News-Record.com

Harry Reid's statement that they were finally able to "kill" the Patriot Act, while misstated, reveals a mentality that is destroying our standing in the war on terror.

This destructive mentality is partisanship. Reid is thinking of the war on terror as a war between Democrats and Republicans, and as long as our politicians are thinking in those terms, the enemy is gaining ground by the second.

Our enemy is united by a single religious cause, and his infrastructure is absent partisan politics, the web of bureaucracy and legal acrobatics. We, however, are divided by petty party partisanship and a bureaucratic financial black hole. Lately, we seem more concerned about the rights of the guilty than the innocent.

This is exactly what the enemy wants: that we should internalize this war, fighting one another until we implode. Hey, Washington, the war is over there!

Michael Kilgore
High Point

Thank you for the recent article designed to aid those who will be giving a toast this season. You offer much-needed support.

Readers seeking further public speaking support can obtain it free via The University Speaking Center at UNCG's Web page. Of particular interest will be the "tip sheets" located under resources.

Kim Cuny
Greensboro
The writer is director of the UNCG University Speaking Center.

In April 2004, George Bush made two speeches to promote renewing the Patriot Act. He stated, "Any time you hear the U.S. government talking about wiretap, it requires — a wiretap requires a court order. Nothing has changed." Two years prior, he instructed the National Security Agency to secretly wiretap American citizens without a warrant and to evade the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act courts. Therefore, he knew there were wiretapping exceptions that were certainly a "change" to our civil liberties. By extension, he lied to the American people.

The reason he didn't pursue changing the law to give him such powers is that Congress would laugh him out of Washington and the public wouldn't stand for it. Bush also claims there wasn't enough time to seek any of the warrants. However, the law allows them to be retroactively provided, thus there is no excuse for not seeking them after the fact. The FISA court is specifically designed to quickly and confidentially expedite warrants 24/7, without compromising national security.

One can only conclude from his overt arrogance that Bush believes he's above the law. Perhaps a congressional investigation can determine if these are impeachable offenses.

Chris Malcolm
High Point

Statements by U.S. District Judge John Jones in defending his decision against the teaching of intelligent design in the Dover, Pa., school district elicit conflicting attitudes of acceptance and rejection for me. On the one hand, one should be grateful for a judge who is willing to hand down rulings that conflict with his own personal beliefs when he feels necessary. I would expect no less from a Bush appointee. However, comments made by Jones in regard to his decision, specifically, "It is ironic that several of these individuals, who so staunchly and proudly touted their religious convictions in public, would time and again lie to cover their tracks and disguise the real purpose," demonstrate the arrogance and elitism so very prevalent in the judicial branch of government.

Bush did well to appoint him. Not only did he appoint a judge who makes decisions based on his interpretation of the law, personal feelings aside, but he found someone who can read minds as well. The willingness to rule counter to personal feelings is atypical of today's judges, but if those rulings are based on flawed logic or the pseudo-science of mind-reading, the result is the same.

R.A. Jessup
Greensboro

I am sickened and angry each time I read about someone's vicious "pets" attacking a human being. So I say "bravo" to the Virginia jury that recommended sending Deanna Large to jail after her pit bulls killed an elderly woman.

Were I king, here would be the rules. You want to own pit bulls? Fine. A mountain lion? Great. A boa constrictor? All yours. But for legal purposes, we will make no distinction between your owning those animals and you holding a loaded gun. If it goes off, you're going down.

Don Freedman
Greensboro

What is a compassionate conservative? Is it some neocon who robs from the poor to give to the rich, someone who cuts Medicare, Medicaid and student loans to reduce the bureaucracy in Washington and votes for a tax cut for the rich?

Gaylord Hageseth
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Kenneth Caneva

Stephen Wessells' Counterpoint essay (Dec. 16) argued that opponents of intelligent design have distorted a viewpoint about which they are ignorant. On the contrary, it's intelligent design's proponents who are guiltiest of obfuscation by obscuring the difference between evolution — the idea that species are related via a process of descent with modification — and natural selection — the principal Darwinian mechanisms of change via the differential survival of individuals possessing small random differences.

Advocates of intelligent design typically fudge the question of whether they accept evolution, their chief target being the adequacy of natural selection to explain organic structures.

Michael Denton identifies deficiencies in the evidence for species' interrelatedness, but while he attacks the very idea of such continuity he leaves unaddressed the superabundant evidence for it — that is, for evolution.

Michael Behe only questions the adequacy of natural selection to explain "irreducibly complex structures," yet by incessantly criticizing "Darwinism" he obscures the fact that he hasn't explicitly questioned the overall evolutionary interconnectedness of species.

