News-Record.com

The July 27 headline proclaims, "Quran dispute spurs ACLU suit." The story goes on to explain that the ACLU is planning to go to the state Supreme Court to get the law changed so Muslims can swear on the Quran instead of the Christian Bible as the law prescribes.

What's wrong with this picture? Common sense dictates that when a person swears on something, it should be something that will encourage truth-telling, whether a book, totem or a brick. The problem is that the Supreme Court has no authority to change the law.

Changing the law is only the responsibility of the legislature. This is the core of why some of us want to prohibit activist judges on the courts. Even when a change in the law is right and proper, as this one is, it should be made by the legislature, not by judicial fiat.

Larry Emory
Greensboro

I think that Kenneth Kellam hit the nail on the head (letter, July 27) about those stupid stoplight cameras. They are bad for business and scare away people who have had run-ins with them in the past.

People aren't stupid. They know that the only reason for using those things is to gouge citizens and generate revenue. They aren't just lousy for public relations, they are even dangerous. They cause people to overreact and panic. Some folks with slower reflexes hit the brake halfway into the intersection.

I am familiar with those dumb things from living near Washington. All those cameras did was breed resentment by motorists against the city. Besides, they look stupid and send the wrong message to people. If you want more money, don't break the backs of your taxpayers. Spend what you have more wisely.

Jim Gillgam
Burlington

By employing the contrivance of a "heat index," local media hype near-record-high temperatures past the reality of an accurate thermometer. Have you ever wondered why, during summer, no mention is made of wind chill and why, during winter, no mention is made of a heat index? Have you ever wondered what else is distorted and exaggerated by media hype?

Guy Sinclair
Graham

I have always dreamed of a vacation in Hawaii, or maybe anywhere besides Wal-Mart. The problem with going to Wal-Mart is it's usually to buy medicine. After that, it's to the grocery store, or the gas station for liquid gold. I also pay my taxes in full by the January deadline.

Since I am on a very limited income, I am wondering which commissioner's job I would like to have. Oh, I forget. I don't have a choice; I have to run against one in my district. Oh. Skip, I guess I can't have your job or Bruce Davis'.

So, you good commissioners who wish to give your raise to charity, I would like to recommend a great one, the best one I know. It's called Me. I also think you should pay your taxes by the deadline, too, and not expect any special privileges.

Harriette Lee
Greensboro

The letters on July 25 that dealt with swearing on the Bible in court shocked me. G.L. Herbin says the Holy Bible is the only truth and therefore the only book worth swearing on. The Bible is truth to some, but to others it is a book of mythology. Swearing on it is the equivalent of saying, "I promise on this book of lies not to lie."

Herbin also claims that "science has tried to prove it (the Bible) wrong, but … our universe proves it right." Science doesn't try to do anything. Serious scientists try to find answers, and they are open to the truth the universe presents.

Peggy Carter says that if swearing on the Bible was sufficient for her forefathers, it's acceptable for her. Condoning slavery and sexism were also agreeable to her forefathers. Is that good enough for her?

She also says that if "these people" don't want to swear on her book, "Why don't they go back to their own country?" The first immigrants came here for religious freedom. If freedom inspired our ancestors to leave their homelands, then it's our responsibility to stand up to those who would try to take it away.

Deborah Greene
Greensboro

Court battles have waged, in recent years, over the display of the Ten Commandments. The First Amendment provides for the free expression of religion. Buddhism has "Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful," while Zoroastrianism has "Do not do unto others whatever is injurious to yourself." Why not also display different variations of the Golden Rule?

In the same vein, if a Muslim called as a witness wishes to take his oath on the Quran, he should be allowed to do so. The Quran is as sacred to the "sons of Ishmael" as the Bible is to Christians. Is not the oath's purpose to ensure the truthfulness of the witness? Let the oath have meaning for the witness.

Deborah Wilson
Greensboro

In Odds and Ends (July 24) on the editorial page, the editorial board attempted to make light of the issue of New Jersey officials' complaints regarding the issuance of illegal driver's licenses by the state of North Carolina. I just don't see the humor in the fact that persons who are in the United States illegally can get identification cards that can be used for such things as boarding an airplane, renting vehicles, buying controlled substances, registering to vote and getting credit cards.

The editorial board needs to come to grips with this, since it is not a laughing matter. I'd rather see the editorial board pushing the governor for stricter rules and enforcement to help solve this problem.

Bruce Wiley
High Point

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Gay Cheney and Jody Sutlive

We are educators who, like Svi Shapiro, believe that the federal testing has nothing to do with what a child has learned or what education is really all about. It only has to do with what is forced into a child who is sent through the same knothole that every other child is forced through. They are taught to conform to the very narrow values of some determining board.

Education is about the whole child, about loving learning, being creative, thinking about important issues and responding with candor and thoughtfulness. For example, in one class they study a country by hearing and singing its music, dancing its dances, learning its language, reading its poetry and literature, cooking and eating the food of the country, reading directions and following them through to the feast. None of this is on the test.

In another class, they contemplate the matter of meaning. They read, discuss, argue, come to reasonable conclusions, write them out. This is not on the test either, but we certainly consider this education. Don't you?

Why does each child have to be excellent in what the test requires? In a partnership, often one keeps the checkbook while the other writes poetry; one does the plumbing and electricity while the other is a gourmet cook. Why are we insisting that all children be the same, have the same knowledge and abilities? Basic English and math, yes, but what about all the rest?

The pressure on students, teachers, parents and principals to "pass the tests" is incredible, inescapable and unreasonable. And the media, with their constant "failure" headlines, just exacerbate the situation.

No Child Left Behind has nothing to do with the whole child. We hope in some schools, education does.

Gay Cheney is professor emeritus, UNCG. Jody Sutlive is a reading and art specialist, Winston-Salem schools.

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Donnie B. Stowe

In reading about the self-appointed Truth and Reconciliation Commission "hearings" in the paper July 27, I was struck by the apparent small part that truth plays in these proceedings. The writer of the Counterpoint piece states, "Armed National Guardsmen stormed Scott Hall, lobbing tear gas and firing bullets (one A&T student was killed and two others were wounded)." This statement demands explanation on two points.

First, what would be the point of sending unarmed soldiers to quell a violent insurrection?

Second, the truth is, no one was killed during the assault on Scott Hall, which became necessary after several nights of crime and rioting by the students therein. The fatality occurred at another place and time at the hands of an unknown gunman, not National Guard troops. Also, the writer fails to mention that the wounded were Greensboro police officers who were fired upon from ambush. All this was prior to the clearing of Scott Hall by Guard troops.

If you were wondering, I was there and I heard a lot of gunfire on the campus during the nights prior to the arrival of the National Guard. This gunfire was not from police or National Guard weapons. Indeed, this was one of the primary reasons for the deployment of the Guard to the campus.

If truth is what the commission is seeking, then truth should be insisted upon by those who would try to depict the events of so long ago. One could wonder if the truth is really what is being sought here, or is there another goal in mind?

The writer was a patrol deputy with the Guilford County Sheriff's Department.

Allison Perkins' series on our region's men and women serving in Iraq was excellent. Her interviews made each person come alive, each personality unique, each situation different. But reading their stories was a bittersweet experience. You were proud of each one, yet you wanted them safely home. Having a son who was with the U.S. Marines in the first Gulf War, we feel for their parents and loved ones. We can only say:

1. We appreciate what they are doing,

2. We are very proud of them, and,

3. We pray for their safe return home. Amen.

Emilio Bontempo
Greensboro

The solution is to use CCFW. That is an acronym (NASA loves acronyms) for "Chicken Carbon Fiber Wire." With several times the strength of steel by weight, CCFW can fend off the most determined fox. Unless, of course, the fox digs a hole under the fence (chaos theory strikes again), and in that case, we shoot him. From the Southern provinces, we offer the solution in good faith: Wrap that flying machine in CCFW.

For a neater look, NASA may choose to embed the CCFW within the external fuel tank insulating foam and in key areas of the heat shield tiles. And, if using CCFW proves too heavy, NASA may need to eliminate certain experiments and gear from the mission. It is probably not absolutely necessary to determine how mice reproduce in space, things like that.

Lino Tornero
Colfax

Every few years we're treated to scares of the "Chinese menace." Ed Pring's and Robert Quesenbury's letters (July 28) are the latest.

Pring reminds us that their army numbers in the millions, conjuring past images of a "yellow horde" swarming our shores. Quesenbury reports that a Chinese major general threatens us with nuclear attack, certainly an alarming note if lowly major generals had such authority in anybody's army, let alone the Chinese one, to initiate war.

China's rise has been predicted for years. For example, the Economist ran a story about China's economy eventually matching the United States' about 10 years ago. Unfortunately, pundits and politicians prefer to react in a sensationalist manner rather than doing the hard work of implementing wise policies here at home or working with our friends abroad to push China to enforce intellectual property laws.

America has had many historical opportunities to influence China and squandered most of them. This is a pity because America has long been tied to China by its immigrants, one of whom was my great uncle who helped overthrow the empire and served as an ambassador in Sun Yat Sen's government — a government largely modeled on American democratic ideals.

Andrew Young
Greensboro

I don't know if the giving over of the Thursday front page of the News & Record to a single feature story is a first in the modern history of the American daily newspaper, but if so, it's not a happy one. Let me mention some headlines from other pages in the first part of the paper that should have been on the front page:

(Leading, top right) "House narrowly approves CAFTA."

"Future flights on hold after foam falls again."

"Research says heart drug risky for some."

"India's heaviest rain ever floods Bombay."

"Scout leaders were pitching dining tent under power lines."

And then, along with a lead-in and jump to your "soldiers from the Triad serving in Iraq" feature:

"Kenyan offers goats, cows to marry Chelsea Clinton."

Jeremy Byman
Greensboro

When it comes to making bicycling a viable transportation alternative, the Triad is subpar. There are some bike trails and bike lanes in the Greensboro area, but not enough. Folks take their lives into their own hands when they bicycle on most of our streets.

Take the thoroughfares between High Point and Greensboro, the county's two biggest cities. This relatively flat area would be ideal for bicycle lanes. Yet Wendover Avenue and High Point Road are conspicuously without them. Why were urban planners dismissive of bike lanes during all of the recent Triad growth and expansion?

There is talk of railroad right-of-ways eventually being used for greenways and perhaps even bike paths. What can be done now? The Triad has six colleges and/or universities. Many students would avail themselves of this optional mode of transportation, just as they do in other college towns with appropriate accommodations.

Urban rail, additional roads and highways, and expanding bus service always seem to be at the forefront of transportation planning. Let's broaden the scope of transportation options by focusing on a healthy, air-friendly alternative that would improve the quality of every resident's life in the Triad.

Bob Lowe
Greensboro

The following was taken from Market Watch Newsletter: "Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM) reported a 32 percent increase in net income to $7.64 billion, compared with $5.79 billion a year ago." That's $7.64 billion profit for three months.

Why does the government allow oil companies to continue to rob us at the gas pump? Could it be that Bush wants to keep all his oil company buddies happy? Just joking.

All companies are entitled to make a profit, but this is outrageous with gas at over $2.25 per gallon. No company should be able to make that much profit on a product that we all need. Maybe that's the point — we all need it, so they can charge what they want to. Maybe we could get New York's attorney general to look into this one.

Donald Black
Summerfield

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Britt Blair

I am a teacher in High Point. I am writing to urge all public school employees to stand up and make their voices heard. Public schools are being targeted for huge cuts in personnel. We are talking about thousands of positions statewide -- assistants, teachers, assistant principals, non-instructional support personnel and more. How can anyone agree to such drastic cuts in those who directly serve children in the public schools?

If we do not stand and get noticed, it is going to happen. We are the ones who get the blame if standards are not met. We have a moral obligation to let the public know that we aren't being given adequate resources and personnel to reach our goals. If we do not act now to stop our legislators from making these cuts, then we have no right to complain when things get even harder.

Most politicians in Raleigh have no idea what a demanding job teaching can be. We are the ones who know the problems that exist in our schools. We are responsible for telling them the facts. If we don't, who will? We have many schools that are packed beyond capacity, many that are not fully staffed as it is, schools where classes are combined when a teacher is out because there aren't enough subs willing to take these jobs. Nearly all North Carolina teachers insist they don't have adequate planning time and that they work numerous hours on their own time to get things done.

Expectations aren't being "cut," they're being increased. Yet the resources we receive to reach these standards are being cut. It's a no-brainer that this will be counterproductive.

Teachers, when we fail to make AYP next year, are they going to blame our legislators? No. They will blame us. We must assertively insist that our legislators and administrators provide us with the necessary materials, planning time, pay and personnel to do the job. Teacher pay must be increased. We can't fill teaching positions as it is. Market economy demands that we pay teachers more in order to get qualified individuals into these positions.

Time is short. I understand these cuts will take effect this week if they are agreed upon. Jobs will be lost instantly all over the state and teachers will instantly have a heavier load. Please act now.

The writer lives in Thomasville.

Congress has sent an energy bill to the president. It is likely consumers and businesses in Greensboro will benefit from the energy bill's efficiency components.

The bill includes such measures as tax deductions for commercial purchasers of energy-efficient equipment, tax credits for homeowners who purchase certain energy-efficient appliances and business benefits for using Energy Savings Performance Contracts, which make our nation's half-million federal buildings more efficient without using tax dollars. The improvements pay for themselves over time through guaranteed energy and operational savings. The program allows the government to upgrade aging buildings while maintaining or reducing budget expenditures.

A recent Department of Energy study reports that U.S. industry, which uses more than half of our energy resources, wastes at least 20 percent of the energy it uses. That's worth nearly $19 billion.
When the bill becomes law, the energy efficiency provisions it contains could lead to an estimated 1.2 million new jobs in manufacturing, construction, technology and other industries, according to a recent manufacturing industry study. The legislation has taken more than 10 years to craft -- and in light of rising energy costs, it's time that energy efficiency becomes the pillar of the nation's energy strategy.

Jeffrey Morgan
Greensboro

May I suggest that we replace the words "terrorist" and "terrorism" with the words "psychopath" and "psychopathic behavior"? Every time we use the "t" words, we are being manipulated to respond from the more primal part of the brain. We respond with increased fear and anxiety, causing undue stress.

Psychopaths are people without conscience and empathy, shallow people who walk among us every day. Having no ability to empathize with the pain and suffering of others (due to a lack of the normal societal guidelines prevalent in most socialized people), they consistently lie, cheat, steal, harass, target the helpless, commit break-ins, assaults, sell drugs, cause mayhem, murder, etc.

We have had an increase in psychopaths from all walks of life who live among us. But we can choose not to let this awareness inhibit our lives. We avoid those we can and choose to lead a positive life in spite of their presence.

We can do this because we are courageous Americans, not citizens afraid of their shadows. We must remind those among us, especially our leaders, that semantics are important, and they should not give one group of psychopaths more emphasis by name than others.

Sherron L. Jones
Statesville

Sen. Rick Santorum's new book, "It Takes a Family: Conservatism and the Common Good," shows him only tenuously grounded in reality. He characterizes two-worker families as greedy. In Santorum Land, jobs pay enough for moms to stay home.

In the Triad, however, a living wage -- enough for a $400 apartment, a car (paid for) and groceries -- is $10 an hour. Santorum must support a living wage so that mothers can stay at home, right?
In March, Santorum pushed for a bill that would have raised the minimum wage to $6.25 but would also have exempted any business with revenues of $1 million or less.

Santorum's book repeatedly targets "liberals" who "advocate freedom without responsibility." He must have been thinking of Robert Kennedy, who said, "We have often seen more emphasis put on the rights of citizenship than on its responsibilities. And … responsibility is the greatest right of citizenship."

Santorum, who favors home schooling, says that schools are not mentioned in the Constitution. I don't feel qualified to teach my child the advanced mathematics, computer technology, language skills and complexities of critical thinking that children need today.
Santorum insists he's not running for president. One can only hope.

Beth M. Woodard
Jamestown

I just want to say thank you to Allison Perkins for the stories she put in the News & Record about some of our soldiers here in the Triad. I really enjoyed reading them. It is good to hear something good instead of bad things. The stories have really touched my heart.

And thanks to all of our soldiers, men and women, for the great job they are doing for our country.

God bless you all.

Betty Glass
Greensboro

John Sexton ("The Bible depends on faith, not facts," letter, July 29) argues that the Bible is fiction, there is no God, and faith has no value.

It doesn't bother me that he chooses to believe that. However, it is disturbing that he would try to drag others down with him. For the sick, hungry and suffering, faith offers the hope of a better world. For those who have lost loved ones, it offers the hope of a family reunion like none other. Why would someone try to take that hope away from another human? It seems hateful.

All of the superficial arguments by atheists have been shot down by scholars who are willing to examine the evidence more deeply and sincerely. In "The Case for Christ," Lee Strobel, who was an atheist when he started, uses his law and journalism background to answer some important questions.

Is the Bible historically accurate? Was Jesus resurrected? The overwhelming evidence was yes to both questions. He is now a pastor in Chicago.

If you want to commit spiritual suicide, do it alone.

Christopher Dickson
Greensboro

Our school system is hiring, for $122,000 per year, an "executive accountability and research officer" (statistician) whom Dr. Grier says will uniquely identify individual children needing help (I thought that's what teachers did).

The school system's director of human resources says this is one of the system's best hires, that it "takes the cake," according to the Rhino Times.

I read where we will be short on money for teaching assistants.

I agree with the human resources director's comment. This "takes the cake."

Try to envision the comments of the teachers in the faculty lounge. (There's a real morale builder.)

David Colin
Greensboro

I'll never be able to thank Allison Perkins for the risks she has taken to bring us the pictures and news from Iraq. My son was one of the Marines she interviewed.

Seeing Jason and his buddy since boot camp, Marcus, made me remember the tears and hugs I shared with Marcus' mom and dad at family day just before they shipped out.

Seeing Erin's picture made me remember the hugs Jason's sister, Monika, and I gave to Erin as she stood in the parking lot at the Reserve Center loaded down with gear the night they loaded up on the bus to leave. I hope Allison is there when the bus comes home. Oooh-Ra!

Joyce White
Greensboro

I was especially interested to see how quickly the N.C. House Judiciary Committee voted to ban smoking in N.C. prisons. Citing an attempt to curb health care costs by banning smoking inside prisons, the House sent a message that, as clearly documented today, indoor air quality contributes to individual health.

Could we hope in the near future that the same House that protects our prisoners would vote to also protect the N.C. taxpayer's health and curb health costs by banning smoking in public buildings, including all government facilities, retail and restaurants?

Maybe to have clean public indoor air we should visit our prisons vs. our local restaurants.

Gary Rhymer
Greensboro

I was reading about the 2008 candidates for governor in your paper last week, and it ends up Pat McCrory actually grew up in Greensboro and was president of the Ragsdale High student body. I truly believe he would make Greensboro proud.

