News-Record.com

We're back in school and as the parent of two, I face this transition with mixed emotions. One thing I feel really good about is the fact that Guilford County has been one of North Carolina's 100 percent tobacco-free school districts since 2001.

During the past several years the district has made great progress toward implementing the policy and getting the word out to our community. While other school districts waited, Guilford made the move because it was an important health issue and sent a consistent message to our kids. Now, more than half of the state's school districts are 100 percent tobacco free, as well as many hospitals, courthouses and health departments.

I am really proud when I attend a football game and see everyone enjoying the game and the clean air. For those not aware of the policy, I want to remind our community that all our school campuses and all school events are 100 percent tobacco free for students, staff, parents and visitors, 24 hours a day and seven days a week. That includes sporting events and car pool lines. It's great to know we have a district that supports the health of our students.

Kathleen McCann Webster
Greensboro

I have had it with the mealy-mouthed letter writers who write that President Bush lied about going to war with Iraq. Every major country during the Clinton White House years believed Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction -- not only had them, but used them to murder thousands of Kurds by poison gas, and was seeking to obtain nuclear weapons.

Bill Clinton, John Kerry, Ted Kennedy and other prominent Democrats made this claim in the past.

Saddam supported terrorists worldwide and paid families of Palestine homicide bombers. He sheltered al-Qaida members and terrorist training sites in his country before and after Sept. 11. This is fact.

If Bush haters clogging the letters section in the editorial pages (they seem favored by Allen Johnson over pro-Bush letters) faced the truth, Bill Clinton dropped the ball when he refused to take Osama bin Laden in custody when offered by Sudan. This is fact.

These anti-war letters encourage the terrorists to hang on and wait. This also includes the Cindy Sheehan fiasco, which you supported in your recent editorial. We sympathize with her loss, but Sheehan went from grieving mom to a pawn of MoveOn.org's Bush-hating movement. She has no credibility.

Dave Derence
Greensboro

Lisa Duke's letter (Aug. 21) was "right on." We cannot recoup business lost to foreign companies who have won not through head-on competition, but by their government's complicity in a system that remunerates them for losses incurred during the "underselling" phase of their attack.

R&D has always been the "life's breath" of American business. Now, however, companies with dwindling profits have chosen to cut operations that do not directly affect short-term profits. R&D is an especially ripe target because it is typically populated by highly qualified (and highly paid) people.

The financial and investment communities put severe pressure on CEOs to perform and scrutinize this quarterly. It's no surprise when they take the "easy" road, slashing R&D instead of nurturing it for their companies' future benefit.

More intestinal fortitude is needed among industry leaders to emphasize R&D, and analysts should stop merely focusing on yesterday's bottom line and begin to recognize that effective R&D can hugely affect future profit. Universities should require a minor in technology for business students, to avoid graduating only "bean counters" with limited appreciation for the effort required to develop and produce products.

Ronald Depoe
McLeansville

Regarding Cynthia Jeffries' Aug. 19 article, "Madison may ban chaining of dogs": I strongly support this ban.

In many cases, these dogs are not receiving proper shelter, food or care, and they certainly are not receiving the love and attention they need as companion animals. Because of this, they often become frustrated and aggressive, becoming a danger to neighborhood children. Dogs should be kept indoors when their owners are away or at least in a fenced yard with adequate shelter.

Let's promote responsible pet ownership and the safety of our kids by banning this cruel practice.

Rhea Worrell
Chapel Hill

If there is one fundamental value in public education, it is that it is free. Page High School seems to think that does not apply to them.

Guilford County schools operate under a concept of "site-based management." What this means is that local school officials can do almost anything they want without approval of Dr. Terry Grier or the school board. Until the Board of Education discards this ill-advised concept, we will have this type of problem again and again. The citizens of Guilford County deserve better.

Joe Stafford
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Robert Healy

Recently, there have been several letters and other responses concerning Cindy Sheehan. The one that struck me most was the Counterpoint (Aug. 19) by Charles R. Gant, a disabled Vietnam veteran.

Gant stated that Sheehan "is tarnishing the memory and sacrifice her son made while serving as a volunteer in Iraq" and that he feels "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."

I humbly disagree with Gant's position. Sheehan is fully honoring her son and his memory by holding the commander in chief of our armed forces to task for the death not only of her own son, but for all sons and daughters who've lost their lives in Iraq.

There must be accountability for our country's involvement in this unjust and immoral war, and regardless of where you stand politically, it begins with President Bush. Every life lost stems from his misguided, inept leadership. Ironically, Gant acknowledged this somewhat himself in the middle of his letter when he stated, "President Bush did send us there based on false information about WMD." I ask you, should we just conveniently ignore this bit of reality? If you are outraged, direct it toward the proper source.

The idea that Sheehan is being "used as a pawn" is ridiculous. She went to Crawford on her own accord. A slow news cycle allowed the press to take notice of her and publicize her activities; thus in a short period of time she became the spark to a movement many had almost given up on.

As a result, she reignited the passions and ideals that had been simmering within millions of citizens across America. She was merely the spark, but the movement for peace is a force entirely its own, and properly so.

Anti-war protesters and peace vigil participants are citizens who've felt compelled to speak out in solidarity to promote reason, justice and peace. No one is against or is out to discredit or demoralize those who serve in our military. As a veteran myself, I can attest to this.

No one is saying cut and run from Iraq. A reasonably timed withdrawal with international cooperation to pick up the slack would suffice.

The writer lives in High Point.

I have two daughters and a niece who teach in Guilford County. All of them have to spend hundreds of their own dollars for classroom supplies each year.

One daughter has been teaching for 13 years. She was teacher of the year in her school last year and makes less than $40,000. Her husband is disabled, so she has to cover her family for health insurance, which costs her $512 a month. The school provides no assistance in after-school care for her children as many companies do. She teaches in a room with little or no air conditioning because the school can't afford to fix the unit. The teachers pay $1 more than the students for the same lunches.

On top of this, they now want teachers to dress better. I wonder how they are supposed to pay for the new clothes. I agree with a dress code, but the salaries are disgraceful. Why don't we have better representation for our teachers? Why isn't the community outraged?

I certainly hope the new lottery will help our teachers. What would we do without these dedicated individuals who love and nurture our children?

Diane Manzi
Greensboro

Regarding the Aug. 28 article on the increasing use of food stamps:

While I was impressed by Verna Jones' comparison shopping, I began to wonder if it is common for food-stamp recipients to use manufacturer coupons. Just think, if each of the 42,000 Guilford County food-stamp recipients used just $1 worth of coupons per week, that would save the government $42,000.

This doesn't take into account the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) recipients who could be redeeming coupons for the products covered by their vouchers such as cereal, peanut butter and fruit juice.

I realize that most coupons come from the Sunday newspaper, and many of those affected cannot necessarily afford a subscription, but maybe some of your wonderful subscribers can think of a way to get these coupons into the right hands so that the food-stamp program's dollars can go even further to help those in need.

Carolyn Schmid
Jamestown

I had the opportunity to attend a press conference last week at which the Guilford Education Alliance announced the new Donors Choose program. This program allows Guilford County schoolteachers to propose small projects they would like to do in their classrooms if they had the money.

Potential donors can review these projects online and choose which one or ones they would like to support financially. This is a marvelous way of supporting our teachers in their endeavors to educate the children of Guilford County.

Anyone interested can go to the Alliance's Web site at www.Guilfordeducationalliance.org and click on the Donors Choose link.

Patsy Kendall
Greensboro

A writer recently (Aug. 27) quoted Webster's Dictionary as the source for his definition of science. That definition, "possession of knowledge as distinguished from ignorance or misunderstanding," is but one of several entries for "science" offered in Webster's 2nd New Universal Dictionary. Unfortunately, it is the one furthest from the mark and perhaps the worst possible support for the writer's argument.

Science is a method of inquiry, based on the assumption that there are natural explanations for what we see in the physical world. Phenomena beyond our experience and explanations beyond scrutiny are not subject to scientific inquiry. This is why biology, evolution, geology, etc., are taught in science classes and philosophy is taught in philosophy classes.

As for evolution, evidence in fossil form is not beyond our experience and the theory itself not beyond scrutiny. Science, as a method, describes how we learn about the world around us. What we think about what we learn is another realm entirely.

If you want to find out why atoms interact, ask a scientist. If you want to know why life has meaning, do what I and my colleagues in the sciences do: Ask your pastor, minister, parish priest, rabbi or imam.

Mark Davenport
Greensboro

Thank you, board members of Madison, for coming up with a humane solution to the tragic dog attack on a 2-year-old back in June. An anti-chaining ordinance is a way that both humans and dogs benefit.

Dogs that are chained are far more likely to be aggressive than those that are not. These pack animals by nature are driven to boredom from anti-socialization and quite commonly become anxious, territorial and dangerous. By mandating that dogs be maintained within a fence as opposed to being kept on a chain, Madison not only will cut down on aggressive attacks, but it also will decrease one of the most common forms of animal cruelty.

I can only hope that all counties in North Carolina adopt similar ordinances.

Bethany Foster
Winston-Salem

In light of the recent controversy surrounding Pat Robertson informing the world of the communist in Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, I was struck by the similarity to world events of 40 years ago.

At that time, our enlightened leaders in Washington decided that it was best to send thousands of our finest young Americans exactly halfway around the world to die in a war against a Third World country that had not even spit on an American. Meanwhile, just 90 miles off our coast sat a dictator who had publicly challenged the United States and had turned a relatively free country against us.

The irony of American policy at that time was sad at best. To have it occur again in my lifetime is a sin.

Joel Long
Ruffin

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Earle Bower

Joseph Coletti's guest column ("ACC project typifies budget flab," Aug. 21) [not posted] was precisely on target. He uses the Atlantic Coast Conference Hall of Champions to make a point about the waste in our state budget.

I would go even further. I would bet that if municipal budgets were run with real responsibility, we could increase services while we cut taxes.

As an example, let's take the ACC project. Did you notice that the cost is exactly $23 million. Not $22,638,396.47.

Instead of a $23 million facility, why can't Greensboro approach this project with the intent to generate the most building for the least cost, then wring every bit of waste, fat and pork out of the project?

Case in point: The $2 million approved is going to be used for planning. Sounds like a lot of planning to me.

Let's assume we go to a top-notch architectural firm and they assign architects who earn more than $200,000 per year, or $100 per hour. The firm marks up its time by 150 percent to cover overhead, benefits, profit, etc. We are billed for $250 per hour.

At that rate, the $2 million will pay for 8,000 hours of design time. That's 3.8 man-years of design. If four designers worked full time on this project starting Jan. 1, they wouldn't finish until mid-October.

Does this project really require that much design? Could some of the $2 million be used for something else?

Come on, Greensboro, the ACC Hall is a good idea; let's bring it in for $6,487,279.23 and use the otherwise wasted monies for something even more productive.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

After participating in a wildly successful Get Down! Town event Aug. 27, I was disappointed to wake on Sunday to an article entitled "Greensboro Gets Down." The reality that critical facts were incorrectly reported is bad enough, but the News & Record seems to have completely missed the overall purpose of Get Down! Town.

First, the facts: There were far more participants at Get Down! Town than the "hundreds of college students" reported. Official estimates put the number at roughly 5,000. Also, synerG, the group that organized the event, is a wing of Action Greensboro dedicated to recruiting and retaining young professionals in Greensboro, not a "group of downtown backers."

The article belittles remarks by Mayor Holliday regarding importance of students to Greensboro, describing them as the "worst use of a line from the film Jerry Maguire."

What is most disappointing is the reporter failed to understand that Holliday's remarks embody the true spirit of the event and the mission of synerG. If students feel part of the community, there is a good chance they will remain after graduation rather than taking their talents elsewhere.

Jeffrey T. Nimmer
Greensboro

The writer is a synerG board member.

I would like to respond to the letter from Charles Ott, who, when referring to our president said, "but to the rest of us moderates, he needs to go before he and his cronies ruin this country." Well, Mr. Ott, I consider myself a moderate and you do not speak for me.

First, I doubt seriously that you are a moderate. I have found most people who refer to the president's cabinet and staff as "cronies" are diehard flaming liberals who despise Bush and would do and say anything to make him look bad. As a moderate, I don't agree with our president on every issue. It all depends on what is important to you.

What is important to me is that the United States maintain a strong military and be willing to make other countries pay the price if they attack us. If Germany and France don't like it, so be it. Terrorists thrive on weakness and I don't think anyone can say our president is weak. Thank goodness, he is willing to stay the course. I shudder to think where this country would be with either Al Gore or John Kerry as president.

Jeff Matthews
Lexington

Your Aug. 31 editorial on the lottery was right on target. How deceptive this government is. Will the voters remember this at the polls, that these thugs in Raleigh can do anything they want to without the will of the people?

I have stood in line at gas stations many times in Georgia waiting to pay for gas, when the line was to buy lottery tickets. Some couldn't afford $5 worth of gas. Right, it will not reduce taxes and they are lying if they think the schools will benefit that much. It hasn't in many states. It's disgusting.

Charles O'Brien
Greensboro

According to the Federal Threat Statute, Title 18 of the United States Code, Section 875 (C), it is a federal crime to use interstate commerce to threaten a foreign leader. Television shows that are transmitted to other countries fall under that statute.

Pat Robertson should be in jail right now for his televised call to assassinate Hugo Chavez. Think if a Muslim, Jew, black or liberal had said that about Tony Blair, they would be incarcerated before you could say, "Patriot Act."

Tyler Younts' letter (Aug. 30) not only breaks this statute but could be construed as conspiracy in his support of Robertson's vile spew. Robertson is, according to American law, a criminal and as for Christian law he should be excommunicated.

Killing for Jesus and The American Way, it's ironic but the more "Christians" try to "take over" the more the world seems like hell. Welcome to the new crusades.

Michael Northuis
Greensboro

We have been seeing the effects of Hurricane Katrina hitting the United States in the Gulf Coast states, leaving thousands homeless without food to eat and millions without power. Hurricane Katrina has caused billions of dollars in damage to the United States that everyone will help pay for this bill.

I ask Cindy Sheehan, and the people who demand the war in Iraq must end now, what would have been the cost to the United States if we were fighting these terrorists on American soil when Hurricane Katrina hit? As long as our soldiers fight terrorists on their own ground, we needn't worry about suicide bombing daily in the United States. But if we do not fight them, they will bring this action to children in the United States with another Sept. 11.

President Clinton did nothing during his presidency the times this country was struck by terrorists, and he had Osama bin Laden in his hands before Sept. 11. Why complain about a president who will stand against such people but say nothing about a president who did nothing?

Boyd W. Thomas
Welcome

There are many reasons why we the people should take our heads out of the sand, but this one of global warming should be more than apparent after watching Katrina crank herself up over the tepid waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Please, please, let's begin these plans of actions that have been denied before it becomes too late for future generations.

Kenneth C. Anderson
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Art Murphy

I am sitting here drinking my morning coffee reading the Aug. 20 edition of the News & Record, wondering why I ever sent the check to renew my subscription. Among all the major issues facing the state, nation and world today, the editor has taken valuable front-page space for a story about a "Creation Discovery Center" in Florida. This center and others like it, tries to foster what my Methodist minister father used to call "crackpot ideas" on an unsuspecting public.

We should be clear; there is no debate on the age of the earth. Science through scientific processes has demonstrated the age of the Earth to be in the range of 4.5 billion years, not 10,000. No amount of wishful thinking or mis-reading of the Bible will change that.

Second, when Darwin published, "The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection," the question in science at the time was not whether speciation occurred, but how. Darwin and Wallace (how many of your readers know this man?), through brilliant insight, later fortified by carefully collected evidence demonstrated the mechanism, "natural selection." Natural selection as a process is not questioned by biologists or any serious scientist in the world today, and no amount of polling by Gallup, or statements from a president, who was a marginal student at best, will change that fact.

If our country does not stop this silliness, we are going to wake up one day and read that not a single Nobel Prize in science or medicine will have been awarded to an American. Those prizes will be awarded to scientists in nations that support serious, professional science that is used for the betterment of mankind, not to American pseudo-scientists who confuse proven science with their personal religious beliefs. Even today, many of the Americans who are awarded world recognition are individuals who migrated to the United States because of the scientific freedom and rich, serious, intellectual climate. However, these scientists may soon depart for Europe, Korea or China because these countries are more hospitable climates for science, leaving the United States in the scientific dust. "Ye shall reap what you sow."

The writer lives in Greensboro.

Gambling: It's for our children.

God love those liberals, the defenders of the poor and the voice for the socioeconomically disadvantaged. The poor no longer have to go out of state to be fleeced; our liberals can shake them down right here in North Carolina. But, hey, it's for the kids, after all.

Why, just look at the magnificent school systems in Virginia, Tennessee and South Carolina. Not to mention the grown-up message we're sending our kids: Hey, gambling isn't good for you, so don't do it. This message made possible by funds from your state-sponsored numbers games.

And the grown-up messages keep coming with the way the Senate liberals called a special session when the adult senators were out getting married and battling infections. So, please, for the sake of our kids, just keep voting in those liberals.

Just think of the revenue streams this "do as we say, not as we do" message can get us: State-run prostitution, state-controlled marijuana sales, maybe even a state-sanctioned protection racket.

As long as it's for the children.

Ken Poortvliet
Greensboro

Opponents of the death-penalty moratorium bill (H529) convince themselves that capital punishment is administered justly and fairly in our state. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Sixty-three percent of North Carolina's death row is composed of racial minorities, one of the highest percentages in the country. A comprehensive study found that the odds of getting a death sentence increased 3.5 times if the victim was white. Nationwide, 82 percent of prisoners executed to date had been convicted of murdering a white person, even though minorities are the victims in more than half of all homicides.

About 90 percent of people facing capital charges cannot afford their own attorney, and that figure is higher here. No state yet has met standards developed by the American Bar Association for performance and compensation of counsel for indigent prisoners. The ABA itself calls for a moratorium in part because it has concluded that the death-penalty system is "a haphazard maze of unfair practices with no internal consistency."

Bottom line: Whether you get the death penalty in North Carolina depends less on what you do than what color you are and how much money is in your pocket. This is wrong.

Tom Edgerton
Greensboro

Regarding the front-page AP article (Aug. 28), "America's in debt; who'll pay the bill?": I have a question with regard to one paragraph on page A5. It says: "As a society, Americans are on track this year to spend $680 billion more on foreign goods such as Chinese-made clothes, Japanese-made cars and Scandinavian cell phones than overseas buyers do on American goods."

It's no surprise to me. Could someone please send me a list of typical household items, clothing, furniture, shoes, automobiles, etc., that are 100 percent made in America (from start to finish, not made somewhere else and assembled here)? I would also like them to provide an average retail price for each of those items. I think the list will be short, and very pricey.

If I could find anything in my stores that is 100 percent made in America, and if I could afford to buy it, I would. Most of the items that I can afford are not made here. They've been outsourced.

Sandra Cullen
Jamestown

I was holding my breath when I filled my car's gas tank. I stopped at $28 and it wasn't full. No, I don't drive a gas-guzzler.

But worse than that are the feelings I had when I filled my lawn mower gas container -- $7.75. Needless to say, the grass will not get mowed as often. Better yet, perhaps the city will lift the farm animals restriction and let us have goats, sheep, cows and horses. This will save not only gas, but also decrease air and noise pollution.

Pamela Smith
Greensboro

I give kudos to the News & Record for the accurate editorial (Aug. 31) describing how Gov. Easley and his followers passed the state lottery bill. A voter's position on this bill is irrelevant.

The governor's strategy is not about the lottery; it is about the arrogance of many politicians. This arrogance begins with our pork-barrel system and continues with the passage of the lottery. North Carolinians who believe all politicians have the state's best interests at heart live in a dream world. It is all about power and which party controls this power. The Democrats have virtually controlled this potentially wonderful state for more than 100 years, and this stagnation is beginning to take its toll.

I had the privilege of working on the First Flight Celebration and witnessed this arrogance firsthand. My definition of insanity is "doing the same thing and expecting different results." Meanwhile, we are wasting the resources of a state that has unlimited potential.

Michael W. Haley
Greensboro

Mayor Keith Holliday's chastisement that the "citizens need to recognize … and give some thank yous" for the "major park given to the city of Greensboro" is another example of the pusillanimous position often taken by the City Council when organizations request taxpayer money.