By defining "creationist" as "any person who believes that God creates," Phillip Johnson implicitly allows a creationist to accept evolution as the way God created. But he doesn't explicitly acknowledge this, thus allowing readers to understand creationism as a denial of evolution. Such scholarly critics are careful not to deny that which only a seriously uninformed person could deny: that there is superabundant evidence that all species are related via a process of descent with modification.

Wessells' claim that the works of intelligent design proponents contain abundant support for it is another rhetorical distortion. Although they identify what they take to be deficiencies in the explanatory power of evolution by natural selection, they don't offer any alternative scenario that might explain the same range of evidence.

Arguing for design in nature is like explaining the existence of a watch by saying it must have been designed. Sure, but a design doesn't create anything. If a cosmic Designer did in fact design "irreducibly complex structures," one wonders how the Designer turned the design into reality. Did God create each species separately out of nothing, or did He work with existing species and somehow direct the evolutionary process toward His ends?

The intelligent design folks don't tell us, because they have no theory of species creation, let alone one that does justice to the many facts of their interconnectedness. They only have criticisms of one of the best-supported theories in science.

The writer teaches the history of science at UNCG.

It seems necessary to respond to Amy Clear's Dec. 27 letter denouncing the school board's inclement weather plan.

The board members did plan and communicate potential make-up days. The make-up days are noted on the school calendar as S1, S2, etc., on specific teacher workdays. Wording on the calendar explains that those workdays could become student days. The days are used sequentially to ensure 180 days of instruction.

Hard copies of the school calendar are distributed to students and employees when adopted. The calendar is also available for reference on the Guilford County Schools Web site. Additional copies are sent home with students at the beginning of each school year and may often be printed in each school's student handbook.

I understand winter break plans, but I also know that making up those two instructional days this semester is more valuable. Ms. Clear should take the time to read and understand the district's calendar before making accusations of incompetence.

Carolyn Gilbert
Greensboro
The writer is a Title I specialist with Guilford County Schools.

I get a chuckle from the critics of the U.S. military who say that we do not have an exit strategy and timetable in Iraq.

I was in the Navy as a midshipman and left as a full lieutenant. During those years, I observed excellent discipline, extensive planning and execution on a scheduled basis.

You can bet that there is an exit strategy and a timetable! My guess is that adjustments were made as necessary, perhaps due to outsiders.

These time frames will not and cannot be made known to Congress and the media. Poker players don't flash their cards.

Elected leaders provide the onus of leadership. Citizens and patriots provide the onus of following and adherence resulting in the strength of our unity.

Frank Freeman
Greensboro

As most everyone who is a sports fan is aware, Appalachian State University won the Division I-AA Football Championship on Dec. 16. Being an Appalachian graduate, I was very excited to watch my team fight for a victory. I was, however, hosting a Christmas party that evening, so I was not able to watch the entire game. I was anticipating reading all about the sweet victory the following morning in the News & Record. Much to my disappointment, I got the paper first thing, only to find a small write-up on the front page of the sports section, followed by a huge article on girl's high school basketball. What?

There are hundreds of Appalachian graduates in this area. I feel that the local newspaper owes our school a bit more coverage, especially since Appalachian is the first North Carolina school to ever win a national football championship in any division!

Appalachian deserves huge congratulations for its record-setting year, not a half-page story.

Cameron Clark
Greensboro

Celiac disease is a medical condition in which the absorptive surface of the small intestine is damaged by a substance called gluten (a substance found in wheat, oats, barley, rye, etc). This causes the body to be unable to absorb nutrients: protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, which are necessary for good health.

Symptoms may appear together or singularly in children or adults. Common symptoms are anemia, chronic diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue, cramps and bloating, irritability and depression. Osteoporosis is a frequent complication. Sufferers may develop an intense burning and itching rash called dermatitis herpetiformis.

Patients are often misdiagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome. Positive diagnosis can be attained from a colon biopsy or a blood test. However, CD is most often and easily self-diagnosed. After only a week of a gluten-free diet, people with CD see remarkable results.

There is no cure for CD, and it requires a lifetime gluten-free diet. While this is a challenge since gluten is found in many processed foods, the results are worth the effort.

There are many Web sites with information about CD. CD is not uncommon, yet it is often undiagnosed.

Carol Dunn
Greensboro

Michael Northuis' Counterpoint, "Facts show the folly of war in Iraq" (Dec. 15), was offensive and grossly inaccurate.

Northuis says Bush "cherry picked" intelligence given to the Senate, which authorized war. The bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee, along with the Robb-Silverman report, disagreed. Northuis says Bush stated Saddam could send a nuke here in 45 minutes. Bush never said any such thing. Northuis quotes Joe Wilson's findings on his trip to Niger, which the Senate Intelligence Committee found to be distorted and untrue, inaccurate and unsubstantiated. Northuis says Bush has silenced the press here in the United States. What a statement! Northuis must never read newspapers, magazines or watch television news.