Pat Sebastian
Raleigh

John McCain and other Republican senators are working on legislation that would ban the U.S. military from hiding detainees from the Red Cross, and bar U.S. soldiers from participating in cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment. I wish them luck.

By the way, George Bush (for some reason) is against this legislation. So, this is compassionate conservatism?

Chuck Mann
Greensboro

Why are the news media ignoring the Downing Street Memo, which clearly demonstrates that Bush fixed the intelligence on WMDs to justify the Iraq war? Is it because more than 50 percent of Americans believe that Bush lied and thus it is old news? Is it because the media are afraid of the dirty tricks of Karl Rove, like the treasonous identification of CIA agent Valerie Plame?

Either way, the contents of the memo clearly prove that the administration is guilty of serious crimes. Here are the reasons:

1. Bush secretly decided to go to war in Iraq before Sept. 11.

2. Bush decided to deceive Congress and the American people with fixed WMD intelligence and links between Iraq and terrorism.

3. Bush secretly diverted $700 million from the war in Afghanistan and started bombing Iraq to provoke a war.

Bush, Cheney and Rove have committed impeachable offenses. The Republican-controlled Congress must stop ignoring these crimes. Write your senators and congressmen and demand an investigation. Bush should be impeached.

Randy Scott
Greensboro

From my time living overseas, I would say Americans are viewed fairly negatively. For the sake of this letter, let's say it's true. One of the main reasons for this is a largely irresponsible Hollywood, driven purely by producing what they think will sell.

Stories driven by exaggerated and deviant characters obviously do sell. For example, I can name many modern-day movies whose bad guy is a military figure, maybe a general, with devious and twisted motives.

The effort to create imaginative plots with positive underlying messages ("Hitch" for example) is often too much to ask, I suppose.

As well, familiarity breeds contempt. Movies and a preponderance of rerun TV shows air daily around the world. In a passive way, our culture (or a fairly warped idea of it) is constantly on display.

I met a friendly fellow in Stockholm last year who was telling me about his varied world travels. I asked him if he'd ever visited America. He said no, but he'd seen lots of movies. Hollywood provides the world a window to America and the way they do so is a disservice to us all.

Frank M. Freeman III
Greensboro

When someone "understands" or can see something that is not apparent to everyone, we say that they "get it."

Your editorial (July 29, not posted) about the Forbes magazine writer who came to Greensboro to see if it really should be last on their list came to understand, in her words, that we are "Greensbooming."

Simply, having been here, she "gets it." Do you "get it"?

Your line, "She likes us, she really likes us," implies that Greensboro is like an unwanted, low-self-esteem city that, lacking confidence, sits in a corner waiting for anyone to notice us.

There are many in Greensboro who "get it," and that is not their perspective. Greensboro "has it" -- we just need to look in the mirror and see that we have so much of what really matters. We don't need a magazine's ratings, good or bad, to know that. We also don't need our local newspaper to not "get it."

We need to delight in and understand who we are and continue to grow and celebrate our charm. Greensboro "has it," and we all need to "get it."

Randal Romie
Greensboro

One wonders if the rare individual who claims to await anxiously any conclusions, recommendations or other emanations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is really sincere. When those involved have in their majority people who have already decided the outcome beforehand, mutual understanding and an abrogation of prejudice and animosity among the participants are most unlikely to be in the offing.

Rather than blame one side in the "Death to the Klan" rally -- which seems to be the goal of most commissioners -- it seems to me that the only intelligent and constructive conclusion is to castigate both sides severely and then "get over it." The event was another example of two sets of fools shooting at one another with one set loaded with expert marksmen and the other set able to aim only vitriol and condemnation at its opposition.

Marion Griffin
Asheboro

I awoke Aug. 3 to the news that 14 U.S. Marines had been killed in Iraq, following seven the day before. It is sad to witness the grinding on of this misguided and unnecessary war. But the news gets worse.

Our political leadership enacted an energy bill that did little to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. We continue to drive our gas-guzzling SUVs and plaster them with "Support Our Troops" decals, as if the sentiment meant more than the fact that we are using far too much foreign oil.

And worst of all, we pay increasing prices for increasing amounts of this oil. Without doubt, some of this money finds its way back to the supporters of the very terrorists and insurgents we are battling. What could be more unsettling than the knowledge that we are financing both sides of this war?

I propose that we get rid of the SUVs and mail the decals to our representatives in Congress. Perhaps they will get the message if we get it first. Support our troops.

Larry Brenowitz
Greensboro

Old Abe was right after all: "You can't fool all the people all the time." The company founded by diet guru Robert Atkins, after subverting America's best nutritional consensus, wound up in bankruptcy court on Monday.

The Atkins high-protein diet craze peaked in early 2004, when more than nine percent of U.S. adults subscribed to such a diet, according to market research firm NPD Group. That figure declined gradually to 2.2 percent last month after a consumer advocacy group released a medical examiner's report showing that Atkins was overweight and suffered of heart disease.

Over the past three decades, a dozen expert panels reviewing thousands of diet and health studies concluded that Americans should replace meat and dairy products with vegetables, fresh fruits and whole grains. None reached the opposite conclusion.

We need to be constantly vigilant for entrepreneurs who exploit our obsession with physical appearance to promote their profit-driven agendas. The price we pay, beyond an inflated food bill, is lifelong chronic afflictions and a curtailed life span. Let's hope this lesson does not come too late for victims of the Atkins diet.

Glenn Gustafson
Greensboro

Wow. I can hardly wait for the transformative power of the recently passed Bush "energy bill" to take hold. Bike paths. More daylight in the fall! Take that, bloated Saudi oil princes. Why, in just a few more decades, we might start seriously thinking about finding new sources of energy or demanding more efficient automobiles. (But only if we can find a way to fully subsidize the rich oil companies into the new-energy economy. Luckily, that's a Republican legislative specialty.)

To be fair, Democrats should share in the glory of this bill. They have had several administrations and congressional majorities since 1973 when it became obvious that alternatives to oil needed to be found. To really be fair, we should all take a little credit for this pathetic piece of legislation. Evidently, without $5 per gallon gas (which is just around the corner), we won't even consider getting out of our oversized, gas-hogging SUVs and will continue to willingly send our sons and daughters to the Middle East to fight for democracy in Iraq, Saddam's WMDs, or whatever other trumped-up excuses for war our leaders can come up with to disguise our dependence on Middle Eastern oil.

Kent Boyles
Greensboro

Prevention of violence has been a position of the League of Women Voters of the U.S. since 1994. We support an active role for government and social institutions in preventing violent behavior.

One of the most violent actions occurring in Greensboro's recent history was the shooting at Morningside Homes on Nov. 3, 1979.

The League of Women Voters of the Piedmont Triad endorses the process that the Greensboro Truth and Reconciliation Commission is following to assemble a clear picture of that tragic event.

Many organizations, including ours, were asked to nominate people to the commission. We commend this effort to be inclusive. The commission now seeks the thoughts and memories of all. We hope the residents of Greensboro will avail themselves of the opportunities to participate and to read the report.

Knowledge and understanding of the emotions and actions of that time will aid in preventing similar events and in mending community fragmentation.

This commission is the first in the United States, and it can set the pattern for others to follow.

We thank the News & Record for its coverage of the meetings of the commission and hope that it will continue to report these conversations with the public.

Ellen B. Olson
Greensboro

The writer is president, League of Women Voters of the Piedmont Triad.

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Dr. Ronald L. Rubenzer

A long time ago, in a far distant school system, a group of talented students received special attention.

Imagine, if you will, students grouped on their exceptionally talented performance. These students, sons and daughters of taxpayers, received special equipment, treatment and specially trained teachers to help nurture their precocious talents. This special group even got to go on field trips.

Since we don't want to encourage a culture of underachievement, these students' skills are stretched to the limit with after-school events. The performances of this special group are proudly attended even by nonrelatives. All is well. It is a win-win situation. The students get to build their self-esteem by building their skills, and the school gets to show off its best students, demonstrating what a great school these students attend.

On the horizon, however, is a well-meaning group of people who feel their children are being shortchanged. For whatever reason, these children were not "tapped on the shoulder" to be in the program described above.

To equalize things, it is felt the special equipment, treatment, trips and specially trained teachers should be spread out for all children, regardless of need. Now all children can get a little more attention in developing their skills. Everyone will perform better, not based on need but on the even per-pupil expenditure of resources.

Well, in the name of fairness, there goes the varsity basketball team (those students who get special equipment, treatment, trips and specially trained teachers). Now everyone will shoot baskets a little better, dribble a little faster.

No student-athlete will be left behind, but then no potential varsity athlete will get ahead, either.

Now apply this logic to another high-performing group of children, the advanced learner program.

Watering down a program to raise the overall tide of performance of everyone sounds democratic. But the most undemocratic education is when "everyone" is treated absolutely equally, regardless of needs.

Some children will be "left behind" because they wouldn't get the support they need to finish the race. Some children, with the need to speed ahead (learn more), would not be allowed to get too far ahead, because they may get out of our reach and may raise the bar of performance for those who like the comfort of underachieving.

No child left behind does not mean let no child get ahead. There's a wise old saying, "Everyone according to their talents." Let's give all kids a chance to feel the thrill of success during their academic career.

The writer lives in Greensboro and is a licensed psychological associate and the author of "How the Best Handle Stress."

In his front-page story, "Van driver fights a murder charge," News & Record reporter Eric Collins asks, "How culpable should you be if your lack of vehicle maintenance causes a fatal car crash?"

He begins his story by inferring the minivan that plowed into a motorcycle, killing its passenger, is a case of poor vehicle maintenance — bad brakes. Collins wants us to consider if bad brakes warrant a murder charge.

To stoke the debate, Collins chose not to inform us until the very end of his story that after the woman leveled the motorcycle, she kept on going and drove straight home. We also learn in the end that at the time of her hit-and-run, the woman's license had been suspended.

This story was fabricated for public reflection about the charge of murder for poor vehicle maintenance. It wasted our time.

The jury learned in the opening statement that this was a case of hit-and-run vehicular homicide by a woman whose license had been revoked.

If we had been given the real facts early in this story, there would have been no need to ponder the charge for faulty brakes.

Mike Baron
Greensboro

A militant is someone who burns his draft card or her bra. An insurgent attacks military forces. People who deliberately murder innocent people for political purposes are barbarians.

Daniel J. Flak
Greensboro

In reference to the editorial, "Still out for summer" (July 28), I would like to let you and the writer of the article know that it was not just tourism that helped this to pass. I have nothing to do with tourism and neither do the more than 600 people who signed petitions in Rockingham and Caswell counties.

This was not just our counties. Parents and teachers from around North Carolina signed and helped this to pass. The tourism industry did try and failed a few years ago to get this passed. They were told that it was a tourism issue, and it was not passed until parents and teachers got involved.

I spent more than 50 hours looking up facts about other school systems in the country. The facts are that we had more teacher work days (21) than any other district that I could find in the United States. The U.S. average is eight.

We started back earlier than most. Florida also starts very early, but they get out in mid-May as we did when the early start date was implemented. There is so much more to say, like teachers' opinions.

Teresa Howell
Ruffin

If the Las Vegas furniture market is not successful it won't be the fault of the News & Record, our local paper.

The July 31 front-page stories, "A tale of two markets" and "Nevada shows promise" were unfair to High Point's International Home Furnishings Market that means so much to this area. This is just some of the praise I have been reading in your paper of Vegas.

Lawrence Flinchum
Julian

Most people know we have now extracted more than half of all the oil under the ground, and the cost of extracting the last half will get higher as oil companies are forced to drill deeper, go to more remote locations, and develop new technologies to get remaining oil. So what kind of energy bill does the Republican Congress pass? A bill that throws millions of dollars to oil companies in tax breaks.

The bill does not address any of the following options, any of which could help wean our country away from oil.

• "Fee bates." These reward purchasers of high-efficiency autos by charging buyers of less-efficient autos a fee and rebating money to those buying high-efficiency autos.

• Setting standards for more efficient tires. Requiring those tires could save more than seven billion barrels of oil in the next 50 years.

• Just eliminating the tax credit that drivers of huge SUVs get would have been a big step.

The Bush energy policy simply does not recognize that we must begin to find ways to get away from our dependence on oil. No wonder is was developed in secret with big oil.

James Bennett
Greensboro

Shame on you. I was appalled to see a full color picture of a naked woman in the paper this morning (Go Triad, Aug 4). It was bad enough knowing people were encouraged to participate in a "clothing optional" activity, but to publish a picture is truly offensive.

In case you thought this was funny, informative or in any way entertaining, let me tell that you it is not. You should be ashamed of yourselves for printing this picture.

Debbie Gilbert
Greensboro

"Not your dad's service scene" (July 31) was an interesting but somewhat inaccurate look into the current state of some service groups historically associated with Greensboro.

Earlier this year, the Greensboro Jaycees completely rewrote their bylaws, streamlining the process by which one can become an executive officer of the club. While other civic groups are said to be "exploring ways to revamp (their) board of directors," the Jaycees proactively addressed this issue by encouraging access to some of our leadership positions.

The executive committee of the Chrysler Classic of Greensboro, a PGA Tour event, currently features eight Jaycees (out of 11) who have been Jaycee members less than two years. In fact, Zack Matheny, listed in the article as saying the Jaycees didn't "make the cut," has actually joined the Jaycees and taken a leadership position on the Chrysler Classic executive committee. The information in your article must have been somewhat dated.

I would encourage any young person interested in becoming involved with the Chrysler Classic of Greensboro and the Greensboro Jaycees to give us a call. I think you will find plenty of outlets for leadership opportunities.

Justin Conrad
Greensboro

The writer is 2005 general chairman, Chrysler Classic of Greensboro.

I keep hoping that things will get better in Washington and that eventually the spirit of bipartisanship will return. Judging from the energy bill just passed, it ain't gonna happen.

Raise your hand if you think the oil companies need taxpayer subsidies. They have just recorded record profits, and fuels of all kinds steadily go up in price. It seems that the primary purpose of this bill was to repay campaign contributions with taxpayer funds. Robin Hayes, for example, received almost $130,000 from the energy industry, and, he, of course, voted for the energy bill. Even the people who drew up this energy policy admit that it will make little difference in the long-term cost of energy or the availability. This is because it does very, very little to encourage conservation, development of alternative fuels or more efficient use of fossil fuels.

Larry G. Mabry
Troy

With the passing of CAFTA in the U.S. House of Representatives by just two votes, I'm afraid that more N.C. and U.S. workers will be losing their jobs. Just like NAFTA, CAFTA will hurt furniture and textiles in North Carolina. It seems to me that President Bush is more concerned about giving American jobs to foreign countries.

Bush's priorities are in foreign countries and not in the welfare of American business or in American employees. Bush is not too concerned about jobs here in the United States. It seems to me Bush likes foreign imports coming in and no exports going out.

For the record, congressmen Howard Coble, Patrick McHenry and Brad Miller voted against CAFTA. N.C. Sens. Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr are in favor of CAFTA. For the N.C. employees who lost or will be losing their jobs to imports, remember whom to vote for in the next elections.

Frederick Nimer
Greensboro

There's a bush that grows in my yard. At first, it rooted from a parent, doing whatever made the daddy bush happy. Later, it developed into a problem, choking out anything that got in its way.

I'm at a loss as to the solution to this problem bush. Maybe time is the answer and Mother Nature will take care of the problem.

Tish G. Gunn
Greensboro

I was disappointed in the misleading headline on July 19 that identified the Guilford County Schools as having "stumbled on the national tests."

First, the North Carolina tests are not national tests, and second, given the information reported, we do not know whether the schools stumbled or not. They may have been tripped by the arbitrary and systematically rising "standard" by which AYP is measured.

AYP is determined by the percentages of students clearing a standard, with no regard to their actual increases or decreases in achievement. If a student makes a two-year gain in one year but still does not meet the AYP proficiency standard, that student's gains are not recognized.

As the bar keeps getting higher, terminating with a 100 percent proficiency standard in 2012, increasing numbers of schools will be "stumbling" because of the unrealistic expectations set by these arbitrary, escalating standards.

This is truly accepting the Lake Wobegon effect that all children should be above average. High standards are laudable and important as goals, but there should be valid criteria for judging schools' results. The media are "stumbling" by not explicating the results in a more understandable and critical way.

Alex Epanchin
Greensboro

The writer is retired director of testing, Pinellas County Schools, Florida.

There is no clearer sign that President Bush is doing something right from a policy standpoint than when it irritates Sen. Ted Kennedy.

John Bolton, whose credibility is not an issue, goes to the United Nations with the full backing of the president. Bush, whose role is to set our foreign policy, had his job on the line less than one year ago. The president won an impressive victory, and if the American voters wanted Ted Kennedy's U.N.-loving foreign policy of vacillation and appeasement, they would have voted for his little liberal helper from Massachusetts.

Kennedy and the rest of his obstructionist cohorts would be wise to follow the advice of Thomas Paine: "Lead, follow, or get out of the way."

Donald Bernstein
Kernersville

Your front-page article Aug. 5 detailing the continuing failures of our public schools is disturbing but not surprising. The problem persists because we do not spend enough money on education. Perhaps another hundred million dollars or so would solve the problem. How about a billion? It's also obvious that we have far too few overpaid administrators. Even more surprising is how this can happen with the collection of geniuses we have on the school board.

The crux of the problem is that we test students on reading and writing. Bad approach. Let's test them on the important issues such as self-esteem and the virtues of diversity. The scores would skyrocket.

In the meantime, we need for the Democrats on the board of commissioners to institute an immediate 100 percent property tax increase and put in a countywide lottery so that something can be done about the embarrassingly low $43,000 average teacher salary. Of course, they have to work 10 months. We must also immediately add more administrators, bringing them up to level of the average parochial school system. Then perhaps we could get a quarterly, audited financial report signed by the superintendent (see Sarbanes-Oxley) detailing where every dollar goes.

Tony Moschetti
High Point

My experience with the YMCA goes back to 1931 during my last year at N.C. State University. That was the time of the bank closure. I was on the verge of having to leave N.C. State and go home. At that time, Worth Durgin, head of a YMCA at State, was able to persuade the business office to permit my enrollment as a student.

Later, when I entered medical school, I had, for the first year, enough money for tuition and a room but not to eat. Jonah Larrick, the YMCA director at the Medical College of Virginia, got me a job in the department of pharmacology.

My experience at the YMCA has continued since coming to Greensboro and has been wonderful. It is remarkable to see all the kids who enjoy the benefits offered by the YMCA, many of whom are able to attend because of the scholarships available. One added thing that we see every day is the good relationship between the races.

Many others and I have benefited greatly from our membership in the YMCA.

