planned.

The writing is on the wall. The clock is ticking.

James D. Williams
Graham

Dear Citizens of Guilford County, I hope that you took note of the county commissioners who voted themselves a 41 percent pay increase (Democrats). No one should vote for a raise for themselves during a term. And, whoever heard of such a large percentage for a raise?

Take note, Guilford County. Remember them on Election Day that decided to take your money by their own vote.

Wendy Robbins
Eden

Two Democratic Guilford County Commissioners, Bruce E. Davis and Paul Gibson, departed recently for a convention in Hawaii at the taxpayers' expense. This is appalling to say the least.

Maybe they can learn about volcanos and share that information with the residents of Guilford County to make our lives here more safe from volcanic eruptions, or maybe they can bring us, the Guilford County taxpayers, some fresh pineapples to feed the thousands who have lost their jobs in Guilford County.

Please Guilford County, remember this all-expense-paid trip to Hawaii by these two commissioners when you go to vote for a Guilford County commissioner again.

Wayne S. Swanson II
High Point

Regarding all the letters to "throw out the bums" and oust the county commissioners: I, too, am offended and disgusted by their wasteful spending, selfish motives and excessive pay raise at the expense of taxpayers. I also realize that these are the people that were voted into office, some with a lot of opposition that were almost defeated.

There is one race, however, that is unopposed, time after time, election after election, and the residents of this district need to run to oppose him and defeat him. Skip Alston of District 8 needs some opposition. Don't be afraid or intimidated like he wants you to be. He's succeeded so far, but don't let him win again. Take him on and you will defeat him. Someone just needs to step up.

Mitzi Lorenz
Greensboro

High Point's anti-noise ordinance was a wonderful relief from my noisy neighbors. No more loud, booming music from cars passing by my home on Briarwood Avenue with the volume cranked up. But unfortunately, this peace and quiet lasted about a week, then the noise returned in full force. I can hear booming music sounds from cars when they are on Langdale, two blocks away, which continue until they have passed my home and traveled for another block into Viking Village.

One especially bothersome neighbor, who lives on Norse, drives a slate gray vehicle and passes by often each day; and there are other cars almost as bad.

Another neighbor rides on a large motorcycle that sounds like it doesn't have a muffler, and likes to gun his engine for the short block before he has to slow down for the right turn. I have discussed this noise pollution problem with several people who believe there is nothing they can do about it.

What a sad time it is when neighbors don't care whether their loud music bothers anyone.

Don Gardner
High Point

Recent News & Record headlines stated, "Iraq fighting might go on for decade" (June 27) and "Bush: Iraq war is worth the cost" (June 29).

We have achieved nothing in Iraq to justify the loss of even one American soldier. Not to mention Iraqi lives and property. Or the wanton waste of natural resources and countless billions of borrowed dollars. Another decade of this? Anathema.

Let's think back. We initiated hostilities ostensibly to rid Iraq of any WMDs and connection to al-Qaida. Done that: none found. Besides, other countries have WMDs, and we have warehouses full, and al-Qaida is everywhere.

Then we decided that we needed to rid Iraq of a brutal dictator. Done that. But why Iraq? The world has plenty of other reprehensible leaders.

So we should declare missions accomplished and leave. But no. Now mission impossible: We must stay and democratize Iraq.

We should continue foreign aid (even to Iraq) and diplomacy, but we should wield the sword only in defense. And prepare as best we can for terrorist attacks, which are the real problem and are not specific to any country. We can't afford another Vietnam.

Dan W. Maddox
Greensboro

I'm writing to enlist support for Share-A-Home of Guilford Inc. located at 211 West Fisher Avenue. This "Family Living" home for about six people with varying mental and physical conditions has been told to vacate without warning by the owner, the Holy Trinity church located next door.

As a son of a man with Alzheimer's disease living there, I have seen firsthand the memory loss my father has as a result of this cruel condition. In contrast, I have seen the love and support residents receive from staff and employees as they battle through their diseases. Share-A-Home of Guilford needs your support in time or money as we search for temporary living space and, ultimately, a new house. Please don't let this abrupt eviction ruin the home's mission. Contact Carolyn Biggerstaff at 852-6272 for donations of real estate or money.

David Zito
Greensboro

In response to the News & Record's review of The Community Theatre of Greensboro's "Footloose," as a board member I would like to clarify CTG's goals.

CTG strives to bring top productions to the community, choosing great plays, familiar plays and, like "Footloose," fun plays with a message. CTG is proud of its ability to provide professional-quality theater with amateur, local talent.

Our mission states, "For the community, by the community," and our casts reflect that. Our dancers, many professionally trained, are volunteers. Like the rest of the cast, they rehearse for months. We do not "bring in ringers," for it violates our mission and is not necessary. Historically, CTG has delivered great musicals, and we have succeeded with "Footloose." The negative headline used for "Footloose" will not serve to bring the public out to see live theater.

To the community, come see "Footloose" and judge for yourself.

Maria Warner
Greensboro

Thanks for the July 17 article about efforts to restore voter-verified paper ballots. It's important for voters to know that a handful of opponents are trying to deny them this reasonable safeguard. Some opponents have misplaced priorities, while others appear to be driven by self-interest.