Anne J. Vaughan
Greensboro

Throughout human history, enormous misery has resulted from the fact that many of us cannot admit that we were wrong. Such admissions, for some reason, are thought to indicate weakness.

So we slog on, compounding the mistake, advancing down misguided paths, vigorously defending our opinions, positions and actions as if lives depended on them -- and often they do. Some errors lead to major consequences, such as war, and people die.

When we lose a loved one, we can't bear to think his life was wasted. We can't consider the possibility that his death or amputation resulted from a mistake. So we carry on, convincing ourselves that the sacrifice had meaning, that the cause was just, that the reasons were valid, that our beloved sons and daughters did not die in vain.

Therefore, I have the highest regard for Cindy Sheehan, a grieving mother whose son died in Iraq, for having the clear-sighted courage to think the unthinkable: that her son died for nothing.

Maureen Parker
Greensboro

It is a wonderful, revealing photograph that beautifully captures the experience of one child on his first day of kindergarten (A1, Aug. 26). He sits, chin in hand, dismay plainly written on his face, as he realizes it is going to be a long day and -- as is suggested by the headline ("1 down, 179 to go") -- a very long school year.

However, when I consider the broader implications, I have to question whether this is responsible journalism. The picture and headline clearly imply that attending school is a burdensome experience. Is this really the message you want to convey to children?

Hopefully, Samuel Labra will have experiences in school that will engage his mind, pique his curiosity and build his self-confidence. Hopefully, he will be surrounded by adults who believe wholeheartedly in his ability to learn and succeed. I wish him well.

Melinda Rice
Reidsville

We can't afford to split hairs over whether the science proves global warming or not. We need to address so many issues, and I feel that reducing car emissions is a positive step to alleviating many problems facing the world.

Drew McNaughton
Greensboro

Regarding the article, "SAT scores plummet 17 points in Guilford" (Aug. 31), we need more accountability in the system. The article quotes Barbara Zwadyk, high school instructional improvement officer for the district. I do not know how long she has been in her position, but if it has been more than a year, she needs to be relieved of her duties, because she obviously has failed and failed miserably.

I graduated from high school in 1973 with a high enough SAT score to be awarded an academic scholarship. We never took a course on how to take the SAT or had a computer program coach us. Our teachers did not teach to the test. They taught the material, with the expectation that we would retain it well enough to do well on their tests, on midterms, on finals, and on the SAT.

It is time to get back to that philosophy. It is blatantly obvious that the current methods are not working. Too much central office staff, too few good teachers.

Allen Daniel
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By David B. Merriman

A new principal, three new assistants and half a teaching staff new to the school is "not exactly a recipe for success." So says The Rhinoceros Times (Aug. 11) about Andrews High School.

The school's past failures are well known. The school system's chief academic officer's comment that this "self-perpetuating cycle -- new principal, lots of new staff" -- requires "a different level of accountability" is intriguing. What new accountability is being suggested?

One school board member is pinning his hopes on "fresh new energy" and "a really good team" to bridge the gap to success. Each principal at each school at the beginning of each new year will offer equally meaningless phrases: "We'll create a nurturing school climate" (presumably the first ever) or "We'll have a positive outlook and high expectations" (a new approach, to be sure).

Andrews can't be helped by combining cliches with cheerleading. Here are some suggestions that could be helpful:

1. Quadruple the police presence at the school.

2. Enforce strict rules relating to acceptable behavior, in class and otherwise on the campus.

3. Suspend (get rid of) all persons who are not at Andrews to be students, to learn.

If this is done, the many motivated children will come forward to create a new spirit in their school and build a new reputation for success. They will do this from within and from the bottom up. At the moment, these children are being sacrificed to palsied educational strategies, political correctness and misguided social engineering. Their environment is dominated by persons who have no interest in learning. We must change that.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

Shame on the leadership of the North Carolina Senate. Not only did they pass a lottery, they did it through subterfuge and sneakiness, when two lottery opponents were necessarily absent. Even then they could manage no more than a tie.

Shame on our lieutenant governor for casting the winning vote. And shame on our governor for pushing the lottery from the beginning.

Now our leaders will be looking for professional gambling organizations to help them sell the maximum number of lottery tickets to our citizens. Though most North Carolinians say they favor this million-to-one scam, I am saddened that my state government is doing the scamming. I only hope the fallacies of this method of supporting our schools will become evident sooner rather than later.

Blessings on those courageous men and women of both parties who stood firm to the end for the right course for North Carolina. You did your best, but you did not think your colleagues would pull such an underhanded trick. Voters who care will remember your names.

Ronald C. Hill
Greensboro

There seems to be an endless stream of editorials, columns, articles and letters that bemoan the lack of academic progress on the part of public school students. Numerous cures are offered: newer buildings, better-paid teachers (badly needed), smaller classes, longer school days, more special tutors, same-sex classes, and on and on it goes. One of the favorite attempts for improvement is to adjust the "diversity ratio." This does not work, however.

To paraphrase the song, "You're looking for solutions in all the wrong places." The one thing you have not questioned is the attitude of the students toward their studies.

A wise coach at Kiser Junior High School long ago was asked if he would have a winning football team that fall. He replied, "When football players come from the scrimmage field talking about their golf scores, you will not have a winning team."

When secondary school-age young people come to their classes talking about their cell phones, iPods, tattoos, navel rings, neighborhood turf squabbles, boyfriends, etc., you will not have an academically winning school. In many situations, these would apply to middle school students as well.

John W. Taylor
Greensboro

With many schools currently failing to reach Adequate Yearly Progress standards, we should look at what administrators and teachers believe academic excellence actually is.

My eighth-grade son set goals and worked very hard last year to achieve top honors academically in every class. Fortunately, he did achieve the highest grades in his classes. However, at the year-end award ceremony, he was only recognized in one class as the top student. Students with lower grades were given the top award for excellence and recognized in front of the entire school. When we consulted each of his teachers, their response was the same: "We were just trying to be fair to the other students."

The principal was no help either. Yet her school was one of those that failed to meet the expected progress standards.

Giving top academic awards to students who know they didn't actually achieve them is sending the wrong message! Where federal guidelines and standards are concerned, it always comes down to student's grades and academic performance. Unfortunately, Mendenhall Middle School, like many others, didn't meet yearly progress standards. "Trying to be fair to everybody" just wasn't quite good enough.

Wally Pegram
Greensboro

Two million dollars was recently granted by the North Carolina legislature to create an "ACC Hall of Champions" in Greensboro. The $2 million grant allocation was "slipped" into the final budget. Who is responsible for this slippage?

I would like your readers to know the name of our representative who is so generous with the public's money. Would you please print his or her name so that we can remember it in the next election?

William Watson Purkey
Greensboro

Editor's note: Sen. Kay Hagan of Greensboro was instrumental in securing the money.

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Kris Kaiser

British Victorian author George Eliot writes about an incomplete artistic canvas. "It is a bit of existence, not of action, and is painted with immense elaboration, yet with shortcomings that prevent it from being a triumph. That is always a rather sad thing to say when there has been so much study, so much hard work, so much heroism as must always go to the doing of anything difficult. But inspiration is an incalculable thing." Eliot laments a creative shortfall, and he brings to mind the International Civil Rights Museum.

In 1960, four students sat at the Woolworth's lunch counter in Greensboro and demanded to be served. The dramatic move worked to end the city's segregation policies. The result has meaning to all oppressed people, present and past.

Now the vision has been blurred with the building's engineering deficiencies. Water seeps into the basement. The museum's opening date is indefinitely postponed. What might have been a success now seems questionable.

George Eliot asserts that "inspiration is an incalculable thing." Yet, we can surmise that the effort has been too parochial in its scope. Its Greensboro connection is strong and must be loosened to include the interests of other cities, states and nations.

Its "international" designation must not be seen as a pie-in-the-sky dream. Leaders must go beyond their provincial base and find supporters from around the world. Equality is a universal value.

Greensboro leadership must let go and sincerely invite others to an authentically broad project. When money comes from around the globe, the founders' vision will be complete. But for now, most local leadership should subside to outside thinkers and building experts. Then, the international leadership must set a date for the museum's opening. Would-be supporters want a timetable, not a vague proposal. Supporters want to know where and when their dollars are spent.

George Eliot is right: It is sad to see an almost successful project. Today, it is time to recognize the heroic and significant effort of Jibreel Khazan, Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil and David Richmond. Civil rights are not easily gained. Their achievements must be celebrated so that they aren't lost.

Let us pass the baton, greatly broaden the leadership scope and keep going. History is not ours for the taking or for the keeping.

The writer lives in Kernersville.

The article, "Connecticut challenges education laws" (Aug. 23), notes how Connecticut, and possibly other states, want the No Child Left Behind Act declared illegal because it constitutes an unfunded mandate by the federal government.

I hope North Carolina joins this lawsuit. I hope the lawsuit is successful and No Child Left Behind is judged illegal. With that legal precedent in the books, we can then get other unfunded federal mandates declared illegal. This includes about 60 percent of EPA regulations, 75 percent of OSHA regulations and most of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

If Connecticut is successful, we can then abolish the federal Department of Education altogether and give all money saved directly to the states. If the education department were abolished, the amount of money saved by not paying salaries, employee expenses and employee retirement accounts would be huge.

Donald M. Wojek
Greensboro

As a retired teacher and a grandmother of two elementary school children, I was appalled to read that Guilford County Schools would be hiring retired teachers and principals at $50,000 and $80,000 to put in low-scoring schools.

What was so surprising was that the school system has removed all but one teacher assistant from my grandkids' school. I've also heard that teachers have been told they will not be reimbursed for any money of their own they spend for their rooms or students.

What is going on with this school system? What is important, egos or our students?

Glenda Bartlett
Greensboro

Regarding your interesting editorial about "Page's 'pay to play' request" (Aug. 26):

One point of view believes that sports is an entitlement and everything should be paid by tax dollars -- that parents do not have the responsibility to pay for their children's extracurricular activities in schools. That they don't have that obligation even in times when budget restraints are causing us to lay off teacher assistants.

Student athletes use the facilities for 10 or more months a year. A fee suggested by Page was $30 a year. That comes to $3 or less per month. I have not met any family in the United States that cannot afford this. (Of course, it would be a huge sacrifice to give up an equivalent of one-half burger meal per month for their children's sake.)

Total savings with the program, if instituted, all over the county for high schools and middle schools could be hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. This could partly replenish the per capita spending cuts which our board and superintendent have announced.

But this would be common sense, which our leaders have never used.

Sashi Sethi
Greensboro

Regarding complaints about the photos in the Aug. 10 News & Record: I, as a black woman, found nothing wrong with the photo of what I only saw as a child eating and enjoying a piece of fruit. I was quite pleased to see a front-page cover of our black children doing something other than committing crimes against each other.

How could anyone be offended by such an endearing picture of childhood innocence? It brought back joyful memories of my own childhood.

Please keep taking positive pictures of all children, black, white or any other race enjoying what I'm sure all children like.

Even my father, who grew up with racial stereotyping and racist behavior, found the photo to be sweet and cute. There are more things in this world to be offended by, like the crime our youth are committing because no one is taking the time to give them a piece of fruit.

Keep up the great work, News & Record.

Paula R. Hairston
Greensboro

I am so sick of reading about Cindy Sheehan in the newspaper every single day. I am very sympathetic for her and everyone who has lost a loved one in Iraq; however, I am so tired of the news media using this to try to stir people up against this war and President Bush.

It is beginning to look as if Sheehan is trying to get national attention for herself. From what I have heard from people serving in Iraq, she would be an embarrassment to her son.

From listening to the news, you would think that most Americans do not support our president and we will wear him down and he will pull out the troops. This tells the terrorists to hang in there and keep killing as many as possible and soon they will win. I believe they would keep killing as many as possible anyway, not just there, but wherever they can.

I think Americans should support our president and stand together. If that message was sent to the terrorists, they would be apt to give up sooner and more lives would be saved.

Juanita Barber
High Point

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Kim McDonald

There have been numerous letters to the editor in the News & Record lately regarding Greensboro's unfriendliness to bicycling. The Ideas section (Aug. 21) addressed the problem in more depth, specifically detailing the case of local resident Jody Dietrich, who was hit by a car while riding her bike at Friendly Shopping Center.

Motorists and cyclists -- the latter of whom can legally ride two or more deep in a lane -- should not have to fight each other for road space in Greensboro.

Bike lanes are not a novel idea. But apparently it is an idea that has eluded city and county leaders in the Triad. Why? Exactly how many tax dollars would it have cost to devote a few key roads to bike lanes?

Jim Westmoreland, Greensboro's transportation director, writes that he is "an avid cyclist," but, apparently, even he now prefers to do his bike riding under the radar.

"I have had insults shouted at me by motorists and pedestrians, had things thrown on me, been run off the road and have been chased by loose, aggressive dogs."

Wow. Just the kind of city you want to raise your family in.

Or perhaps you'd like to send your star student to one of the Triad's six outstanding colleges? Great, but be sure they leave their bike at home. We don't have bike lanes here. Local agencies have decided it is not a priority.

Therefore, like every other cycling resident in Greensboro, your child simply will not be as safe in the Triad as he or she would be in a more progressive community.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

Our government's response to the victims of Hurricane Katrina is absolutely appalling. I am sure by now we have all seen the horrific scenes on TV of the death and destruction all over the Gulf Coast.

FEMA Director Michael Brown said repeatedly on Sunday, while this storm bore down on the coast, that "FEMA's help would be swift and uninterrupted." Yet three days later there was no sign of FEMA.

Tsunami victims received a faster response from our government. It is horrendous that the Army Corps Of Engineers did not have a plan in place to repair a broken levee even though they have known for decades this could (would) happen.

The fact is that FEMA has asked repeatedly for money to shore up these levees in New Orleans, but the Bush administration diverted that money to the so-called "war on terror" in Iraq, while we now have taxpaying American citizens ravaged by this storm, begging our government for a simple bottle of water and food for their families as well as themselves. What a disgrace.

Arnold Rogers
Greensboro

Pat Robertson has taken a lot of heat for the words he spoke, and justifiably so.

For a guy who supposedly believes in the universality of the Bible, it is interesting that he has forgotten the "Thou shall not kill" commandment. A man who supposedly preaches peace should never condone the murder of another human being.

As for Hugo Chavez, he is the legitimately elected leader of democratic Venezuela. Just because he is a socialist who wants to nationalize the country's oil industry to ensure that the Venezuelan people get the benefits from their oil, that does not mean he is a dictator or a terrorist sympathizer. It just means he is doing what any good leader would do, refusing to allow the Venezuelan people to continue to be exploited by foreign corporations (yes, our corporations).

Chavez is justified in his fear of being overthrown in a U.S.-backed coup. We tried in a very public attempt in 2002.

Chavez is a great voice for freedom and democracy, a person who is working against U.S. business interests to ensure that the Venezuelan people -- not the president of the United States or any CEO in the United States -- are in control of their own destiny.

Robert Eldredge
Greensboro

Editorial writer Doug Clark's Aug. 31 Second Opinion column about his former employer Randall Terry's posthumous philanthropy leaves no doubt that Clark was not fond of the man he chose to accept a salary from for 20 years.

After reading the very negative article about Mr. Terry, who passed away in May 2004, I must conclude that the column reveals more about Mr. Clark than Mr. Terry.

James Bowman
Jamestown

If the president really cared about America instead of squabbling with the Democrats, he would take action on major issues that really affect the country, like the following:

1. Use his "bully pulpit" office to pressure the major oil companies to reduce their record profits, which have nearly doubled in the last quarter. The public is being robbed while the president says nothing, thus giving approval to his "oil buddies" to rob us.

2. Enforce the U.S. laws already on the books to control the Mexican border illegal immigration problem. He has turned his head and forgotten his obligation to uphold the American law that he ignores.

3. Use his office and influence to oust U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Anann, who is behind every anti-American effort and who has channeled money to the terrorists to fight and kill American soldiers. Rather than oppose Anann, Bush has been an ardent supporter.

Bush is a lame-duck president. But now he is being just plain lame. As a lifetime Republican, I am sick of Bush's inaction.

Al Myrick
Greensboro

The article titled "Focus on terrorism starved preparedness" (Sept. 1) shows how badly the federal government handled a disaster. Isn't a disaster, whether caused by a terrorist group or natural causes, the same? People are dying, stranded, frightened and desperate for shelter.

It seems all the training, equipment and manpower allocated to respond to a terrorist attack could have been sent immediately to the victims of the storm. Would the situation have been better if a dirty bomb had been dropped on the Gulf Coast?

I think we need to examine our federal agencies and streamline our response mechanisms. If this is how these agencies help, we are all in deep trouble.

It is ridiculous for bloated departments to take three days to respond to the desperation of American citizens. Now that the government has responded, how long will it actually take for help to actually reach the people in need?

Deb Printup
Jamestown

Steve Arnold railed against the salary increase for commissioners, yet he blatantly said he would accept his increase. Those wise Native Americans had the right label for Arnold: "Man speaks with forked tongue." Outrageous.

They should have known, or did know, it was coming -- AirTran flying away. There are "terrible" Ted Johnson and "horrible" Henry Isaacson, sleeping at the switch or runway. Where were all those incentives when needed? At Independence Air (the new airline at PTI).

Henry Shavitz
High Point

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Gail Chambliss Hersh

Harry Truman, a Democrat and ex-senator who became president, sent troops into Korea in the early 1950s. There were many troops and many fatalities.

Three years later, after futile attempts to go further into North Korea, a line was drawn, a peace worked out and troops sent home (but not all of them, to this day). Fifty years later, North Korea is a worse threat than in Truman's time.

John F. Kennedy, a Democrat and ex-senator who became president (and after whom John Kerry said he would pattern his presidency), in 1961 supported an invasion of Cuba by Cuban exiles at the Bay of Pigs. It was a disaster. Forty years later, Cuba is still a pain in the neck.

John F. Kennedy, ditto-ditto-ditto, sent U.S. troops into Vietnam and was followed by...

Lyndon B. Johnson, a Democrat and ex-senator who became president, who sent thousands of troops into Vietnam that eventually had to be pulled out by President Nixon. Civilians were even pulled out by helicopter at the end, and South Vietnam became an annex to North Vietnam.

George H.W. Bush, a congressman (but not a senator) who became president and was a Republican, sent a great many troops to Kuwait (and Iraq) during Desert Storm in 1991 -- but pulled back from Iraq to bring troops home, leaving Iraq to be George W.'s problem about 12 years later.

1. None of these targets attacked the United States first (this was given as a reason for not attacking Iraq).

2. Each operation didn't eliminate a "power" that is still active or stayed active for quite a while.

3. Each one (except Desert Storm) killed more troops than the current Iraq war. George W. is determined to "finish the job" and leave behind a peaceful and stable Iraq -- a formidable task but one that would improve on our many abandoned efforts in the past by ex-senators who became president.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

The last six years of the Bush presidency and Republican Congress have been nothing but one disastrous decision after another.

If they had listened to the experts, they would have focused on terrorism and perhaps avoided Sept. 11. If they had listened, we would not have started a war in Iraq. If they had listened, we would have signed the Kyoto Treaty and been working to reduce the greenhouse gases that make for more and bigger hurricanes. If they had listened, we would have been reducing our dependence on oil by now. If they had listened, money would not have been diverted from studying what to do on the Gulf Coast to prevent disaster and to strengthen the levees. If they had listened, there wouldn't be a gigantic budget deficit forcing cuts to the vital services our nation needs, including to those veterans from the war we started.

And now reality has caught up with them, and with all the rest of us who listened but couldn't convince our neighbors to do so.

Wayne Abraham
Greensboro

How do I say this without hurting anyone's feelings? The Democrats in our state legislature are a bunch of spineless thieves. Through the so-called "Education Lottery," they will steal from the poor as well as the rich if it suits their political purpose. They will steal through taxes to provide slush funds for Basnight, Black and Morgan. They will steal through taxes to support pork-barrel issues throughout the state. They teach North Carolinians who followed the recent vote to do anything any way they can to get what they want, if it suits their political purpose.

If I had run my business the last 30 years with the same ethics, I would have been jailed long ago. For the gambling supporters out there, watch out. The Democrats have let the snake out of the bag. If this program is administered as well as our legislators manage the rest of state business, we all will be bitten, lottery supporters as well as nonsupporters.