John Reed Bumgarner
Greensboro

I learned recently that our president is of the opinion that high school students should have Intelligent Design taught to them in their classes. According to the news report, he said, "I think that part of education is to expose people to different schools of thought." If we are to take his judgment on educational direction at face value, I agree. We should keep in mind exactly what this means.

Intelligent Design is not a scientific theory. It is a philosophical stance, one that is opposed to the philosophy of science. The philosophy of science is one of inquiry, at its heart saying, "We want to investigate what we don't know." The philosophy of Intelligent Design is one of ignorance, saying, "There are things we can never know, so we must accept that it's done by God." All students should be exposed to this difference. I think we should put this into effect at once. It would be a vital addition to any class on philosophy.

Eric Harrington
Greensboro

You recently printed a letter from a reader belittling the forecasting/reporting of "heat index" figures on local weather reports. I hope this gentleman never develops emphysema, C.O.P.D., asthma, bronchitis or heart disease because, to those of us who live daily with one or more of these conditions, knowing heat indices may mean the difference between getting out and enjoying some fresh air and exercise, or staying indoors fighting for breath.

Also, for this gentleman's information, the reason "heat index" does not appear in winter forecasts is because heat is generally not a factor in winter months, and the reason "wind chill factor" does not appear in summer forecasts is because chill is generally not a factor in summer months. Duh!

Some people have too much time on their hands, so they search out things to complain about. May I suggest, sir, that before you complain in a public forum about things that you deem ridiculous, you first should stop and consider that, to some people, what you deem petty may be very important.

John E. Marshall
Greensboro

Gen. George Casey recently said that if conditions in Iraq continue to improve, there would be "some fairly substantial reductions" of U.S. troop levels in the summer of 2006.

This comes as 14 Marines and a civilian interpreter were killed Aug. 3. Iraqi government officials are killed regularly. Terrorists target Iraqi police. Iraqi citizens have electricity and running water only sporadically, if at all. It hardly seems plausible to reduce troop levels.

In a recent edition of The New York Times, Ronald M. Asher II wrote: "My brother-in-law just returned from a stint in Iraq with the Minnesota Air National Guard. Although he couldn't tell me where in Iraq he was stationed, he did say that the level and type of construction going on at the air base convinced him that the U.S. military planned on being there for a very long time."

The Bush administration has never been shy about using Iraq to bolster sagging poll numbers. With the majority of Americans polled saying they believe the president led us to war under false pretenses and that the war has not been worth it, the White House has shifted into PR gear. Announcing troop level reductions is just one more lie on top of the multiple lies that got us into Iraq in the first place.

Jo Boykin
Greensboro

When the time comes to fix the blame for losing the "war" in Iraq, we'll hear the usual bull from patriots like CNN's Robert Novak: War critics gave aid and comfort to the enemy, politicians tied the military's hands, etc.

Let's be clear: We're in this mess because the president is a liar, his top aides are petty criminals and Donald Rumsfeld is an incompetent. While none of this matters to Dick Cheney as long as Halliburton is hauling in the loot, it should matter to those losing loved ones.

Here we are, nearly three years and several thousand American lives into America's greatest military and diplomatic blunder ever, and Marines are still dying, sometimes 14 at a time, because their lightly armored vehicles are being blown up by roadside bombs. I wouldn't send a dog to serve in such an ill-advised disaster.

If the American people weren't so effectively brainwashed, the impeachment proceedings would have already begun. What does it take to wake the sleeping giant?

Bryan Chitwood
Greensboro

It seems odd that George W. Bush spends so much time talking about his desire to spread democracy around the world, especially the Middle East, and yet I see that his father, George H. W. Bush, and his vice president, Dick Cheney, are representing America by attending ceremonies in Saudi Arabia to bestow our nation's stamp of legitimacy on their newly anointed, non-democratically elected king.

It seems like this might have been an appropriate time for our president to express his sincere concern about how common Saudis have no voice in deciding who runs their country.

Bill White
Greensboro

We read with interest Stan Swofford's article, "Addicts may get treated at farm" (July 31), and while we thought it was right on the mark, we wanted to point out a couple of things to you and your readers.

With all due respect to TROSA in Durham and the many other wonderful programs mentioned in the article, we felt consultant Jim Van Hecke was misinformed with the statement, "Programs such as Fellowship House, Mary's House, Malachi House ..., Delancey Street ... and numerous others are all excellent, but what is needed is more long-term residential care."

For the record, Delancey Street is a minimum two-year residential treatment center for drug addicts, alcoholics and ex-convicts.

On Nov. 23, 1987, our founder, Dr. Mimi Silbert, with the help of Professor Barton Parks, businessman Jim Newlin and many others, opened the doors to Delancey Street in Greensboro.

One of Delancey Street's unique features is that we accept no government funds, charge no fees to our clients and pay no salaries to anyone associated with the Foundation, including the president.

You also may note that many of TROSA's employees are Delancey Street graduates. We mention that with pride.

Gerry Blake
Greensboro

The writer is director of Delancey Street in Greensboro.

Cindy Sheehan, the ordinary mother of a soldier killed in Iraq, is turning out to be quite extraordinary.

In just a few days she's been able to do what heads of state, international public opinion, many politicians and a lot of mighty smart people have wrestled with for years. She has the serious attention of the White House over Iraq.

It's no small feat for an ordinary mom, but she's also holding Mr. Bush accountable for his motives and actions there. She reportedly told the media, "I want to ask the president, 'Why did you kill my son? What did my son die for?' " Strong questions. Apparently, she expects real answers.

It'll be hard to turn down an ordinary mom, and it'll be hard to fake it with all the attention. We'll be waiting to see what the answers are.

Go, mom, go.

Loie Priddy
High Point

It is a well-known fact that Greensboro is in desperate need of job growth. What the city does not need, however, is a third Wal-Mart. Creating and sustaining small, local businesses that provide well-paying jobs, afford decent benefits and promote quality of life is the task that local leaders should be committed to. A Wal-Mart, even if located in an historically depressed part of town, would take us in the wrong direction.

Wal-Mart's façade of "always low prices" and "giving back to the community" is deceptive. Behind it lie hiring and wage discrimination, sweatshops in Third World countries, the deterioration of local economies and environmental nightmares.

Wal-Mart's arrival in northeast Greensboro would start an economic race to the bottom, meaning that the area will suffer job losses in the long term with only undesirable ones remaining, forcing more people into poverty. It also would contribute to Greensboro's unchecked epidemic of urban sprawl.

The only way to ensure the long-term generation of good jobs with decent pay and benefits is to support small, local businesses and dense, mixed-use retail developments. The Carolina Circle Mall site needs a walkable mixed-use development anchored by independent local retailers, not an asphalt-covered nightmare.

Malcolm Kenton
Greensboro

An appalling clothing-optional photo? Get your Go Triad (Aug. 4) to see that it's actually a great photo showing an older, very fit woman (so nice in this youth-obsessed culture), participating in a race and one that testifies to the skill of the photographer. Not a single "naughty" part exposed -- hardly what most would consider offensive.

I wonder why a real-life, normal, healthy body shown with absolutely no sexual connotation is reason to get all discombobulated. And I wonder why there's no outrage over the commonplace exploitative, often degrading, usually sexually explicit, and always airbrushed nudity in advertising and the entertainment media?

There's a lot more in this world to get appalled over: war, terrorism, lack of health care, dependence on fossil fuels, human rights, corporate greed and global warming (to name but a few).

Lighten up on the little old naked ladies in tennis shoes.

Beth Walker
Oak Ridge

Caption: Brenda Gray stretches before the fifth annual "Take Pride in Your Hide" 5K Run & Walk last month at the Bar-S-Ranch in Reidsville. Photo by Jerry Wolford/News & Record

This is in response to Frederick Nimer (letter, Aug. 7) and other anti-CAFTA people.

I am lucky enough to still work in the textile industry. I know this is a declining industry and that U.S. manufacturing in general is dying. I've heard people blame politicians for "giving jobs to foreign countries."

If the saying "all politics are local" has any truth, what are you going to do to help U.S. manufacturers? If you plan to wait until election time, it may be too late. May I suggest that you start buying products "made in USA" (or try to)? My family has, and quite frankly, it is hard. We do not shop at Wal-Mart. We do not shop lowest price. We know U.S. manufacturing employees need jobs, and we are willing to pay more.

If we all made it a priority to buy "made in USA" and stopped consuming all the cheap imports, maybe the Wal-Marts of the world would stop causing companies to chase cheap labor. Put your money where your mouth is and do something to help us. If nothing else, choose to buy from our democratic CAFTA friends over China.

Erin G. Bennett
Greensboro

The article in the News & Record (Ideas, Aug. 7) by Dan Paden concerning the chaining of dogs was wonderful though sad. Thank you for bringing to light a very serious problem that has never been addressed by our animal cruelty laws.

On many occasions, I have driven by homes and seen poor, neglected dogs bound by chains. They have worn a path in the yard in their frustration and almost always appear to be undernourished. My husband and I adopted two dogs from the animal shelter and they are given much TLC.

We are of the "love me, love my dog" set and we do not understand why anyone would want to have a dog and keep it chained. Obviously, they have no capacity for love but use the poor animal only hopefully to ward off intruders.

Our legislature, commissioners and council members create legislation left and right but have yet to address this serious issue. Something must be done to protect these dogs and the public, if one of these poor creatures should escape.

Thank you for providing space to help protect man's best friend.

Betty Huntley
Greensboro

Chained dogs kill more children than falls from trees, playground equipment and fireworks accidents put together, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Photo courtesy of PETA.

The partial quote, "Everyone according to their talents" may be attributed to the late Karl Marx. The complete quotation is "From each according to his abilities. To each according to his needs." I don't need to go into further detail, as anyone with a basic knowledge of world history is aware of the results of attempting to put that theory into practice.

It would seem to me that Dr. Rubenzer (Counterpoint, Aug. 6) has used his faulty knowledge of "wise old sayings" to not prove his point. Tell him not to stress, this can't be his best.

Gail Cicutto
Oak Ridge

"Bobby's got a lot on his plate," is how James Carville summarized Robert Novak's behavior Aug. 4 before his suspension by CNN.

No doubt the Valerie Plame investigation is warming up his behind. Novak exposing Plame was always about mean-spirited right-winging instead of journalistic hot-dogging. His chicken appears coming home to roost.

Richard Lloyd
Thomasville

I enjoyed Bronwyn Lance Chester's column on the stinky aerosol deodorant "Axe" ("My olfactory nerve has been Axe-d," Aug. 5). I inadvertently purchased a can of such and now use it only as a weed killer.

In addition, when I did try it, I was in a Bible study class with numerous attractive Methodist women and not a one hit on me -- so much for truth in advertising.

Don Leonard
Greensboro

Just wanted you to know how much I enjoy the comic strip "Brewster Rockit: Space Guy." I didn't know how to get in touch with Tim Rickard, and he definitely should know just how special his comic strip is.

I hope he is appreciated as much at the News & Record as he is at my house. Keep up the good work, Tim. You're great.

Faurest Stum
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpont column:

By Daniel C. Craft

On June 28, Ray Gibbs, president of Downtown Greensboro Inc., and I made a presentation to the City Council concerning potential fall 2006 bond projects for downtown Greensboro. This list was not wistful, wasteful and unfocused, like the News & Record editorial stated.

To the contrary, these ideas were endorsed by our 29 board members, who have personally invested more than $50 million in downtown Greensboro over the last five years. The potential downtown bond projects were well thought out and not only looked at current downtown needs, but more importantly, needs into the next decade.

These include the future needs of restaurants, clubs, office workers, residents, property and business owners and tourists -- needs that will not be addressed in five years if we don't act now. One must remember that any bond passed in 2006 will likely not be spent until after 2008 or 2009 and will not be put into service until several years beyond that.

What will our downtown parking needs be in 2015? How about streetscaping, parks and public space? Our downtown has changed dramatically in the last several years. Think of what it will be like in the next five to 10 years.

What will downtown Greensboro look like into the next decade? Downtown Greensboro Inc. believes it will look something like this: Up to 2,000 new residential units with 3,000 new residents, a downtown law school, a world-class Center City Park, a renovated Wachovia building, new development at South Elm and Lee streets, a new federal courthouse, a downtown school, a greenway and grocery store, plus many other cultural and entertainment venues. To support this influx of investment, we must plan and invest now to be prepared for the future.

As you recall, a downtown master plan conceived by the citizens of Greensboro and showcased by architecture firm Cooper Carry was presented in 2001. This plan received strong support from the community, including the News & Record. For that vision to become reality, we must begin putting the infrastructure together now. The private sector and local foundations have made considerable investment in our downtown since 2000. Now is the time for the city of Greensboro and Guilford County to step up.

Downtown Greensboro Inc. plans to facilitate a discussion of potential downtown bond ideas in the coming months to determine which projects are of highest priority. We need to prepare for and facilitate continued investments in downtown. We must get downtown on the ballot in 2006 and not let the opportunity slip away.

The writer lives in Greensboro and is board chairman of Downtown Greensboro Inc.

Textile leaders must accept a sizable portion of the blame for waiting until the "two-minute warning" before crying foul about playing fields not being level with China. It is common knowledge that neither of the two largest political parties can claim to have paid more than lip service to the textile industry's woes in this country. One of the reasons is that textile leaders never really managed to get Washington's attention. Their story is one of too little, too late.

Those of you who remember Lee Iacocca will also remember the strong stand he took in order to save the then-struggling Chrysler Corp. from financial ruin. It is readily apparent that the American textile industry never had leaders of this type in positions of authority. Textile leaders had no plan and failed in lobbying Washington.

If the adage is true that "the squeaking wheel gets the grease," then our wheels did not squeak, either loud enough or early enough.

The last hope we have to maintain any meaningful level of influence in this industry is to partner with our friends in the Central American countries, especially Guatemala and Honduras. At the very least, we do occupy the same hemisphere as these fledgling democracies.

James W. Herndon
Greensboro

Sunday's article on judicial salaries neglected to point out a couple of factors when comparing judges' pay with attorneys in private practice.

Judges receive longevity pay ranging from 5 percent to 19 percent above their base pay, depending on years of service. Judicial retirement pay is based on a multiple of three times years of service as applied to the highest pay received. A judge retiring after 24 years of service at any age will be paid 72 percent of salary plus medical benefits for the rest of his or her life. Very few attorneys can fund anywhere near a comparable retirement benefit. This retirement system also applies to elected district attorneys and clerks of court.

This is not to say that judges are paid too little or too much. A knowledgeable, hard-working judge is, like a fine teacher, as the TV commercial says, "priceless." However, public-sector employees enjoy retirement, vacation and medical benefits that are simply unavailable in most private-sector jobs. These benefits must be taken into account in comparing any public-sector jobs with private employment at any level.

Alan V. Pugh
Asheboro

Only an electron microscope can negotiate the minutia of politically correct sensitivities. The hazard being that, after looking too long at small things magnified, issues in plain view get distorted. Such is the case with "Indian" associations. The NCAA has now banned American Indian logos in post-season play, with more restrictions to come.

Americans emerged from their winning battle with Native Americans with a deep respect for their skill, heart and soul. One of the results was the choosing of Indian culture to bring prestige to important and cherished institutions. Sports are peacetime metaphors for doing battle, and emblems are not chosen lightly. Indeed, these references can play a part in keeping this past culture in the minds of future generations of Americans.

Sheer numbers, technology and, yes, dirty dealing made ultimate victory for Indians impossible. But the memory of the things for which they fought, i.e., preservation of culture and people, and the brave way they fought, lives on.

Generations of New Americans have paid this memory a great respect. The PC small-thinkers are bent on its destruction. You can call me "Brave" anytime.

William Rorrer
Eden

In his nomination of John Roberts to the Supreme Court, President Bush has once again shown his true colors. Instead of choosing a consensus nominee to unite our country, he chose to pander to the extreme right and nominate a man with a clear political agenda.

Roberts cannot be trusted to protect our personal freedoms. Every bit of evidence that comes out tears another hole in the White House's carefully manufactured image of Roberts. The White House even had to reverse itself on the nominee's membership in the conservative Federalist Society after making newspapers run corrections.

Most disturbing is that Roberts defended convicted clinic bombers and people who use threats of violence to impose their political views on the rest of the country. I do not believe that a man who would act on behalf of these domestic terrorists is fit to sit on the nation's highest court.

I call on Sens. Richard Burr and Elizabeth Dole to protect the culture of personal freedom and responsibility that we Americans take for granted by opposing Roberts' confirmation.

David E. Sullivan
Greensboro

I truly enjoy going to Grasshoppers games. However, I am very disappointed in the lack of common sense the security guards have used. I have witnessed two such occasions.

The first was when three young boys rushed out of the ballpark to chase a foul ball. Many more tried to follow, but security caught them. The rule is once you leave the stadium, you cannot re-enter. So, they were not allowed to re-enter. The police were called over as if the boys were criminals for wanting to return to the game. So what were the parents supposed to do but leave after they paid admission? Common sense would have let these boys return. I watched these families leave, upset that their night out was dampened.

The next event occurred on Aug. 7. I was having an outing with my two nieces, ages 2 and 5. I brought a juice box for my youngest niece since juice is not sold in the ballpark. Security at the gate took away this juice from us. How disappointing that common sense wasn't used in letting us bring juice for a 2-year-old.

Cindy Johnson
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Daryl Boaeuf

I was completely amazed at James L. Martin's column Aug. 7 [not posted] in defense of dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki 60 years ago. It was not his concise and valid points about why the bombs were dropped that struck me as odd, but rather his conviction that "liberals" are awash in shame, to use his words, at the destruction that was caused.

As a student of history, and as someone who is a little left of center, I agree that there was a clear need to drop the first A-bombs to hasten the end of the war. I do, however, take exception that Martin must politicize an event that took place well before most of the country's citizens were out of diapers.

What is this country coming to when absolutely everything is put in terms of liberal or conservative? Should liberals be condemned for their support of the anti-slavery movement of the 1850s, the labor movement of the early 1900s, or even the civil rights movement of the 1960s? From the sound of it, Martin thinks so.

Since when did a dissenting opinion become a scarlet letter? It is this kind of intolerance that is keeping this country divided.

Someday, I hope to teach American history in a "substandard" public school, and I look forward to teaching my students about the brave men and women like Martin's uncle who contributed to the greatness of our nation, who united our people behind the war effort and helped free the world from the clutches of Japanese imperialism and Nazi fascism.

I will not, however, look forward to teaching the unit on America, post-Desert Storm, when the Newts, Rushes and Roves helped to stifle dissenting views and crush honest debate.

The writer lives in Gibsonville.

There has been much discussion recently about the high number of speeding citations being handed out by the N.C. Highway Patrol and the apparent lack of an explanation for the speeding. I might have a clue for you.