While 70 percent of Iraqis went to the polls to vote for their democratic leaders, Northuis says 80 percent of them want us out and 45 percent want us dead. The truth is that 75 percent of Iraqis express confidence in the elections, 71 percent say their lives are going well, and 69 percent expect things for the country overall to improve in the next year.

Bush-haters need to stop visiting those left-wing Web sites.

Bob Goodman
High Point

The Sunday column by Julie Peeples, United Church of Christ minister, was abysmal. Her thought process was vacuous. In criticizing the supporters of Christmas, she attacked the faith itself.

I was told in seminary that preachers are spokespersons for the Lord. What Lord was Ms. Peeples praying to before she wrote her column?

A good friend recently left the UCC because of its headlong plunge into liberalism. He said, and I believe him, that the UCC is losing membership.

If Ms. Peeples is an example of those who fill UCC pulpits on Sundays, I can believe it.

Every chink in the armor of Christianity aids the world.

Taking Christ out of Christmas is yet another chink.

Jack Stratas
Denton

I've noticed a lot of one-sided letters and opinions against the Bush policy on domestic spying and hardly any in support. Are you letting your prejudice show? If you are the great protector of citizens' rights from government spying, why weren't you blasting Clinton for the 750 FBI files he had on U.S. citizens? Could it be the only time it concerns you is when it's a Republican president?

Every president has spied domestically. Bush isn't doing anything that Carter and Clinton didn't. Where was your concern? At least Bush is trying to protect us. That's what makes you so scary.

Is your hatred for Bush so strong and blind that hate is all you live for? There hasn't been an attack on this country since 9/11. Bush is doing everything to protect us, and you still won't support him because he's a conservative. God help you. You are this country's enemies' best allies. I hope you sleep good.

Bobby Cole
Randleman

Where's the outrage?

An alleged criminal violates our border at least three times.

Where's the outrage from the U.S. taxpayers whose money was wasted on ineffective border security? Where's the outrage from the immigrants who followed the rules and entered legally?

The alleged criminal gets a good-paying job that could have gone to a citizen or to a legal immigrant. Where's the outrage from the unions? This person allegedly rapes numerous women. Where's the outrage from various women's organizations?

He allegedly lies about his assets and income in order to get free defense. The public defenders rush to handle this case that has the potential for being high profile. Where's the outrage from taxpayers?

He speaks English well enough for a good-paying job but now wants an expensive translator to be provided at no cost to him. Once again, where's the outrage from local taxpayers?

The silence is deafening.

George Hopkins
Greensboro

Home Instead Senior Care wishes to thank the staff at Piedmont Christian Home, Response-Link of the Triad, Well Spring Retirement Community, FlexxSpace Management, real-estate brokers Tom Arevian and Dowell Markham, Design to Move, Sigma Phi Epsilon (UNCG), the Walgreens drugstores in Guilford County plus the volunteers and generous Walgreens shoppers who helped make our holiday community service project, "Be a Santa to a Senior," a wonderful success.

We never cease to be staggered by the overwhelming generosity of the citizens of Guilford County when they respond to charitable projects. As they did last year, again they came through in an impressive fashion in response to the "Be a Santa to a Senior" project, which is designed to bring Christmas and companionship to area elderly orphans and needy seniors.

Our sincere thanks to the wonderful people and organizations who participated in helping us provide nearly 1,300 wrapped gifts to 317 beautiful seniors throughout the county.

Dick and Susan Gray
Greensboro
The writers are the owners of Home Instead Senior Care.

Melanie Wilcox (Counterpoint, Dec. 28) takes Charles Davenport to task on the Fourteenth Amendment, but she seems to have missed the point. Granting citizenship to the children of illegal immigrants provides yet another incentive for foreigners to enter our country illegally. If citizenship only entailed rights, this might not be such a serious problem.

However, what American liberals call "rights" usually include the socialist "right" for some individuals to seize the worldly possessions of other individuals (entitlements, welfare, etc.). So much for the right to property, I guess. Add it to the list of traditional rights — including the right to keep and bear arms — that Wilcox and other liberals aren't really concerned about protecting.

As for the insinuation that American conservatives, such as Davenport and myself, categorically oppose change and diversity, she could not be more mistaken. Progress always involves change, but change is not always progress. Increased diversity, like any change, is only progress if the benefits outweigh costs. Why do liberals refuse to acknowledge the existence, or even the possibility, of these costs?

Conservatism is apparently necessary to remind people of such inconveniences. There is still no such thing as a free lunch.

Jack Bladel
Greensboro

As we have just exited the season of "peace on earth and goodwill to men," I want to recognize the Guilford County Board of Education and Superintendent Terry Grier for extending a tremendous olive branch to all of those disgruntled parents involved in the High Point lottery school assignment plan.