L. Ed Sigmon
Greensboro

Here we go again. After many U.S. Senate votes rejecting drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the Bush administration has quietly tacked this proposal on the upcoming budget bill, scheduled for vote this month.

This nonpartisan issue is not supported by most Americans, and there is no rational or economic reason to drill. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, there is only six months of oil in ANWR, and it will take 10 years before production occurs. The major oil companies (Exxon-Mobile, BP, Conoco-Phillips and Chevron-Texaco) no longer advocate exploring in this refuge. Therefore, drilling in ANWR will not help our current or future problems.

Do not let this pristine landscape and home to many rare and endangered animals fall to permanent, unnecessary destruction. Please contact our two senators, who currently support drilling in ANWR, to protest drilling.

Donna Machen
High Point

Recently, a mother whose son is fighting in Iraq commented in opposition to Cindy Sheehan's protest of the war. Her statement went something like this: What part of Support Our Troops don't they understand? My answer: What part of planning is our present administration unable to comprehend?

First, it was the war in Iraq that the president was so anxious to initiate. He and his administration assumed it would be easy to topple Saddam and change the country. The result: disastrous, no planning.

Now, we have the disaster in the Gulf states. Our sophisticated weather systems predicted that this would be a catastrophic storm. I heard the mayor of New Orleans say more than once that this would be catastrophic. The president remained on vacation, and the government did not heed. We now see the results of no planning.

Joy Bolling
Stokesdale

At least two German officials stated that the United States brought Hurricane Katrina on itself with its energy policy causing global warming causing the hurricane. Chancellor Schroeder has not denounced these statements, thereby making this the official German position. This is an unconscionable position while people are still dying from this tragedy. I will retaliate the only way I know, by canceling my order for a German automobile. Try as we might, we cannot transform Germany into a friend of this country.

Neal Anderson
Greensboro

When I began reading the article regarding the Kirkman Park Spanish Immersion Magnet School Program ("Youth learn second language," Sept. 1), I was proud to see contemporary educational concepts being highlighted in the local press. I support children and families becoming bi-lingual in this progressive society.

I soon realized, however, that things apparently haven't evolved much in our area. Young students were referred to as "children from the projects." Why did the housing community become a centrum in a story seemingly about an academic program? This was an inappropriate slant on an informative blurb about exciting things happening in our schools. I hope this insensitivity is not widely articulated throughout our community. I am disappointed that these views made it to print.

Guilford County schools magnet programs are enriching opportunities for all children. They enhance the traditional educational approach; and community acceptance and participation are finally increasing. Our school board and staff work diligently to ensure that our graduates can pursue their goals with the confidence and skills needed to outclass their competitors.

It would be unfortunate for their credentials to be diminished by haphazard socioeconomic labeling. We must do better.

Le Boler
Greensboro

Ah, the ever predictable Rosemary Roberts and Molly Ivins are at it again. All of New Orleans' problems are President Bush's fault. The only surprise is that they didn't blame him for the hurricane.

Mayor Ray Nagin of New Orleans is irate about the government's response to the disaster. A hurricane hitting New Orleans is a surprise? Where was the mayor's evacuation plan for people without transportation? Was there no contingency plan for the "possibility" that if a hurricane hit New Orleans, the electricity would be off so the pumps would not work and the levees would be breached? Of course, it is much easier to blame someone else for your lack of planning.

Perhaps Roberts needs to say shame on the responsible government officials of New Orleans and Louisiana.

Phyllis Picklesimer
High Point

Since Rosemary Roberts fashions herself as a more enlightened citizen, she should know this: The federal budget is appropriated by Congress, not the Bush administration or any other administration. Get off your holier-than-thou, self-righteous and partisan high-horse about Katrina and the lack of federal funds for New Orleans.

As a licensed professional geologist in five Southeastern states, I know New Orleans is sinking about 1 inch per year and has been for a long time. It is a city that has been and will continue to be at high risk if rebuilt with no significant location or engineering changes. It is a real problem that does not deserve political sniping.

The scenario unfolding in New Orleans is of no surprise to us in the know and has been feared for 50-plus years. Roberts' precious Clinton, Carter, Johnson, Kennedy, et al, did nothing either.

No, the shame is on you, my dear Ms. Roberts, for politicizing this tragic event like so many of your like-minded liberals are doing.

Ms. Roberts, please do us all a favor and move to Chapel Hill where somebody may actually care about what you think.

Eric Lintz
Greensboro

Reading the newspaper headline, "Lottery pulls off win," (Aug. 31), led me to stop and think, "What message did we send to our students, the ones supposed to benefit from the monies generated from the lottery?"

Personally, I would have been happy with or without a lottery in North Carolina. However, given the questionable tactics used to obtain a "for" vote, were I the governor and in favor of the lottery, I still would have to veto the bill.

Are we saying to our students it's OK to do whatever you have to do in order to get your way?

What's the difference in a student cheating to make a better grade and the manner in which the lottery was passed?

Shame on the governor, the speaker of the Senate and those who went against the known majority in the Senate who opposed the bill.

Ralph D. Stout Jr.
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Scott Diener

The loudest lottery opponents were members of the religious community. They claimed that lotteries encourage materialism, but to look at some of the large churches around the area, one might wonder who is really being materialistic.

These people believe that low-income families will spend their wages playing the numbers. It seems the only time the low-income populace is acknowledged by members of this group is when it suits their agenda. If they really cared about the plight of the poor, you would think they would commit to stamping out poverty rather than building retirement homes.

Additionally, these opponents say we should work hard and invest our money. Investing is every bit of a gamble, although it may take years to find out you have been scammed out of your money.

A writer recently asked, "What are we teaching our children when we help fund their education with a lottery?" My response: What are we teaching our children when we promise them the best education but don't deliver? The job market is constantly changing, and a good education is necessary to keep pace with it. No amount of theology will prepare children to compete in the job market. And at last check, God doesn't pay bills.

I'm not so naïve as to believe that a lottery will solve all the education funding problems, but it certainly will ease the burden.

These citizens who are so concerned for those who may become addicted to gambling do not seem too concerned about the state distributing and selling liquor. What about strip clubs? Are these not the ultimate temptations for sins of the flesh? I feel that any action that defiles the human body or spirit is more immoral than any action concerning money. After all, money is no more than fancy ink printed on paper and deemed legal tender by the government.

The irony of all this is that our license plates display the motto, "First in Flight." I think the "First in Flight" motto should be removed. If a lottery is so wrong, then it is impossible that something as evil as a flying machine ever flew first in this state.

The writer lives in High Point.

All government agencies should be ashamed of what happened in New Orleans. For them to say they could not help these victims any sooner is an insult to my intelligence.

I applaud the mayor of New Orleans for everything he did. It was time for someone to point out how ridiculous and inhumane it was for these children, elderly, and anyone to have to wait five days for relief.

When our top leaders, whether they are elected or appointed, can get help to other countries quicker then we can to our own fellow countrymen, then I think we do not have the same goals in mind.

I pray for our country's sake that we did not wait so long due to the fact these were the poorest of New Orleans. Does anyone really believe a person with children would have stayed if they could have left?

I would have a hard time relocating my family unless it was the day after payday.

It will not ease my conscience about what has happened, but we must never have people in authority making decisions who do not feel the pain of everyone, especially in their own country.

Jessica Whitehead
Ruffin

The people on the Gulf Coast need our prayers and support regardless of their status in life, skin color or political affiliation.

I have heard black politicians say that because those most adversely effected are that way, because they are black and poor. My response: So therefore Katrina was a bigot.

On the other hand, perhaps President Bush is the bigot because it took several days for federal help to arrive -- even though he declared the Gulf Coast a disaster area before Katrina hit.

I have seen others on Public Television compare Katrina to the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. The differences in the two events are so obvious, how anyone could make a comparison is incomprehensible unless they had a political motive.

Unfortunately, but predictably, the left has done just that -- politicized the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina. We all need to remember that this storm has caused the worst disaster America has ever experienced.

There were mistakes, but all of the governments and private organizations involved should be praised, not politicized.

There is a lot of hard work ahead. It is time to stop the cheap talk.

There has already been enough destruction.

Jerry Liverette
Asheboro

In response to Charles O'Brien's letter (Sept. 3) in which he said he saw people in Georgia who couldn't afford $5 worth of gas, yet, were buying a lottery ticket: I would like to point out that they could also be buying a six pack of beer or a carton of cigarettes.

The issue still remains that our surrounding states have been benefiting by the sale of lottery tickets to North Carolinians.

In the argument for and against a lottery, I don't recall anyone citing a state in which its schools didn't benefit. Perhaps there are, but I think it would have been a major point that the lottery opposition would have used.

Donna Padgett
Summerfield

I am quite concerned about the effect of global warming, the increase in hurricane activity and the resulting effect on our economy.

A few years ago most of the nations on this planet developed the Kyoto Treaty, a plan to reduce greenhouse gases. Most of the nations signed this treaty.

Unfortunately, President Bush said the United States would not sign it as it would seriously affect our economy to do so.

I believe this was a foolish decision on his part, as the relationship of greenhouses gases, ocean warming and hurricanes is well documented. (Greenhouse gases cause the earth and the oceans to be warmer, this causing more hurricanes with higher winds and greater damage).

As I look at the news of the destruction of Hurricane Katrina and the cost in lives and money, the economy is absolutely affected in a negative way. I realize this personally every time I buy gas.

I believe it is time to reverse course, sign this treaty, and commit this nation to reducing greenhouse gases.

Kyoto and Katrina -- are they related? Indeed they are.

Richard L. Phillips
Gibsonville

I am writing in reference to something I saw on CNN. I resent cursing at all times, especially on national TV. Being a mother and grandmother, I'm hoping my children and grandchildren did not see this.

I remember Hurricane Hazel. We received seven inches of rain in one day. The wind got up to about 60 miles per hour. This happened while I worked in downtown Greensboro on South Elm Street. It was sometime in October 1954.

We all need to pull together and help one another instead of finding fault, etc.

Nancy R. Smith
Greensboro

Regarding an "Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina" photo (A6, Sept. 2, Phil Coale/Associated Press) depicting "a watery lot of school buses": Why wasn't this valuable resource of buses used to move those who could not afford $40 of gas to flee before this storm? Not only would lives have been saved, but valuable property would have been saved for future use as well.

Why, why?

David Pearce
Greensboro

On Aug. 30, my parents' new home was destroyed by a three-alarm fire, which my father discovered around 3 a.m. My mother ran to her neighbor's house and they dispatched 911. Ten or more volunteer fire departments soon were on the scene, working hard to contain the fire and make sure my parents were safe.

In the county, firefighters are primarily volunteers. The American Red Cross followed, setting up a temporary cantina to not only provide food and drink to the firefighters, but also to our family. The firefighters stayed throughout the four-hour ordeal. A number of volunteers stayed nearly 12 hours to continue assisting our parents with their needs.

Our family (the Mike Ingle family) wants to commend those volunteers and say a big thank-you to all who helped in this time of need. These volunteers are taken for granted until tragedy strikes and they are needed. Our entire family has a new appreciation for what they do.

We have been so blessed with the outpouring of love and concern from our friends, neighbors, family and even perfect strangers during this tragedy. With their continued support, and the support of our Heavenly Father, we are confident we will get past this devastating loss.

Lisa Clapp
Greensboro

As a citizen of the United States, a taxpayer, a registered voter and a human being, words cannot express my outrage at the very poor and unacceptable response from the federal government to the recent disaster in New Orleans. The scenes on television have been heart-wrenching, and even the right-leaning Fox News network has had difficulty defending this administration in this matter.

I hope my fellow citizens will join me in calling for a congressional investigation into this fiasco. Please contact your senators and representatives and insist that this be done. I do not want to see this problem whitewashed or spun into something positive. There is absolutely no excuse for this performance.

This administration has not taken responsibility for a single mistake and I am sick of it. I want accountability and I want it now. We must never allow this to happen again.

Randy Dunbar
Greensboro

I am horrified. The most ludicrous statement I heard on ABC News Sept. 3 is that the feds could not go into Louisiana because the governor didn't state exactly what she needed. They don't mind going into California superseding state law about medical marijuana. They are arresting cancer victims there.

Federal law is not to supersede state law -- and that is Bush's excuse? They said Bush couldn't start rescue efforts until the governor requested them. Just another case of the higher-ups finding a scapegoat for their inadequacy.

I am Caucasian and have never thought I was a racist. Maybe that's why I never really understood the angry blacks in this country and thought things were leveling out. But I am angered seeing that tourists in a hotel were evacuated to the stadium and put on buses before people already there for four days. What is wrong with the government of this country?

There's no excuse for this.

Kathie Reeves
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Audrae Erickson

We read with interest the Aug. 26 column by Lorraine Ahearn, "Better off obese than just plain 'fat'." We agree that obesity is a serious health concern.

Many nutritionists and health experts note that moderate food and beverage consumption, coupled with plenty of exercise, is a necessary component in addressing obesity.

It is also important for consumers to have the appropriate information to make educated food choices.

High-fructose corn syrup, or HFCS, is a natural, nutritive sweetener and does add calories to the U.S. food supply.

Sugar and high-fructose corn syrup have the same caloric density as most carbohydrates; both contribute 4 calories per gram.

However, it is important to note that no single food or ingredient is the sole cause of obesity, but rather too many calories and too little exercise is a primary cause.

As the American Dietetic Association states in its paper entitled, "Use of nutritive and non-nutritive sweeteners," "Excess body fat (obesity) arises from the energy imbalance caused by taking in too much energy and using too little. ... Obesity is a complex problem and its cause cannot be simply attributed to any one component of the food supply."

Your readers should know that HFCS has proven beneficial to consumers through its use in many foods and beverages, including several products that are specifically made for people trying to control their weight.

HFCS makes foods such as bread and breakfast cereal "brown" better when baked, and gives chewy cookies and snack bars their soft texture.

It also protects freshness. HFCS actually inhibits microbial spoilage by reducing water activity and extends shelf life through superior moisture control.

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

The writer is president, Corn Refiners Association, Washington.

As I drove from Greensboro to Mount Airy for a sales appointment the other day, I was reflecting on how high gas prices have spiked and was concerned that there could be fuel shortages in the near future. I drive more than 30,000 miles a year for my job, and I learned a long time ago that if you drive the speed limit, it not only lowers the stress level but also increases gas mileage.

As I merged on to business I-40 heading to U.S. 52, I conducted an experiment. I set my cruise at 60 mph and counted the cars that passed me and also the number of cars that I passed. Guess what? Forty-eight cars passed me, most of them like I was standing still. I passed one recreational vehicle pulling a car. Think of the millions of gallons of gas that would be saved each day if people throughout the country would just slow down. The function of supply and demand determines price at the pump, and speeding lowers supply.

As great as this country is, we are often very self-serving as individuals, always thinking it's up to the other guy to make sacrifices. Now is the time for each of us to do our part and slow down to save this precious resource.

Kent Barnard
Greensboro

I wanted to express my appreciation to a well-known institution, Guilford College. My son was supposed to be attending Tulane University this fall. We had driven him down to New Orleans but had to return immediately to our home in Chapel Hill because of the hurricane. We were hoping he could take a few credits part-time at UNC-Chapel Hill; however, they would not accommodate him.

I called Tania Johnson in admissions at Guilford College, and she could not have been more gracious. My son was able to enroll in the college despite the fact we had limited access to his school records. As I understand it, a student from Loyola, another New Orleans university, was also able to enroll.

Our thanks, again, to the Guilford College administration for its understanding.

Mary Kathryn Jordan
Chapel Hill

Please bear with me. As I wipe a tear from my eye after reading about the plight of the gas station owner in Greensboro who says he isn't making enough profit, a question comes to mind that I need help with. If I buy 5,000 gallons of fuel for my gas station and pay no more than $2.40 a gallon (guess), then overnight I raise my gas price by 50 cents per gallon, how am I not making a huge profit on the fuel already in my tanks?

William Johnson
Greensboro

Mr. Bush, wake up. The old, the sick and babies died and are dying on the streets of the communities devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

I blame you. You are the president of this great nation.

Your slow response to this disaster was akin to the response of a president of a Third World country without the resources of our great nation, the richest country in the world. If this is the response to the people of our country, God help the people of Iraq.

Freddi Duehring
Greensboro

Well, once again Democrats have shown their true colors. Manipulation of the legislative system in order to pass the lottery is typical behavior for the Democratic Party. Why should anyone be surprised?

The thing that amazes me is that people continue to vote for people who think that the end justifies any and all means to get there, regardless of whether it is ethical or something the voting populace wants. It seems the voters aren't really smart enough to make those decisions in their eyes, so in order to force "logic" on us, they resort to underhanded tactics, like I said, typical behavior for Democrats.

Maybe we are too stupid to make those decisions. After all, we don't seem to vote for men of character.

R.A. Jessup
Greensboro

I lived on the island of Kauai in 1992 when it was hit by Hurricane Iniki, a category 5 storm. Although Kauai luckily had little loss of life, the devastation to the island, homes and businesses was catastrophic (I was without power for 13 weeks and lost my business).

Along with all the other island residents, I quickly learned that I could trust FEMA for everything. It was our lifeline, the most organized, resourceful and quick-to-respond organization I could imagine, the more impressive considering that they were simultaneously working with the victims from Hurricane Andrew, which had struck just two weeks earlier, and because many of the basic goods and services we needed had to be shipped across the ocean.

I don't know what has happened to FEMA since it became part of the Department of Homeland Security, but all citizens need to pressure the government to expose the truth, without being put off by easy assurances or diversionary tactics. This once truly responsive organization has clearly become almost totally inept. I shudder to think what else will happen to the country when the next national emergency arises.

Abby Arnold
Greensboro

In the August issue of Popular Science magazine, there are pages and pages of reports of new technologies being invented to "save the scorched earth." These suggestions include storing carbon monoxide underground; filtering CO2 from the air; fertilizing the ocean with iron to encourage plankton growth; turning CO2 into stone; enhancing clouds to reflect the sunlight away from earth; deflecting sunlight with a gigantic mirror.

We should spend billions of dollars on one of these fantastic procedures to fix the problem instead of stopping the cause of the problem, the pollution, global warming? How ridiculous can we get?

How and why is the United States so opposed to the Kyoto Treaty, which most other civilized nations in the world have adopted, even without our support? It's certainly not for the health of the people of the United States, nor of any other country on earth. It is only for the good of the manufacturers of vehicles, for the oil companies, for the energy producers -- the real administration.

It is a sad and shameful day for those of us left to suffer through it and await the time to make an immense change.

Gay Cheney
Browns Summit

Why don't you print more letters criticizing your abysmal editorial policy? You should welcome being taken to the woodshed by those who have to suffer your knee-jerk, liberal, Democratic editorials, editorial cartoons and news coverage.

Jack G. Stratas
Denton

We've seen small government in action, and it's ugly. Small government cannot put enough "boots on the ground" in Iraq, nor can it get disaster help to the hundreds of thousands suffering after Hurricane Katrina.

For years we've heard, believed in and voted for "getting government off our backs" through massive tax breaks, outsourcing, privatization and deregulation. We failed to heed critics' cries that smaller federal government meant state and local government, charities and churches would now pick up Uncle Sam's tab, or that individual citizens would now assume "ownership" of their health insurance, retirement and job security, because Washington was no longer in the business of leadership. Which leaves us to ask, what can we expect from the federal government if it abandons all responsibility to alleviate the intolerable divide in America that permits the fortunate to flee in SUVs while the rest are left to face undignified death and misery in New Orleans' floodwaters?

Andrew Young
Greensboro

I am so tired of listening to people ask, "Why did these people not leave New Orleans when mandatory evacuation was announced?"

Almost everyone I have seen on the news is an African American. They depend on public transportation and live paycheck to paycheck. These people do not have cars, and I do not believe the buses were running. They are poor, like a lot of North Carolinians.

Now they are together on roads above the floodwaters with no water, food or medical care. I believe our country responded more quickly to the victims of the tsunami. I guess all our help is in Iraq, fighting a war we can only lose.

All our resources should be devoted to getting people who are sick, just born, or dying in New Orleans, Biloxi and the Gulf Coast evacuated, and everyone else, too.

Cabell Borland
Gibsonville

In the midst of all the partisan finger-pointing and blame-shifting over the so-called "slow response" to the Hurricane Katrina crisis, let's remember that this is a natural disaster on an unprecedented scale.