First, a citation is written, the guilty party pays a lawyer (who specializes in traffic offenses) $300 and the ticket suddenly becomes an improper equipment offense or disappears completely. No insurance premium increase, no points on the driving record, end of subject.

I would like this newspaper to do some investigative research into who signs off on these citations, why they do, and how often. Does anyone in our judicial system have blood on their hands? Have lives been lost because licenses were never revoked? Our state troopers are doing their jobs; somewhere in the system, others are not.

Jerry Weeks
Trinity

Your story about speeders on I-85 going 95 and 100 mph failed to say what happened to them. They should be hauled out of their vehicles and taken immediately to jail.

If I run down your street firing a pistol with no regard for anyone's safety, you better believe the law would have me spread-eagled and cuffed in an instant. What's the difference? Anyone driving at these speeds is an irresponsible criminal and should be treated as such.

Ashley Overton
Greensboro

The famine in Niger -- the result of consecutive years of drought compounded by a plague of crop-eating locusts -- is placing that country at the top of the list of global humanitarian crises.

Church World Service, with a regional office in the Carolinas, is rushing food, agricultural assistance and other resources to the worst-hit area of that impoverished country.

Your readers, many of whom are preparing to participate in CWS's community crop walks for the hungry, might appreciate knowing that their local efforts are addressing the human needs in this disaster. Something to ponder: We sat stunned when the number of those drowned in the tsunami hit the 150,000 mark. Yet 150,000 children in Africa alone die each month from a mosquito bite -- from a mosquito that carries a parasite that causes malaria. A $5.50 treated mosquito net can save a child's life. When you support your community crop walk, you help save lives in more ways than one.

Joseph C. Moran
Durham
The writer is regional director, CWS/CROP

Did you ever wonder why Vice President Dick Cheney went to court to deny "We the People" the right to know who was on his energy task force, the folks who formulated the recently enacted energy bill? What harm could that have done? Now you know.

With gasoline prices at record levels, rising daily and the big oil companies reporting higher-than-ever profits for the first two quarters of this year, this bill passed by the Republican-controlled Congress and signed by George W. Bush gives these same oil companies billions of dollars in tax relief. The president said, at signing, that this bill would provide no immediate help for our energy crisis. What he meant was no help ever for anyone except the oil companies, and by the time we realize this, they will all be long gone.

This crowd beats anything I've ever seen. It's like they're saying, "Ha, ha, we gotcha again." The checks-and-balances protections of our political system are gone. These people control all three branches of government and you see what we've got. It has been said that we get the kind of government we deserve, but, I declare, I don't believe I deserve this one.

Is it 2008 yet?

Royce Richardson
Madison

Voter turnout in local elections is very low. Many folks don't seem to realize that local politics have an immediate effect on our lives. Keeping up with local government is not easy, but it is necessary to ensure good government.

I attend many local meetings. Then I read or listen to the media reports of the meetings. Many times my take on what is important differs from these reports.

We are all influenced by what others say and write. What we see is often more important to the writer than to the reader; but the reader can only absorb, not contribute.

Blogging is different. It is kind of like talking to neighbors at the park or discussing current events while waiting in line at the grocery store. It is back-and-forth conversation with whomever wants to participate. Here in "Blogsboro" we can ask questions, express opinions, find answers, give advice or just rant and complain. But the most wonderful thing is that everyone is welcome. Even me.

Diane Davis
Greensboro
The writer is an at-large candidate for City Council.

I am grateful to be one of the fortunate county residents who appreciate our high-caliber Guilford County elections director, George Gilbert.

When required, he expresses a position supported only by state guidelines, maintaining a level playing field. Thanks, George.

Al Campbell
High Point

A phrase added by an editor to Steve Flynn's July 27 Counterpoint accurately reflected the number of deaths and injuries among students during a local riot in May 1969. It did not, however, make clear that they occurred over three days.

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Carson Anderson

I want to thank the News & Record for the Aug. 7 special section honoring the local men and women who served our country so bravely during World War II. Omitted from this wonderful tribute, however, was the story of perhaps the most decorated and highest-ranking Greensboro native who served during World War II, Gen. Samuel E. Anderson.

Born in 1906, Anderson was a graduate of Greensboro Senior High School (now Grimsley) and West Point. Anderson served in variety of leadership capacities in the Army Air Corps during the war, receiving both the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Distinguished Service Medal, two of our nation's highest military honors.

In June of 1942, he and a young Navy lieutenant commander named Lyndon B. Johnson were sent by the War and Navy departments to the South Pacific to assess the performance of Gen. Douglas MacArthur, who was then Supreme Allied Commander in the Pacific.

While observing operations in New Guinea, Anderson and Johnson were involved in heavy combat, which resulted in the both receiving the Silver Star personally from MacArthur. President Johnson wore that Silver Star ribbon on his lapel until the day he died.

Later in the war, Anderson (now a major general) was given command of the 9th Bombardment Division, which throughout late 1943 and into 1944 smashed German positions in Holland, Belgium, France and eventually Germany itself. After the war, Anderson rose to the rank of four-star general in the newly created Air Force, serving in various roles, including heading the first U.S. moon-launch program in 1957. Gen. Anderson's last assignment before retiring in 1963 was as deputy air commander of all NATO forces in Europe. He died in 1982 and is buried at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Samuel Anderson was one of four brothers who served their country during World War II; another was my grandfather, William P. Anderson. All four brothers came home. For the hundreds of thousands who did not, the best way to honor their memory is never to forget their ultimate sacrifice.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

As a frequent reader of "Letters to the Editor" in this newspaper, I would like to ask News & Record customers this question: Does it seem strange that the anti-Bush, anti-Iraq war, anti-Republican letters outnumber the positive letters 15 to 1? As an example, on Aug. 9 there were three letters calling President Bush a liar, that he should be impeached, and that he has financial ties to the Saudis. You guessed it, not one positive letter was provided.

I can verify that positive letters are sent, because I have sent them, but our editor has decided not to print them. I am certain that I am not alone. It seems to me that the purpose of a "Letters" section in the opinion pages is to show all sides and not just zero in on those that the editor agrees with. To me, the credibility of the News & Record is damaged when the letters selected for printing are slanted so heavily in one direction. Hopefully, our editor, Allen Johnson, will see the light. But, don't hold your breath.

Bob Goodman
High Point

Editor's note: Letters published generally reflect letters received. This is the third letter from Mr. Goodman that has been published this year.

I was glad to see that the N.C. Highway Patrol is cracking down on the cretins who drive at insanely fast speeds on our highways. North Carolina law should be changed to require $1,000 fines for anyone caught speeding over 80 mph. Attorneys should also not be allowed to plead their clients guilty to driving with "faulty equipment" rather than speeding. Usually the only faulty equipment is the highway hoodlum driving the car.

Drivers of large trucks also should be primary targets of law-enforcement officers since the size of the trucks makes them extremely dangerous at high speed. It appears that large trucks have diplomatic immunity on our highways.

Laird Freeman
High Point

In elections, distinctions among candidates are usually indiscernible, leaving more questions than certainties about who deserves our votes.

Blogging, an under-discovered phenomenon to date, allows candidates the opportunity to provide citizens more thorough glances at who they are: their life stories; their personalities; their political views, opinions and philosophies; and their goals, insights and ideas.

In the time it takes to type and submit it from a computer, any or all of that information can be shared on a candidate's blog.

With no greater effort, citizens can read a candidate's blog and, if they desire, respond with their own ideas, opinions, concerns and questions.

A smart candidate will respond in a timely manner to citizens' comments, applying modesty, sincerity and honesty.

Everything posted on a blog becomes available for all interested citizens to view. Blogging offers candidates the potential to connect more deeply and more regularly with a far larger share of our citizenry than ever before.

All candidates, even the officially unopposed, would be wise to give careful consideration to setting up and maintaining their own blogs.

To become more democratically engaged, the rest of us should seek out, check out, and take advantage of candidates' blogs.

Seymour Hardy Floyd
Greensboro

Congress recently passed an agreement to expand trade between the United States and Central America. We would like to thank North Carolina Sens. Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr and Reps. Robin Hayes and Sue Myrick for making the right decision for our industry by voting for CAFTA.

There is good trade and bad trade, and to make a smart decision on something like CAFTA you have to understand the difference.

Bad trade is one-way, where countries receive open access to our markets without opening up their own markets. We have seen a lot of this kind of trade in the Carolinas in the last several years. It comes mostly from Asia in the form of subsidized exports. It costs lots of jobs because it is fundamentally unfair.

Then there is good trade, the kind provided under CAFTA. CAFTA provides North Carolina textile manufacturers with a platform to compete against Asia. Exports to Central America are big business for North Carolina's textile industry. Last year we exported $1.3 billion in textile and apparel products to this region. Without CAFTA, we would have lost this market to Asia and the tens of thousands of jobs that depend on these exports.

Rick Bullard
Burlington

The writer is with Ameritex Yarn, and the letter was also signed by six representatives of other companies.

Having lived in Greensboro for the past 32 years, I was quite surprised to find out how many rich citizens we have. I had always been under the impression that tax cuts only benefit the rich.

However, a tax cut, in the form of one weekend free of taxes, showed me the light. Imagine my surprise when venturing out to the mall and finding it packed with people. I suppose that means either everyone who took advantage of this tax-free weekend is rich or maybe lower taxes benefit everyone.

Patricia Wilcox
Greensboro

I'm sure you've heard that a picture is worth a thousand words. But, please. Do I have to say a thousand words about the picture of the children on the front page of the Triad section Aug. 10? I was appalled, to say the least, by this photo.

I failed to see the "cuteness" in seeing this beautiful little girl pictured in the paper in such a subtle yet unfavorable way. And the close-up shot with the watermelon seed on the tip of her nose was so unnecessary in the 21st century.

Sure, there are larger issues in the world: Iraq, poverty, terrorism, AIDS, etc., to name a few. This picture just sends the wrong message to anyone who sees it, and it contributes to all sorts of misconceptions about certain segments of the population and even about the News & Record.

Felita Donnell
Greensboro

Rose Lawson, 9, enjoys watermelon on her Glenwood Avenue porch. Photo by Joseph Rodriguez/News & Record

Your editorial comment (Aug. 10), "An extra 5 to 10 miles over the limit isn't a big deal if road conditions allow and probably won't result in a ticket," [not posted] chilled me to the bone. This is the most irresponsible thing I've ever read in a newspaper. Driving an automobile is the most dangerous thing the average American will ever do. It results in the deaths of roughly 45,000 people each year and the permanent disability of another 300,000 people per year.

Legally, one mile per hour over the limit is enough for a ticket. And with a speed limit of 65 or 70 mph, your odds of being in a horrific crash are fairly reasonable. Add another 5 to 10 mph on top of that and you have doubled the likelihood that you will not survive such a crash.

James Reid
Thomasville

"There are other places for cyclists to ride," Les McCaskill said (article, "Biking banned on sections of Bryan Boulevard," Aug. 10). That is fine for a relaxing way to spend an early Saturday or Sunday morning, but it is not so easy when you are trying to get to work.

"It is a safety concern," said Cpl. B.D. Dodd. His concern is consistent with conventional wisdom, but ride with me and see if you feel safer on the wide shoulders of Bryan Boulevard or along the narrow edge of Friendly Avenue.

It is said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Well? So is the road to Greensboro. I will ride by the law. Will you help promote bicycle safety by raising public awareness of bicycle commuters?

William Boyd
Greensboro

Isn't it amazing? Our legislators, by their approval, made it legal to increase the alcohol content of beer, and put more drunks on the streets in North Carolina. But, they can't vote on a lottery. I have never heard of anyone who died from a collision with a lottery ticket.

Tony Welborne
Greensboro

In the discussion over whether we should have dropped the atomic bombs on Japan, I propose a different question. If the Japanese had not bombed Pearl Harbor, would atomic bombs have been necessary?

Jason Motley
Winston-Salem

I can't thank you enough for the special section on the World War II 60th anniversary. It is awesome, the best I have seen in a long time, maybe the best ever. All 14 pages are very interesting, well written, super job. I also appreciate your Web site and the listings of veterans, medal winners, POWs, etc.

Zack Clinard
High Point

The 2005-2006 school calendar has 15 teacher workdays (a reduction from 20, per recent legislation). In addition, there are four days of early release for teacher training. Why can't this training be done on workdays? This early release plan cuts two days out of instruction during the year.

Obviously, all these workdays aren't necessary as they may be converted to school days if days are lost because of bad weather.

Bill Craft
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By T.R. Sohier

The front-page article Aug. 5 focused on the lack of progress in Guilford County Schools on the ABC tests [Acrobat required]. However, a closer look reveals a decline in scores as students move from elementary and middle schools to high schools. With only minor exceptions, the county elementary and middle schools scored higher than 65 percent (and many well above 80 percent), while many high schools scored below 60 percent and only one above 80 percent.

One possible explanation for this is that student population changes dramatically in high school, but that is unlikely. In fact, the inflow of students from high-performing parochial schools and home-schoolers should help raise the high school scores.

A second possible explanation is that high school tests are unreasonably difficult. This seems doubtful given the care in structuring these tests. Also, simply making the tests easier so pass rates increase and declaring "mission accomplished" is a questionable solution. So, the focus should be on what happens to the students as they move from middle to high school. It is possible that many succumb to the trio of sex, drugs/alcohol and rock and roll/hip hop and lose their bearings.

Some, such as the News & Record, Superintendent Grier and the school board, believe shuffling the student assignment deck may help. They may be proven right, but one would have to do this more broadly than just in High Point.

Frankly, it would seem that focusing on the difficult transition from middle to high schools is the key, and more is needed than just ninth-grade academies. Why don't we try mandatory morning summer school for rising ninth- and 10th-graders with three hours of classes in basic skills, including the science concepts that will first be tested in high school? No frills, no courses in self-esteem, no excuses or pull-outs for sports or extracurriculars, just plain basic instruction in the areas that we have decided are important. If that doesn't work, we can move on to more drastic measures such as eliminating sports and extracurricular programs in ninth grade.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

A human interest story if I ever lived one:

My faith in mankind is restored after today. My boss and I were trying to find the bookstore and while driving through the Four Seasons mall parking lot, we spotted a small dog, obviously lost, trying to make it across High Point Road.

To make a very long, 45-minute ordeal a short story, I will tell you that a man and his wife, myself and my boss, a young lady from the Hampton Inn, a FedEx driver, a man working in the parking lot at the Drury Inn, and a few other people who stopped to help us finally captured this little dog that was trying so hard to get himself killed. Finally, after everybody else had given up, we caught him and took him to the veterinarians at Sedgefield Animal Hospital on High Point Road. The vet noted that the pads on his feet were worn off from blistering, he was covered in fleas and had other issues.

I wanted to thank everybody for their efforts and let them know he's fine. His name is Winston.

Shara Rubio
King

Is there an "energy crisis" today? Or is there only a "crisis of convenience"? Every middle school student learns that the source for all energy on earth is the sun, including the stored energy in fossil fuels.

Each day the sunlight hitting the earth provides enough energy to supply all of the world's energy needs for a year. We have access to abundant amounts of energy The problem is that our solar energy cannot be possessed by a few and sold for profit. Oil, gas and coal companies encourage us to continue our addiction to nonrenewable fossil fuels. The recently passed Energy Policy Act of 2005, filled with incentives for fossil fuel and nuclear energy providers, maintains the status quo.

Imagine a world in which everyone has all the energy they need, and using it doesn't harm the environment. The technologies for harnessing solar and other renewable powers are abundant and increasingly affordable. To have readily available, clean, renewable energy simply requires us to break our addiction to fossil fuels. Because fossil fuels are being depleted and climate change, a byproduct of burning oil and coal, is more evident, clinging to an old "convenience" is shortsighted and dangerous.

Chris Webster
Greensboro

There is exactly one road of any length with a wide paved shoulder that is perfect for bicycling: Bryan Boulevard. Now we are banned. Perhaps the city would prefer that all us bicyclists sell our houses, close our businesses and move away. They sure act like that is what they want. Signs ought to be posted at the city limit: Bicycle riders not welcome, please invest your money and create jobs somewhere else.

Sheldon Herman
Greensboro

The philosophy of science says, "We want to investigate what we don't know."

The philosophy of intelligent design says, "There are things we can never know, so we must accept that it's done by God."

There is an arrogance to a science that thinks we can learn everything. I can ask why three times about anything and elicit an "I don't know."

There is an arrogance to a religion that purports that it understands the nature of God.

Nevertheless, throughout human history we have attributed to "God" those things we did not understand, and that seems a definition of God that allows God to remain a constant, but permits our understanding of God to be constantly changing as we push ever farther at the margins of knowledge. I think there will always be something we don't know, and letter writer Eric Harrington is correct; such would be a vital addition to everyone's education.

John R. Dykers Jr.
Siler City

Imagine no more IRS. Imagine being able to bring home your paycheck without federal income, Social Security and Medicare taxes withheld. Imagine being able to take that extra money and add to a savings account or investments without paying taxes on the interest that you would receive. Imagine not filing taxes ever again or being audited by the IRS. Imagine a tax that only gives a tax break to legal U.S. citizens, and illegal and legal visitors to this country would have to pay the same percent as everyone else. Imagine companies worldwide building manufacturing plants in the United States where they will be able to profit without any income tax burdens.

If any of these things interest you, please buy "The FairTax Book" by Neal Boortz and Congressman John Linder. The FairTax is a program that would eliminate the federal income tax and replace it with a 23 percent retail tax on new goods and services. Imagine being able to pay taxes when and on what.

Jeff Jones
Asheboro

Dr. John Bumgarner's letter on Aug. 8 brought back pleasant memories of some 62 years ago. In reference to his experience with the YMCA:

It was in 1942 or '43 when some of the boys who attended the "Y" was playing baseball in a vacant lot next to the post office in High Point. I was batting and got lucky, or unlucky.

At any rate, I hit the ball through a window of the post office. Somehow, the word got back to Mr. Edgar Hartley, who was the secretary of the "Y" at the time. He called me into his office and said to me: "Kenneth, we will have to take care of this matter," so we did. He made the appointment with the postmaster and went with me. And I paid for the broken window.

The memory and influence of Edgar Hartley, and men like him, mean much to young men who come under their influence, guidance and care. This was a very pleasant memory of Mr. Hartley. Thank you.

The Rev. Kenneth S. James
Greensboro

Many thanks to Lorraine Ahearn for her Aug. 7 column ("Class of '75 and the murder that time forgot") about the release of the monster responsible for the brutal murder of Joanne Bomar.

When District Attorney Stuart Albright checked the files and realized what a horrendous crime this was and what a dangerous man Dan T. Brown can be, he immediately notified Trudy Bomar, the mother of the victim. Trudy called me, and I contacted the Parole Commission, expressing my objection to Brown's release. I also contacted friends and asked them to do the same. So the Parole Commission received more than 50 letters and e-mails of protest.