While it's true that modernized electronic voting enables quick, easy vote tallies, it's also true that these machines fail all too often, resulting in miscounts or disappeared votes. Touch-screen DRE machines are particularly faulty. This is why most computer security experts strongly endorse individual voter-verified paper ballots coupled with a reliable electronic counting device. Most computer experts say it's much easier to lose electronic data than it is to lose paper, and that individual ballots provide the best possible backup to the machine count.

Opponents complain that replacing faulty machines will be expensive, and that counting ballots will be time-consuming. No one denies that these issues should be addressed. However, democracy will be best served when our state officials get their priorities straight by using every means possible to insure that every vote counts. They can do so by insuring voters get paper ballots in conjunction with the best technology available.

Laurie Gengenbach
Julian

I have rarely, if ever, seen in print the word "negligible" used in such an abstract and inappropriate way as in James Pinkerton's column (July 5). Quote: "And yet by historical standards, the Iraq casualties, 1,750 killed in the last 27 months are, to put it bluntly, negligible."

Just what number of dead would Pinkerton consider not negligible? Would he use this word if just one casualty were his own wife or child? Now multiply that one death by 1,750 and a true picture emerges as to what mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, children must feel in the loss of their loved ones. At that time, cold facts, statistics and comparisons would be of no consequence.

One more observation: Lt. Gen. Steven Blum (July 13) stated, "The dangers faced by American troops in Iraq have been exaggerated. It is misrepresented how dangerous it really is." I would ask Blum how many more soldiers would have to sacrifice their lives before he would understand the meaning of the word danger.

Dorothy Meehan
Graham

The letter by Christina "Charlie" Crisp (July 15) hit the nail on the head. From firsthand experience with a female dog that is nursing puppies, I learned that she will be very protective of her pups. It does not matter if the person she is protecting her pups from is her master. That is true of most animals.

The Madison chief of police is overreacting to this incident.

Although I sympathize with this child and his family, I don't think the dog can be held totally responsible. No female dog should be left in a position where she can be a danger to people when she is caring for her puppies. It would seem that the child who was injured by this dog should have been so lucky as to have a parent or guardian who was as protective of him as this female dog is of her pups.

Jan Flowers
Stokesdale

As the marketing director for The Little Theatre of Winston-Salem, I try to take in a variety of live performances throughout the Triad as I have time. Last weekend, I saw "Footloose," presented by CTG. The voices and the dancing in that show were outstanding. Overall it was one of the most professional looking and sounding musicals I have seen in the area in a really long time.

For an amateur theater company, they sure know how to round up and highlight local talent. I am impressed by that. The cast and the director should be proud of their accomplishment.

Patricia Oldis
Winston-Salem

With CAFTA soon to be voted on in Congress, I must argue against the agreement for the potentially devastating effect it could have on Central American countries. As NAFTA demonstrated, free-trade agreements are not necessarily fair-trade agreements. In post-NAFTA Mexico, small farmers found themselves unable to compete with the cheap, government-subsidized agricultural products dumped by U.S. agribusiness, leading to the impoverishment and subsequent immigration of many farmers to the United States.

Free-trade agreements are notorious for prompting the "race to the bottom," in which large companies seek out the environments where they are allowed to pay workers the least, work them the longest, and offer the fewest benefits and protections. In North Carolina, this trend has caused the flight of much of our textile and furniture industry.

Many Central American coalitions have emerged pleading with Americans to oppose CAFTA. I encourage citizens to contact their congressional representatives and urge them to vote "no" to CAFTA, for the sake of both North Carolina and Central America. Trade agreements must not be considered only for their effects on the United States, but also for the impact on Central American economies.

Noah Raper
Durham

Given the flurry of letters over Aloha-gate, I must ask: We Americans are famously ignorant when it comes to geography, but did Hawaii annex itself from the United States?

Neither county commissioner Bruce Davis nor Paul Gibson chose the location of the conference, but the ensuing flap implies they did. This was not a North Carolina leadership conference, but a national one. How pointless to criticize the location. Would the public be more content if the country's county leaders hammered out public policy in, say, Love Canal or Death Valley?

It's fascinating that letter writers from as far afield as Eden feel moved to respond with such fury. Are they also irritated by the fact that a commissioner vanquished by the electorate, Trudy Wade, has refused to yield her lost seat on the commission at what must be an outrageous cost to Guilford County taxpayers?

Shouldn't we turn our attentions to those matters that have immediate impact on each one of us -- an unresolved election issue that has spun dizzily since last November -- while an elected commissioner is relegated to wait in the wings as the defeated commissioner still occupies his seat?

Cynthia Adams
Greensboro

The killing of 54 innocent civilians in London recently by terrorists was reprehensible. Meanwhile, Iraqi civilian killings mounted to over 25,000, 37 percent attributed to coalition forces (British survey report). On July 16, we "celebrated" the first explosion of an atomic bomb. Soon after this test in 1945, 150,000 Japanese civilians died at Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

George Bush called the London killings a barbaric attack on civilized peoples. Shouldn't we, as a "civilized" society, ask ourselves why we condemn the killing of some of our fellow humans and condone, even promote, the killing of others?

In debate, one wins by framing themselves as righteous and the other side as evil or trivial. How can we trivialize the killing of Iraqi women and children? How is it that the killing America sponsors is not evil? Is it barbaric to kill with homemade bombs but civilized to kill with atomic bombs and bunker-buster bombs?

Until we awake to the idea that taking life is not our province no matter how we justify the circumstances or enshrine the act with laurels and glory, I fear we will reap what we sow.