That some have accused the government of racial discrimination is a slap in the face to members of the U.S. Coast Guard, who spent the first hours after the storm risking their lives to rescue thousands of African Americans and others who were unable or unwilling to comply with the evacuation order given in New Orleans before the storm. And let's not forget the selfless help of the Salvation Army and other organizations.

Given that some police officers joined in the looting and street thugs threatened the very people who were trying to help, is it any wonder that relief efforts had to be temporarily suspended in some places?

Could the media please focus more on the positive efforts under way to help those who are suffering rather than constantly dishing out negative spin?

I, for one, have been impressed with how quickly people have responded to the crisis, considering the logistical nightmare and the breakdown in law and order.

Anne Sampson
Greensboro

It has been said that "hope springs eternal," but anyone waiting for our president to renounce incompetence will be waiting long after our own Randleman Reservoir fills up.

The CIA director, who told the president going into Iraq was "a slam dunk," was given the highest civilian medal. Rumsfeld, who sent troops into harm's way without sufficient body armor, continues to use our military, and its families, as pawns on a political chessboard.

The architect of the Abu Ghraib rules of interrogation remains our chief law enforcement official. The White House staff member who revealed the identity of a CIA undercover operative is still working with top-secret security clearance.

Why do people think the FEMA director will be any different? Maybe because the camera never blinks.

We watched our president respond as if he were inconvenienced by the blunt questioning. He feigned compassion, but his demeanor told another story.

Folks, if we compared the Bush family with the fictional Corleone family of Mario Puzo's "The Godfather," we now have Fredo running things.

John W. Graham
Greensboro

I'd like to agree with the Jeff Matthews' letter ("True moderate," Sept. 3). Hopefully, it's where I stand.

When I look back on history and the root causes of wars, I'm hard-pressed to find one that did not involve greed, intolerance or exploitation. After Sept 11, I'm seeing "intolerance" as its root cause and I'm not dismissing the "greed" or "exploitation" accusations we've received. I believe our highest goal should be to survive as a democracy, and this will not be possible if we allow it to grow into a "mobocracy."

I think this is what Aristotle contended would happen when too many people are allowed too many freedoms. Thus, has the pendulum already swung so far to the left that any view from the right is unacceptable?

And, surely, do the heartless approaches from the far right offer us anything?

Somewhere, out of these paradoxes of extremes is a balance point where the answer for the moment will also be its long-term cure.

Ray Hylton
Greensboro

I find it very disturbing that we, as Americans and journalists, find that it is OK to continue to loosely define the Hurricane Katrina victims as "refugees."

After a reanalysis of this term, it has been since concluded that "refugee" is not a suitable nor tolerable term for them. They are natives of this land and are not fleeing due to persecution or expulsion.

While reading your news via the Web site, eight days later, this term is still being used. Can you refer to them as victims as all other individuals who were involved in past natural disasters? Is it too much to ask that we bestow the same dignity as we did to the Sept. 11 victims both living and dead?

Please refrain from using this term. I'm sure that it's an insult to others as well.

Kenisha Curtis
Greensboro

Editor's note: The News & Record's news and editorial staffs have decided to use the term "evacuees."

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Steve Schorr

Your editorial, "Facing the future" (Aug. 21), regarding the rising immigrant population contained three points that need to be addressed:

1. "Our unabashed reliance on cheap labor" is a misnomer. While the business that employs immigrants may realize greater profits, our society realizes greater costs. Cheap-labor immigrants can't afford health insurance, let alone health care, but that doesn't stop them from getting it, primarily in a most non-cost-effective emergency department.

Their children (approximately 3.2 on average) require about $24,000 a year for 12 years of school. If you liked the last two school budget increases, you're going to love future ones.

2. "Numbers and proportion may overwhelm the assimilation process" is irrelevant at this point. Desire is what it takes, and more and more as I frequent the local grocery, I feel as if I'm in a foreign country as I listen to the conversations going on around me. Our pharmacists, police and health care workers are learning a foreign language because a growing portion of our populace declines to learn English.

3. "Full access to education beyond high school" is simplistic and misses the greater point. Your writer needs to visit a local elementary school and witness firsthand a teacher and (until this year) an assistant spending a majority of class time on one or two children of non-English speaking parents while the rest of the students wonder when the next chapter will begin. The "higher" education of children of immigrants, illegal or otherwise, is a noble cause to some folks, and I'm sure they are willing to catapult other people's money in that direction, but first we need to address factors that are taking our primary and secondary schools in the wrong direction.

The writer lives in Brown Summit.

Congratulations to Calvin Thomas for his Sept. 3 column about Republican pork. Although a left-winger, I appreciate that Thomas shows more honesty than other conservative columnists. There is an answer to government waste.

Since World War II, America's voters usually have chosen to divide power between the two major parties. When Congress and the president oppose each other, each cuts waste the other proposes. Needless spending drops.

In contrast, the periods of single-party government are short and disastrous. When the Republicans controlled Congress and the presidency during the late '50s, a recession resulted in the victory of JFK. Democratic control in the mid-'60s resulted in both Vietnam and ballooning deficits. Jimmy Carter and Democrats in the late '70s helped produce gas lines, and the Iranian hostage crisis. During the '90s, a chastened Bill Clinton accomplished more after the Republicans swept Congress in 1994 than he did with a corrupt, bickering Democratic House.

While I understand that some area Republicans feel that 2004 was a victory for the Elect, I humbly suggest everyone take another look. Mammon also wears nice suits and can quote Scripture with the best.

Joel Goldstein
Greensboro

Kerri Pound, who taught at Monticello-Brown Summit Elementary, was a woman with a calling. She had a heart so large, she placed each child there. She never stopped learning so that she could find another way to reach another child. She may have met them on their level, but she took them on a ride where they reached out and touched the stars.

I'll never forget one child who couldn't read. By the end of the year, not only had this child been raising his hand to read in class, he had achieved Accelerated Reader and had his name posted right outside the school library.

Today, as one who accepted Jesus as Lord, she lives in heaven. And while I don't know exactly what she's doing, I know it has to do with children. Perhaps she is telling one of her great stories or rocking a baby, but whatever she's doing, one thing is for sure, she's surrounded by children.

May those of us who come into contact with others aspire to do what Ms. Pound has done -- touch hearts and change lives forevermore.

Marjorie Jenkins
Brown Summit

The writer is the mother of a former student.

In the article "Gas prices to hurt all sectors" (Sept. 4), it was stated that the Triad will be "especially hurt by high prices because of long commutes."

Let's not be naïve about this. Although there is a population of more than 437,000 in Guilford County, the fact is, according to the 2000 Census, residents commute an average of 19.5 minutes to work and not even 7 percent of those in the labor force commute 45 minutes or more.

The situation here is not unique, and we will not be "especially hurt" by high gasoline prices. By comparison, in Atlanta, where there actually was a shortage of gasoline recently, Fulton County alone has a population of more than 818,000. Residents commute an average of 24.6 minutes, and more than 18 percent of those in the labor force commute 45 minutes or more.

High gas prices will hurt all sectors of the economy, but the worst thing we can do right now is increase panic among people here in the Triad. We should focus on how to help the real victims of Hurricane Katrina and reach out to those in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana and those who have arrived in the Triad.

Libby Brown
Greensboro

My, my, my. Dear ol' President Bush doesn't have very good answers as to why it took so long to get help to the disaster area in the Gulf. Seems he couldn't find the National Guard. Seems the armed forces have been stretched a little thin. Could it be they are in Iraq? Maybe that's where he might find them.

I'm so sorry he had to cut his vacation short, too. On day three, he finally left his vacation home.

OK, just pretend the Gulf people and the people of New Orleans are in Tikrit. Maybe they will get some help a little faster. Or maybe that's where you might find the weapons of mass destruction. Hurry.

Diane McClelland
Greensboro

Just as the Sept. 11 tragedies were wake-up calls to the dangers of terrorism, the Katrina disaster should serve as a wake-up call to the dangers of bureaucrats in power.

During 30 years of corporate employment, I saw upper management change from "doing the right thing" for their customers to "how little can we get by with."

This attitude has become prevalent in many areas of our government, both local and national. The evidence of that attitude is visible every day in the media. The attitude of "don't bring me 'no' bad news" (or risk your job).

When things break down, few "leaders" will accept the responsibility. Whom do these so-called "leaders" blame? The very people who were trying to issue concerns and warnings.

I hope I live long enough to see at least one person of power stand before the American people and say "we let you down...it will never happen again" and mean it.

This country was built by men and women of courage and integrity. I could care less about the political party to which they belong. Come on leaders, just do the right thing. The rest of us will follow.

Nancy H. Garrett
Liberty

The Constitution requires the president to take an oath to preserve, protect and defend the United States of America. Evidently, George W. Bush construes this to mean that the war on terrorism takes precedence over state and local social issues. Of course, as Michael Moore and many Democrat intellectuals will attest, Bush isn't very smart.

If John Kerry had been elected president, I'm almost certain that one of his top priorities would have been to strengthen the New Orleans levees.

And John Edwards would have sued OPEC to bring gasoline prices down to $1.29 a gallon. Both Johns, flushed with excitement in their new power, would have taken this country to glorious heights.

Hank Powell
Greensboro

Aw c'mon, you must be kidding. A mold of a pregnant torso to hang in baby's room afterwards as a memento of the nine months ("Belly casts preserve pregnancy memories," Sept. 5)? If stretch marks on the breasts and tummy, two inches added to the waistline and broken/varicose veins forever aren't enough to remind Mommy of the wonderful experience of pregnancy, then the majority of us mommies just completely missed the whole pleasurable journey.

Thirty-eight years later, I still remember the rush to the bathroom first thing in the morning to throw up during eight months of each pregnancy. Not to mention abdominal and leg muscle cramps in the middle of the night and bouts with hemorrhoids. Try sitting on that on a counter stool to iron clothes for the other kids or prepare a casserole for dinner. My babies had super prenatal and post-natal care. To me they were the most beautiful and perfect babies in the world. But, unfortunately, the package they came in looks like a disaster zone.

I'm glad I didn't mold that zone for posterity to snicker at. All full-length mirrors at my house are turned toward the wall!

Chris Myott
Eden

I applaud Greensboro and Guilford County leaders for taking a leading role in assisting evacuees of Hurricane Katrina. However, I also challenge them to help our local homeless people with the same level of food, medical care, clothing and housing that are being offered to the evacuees. Will they look away from the troubles on television long enough to see the troubles on their doorstep, or will they prove to be as effective on a local level as Washington has been with national relief?

Bill Wilson
Greensboro

The hurricane victims of the Gulf Coast need everything and more. Water and food are now being trucked there daily. However, to give what has already been "donated," the Goodwill stores should ship the store-loads of clothes and necessities that have already been given.

They, along with the United Way, have the means to get the supplies to the places they are needed. Then we, the people, can help further with cash dollars.

Lynda Hall
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Joyce Fulcher

Thank you for Thomas Sowell's column (Aug. 23) about Julian Stanley, gifted kids, and the bias toward intellect that governs our society. You are right on target. I appreciate your willingness to say so and was pleased and somewhat surprised that our paper -- the News & Record -- saw fit to print it.

My experience with my own gifted child, and being a teacher of gifted children for many years, taught me the daily struggles of making their voices and needs heard and how unpopular it can be to do so. Today, the situation worsens as we are so dominated by No Child Left Behind mandates to pull everyone to the center, that no effort is being made -- and indeed funds are being reallocated in many places -- to address the needs of gifted children. After all, prevailing wisdom goes, they've already "got it." Yes, they do already have grade/course level knowledge. They can ace the minimum requirements the day they walk in the door, if minimum is all you want.

In order to grow and learn and be productive, they need more. It's really sad, discriminatory, and seriously shortsighted to exclude these children. Why should No Child Left Behind mean no child except the gifted? Their being left behind will result in our nation being left behind.

It took Sputnik in the '50s to interest the United States in nurturing intellect and to commit funding toward providing opportunities. When the Koreans make the medical breakthroughs with stem cells, the Russians fix the space station, and the Iranians build a better bomb, our nation's attention may at least get a wake-up call. Meanwhile, I hope when I need surgery, it is one of the few of our nation's gifted students who's been to Stanley's summer programs or our own North Carolina Governor's School and had her mind challenged by highly qualified teachers, rather than one who has spent the majority of her time tutoring others and fighting boredom.

The writer lives in Madison.

Several times daily, I observe vehicles that do not have handicapped parking tags parked in handicapped spaces. I also see motorists at convenience stores pulling up alongside curbs, blocking ramps that are not only a necessity for wheelchair-using citizens, but also delivery persons who need the ramps to stock the stores with the food and supplies we all use. Fire lanes at shopping centers are often filled by someone in a vehicle who felt it necessary to stay there while waiting on his or her passenger to return.

These aforementioned areas are not merely a convenience for some, they are a necessity. Not being a delivery person, a handicapped person, or a fire-related professional, I do not feel that I am being hypersensitive to this issue.

Given the high rate of obesity in our country, most of us could benefit from the extra 10 to 20 steps that our own designated parking spaces provide us.

Scott Whitesell
Greensboro

I am a past chairman of the GGO/Chrysler Classic and would like to congratulate the Greensboro Jaycees for stepping up to the plate and making sure we have a long-term future for our golf tournament.

The Jaycees demonstrated true leadership by taking a major role in the formation of the new foundation that will lead our cause of being the best tournament on the PGA Tour.

The Jaycees will continue to be a major part of the event and they will also benefit from the knowledge of the foundation members.

Again, thanks to Mark Brazil, tournament director; Justin Conrad, general chairman; and many others who made this possible.

Larry N. Heath
Greensboro

Deja vu? Bad war, mounting death tolls, no justification, no plan. Republican president lies about war, lies often, lies about many things. Secretive, stealthy, power-hungry manipulators run the White House.

Government tramples on civil liberties, squelches free speech. Environmental degradation contributes to environmental disaster.

Badly planned, single-minded energy policies wreak havoc on the economy and on real people but make the greedy wealthy.

Bad planning leads to shortages of gasoline, spiking prices, lines at the pump, recession looming. The rich get richer, the poor get poorer. 2005? 1975? Deja vu?

Christopher Poulos
Greensboro

Regarding the Counterpoint, "Putting crackpot ideas on front page," (Sept. 3):

Talk about crackpot ideas.

How about the idea that the "theory" of evolution and neo-Darwinism are based on scientific fact? Both so-called "theories" have been scientifically disproved and discredited by many renowned men of science.

The biggest hoax of the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries is that evolution and Darwinism are scientific fact. The hypothesis that traces man's lineage back to spontaneous generation (life from nonlife, man from ooze), has never been sustained. Spontaneous generation has never been proven, and there is mounting evidence to the contrary.

The study of paleontology presents so many questions that basing one's belief in evolution on the shaky ground of paleontology can hardly be considered scientific.

Evolution is not science, not even theory. It is the theology of secular humanism.

Lester Tucker
Greensboro

After watching the almost continuous coverage of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, I've started wondering just how incompetent federal bureaucrats have to be to get fired. Usually, clueless political appointees simply redistribute the wealth from poor to rich, mess up the environment, give businesses a free hand to operate without regard to consumers' safety, etc., but these things are often reversible.

This time, the political hacks have cost people their lives -- and they continue to do so. I've concluded that the current administration will not admit to failures, much less hold their appointees accountable, so I've got a suggestion: Why don't we award Michael Chertoff (the secretary of Homeland Security) and Michael Brown (the former head of FEMA) the Medal of Freedom for their great work and get them the heck out of there before more people die?

It worked with George Tenet and Paul Bremer.

Michael Maddox
Madison

Some random thoughts as the heavy shadow of Katrina hangs over us and another Sept. 11 anniversary passes:

• Thanks to the media, I now know George Bush is personally responsible for all that "went wrong." For sure, this is no time to talk about what "went right."

• Thanks also to those compassionate, nonpartisan members of Congress who offered inspiring leadership at a time of national crisis. Their refusal to "blame" anyone, their level-headed, constructive dialogue and immediate call for investigations should comfort us that we elect such statesmen.

• I look forward to the objective and reasoned guidance we'll receive from Molly Ivins, Leonard Pitts, perhaps Rosemary Roberts, the News & Record editorial board, and others in the choir who work to bring us together.

• If I win the lottery big, I'll share a million or two with those politicians who didn't get their share of the pork barrel. In turn, they can all donate back billions to the relief effort.

• Here's a really nutty thought: What would happen if, starting tomorrow, every American drove the speed limit? No fudging, lots of carpooling. Wow -- national Nirvana at last.

Bill Beerman
Greensboro

I am tired of reading all the bashing of the federal government's response to Hurricane Katrina's aftermath. Believe me the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana deserve even more blame.

I lived in New Orleans in the 1970s and it flooded in a good rainstorm. New Orleans has the example of the 1900 hurricane that destroyed Galveston, Texas, killing between 6,000 and 12,000 (they built a sea wall right afterward).

They also had Category 5 Hurricane Camille take the same route in 1969. The beach in Gulfport still looked like the D-Day invasion of Normandy in 1973.

The city and state have spent their money on building up the Riverwalk area in New Orleans, creating casinos and marinas -- in short everything but funding the infrastructure -- levees, sea walls, the police force.

It is not the job of the federal government to do this for them. New Orleans and Louisiana officials should take a hard look at themselves and so should the media. Their priorities were all out of whack.

Barbara Roth
Greensboro

Congratulations, red state. You helped (s)elect the best bunch of spin doctors Republican campaign funds can buy. They fiddled (but stayed on message) while New Orleans drowned better than any bureaucrat in the state of Louisiana.

These clueless "friends of George" produced more spin and less relief than Katrina herself, and guess what, hurricane season ain't over yet. Oh, and lest we forget, the bin Laden gang is still out there. Booga. Booga.

The moral of this story is: When the chips are down, don't count on "compassionate conservatives," especially when coupled with tax cuts and cronyism, i.e., bread and circuses, not to mention the killing field and money pit called Iraq.

Remember, them that has gets, and we don't rate too high on that scale. Too many po' folks, I s'pose. And too many black and blues. Am I blue ... you betcha, and glad of it.

Judith Low
Greensboro

This past Labor Day weekend, I decided to stay in Greensboro and count my blessings. On Saturday I received a phone call from the executive director of the Volunteer Center. Could I find 10 folks to set up cots for the hurricane evacuees? "No problem," I said. "Let me call a few neighbors." Wonderfully, all of my Aycock neighbors wanted to help and we had the cots set up in a record time.

After that I went over to the Volunteer Center to field phone calls from folks wanting to aid the evacuees. No one knew when the evacuees were coming or how many, people just wanted to do something. In the space of a few days there have been hundreds of phone calls and hundreds of people wanting to help.

It makes me proud to be from Greensboro with so many of our citizens offering their support and services.

Greensboro is a great place to live and we prove it every day.

Mebane Ham
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Sherri Staton

Doug Clark must be out of editorial ideas. His Aug. 31 column is the most pathetic excuse for journalism I have ever read. More than a year after Randall Terry's death, he has chosen to write an entire column on the reasons he did not like Terry. He insulted Terry's character, even to those of us who did not know him personally. What brought this on?

Clark disagrees with the way Terry allocated his money: to the College of Veterinary Medicine at N.C. State University, and to Woodberry Forest School.

If the column had been written based on this topic alone, it would have been a simple article of personal opinion. Clark takes his writing to such a disrespectful level that it makes his credentials as a journalist wilt.

Granted, Terry's money could have been spread out into the High Point community to help many other organizations; that is one point on which I have to agree with Clark. Yes, Terry left money for the care of his dogs. I wish he would have left some money to our local animal shelters. But, after all, it was his money to do with as he pleased, regardless of how he obtained it.

My lack of respect for Clark stems from his lack of respect for those who have passed on. Could he really not think of anything else to write about, so he had to degrade a dead man? What purpose did the "company picnic" story serve?

Clark sounds like a whining child, saying, "He could be mean." If Randall Terry was "mean," and a bigot, as Clark alleges, where were these accusations during Clark's "two decades" with the High Point Enterprise?

Clark provides no substantial backing for his statement that a long-time editor was fired while recovering from a heart attack. He goes further to say Terry was "boasting about it, quite pleased with himself." This is complete hearsay on Clark's part, and, true or not, Terry is not here to defend himself or explain his actions or comments. I felt I was reading the nasty sound of bitter revenge.