When Trudy Bomar called the Parole Commission to protest, she was told that the release was inevitable. When asked why, they said: "Because we need the bed."

Baloney. What a poor excuse. Other dangerous prisoners have been released early, only to rob and kill again once they were free. We all need to remind our legislators that it is their responsibility to protect the public as well as punish the guilty.

You may think that, after all, this happened almost 29 years ago. But to Trudy Bomar it was yesterday. Joanne Bomar is still dead, and her killer walks free.

Chet Hodgin
Jamestown

Regarding Cindy Johnson's letter (Aug. 12) complaining about security at First Horizon Park: Why is it that some people think the rules do not apply to them, or that they should be the exception? Rules and laws are made to keep order where there would be chaos without them. I am sure the security guards would like to make exceptions, but they are there to enforce the rules equally on everyone. And everyone knows the rules when they enter the park.

There were probably 100-plus people there who would have liked to bring juice for a little one. If security makes an exception for one, it sets a precedent and other exceptions are expected to be made. Where does it stop? Abide by the rules. C'est la vie.

Judith Wingo
Summerfield

"Was It Necessary?" is the question that should have guided your editor in the printing of James Martin's piece ("Atomic bomb saved more lives than it took," Ideas, Aug. 7) [not posted].

While I applaud the overall study of this issue, Martin's diatribe did little to enlighten. Sure, we're glad to learn about a local soldier who took part in the event, but a parade in Mocksville does little to persuade one that killing 100,000 civilians over four days, and thousands afterward, was the right thing to do.

The well-supported rebuttal by Gar Alperovitz certainly carried the day. I am sure there are those who could offer some sort of reasoned argument for the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki -- arguments that might be of use to us if we ever have to consider dropping another one, God forbid.

But Martin's foaming rant only proved that he certainly missed Debate 101. Spare us, please. We deserve better.

Bill Payne
Summerfield

It was with a mixture of dismay and disappointment that I read the Kansas school board had caved in to the demands of Christian fundamentalists and allowed teaching of so-called "intelligent design" in its schools alongside of evolution.

In this regrettable decision, Kansas once again seeks to undermine the quest for knowledge with thinly disguised attempts to push Christian ideological dogma into the classroom.

The theory of evolution has long been accepted by the scientific community while the embrace of intelligent design is a sign of America's continuous regress from the forefront of innovation.

As South Koreans are cloning dogs and Italians are making strides in stem cell research, the United States is turning away from science in favor of religious ideology. In a globalized and increasingly competitive world, this is the sure way to lose.

Oleg Kobelev
Greensboro

I don't consider myself a photographer, but I like to take and look at photos. I think it was quite skillful the way the lady preparing to take part in the "clothing optional run/walk" event was depicted in the Aug. 4 Go Triad section.

I salute the photographer for his tasteful choice of angle, and I salute the model for taking pride in her hide. I don't think that there could be a more tactful way of portraying, in a photo, an event such as this.

Donald McCalla
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Robert Pellettier

The July 31 article, "Signing new car lease the least-best option" (Work & Money) by Mary Hunt, United Media Services [not posted], was very misleading, leaving everyone to believe that leasing has no benefit and should not even be considered. I have leased and purchased cars for the last 55 years, with my first lease being a 1958 Ford convertible 47 years ago.

Leasing is not for everyone, but the comment on this particular lease experience indicated poor decisions were made. Anyone leasing or purchasing a car must understand the process.

First, you must negotiate the price of the vehicle, just as you would on a purchase, and then you negotiate the interest rate on the lease. Pay attention to the residual (a percentage of the vehicle's negotiated price at the end of the lease). This is an important factor, as this will affect the monthly payments.

Be aware that some automobile makes and models lose more value over time than others.

Know your mileage use in advance, as this can be negotiated up front. Don't go for a 12,000-mile annual lease if you're going to drive 15,000 miles.

The last vehicle I leased was in 2003. I negotiated $7,000 off the sticker price and 1.25 percent interest on capitalized cost. My investments at that time were returning 5 percent, so my money was better invested versus a down payment on a purchase.

Again, leasing is not always the best option, especially on certain vehicles or where annual mileage is extremely high. In my senior years, I have become less tolerant with automotive repairs and maintenance.

I am 70 years young, traveling the East Coast from Canada to Florida annually. I like peace of mind, as the three-year lease equals no repair expense since everything is covered under warranty. Beyond that, I would have tires, battery, brakes to replace, and with all the electronics and hydraulics on today's vehicles, who knows what else.

It works for me, at least for now.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

I work for the Grasshoppers -- I do the stadium announcing -- and something extraordinary happened a few nights ago that I thought I'd let you know about.

We had a little girl in the crowd whose parents were both stationed in Iraq, and it just so happened that her mom, a sergeant, was back home on leave for two weeks and had brought her daughter to the game. It was the little girl's first birthday.

So, I announced it. I also told everyone about her parents -- that her dad was still over in Iraq, but that her mom was back with us for two weeks. The applause started as it usually does, but instead of fading away, it just kept getting louder. People began standing up — a big wave rolling down both foul lines -- and a roar went up and then the umpires threw their hands up and looked around and started clapping, as did players on both teams.

I'm sure the little girl had no idea what was going on, but I like to think her mom -- and dad -- will enjoy telling her about it in a few years.

Jim Scott
Greensboro

I do not know how Eric Harrington (letter, Aug. 8) arrived at his ignorant thinking about intelligent design. When I look at the universe, I am amazed at the way it is designed, both in the microcosm and the macrocosm. Such intricate design that defies human understanding begs for some intelligence that designed it -- just like a complicated piece of machinery makes us think about the person who came up with it. This is one way we arrive at the notion of God.

Someone may think that belief in a Supreme Being is a function of ignorance. But what is the alternative? That all this universe came out of nothing? An effect without a cause is philosophically untenable. Something cannot come out of nothing.

So if it seems stupid to believe in God who made everything, it is even more stupid to believe that things came out of nothing. Let us choose the lesser of the two stupidities.

Matthew Thekkekandam
Greensboro

What a shame that the Aug. 10 photos of children eating watermelon are considered by some to evoke a "negative stereotype." All I saw in the picture was a universal rite of summertime, blissfully enjoyed by two adorable little girls. Their skin color was irrelevant to me; in fact, I didn't even notice.

Children are children regardless of ethnic origin (all are precious in His sight), and most love watermelon.

Thank you for printing a delightful photo that brought back my own happy childhood memories.

Marcia James
Jamestown

It's that time when companies ask their employees to give to the community through the United Way. I'd like to bring some insight to the attention of charitable givers. Community and state officials consistently lobby and vote against our industry and our rights as smokers. As a tobacco company employee and smoker, the burdensome task of paying more in taxes and being denied my rights has made me realize that the only time our officials welcome our product and our presence is during this "giving season."

The General Assembly passed yet another tax on cigarettes. Many of us wrote to our representatives asking them to oppose another tobacco tax as this puts our jobs at risk.

Obviously, our representatives did not listen to our voices, so we as tobacco employees and smokers need to send a clear message that perhaps they can understand. I would like to urge every tobacco employee and smoker to opt out of the United Way program this year. Our officials need to see what they stand to lose if we lose our jobs.

C.J. Langley
Reidsville

Market America Inc. recently held its International Convention in the Triad area. Its 20,000 attendees filled hotel rooms and packed restaurants and stores to the tune of several million dollars in a four-day period.

Considering the economic impact this event has on the local economy, I was mystified by the lack of coverage in the News & Record.

In years past, I served as chairman of the N.C. Governor's Advisory Board on Travel and Tourism and on many other economic development boards and committees. I am currently serving as a board member of the Appalachian Regional Development Initiative.

I know firsthand how much effort and capital North Carolina's businesses and destination-marketing organizations invest to attract conventions of this caliber to our towns.

Surely this newsworthy event deserved mention in your paper. At best this was an inexcusable oversight -- at worst a serious disservice to your community and your advertisers.

Bonnie Church
Boone

I wonder if someone (maybe the News & Record) could do a little research on the reason for the extreme cost of gasoline. Not about the demand, the refineries or the producers, but about the greed and profiteering.

Doug Osborne
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Tony Moschetti

I feel compelled to respond to Nathan Golden's misguided plea for President Bush to "face grieving mom" Cindy Sheehan [not posted]. Mr. Golden, as with most of the left, is either vastly uninformed or being blatantly dishonest concerning Mr. Bush and Ms. Sheehan.

Bush met with Sheehan, and other families of fallen soldiers, at Fort Lewis, Wash., in June 2004. After the meeting Sheehan told a local Vacaville, Calif., reporter, "I now know he's sincere about freedom for Iraqis." She followed with, "I know he feels pain for our loss" and added that Bush "gave us the gift of happiness of being together."

Why has no major publication, reporter, columnist, editorial writer or news organization on the left reported those pertinent facts? I think we all know why. The truth does not support their anti-Bush, anti-war and sometimes anti-America agenda.

Simply look at the protagonists pushing this, who say, "Why won't the president meet with this poor woman, and answer her questions." Not a single, supposedly reputable news organization (except for Fox, of course), during their endless hand-wringing, has mentioned the previous meeting or Sheehan's words afterward.

Also gone unreported (surprise) is that the remainder of the Sheehan family is on the opposite side of this issue. Though her husband Patrick has declined to comment publicly, his family issued the following comments: "We do not agree with the political motivations and publicity tactics of Cindy. She now appears to be promoting her own personal agenda and notoriety at the expense of her son's good name and reputation."

They added, "The Sheehan family lost our beloved Casey in the Iraq war, and we have been silently, respectfully grieving. The rest of the Sheehan family supports the troops, our country and our president, silently, with prayer and respect." Casey's Aunt Cherie, on behalf of his paternal grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, signed this e-mail.

It is incomprehensible that any legitimate news organization could report endlessly on this issue and not even mention the salient facts stated above. Why anyone in our country today would trust any information coming from our "elite" media without verifying it through other reliable sources is beyond my comprehension. I ask those of you on the left, if the truth is on your side, why are you compelled to continually misreport and distort so many issues dear to your hearts?

The writer lives in High Point.

Regarding the article, "Forums seek ways to reduce suspensions" (Aug. 17), I almost dropped my coffee when I read substitute teacher Christina Thompson's suggestion for the school system to hold two-week training programs for parents of suspended children and pay them to attend. Retired teacher Adrianne Jud recommends alternative schools and special in-school programs for suspended children.

Nowhere in the article did anyone address personal responsibility of suspended children and their parents, just more special programs using taxpayer money they must think grows on trees. Never mind that these programs would reduce resources for children who behave and come to school to learn, thus dumbing down the population in general. This mind-set is why I am terrified to send my children to Guilford County schools. If my child were suspended, the suspension would be easy. Dealing with me would be the hard part.

Tom Imbus
Browns Summit

Once again we are subjected to yet another Bush-hater riding the Cindy Sheehan anti-war horse. Nathan Golden (Second Opinion, Aug. 13) [not posted] laments the fact that President Bush refuses to give an audience to Cindy Sheehan camped outside of his ranch. He wants Bush to say he's sorry for her loss and he's doing everything he can to get Americans out of harm's way. What he fails to mention is that Bush has already met with her and has said just that. Sheehan had nothing but nice things to say about him at the time but since then has changed her mind. I suppose if Golden mentioned this, it would take the edge off his article a bit, but then it would have been nice to know.

Jeff Gillis
Greensboro

My first reaction to the news that Bryan Boulevard was closed to cyclists was: Who would want to ride there in the first place? Then I read the letter from another rider with comments concerning investments and jobs in the area and thought the real point is being missed by all of us.

Can a public road be closed to certain vehicles, as an interstate is closed, if it is not classified as an interstate? Who is qualified to make this decision concerning roads paid for by taxpayers, many of whom ride bicycles as well as drive cars? Is this another case of stepping beyond the bounds of office in the same way the Supreme Court is being accused of making law rather than interpreting law?

Cycling has grown as a sport to include many more people and should continue to grow, especially with gasoline approaching $3 a gallon. If cyclists are a problem, it is only going to get worse as numbers continue to increase. What roads will be closed next is the real issue we should be concerned with.

Thomas Woller
Thomasville

The letter Aug. 10 by Sherron L. Jones titled, "Psychopaths carry out deadly terrorists attacks," was precisely correct. We absolutely live in a society where these idiots are on a rampage, preying mostly on decent, law-abiding citizens. The "injustice system" allows them to get by with murder.

I urge everyone to protect yourselves and your families from these scavengers, and to protect what you have worked so hard for. The big majority of these criminals are "crackheads" who will do anything to get high at other people's expense. I urge everyone to be courageous and stand up and protect yourselves. I refuse to have to look over my shoulder or be stressed out, nor will I be run over.

Let's take our communities back. I work very hard for everything I have and will not allow anyone to take it from me, nor will I be harassed. And to any of these thugs who are willing to try me, I will tell them like Stone Cold Steve Austin said: "Don't sing it, bring it."

Jackie Ray Nelson
Greensboro

When most people worked in farms or factories, a person could go home at the end of the day feeling reasonably assured that he had done something, that he had worked.

As technology advanced, the definition of work became more flexible as jobs arose to design machines, to repair or even program them. Wealth came not just from farms and factories but from laboratories. What are we doing today? Increasingly, it seems that productive jobs are being replaced, not with so-called "knowledge jobs" but with "gabble-gabble jobs," jobs in which a "worker" produces nothing, accomplishes nothing, a job in which you cannot display creativity or effort even if you want to.

A few of these jobs pay very well, if you can gabble the right gabble (lawyers), but increasingly the typical example is a customer service operator or a store clerk. If I can believe the reports I am reading, our current "prosperity" is largely based on military spending and housing speculation. How much longer can we survive as a nation if we continue to tear down factories and replace them with empty shells filled with gabble-gabble jobs?

Boris Chernick
Greensboro

It is not surprising that births to immigrant mothers have quintupled in the last 12 years. As long as we grant citizenship to children born to illegal immigrants and North Carolina's emergency Medicaid dollars pay the hospital bills for most illegal immigrants to give birth, those numbers will rise.

While I understand the many reasons people wish to emigrate to this country, I feel all Medicaid dollars should be reserved for those in need who are citizens or those who have made the effort to immigrate legally.

Tennie Skladanowski
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Charles R. Gant

I am a disabled Vietnam veteran who lost many comrades in that violent place long ago, but I proudly volunteered to join the Army just as Casey Sheehan volunteered to join the Marines.

I truly believe in my heart Casey would be very unhappy by his mother's actions. She is tarnishing the memory and sacrifice her son made while serving as a volunteer in Iraq.

Cindy Sheehan has already met with the president. She should go home and strive to honor her son for the sacrifice he made. I feel she is being used as a pawn by the same kinds of people who caused so much damage to the morale of my comrades while we served in Vietnam and are striving to discredit and destroy the morale of our troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan today.

No one hates war as much as the soldiers who have experienced it, and I shed tears almost every day as I read or see on the news about the ever-increasing numbers of American troops being killed and maimed, but we cannot just cut and run.

President Bush did send us there based on false information about WMD, but terrorism against our country, Great Britain, Spain and the people of Iraq is very real. Our men and women are all volunteers who are striving to help the oppressed people of both Iraq and Afghanistan as well as hopefully deterring more terrorist acts in our country. We need to finish the job and not let the lost lives of Americans go in vain. Sadly, more lives are going to be lost and there will be more Gold Star Mothers. I want our troops home, but only when the people of Iraq and Afghanistan are free to choose their leaders.

I am a pacifist and a peace-loving individual who hates war, all wars, but sometimes we have to draw a line in the sand. Iraq is one of those places.

I had to draw one regarding the actions of Casey Sheehan's mother. She has crossed a very sacred line, and she should know better. After all, her oldest son made the ultimate sacrifice while proudly serving his country as a volunteer in our Armed Forces. God bless America and our troops.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

I have just read Thomas Sowell's column, "Media have no place for Iraq heroes." He blames the media and critics of the war for the cynicism about the war.

In Vietnam, Americans were misled about the war. We were told that we were fighting to prevent communism from spreading over the world. President Johnson lied to the American public about the Gulf of Tonkin incident and used it to start a full-scale war. Cynicism increased. The American public grew weary of a war in which blood was being shed without necessary reason.

In Iraq, President Bush also has misled the American public. The initial rationale for the war was weapons of mass destruction and the link between Iran and al-Qaida. When there was no proof of either, establishing democracy became the new reason.

Sowell asks, "Has the dumbed-down education in our schools left us so ill-equipped that we cannot see through even the most blatant hypocrisy?"

I would suggest that Americans actually are beginning to see through the hypocrisy surrounding this war. We are willing to sacrifice precious blood, but it must be for a good reason, not for a war based on lies.

Dan Lineberger
Greensboro

In the latest Discover The Triad guide a reporter writes: "Madison serves as the shopping hub for the area. It has a shopping center, anchored by Kmart. By the end of the year, a Wal-Mart Superstore is slated to open there."

"There?" News flash. The Wal-Mart is slated to open in Mayodan. Wal-Mart is being constructed on property the owners asked the Town Council of Mayodan to annex into the city limits. They willingly pay Mayodan city taxes and will be provided Mayodan services, including water, sewer, fire and police protection. The address is Highway 135, Mayodan.

Being a lifelong resident of Mayodan, I'm very proud of my town, its own identity, people, businesses, heritage, government and commerce.

Mayodan isn't just a town sleeping in the shadow of everyone else. We have had and will continue to have many things to offer residents and visitors alike. Mayodan isn't sitting back and letting the world grow up around us. We're out there carving out our own signature with a mix of parks, commercial districts and a growing downtown.

Although we love our sister city, we're not Madison. We're uniquely Mayodan.

Melessa Hopper
Mayodan

I'm writing about the article in the News & Record (July 31). I was appalled that you showed the picture of the young men running naked. Where is your standard of decency? Your picture was a step below pornography. The picture, to me, is like soft porn.

Today's young people have a tough time with their sexuality. With what you advertise, they won't have to pick up a Playboy magazine. It was detestable and I must speak out against it. I ask again, where are your standards?

I pray that other born-again believers will speak out against this blatant atrocity displayed in your newspaper.

Elder Michael J. Boyd
Greensboro

Jobs Americans don't want? In reality, there never has been such a thing. There may be shortages in some labor areas, but never have the working people of America indicated they won't farm, paint, clean, mow lawns, provide child care, do restaurant work and more.

President Bush and others have used this phrase to justify their current policy allowing millions of illegal immigrants, little to no enforcement of current laws, and a general ignoring of our working lower class.

The unemployment rate often quoted by politicians is designed not to count all who are out of work. It's always been a snapshot of who qualifies and receives unemployment benefits.