Chris Webster
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Ernie Sawyer

The auto ads in our local papers and on TV entice us to buy a large vehicle and realize a big discount. The underlying message is that fuel prices will continue to rise. And, from David J. O'Reilly, chairman and CEO of Chevron Corp., we read this, "...the era of easy oil is over ... many of the world's oil and gas fields are maturing ... And new energy discoveries are mainly occurring in places where resources are difficult to extract, physically, economically and even politically" (ad, Scientific American magazine, August 2005).

As a consumer, I am reluctant to buy any vehicle that gets less than 30 mpg. Does that mean only a hybrid will do? Not really. I see the hybrid as an interim automobile. Its higher costs are well discussed in the Fast Forward section in the News & Record (July 16). A comparable, less expensive, non-hybrid vehicle will do almost as well. A coming iteration may be a drive train where a tiny engine is physically independent of paired electric driving motors. Such an engine will run as needed and can be turned for greater efficiency.

When buying a new vehicle, I will ask the dealer if any of his models can run on either E85 fuel or gasoline. There are currently no service stations in North Carolina that sell this 85 percent blend of ethanol and gasoline (July 10, News & Record, A1) but inquiries will send a message. The market is already shifting to this high-energy content, safe, liquid fuel that fits into the existing distribution network.

Professor Pimentel of Cornell University tells us that a gallon of ethanol requires more energy to produce than it can deliver (July 18, News & Record, A4). He's a long-term critic of ethanol production for fuel use. His conclusions are clearly not credible. Add up all the energy inputs for oil exploration, drilling, pumping, transportation, refining, pipe lines and distribution and ethanol appears competitive. When an extra cost for foreign crude is added, ethanol gains a niche in the market. Yet Pimentel recommends hydrogen, which requires more energy input than ethanol. He also recommends investments in wind and solar power.

How does a driver put that into his fuel tank? Renewable resources will raise fuel costs for sure, but that's the price we pay as the "easy" oil reserves become depleted.

We'll know we've turned from oil to renewables when an oil company (maybe Chevron?) announces plans to build an ethanol plant on the coast of Cuba.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

I had a friend from the North ask me recently how I liked living in Guilford County. I replied that the only good thing was that traffic is not as bad as most major cities. Here are some things I don't like:

I would like to pay respects to a great American: Gen. William C. Westmoreland. He was the commander of our armed forces in Vietnam during a time of strife and political upheaval at home and abroad. During this time, the general never took his eye off the ball. He took his orders and did his best to carry them out no matter who the commander-in-chief was. The likes of him we will never see again.

This country owes him a debt of gratitude that likely never will be paid because of the legacy the Vietnam War left. He always contended that the Vietnam War was not lost but stopped the "domino effect" of communism. I concur. Although the general was burned in effigy, spat upon and called "baby killer," he never lost his love of this country. After his retirement, he worked tirelessly for veterans' affairs, mostly behind the scenes and out of the limelight.

General, may you rest in peace. God knows you deserve it.

John Parson
Stokesdale

It truly is wonderful news that Gov. Mike Easley feels obligated to allow $75 million to go toward our schools. I sincerely think that he should feel obligated, too. Our schools are in such poor condition, and there are such huge problems with overcrowding, that we most definitely needed this money.

All I can say to taxpayers is that it will be worth it, because as a student of Guilford County Schools, I know these problems exist. I think North Carolinians can pay a few extra dollars on their tax bills. And to Gov. Easley, thank you for you dedication to North Carolina schools.

Michael Parrish
Oak Ridge

Government action based on religious faith enters someone's life out of confidence in a world that we cannot be sure even exists. Indeed, not only is it impossible to ascertain whether the spiritual world Christianity posits exists, it is also incumbent on the theist to demonstrate God's existence. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and in the interval we should assume the negative. Thus, anyone calling for a more Christian government has a tall order: He must first establish the existence of God and Christ's divinity. Seven Founding Fathers (Jefferson, Washington, Franklin, Adams, Madison, Allen and Paine) of this Christian nation of ours could not bring themselves to that.

What's more, Christianity has varied across time and place. The early Christians, for example, did not look down on homosexuality. It was only when the Roman Empire declined and Western Europe shifted from a culture that revolved around urban areas to one that hinged on self-sustaining rural communities that the seeds of our contemporary views on homosexuality were planted. Since homosexuality is hardly a topic of emphasis in the Bible, one wonders what other minor textual asides future generations might choose to justify their bigotry.

Ashish George
Greensboro

I read that the raises the commissioners gave themselves will have to stand according to law. I am wondering what laws they have about human decency.

At a time when we are going through the worst slump in the economy that I can remember, we had our property re-evaluated, which is costing each taxpayer about a third more in taxes.

Now the commissioners decide they should have a raise. These are some of the same people who took part in the water fights, sued each other, etc. Now it's changed to "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours." How long will the taxpayers put up with these kinds of childish acts?

I am also opposed to being taxed every time the Woolworth building restoration hits a bump in the road. I have all the compassion in the world for the museum, but at least give us an audit to show how the money has been spent so far, and how much more would be spent.

And, a trip to Hawaii to learn how to save money? Please give me a break, folks.

Don B. Milholland
Greensboro

We would like to praise the state legislature for its recent action in moving to allow the Greensboro City Council to make policy in regard to smoking at the Greensboro Coliseum. Until now, the City Council has felt restricted in further limiting smoking in this facility. Their hands no longer are tied.