Doug Clark would not have had the guts to write this column in the days after Randall Terry's death, but writing it a year later doesn't change the fact that it is disrespectful. I would be interested to know why, after all this time, he decided to express his dislike for a man who has passed away. It is public knowledge where Terry's money is going and Clark has every right to disagree with these facts. To personally attack a person after his death is an abuse of Clark's position as a journalist. And it seems his column didn't change a thing.

Pretty low, Doug, pretty low.

The writer lives in Archdale.

Now do we all understand why emergency situation instructions begin with, "Have three to four days of food and water for each person"? That means foods that can be eaten without refrigeration or cooking (that is, most canned food -- fruits, vegetables including beans, pasta, meats). Be sure to have a hand-operated can opener (not an electric one), or stick with pop-top cans.

You will need water not only for drinking but also for washing people, first aid, personal hygiene and for flushing the toilet. And don't forget about food and water for the pets -- no need to have the pets more miserable than you in the event of an emergency or disaster.

Because floods are generally not a problem here, you can fill your bathtub with water in anticipation of an emergency while the water is still clean.

Joan Lux
Greensboro

In his letter Aug. 29, Don Wendelken concludes, "Highways are for vehicles." His letter overlooks the fact that in North Carolina, the bicycle has the legal status of a vehicle, as established in the Bicycle and Bikeway Act of 1974.

That act also established the North Carolina Bicycle Committee, currently consisting of seven members from throughout the state. I am sure the committee would welcome Wendelken's input and leadership in establishing more bicycle paths in Guilford County.

Meanwhile, motorists should remember the adage, "Share the road. Bicycles belong."

Phyllis Shaw
Greensboro

In recent days, it has been revealed to me that my mother was mistaken in raising me to pray "in Christ's name." According to the liberals among us, I should be praying "in George Bush's name," as he is the god of white folks who rains down fire from heaven to fatten the wallets of the oil companies and to punish black people.

To this I say, bull. Every person is responsible for being prepared for emergencies. (Individual responsibility, what a concept.) For those folks who could not get out on their own, the whiny mayor of New Orleans could have ordered them to get on city-owned buses for a mandatory evacuation; those who refused to leave would be responsible for their own fates.

The governor could have lent her support to this effort. (Federalism, what a concept.) If any official needs to be blamed for the poor response to the storm's aftermath, it is the mayor of New Orleans.
Next election, New Orleans, elect a leader and not a political crony.

George Michael Raynor
McLeansville

I see that some of the media, particularly Molly Ivins, are accusing Katrina of being a racist because there were so many blacks affected by the terrible storm that came ashore near New Orleans and other places on the Gulf Coast.

With New Orleans being about 67 percent black, it would, in all probability, affect more blacks than whites.

I hardly think that Katrina looked the situation over and said to herself that the right place to come ashore is New Orleans because she is a racist and doesn't like blacks.

Also, again, some of the media, and again, particularly Molly Ivins, are somewhat placing the blame on President Bush and his administration. I'm sure that the president had a nice conversation with Katrina and told her if she was coming ashore in the United States that the best place would be the Gulf Coast, particularly New Orleans, Gulfport, Biloxi and Mobile, because she could do more damage there and cause the minorities all kinds of problems.

President Bush did not cause the hurricane. Hurricanes have been happening for centuries, and God bless all those people who are suffering so much.

Bernard L. Zales
Greensboro

On Aug. 31, I found your choice in headlines very disrespectful to the people in the Gulf Coast states. This hurricane is one of the largest tragedies in the United States in my lifetime, and you chose to headline that the lottery won in one of the biggest fonts I've seen in the News & Record. You made the hurricane look like a small incident and the lottery being passed a major breakthrough that would change many people's lives.

Let's go back to a couple of days in history and see what the News & Record would have said if the lottery had passed on those days.

Dec. 8, 1941: "LOTTERY PULLS OFF WIN! Disturbance in Hawaii."

Sept. 12, 2001: "LOTTERY WINS! Planes crash in New York."

I think you posted the lottery win so large because it will advertise in your newspaper and you will make a bunch of money.

To make up for this extreme moral error, I challenge the News & Record to donate the first $50,000 that it makes for lottery advertisements to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Program.

Brian Sanders
Greensboro

The writer is 12 years old.

Editor's note: Landmark Communications, the News & Record's parent company, has donated a total of $1.25 million to Katrina relief efforts.

I wanted to compliment Mark Sutter on his "Fast Forward" column (Sept. 3). I travel with my husband on business and frequently encounter the same situations that Mark described in the article.

We certainly have to drive in a defensive manner today to guard our safety. The sad realization is that those who create unsafe conditions on our highways are the people who will not read the article or even read the newspaper.

Again, I appreciate Mark's attempt to make us more aware of the conditions on our highways.

Carolyn Dickson
Stoney Creek

I always thought that the National Guard was our last (or first) line of defense against possible attack. I thought that they were supposed to be there for immediate disaster relief and rescue, and to preserve order during emergencies.

Unfortunately, the Bush administration thinks that the Guard should be overseas doing the job of the regular Army with less training and lower pay.

All National Guard, men and women, stationed in foreign countries should be brought home. They are needed here. Homeland security begins at home.

Chuck Mann
Greensboro

My brother, Tony, was killed in Vietnam in another unpopular war. My father and Cindy Sheehan both chose to anesthetize their pain through irreconcilable anger, rather than forgive those responsible and grieve the deaths of their sons.

At the Vietnam Wall recently, I spoke with two vets who are still dealing with "their war." One blames the government. The other blames himself for coming home when many didn't.

Anger without forgiveness turns to bitterness, stealing one's life away.

My message to Cindy is to grieve her son's death. I pray the One who gave His only Son will cause His grace to abound to her.

Gloria Koster
Greensboro

I wonder about the amount of criticism the Bush administration would be experiencing one week out from Hurricane Katrina if the president had moved as quickly to aid the Gulf Coast residents as he did to announce plans to fill the Supreme Court chief justice vacancy.

Ginger Burkhead
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Lloyd W. Bailey

Regarding CAFTA and the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas: We recognized that pro-CAFTA forces would wield enormous pressure on individual congressmen to pass CAFTA. The White House said, "Failure is not an option."

Rep. Jim Kolbe, R-Ariz., accurately predicted that House leaders would "twist some Republican arms until they break in a thousand pieces."

The U.S. House of Representatives voted on CAFTA around midnight. When the official 15-minute time limit ended, CAFTA was defeated. Then House leaders violated the rules to extend the vote while they shamelessly coerced or bought "yes" votes until CAFTA passed.
Why the frenzy over trade?

Cited were economics, aiding democracy in poor Central American countries, and the Bush administration's political credibility. The real reason is that globalists regard CAFTA as an important stepping-stone to their even more dangerous FTAA, which would merge 34 Western Hemispheric countries into one economic and political government modeled after the European Union.

Undisclosed is that FTAA is part of the international power elite's ongoing agenda to subordinate the United States to a world government. CAFTA aids this subordination by transferring U.S. authority to unelected international officials. This is unconstitutional.

The sworn duty of a representative is to defend the U.S. Constitution from such encroachments. Ignoring this, Robin Hayes changed his vote and enabled CAFTA to pass.

CAFTA is a hollow victory. We are heartened because many opposed it and are waking to the "free trade" deception that is freely trading away U.S. liberty. Citizens must now stop the FTAA. "Failure is not an option."

The writer lives in Rocky Mount and is chairman, Citizens Committee to Stop the FTAA of North Carolina.

A sincere and hearty thanks for the News & Record interview with Commissioner Bruce Davis (Sept. 4). It's refreshing to find that Davis is on record against seeking a second term as chairman of the board.

Unfortunately, however, Davis quite simply pretends an intelligence his responses betray. His responses were puzzling. He waffled. He babbled. He contradicted himself. He missed the point. His inability to grasp the context of the interview questions and his obsessing on how the Board of Commissioners doesn't operate with the tyrannical efficiency of a military unit -- "Don't ask questions. Just do what you're told" -- are truly frightening.

Particularly disturbing are Davis' comments about "not learning until it was too late" that the esteemed State Bureau of Investigation and the august N.C. Department of Revenue were the wrong agencies to launch an investigation against Tax Director Jenks Crayton. Hello? These are the very state agencies to investigate the charges the board Democrats leveled against Crayton. Duh. And, what did Davis mean about being "too late"? Too late for what?

Whatever. I am encouraged that Mr. Davis has chosen to step out of a spotlight that has been too revealing of his myriad inadequacies, completely overshadowing his several virtues.

Lonnie Groendes
Greensboro

Believing their best defense is a loud, vocal offense, feckless and inept New Orleans and Louisiana officials, with "mainstream media" trumpeting their outraged accusations, launched a broad frontal PR assault trying to pin blame on the Bush administration for what were in fact their own dismal responses to Hurricane Katrina.

Two illustrations, among many, of their incompetence:

1. The city of New Orleans’ Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan directs the mayor "to use all available resources to evacuate … those unable to transport themselves." However, news video shows more than 200 city transit and school buses flooded, still in their parking lots, never used to transport any New Orleans citizens.

2. With Katrina more than a full day away in the Gulf, President Bush declared a state of emergency for states presumed to be impacted. That action allowed those states’ governors to do the same, activate their National Guards and ask for specific federal assistance. After waiting … and waiting … and waiting, the president finally called Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco urging her to issue an order. The governor responded she needed 24 more hours. Now, who does it sound like was still on vacation?

Any list of heads to roll for this fiasco should begin with Mayor Ray Nagin and Gov. Blanco.

Michael Crouch
Greensboro

Regarding Charles H. Ott’s letter, "Letters against Bush reflect deep opposition" (Aug. 30):

Mr. Ott, because you dislike President Bush, that does not make him a bad president. It is a known fact that the liberal media dislike President Bush, which is 99 percent of the media, which print negative and distorted articles about him. That does not make him a bad president.

Howard Dean and the Democratic Party dislike President Bush. That does not make him a bad president.

Mr. Ott, have you heard about the "silent majority"?

The silent majority study the issues, separate fact from fiction and express their opinion at the voting booth, not in the media.

Verna Shuford
Randleman

Ostensibly there to do whatever it is celebrities and politicians do, Barbara’s husband and his new buddy Bill visited the refugees of Katrina. Barbara Bush (perhaps bored?) was speaking to Marketplace Radio reporter Bob Moon and had this to say about her new neighbors, the current residents of the Astrodome: "Almost everyone I’ve talked to says, 'We’re gonna move to Houston.’ ... What I’m hearing, which is sort of scary, is they all want to stay in Texas. Everybody is so overwhelmed by the hospitality. And so many of the people in the arenas here, you know, were underprivileged anyway (chuckles), this is working very well for them."

That chuckling you hear is evidence of a disdain for the lives of ordinary people evident in the administrations of both her husband and son and the GOP as a whole.

On the Senate’s agenda when the recess ends: the repeal of the estate tax, by definition a tax cut for the top 2 percent that the nonpartisan CBO says will empty the coffers of charities like the Red Cross.

Juan Vasquez
Greensboro

I can remember in my mind’s eye the dinner bell from our old farmhouse back when I was a teenager. When dinner was ready, Grandmother would ring the bell. If you were working in the fields, that ringing sounded so good.

The ringing meant you should hurry home to a good hot meal and a chance to rest up for a couple of hours. If you had been working in the heat since sun-up, you were ready for that rest period.

Sometimes, unfortunately, we forget how much we have in common with the victims of Katrina. But for the grace of God, we could be the ones in need.

Greensboro has stood up and said, "Send me your tired and hungry." You can be proud of your city and your local Red Cross.

We all want to help; the question is how? Make your "joyful noise" a donation to the Red Cross. It would be like pulling down on the rope yourself and ringing that dinner bell.

Skin color is unimportant. They are our brothers and sisters. They need hope.

They need to know that all Americans care.

Billy F. Hammack
Greensboro

After reading your editorial on class sizes and teacher assistants (Sept. 15, not posted), I was concerned that you quoted information from the Department of Public Instruction regarding class sizes at Colfax Elementary and Peck Elementary that paints a very inaccurate picture of actual class sizes. If you had checked with the schools or district office, you would have found that there are no classes at Colfax Elementary with 26 students in third grade. Our district will not allow class sizes in third grade to exceed 24 students without correction. The average on our day 10 report for class size in third grade at Colfax is 22.4, which means classes there have 22 and 23 students. Also, Peck Elementary has been allocated teachers which result in class size averages of 16.7 in third grade.

Providing misleading information did not advance your arguments about class sizes and teacher assistants. All Guilford County elementary schools as of today have been allocated enough teachers to meet and exceed in all cases the North Carolina standards for class sizes.

Michael Harris
Greensboro

The writer is chief human resources officer, Guilford County Schools.

Editor’s note: The editorial used information provided on the schools’ Web sites.

In the aftermath of being hit by a hurricane, we were hit with stark reality: There is no true leadership in the United States. George Bush is a leader in name only. Adrift in a sea of ineffectual "appointees," thousands have suffered, many perished and our country is disgraced by an out-of-touch government. No one was in charge and, typical of this administration, no one is taking responsibility for the failures.

The American value of helping those least able to help themselves was ignored, and apathetic "leaders" were absent. As David Brooks observed in The New York Times, "The first rule of the social fabric -- that in times of crisis you protect the vulnerable -- was trampled. Leaving the poor in New Orleans was the moral equivalent of leaving the injured on the battlefield."

Where were our leaders? On vacation. It is clear to see how dangerous the incompetence of this administration is for our future. It has been said that the first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. Violence continues in Iraq; domestic security and our economy are at risk, yet we are being led by a man oblivious to reality.

Ann L. Robinson
Greensboro

Having read the column by David Brooks, "The storm after the storm" (Sept. 6, The New York Times), I realize how intellectually deprived we are due to the decision of the News & Record to drop his column (and Tom Friedman’s) from the paper.

Brooks nailed the problem of the stranded victims of the hurricane in New Orleans (not a white face among them) as being racial. We need his wisdom.

Marietta Wright
Greensboro

The front page of our Aug. 31 News & Record featured two tragic humanitarian stories with lasting consequences: "Lottery pulls off win" and "Two levees fail, drown New Orleans." One is enough to create depression, but two on one day are hard to take.

I applaud the editorial position regarding the high level of manipulation and deceit that occurred in our state government to pass the lottery. I know a poor family that will spend children’s lunch and clothes money to buy these tickets in what we know will bring them nothing but more poverty.

Statistics bear out that they will not win, and who loses again and again? It will be the children of poor families.

When I hear the slogan, "Children First," I know it really means nothing to the greed of politicians. I have been so proud of our state for being different and taking the higher ground, but on Aug. 30, our levee also failed. Poor children and those addicted to gambling will pay the price for years to come.

Diane Lomax
Summerfield

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Betty T. Kane

Our children attend an excellent school by any rational measure of performance. Our diverse student body achieved across-the-board excellent end-of-year test scores. Approximately 95 percent of third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students tested are proficient in reading and math, which has been the case for the past five years. All 21 of our subgroups met the standard for Adequate Yearly Progress under the No Child Left Behind federal legislation (approximately one-third of Guilford County’s elementary schools and three-fourths of its middle and high schools did not. Our faculty and staff are excellent by any measure; however, it is their commitment to each student that is building the foundation for our students to become lifelong learners and positive contributors to their communities. Parent involvement further enriches educational opportunities for the children and parents. Any child, parent, teacher or staff member at Jefferson Elementary will vouch for its excellence.

As reported in the News & Record on Aug. 5, the 2004-05 result for Jefferson, with its 95.4 percent score, was "NR" for "no recognition" because, in effect, we did not show improvement from last year’s impressive results of 96.5 percent. Therefore, our teachers and assistant teachers will not receive the bonus from the state that accompanies the required benchmarks for increases in our score. The only elementary schools in Guilford County that scored higher than Jefferson were Brooks Global with 95.7 percent and Summerfield Elementary with 97.7 percent, both of which deserve praise for achieving the required numbers to demonstrate growth.

Our teachers and students worked extremely hard to achieve these impressive levels of proficiency. We take pride that Jefferson is one of less than 60 percent of Guilford County schools that met the challenging federal goals. We find fault, however, with the North Carolina ABC’s accountability model that penalizes the teachers and staff at a school like Jefferson when it clearly demonstrates excellence but may not achieve a minuscule measure of continued growth beyond 95 percent. We should be focusing more attention on those schools where the scores are at 75 percent and below, rather than exerting more pressure on our top-performing schools. At some level -- certainly at 95 percent -- excellence should be presumed and all schools should be recognized by the state. We urge the N.C. Department of Public Instruction and the state legislature to rethink and alter these standards.

The writer is president of Jefferson Elementary PTA.

I read, with no small degree of interest, your interview with Guilford commissioners Chairman Bruce Davis (Sept. 4). I'd like to personally thank Mr. Davis for clearing up a few points. To wit:

-- Despite that fact that the several agencies found no transgressions on the part of Tax Director Jenks Crayton, Davis not only believes that his allegations were "the truth" but that subsequent investigations found no evidence of wrongdoing because "we picked the wrong people to deal with these situations." Apparently, Davis does not like to be confused by the facts in his rush to judgment.

-- When pressed on who should have conducted the investigation, Davis said it was time to move on since "we exposed what the truth was." Excuse me, Bruce, but all investigations cleared Crayton; what "truth" was revealed? And you wonder why people got upset.

If the interview revealed anything, it showed that Guilford County government is being run by a man who has never made a mistake and who is apparently unencumbered by fact and reality. Were he in a lesser position, his approach might be funny, but the fact is that such a man is a pitiful excuse for leadership in our community.

W.H. Nash
Greensboro

If I can get a receipt for cash and lottery tickets, I should be able to get a receipt for my vote.

Brenda King
High Point

We have three traffic-related epidemics: speeding, red-light running and cell-phone use while driving. Along with speeders, the number of red-light runners is high. The red-light camera was an excellent start to try to control this, but of course this has been thwarted, apparently by the greed of the school board. It seems that if our officials really cared about this problem, they could have worked something out instead of just shutting off the cameras. One lame excuse against cameras is that one may be rear-ended by the person behind them while stopping at a camera corner. This goes back to the speeding problem and also following too closely.

I have seen red-light running and gross violations of other laws by those on the phone. The lawmakers have come close to passing laws to curb this but cannot reach a decision. One excuse is that cell phone use takes a hand away from the wheel, and they would have to ban anything else that takes a hand from the wheel. That is bull. The reason for these accidents is that the user is thinking about the phone call, not the driving.

R.E. Morris
Greensboro

Let's see. The lottery in North Carolina is dead this year by 26-24. But wait. One opponent is too ill to attend a session. Another is on his honeymoon. So let's call a vote. The result is 24-24, no lottery.

Our esteemed lieutenant governor casts the deciding "yes." With all this money now available, our education system will leap to 45th in the nation. Will it really improve our education system? Naw.

I remain completely pro-education.

John P. Kelly
Greensboro

I was listening to NPR when a caller said Katrina was the will of God. I turned it off.

God only wills that we do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God. "Events happen as random as rain, which means God is present in them not as their cause, but as the One who even in the hardest and most hair-raising of them, offers us the possibility of that new life and healing. I can speak with some assurance only how God was present in the dark time for me in the sense that I was not destroyed by it but came out with scars that I bear to this day, to be sure, but somehow the wiser and stronger for it" (Frederick Buechner, "Listening to Your Life"). Buechner is a retired Presbyterian minister.

May the stretching of our hearts fill us with compassion.

Gaylord Hageseth
Greensboro

A registered Republican, I've never voted for Bush. Gov. Bush's claims to fame were building a stadium (with unmaterialized federal funds) and improving schools (Texas' 2005 school performance shows only 80 percent "acceptable"). Why so dismal? Bush hasn't patience for (1) investigation, (2) prioritization, (3) follow-through.

Lack of leadership continues: the war in Iraq (erroneously commenced, seemingly unplanned), No Child Left Behind (federal standards/sanctions with woefully inadequate federal funding), and environmental upheaval (global warming's a myth, wetlands inconsequential, pollution doesn't matter).