I believe our school board and superintendent are doing their best to listen to our communities and make decisions that are in the best interest of our children.

So, in reference to Bill Stevens' (letter "A few choice words," Dec. 29) sentiments of "ha, ha, ha, ha, why is Grier still here?" how about a change of heart?

Take off the gloves and accept the branch. Perhaps there is hope that all of us adults can come together and cultivate the grounds of peace and goodwill in our schools.
It starts at home, you know?

Cindy Jolly
Greensboro

On Dec. 20 Judge John Jones III struck down a school board's attempt to give "intelligent design" equal footing with evolution.

Jones correctly stated that intelligent design and creationism result from religious beliefs. What he failed to acknowledge is that evolution is also religious.

It's a bold attempt to claim scientific bases for the preposterous notion that mankind and all we see arose apart from God's creative ability.

In other words, evolution arose from the religion of atheism.

The only science that has to do with either theory involves the search for interspecies links and the detailed examination of living things, especially DNA, genes and chromosomes. Both of these scientific fields overwhelmingly support the idea of creation by God, because no interspecies link has ever been found, and the immense complexity of living things could hardly be imagined to come about by chance.

Setting off an explosion in a forest has never yet resulted in the fragments forming a nice house, although evolutionists would have you believe the "Big Bang" resulted in a universe of amazing order.

Can anyone name a single bit of scientific evidence that supports evolution? No, because there is none.

Marion Griffin
Asheboro

I am answering Maxine Garner's letter that was published Dec. 28. I too live near Liberty and feed the birds. My husband and I have noticed the decline in birds and squirrels.

We used to go through 50 pounds of bird seed a month. Now we hardly use 10 pounds of bird seed. We had so many yellow finches, they were fighting over the thistle feeder. The cardinals were everywhere. The thistle seed feeder has not needed filling in more than a month. I remember going uptown and seeing squirrels all over Liberty and slamming on my brakes to keep from hitting them. Now, when I go uptown I hardly see any squirrels. Occasionally one will be sitting in a yard.

I am with Maxine: Where have all the birds and squirrels gone in Liberty?

Linda Lowrance
Liberty

I would like to thank one of Santa's best helpers. This unidentified man pushed my disabled car out of a busy intersection on Battleground Avenue on Christmas Eve. It was such an unexpected blessing. Furthermore, none of the drivers behind me honked (as they always do in Boston where I live!). It seems that everyone had the Christmas spirit, and it made driving in Greensboro a pleasure.

Phyllis Brooks
Lexington, Mass.

I keep reading about how the recent elections in Iraq justify George W. Bush's policies. Perhaps a historical perspective is needed.

In the book, "The Vietnam Experience: America Takes Over 1965-67," authors Edward Doyle and Samuel Lipsman write, "September 3, 1967, 4:00 p.m. Election day in South Vietnam. The polls in the country's forty-four provinces and municipalities were closing. It had been a busy day. In nine hours, 4,868,266 people out of 5,853,251 registered voters had visited thousands of polling stations to cast their votes for president, an 83 percent turnout."

This election took place less than five months before the surprise Tet offensive of the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong began. This was followed by seven more years of war, during which time an additional million or so Vietnamese were killed, along with 25,000-30,000 Americans.

But don't worry. History never repeats itself.

Right?

Dana Hatcher
High Point

We would like to thank the people who stopped on Interstate 85 and helped our son after he was run off the road and into the concrete barrier by a tractor-trailer. One man probably saved his life by stopping and putting out emergency triangles to keep him from being hit by oncoming traffic.

While setting out the triangles, he was almost hit by a passing car, which wrecked trying to avoid hitting him. All she saw was the triangle before she wrecked. If the man had not stopped in time, the car that almost hit him would have hit my son.

Thank you for taking the time to stop and help our son.

Pamela Dawson
Whitsett

In a Dec. 30 letter, Bob Aronson mocked Rabbi Guttman (guest column, Dec. 21, not posted) and subsequently many good, honest and decent -- not necessarily Christian -- individuals. His words made no real argument but did manage to portray both himself and his church as extremely narrow-minded.

I am neither Christian nor Jewish, nor do I mock either faith; rather I prefer to be educated and accepting of other beliefs and ways of living. I'd like to know what in the world is happening here. Why are so many people so convinced that their way and their faith is the only right way to be? It's exhausting to think about, really.

I think we all just need to get over it, you see, because everyone is right, and that's always the way it will be. If your religion and your faith works for you, then congratulations, you're right. But guess what -- there are billions of others who are just as right as you are, and it's important to accept them and treat them and their beliefs with dignity and respect.