Our City Council now has the opportunity to protect those with lung and heart disease who may wish to attend events at the coliseum as well as all of us with lungs. Our particular concern is for children with asthma who may wish to accompany their parents to the circus or other events at the coliseum. Their parents have usually eliminated smoke from their homes and cars, even if they continue to smoke themselves. They have tried to keep their children from smoke-filled places. Some have had to avoid the coliseum due to reactions to the smoke in the halls there.

As one of the first communities in our state to limit smoking in large stores, Greensboro has a tradition of leadership in this area. Let us make the next step.

Teresa Sue Bratton, M.D.
Greensboro

The writer is a member of the Guilford County Asthma Coalition.

Before our legislators decide which book to swear on, there is a need to find out which book qualifies as a book of truth.

Swearing on a rock, a false book or a statue will not bring any kind of penalty regardless of believing it or not.

People in court who swear to tell the truth should swear on a book that tells the truth.

There is only one book that has been tested and tried. It has been scrutinized, desecrated, burned, spit on and slandered.

Many people have tried to prove it wrong. But history always proves it right. Science has tried to prove it wrong, but the complexity of our universe proves it right.

Its truth always comes through. It is the same today as it was yesterday and will be tomorrow. That book is Creator God's book, the Holy Bible.

G.L. Herbin
Greensboro

Thanks to E.A. Timm saying that Christianity is linked to our common laws (letter, July 15). If this was true for our forefathers, it's still good enough for me.

Thanks also to Judge Joseph Turner regarding his court. I say go for it, Judge. Let's keep our Holy Bible in our courts. If these people want the Quran in court, why don't they go back to their own country and use it? Why are they all coming here to live and trying to take over little by little?

Never will I go to court and lay my hand on anything but our Bible. They can put me in jail. They put Paul in the jail, according to the Holy Bible, so why not me?

If they want the Quran, I say the same ship is going out that was coming in for them.

Peggy T. Carter
Eden

Editor's note: Not all Muslims who live in the United States are immigrants.

It is refreshing to see that the British law enforcement is fighting terrorism without being hamstrung by racial profiling as our law enforcement seems to be. They do not have the ACLU protecting the nuts who are trying to kill them, either.

Ken Sawyer
High Point

I read the article about prayers for patients that said, "Prayers for patients have no benefits" (July 15, News & Record, A9).

I would hate to think that I would be facing surgery or a stay in the hospital without prayers for me and for the doctors if I am to have surgery.

Please, scientists and researchers, stick to what will help people and not something negative as this study is.

Have faith in God and not studies.

I will pray for all of you.

Iris Newby
Eden

Regarding the July 22 story, "Charlotte company sues over poker law":

My congratulations to Charlotte-based 5th Street Entertainment for taking these few self-righteous law enforcement individuals and agencies to task. A small percentage of our law enforcement community would only be truly happy if they could lock up everyone for something, be it spitting on the sidewalk, smoking a cigarette in public view or playing an innocent game of cards.

I mean, get real, folks. Can't you find more serious crime to fight than busting up a card game in which the only thing of value is the prize that is awarded to the winner? I say it's a stretch to claim this illegal, as I would presume most rational-thinking people would, and hopefully the courts will also. It seems rather ironic that, in this bastion of free enterprise, where taking chances is imbedded in our private and business lives, anti-gambling laws still even exist.

Shouldn't we expend the majority of our law enforcement capability toward combating serious crime such as terrorism, theft and destruction of property, assault and murder?

People will gamble. It has been like that since the beginning and will be like that until the end. No big deal.

Neal E. Hall
Reidsville

I saw in the News & Record (July 19) that High Point was appealing a court's decision that unless the city gave 90 percent of the proceeds from its red-light cameras to the Guilford County Schools, they would have to turn off the cameras. So High Point did turn off the cameras.

I think the city of High Point is more interested in money than the safety of motorists. We should go back to the old way of doing things. A citation should be issued by an officer of the law for a red-light infraction. Then a person should have his day in court.

That's better than some "hearing officer" deciding the outcome if you disagree.

Kenneth W. Kellam
Greensboro

Karl Rove has long been known to be the architect of dirty political tricks. Now he has been publicly caught in one. His defenders would have us believe that because he did not speak the name of Joseph Wilson's wife, who is a CIA operative, he did not identify her. How many wives does he suggest that Wilson has who work at the CIA?

The last time I heard anything so ridiculous was when we were asked to consider what the definition of "is" is.

Anna Clare Allen
Greensboro

Now that we have a vacancy in Supreme Court and another bombing in the United Kingdom, it seems that our esteemed news media have decided that Karl Rove is off the hook. Karl Rove leaked classified information on an undercover CIA agent to discredit a critic of the Bush Iraq policy.

If this kind of scandal had happened in the Clinton administration, the papers and television news shows would be on the story 24/7. If this kind of scandal had happened on Clinton's watch, the Senate would be on its feet in an uproar and calling for special prosecutors.

Why does the Bush administration, with its missing WMD, tacit sanctioning of torture tactics, cover-ups and retaliatory leaks, get a free pass?

Elizabeth Olson
High Point

Recently my daughter's purse was stolen, so it was necessary for her to get a new driver's license. She supplied this information upon arrival at the DMV office. Immediately, they said you need your old driver's license. (She had just advised them her purse was stolen.)