Tragedy in New Orleans prompted Bush to say on "Good Morning America" (Sept. 1) that no one "anticipated the breach of the levees." Please. The Weather Channel knew. The New Orleans Times-Picayune stated (June 8, 2004) that federal cuts "all but stopped major work" on the levees in order to fund Iraq.

An indifferent Bush told Bob Woodward in "Bush at War," "I'm the commander, see, I don't need to explain ... that's the interesting thing about being president." Asked how history would judge his decisions, Bush replied, "We'll all be dead."

I might be dead, but my children face an increasingly dismal legacy under Bush's incompetent, arrogantly uncaring leadership.

Meredith Millard
Greensboro

This paper and many other news groups are blaming what happened in New Orleans on the federal government. If there is anyone to blame for this disaster, it is a city government that seemed to have no plans for a death trap that was set many years ago when a city was built 12 feet below sea level and surrounded by water.

This thing will happen again because the American people will build it back. Let the city be rebuilt, but let us move our refineries to higher ground.

Also get rid of that foul-mouthed mayor who had no plans to deal with something he knew was coming. Blame old George Bush for the world's troubles. I would have expected by now that some terrorist organization would have taken credit for the storm and deaths.

We can take care of the refugees from our Southern states if we can take care of the illegals streaming across our borders.

Ken Sawyer
High Point

This letter is in reference to the adverse effects caused by a rezoning petition submitted to construct 35 townhomes on New Garden Road, a single-family residential area. This petition was denied by a split vote of the zoning commission and went to the City Council, which approved it.

Before purchasing our house, we checked the zoning to ensure that we would live in a single-family residential neighborhood. For the last two months, we have listened to high volumes of unremitting construction noise. Now they are dynamiting, and our house shakes as if in an earthquake, cracks appearing in walls and ceiling. The results of city decision-making not only affect the economics of an area, but also the tranquility and desirability of a neighborhood.

Sitting in a nice, comfortable council chamber, and living in neighborhoods immune to rezoning, council members have no idea of the consequences on the nerves and mental attitude of their decisions. I feel helpless, powerless and disenfranchised. I hope that more than economic and political interests influence the decision-making process in the future.

Lewis Amendola
Greensboro

Rosemary Roberts refers to the stark differences between blacks and whites as haves and have-nots in her column (Sept. 9).

Blacks have supported the Democratic Party for 75 to 100 years and they are still poor and underprivileged. Maybe they should review their position and see if they can support a party that will work to their best interest.

After 75 years of poverty, a change could not hurt since they have no way to go but forward.

Bill Robinson
Greensboro

Shame on us. Recently, the News & Record published the latest census numbers regarding poverty -- our poverty rate is 12.7 percent.

The federal government defines poverty relative to family size. A family of four living on an income below $18,850 is living in poverty.
How many of you could live on that income?

While I couldn't find 2004 statistics on the Census Bureau Web site for North Carolina, I did find these interesting facts:

According to 2002 data, more than 1 million North Carolinians live in poverty, as do more than 54,000 people in Guilford County. In addition, the average poverty level in North Carolina for 2002-2004 was 14.8 percent. Only 10 states have a higher average poverty level. For shame.

It's time for us to re-examine how we use our resources. There are things you can do to educate yourself about poverty and to relieve poverty.

Some suggestions: Read "God's Politics" by Jim Wallis; mentor a child; volunteer at a homeless shelter; make a charitable donation; vote with the good of the community in your heart and mind.

Just do something. If each of us who is able does just a little bit, the results could be staggering.

Laura Druebbisch
Jamestown

How can there be a question about whether FEMA's response to Hurricane Katrina was adequate? We witnessed the answer to that question when we watched the horrible truth of the matter on Wednesday (Day 3) and Thursday (Day 4).

Four days after the hurricane had left the area, we watched on Cable News Network as U.S. citizens died of dehydration while waiting for FEMA. Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath were foreseen events. FEMA knew it was coming to the Gulf Coast region, and still hundreds died because of the federal government's inadequate response.

The question should not be whether or not FEMA officials are fired. The question should be how many counts of involuntary manslaughter do we charge them with.

Jacqueline Bailey
Greensboro

As a resident of Greensboro, I am outraged at how difficult it is for past felony offenders to gain employment. We are what I call "Generation F," individuals who have paid their debt to society but still can't find gainful, permanent employment.

Many of us are nonviolent offenders who have taken great strides to turn our lives around, only to be slapped in the face with criminal background check history that may be more than 10 years old, time and time again. I find it extremely hard to find out where punishment stops and redemption begins.

All we want is to be able to support our families and be productive, taxpaying citizens like everyone else. Instead we are reduced to being slave workers for temporary services. Who gets rich on the backs of the working poor?

It's a known fact that unemployment and poverty breed crime. We can reduce the welfare rolls and the prison population if we would give ex-felons equal consideration and compensation based on qualification.
We all make mistakes, but does it have to be a life sentence?

He who is without sin shall cast the first stone.

Steven Walker
Greensboro

The leadership of the Guilford County school district is a frustration and embarrassment to me. A few years ago, Terry Grier received a substantial raise because student test scores improved. This year, test scores declined and he still received a raise, while stating that site-based management created the problem.

At the same time, teacher aides and classroom spending per child are reduced in elementary schools while new administrative positions are being created. When problems arise, no one in administration is held accountable. If the problem is severe, diversions are used to distract the public. Remember last year's transportation problems?
Fellow citizens, it is time for a change in Guilford County school leadership. My grandchildren's education is much more important to me than Terry Grier's personal and political agenda.

Randall Schultz
Summerfield

Sprawl is a "Level-5 Virus"' for U.S. cities.

An increase in population produces the arithmetic appearance of a growing tax base; however, hidden infrastructure costs progress in "geometric" leaps -- at first invisibly and later dramatically. Taxes climb while services such as water, police, schools, traffic and fire degrade.

Greensboro's growth/annexation policies seem to be sprawl-centered. Would a broad-scale demand from the populace hold its own against the advertising, marketing and media manipulation of pro-growth moneys? With contradiction, successful "slow-growth" propositions in other cities demonstrate that these cities hold something wonderful. Soon protective legislation is replaced by "pro-growth" rulings tied intrinsically to developers and marketers.

The need for "jobs" is the argument of real-estate interests to attract industry. The net result is the same everywhere: a large increase in taxes to pay for failing infrastructure. The sprawl-virus is a systemic cancer and the de facto standard of "market capitalism."

How might our fine city assure a lasting infrastructure through an immutable slow-growth program?

Matthew Baumgartner
Greensboro

It doesn't take too much imagination to envision an even more dire situation than the one that exists in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina: What if a major terrorist attack had taken place simultaneously? The disgraceful performance of the current administration would have been even more underwhelming.

It is time we had some actual leadership in this country (rather than the "compassionate conservatism" hot air that George W. Bush and the Republicans have been blowing for the past six years). We need a program of universal national service, wherein every kid graduating from high school is trained as a member of the National Guard.

Maybe then we could stop being a nation of victims and be able to respond quickly and efficiently to the natural and man-made disasters that seem to be coming at us with clockwork regularity.

However, I wouldn't look for a plan involving a shared sacrifice from an administration that fights a "war on terror" with tax cuts.

Kent Boyles
Greensboro

We know that the News & Record has changed its front page to contain more local stories. But I was surprised to see a good article about our great N.C. A&T marching band spanning two-thirds of the front page on Sept. 11 while local news items were relegated to other pages. I was even more surprised to see the article continue for two more full pages.

In the coming five Sundays, I hope that you will surprise me again by publishing front-page articles about our other fine local schools of higher education, Bennett College, Greensboro College, Guilford College, Guilford Technical Community College and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

J.R. Fleagle
Greensboro

As many struggle with ways to help with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, I feel such pride in being an alumna of Greensboro College, where community, fairness and the acceptance of all were taught to me. This wonderful institution of higher education is pitching in to help those affected by Hurricane Katrina.

To my knowledge, support has come in the form of monetary donations, baby bags, clothing, food and many other ways from individuals, faculty, sports teams, student organizations, alumni and many others.

However, one thing has really touched my soul and encouraged me more than the others. President Craven Williams and the Greensboro College admissions office announced that any student who had been enrolled in a two- or four-year institution of higher education is eligible to enroll tuition-free for the fall 2005 semester, and will only be charged for room and board. What a gracious gift to freely hand out -- to be able, in the midst of turmoil, to have stability in the form of a continuous education.

To President Williams, GC staff and faculty, and all GC students, thank you for possessing spirits that enable you to welcome all into the college family. I am proud to be associated with such an organization.

Amber McKinnon
Greensboro

Please tell me what is going on. I was involved in a hit and run Aug. 26. I immediately called 911 and told them what had happened, then I called my husband. My husband arrived and, as he got there, the police were not yet there. I called 911 again and was told all the police in the district were busy and I would have to wait until one was free.

The police arrived, took the report and gave me a number to follow up in a week.

I called on Thursday only to be disappointed again by the police department, to find out the investigative report that assigns a detective had not even been started — or if it had, it had been misplaced.

I called back on Friday to find out that a supervisor has to approve the report once it is completed, and due to the time of day and because Monday was a holiday, this report probably would not be approved until Tuesday -- and then a detective would be assigned.

At this point I have no confidence in the Greensboro Police Department.

Christie Benoy
Greensboro

I am ashamed of the governor and Democratic leadership who rigged the vote on the lottery.

What message are they sending our youth? Sen. Basnight surely knew what he was doing sending the senators home, promising they were done for the year. I am saddened by such dishonesty and lack of integrity.

I wrote Gov. Easley and my representatives on July 19, stating that North Carolina has had some great leaders in the past; some Democrats, some Republicans. Many of these leaders had to deal with a poor economy but were disciplined and wise in cutting expenses to equal revenue.

The subject of a lottery has previously arisen, but leaders maintained high values and avoided instituting gambling as a solution for balancing the budget. I wrote each stalwart Democrat, thanking them for their courage, urging them to continue their stand. In spite of tremendous pressure, they stood firm against a lottery, but they were tricked.

The lead editorial in your newspaper said of the vote, "It all adds up to a dishonorable public policy. Nothing will be gained, but much will be lost. The first casualty was the state's integrity."

Mary E. Townsend
Jamestown

The missteps of the Katrina episode provide clear examples of what to do and what not to do at every level of government. A blue-ribbon commission will surely isolate them for action.

Meanwhile, I have four suggestions for immediate consideration for the most obvious problems.

Permit immediate federal action under posse comitatus and the Insurrection Act when natural disasters and terrorist attacks occur without waiting for local and state approval. Then the federal government would be clearly accountable for the timeline.

Promote the black lieutenant general in New Orleans and put him in charge of any military units used in such actions.

Turn FEMA over to the Wal-Mart Corporation. They have the experience and distribution system, and the Katrina experience firmly demonstrated that they knew what to do and did it.

Implement the recommendations of medical personnel on the ground from the beginning throughout the geographical scope of Katrina. If FEMA or any other agency of the federal government balks at this, turn it over to Wal-Mart.

Finally, an astute Congress will someday push for repairing the physical and educational infrastructure of this country and authorize an ongoing program by locking a percentage of the federal budget in for that purpose.

Harris L. Johnson
Greensboro

I have been following the news on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. I was just curious about the checks in the mail. Where exactly is FEMA planning on sending the checks to the people who have lost everything and are staying in temporary shelters?

At a time when FEMA should be "moving forward," as they are putting it, they are just treading water if not moving backward.

Another thing: What type of Internet access does a person who has just lost everything, except for the shirt on their back in some cases, have? Our government officials need to get off of their cushy sofas, cut through the red tape and get serious about helping these people, instead of talking about the heck of a job that has been done when clearly there is so much left to do.

Leslie Dean
Greensboro

The article, "I want to see Dos" (Sept. 1, News & Record), should give many reason to pause and ponder the real purpose of this "social engineering" program. For what possible reason do our first-graders need to be immersed in Spanish or any other language? They already have a perfectly fine language to read, write and converse in. It is called English and it is the language of our country, in spite of the many who wish to Balkanize the country with bilingualism.

Having come from a bilingual country, I can assure you that this practice only results in a separation of ethnic groups, ethnic distrusts and, at times, open hatred and rebellion. This, of course, would delight the many in America today who think they would prefer living in a communistic system.

Although seemingly harmless, this "Spanish Immersion" program is a small portent of what we will have as Americans cease being Americans and pursue "globalism" and other fantasies of a better system of government.

Still sleeping? Wake up.

Ian A. Millar
Kernersville

The primary responsibility for dealing with emergencies does not belong to the federal government. It belongs to local and state officials who are charged by law with the management of the crucial first response. First response should be carried out by local and state emergency personnel under the supervision of the state governor and his emergency operations center.

The actions and inactions of Gov. Blanco and Mayor Nagin are a national disgrace due to failure to implement the previously established evacuation plans of the state and city. Gov. Blanco and Mayor Nagin cannot claim that they were surprised by the extent of the damage and the need to evacuate so many people. Detailed written plans were already in place to evacuate more than a million people. If plans had been implemented, thousands of lives likely would have been saved.

Instead of evacuating the people, the mayor ordered the evacuees to the Superdome and Convention Center without adequate security and no provisions for food, water and sanitary conditions.

The Red Cross was refused permission by the Louisiana Homeland Security office to bring food and water to the Superdome, because they didn't want to "encourage people to go there."

Donald Bernstein
Kernersville

In the article, "World's cartoonists savor United States' pain" (Sept. 8), author Daryl Cagle insists that based on recent political cartoons, the people of this world are "finding pleasure in America's pain" regarding Hurricane Katrina. To be sure, there are some who are rejoicing at the loss, poor planning and embarrassment the United States is experiencing. Drawing on my recent three years abroad, I think the author is missing the big picture.

Much of the world's population is not celebrating this misfortune; they are not joyful about the suffering, but hopeful that it will somehow trigger a change in foreign policy. For the first time in recent history, a significant portion of the U.S. population is facing hardships often felt in other parts of the world.

Non-U.S. citizens are perhaps hopeful that the lack of food, clothing, shelter, adequate infrastructure and well-structured leadership will enhance leaders' notions of what happens to a community when basic needs are not met. Perhaps this new insight will positively affect foreign disaster and hunger aid, as well as making immigration policy, outsourcing practices and trade agreements more humane. World opinion will only shift when U.S. foreign policy protects basic resources for all.

Ryan Finch
Greensboro

Michael Skube's column, "Bin Laden makes mockery of Bush" (not posted, Sept. 11), sure sums up my assessment of this presidency. He failed, however, to mention Bush's sitting in that classroom for more than seven minutes four years ago with that puzzled, clueless look on his face. And, once again, this administration showed its "go it alone policy" when it initially snubbed the immediate aid offered by so many countries, aid that certainly could have saved a lot of misery for some.

Let's not hear from the right-wingers a few months down the road about how we are always rescuing the world and no one helps.

Paul Bradshaw
Greensboro

How quickly we have forgotten Sept. 11.

Sandra Bradshaw of Greensboro, a flight attendant on United Airlines Flight 93, grew up and lived in Guilford County. Have we decided that the sacrifices made by the heroes of Sept. 11 no longer merit our time and honor?

Where were the public remembrances of this terrible day? Where were our "leaders" today?

I hope your day was as peaceful and pleasant as those who lost loved ones on Sept. 11. I'm sure you'll be remembered as you have remembered these.

Marcus Kindley
Gibsonville

The consensus is that FEMA's (and other agencies') response to Katrina is unsatisfactory and the old FEMA would have done better.
While that may be true for now, the world will continue to change. We need to find some leaders who can proactively and successfully handle change with far less bumps in the road.

Don Williams
Greensboro

On Sept. 8, an article titled "Race gap persists in test scores" struck my attention. The statistical evidence declaring the low test scores among minorities was shocking to me. As a future educator, this information brought up certain issues that I will have to overcome.

I applaud your staff for making the community aware of the status of the educational progress of the students, but instead of simply rebuking the bad test scores, the children with high test scores should be also praised. Do not only give attention to those who may do poorly, but persistently encourage those who are excelling.

I also wanted to commend the teachers who spend extra time working with the children who have lower test scores. These educators are truly making a difference in a child's life. I commend you for the dedication and continued support of these children. Test scores will never rise unless more educators step up to the plate as you have. With the influence you give the children, my belief is that test scores will begin to increase. Thank you to those educators who obviously love children and are so dedicated to help them in any way possible.

Mari Beth Fargis
Greensboro

Americans who voted for Bush need to get one thing straight -- no matter how much he wants to avoid accountability, Bush lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. No matter how loudly he yells, "Don't play the blame game," while blaming everyone in the state of Louisiana for the criminal response to Katrina, Bush lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. No matter how hard Karl Rove uses Rush Dumbo and the Faux News Channel to push the new party line ("It's all the fault of Blanco and Nagin"), Bush lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. -- where the buck stops.

Bush and his lobotomized followers don't seem to get this simple fact. What part of "commander in chief" do they not understand? Evidently none of it because Bush has yet to demonstrate any competence in running this country anywhere but into the ground.

What will be his legacy? Dead Americans, at home and overseas. And that's all he'll have to show for eight years in office.

By the way, God bless Rosemary Roberts, Molly Ivins and people like them for daring to tell the truth.

Chuck Davis
High Point

Conservative commentator David Brooks said it first: "Katrina will cause a fundamental shift in American beliefs" (New York Times, Sept. 4). Katrina made us see ourselves, and we are ashamed -- because it didn't have to be this bad. Who will capture the public imagination in offering solutions? It could be us liberals -- if we don't gorge on blame, if we get practical and stay profoundly optimistic.

Katrina showed you can't abuse the environment to profit big business. You can't ignore American poverty, leaving the least to be rescued last. You can't ask experts to plan for disaster, and then let their plans die aborning in political bureaucracy.

We don't have to let large parts of the United States be sold out to big oil companies. We don't have to be heedlessly greedy, measuring ourselves by our SUVs. Business does not have to be heartless.

Costco pays nearly twice the wages of Wal-Mart and gives health benefits to twice as many workers -- and trounces Sam's Club in marketplace share (New York Times, June 17). We know what needs to be done. Katrina has given us the chance. We can, we -- must -- do it.

Amanda Smith
Durham

Michael Skube's opinion (Sept. 11) that "the president of the United States has no clue" in regard to the war on terror is ironic, given several of the statements he makes in the same commentary.

Skube notes that Osama bin Laden remains at large. I wonder what Skube would have done differently, in hindsight. If bin Laden is in Pakistan, as seems evident, would Skube suggest we send troops into a sovereign country, a nuclear power, whose president continues to take great personal and political risk in aiding us in the search?

Skube seems to have developed amnesia about the previous administration. Long before the election of 2000, many congressional Democrats tagged Saddam Hussein as a threat to peace that would have to be dealt with — someday. Further, the Sudanese offered Osama bin Laden's head on a plate to President Clinton. He declined. Is that the leadership Skube yearns for?

It is precisely because President Bush is leading the war on terror that he is a target of sniping from anti-American opportunists around the world. Failing to make hard choices because of a need to be liked is the definition of insecurity. The president suffers from no such failing.

Chris Cary
Gibsonville

Michael Skube doesn't get it ("Bin laden makes a mockery of Bush," Sept. 11). Bush, bin Laden and the military industrial complex depend on each other for job security. It's all one big cynical "game," and we regular citizens are the "pawns" (and the victims).

The more terrorists who are "bred" in Iraq, the longer the U.S. stays there and the more money certain mega-corporations make from this profitable, perpetual conflict. Bush needs the bin Laden threat and Iraq to guarantee the U.S. public's loyalty and provide an ongoing "distraction" during the rest of his term, while he continues to mismanage the country for his political and ideological goals.

Duncan Mitchell
Greensboro

In response to the letter suggesting what Goodwill Industries can do in assisting others impacted by the recent disaster, let me share what we have done.

First of all, the board of directors approved an allocation of $15,000 to the disaster relief fund to assist other Goodwill programs in meeting human needs. Though not a member of the United Way, we provided the Red Cross locally with more than $10,000 in vouchers so qualified victims could shop our 14 local retail locations.

We posted job positions providing opportunities for those seeking employment and have indicated our willingness to assist others through our programs.

Finally, we are able to provide materials and supplies to those programs directly assisting the evacuees on the Gulf Coast. We are encouraged by the efforts of many.

Goodwill will continue to work hard maintaining the trust and support of the general public by being good stewards. Core to our mission, "our business works so people can."