My job in computers will not count when my current contract ends soon. "Jobs Americans don't want" is a feel-good phrase for those who utter it, masking the true reality many Americans face.

Economists agree that many at the low end do not share in our recovery, and are losing ground. Others gain at their expense. I am not against immigrants, but favor a balanced policy.

Jim Franz
Greensboro

Cindy Sheehan is a great American patriot who should be enshrined in the annals of the true heroes of our nation. She alone has had the guts to stand up and tell the truth in the face of the liars and manipulators who have wasted this great nation's precious blood and irreplaceable treasure.

In return, this brave mother is being maligned and condemned by the ignorant ideologues of the far right who ignore facts and manufacture lies to bring her down. Stand fast, Cindy. There are millions who believe in you and who will now be heard.

Al Mankoff
High Point

On Friday, Aug. 19, the News & Record distributed a letter with my name regarding the "Safe Drives, Safe Buses, Safe Kids" initiative. Unfortunately, this letter was not the letter I authored and submitted to the News & Record on behalf of Guilford County Schools; the letter that ran was retyped and published without my knowledge or consent and contained a number of grammatical errors. While I appreciate the News & Record's willingness to correct its errors, I find the entire incident unfortunate. I trust that the paper will make good on its promise to correct the actions and mistakes of its advertising department and that this incident will not detract from the potential value of this worthwhile partnership.

Terry B. Grier, Ed. D.
Greensboro

The writer is superintendent, Guilford County Schools.

Editor's note: A correction appears on Page A2 and a corrected version of the letter appears in an ad on Page A4.

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By John Gehris

Like the neighborhood gossip who tells everyone else how to live their lives while her husband is trysting right next door and her son is at the police station, the News & Record continues to advocate forced racial busing (in whatever form, "reassignment" or "redistricting") for High Point, while remaining strangely silent about demographic or achievement imbalance in your own hometown.

Like the gossip, you are being laughed at.

We're all holding our breath for the Page/Dudley and Grimsley/Smith busing sure to come down the pike any day. Instead of advocating the latter and creating the "balance" which you always imply is a good thing -- and which would be politically bold -- like cowards, the N&R continues to beat up on one little corner of the county. Saddling High Point with a "choice plan" costs you nothing politically and is a great distraction from the fact the school board is doing an abysmal job of educating students not just in High Point but in all parts of the county.

The evidence for forced racial busing is shaky at best. You easily could produce a room full of experts who believe in it and a roomful who don't. Two of the three black members of the school board are on record as not supporting it, most likely because they realize that schools are more than four walls surrounding a bundle of test scores. Expecting children who are forced in at 8 a.m. from someplace else and bused back out at 3 p.m. to do this is madness.

If for only one day your editors could walk in our shoes and see how demoralizing and absurd it is to constantly defend yourself from people at your door wanting to take your kids away to a distant school for their own selfish political purposes in total disregard of what you want for your children you would realize what a shameful public relations disaster this is for our county.

People in High Point have had enough.

The writer lives in High Point.

A few days ago, I got my schedule in the mail for my senior year at Ben L. Smith High School. The first thing I noticed was not my actual schedule but a line above it that said: "Ethnic category -- White, white not Hispanic origin."

The question that comes to my mind is: Why is my color so important when it comes to my education?

It's foolish to stereotype by race. I've had people say to me that I'm a rich man because I'm white. That's not true. I live over by Smith Homes, and as far as I know there aren't any rich people over here. As a matter of fact, I only have $1.97 in my pockets.

I'm tired of people saying they're better just because of their race. There's no white man better than a black man and no black man better than a white man because Romans 10:12 says that there's no difference between the Greek and the Jew. God doesn't see no difference in races; why should we?

Matthew Scarborough
Greensboro

Recent articles concerning mass transportation in the Greensboro area have given me heart that something positive may be in the offing. The story of the woman whose travel from a job in Greensboro to her home in High Point takes several transfers and more than two hours should be a wake-up call to GTA.

A 70-year-old friend who lives in northwest Greensboro wanted to take English-as-a-second-language classes at Glenwood Library. Walking from her home to a bus stop, transferring to another bus downtown, then getting to her class took well over an hour.

Addressing the environmental issue resulting from not having efficient mass transportation services is essential. The Triad can and must take action to improve access, and to reduce air pollution and reliance on oil. An additional benefit will be increased road safety and less traffic. Sounds like a winner.

Lynn Bennett
Greensboro

The News & Record opined Aug. 13 that Rep. Earl Jones' proposal for stem cell research in North Carolina has potential and is acceptable. However, it has yet to be determined that this idea is money well spent. For example, in the same News & Record, the local section highlighted the unfortunate issue of high infant mortality in North Carolina and in Guilford County. Yes, this is a major health concern and should get undivided attention by our legislators, but at a cursory glance there appears to be a larger concern about stem cell research.

The article on infant mortality indicates that North Carolina's health system has been poorly funded, which has yielded one of the highest infant mortality rates in the United States. Therefore, it is self-evident where state monies should be allocated to preserve and maintain life. Infant mortality intervention is a legitimate health and wellness concern and should benefit from significant state financial allocation.

It is obvious to me that the proposal to finance stem cell research in a state that has such infant mortality issues should inspire serious contemplation about who and what is important. It appears to send mixed signals that a state is more concerned with lab work and research than solid intervention in the implementation of health care for its citizenry.

Brian Kluttz
Greensboro

I sympathize with Erin Bennett's CAFTA argument (letter, Aug. 11) all too well, having lost my job in October 2004. I remember as a child, my father (in the textile business) asking the family to write letters to Reagan, begging him not to allow as much free trade. And my father is a conservative Republican, so it's nothing political.

At this point, the "global market" is too far gone not to accept, but let's use our American ingenuity to find something new to do. I don't like "disposable" products, as I call them, any more than the next guy -- the kind you buy and throw away in a few months. Boy, have we been had. When one makes a product that is not as in demand as it used to be, one needs to find another way -- not just whine, wither away and die.

We need to invest in our R&D departments again. Perhaps the United States can invent an alternative fuel to run our cars. "See a need, fill a need." "Necessity is the mother of invention." Ingenious.

Lisa Duke
High Point

I do not understand why everyone is so intent to push this magnet plan only on the High Point schools when we are part of the Guilford County Schools system. The school board says it is for minority balance. If this is the case, should they not be looking at Dudley and Northwest high schools? Let them start talking about busing between those two schools and not only the three High Point schools.

Also, the superintendent must not be a very good manager to have so many personnel problems. Teachers are scared to speak out. In any company, if you have these poor results, then usually a new CEO is hired and the previous one is fired. The next superintendent will need to be good to clean up this mess. Too bad our system is run by old politicians and not common-sense business people.

Charles Poston
Jamestown

The good thing about the News & Record's blogs is that they engender active feedback from the readers. The bad thing about the blogs is that, more often than not, the feedback is the same old "conservative versus liberal" claptrap. And this newspaper isn't doing anything to make it any different.

When is the News & Record going to take a real progressive step forward and away from that old corpse of ideological duality? For all intents and purposes, the Democrats and Republicans are exactly the same with no discernible difference. The same holds true for their supposed "conservative" and "liberal" underpinnings. The terminologies are so outdated and outmoded that there's no constructive dialogue possible, especially for those of us who have moved on from such ridiculous notions. It is possible not to have such a blinded lust for power, believe it or not.

Please, either take active measures to create a more intelligent dialogue among the readers, or outright ignore anyone who still tries to bring this stupid "it's us versus them" mentality to the table.

Christopher Knight
Greensboro

Regarding Felita Donnell's letter to the editor Aug. 15 about the picture of Rose Lawson enjoying watermelon on her front porch (local section, Aug. 10), my only conception is that Ms. Donnell apparently never enjoyed watermelon on her front porch or any other place for that matter.

In a well-written and photographed story, Rose Lawson is beautiful; she was having a wonderful time with her family, sitting on the porch enjoying summer's most delicious food. My four sisters and I recently decided the next time we cut a watermelon, we'd sit on the porch or in the yard and spit the seeds on the ground and let the juice run down our arms just like we did 60 or more years ago, and we're "white folks." These family times and your human-interest stories about them help push aside "concerns for the larger issues in the world" for just a little while.

Barbara Collins-Golding
Reidsville

Where can I sign up to show my support for Cindy Sheehan? I, too, would like to disrespect the graves of America's fallen warriors.

I guess freedom is solely the right of the American people, and to hell with the rest of the world. Shame on our sons and daughters for trying to help the helpless and oppressed.

I share the pain Sheehan feels for her lost warrior, but it was his choice to enter the military, and she should be proud of his decision, as those of us who preceded him in the armed forces honor him for his courage and sacrifice. Always remember, America would still be an English colony were it not for sons of other countries coming to help liberate us from tyranny. God bless those who stand ready to give their all when called upon. God bless America's armed forces.

Brian Stewart
Greensboro

With gas now over $2.50 a gallon, I ride my bike as much as I can from New Garden Road to downtown Greensboro. Those who try to reduce dependence on foreign oil should be commended. Instead, the city of Greensboro thanks cyclists by taking away their quickest and safest route to downtown from the west side.

Maybe I should throw in the towel and buy a gas-guzzling SUV like most typical Americans so I can add to our country's dependence. No, I will continue to ride, but I can't ride down Friendly Avenue because it is much too dangerous. I now have to weave my way over to Hobbs Road and back to Benjamin Parkway. I thought Greensboro was green-friendly when I moved here three years ago, but now I have my doubts.

Blair Peters
Greensboro

How on earth can anyone support a raise for our local council persons? The pay should be cut. When we cut the pay, we could try to enter the 21st century and have them meet about one-third as much. The world blows by city hall while they run things the same way they did in 1810. We even have Boy Scout troops show up like it is something worth seeing. These people meet in order to do what? You got it: schedule another meeting. Seventy-five percent of the votes taken by these serial meeters could be taken on a hand-held device while they work at their real jobs.

The sad thing is the truly talented among us will not run for the jobs because of the time wasted. City Council should meet once a month for an hour. Fifty-eight minutes of that hour should be devoted to requests by people with no access to a computer. Meet online. Get a chat room so we can discuss why we closed a reliable modern landfill. Most of all, spare us the anguish of how hard they work with little pay. It's make-work.

Bill Sparks
Greensboro

Your article on the various ways to waste and/or save gasoline overlooked one of the most wasteful practices of all -- using the drive-through lane at your local bank or fast-food restaurant. You're still burning gas even if you're not moving. Just five minutes a day in a drive-through can reduce your mileage by up to 20 percent.

Amid all the rumblings of the Las Vegas furniture market, not a single furniture manufacturer has announced plans to build a showroom in Las Vegas. It's time to drop the hype -- the Vegas market will have no more impact on the High Point market than did the Atlanta and Dallas markets, both of which were also going to take the market from High Point, but failed.

James Reid
Thomasville

When, one wonders, will the Greensboro police union ever cease its whining about working conditions? At a decibel level sometimes approaching that of a chain saw, the union has screeched complaints of bad faith against a succession of chiefs-of-police for the past 25 years. That the union hates Chief Wray with the same passion it felt for all previous chiefs must be a reassuring sign for him.

Fortunately for all of the disaffected policemen, there appear to be three marvelous options available to them.

Judith Wingo (letter, Aug. 17) seems to think human beings would be savages if not for their precious rules, implying we wouldn't know how to behave if some authority didn't command us.

I believe it is not rules that rule most adults; it's conscience. People behave because it's in their own interests as well as society's, not for fear of punishment. Sure, there are exceptions: a few conscienceless ones for whom rules are meaningless. Attempting to control these, we needlessly restrict the blameless majority.

Too many rules make life oppressive. Not that all are bad. Certainly we must legislate against anything that's truly harmful. The rule Wingo cited doesn't qualify. A few dozen fans bringing juice or dietetic food to First Horizon Park would not result in "chaos." The only thing that rule protects is the vendors' bottom line. But their merchandise may be unsuitable for special diets.

When a rule is broken, let's not assume the fault always lies with the perpetrator; sometimes it's overzealous rule-makers who assume everyone bows to their basest instincts. Enforcement can produce more harm than infractions.

I propose a new rule: "Thou shalt not make rules against anything that is harmless."

Valerie Putney
Greensboro

A positive environmental direction: Thank you members of the Greensboro City Council for approving an e-waste recycling program ("Coming soon: e-waste recycling," News & Record, Aug. 17).

As a Guilford County resident (Pleasant Garden) and retired school teacher and education specialist for the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, the decision to include the county residents is appreciated. Also a thank you to the Hayden-Harman Foundation and Greensboro's environmental services department. I have found that computers, printers, etc. are now considered "disposable" by the manufacturers, so consumers will have an option that I hope they use.

Anne Hice
Pleasant Garden

It was a brave and noble thing for the Israelis to evacuate Gaza. The pain and sacrifice of separation was clearly visible in the faces of the settlers. The emotional impact on both the residents and the soldiers moving them out was clear for all to see.

Yet, it must be remembered that this was a tragic but necessary act. Ultimately, the decision to move out of Gaza was a practical one. The Israelis have an historic claim to territory on the shores of the Eastern Mediterranean, but so do the Palestinians. In recent history the Israelis seized territory following an aggressive war waged by Arab states in 1967. Following the war, Israel continued to hold territory seized from Egypt (Gaza) and Jordan (the West Bank), promising to return the land once it was secure.

The dream of the Israelis is to reconstruct their ancient state according to its historic boundaries. These dreams are being deconstructed by their greatest modern proponent: Ariel Sharon.

Having made the practical decision that these territories will never be secure, at least in Gaza, he has reformed his ideas and has become the tragic hero in a great drama played out in historic proportions.

Tim Dineen
Greensboro

Kerri Pound taught first- and second-grade students at Brown Summit Elementary and Monticello-Brown Summit Elementary for the past 15 years. She was an excellent reading, math, science and social studies teacher, but more.

She was also inviting, nurturing and supportive to all of her students and parents. She instinctively knew when to push students harder and when to hug them for their efforts. She gave her all each and every day that her health allowed. Ms. Pound was at school a week before she died to set up her room for the coming year.

Ms. Pound suffered from lupus. She also had a kidney transplant, hip replacements and numerous other health problems over the years. She passed away Aug. 16 due to an infection that could not be stopped as a result of a broken bone.

In the eight years I had the pleasure of working with Ms. Pound, she never asked for a reduced load, complained of her misfortunes or lacked an enthusiastic smile. She was an inspiration to us all.

Guilford County Schools lost a great teacher, and I lost a hero.

Sam Foust
Randleman

The writer is principal, Southeast Middle School.

Question: Has the Counterpoint section of your editorial pages now become the "Bash Cindy Sheehan" feature?

I just wondered because twice in one week you managed to run opinions directed at this one individual who is doing something that many, many Americans are doing on a quieter, less-publicized level: asking for some real answers about the war in Iraq.

As for the most recent column writer, while veterans of any war are to be respected for their service, the notion that one veteran can speak for another one -- especially one who has died -- is as lunatic as I, a mother, presuming I speak for all mothers.

Let's move on. Cindy Sheehan has her quest, and there are those of us who support her and those who do not. No more bashing an individual's motives, OK?

Mary Coyne Wessling
Greensboro

The season is coming to a close, but what an incredible year for Greensboro. In all of my 69 years, I don't remember a more enjoyable summer. I'm talking about the Greensboro Grasshoppers and the downtown stadium. We owe a tremendous debt to their management, Jim Melvin and Roger Cotten and others for having the courage to build such a beautiful stadium.

It's as if downtown Greensboro has become alive again. It's electric. To sit under the stars in peaceful surroundings and watch a game is unbelievable. Thank all of you.

Wayne Stutts
Greensboro

Regarding Bill Payne's complaint that the publication of James L. Martin's commentary (Ideas, Aug. 7) in counterpoint to Gar Alperovitz's piece against using the A-bomb was inappropriate:

On the contrary. It was very appropriate to ask the opinions of one of those who, without the benefit of Debate 101 or college-level work -- those from all the Mocksvilles in this country -- nonetheless carried the cause of justice and freedom on their backs across beaches from Guadalcanal to Okinawa.

Those experiences led to the assumption that a high percentage would not survive initial landings. When you look at the man next to you expecting that one of you will be dead by the end of the day, even the most rational, thoughtful and altruistic person among us may use rather abbreviated decision-making processes.

Could other strategies have made both the bomb and landing force against Japan unnecessary? Perhaps. Historians can tell you with at least some certainty what happened factually. What might have happened if circumstances somehow were changed is not at all certain -- a parlor game compared to what the landing force would have faced.

Mr. Martin's recollection of his views as representative of an extraordinary company of heroes deserved much better than Mr. Payne's arrogant comments.

Jerry Olson
Greensboro

Regarding Oleg Kobelev's letter (Aug. 17) expressing disappointment that the Kansas state school board has "caved in" to the demand of Christian fundamentalists:

Keep watching, Mr. Kobelev, and you will see what a difference will be made by that choice. We should all turn around and give God Almighty His rightful place in our lives. What good are cloned dogs, pigs and human beings with no consciousness of the spiritual life going to do for the world? Our country is the greatest in the world. Why? Because, up until now, the majority believe in God and many go further and practice what they believe by serving their fellow man wherever he may be in the world, whatever his belief.

Jacqueline Hollar
High Point

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Martin Mancuso

I certainly share some concerns expressed by Joseph Guarino in his Ideas front piece, "The assault on marriage" (Aug. 14) [not posted]. His initial thesis is that marriage is much more fragile than in times past.

But the bulk of his concern is then directed at the impact of divorce on children. This makes for a confusing narrative.

I agree that marriage provides many advantages for the healthy development of children. However, certain factors in a marriage can make divorce a better alternative.

I concur that marriage "serves the legitimate interests" people have "to reproduce." However, I cannot condone the idea that marriage provides "men with exclusive sexual rights."
What exactly is a sexual right?

Dr. Guarino apparently rejects the ideal that a marriage represents a union of equals. He accepts that divorce is likely to economically devastate the care-giving spouse. How many men are so devastated?

If we just compel people to stay married, will everything work out?

Dr. Guarino acknowledges that "many men, women and children who experience divorce emerge relatively unscathed." Then, he runs away from exploring the underpinnings of such success to decry the overall state and bludgeon the reader with value-laden pronouncements about the sanctity of marriage.

He makes reference to "two successful immigrant groups" providing neither a definition of success nor statistics to back up his reference. He neglects completely to celebrate his own ethnic heritage.

My Italian American experience revealed to me the formula for a successful marriage. A successful marriage is one in which the partners have clearly defined, mutually agreed-upon and consistently celebrated roles.