Carrie Reiser
Raleigh

Concerning the recent media flap about the president's "secret" wiretapping of citizens:

President Bush is duty-bound to defend the United States against its enemies, foreign and domestic. If this means listening in to domestic and international phone conversations, so be it. The people who are crying "foul" now will be the ones who are the most critical of the president if, heaven forbid, there is another attack on U.S. soil.

The National Security Agency is not interested in what Joe Citizen has to say to his auto mechanic or the guy who mows his lawn. They are interested in calls coming in from Syria, Iran and a host of other terrorist nations concerning huge transfers of money or discussions of "targets" in the United States.

President Bush should use any and all means to keep track of the enemies of the United States. To do anything less would be to shirk his duties as commander in chief.

John Parson
Stokesdale

In my effort to understand issues that affect all Americans equally, I am having a problem understanding the following two.

The first issue is, where is the oil in Iraq? There should be enough to finance their fight for freedom.

The second issue is spying on Americans. I read somewhere that anyone who is willing to give up their freedom for temporary security deserves neither.

As stated in the news, the Patriot Act permits spying on the American people in order for the military to move quickly. In the same respect, is it appropriate to spy on the American people in the cause of the "war on drugs" or the "war on crime" in order for our law enforcement to move quickly? This is a dangerous precedent.

Ed Stone
Greensboro

I couldn't agree more with Faye and Arthur Peele of Burlington (letter, Dec. 28).

My carrier in Burlington, Willis Toller, is another one of your fine carriers.

I live in Burlington near the City Park on Church Street, and Willis is at least 30 minutes away in Mebane. My paper is there, rain or shine, sleet or snow, every morning -- and early. I'm usually walking down the drive at 5 a.m. In the rain, he thoughtfully puts it on the grass — tossing it in the center of the driveway in the rain tears the bag, which leads to newspaper pages drying on shower rods!

Sometimes the paper is tied with yellow "ribbon" and sometimes with blue, sometimes in a sleeve or bound with a rubber band, but it is always there and welcomed warmly. He (and your staff) put the world at my feet every morning.

It would be great to see a carrier profile to know more about these exceptional people, but then there may be privacy laws. Willis is wonderful.

Katie Latta
Burlington

My husband and I own the Wild Birds Unlimited store on Pisgah Church Road, and I would like to respond to the letter writer who wondered where all of the birds are. In the fall, there is always a natural decrease in seed-eating birds in our back yards because there is abundant natural seed as flowers turn to seed.

For the past three years, we have had very little natural food due to the droughts. The natural food source generally lasts until we have a few heavy frosts, which cause the seed heads to drop their seed. Because it was still so warm in November and most of December, the natural food sources lasted longer this year than normal. As colder weather comes, so will the birds.

You can tell how cold it is going to be any given night by how feverishly the birds eat. Birds are also the best indicator of snow, as they gorge on food, which they later digest through the night in order to stay warm. Give them time and cold weather, and they will be back.

Barbara Haralson
Greensboro

What a great tribute to Stanley Frank by Jim Melvin (letter, Dec. 27). I heartily agree. And there is more.

Enter the Guilford College campus off New Garden Road and see the impressive Frank Family Science Center, which includes the Joe Bryan Jr. Auditorium. Continue and view the Bauman Telecommunications Center provided by Ed and Vivian Bauman, who have also furthered the renovation of Founders Hall as a student life center.

Joe Bryan Jr., an alumnus of the college, is chairman of the Board of Trustees. Stanley Frank was and Ed Bauman is a long-time trustee, though neither was an alumnus. Frank was chairman of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, and Bauman is treasurer and vice chairman of the Trusteeship and Governance Committee. All three worked closely with President Kent Chabotar.

These leaders have done so much to make our community a better place to live and raise a family. This kind of leadership is especially important now that Jefferson Pilot Financial is merging with Lincoln National, headquartered in Philadelphia, so soon after the loss of Burlington Industries, Cone and Guilford Mills.
Seth Macon
Greensboro

Collisions with deer result in many fatalities each year. Hints to avoid collisions include driving slowly especially during dusk, dawn and in fog when deer are active. Watch for eyes that reflect in headlights and anticipate that the deer might run into you. Where there is one deer, there will usually be others. Using your horn can be effective in scaring deer off.

A deer whistle is a device you can place on the front of your vehicle, which has been shown in some research to prevent collisions with deer.
The device is activated by wind rushing through it as you drive. The whistling it produces is virtually undetectable to humans. I purchased a simple, inexpensive ($6) plastic whistle that has helped me avoid hitting deer on at least a dozen occasions.