Richard Gorham
Greensboro

The writer is president/CEO for Goodwill Industries of Central North Carolina.

I pray that America will wake up and respond to the needless disaster of poverty, hunger and homelessness in our midst.

We are a nation of haves and have-nots. We watched on television in horror as families were stranded on roofs surrounded by floodwaters awaiting a long-delayed rescue. America's poor are still waiting for their long-delayed rescue. Because to most Americans, these hard-working, underpaid people have become and remain invisible.

Growing up in North Carolina, I watched events on television that were just as horrible as those people trapped in New Orleans. There were pictures of police officers with German shepherds and firefighters with water hoses confronting men, women and children standing up for their basic human rights as Americans. As a result of these horrors, our nation committed itself to civil rights.

These are the religious values that matter in our country. May we turn from our ways of indifference and complacency to a new day of justice and equality for all.

Rev. Mike Aiken
Greensboro

The writer is executive director, Greensboro Urban Ministry.

My son-in-law deserted my daughter, their daughter (5) and son (3). They were evicted from their home in 9-degree weather. Help was sought everywhere. If not for my wife and me taking them in, they would be homeless. My grandson has to sleep on an inflatable mattress for lack of beds and room.

Now all I hear is victims of Katrina and all the help, from the Red Cross to past presidents. Now they want to beg for my money after the way my daughter was turned down for housing, transportation, etc. I think not.

John Gourley
Greensboro

I am a career retiree from Guilford County Schools writing in response to Allen Daniel's letter calling for more accountability for falling test scores in our district. How dare he specifically target the district spokesperson, Dr. Barbara Zwadyk, asking for her removal from her duties because of the drop in SAT scores.

She is one of the most sensible, intelligent, caring and efficient administrators in the school system and works tirelessly to serve our students. Daniel's finger-pointing was hurtful to a brilliant educator who did not deserve those unkind words. His thinking is a prime example of "shooting the messenger."

Today's classroom is not the same as that from which he graduated in 1973. More students presently take the SAT. More doors are open to all students as we push them to achieve their highest potential. Teachers face many more challenges, restrictions, mandates, testing, paperwork, diversity, discipline problems and larger classes than teachers did in 1973.

Presently our system has many wonderful, dedicated teachers working to educate our children because they truly care.

Let's rally behind those caring teachers/administrators and offer our respect and support rather than our criticism. Most people would find it very difficult to walk a day in their shoes.

Cynthia Hanner Davis
Greensboro

My nephew, and thousands of other firefighters, volunteered to go help with disaster relief in New Orleans.

In Atlanta, they were put up in $400 hotel rooms, issued credit cards, cell phones and were assigned rental cars.

FEMA talked to them about discrimination and compassion. These men are professionals; they certainly don't need some idiot from FEMA instructing them about that.

Their assignment was to go clean toilets in the Houston Astrodome. They refused and asked why the people could not clean their own toilets. Next assignment, go to New Orleans and hand out pamphlets telling the people how to get aid. Those people didn't need pamphlets. They needed aid.

Two hundred were sent to the Atlanta airport to catch flights to New Orleans, but the airlines knew nothing about it. They are angry, and many firefighters have gone home due to the disorganization.

The school buses, which were under water, could have been used to get people out of town. Many people perished because someone did not release those buses.

I wonder what FEMA stands for? Billions of dollars are being wasted. Yes, I am angry -- and ashamed -- as every American should be.

Jimmy G. Wilson
High Point

I am writing to express my great disappointment with the school board's recent actions concerning the elimination of so many teacher assistant jobs.

New students continue to arrive daily at elementary schools in the northwest -- enrollment numbers are higher than expected and are still growing. If teachers are to teach, to the best of their ability, this ever-increasing number of students in the classroom, they need help. That help needs to come in the form of teacher assistants.

My children's elementary school does not have smaller class sizes, and they have a total of 5.5 assistants with an enrollment of 500-plus students.

The removal of so many teacher-assistant positions before the passage of the state budget and the start of the school year was extremely shortsighted. It has had a very strong negative effect on students, teachers and parents.

Please listen to the many people who spoke out on this issue at the Sept. 13 school board meeting. Lower class sizes where needed, fine. But please find a way to put assistants back where they are needed also.

Help the students by helping the teachers to do their jobs.

Lynn Magyar
Stokesdale

I can't tell you how incredibly disappointed I was in your coverage of the Sept. 13 school board protest. More than 100 parents, teachers and students rallied to protest the continual cuts to our school budgets. In particular the cutting of teacher assistants, who are critical to the learning environment of our students. These assistants are not a luxury; they are a crucial part of running a classroom. The more they are cut, the more our children's education is suffering, especially in primary grades where children are struggling to learn the basics of math and reading.

The News & Record ran zero photos of the rally and gave it little column space. Children were marching with signs in support of their teacher assistants. You couldn't find enough space for an issue that affects 67,000 students but you could run a full-page photo and huge article on 101 things to do with Ramen Noodles? Pathetic.

I've lost faith that the News & Record is in touch with issues that Guilford County citizens really care about.

Laura Kotz
Greensboro

It's stupid for people to be complaining about the lottery while there are more important things in the world.

People are calling for the defeat of lawmakers who favored a lottery. One can wonder how reasonable thinking people can fault anyone who helped pass a lottery for better schools and education.

Why aren't the masses calling for the defeat of politicians who are getting our military needlessly killed in the Middle East? They are dying in the area that contains the fourth-largest oil reserve in the world yet we have an "oil shortage." It's senseless for oil already in tanks to double in price.

There should be more calls for the election defeats of those who initially botched hurricane relief in New Orleans. If the hurricane had devastated Long Island, N.Y., or West Palm Beach, Fla., the response would have been very different than it was for the poor black Democrats in New Orleans. There's speculation that Cheney's old company, Halliburton, is being readied to rebuild the Gulf Coast area without bidding.

Administration officials resign without ever explaining who caused policy blunders.

M.H. Dalton
Greensboro

I opened the Sept. 13 News & Record to read in the top story, "Ophelia still churns offshore," that Gov. Easley said that the state was doing its normal storm preparation and that 300 National Guard troops were sent to mustering points along the coast. Don't believe that President Bush had anything to do with Easley's decision to deploy National Guard troops. Oh, by the way, they do report to the governor.

However, you also published a letter from Diane McClelland in which she bashes Bush for not doing the Louisiana governor's job of having the Guard already on the scene ready in the case of emergency. She also pretends that the troops are not available because they are deployed in Iraq.

I guess that Gov. Easley had a few National Guardsmen hidden away somewhere, or maybe he was showing some leadership and foresight that Louisiana did not, and Bush, as always, is being bashed.

Consistent, accurate information from the media is always needed so those of us who pay attention can make informed decisions.

William T. Linton Jr.
Greensboro

I find it incomprehensible that after more than 25 years since the banning of lead paint, we are still grappling with this significant health issue in children. It is time for a workable solution to be established. If universal testing is the answer, then so be it. Maybe this would help account for the 10 to 20 percent of elementary students in Guilford County classrooms with "developmental" issues that require significantly more attention and resources from teachers and staff.

Fix one problem and you just might fix another. Fix a few problems and, just maybe, Guilford County might be more attractive for better jobs, better opportunities and a better quality of life for everyone.

T. L. Kornegay
Greensboro

We need to test children for lead paint exposure, but the costs of testing and compliance enforcement are too high. Why not test only the children most at risk? Economically disadvantaged families with children are most at risk. These are the same families whose children receive free lunches at our schools.

Require proof of lead exposure testing as a prerequisite of receiving free lunches. Offer free lead exposure testing through county medical facilities. This puts the onus on the parents who should be the most concerned about their children's health and provides a financial penalty for failure to comply. It is important that parents take responsibility for the health and care of their children.

Ritchie C. Russell
Greensboro

I won the greatest lottery of all time. Everyone alive has defied the odds against being born. My parents are the only people who could have given me birth; no other combination would have done so.

My mother possessed in her body approximately 360 eggs. Of the millions of sperm my father produced in his lifetime, only one could fertilize one specific egg of my mother's to produce the unique me.

The odds against me or anyone being born are incredibly high. This is why I say I won the greatest lottery of all time. The prize for winning the lottery is life. But it's better than that.

I also won a space ship and a time machine for my consciousness to ride in while I am alive. I am free to walk and swim pretty much anywhere I want. With the help of machines, I can fly.

It is unfortunate that I can only travel forward in time, but I'll make do. With this line of thought in mind, abortion is like tearing up someone else's winning lottery ticket in the great game of life. It is what it is.

Richard Kohn
Greensboro

I was shocked to see attendance zones snake so far from a school and jump over other zones to find a mix of kids that will hide failure. The Guilford County school board has abandoned neighborhood schools to hide their failure to provide a quality education to children that need help the most.

If they provided true quality education at each school, what difference will redistricting make? Schools with low scores can easily be targeted for special help. It is normal for some schools to need help and we should provide this help, not bus these kids away from it.

As a measure of success, Grier has shown less than normalcy. SAT scores in our schools under his guidance have gone unimproved. Last year's seniors showed a significant drop in SAT scores, which were already among the worst in the nation.

Our schools are failing to provide opportunities to our children. How can the Triad grow if our schools can't compete? We need leadership on the school board that is willing to address the real issues, not bus them. The children of Guilford County deserve better.

Garth Hebert
High Point

Why do we need a parkway? Please, someone at the DOT -- have enough sense not to build a parkway on West Friendly Avenue between Holden and Westridge. The residents of this area should not have to drive up and back just to pull into their own driveways.

My husband is a retired captain with the High Point Fire Department. He had a different perspective than I did about this. How does the person feel who has called 911 and has to watch the fire truck or ambulance drive by their home to go to where it can turn around, to come back down the road to them?

This parkway makes as much sense as the one on Guilford College Road now under construction. A parkway is meant for a neighborhood like Adams Farm where no one's personal driveway is affected. Why not just add a center turn lane on Friendly or Guilford College, for that matter?

Leigh Anne Benoit
Jamestown

The main reason the price of gas has skyrocketed and other fuels will soon skyrocket is because of trade agreements the U.S. Congress enacted and because of greedy oil company executives. These trade agreements transferred millions of U.S. jobs to foreign countries.

These countries have prospered at the expense of U.S. workers and now these countries purchase more fuel. Increased demand or shortage of a product is no justification to increase prices. High fuel prices impact other products and services and will erode the economy.

President Bush should summon all fuel company executives to the White House and put pressure on them to lower fuel prices significantly. Congress should enact a law that will hold down fuel prices. Nationalized fuel companies would bring down gas prices and hold down other fuel prices.

It is unlikely Bush or Congress will take any action to stop the fuel companies from ripping off Americans. Both Bush and a majority of Congress accepted political campaign money from fuel company executives.

The U.S. Constitution directs the government to "promote the general welfare" of Americans. Bush and Congress have violated the Constitution by allowing the fuel companies to overcharge Americans.

James R. Hardy
Browns Summit

So sad to read about the children, ages 1 to 14, who were put in cages and made to stay there.

I think the adoptive parents should be put in cages and fed with bread and water for a long time.

People can always call for help if they are having trouble with their children.

Children should not be put in cages like animals, no matter what they do or have done.

No wonder the world and people are like they are.

We need more love for each other, but most of all, we need Christ first and foremost in our lives.

May the children get good homes and may God bless them now and forever.

Iris Newby
Eden

Three recent letters to the editor were interesting. Hank Powell, "If only we had chosen Kerry and Edwards" (Sept. 13) says, "Bush isn't very smart." If Bush, who showed greater intelligence than Kerry at Yale, isn't smart, what does that say about Kerry?

Robert Eldredge is an example of Democrats' passion for Marxism in "Comments about Chavez misguided" (Sept. 8). He should do another letter cataloging examples of "freedom and democracy" by Communists like Stalin, Mao, Castro and Pol Pot, compared to evil capitalists like the United States, Japan, Taiwan.

Roosevelt praised Stalin as a great humanitarian. Churchill cursed him for bragging of murdering 40 million Russians. Carter empowered Communist Sandinistas in Nicaragua. Clinton re-empowered Aristide in Haiti. Hollywood glorifies Marxism. Liberals have yet to meet one they don't love.

Robert Healy's "Protesting war is not anti-military" (Sept. 1) defended degrading remarks of Cindy Sheehan and other "peace" activists mostly financed and organized by Marxist front groups. Patriotism is about love for country. One doesn't condemn what they love. Loving parents don't criticize and humiliate their children with public punishment, but private. Such behavior, in the family or nation, is counterproductive.

Allen Bullard
Randleman

I read with interest a recent article in the News & Record concerning the proposed ban of Boeing 727 aircraft into the FedEx facility due to concerns about this aircraft's noise.

Before we go off into yet another diatribe over noise issues, let's keep in mind that the FAA has mandated that all commercial aircraft over 75,000 pounds must meet CFR 36 Stage Three noise restrictions. This law has been in effect since 2000.

FedEx has been a pioneer in the implementation of Stage Three Hush Kit retrofitting of older aircraft. Sharing much of the technology with the engines of the F-14 fighter, the JT8D engines without Hush Kits would rattle the fillings from your head at takeoff.

Stage Three means that all aircraft must meet a certain noise threshold based on a day-night average. Yes, a 727 sounds different than a DC-10 or an A300, but regardless, Stage Three applies to all aircraft.

Remember this the next time you buy something from an online merchant. A demand exists for a package delivery service, and an airplane will deliver the product and may even fly over your house to deliver it.

Guy Spiher
Winston-Salem

The writer is a FAA licensed inspector.

I do not know the identity of the unsung speech writers who composed President Bush's Sept. 15 address to the nation, but I applaud their eloquence.

It is ironic that this very eloquence underscores the appalling nature of President Bush's impromptu remarks uttered several days after Hurricane Katrina's Aug. 29 mayhem.

"Brownie, you're doing a heckuva job" and the statement that he looked forward to sitting on the front porch of Trent Lott's rebuilt home are more illuminating of Bush's capacity for heartfelt response.

When he speaks extemporaneously, our president consistently exposes how ill-equipped he is to do so and how out-of-touch he remains with the concerns of people who are not cronies, sycophants or well-heeled supporters.

Perhaps if Bush's writing staff was less adept at putting words into his mouth, the people who believe his scripted rhetoric might have a more accurate understanding of who Bush is and the views he truly espouses.

Susan Dean Wessells
Greensboro

I have a question. If FEMA, the Louisiana government, President Bush, and others, now being held responsible for the devastation left behind by Hurricane Katrina, would have responded faster and been prepared, would they have (acronym) Found Every Man Alive?

We point our finger. We ball our fist. We throw rocks. We throw sticks. And though we aim, sometime we miss, and an innocent bystander is the one we hit.

Albert Smith
Greensboro

After seeing the photo on the front page this morning (Sept. 9) of the MoveOn.Org crowd protesting the Bush administrations handling of the crisis in the Gulf States, Kayne West's bashing of Bush during the telethon, and Rev. Jesse Jackson's typical (and predictable) racial diatribes, I am reminded of exactly why liberal America is in the sorry shape that it can only blame on itself.

In the photo, it shows people milling around with professionally printed signs that say "Shame." The only shame is that the money George Soros and his MoveOn crew paid for those signs, and the money or goods the participants could have gathered by skipping the protest and working for the victims was wasted on a election campaign that I believe they think is still active.

Here's a reminder: Bush won. As for Bush's role, he was the first one to admit that he and his government's handling of the crisis was "unacceptable."

Where is Clinton's apology for his government's role leading up to Sept. 11?

Jay Boone
Greensboro

The other day I received a very absurd, disturbing e-mail. The writer insisted that the recent devastation in New Orleans was not due to Category 5 Hurricane Katrina, poor planning and response, or simply the aftermath of a natural disaster.

The author of this e-mail, which is evidently making its rounds through inboxes of small like minds, insisted all fingers be pointed at "welfare scum." It just happened the other day this irrationality ended up in the wrong inbox.

The author proved to be the elitist hypocrite where this kind of shallowness usually originates. Bigots attempt to justify their bias' and judgments of others.

Whether these attempts are fueled by blind and learned ignorance or hatred and animosity, they twist and turn every ounce of illogical thinking in efforts to create their very own narrow-minded masterpiece.

The hypocrisy lies in how most bigots enjoy coming across as dignified, noble and sometimes even patriotic with their hostilities.

Welfare recipients reside in large urban and small rural areas around the country. Each individual circumstance is not for anyone to judge.

One thing the author of this e-mail has proven with his words is that "scum" is not defined by socioeconomic status.

Terri Walton
Kernersville

If John Roberts' inquisitors were themselves nominees for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, one wonders how they would answer the same questions they are asking Roberts.

Francis L. Perkins
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Edwin G. Smith

I read with interest the column by Doug Clark concerning Randall Terry (Aug. 31), and also responses by two people, one who is the headmaster of Woodberry Forest School, and one who obviously had no idea of what she was saying.

I have lived in High Point for the better part of 60 years, and after Terry's death I wrote several letters to the High Point Enterprise, none of which was published. If you want the real facts about Terry, talk to some or all of the former employees of the High Point Enterprise. Terry gave absolutely nothing for the enhancement of High Point, and that certainly was his decision to make, because it was his money (or what was left to him by his daddy).

I have talked to several employees of the Enterprise before and after his death, and I have heard nothing good about him from them. He made sure the Enterprise would be sold to a "foreign" corporation, as has been done by other High Point firms that have depended on local folks for their business.

Again, it was his money and his right to dispose of it any way he wanted to, but a philanthropist he was not. His dogs should enjoy a great remainder of their lives, and I'm sure that Woodberry Forest would not have closed without his contribution. (I believe it's in Virginia, not High Point).

High Point has been blessed with great benefactors throughout its history, several of whom have passed on recently. Terry cared nothing about the city that supported him and his family, and again, that was his decision to make.

No one ever criticized Terry in life because they were afraid of how he would rail against them with his money and his paper. His dogs will eat the finest Puppy Chow, while his former employees wonder in amazement at how so many of their years were spent serving a city that no longer cares.

The writer lives in High Point.

This is in response to, "An old-age problem" (Sept. 19) [not posted].

Not only are baby boomers going to be affected by limited geriatricians, but if things don't turn around, there won't be enough nurses as well. Registered nurse shortages are at an all-time high.

The Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Health Care Organizations says more than 126,000 nursing positions are vacant with even more acute shortages in long-term care and home health. In addition, there is a shortage of master's and doctoral nursing faculty to educate students. There are an estimated 1,106 unfilled full-time faculty positions nationwide. Between 2003-2006, 784 more nurse educators will retire. Nursing schools are turning away thousands of qualified students from baccalaureate nursing programs.

By 2010, one baby boomer -- born between 1946 and 1965 -- will turn 65 every four seconds. Patients are living longer. Even more nurses who possess high-tech skill and knowledge will be needed. A long-term solution must be found to this medical crisis. Even if there are enough geriatricians, they and hospitals can't function without nurses.

Jean Trull
Greensboro

The writer is an RN at Wesley Long Hospital and will graduate in December with a master's in nursing education.

Regarding your Sept. 15 editorial, "Give teachers enough help," [not posted] which seems to suggest that we should lobby the county commissioners for additional funds for the school system: I do not believe that our school board has shown fiscal responsibility with its current allocation of funds. They implement programs not wanted by the families they were elected to serve, they continue to add to central office administration, and they continue programs at the request of a select few. Until such time as the school board demonstrates some responsibility with their current budget, I will not advocate the expansion of their budget.

Jeff Reep
High Point

The Katrina/Bush disaster has brought the global warming loons out in droves. I don't remember the same reaction to the Andrew/Clinton disaster. We know that Bush, by failing to sign Kyoto, caused Katrina. Did Clinton, by not signing Kyoto during his eight years, cause Andrew? I've forgotten who caused Camille, but no matter, you get the point.

Back to the global warming/global cooling lunacy. On April 28, 1975, Newsweek printed an article submitted by the "Global Climate Coalition" titled, "The Cooling World" which warned us of the coming disastrous effects of global cooling. The article warned us of "ominous" changes in the earth's weather patterns, and went on to list the coming cataclysmic events (within 10 years) that would befall us all, including a worldwide famine due to reduced agricultural production for a century. They spoke of the "mounting mountain of evidence" of global cooling.