As the latter half of the 20th century unfolded, the American economy became remarkably independent of physical labor and transitioned into one based on intellectual capital. This provides opportunity for near parity in the roles adopted in a marriage. The evocative narrative cited regarding Paul Paolicelli's grandfather can be viewed in this context.

The dying man recognized that his wife would not be able to adequately provide for his children. The oligarchs of the day simply did not value the labor that women performed to an equivalent degree as that which men performed.

Divorce is a symptom, not a disease. We must acknowledge the less-restrictive gender roles made possible during the 20th century. Understanding and effectively responding to those changes can provide a sound basis for progress this century.

The "cultural and legal adjustments" to which Dr. Guarino alludes are potentially more injurious than palliative. Institutionalized sexism is a 19th-century practice.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

On March 19, I was a member of the band who performed at the peace march and rally in Fayetteville. While I never supported our unfocused aggression post-Sept. 11, 2001, my reason for being present was based more on my musicianship than my activism. There were powerful, emotional testimonials by grieving parents, Vietnam, Gulf War and other veterans.

A group of young soldiers, just back from Iraq, told the crowd of 3,000 the real news from the war. One of the main speakers of the day was Cindy Sheehan, a gentle, soft-spoken yet furious mother. Then, like now, she was demanding answers.

Perhaps unexpectedly for me, this was an immensely patriotic event. After all, what can be more patriotic than standing up to a government that fabricates its motives for war and, disregarding experienced military advice, carelessly endangers our brave soldiers by sending them to fight among a culture we have not bothered to learn anything about? As with Vietnam, time will prove that the peacemakers, too, are patriots.

Brad Spencer
Reidsville

My blood pressure regularly goes off the charts after reading aggravating articles in the local papers, but nothing has ever made me angrier than the recent school board decision to ignore the potentially deadly problem of allowing peanut butter into the Guilford County schools.

How dare a school board member say, "There are only 50 children in the system currently known to have a peanut allergy, so what's the big deal?" The big deal is that any one or all 50 could die from mere exposure to peanut products.

This is not just some annoying little allergy like hay fever or a minor reaction to other foods that can be corrected with allergy shots -- it is a deadly and relatively new countrywide nightmare. No preventative shots exist, and countless children have already died as a result. Once exposed, a highly allergic child can die within 15 minutes if he or she is not immediately injected with an EpiPen and raced to an emergency ward.

If my granddaughter was among those "only 50" allergic children and died as a result of our local school board's callous stupidity, I'd have them arrested for manslaughter. Thank goodness she lives in a more knowledgeable and caring city.

Joan A. Hunt
Greensboro

At the beginning of Bush's first term, Dick Cheney led an Energy Task Force to review our energy needs. The task force primarily consisted of representatives from oil, coal and natural gas industries. Various interest groups attempted to unseal who exactly participated in the effort and what outcomes were created from it. However, the Supreme Court sided with the Bush administration and its claim of executive privilege.

Five years later, our energy needs are in a state of crisis. I guess the task force was not very productive. It sure would be interesting to see where they went wrong. Oh, that's right, we will never know because it's a secret. Funny, I thought it was our energy they were talking about, not just theirs.

Recently, the administration approved an energy bill full of tax breaks for those same industries with very few incentives to move the market toward renewable sources of energy. I guess we shouldn't be surprised since both Bush and Cheney are former oilmen.

Chris Malcolm
High Point

I agree with Matthew Thekkekandam (letter, Aug. 18) about believing what is less stupid. The advice of Occam's Razor (the simplest explanation is usually the best) applies here.

What I don't understand is why it is harder to believe that the universe (which we can see, hear, touch and measure) came from nothing, than to believe that about God (which we can't see, hear, etc.). Why insert a middleman?

The question this raises is, if the universe must have a creator, why doesn't the creator need to have one? This could go on infinitely. Why not stop with the tangible?

John Worsley
Greensboro

As a handicapped person, I parked in the appropriate space at the Spencer Love Park in order to attend the car show at Country Park recently. I had recently bought a battery-powered two-wheel scooter for just such things. From my parking spot, it was about two to three city blocks to the show.

About halfway through the show, one of the park employees told me I could not have the scooter in the park and I would have to leave. If it had been a three-wheeler, such as a Rascal, I could have stayed. I can't get a three-wheeler in my car. This is wrong.

Larry Walton
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By J. Bradley Wilson

Recent coverage and commentary about the University of North Carolina presidential search requires that I offer supplemental information about the search process. The Presidential Search Committee has and continues to encourage public comment in the search. Opinions and expressions of support for any individual candidate are an appropriate response to our call for public comment.

The Board of Governors acknowledges and respects the opinions that have been offered by many individuals and editorials since we began our work in May, and I am sure many more will be received as we continue our work.

Shortly after President Broad's retirement announcement, I sought a meeting with former UNC Presidents Bill Friday and Dick Spangler. I asked for their perspective, thoughts and advice on the status of the university and the impending search process. The two-and-a-half-hour conversation was an extraordinarily helpful lesson in the history, heritage, mission and importance of the university to the state.

They also offered sage advice on how a search process should be conducted, based on their own involvement in such processes and many years of experience. I am grateful for their service and willingness to share their wisdom with me. Not to talk with them would certainly constitute gross negligence in the performance of my duties as chairman of the search committee.

The central point each of them made to me was to develop a search process that was fair, deliberative, comprehensive and as open as possible, and to support that process with appropriate staff and consultive resources that would ultimately yield the best person to lead our university. The Board of Governors has done just that. As they offered their advice, neither President Friday nor President Spangler expressed support for or endorsed any individual for the university presidency.

Since that initial meeting, I have spoken with President Friday on several occasions about matters of importance to the university other than the search process. Each time, he has reminded me -- in the inimitable Bill Friday way — to remain true to the Board of Governors' search process, to move forward carefully, openly and deliberatively, and to always remember the importance of our work. He has never suggested or advocated for any individual for the presidency.

As the search process continues, I would not be surprised to learn that other candidates have talked with Presidents Friday and Spangler, as well as President Broad. It seems logical that anyone who desires to undertake the leadership of our university would want to delve into the knowledge and experience of these leaders as they prepare themselves for the process.

As this occurs, I hope it is not interpreted as endorsement of an individual, but as a way in which our distinguished leaders continue to serve our university by sharing their wisdom and vision with those who desire to become the next president of the University of North Carolina.

The writer is chairman, UNC Presidential Search Committee.

Runaway gas prices have already increased inflation and will likely result in higher taxes as states, counties, cities and school districts struggle to meet higher fuel costs. Both of these will slow economic development and possibly lead to a recession. Our leaders in Washington remind one of Nero fiddling as Rome burned to the ground. Oil companies are reaping record profits.

The much-heralded energy bill recently signed into law will provide no relief in gas prices and give billions in subsidies to the already bloated oil industry. Our leaders in Washington need to think of the American people instead of special interests -- the oil and car industries. A surtax should be placed on rampant oil profits, and this revenue should be shared with state and local governments to help offset high fuel costs.

The government has been dillydallying with alternate fuels and needs to press full steam ahead with hybrid or electric cars, solar energy and nuclear power. With the increased energy demands of Asia, we cannot rely on oil for near- or long-term needs.

James W. Corey
High Point

"Hee Haw" is gone. Guilford County commissioners are here. Republicans or Democrats. It makes you wonder why we have this dog-and-pony show. If I were a visitor to our county, I would look for this on the Comedy Channel.

I know that there are problems throughout the state, but it seems that Guilford County is the best in the state. Some pointers:

Billy, I think the world of you. Let the workers' compensation people do what they are trained to do. I am sure they could not dig a well.

Skip, be there or keep your mouth shut. The world does not revolve around you.

Paul, you are not your father, and don't think he was that good of a sheriff to start with.

Trudy, I love you, but give it up.

Bruce, turn in your expense report. A county employee would have been sent home or fired if he said, "I will do it when I get around to it."

Linda, what can I say, keep up the good work.

George Cole
Greensboro

Rep. Walter Jones wants a plan and a timetable to exit Iraq. I agree wholeheartedly. I also totally agree with President Bush's remarks made earlier: "Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the president to explain to us what the exit strategy is." And on the specific need for a timetable, Mr. Bush said, "I think it's also important for the president to lay out a timetable as to how long they will be involved and when they will be withdrawn."

These are statements reported in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. The former was made on April 9, 1999, and the latter June 5, 1999. Mr. Bush called upon President Clinton to provide an exit plan and a timetable two months into the Kosovo incursion. Draftees were prepared for combat in Korea in 16 weeks. It is time for the sacrifice of American lives and fortune to cease.

William Adams
Salisbury

The decision by the Kansas school board, about which Oleg Kobelev (letter, Aug. 17, "Losing hand with fundamentalism") was complaining, simply balances the far-from-proven teaching of evolution by also teaching intelligent design. By tolerating more than one option, however, he claims America is sliding into "regress from the forefront of innovation."

He calls intelligent design "Christian ideological dogma," while portraying evolution as strictly science. His meager support for these assertions is that "evolution has long been accepted by the scientific community." The scientific community also once believed the earth was the center of the universe.

Instead of being a regrettable decision that hurts America in our competition with other nations, I as a student see this Kansas school board decision as a step toward progress for students. By teaching only the theory of evolution, we give it more credence than it deserves. The foundational evidence and beliefs of evolution, some of which were formulated by Darwin, that persuaded many scholars in favor of evolution have now been disproved (the fossil record is still incomplete, structural homology has been negated by modern genetics, etc.). No, the Kansas school board was certainly not following a "sure way to lose."

Andy Dovan
Greensboro
The writer is home schooled in the 10th grade.

Gus Bell was a home run-hitting outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds from 1953 to 1961. Buddy Bell was an outfielder for the Reds in the mid-1980s and is now the manager for the Kansas City Royals. David Bell plays third base for the Philadelphia Phillies. All of these men are related to the real hero in the family, Tim Bell Jr. Tim was killed in Iraq during a roadside bombing on Aug. 3 with 13 of his comrades.

"He would not have wanted to die any other way," said Greg McDaniel, the pastor of Impact Baptist Church. "Tim believed in freedom. He believed there were some things worth fighting for and some things worth dying for."

No one likes war, everyone loves freedom. Whether you are a Democrat or Republican, liberal or conservative, please pray for our troops. People like Tim Bell Jr. loved this country so much he was willing to die to protect it. Now is not the time to criticize our leaders. Vote for the people you support and accept the people who win the election so we can be united as a country against the real enemy.

Rick O'Reilly
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Gloria McClanahan

This is in response to Cal Thomas' column (Aug. 19) reminiscing about the "good old days." This column was filled with so much misinformation and exaggeration, it could be better described as a trip down Fantasy Lane.

Thomas began his column complaining about the price of gas these days and then wants the reader to believe him when he says that, although gas was rationed during Word War II, it was cheap. Back in 1943, the price of a gallon of gas was 21 cents. In today's dollars, that would be $2.37. Do you call that cheap?

He then complained about the price of housing today compared with those good old days by saying that his parents bought a small house right after the war for only $20,000. Pretty inexpensive, until you adjust for inflation ($200,500).

His most outrageous complaint is when he claims to be a "victim" of buying a super-sized house, which has wallboard walls instead of plaster, in a transient neighborhood and of buying so much "stuff" that he has to rent storage units to keep it in. He then justifies his seemingly out-of-control buying behavior by complaining that he is a victim of consumerism and doesn't like being caught in this web from which escape is difficult.

Mr. Thomas, what about a bit of personal responsibility for your behavior rather than excuses? I hope you give drug addicts as much slack as you do your apparent buying addictions, unless someone is holding a gun to your head demanding, "buy, buy."

He finished his nostalgia trip by complaining about today's morals, suggesting that men used to be proud of being virgins. When on earth was this? I am almost 70, and when I was in high school, a guy would lie about his conquests rather than admit to being a virgin.

Thomas summed up his column by asking the reader, "Do we have the moral clarity embodied in previous generations to do without and not complain?" Yes, Mr. Thomas, the human race has, and will, survive when things get tough. But I'm not so sure about you. As far as not complaining, that is part of being human, or do you reserve that right only for yourself?

The writer lives in Asheboro.

Well, we were right.

Upon seeing the photo in last week's paper, all three of us in the break room said, "Uh-oh, this won't fly." And, well, we knew it.

It seems an innocent enough photo. Thank goodness Felita Donnell's letter did not say a thousand words regarding this photo -- ignorance enough was shown with what was said. We saw nothing wrong with the photo but knew some would.

Man, to scrutinize the photo down to the watermelon seed on the little girl's nose.

By her own admission, there are more pressing matters at hand in today's world -- Iraq, poverty, AIDS, etc. Yet, Donnell decided to dwell on this one.

I am well aware of the stereotype being discussed here. Should we ban all black folks from taking part in KFC, Bojangles and McDonald's commercials?

To be "appalled" by this photograph drives the point home. What if it had been a little white girl in the exact same photographic frame?

What about the picture of the black folks in the Waffle House on Randleman road in the Aug. 15 News & Record? Appalled?

Any photo can be what someone makes of it. And apparently some chose to make this one something it is absolutely not.

Greg Atkins
Greensboro

Regarding Cal Thomas' column (Aug. 12), I would like to state the following:

The Bush administration successfully created a wasps' nest of insurgents/terrorists in Iraq. Thomas refers to similarities between Vietnam and Iraq. The longer we stay in Iraq, the stronger the comparison becomes.

He refers to a "falsehood" (misconception) that if we "just left" Iraq, Iraqis would kill each other instead of us.

It seems Thomas views Americans as naïve or dumb. If we left now, the Iraqis might continue to wage war on each other by civil strife; yet, many terrorists there would surely want to harm Americans.

His second "falsehood" blames much of our perception of vulnerability to terrorist acts on television and the press. He presumes all Americans are fixated on "runaway brides and materialism." We are not all mindless fools.

Those on the right love to blame the press when things aren't going well.

The Iraq war and Vietnam may have become dubious ventures, but I agree with one paraphrase from Bill Maher (HBO): Bush does not have an exit strategy for the Iraq war, but he sure did have one for the Vietnam War.

Greg Murray
Burlington

I just have one question for all of the pro-war people. Would they still feel the same about the war in Iraq if the draft were brought back?

Paul Moscato
Siler City

I am responding to the letter (Aug. 17) from Oleg Kobelev, which seems to insinuate that Christians are on a "losing" trail.

Why is it that people who prefer a Christian viewpoint have to give up so much of their basic faith? This is generally to satisfy those who believe other things.

The writer says, "The theory of evolution has long been accepted by the scientific community while the embrace of intelligent design is a sign of America's continuous regression from the forefront of innovations" -- whatever that means.

Webster defines "science" as "possession of knowledge as distinguished from ignorance or misunderstanding."

Why do these folks, generally in the minority, try to force their views on those whose views differ and are generally in the majority?

For anyone interested, the Bible teaches, as it has for centuries, that "without faith, it is impossible to believe or please Him with whom we have to do." And I have news for folks who feel as this letter writer.

According to the same Bible, "Without faith, one is surely going to lose" and not because intelligent design is our hope and all of our being, but because that's what the Bible teaches.

Mathew Falcone
Greensboro

Your editorial, "Turning up the heat" (Aug. 18) in order "to cool down her campaign" was interesting. Perhaps President Bush should go face to face with Cindy Sheehan a second time to assure her of his compassion for all our fallen soldiers and their families.

Meanwhile, please don't print any more Ohman cartoons depicting the Iraqi leadership as a bunch of filibusters of their new government and constitutional freedoms.

In due time, the American framers got our Constitution right. Let's not tear Iraq's down before they get started.

Surely, you have heard of Job, the Iraqi, way back in the beginning of time "when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy" (Job 38:7 and James 5:11).

Thanks for the News & Record and for our good delivery service here at Stoney Creek.

Jim Ellis
Stoney Creek

By Jackie Nelson

The following is a Counterpoint column:

I'm writing in response to the article, "For $395,000, prison's yours" (Aug. 10).

Our staff and board have gotten a number of calls making it apparent that we need to clarify a couple of points.

Our facility is not a prison. It is a program that is an alternative to prison for nonviolent women with children.

Mothers are referred to the program by attorneys, judges and probations officers throughout North Carolina. Summit House is an intensive residential program that focuses on rehabilitation, teaching responsible citizenship, respect for the law, behavior modification and the skills for living an independent, productive lifestyle.

Our program helps preserve the family unit, fosters the mother-child bond and provides the mother with parenting skills. With the help of local agencies, it includes individual counseling, vocational training, substance abuse counseling and 12-step programs.

At the residential home, strict guidelines and a point system regulate the women's daily lives. A team of case managers is present 24 hours a day to work with the women and children and to supervise the household.

The women and their children usually graduate from our program in 18 to 24 months and re-enter society as productive citizens. The Summit House-Piedmont program has had a 5 percent recidivism rate, which means that 95 percent of our women become responsible citizens and do not return to criminal behavior.

The cycle of crime is broken. The mothers' lives are changed. The children's lives are changed.

The Summit House-Piedmont program is not closing down. We do have our house on Summit Avenue for sale as it no longer fits the needs of our program. We are looking either for an existing facility or a parcel of land to build on.

The Summit House-Piedmont program was started in 1987 by a group of community volunteers who were concerned about the adverse effects on children whose mothers were incarcerated. Their goal was to keep families together while rehabilitating the mothers. Summit House-Raleigh and Summit House-Charlotte opened their doors in 1995.
A statewide board of directors is responsible for all aspects of the program.

A local board of trustees oversees the local program and raises local funds. Funding is received from the state of North Carolina, local United Ways, individuals, corporations, foundations, and civic and religious organizations.

Further information can be obtained from our local office. The telephone number is 275-9366.

The writer lives in Greensboro and is chairwoman of the board, Summit House-Piedmont.

I am appalled that the City Council has approved a "no-grace period" on late payments for city services. A payment that is one day late is charged a $20 penalty. Our city's customer service representatives refuse to make any adjustments. In fact, when this happened to me, I was rudely informed that I had 37 days to pay the bill -- despite the fact that I always mailed the bill two weeks before the due date. The city gives you less time to pay and has a steeper fine than any other utility. And, of course, they win because there is no competition.

Citizens should have a short grace period. At the very least, the city should specifically note this unfair penalty on every billing statement. What happens when a bill is due at the end of the month and someone on Social Security needs to wait until they receive their check? Looks like that senior is out a much-needed $20. City Council members should remember who puts them in office.

Anne Sumpter
Greensboro

The Aug. 19 letter inserted into the newspaper and reportedly written by Dr. Terry Grier was very disturbing.

At first, I was incensed with Dr. Grier, who signed that letter and permitted it to be published. I was thinking that he should resign. That thinking ended on Aug. 20, when he clarified that his letter was rewritten by your staff. That rewrite, which was appalling and provoked a very negative view of Dr. Grier, should never have happened.