Then they gave her a list of documents required, of which she needed two: a pay stub, mail, birth certificate, military ID or college diploma. No Social Security cards or employee picture ID's.

Returning to the DMV with a pay stub, as well as her college diploma, she got her license. What if her home had been burglarized, and someone had taken her diploma and other important paperwork? That individual could have made a trip to the DMV and gotten a driver's license in her name without any questions.

The people at the DMV have lost their minds. A college diploma or mail instead of a photo ID is totally absurd. It is an outrage.

It is easier for an illegal to get a driver's license than it is for a person born and raised in North Carolina.

Susan Pulliam
Greensboro

Greensboro citizens have a unique opportunity tonight. At 7 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, 3600 W. Friendly Ave., Market Street Brass -- the resident brass quintet of UNCG -- is previewing the program it will present during four concerts in China, including performances at the Forbidden City Concert Hall and Peking University.

About 150 lucky music-lovers got to hear this same program Sunday evening at Ebenezer Lutheran Church. These events may have been overshadowed by the Eastern Music Festival but should not be missed by anyone interested in a superb mix of classical and jazz works and marked by wonderful balance and excellent musicianship from all five performers. And there is no admission charge.

Dick Lockwood
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Steve Flynn

I would ask our city leaders, and those citizens of Greensboro who share their skepticism, to take another look at the work of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission.

While I have had my own questions about this project, I found the first round of hearings a revelation. Having attended every fascinating minute, I would characterize them as part confessional, part first-person history lesson.

I learned so much from the statement of Claude Barnes, N.C. A&T political scientist, telling of his boyhood growing up in one of Greensboro's poor but proud Jim Crow housing projects. That neighborhood was Morningside Homes, the very community where the tragic events of 1979 took place.

It was moving to hear his recounting of the Dudley High School revolt of 1969, which later spilled onto the A&T campus. Armed National Guardsmen stormed Scott Hall, lobbing tear gas and firing bullets (one A&T student was killed and two others were wounded). As Barnes sees it, the events of 1969 and 1979 came as no surprise to many in the black community.

I was charmed by the wit and wisdom of Nettie Coad. For 30 years, Coad has been a vocal activist in the black community. She had the courage to demand that Greensboro's white leaders recognize that the citizens of the city's black neighborhoods were entitled under federal law to the same rights enjoyed by most white citizens: decent housing, medical care, safe streets, street lights, parks and good schools.

The hearings also contained some unexpected, very human moments, including the testimony of author Elizabeth Wheaton, who has written a book about the Nov. 3, 1979, tragedy. She emotionally praised two Greensboro police officers for their actions on that terrible day. In her view, their performance was admirable, even courageous. Yet, it has remained publicly unrecognized.

She chose to take the occasion of her statement to get this on the public record. For me, the "human moment" of her testimony came when I observed three Greensboro police officers standing just 20 feet away from the table where she was speaking. They were poker-faced, of course (it must come with the training), so I couldn't tell what they were thinking. Still, I would like to believe that they were listening to, and feeling good about, that unusual moment of public praise for the important contributions of their police colleagues.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

I wish everyone who lost power last night could have walked with me. Never have I experienced the beauty of the city and my neighborhood better than without its nerve-racking artificial light. Replacing some visual stimuli, insect song virtually leapt to my ears. Sans droning climate control devices, the roar of a generator across the park rattles my fillings still.

James Quinn
Greensboro

After a few days in Beijing, Rosemary Roberts has pronounced that China is absolutely no threat.

Based on the Pentagon's annual report on the status of China's military, China continues to concentrate forces and develop long- range missiles, jets and warships intended as a challenge to U.S. hegemony.

According to the report, in the "next several years," China will deploy the DF31 mobile, solid fuel ICBM and the JL2 submarine-launched ballistic missile, as well as continue to streamline and mobilize the People's Liberation Army, now numbered at 2.5 million. Between 650 and 730 mobile short-range missiles are now stationed in range of Taiwan, together with 700 aircraft. China continues to modernize its air and naval forces.

Advanced precision offensive and defensive weapons appear to be taking on a new priority. Two new guided missile destroyers, equipped with advanced anti-ship cruise missiles and air defense systems, are deployed with the East Sea Fleet, and two more have been ordered. Diesel submarines are in serial production, and the Chinese navy's first nuclear attack sub will be launched this year.

However, it is comforting to see Roberts step off the plane waving a paper proclaiming, "Peace in our time."

Ed Pring
Greensboro

I am always amused by these columnists, particularly those of the liberal persuasion, whose commentaries attempt to ease our fears of attack from our enemies, whether real or potential. I refer in this case to Rosemary Roberts, whose recent column (July 8) indicated her confident assurance we had nothing to fear from Communist China.

It now appears her message failed to reach Major Gen. Zhu Chenghu in time to keep him from making his threats to nuke us if we live up to our commitment of military assistance to the Chinese government in Taiwan in case of attack.

Robert Quesenbury
Greensboro

Read the newspaper or listened to TV news lately? Story after story about the Islamic bombing in London and about the bombing in Egypt. It cries out for smart people to understand we are in a world war.

London police have finally gotten the right idea and are using the right methods: an ultra-fast response and orders to "shoot to kill."

The terrorists are laughing in New York while our police search little old ladies' bags. Muslims with white knitted skullcaps go uninspected, as they are not the fifth person "randomly selected." Racial "profiling" is long past due.