While some research disputes the effectiveness of deer whistles, it seems logical that such a small investment is worth any potential protection for me and my family. I have given the device to friends who agree that it works. Patrol cars used by deputies in the county are equipped with them, as well. For information on deer whistles, visit www.deerwhistle.com or e-mail: info@deerwhistle.com
Joanne Gray
Oak Ridge

From the article by Thomas Sowell (Nov. 29), I could understand why he wants the United States to keep torture as an option. I disagree with that, and I would like to say the torture system has to be banned.

After the Convention Against Torture, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights says that everyone has a right to be treated personally and humanely. However, abominable cruelty is still performed. Racial discrimination, domestic abuse or any other acts that cause someone severe pain are disobedience against the principle of the Convention Against Torture.

Torture is a blasphemy by disrespecting one's life and dignity. It destroys the humanity of both the victim and the assailant. The pain and fear from torture will remain as an endless memory to the human who suffered. Even if a person committed a crime, he or she should be treated humanely. Torture debilitates everyone by not only disrespecting man's life, but also by weakening the solidarity of society.
Park Katy
Greensboro

Dana Hatcher (letter, Jan. 4) is correct: History can and does repeat itself.

The quote used from "The Vietnam Experience" is there. However, Hatcher stopped short. We deserted the Vietnamese on April 30, 1975. The "Asian Nation" estimates we left behind 200,000 "at-risk" Vietnamese and approximately 100,000 died in "reeducation" camps. There were the exoduses of boat people in 1975 and again in 1978, 1982 and 1992.

Why? Because they wanted and deserved to be free.

I sincerely hope we do not desert the Iraqi people as we did the people in Vietnam, Lebanon and Somalia. Those nations still feel the results of our derelictions of duty while we still enjoy freedom of the press. Thank goodness our president has a backbone.
Michael Callahan
High Point

Americans will rise to any occasion and win, if there is a level playing field. I would like to ask the members of our Congress whether they believe that "All men are created equal." If they have any sense of fairness, they will pass into law for all Americans the very same health insurance plan they have.

I believe in fairness. I will pay the same for that insurance as they do.

I am thankful that the members of our Congress and their families are not lying sleepless in bed night after night worrying that, if they or their family members were to get sick or hurt, they would lose everything they had worked hard for all their lives.

They are the few, the proud and the privileged.
Alan Brock
Julian

The gas tax, like the food tax, is highly regressive, hitting low-income people who are trying to pay their own way especially hard. So,as a matter of public policy, the former should be minimized and the latter repealed, particularly if your political party postures as the one that cares about the ordinary working guy.

And yet, we're still being taxed on our groceries, even though it was imposed only as a temporary tax by Gov. "Food Tax Terry" Sanford (D) in 1961. And half a lifetime later, we have Gov. "Tax-Hike Mike" Easley (D) who patronizingly explains that government deserves the gas tax money more than you and I.

I guess the (D) stands for duplicity and demagoguery.
Christopher Rees
Greensboro

In the Jan. 3 "Mixing it up," Sandy Carmany discusses the North Carolina highway system's 78,000-plus miles of roads, leading us to believe that the road tax money is used to maintain our highways and rural roads.

She failed to mention that $252 million was transferred from the state's Highway Trust Fund to the operating fund. Sandy probably was not aware of this. Read the Jan. 3 article, "Outcry over fuel cost stirs Democrats to act."

Fred Mabe
Colfax

I was a member of the Guilford County Schools redistricting steering committee that was formed during October 1996. I served on the subcommittee for Map "C," led admirably by Kris Cooke and Gladys Robinson. We delivered a completed report to the Board of Education in February 1997.

We divided the county into larger districts and kept changes in one school's attendance lines within the district in which the school was located.

We based our districts on "economic diversity." Diversity either causes or reflects differences in economics.

We believed that elementary-age students should attend the schools nearest to their homes; that partial diversity would be introduced in the middle schools; and that full diversity would be introduced in the high schools.

We recommended a "Northern Guilford" cluster of schools in the report we submitted during February 1997.

I would not recommend public meetings. The committee held 20 to 25 public meetings. But many were so poorly attended, with so few constructive suggestions presented, that we could not tell what the public wanted.

Harry N. Young
Greensboro

In answer to Linda Lowrance of Liberty (letter, Jan. 4), who asked where have all the birds and squirrels gone. Linda, not to worry, they are all right here in my yard.

Bruce Haldeman
Greensboro

On the new year: History tells us that it is inevitable that men will hurt and kill each other, earlier spurred on by churches in the name of God, now motivated by something called "patriotism" and politics. We haven't progressed, really progressed, in humanity and compassion, in love and justice, since the beginning of time.

Meanwhile, we stand, quiet, contained, praying for peace, candles held high. Looking up at the sky, we are aware that there is order: stars and constellations are still in place, quiet and sure; the moon still goes through her phases, unaware of our struggles; the sun still rises on time, and sets when it should, despite us. We are comforted; the sky is calm, confident. Above us all there is such deep peace. And we hear once again, "Fear not. All is well."