Three people should be fired: the individual who rewrote the letter, the person who neglected to proofread it and the individual who allowed it to be printed. Furthermore, the explanation under the corrected letter adds another insult. Dr. Grier, having earned a doctorate in education, was referred to as "Mr. Grier." Shame.

Lee Richmond
Jamestown

At page 28 of the Modern Library edition of "Ulysses" by James Joyce one will find this:

"Like him was I, these sloping shoulders, this gracelessness. My childhood bends beside me.
"Too far for me to lay a hand there once or lightly. Mine is far and his secret as our eyes.
"Secrets, silent, stony, sit in the dark palaces of both our hearts: secrets weary of their tyranny: tyrants willing to be dethroned."

Each time I am with our oldest son these words come back to me and I am moved.

As I read "Off to College" (Michael Skube column, Aug. 21, not posted), his perceptions were mine, and I was moved again, particularly by the last paragraphs.

Jack Elam
Greensboro

What if Americans were to drive just one mile a day less? Just think how much gas we would save in a month's time.

Rather still, think how much we would cut into the oil companies' profits. I read with much interest that Exxon Mobil earned more than $53 billion in three months. Doesn't that seem excessive?

If the president won't roll back prices, like Richard Nixon did, then we, as Americans, can stop some of this profiting that is going on in the oil industry.

George Deaton
Stoneville

On Aug. 19, the News & Record published a front-page story claiming that the term "minority" is "obsolete and offensive."

The term "minority" came into use because, in a nation that follows the principle of majority rule, the majority needs to be reminded that it also has a responsibility to protect the rights of the minority. Over time, some, maybe even many, have used the term "minority" to apply to specific groups.

As an easy shorthand to refer to groups that are no longer minorities, the term is indeed obsolete. However, it still serves to remind those in the majority, whether or not they were once minorities, to have the strength of character to believe in the principles that so many people fought and died for.

David Polinsky
Greensboro

I read the article, "Forums seek ways to reduce suspensions" (Aug. 17). My solution is to bring back corporal punishment.

Kids should be afraid of the consequences if they act out. Use the paddle on kids who get caught swearing, smoking, cheating, bullying and being insubordinate. I promise you will see results if this is done on a consistent basis.

Oh, yes, I realize the shrinks and liberals won't like this, but your way isn't working.

Kristan Nelson
Greensboro

I, too, am very concerned that our News & Record would print such demeaning photos of African American children eating slices of watermelon (Aug. 10). The way it was done was in poor taste, degrading and offensive. What purpose did it serve? Surely, there are more positive things that African American children do in the summer.

I was appalled, and many others were, too.

Dorothy Marie Lassiter
Greensboro

I reside in the city limits of High Point, in Guilford County. My wife works full time; I am retired from local government but work a full-time part-time job. These things recently occurred to us.

Our county property taxes were raised 2.44 cents per $100. Our city property taxes were raised 5.3 cents per $100. This means our property taxes have risen about $95 from last year. The tax value on our home is still the same.

High Point city electrical rates will rise 1.1 percent effective Oct. 1. High Point city water/sewer rates will rise an average of 4.9 percent effective Oct. 1.

My wife and I have very good driving records. However, since we now live in High Point, our car insurance went up $162 from last year. Same two cars as last year, no points.

Guilford County commissioners and the county school board voted themselves, respectively, 41 percent and 50 percent annual salary increases. I guess they needed those raises to pay for all the tax and rate increases, or was it the fact that they could do it and no one would stop them? In addition, that $6,000 would make a nice tax deduction for charity.

Larry L. Thomas
High Point

Jesus advocated peace. Many of His messages were about peace, peace meant for all mankind, regardless of time, nationality or creed. To quote a few: "Peace be with you." "Blessed are the peacemakers." "Do unto others what you would want them to do unto you." "If someone smites you on one cheek, turn to him the other one." "Love your neighbor as yourself."

A neighbor is not exclusively that fellow next door or the family across the street in the cul-de-sac. All neighbors, individually, belong to the family of nations. When we invade our neighbor's territory with the intention of inflicting death and destruction, a grievous sin is committed. Two familiar truisms that are applicable for today are: "violence begets violence" and "you reap what you sow."

Our first bombs sowed "shock and awe," and now like a boomerang we are receiving a good harvest of the same. During one of his recent televised appearances, President Bush was asked about his strategy for Iraq. He answered: "The best thing we can do is to keep on fighting." The best thing? Hooray for Cindy's "thing." Hopefully, her spark will kindle a fire.

Dorothy Meehan
Graham

This letter is in regard to the last Atkins-bashing letter. Once again, I must defend the honor of Dr. Atkins and his followers.

We who follow the low-carb life are no one's victims. We were not scammed by Dr. Atkins or the low-carb items his organization sells. We low-carbers are very fit, energetic people. We are slim, have good cholesterol and lean muscle, are diabetes-free and enjoy good health. We eat well, including vegetables, fruit, fiber and lean meats. We laugh all the way to the size 5, 7 and 9 shops.

The real victims are the people who think eating high carbs, low calories and low fat is the way to go. As I've said before, if that is true, why are we so fat?

Janis Pace
Summerfield

As I drive around the Triad, I see many bike riders on the edge of the highways. We all realize that these highways were designed for vehicles to get to their destinations. There have been many times when I have seen vehicles that are going 55 come to almost a complete stop so they would not hit a bike rider. Many bike riders are courteous and try to move to the edge of the road; however, there are some who will not move to the edge and allow the traffic to roll. They actually challenge motor vehicles and create a dangerous situation.

The time has come for Guilford County to make bicycle paths, so that motorists aren't put in situations that could cause head-on collisions with other vehicles when they have to cross the center lines to get around the bikes. How do we pay for it? Since vehicles are taxed and the money is used to maintain highways, bicycles should be taxed, and only those who pay the annual tax would be allowed to use the paths. Highways are for vehicles.

Don Wendelken
Summerfield

I agree it would be impossible to remove all food allergens from schools -- milk, cheese, peanut butter. Face it: These foods are healthy, right? To my daughter, any trace of a peanut can be deadly.

All students must have an equal opportunity to be safe at school. It is the responsibility and obligation of the school board to set directives for the schools, mandating them to have a written anaphylaxis plan and to ensure that there is compliance at every school.

Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. It involves several body systems, and it can be life-threatening. Its progression and severity are unpredictable. Four out of six fatal cases of food allergy reactions occur at school (www.aanma.org/schoolhouse/). All teachers and staff should be trained to recognize anaphylaxis and how to administer an EpiPen. Literally, seconds can save a life. There is no margin for error.

There is no cure for food allergies. The only way to avoid having an allergic reaction is to avoid contact with the allergen. Food allergies are on the rise. This problem isn't going to go away anytime soon. Allergic children need the support of their community and school board.

Kim Davis
Trinity

The recent article, "Forum seeks ways to reduce suspensions" (Aug. 17), was very informative. It is no surprise there are more black students suspended than whites. Who causes most of the trouble?

Look at the national average of white crime against black crime and you will see black crime is much higher. The media try not to let Joe Sixpack and the soccer moms know this.

If citizens checked out statistics, they would find out what the controlled media will not tell them.

Richard H. Vanderford
Siler City

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Thomas L. Harmon Jr.

Bicycles in the news. How nice to see the feature, complete with pictures, on bicycles in the News & Record (Ideas, Aug. 21). However, it was disheartening to a bicyclist like myself to see such a negative presentation. When automobiles are presented in such a feature, the accent is not on all the wrecks that occur on the highways.

My experience in many years as a commuter cyclist, as well as a sport cyclist, has shown the vast majority of Greensboro and Guilford drivers to have a good attitude toward cyclists and to be cautious and considerate of them. The major obstacle to bicycling here, in my experience, has been the reluctance of the city administration to be likewise.

The bicycle is good transportation and, as such, should have easy access to all parts of the city. Indeed, I do not hesitate to travel to the main library, the farmer's market or any other downtown location.

However, the only bike lane that I know of is along Spring Garden, and when I approached the city about bike lanes along the planned Friendly Avenue redevelopment, I was told that bike lanes would not be included and would not be placed anywhere, ever. Bike routes and bike paths are OK but are no substitute for adequate bike lanes where needed.

My original intent was to write about B4, "Bicycles banned on Bryan Boulevard," but the Aug. 21 feature was encouraging enough to indicate that the future for bicycles may not be as bad as that action seemed to show. With hope, I look forward to the day when Greensboro really is bicycle-friendly in all respects.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

Pat Robertson has taken a lot of heat for speaking the words that shall not be spoken. In the post-Sept. 11 era, we must dare to discuss such options as assassinating Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez. I don't know if we should actually do it, but it should definitely be an option as it was when Kennedy authorized the overthrow and assassination of Ngo Dinh Diem, the South Vietnamese president during that bloody war.

We are in a global war against terrorism now. We can't allow a leftist pupil of Fidel Castro to wax strong in our own sphere of influence in South America, especially as he helps destabilize situations in Colombia; he tries to import extremist Islam to South America as network news has reported, and he threatens to cut off 15 percent of our imported oil.

Millions of lives could have been saved and a world war averted had world leaders taken a stand and killed Hitler in 1932. Will it take another Sept. 11 to force the United States to take the needed steps to proactively defend our people?

Tyler Younts
Asheboro

Dear Mr. Editor:
Dear Mr. Editor:
I like the News & Record.
I like the News & Record.
But not so much.
But not so much.
That I like to read it twice.
That I like to read it twice.
This time on facing pages Aug. 15, 2005.
This time on facing pages, Aug. 15, 2005.

Henry King
Henry King
Franklinville
Franklinville

Dear Greensboro motorists:

While crossing the street, I was nearly struck recently by two cars consecutively on Spring Street just after 5 p.m.

When I let my displeasure be known to the driver of the first gargantuan, over-compensating monstrosity on wheels, he stopped in the middle of the road (something he didn't bother to do while I was in the middle of the crosswalk) to cuss me out. The driver behind him, oblivious to the commotion because of the cell phone lodged in her ear, was about a foot from me before I yelled loudly enough for her to pay attention and avoid running me over.

Every day I see more and more people walking and biking in response to soaring gas prices. In addition to getting more exercise than most, these commuters do not contribute to heavy traffic, pollution or dependence on foreign oil. What they get for their socially responsible decision is outright bullying by motorists.

We all have somewhere to be, and no one's schedule is more important than a human life. Please, Greensboro. Pay attention to the slower-moving traffic around you.

Liz Fitzpatrick
Greensboro

Last night I had the opportunity to attend WWE wrestling at the Greensboro Coliseum with two disabled boys who are in power chairs.

I have been to other events at the coliseum as well, and I have always been very impressed with the staff who work events throughout the coliseum complex. Their professionalism far exceeded my expectations. I have found the staff to always be very friendly and helpful, which makes the event you are attending much more enjoyable.

Last night in particular, in trying to accommodate the two power chairs along with other people in wheelchairs, the staff was extremely accommodating and pleasant in negotiating a very tight space. In addition, I felt very secure in knowing the staff was very aware of what was going on in the crowd at all times.

I would like to thank Matt Brown for the excellent job he has done to provide our community with a wonderful coliseum.

Sally Cohen
Greensboro

Regarding Bob Goodman's letter, "Letters tilt heavily against the president," (Aug. 14):

Get over it, Mr. Goodman. Bush is not a good president. His record so far is abysmal. And anyone who thinks otherwise should think again.

The letter writers who take Bush to task are many, as you point out: the editorial writers in the newspapers, who by and large, do not like Bush; the writers for magazines like Time and Newsweek who rarely have anything positive to say about him -- can they all be wrong? I don't think so.

He may walk on water to the members of the religious right and to radio talk show hosts like Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh -- a president who can do no wrong. But to the rest of us moderates, he needs to go before he and his cronies totally ruin this country.

Charles H. Ott
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Joyce Dolan

I feel I must reply to Tony Moschetti's Counterpoint (Aug. 18). For someone with such a conservative view, he seems to get a lot of his letters in both local "liberal media" newspapers he seems to disdain.

Yes, we on the "left" are aware that Cindy Sheehan has met with President Bush before. There are many news sources -- print, TV, Internet -- that have covered that point quite extensively, not just Rupert Murdoch's agenda-driven outlets. Maybe Moschetti should check out the Aug. 22 Newsweek, page 36. Or maybe even just check any of the hundreds of news Web sites, both liberal and conservative, which have had more than a mere glance at the subject.

The fact remains that Sheehan would like to speak to the president again. Maybe the shock of the death of her son, Casey, and meeting the president was too much to handle at the time. Or perhaps all that has come to light during the past year has brought up enough questions to make her feel a second meeting is necessary.

I, along with many others, feel he should make a little time to speak to her. He is vacationing in Crawford for 36 days, but he is the "war president." And people are starting to question that war more and more every day. His refusal to speak to Sheehan is just feeding the fire. Wouldn't it be best to speak to her and help kill that spark, at least? Maybe that would further his ability to "get on with life."

The writer lives in High Point.

In 2005, United Way of Greater Greensboro will continue to increase its effectiveness by focusing on "Growing Successful Kids," "Helping People Help Themselves" and "Caring for Everyone's Health."

Through United Way, you help friends, neighbors, co-workers and strangers with their "bumps in the road." Yes, when the economy faltered, we helped create Quick Jobs.

You help one in three people; almost everyone eventually benefits from your generosity.

I have great empathy for the person who recently wrote a letter about tobacco industry jobs possibly being threatened by government regulatory change. However, boycotting the campaign will not send a message to our legislators because United Way is not the government. It simply hurts people who need our community's help, and I don't believe that was the person's intent.

Let me point out that Lorillard Tobacco Co. and its thousands of employees have been our largest contributor for six consecutive years, and we cherish their goodwill. Our citizens have a tradition of rallying together through United Way regardless of their political or personal differences, and I thank all our donors for their heartfelt love for Greensboro.

Neil M. Belenky
Greensboro

The writer is president, United Way of Greater Greensboro.

Thanks for Thomas Sowell's excellent piece, "Media have no place for Iraqi heroes" (Aug. 16). Sowell clearly stated the problem with today's media. We should expect and demand balanced reporting of our news, especially something as important as the war in Iraq.

We are entitled to receive all sides of anything that affects our national security and policies, whether we agree with them or not. It is not the media's authority to only publish what they believe is the best policy. We should have learned our lesson after Vietnam when one-sided reporting turned the nation against the war and our personnel who died there -- died there in vain because we did not finish the job. It is true that our enemies are a small percentage of the Islamic people, but they have vowed to bury us. Unless we help nations controlled by our enemies, they will be emboldened to continue attacks such as Sept. 11.

We grieve for the families of soldiers killed and wounded in Iraq. They should be reported in the media. But we also do them a disservice if we do not report on their heroics and successes.

Tom Lain
Greensboro

For the millions of Americans who believe our nation's priority should be peacemaking in our violent world, two recent developments are encouraging. One is the efforts of Cindy Sheehan, who has been leading the protest against a totally unjustified war in Iraq.

The other is the resolution introduced in the U.S. House by Rep. Walter Jones , R-N.C., calling on President Bush to announce a plan for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of 2005. Both these steps are positive ones which are needed to reverse the illusory foreign policy our nation has been following far too long.

Both deserve the support of all Americans who wish to live in a more peaceful but not perfect world.

Al Stewart
Greensboro

As children in the mid-1960s, we would take the Duke Power bus downtown from our home near the coliseum each Saturday. I had not ridden the bus for the next 40 years until recently.

After reading about Greensboro Transit's "Dump the Pump" campaign in the paper (Aug. 18), I thought I'd give the bus a try to save money on gas. Taking the bus to work and back home the last two weeks has been very pleasant and hassle-free. The buses are very clean and well-maintained and run on time. The drivers are courteous and professional, and the restored Depot is simply beautiful. But wait, it gets better. Total amount of money spent on gas over the last two weeks -- zero

Anybody want to buy a car?

Fred Robbins
Greensboro

Felita Donnell's response (Aug. 15) to your photo of 9-year-old Rose Lawson's watermelon-eating prowess left me not appalled as she was, but envious that she, not I, was enjoying that delicious watermelon. I see that photo as nothing more than the capture of an innocent child's delight in a Southern tradition that crosses all racial, political, sexual, religious, ethnic or age barriers.

Give me a good watermelon, and I'll bury my face in it anytime. I enjoy that song, part of it which goes: "Plant a watermelon vine at the head of my grave and let the juice run there ... that's all I ask of you."

Gerald C. Parker
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By J.W. Forster

Concerning Daniel Craft's Counterpoint, "Time to invest in downtown's future" (Aug. 11):

I find it disingenuous that he would try to impose yet another tax levy for an $84 million pet project of Downtown Greensboro Inc., a private, nonprofit corporation. They're already receiving the proceeds from a special tax on business district properties and residents, without a referendum vote but by fiat of eight members of the City Council.

This time, however, Craft has decided that everyone in Greensboro should help foot the bill, brazenly demanding that, "Now is the time for the city of Greensboro and Guilford County to step up."

To what? Helping this group secure their private investments with tax dollars? Creating tax-paid amenities that will enhance the value of their properties?

Craft lamely tries to justify this bond referendum by telling us that he, and his counterparts on the DGI board, have personally invested $50 million in the downtown.

So what? Does this mean we should succumb to some communal guilt because they invested money?

No one forced them to do it. They did it for one reason and one reason only: to make money.

Two points need to be emphatically made.

The first is that the taxpayers of Greensboro owe nothing to the "downtown," no more than they would owe a strip mall on Battleground Avenue. The success or failure of private enterprises is the owners' problem, not the taxpayers'.

The second point is that it's time for the city of Greensboro to stop promoting economic development, mostly because they do it so poorly and expensively.

The sorriest part of this entire brouhaha is that those who are promoting this bond idea pose as business people and act like welfare recipients.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

I was in a war (four battle stars in Europe in World War II) and there was little great about it except the successful ending. I observed with horror mutilated bodies of young men, and the lime pits of Ohrdruf. The idea of one group of people striving to take the lives of another group is unthinkable.

Unfortunately, megalomaniacs like Hitler and the Japanese warlords sometimes arise from the depths and attack us. Then we must fight; that was our last "good war." And we paid for it then. Taxes. Gas rationing.

Certainly, our current war is inexcusable. We initiated it, and our stated missions were either false (WMDs and links to al-Qaida) or not our concern (toppling Hussein). Our substitute, trumped-up and impossible mission amounts to prolonged interference in someone else's civil war.

We should at least have had the courage and decency to pay concurrently for our folly. Not tax cuts and SUVs. And now, most urgently, we should pack up and come home. I would be tormented if I had any responsibility for our continuing fiasco in Iraq and our tragic fiscal legacy for the future.

What's done is done, but enough already.

Dan W. Maddox
Greensboro