Thank God the Patriot Act will continue to protect fools and drunks who believe the Muslim culture wants to live in peace. Read the Quran. The final message is "kill the unbeliever, where ever you find him."

How dumb are we going to continue to be? We have been at war with Islam for more than 1,400 years and it continues today. Immigration is war of another form.

Muslim communities are not interested in assimilation. They gather in one neighborhood, build their mosque, become citizens and fly their old flags. They claim a portion of Christian America -- for Islam.

Billy F. Hammack
Greensboro

How should North Carolina respond to the growing use of methamphetamine? During the crack epidemic of the '80s, New York City chose the zero tolerance approach, opting to arrest and prosecute as many offenders as possible. Meanwhile, Washington Mayor Marion Barry was smoking crack and America's capital had the highest per capita murder rate in the country. Yet crack use declined in both cities simultaneously.

Simply put, the younger generation saw firsthand what crack was doing to their older brothers and sisters and decided for themselves that crack was bad news. This is not to say nothing can be done about meth. Access to drug treatment is critical for the current generation of meth users. Diverting resources away from prisons and into cost-effective treatment would save both tax dollars and lives.

The following U.S. Department of Justice research brief confirms my claims regarding the spontaneous decline of crack cocaine: http://www.ncjrs.org/txtfiles1/nij/187490.txt

Robert Sharpe
Washington

The writer is policy analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy.

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Max and Jane Carter

What are we to make of Israel's disengagement plan in Gaza?

Trudy Rubin made excellent points on Ariel Sharon's unilateralism in her July 22 column, "Unilateral pullout from Gaza would embolden Hamas." But by choosing that headline, the News & Record allows those afflicted with our culture's 15-second attention span to jump to wrong conclusions.

To the casual reader, the headline can imply that a pullout plays into the hands of extremists and that Israel is wrong to abandon settlements in Gaza. Rubin's argument is certainly not that. Rather, she seeks to show that "unilateralism" is the problem and that Israel, Palestinians and the United States would be better served by restarting the peace process through bilateral negotiations.

Rubin's observations were certainly confirmed by our experience in Israel and the Palestinian territories during a study trip in June and July. Israelis and Palestinians with whom we talked spoke with deep concern about the dangerous road ahead if Israel continues -- with U.S. backing -- to replace the "road map" to peace with its own Gaza pullout plan.

The director of the Palestinian Authority's department for planning in Gaza after an Israeli pullout told us he has been left in the dark about Israel's intentions. This, along with Israel's plan to control Gaza's air, sea and borders, makes it almost impossible to develop a comprehensive plan for successful Gaza redevelopment.

Many Israelis told us they reluctantly support the Gaza disengagement, not because they favor continued Israeli occupation, but because they recognize that the Sharon government's intention is to deflect attention from the expansion of Israel's occupation of the West Bank.

Indeed, it is easy to see the cause for concern when traveling in the West Bank. Israel's security barrier follows its own political route, effectively annexing a large amount of Palestinian land. Rapid expansion of settlements, economic strangulation of Palestinian towns, isolation of Jerusalem, the devastating grid of bypass roads, demolished Palestinian homes, and limits to Palestinian travel and building permits make the possibility of a two-state solution more remote and create the tinder box for a third Intifada.

The absence of a peace process, replaced by Israel's unilateralism, will probably assure that the next Intifada is coming. Our government would serve Israel, the Palestinians, and our own interests by urging bilateralism and a return to the "road map." A Gaza pullout is not the problem; the way Israel is going about it is.

Max Carter is director of Friends Center at Guilford College; Jane Carter is Middle School Grade Head at New Garden Friends School. Together, they lead annual work/study trips to Israel and Palestine.

The recent reports in the News & Record of the tragic death of Rhonda Roane-Smith, and the decision of a Forsyth County District Court judge declining to grant a restraining order, together with a letter to the editor by Vada Bostian (July 20), require a response.

Having been involved in family law matters for many years, and having been shot at in those matters, I feel competent to comment.

The unreasonable expectations of the public concerning the entry of restraining orders are unacceptable. There are statutes that make murder and other violent crimes the basis for severe penalties, which do not deter persons from committing acts of violence.

There is nothing in the history of mankind that indicates the likelihood of the elimination of violence and the taking of the lives of human beings by other human beings. Restraining orders are appropriate when directed to people who are basically law-abiding; for those who are intent on doing violence, they are meaningless.

It is time for society to come to grips with the realities of history and human nature and stop expecting the legal system to create a perfect society.

G.S. Crihfield
Greensboro

I'd like to quote someone named Dore Schary and comment on how each statement made can be true.

"Loyalty can lead to fanaticism." It seems with all of the suicide bombings around the world that these perpetrators have taken allegiance to Allah to a murderous extreme.

"Caution can become timidity." Our dealing with terrorism, especially happening on our soil, needs to be swift and sure.

"Freedom can become license." Our American way of life allows people who hate us to live and work here. It ought not to be. The Sept. 11 outcome proves this to be true.

"Confidence can become arrogance." Since Sept. 11 was the last horrible "happening" here in America, we think we'll always be OK and we can call off "the attack dogs" or the aggression against our enemies in other parts of the world. Not so.

"Humility can become servility." Hoping bad people will behave will not make it happen. We must defend our freedom or it will die.