May 2006 bring us the realization of that promise. May we stand strong, with our feet on the ground and our heads in the heavens, as beings who believe peace is possible.

Gay Cheney
Browns Summit

Regarding the Jan. 2 editorial: I, too, feel the dispute between Trudy Wade and John Parks needs to end. It should have ended already. The Supreme Court previously ruled that out-of-precinct votes are illegal and must not be counted. The Board of Elections did not comply with this ruling. John Parks "won" by votes that are in violation of state law.

As yet another court date is set, maybe the instructions will be heard this time. Throw out all out-of-precinct votes.

Fran Lankford
High Point

As the newly appointed district attorney for Guilford County, Doug Henderson fired Julia Hejazi Tuesday. As a prosecutor, Henderson is bound to seek justice as a representative of the state of North Carolina and its citizens.

Firing a veteran prosecutor solely for running against him is unjust and self-serving. I guess he has not left all the defense attorney thinking behind him yet.

A disservice has been done to the people of Guilford County and the victims with whom Hejazi has so diligently worked. I implore all citizens of Guilford County to vote for Julia Hejazi in the May Democratic primary for District Attorney and in the November election.

Jamie Coll
Greensboro

If you thought the Microelectronics Center, the Oil Recycling Plant and the Global Transpark were great ideas, you'll love the latest economic proposal form the North Carolina Ports Authority making an international seaport out of Southport.

Promising the creation of "thousands of jobs" to economically depressed eastern North Carolinians, the N.C. Ports Authority has spent hundreds of millions of dollars over the last 30 years trying to make seaports out of shallow-water inlets.

Each proposal is costlier than the last and the results are always the same: environmental and economic debacles requiring perennial subsidies from North Carolina taxpayers.

Only the Ports Authority would propose converting 600 acres of pristine waterfront property with all the potential economic benefits from tourism into cement cargo containers. If the Ports Authority were accountable to stockholders, they would be prosecuted for misappropriation of funds.

When will the state realize for every job created by burdensome taxation, we lose two that would have been created in the private sector? If approved by the Council of State, the General Assembly will need more than the lottery and increased gas taxes to subsidize this venture. Land acquisition: $30 million. Cargo construction: $200 million. Political payoff: endless.

Joe Exum
Snow Hill

The following is a Counterpoint:

By David E. Parsons

Anyone buying gasoline in North Carolina after Jan. 1 will pay the nation's sixth-highest gasoline tax when they fuel their vehicle.

With a 2.8-cents-a-gallon increase, motorists will pay 29.9 cents in state gasoline taxes and 18.4 cents in federal taxes. At today's prices, that means about one out of every five cents paid for gasoline is for taxes.

In a state where one of every five miles of paved road is rated substandard by federal quality measurements, motorists have a right to wonder, where does their money go?

Higher gasoline taxes should mean well-paved highways, less traffic congestion and new roads in areas of explosive growth.

But North Carolina, once known as the "Good Roads State," has used the gasoline tax as partial funding for the general fund, instead of just for highways. For at least the past five years, a portion of gasoline tax receipts has gone for non-highway purposes.

Repeated requests to the legislature for proper maintenance funding have had limited success. However, the state is still more than $1 billion behind in maintenance and repairs. That shortfall grows by $300 million a year.

And the legislature has compounded highway deterioration by giving special-interest exemptions to heavy trucks that damage roads unable to handle the excessive weight. Companies hauling logs, wood chips and construction aggregate love it. They reap greater profits while taxpayers foot higher repair bills.

What's the solution?

First, there needs to be integrity to the system. Money collected from highway users through the gasoline tax, registration fees, vehicle licensing should be used only on highway needs. No exceptions.

Second, all special-interest exemptions for heavy trucks accelerating deterioration of our roads should be repealed. Immediately.

Third, the Department of Transportation, the legislature and the governor need to develop an aggressive plan addressing highway woes based on where the greatest need, not where it is politically popular. A formula modeled on other states can be developed and implemented before the public outcry becomes louder.

Gas taxes are unpleasant, but if we must endure them, make sure they're used for the right purposes and that those paying the taxes will be the exclusive beneficiaries.

The writer is president and CEO, AAA Carolinas.

Happy New Year, citizens of North Carolina. The state is siphoning off another 2.8 cents on every gallon of gas you buy -- supposedly to build and maintain your highways. You're so lucky. Is this true, or are gas taxes being diverted to other purposes?

A quick look at the N.C. Department of Transportation budget shows that $222 million is ripped right off the top of the Highway Fund and transferred to the General Fund as required by General Statute 105-187.9. This is almost 15 percent of the $1.5 billion raised by the state's 2005 gas tax. Rest assured that any money that goes into the General Fund will not be spent on highways. And now they have an additional 2.8 cents per gallon to "build and maintain" our highways. Right.