Interestingly, as proof, they told us of, "the most devastating outbreak of tornadoes ever recorded," during the previous April. So according to the "global whatever" lunatics, hurricanes are caused by global warming and tornadoes are caused by global cooling.

Hey, I'm convinced, though I must have slept through the great famine of 1985.

Tony Moschetti
High Point

I read with great concern about the uncertain future of the Oakdale Cotton Mill in your article (Sept. 19). Just last week I drove to Jamestown with the express purpose of finding the mill, along with other local attractions mentioned in Clint Johnson's "Touring the Carolinas' Civil War Sites" (John F. Blair, 1996).

In light of this, I was somewhat disappointed that your article failed to mention that in 1862 and 1863 the mill operated as one of many small arms factories in the Jamestown-High Point area, reportedly producing more than 3,000 muskets for the Confederacy, and as such somehow escaped destruction by Union General George Stoneman and his raiders when they swept through the area in the spring of 1865.

How sad that we may lose, in the closing of the Oakdale Cotton Mill, not only more textile jobs, but yet another piece of our rapidly disappearing Civil War history.

Bobbie J. Higdon
Greensboro

Teachers across the Triad recently informed students that due to the need to ration paper, they would be receiving fewer lesson handouts. At this week's school board meeting we heard a report from Dr. Zhang, Terry Grier's new statistician hire at $120,000 a year, who offered statistical proof that minorities scored lower on the SAT than others. In conclusion, he said, "If we try harder, we can stay the same or perhaps improve our scores."

He then opined that "students watch too much TV." Alan Duncan then actually thanked him for "proving something we already intuitively knew."

Dr. Zhang seems like a very personable, intelligent man and his I.Q. probably exceeds the person who hired him by a factor of two, but $120,000 buys a lot of paper, and if Grier can't figure out on his own what statistics mean with his Ph.D., it could cover $1,500 for him to take a stats course so he wouldn't have to touch his own $210,000 salary.

Like any Guilford County parent who can fog a mirror, I could tell you how to cut expenses, get the kids some paper, and improve education in Guilford County with a confidence interval of 100 percent, but you already intuitively know.

John Gehris
High Point

As a long-time member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, I was offended by the caption that appeared with the photograph accompanying the story about Share-a-Home published on Sept. 17. The implication here, and in your original story about this problem several months ago, is that the church has callously cast a group of helpless senior citizens out on the street.

The fact, from our official church publication, is that "the two homes were inspected by an expert on the housing needs of older adults. The report identified a number of significant issues with respect to building codes, fire safety, and current senior residence standards."

These houses are not safe and suitable residences for these people, however much they may have enjoyed living there. That you have given Holy Trinity Church a "bum rap" on this issue is especially galling considering the incredible outreach efforts of our parishioners.

There is hardly a program in Greensboro involving ministering to the needy that does not benefit from donations of time and money from Holy Trinity Church. Currently the whole parish is supporting local Katrina victims.

We don't deserve your implications that we are a selfish and uncaring congregation.

Richard G. Cox
Greensboro

With all the wrenching images from the Gulf Coast, it's heartening to read articles like Amy Dominello's Sept. 11 account of the work of the N.C. Baptist Men helping with clean-up and repairs in Mississippi.

A friend sent me the article because it mentioned that Bernie Sheffield was one of the workers. In 1954, when I was a seventh-grader at Ferndale Junior High in High Point, I had a great crush on Mr. Sheffield, who was then a librarian at both the junior high and what is now Central High School. My adolescent fantasies certainly could not have comprehended the image of a 79-year-old man sitting on the roof of a house with a chain saw, offering a day's work that would be daunting to men half his age.

After reading Dominello's story, I think that even at age 12, I recognized a genuine hero. God bless Bernie Sheffield -- and all those who have seen these urgent needs and without any fuss, gone immediately to help their neighbors.

Mary Cox
North Miami, Fla.

The concept of same-sex marriage over the past decade, in my opinion, has seemed to invade the headlines, and at the same time has always seemed to create uproars of mixed emotions. Why this uproar? Well, one main reason behind this uproar involves religion.

Let's imagine that religion has been removed from the argument completely. The only thing left to hold back same-sex marriages is a mix of personal opinion and useless laws. Why should personal opinion, although seeming to be shared by the majority, control what two individuals wish to do with their lives? If two people, regardless of sex, are devoted enough to each other, they should have the choice to be legally wed. The same laws and benefits protecting traditional marriage should be given to same-sex marriages. After all, wouldn't it be the same state-issued marriage license?

Our government is looking for excuses to stop the way our modern society works. They have no right telling people how to live their lives.

Henry Deford
Elon

In his column (Sept. 18), Allen Johnson elaborates on the rude disturbances of theater audience members who constantly talk during a movie. His complaints are certainly justified.

But the growing discontent at the cinemas mentioned by Johnson more than anything else is due to weak and worthless scripts. All too often, that endless gabbing and chatter from close-by seats is as good as any dialogue you hear for two hours.

John W. Sparks
Greensboro

In response to Brenda King's letter (Sept. 17):

Right on, Brenda. Having moved from South Carolina 15 months ago, I returned to my birth state, North Carolina, thankful there was no legal lottery.

Now I, too, will ask for a receipt for my vote. The Democrats still rule, unfortunately. And I am disappointed. The lottery was slipped by many trusting voters.

Vail Allen (Ellis) Covington
Stoney Creek

Why is it so important that the cost of the rebuilding effort on the Gulf Coast not add to our current budget deficit? There seems to be little or no concern when the constantly escalating cost of the war and rebuilding effort in Iraq is added to the deficit. I have not heard a single politician remark that the war costs should be paid for by reductions in other government programs. In fact, if I remember correctly, Vice President Cheney remarked that we shouldn't be concerned about deficits because, he said, President Reagan proved that deficits don't matter. Are our priorities misplaced?

Joy Gann Brown
Mayodan

I truly hope, after reading the Sept. 18 article on the success of mandatory examinations for lead in children in New York, Baltimore and Massachusetts, the Guilford County coalition immediately revisits its decision. We are aware that very high levels of lead can have devastating health consequences, including death. And we know that even low levels of lead in the blood can be detrimental to a child's ability to learn.

Have we not learned anything from the recent tragedy of Katrina? The facts were known about possible consequences of inaction, but nothing was done. Surely this local decision isn't about race or economic status. But, when we start speculating about why the schools reportedly have so many unruly students, why there's an increase in criminal activity and drug usage, do we not see a possible correlation here? Can we step back from worrying about who is going to take the blame to worrying about saving children's lives? What if the victim happened to be someone you knew?

Cassandra K. Rogers
Greensboro

Your headline of Sept. 20 should have read, "Clearing way for sidewalks but no bike lanes," with the subhead, "Friendly Avenue will be widened 16 feet on each side so the city can build sidewalks and a median but no bike lanes."

Thomas L. Harmon Jr.
Greensboro

I'm not here to defend the Bush administration's reaction to Katrina. But it does seem to me that New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin has received far too much of a free ride from the media.

Nagin knew the storm was coming. He knew most of his city's residents were black and poor with no means of escape. He let buses sit idle and then be covered in storm water. He allowed thousands to languish in the Superdome with no food, water or sanitation, then said it was all Bush's fault.

The use of those buses was contemplated in the city's emergency evacuation plan. Sure, the federal government needed to help, but the first step ought to have come from the mayor. He stumbled, offering little more than profane rants in interviews. Nobody has asked him to justify his dismal pre- or post-storm decisions that border on criminal. Nary a word of criticism of the mayor from Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.

Speaking of those two, what have they offered to help storm victims? Nothing but irresponsible and inflammatory rhetoric while condemning the federal government. I wonder what they would have said of the mayor if he had been white. Well, no, I don't wonder. I know.

Fred Gregory
Greensboro

I strongly recommend the movie, "The Great Raid." It is America at its best. It remains the greatest rescue of Americans in our history.

In World War II, January 1945, our forces had begun liberating the Philippines and were near Manila. Thirty miles north was the Japanese POW camp, Cabanatuan, where thousands of Bataan Death March Americans had been imprisoned for nearly three years and starved, beaten and murdered by the Japanese. The able-bodied had been shipped to Japan as forced laborers in slave conditions.

A small band of young volunteer American Rangers was given the assignment to walk the 30 miles through Japanese lines, and, in a surprise night-time attack, crash the gates of Cabanatuan, annihilate the Japanese guards, and bring our boys back. They brought back 511 boys to safety with, I believe, one POW and two Ranger casualties.

See this movie, read the book, "Ghost Soldiers," and sense the pride and joy of being an American.

Tom Ward
Greensboro

American Red Cross versus local Red Cross. There was an article in the Sept. 10 paper about the cost to the local Red Cross to take care of the hurricane survivors if they came to Greensboro.

With all the millions being donated to the American Red Cross for victim relief, why are local Red Cross chapters not given a portion of this money when they are helping another state? Just where is the money going and for what is it being spent? It makes me think twice about giving to the American Red Cross versus the local Red Cross.

Joanna McCandless
Pleasant Garden

Editor's note: The majority of local Red Cross expenses for Hurricane Katrina relief will be reimbursed by the national office.

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Zepplyn S. Humphrey

I'm writing in response to the Counterpoint column on the Summit House program by Jackie Nelson (Aug. 27). I was glad to learn the program is still alive, as I had passed by the house recently and saw the condition of the facility.

Having served on the board of directors, I'd like to give credit to the founders of this program -- Linda Brown, Yvonne Johnson and Paula Pile. While serving on the Commission on the Status of Women, they became aware of young women from Guilford County serving terms in the Correctional Center in Raleigh for noncriminal offenses.

The program was established as a prison ministry to serve those women in local jails and prisons. Many left small children with families and in foster care. The first name was One Step Further.

After a visit to the center in Raleigh, it was learned these women had not been visited by families or seen their children. Also, the supervisor was male. Through the chaplain, a female supervisor was appointed and arrangements for visits with families were made. Buses from local churches took families and children for a Saturday picnic on the grounds. In the local jail, women had no recreation area or public telephone on their floor, and through the chaplain these were corrected.

Added leadership came from Judge Tom Ross, who gave advice on how to structure rules and regulate services, then the late John Kernodle was instrumental in fund-raising. When the house on Summit Avenue was purchased and the renovation process began, we ran out of funds. Starmount Presbyterian Church gave $10,000 for the completion.

Pat Gilbreth, the first house director, gave much to the program that brought it to the attention of then-Gov. Jim Hunt, who supported the establishment of facilities in Charlotte and Raleigh, which became known around the nation. I encourage churches and others to support this great program to help mothers in this area. Many have been college students whose lives have been greatly helped. I commend those who are still making a difference in the lives of these mothers.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

I live on Friendly Avenue and I'm not too happy about the loss of 14 feet or so of my front yard. Seven years ago when I bought my house, my Realtor told me this might happen. Well, it has come to pass.

It's funny how the residents were notified of the proposal to widen the road. There was a section in the paper announcing that a public meeting would be held to discuss the topic before the bond referendum (no one reads that information). But when they wanted the residents to attend a meeting to discuss which way we wanted to widen the road, they sent a letter through the mail to each of us.

I really don't know who took my land. I suppose it was the city of Greensboro and my local City Council member (who knew it would be unwise to run for office again). It's very clear our property is not our own, and as residents, our best interests were not a consideration.

I just want to make sure this paper doesn't try to put a positive spin on something most all the residents opposed. I guess you have to ask yourself the question, "Would it bother me to lose 14 feet of my front yard?"

John Logan
Greensboro

Like the nation, North Carolina faces the challenges of an increasingly older population, and the older residents are at greater risk of many chronic conditions for which stem cell research may hold the key.

The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (S. 471/H.R. 810) passed with bipartisan support in the U.S. House of Representatives, proving that this is not a partisan question but one of allowing medical research to achieve its potential for patients nationwide. A Senate vote on the bill is close at hand, and the stakes are high.

In a national poll released last month, Research!America (www.researchamerica.org) found that the majority of Americans (58 percent) support embryonic stem cell research and value our nation's ability to sustain its global leadership position in medical and health research.

As you cover this important debate, please acknowledge Sen. Bill Frist for his support for the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act and call on Sens. Dole and Burr to be responsive to the public's views and join Sen. Frist in supporting the act. Better health is what we stand to gain.

Victor J. Dzau, M.D.
Durham

The writer is chancellor for Health Affairs, Duke University, and president and CEO, Duke University Health System.

"Which America is this?"

In the Sept. 20 letters to the editor, the Rev. Mike Aiken ("Poverty in America") and John Gourley ("People here need help,") demonstrated two extremes of American thought. Rev. Aiken was right on target. The "have-nots" in America simply have not had a real choice about "not having." And though Katrina has been a hard lesson, I am saddened by the fact that a caring and giving spirit is not yet a universal feeling among us all.

Gourley's letter indicates that he is jealous of the help Katrina victims are getting compared to his daughter, who is suffering from hard times in general.

Similarly, many letters from heartless writers thought it was OK for our government to leave human beings stranded on roof tops for days. Loss and devastation have no color or economic status. Americans should see from Katrina that our immunity from the unthinkable is over. This time, it was poor minorities. But who is next?

Jean Jackson
Greensboro

While reading the News & Record recently, I was reminded of those days of what's best for the majority versus what's favored by special interests.

The phenomenon of new sidewalk construction -- often from nowhere to nowhere -- requires developers to reduce lot sizes or quantities to comply with misguided elected bodies that are more concerned with votes than reality. Most elected officials do not live with sidewalks and would recoil if asked to share the cost of installation on their properties.

Developers must increase selling prices of new construction, and elected bodies now alter annual budgets for sidewalk maintenance. Few neighbors use them and even fewer strangers.

In High Point sidewalks are being placed along both sides of North Main Street -- hard to imagine someone walking along there eating pizza from a large square box while shopping for an automobile.

In this mobile society, who will walk with filled grocery bags on dead-end sidewalks? Many old sidewalks are overgrown or simply covered with dirt, and walkers are few.

Construction and maintenance costs are questionable. With so many real needs one must wonder why?

There is a municipal election this year.

Al Campbell
High Point

A recent news article quotes First Horizon stadium's owner as saying there were "no noise complaints from Fisher Park" during the stadium's inaugural season. That simply isn't true.

Fisher Park neighbors have made several efforts to express noise concerns: calling the stadium office, communicating noise concerns to the city Community Relations and city attorney's offices, and at the request of our neighborhood board, our neighborhood president communicated stadium noise issues to stadium representatives. The new stadium's 1) amplified announcer volume and 2) fireworks generate sincere, recurrent complaints. Crowd noise is not a concern.

As stadium and team owners evaluate their inaugural season, concerned neighbors request that 1) the stadium's amplified announcer volume permanently be lowered, 2) the fireworks' frequency and duration not be increased, and 3) the left-field earthen berm be enhanced to further curb stadium-generated noises affecting neighbors.

We appreciate highly publicized intentions "to be a good neighbor." You can't simultaneously turn a deaf ear to neighbors' concerns and live up to public promises of neighborliness.

Avenues for reducing the neighborhood effect of stadium-generated noise present a distinct public opportunity for stadium and team owners to walk their talk.

Ann Stringfield
Greensboro

As an educator, it is difficult to ignore the implications made by Thomas Sowell in his column, "Top students not being challenged" (Sept. 20).

First, he suggests that teachers simply want to squander the potential of the most highly intelligent students. Then he goes a giant step further by questioning the overall intelligence of today's teachers and their ability to teach "gifted and talented" students. He states that most teachers just don't have what it takes.

My question is this: "Mr. Sowell, did you have what it takes?" He admits to handing in resignations to many academic institutions over the years. Obviously, he did not have the tenacity to be a successful educator.

What a pity that he didn't stick around and try to fix what he perceived to be broken. I guess it's easier to sit around and pontificate from a "think tank."

On a more personal note, the teachers at my Guilford County school are all highly intelligent and motivated. We use every resource available to us to maximize the potential of each and every student on a daily basis. There is not a bottom-feeder among us.

Susan Tendler
Greensboro

Thank you, North Carolina, for mending our broken spirits caused by Hurricane Katrina in our great city, New Orleans. North Carolina's generosity and sincere hospitality have overwhelmed us and have truly made us feel loved and at home.

Super duper thanks to Andre Dawkins and Dean Fox, two community leaders who have gone above and beyond the words, "Love thy neighbor." We are so grateful.

Special heartfelt thanks to Kim McHone, director of Chakra's Spa, and her staff, who welcomed me with opened arms. The staff transformed a very stressed New Orleans spa gal into a relaxed and ready-to-go-home-and-rebuild New Orleans gal. The entire experience brought me back to a positive mind-set.

Gratitude to Chef Benjamin Roberts of Undercurrent Restaurant and Jason Jones of 223 for lending support for a New Orleans chef to continue his culinary endeavors in North Carolina. Thanks also to the Fincastle crew.

Sandy Blum
New Orleans

Bruce Davis suggested that Billy Yow mind his own business when Yow questioned Davis' cell-phone charges.

One of the duties of a county commissioner is to see that tax funds are spent wisely. As the chairman, Bruce Davis should bend over backwards to show honesty and integrity. Instead, it seems that he is out to get as much as he can, anyway he can, and from whomever he can.

I suggest that each commissioner furnish his or her own cell phone and get reimbursed for any charges due to county business, after turning in an itemized list. No list, no reimbursement.

Taxpayers should not be expected to pay personal expenses of elected officials.

R.P. Jessup
Greensboro

Insanity has been defined as doing the same thing again and expecting a different result. The proposed reconstruction of New Orleans seems to fit this definition.

The original military engineers recommended against locating New Orleans between the river and the lake, and the city was flooded by hurricanes each year for its first four years. An increasingly extensive system of levees has prevented most catastrophes thus far.

However, New Orleans is sinking at the rate of one inch per year, and hurricanes are becoming more numerous and severe due to the warming of the ocean. Holding the waters at bay is a losing game that requires us to keep throwing good money after bad.

I am concerned that the reconstruction of New Orleans is being guided by hearts rather than by heads. Our president is proposing the commitment of economically disastrous amounts of money to rebuild in the same disaster-prone location.

Why not spend that same money to relocate the residents of New Orleans to higher ground?

Before we spend any money, we need to take a good long look at the future consequences of our actions. We need to avoid insanity.

Gloria W. Thompson
Greensboro

Picture yourself traveling across the ocean on a large ship, chosen because of its reputation for safety. You periodically get reassuring announcements of the ship's progress.

Then, one day, the weather changes; the ship is being tossed on the high seas like a toy. You race to the bridge and find it empty. The captain and officers never boarded: They have been in Texas on vacation or shoe-shopping in New York. Furthermore, they funded their exploits by selling all the lifeboats before the ship set sail.

As you read the captain's resume, you find that his only experience on the water was in his swimming pool at home with a rubber ducky that his daddy bought for him.

You race down the stairs to tell the other passengers. They, of course, don't believe such a preposterous story. Instead, they go about rearranging the deck chairs and arguing about whether Republicans or Democrats are more patriotic.

Then you wake up to an America wracked by tempests, threatened by suicidal maniacs, and led by corrupt fools. But you can relax. Republicans and Democrats are busy rearranging deck chairs and calling each other names.

Kurt Lauenstein
Greensboro

Regarding the Lottery Commission, why is there only one female member on the new Lottery Commission when the female population of North Carolina is at least 51 percent?

Vienna Bender
Greensboro

The improvement of the status of women through several methods is part of the ordinance that created the Commission on the Status of Women. Therefore, over the years the commission has convened public forums, conferences, seminars, etc., as a means of providing educational opportunities for women.

Voting is a women's issue. Voting knowledgeably based on information presented by candidates for office empowers women. Are numerous candidate forums held in the community? Yes. Are these forums dedicated to questions from women? No.

The Commission on the Status of Women has never violated city policy by advocating for or endorsing political candidates. I find it interesting that the incumbent, who is unopposed for re-election and on record as being against funding CSW, used his power to stop this public forum.

Yolanda Leacraft
Greensboro

On Sept. 17, your front-page article, "Day of prayer," reported that the small attendance to houses of worship to pray for the victims of Katrina was "...perhaps reflecting disillusionment with how the federal government responded to the disaster." Do you believe your readers' concern for the victims is controlled by the government actions? Concern for the victims of Katrina has nothing to do with the government response. It probably has more