Carol M. Pulliam
Kernersville

Regarding the letter, "Sheriff helicopter idea costly and impractical (July 13):

I am a candidate for sheriff in 2006. I strongly disagree with Jim Proffitt's letter and would like to remind him of something that was brought to my attention by a dear friend.

On July 4, 1776, we won our independence. Now, after Sept. 11, we are in the midst of fighting for freedom again because terrorists are attempting to take away what we fought so hard to gain.

After Sept. 11, I began thinking about changes that would be necessary in the event we are faced with any more terrorist threats. I have mentioned the possibility of our Sheriff's Department obtaining a helicopter. Our population has doubled since 1982, and our community is now faced with many serious threats that we didn't face 20 years ago. We continue to be challenged with frightening situations such as missing children and elderly people. A helicopter would be beneficial in a variety of situations, and we need to make changes to protect our citizens effectively and efficiently.

Bob Hinson
Greensboro

In school I learned the purpose of our political parties was to bounce ideas off each other to make a stronger country for everyone's benefit. I am perplexed now since one of the parties -- the Democratic Party -- has not put forth a positive proposal in years. All it seems to support is spending our money on giveaway programs and giving away our Social Security to the Mexican illegals.

Democrats have been active in opposing all ideas put forth. They oppose the Supreme Court nominee, the U.N. ambassador nominee, the Iraq war (they were highly in favor of it initially), the Arizona border guards, John Ashcroft even though they voted him in as attorney general, the Patriot Act after approving it, and now even their own national chairman, "Screaming Dean."

The Republicans have screwed up and could use some help. Democrats should help America by working together and helping each other regardless of party. When will the Democrats ever join in to make it a government by the people and for the people?

It would be nice to have a functioning government again.

Al Myrick
Greensboro

G.L. Herbin ("Only a book of truth holds up in court," letter, July 25) asserts that the Bible is a book of facts that cannot be proven false by history or science. But, he overlooks the fact that the Bible is a collection of ancient texts written by people who believed the earth was flat and that diseases were caused by demons.

The Bible is not a book of facts. The Bible is a book of faith. It takes faith to believe a serpent can talk (Genesis 3), an ax head can float (2 Kings 6), a loving God can order the execution of innocent babies (1 Samuel 15:3), a ghost can impregnate a virgin (Matthew 1), and a man can be resurrected after being dead four days (John 11).

It takes faith to believe in a God who cannot be comprehended or objectively demonstrated to exist.

If Herbin can demonstrate the factual truth of the Bible and his God, I suggest he follow the example of Elijah (1 Kings 18) and stage a public demonstration.

Meanwhile, those who contend that the Bible is 100 percent factual should ponder the question, "What is the value of faith" (Hebrew 11)?

John Sexton
High Point

Recent articles made me wonder what the Triad would be like if we insisted that developers and corporations honor the environment. Ed Cone (June 26) said his father found an 8,000-year-old arrow while camping out on the wooded shores of Buffalo Lake. The shooter of that arrow certainly left us a healthy place to live.

An article about the toxic Seaboard Chemical Co. site (June 24) revealed the need for taxpayers in High Point and in the state to pay for running contaminated liquid through wetlands and acres of trees to clean up the 163 contaminated acres.

"A Muddy Outlook” (July 13) discussed the need for protecting water quality after developers and corporations cause polluted storm-water runoff. Their practice is to pipe and pave over streams, clear-cut over 90 percent (70 percent watershed) of their wooded acreage, and bulldoze flat the rolling hills of the Piedmont. Oil, trash, and other contaminants run off paved lots into our streams and creeks.

Already, taxpayers pay fees to clean up the resulting pollution from our waterways. Should taxpayers be the ones to restore streams, wetlands and green ways, or should developers make improved air and water quality part of their site planning?

Emilie Sandin
Greensboro

The article "DMV audit finds fault with identity verification" makes me wonder what sort of rocket scientists conducted this audit. All they had to do was ask any legal citizen who has been to the DMV in the last few years and the problem would have been abundantly clear. Interestingly, the auditors quickly cover their backsides with "without mentioning illegal immigration, etc." Oh yes, just keep driving your collective heads deeper into the sand instead of facing the real and dangerous threat to our freedom and country.

Here is advice many could have given DMV a long time ago: Immediately cease bilingual assistance to foreigners. No more bringing translators to the DMV, no more bilingual driver's manuals, and no more bilingual staff. In other words, no English, no license.

Come on DMV, it's time for old-fashioned guts. Stop this charade now. Come up with a viable plan with INS so that when illegal immigrants come into the DMV they may leave via the back door onto waiting transportation back to their homeland.

Ian A. Millar
Kernersville

State traffic laws are enacted to help ensure orderly and reasonably safe traffic movement. Most drivers know enough about these rules to pass written licensing tests. Unfortunately, knowledge of the law does not always influence driver behavior.

Following are some of the unwritten local rules of the road:

1. Slower traffic should keep to the far left or middle lane.

2. Although modern vehicles are equipped with directional lights, their use while driving is strongly discouraged as it is likely to interfere with cell phone usage, snacking, grooming and other activities, which are certainly more important than signaling lane changes and turns.

3. If you see a driver with a direction light on to signal a lane change, ignore it. Do not let him or her ahead of you. That would be a sign of weakness.

4. If your vehicle breaks down in traffic, do not use your hazard lights. Their flashing will drain your battery and confuse other drivers.

5. If making a right turn onto a multilane street, be sure to cut across one or more lanes. This maneuver requires less turning of the steering wheel than correctly turning into the right lane.

Alan J. Greco
Greensboro

I would like to back up Neil Hall of Reidsville. He is correct in saying law enforcement should concentrate on real crime. In fact, those hard-core criminals that we like to call kids are committing this sinful act as I speak.

Please, officers, walk don't run to any local Chuck E Cheese or Celebration Station, and teach these law breakers a lesson. Is there much difference between paying $5 to enter a tournament to win a prize, and plugging $5, $10, $20 or more into a Wack-a-Mole to win a plastic kazoo?

Kelley Johnson
Greensboro

This evening, I was denied entrance to the Greensboro Grasshoppers' game at First Horizon Park because I was carrying my own water bottle. On a day when news advisories warned us to stay hydrated due to extreme temperature, ballpark security turned me away because of my one liter non-disposable container.

I walked to my car and back, passing at least 10 people sitting outside the gates finishing the last drops of their water bottles. When I entered the stadium at 6:32 p.m., the temperature reading on the on-field display was exactly 100 degrees.

I plan to contact representatives at First Horizon Park with my questions and concerns. For now, however, I would like to inform local fans that they should be prepared to buy water at $3 a bottle or use water fountains at Grasshoppers games.

Sharon Lindars
Greensboro

How many times can our president blame whistle-blowers for his administration's mistakes? The messenger has been attacked again. Karl Rove's role in exposing Ambassador Wilson's wife as a CIA covert operative is still murky, but no doubt remains that Rove's intent was to punish Joe Wilson for his New York Times report showing that Saddam Hussein never sought uranium ore.

As Newsweek reported, George W. Bush's father, former head of the CIA, wrote to congratulate Wilson for his service in several ambassadorial posts and sympathize with him for having his wife's cover blown. Bush Senior, as CIA chief in the 1970s, knew very well the cost of revealing the identity of undercover operatives, even when they are in their home country.

This administrative behavior is not just embarrassing but underscores how much our government wanted to hide mistakes or manipulate intelligence to justify going to war. What a sad failure of leadership we have witnessed since 2001.

Roger Veatch
Thomasville

As a longtime Greensboro resident and taxpayer, I must comment on the trip to Hawaii by County Commissioners Paul Gibson and Bruce Davis. I am a practicing orthodontist and spend a great deal of time each year attending seminars and meetings to gain education and learn how to be the very best I can be at my profession.

Every meeting I attend makes me better at my profession. Our commissioners should be applauded and commended for taking their time to attend meetings where they can further their knowledge and understanding of government and all the processes that go into effective administration and leadership of our community. The fact that the meeting happened to be in Hawaii is irrelevant. These gentlemen and the other commissioners are dedicated individuals who give generously of their time for the betterment of the community. They are woefully underpaid for their time and effort. So, I would like to thank Gibson and Davis for serving us and being interested enough in doing a good job to attend meetings and seminars to make them better commissioners.

The News & Record should be ashamed for trying to make an issue about the location of the meeting. Six thousand dollars for better and more effective leadership is a small price to pay, and I am glad my taxes are going to something positive for the community.

Jerry Clark
Greensboro

After a year away from this organ of the Democratic Party, I have returned. You are no better. Your political philosophy still swings to the port. Your causes are all Democratic. A few conservative columnists cannot fool a person who seeks unbiased journalism.

Your cheap shot at President Bush and Karl Rove (juvenile editorial cartoon) is another example of your knee-jerk liberal bias. If Rove is found guilty of revealing the identity of a CIA covert agent, he should go -- from the White House and to jail. But you are prejudging. This presidential aide ran circles around the best the Democratic Party could throw at him. Is this payback time? Republicans do not have a corner on morality. Immoral actions should be judged for what they are.

Jack Stratas
Denton

Every day there are more people donning Spandex and taking to the roads on their bicycles. I don't support banning bicycles on the road.

That said, most people, bicyclists included, have witnessed cyclists coast through red lights, cross medians, pass cars halted at stoplights, ride several abreast, etc., giving lawful cyclists bad reputations and angering drivers.

Automobile drivers, use care. Don't pass closely, cut them off or otherwise drive recklessly. Carefulness is better than regret.

Cyclists, learn laws of bicycling (www.ncdot.org). The bicycle has the legal status of a vehicle. Bicyclists have full rights and responsibilities on the roadway and are subject to the regulations governing operation of motor vehicles. Obey all traffic signs and signals.

What's needed? Bicycle lanes on roadways, safety courses, ID/license requirements, etc. There were 1,531 fatalities and 46,000 injuries to bicyclists in the United States in 2003.

Thirty-one percent of cyclist deaths in North Carolina occur because of the cyclist's failure to yield the right of way.

Charles Walker
Greensboro

I read the article in the News & Record Parade section (July 17), "Investing in education pays off," by Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York.

Clinton wants to propose legislation that would provide $2.5 billion for education around the globe. She notes that educating girls in Africa can reduce deadly disease and help their countries become self-sufficient and less dependent on us. How many times do we need to help these countries?

According to Clinton, out of every $1.50 we spend on foreign assistance, only 3 cents goes toward education. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out these countries don't care about education, and that another $2.5 billion will just end up the same way. We have been helping these same countries ever since the inception of the Peace Corps. To be continued.

Roger Whaley
Graham