I challenge all Triad legislators to initiate action to repeal the 2.8-cent increase. You are shamefully sticking it to the most vulnerable among us -- the working poor who have to drive to work every day. Even worse, this higher tax makes North Carolina less competitive in the contest for businesses to locate here, and that means fewer jobs for North Carolinians. How myopic. Limit gas-tax spending to highways and get taxes down.

Walter J. Sperko
Greensboro

I'd like to respond to Bob Aronson's letter (Dec. 30). Aronson agrees with Rabbi Fred Guttman that the distribution of the DVD of the Jesus film in Guilford County is a "colossal waste of money." I just have one thing for Aronson to ponder for a while: When Jesus was invited to eat dinner at a Pharisee's home, a "sinful" woman came in and broke an alabaster jar of perfume to wipe Jesus' feet. Jesus didn't stop her from doing this act of love while the others in attendance thought it was a waste of money. They didn't get it, nor does Aronson.

Vicki Nichelson
Brown Summit

In reference to Maxine Garner's letter (Dec. 28) concerning lack of birds visiting her bird feeders:

First, clean your feeders with a solution of mild, warm, soapy water and rinse and dry thoroughly. Check your seeds for mold. Try buying your feed from a reliable bird food supplier. I prefer feeding goldfinches and other small birds from thistle knit socks. When it's empty, I wash it out, dry and refill it. Try black oil sunflower seed as well as stripped. Don't forget suet.

Also, concerning the lack of finches: Since 1994, there have been reports from Washington and other eastern areas of "house finch disease" or mycoplasmal conjunctivitis. It spreads throughout the Eastern United States. For more information, contact Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Wood Road, Ithaca, NY 14815.

Von Neal
Reidsville

Historically, when our great nation has been at war, we, its citizens, have been asked to make sacrifices to help support the effort. Currently, as we are at war in Iraq as well as Afghanistan, the only orders from the White House concerning common citizens are to stay vigilant and keep shopping.

But another course of action seems more fitting. I call on all patriotic SUV-driving Americans to participate in a "Hummer Draft." Since many of the transport vehicles used by our armed forces are ill-equipped and sparsely armored, civilians owning Hummers should be entered into a lottery in which one such vehicle is chosen at intervals to be melted down and reformed, thus aiding in the protective accouterments of our soldiers. I don't think this is too much to ask to help secure our nation and win the War on Terror. Besides, anyone who can afford a Hummer can afford to donate the metal necessary to armor actual U.S. military vehicles in a war zone.

Unless you participate in a Rocky Mountain carpool or Baja racing, there is no need for gas-guzzling military vehicles on American roads. The war in Iraq is over oil anyway, so Hummer drivers deserve this sacrifice the most.

Nathan Julian
Greensboro

It is my considered opinion that the president is taking the law into his own hands and doing as he pleases with our constitutional freedoms. No one, especially the president, has the right to usurp the law. He has the obligation to follow the law, not to use it for his own pleasure.

Protection is one thing, but invasion of privacy of the citizenry is quite another. Government has a way of going far beyond what is intended, and this will be a classic case if allowed to continue.

Kenneth Bravehawk
Browns Summit

Our family recently moved from California, where property values are nearly three times the values in North Carolina. However, property taxes are essentially the same.

California counties, along with the state, are responsible for highway maintenance. So, Sandy Carmany, please justify North Carolina's gasoline tax again. We are at a loss.

People of North Carolina, please make tax comparisons with other states. You're living in one of the most tax-happy states in the union.

J.K. and D.D. Scott
Elon

I am amazed at the hypocrisy of the Democratic Party. Just a couple of examples:

• Increased state tax on gasoline (to sixth-highest in the nation), saying we need much road construction and repair. Of course, if Joe Blow who drives 50 miles a day to work is against it, he is against good roads. Nobody dwells on the fact that Gov. Easley and his Democratic cronies "robbed" the highway fund of hundreds of millions of dollars.

• Then the lottery, which will "pour millions into education," but this same bunch of Democrats who robbed our highway fund refuses to pass legislation that ensures this money will go to education. If you believe they will leave this money alone and put it all into education, I can show you a nice bridge for sale in Brooklyn.

The Democratic Party claims to be for the little guy, but the above two taxes are the most regressive of any taxes.

Poor people spend a much higher percentage of their income on the lottery and gas than do the more well-to-do.

Here is a novel idea for North Carolina: In 2006, let's throw these Democratic bums out of office.

Sid Barnett
High Point

The following is a Counterpoint.

By Bill Goldston

I read with interest the front-page article (News & Record, Dec. 25) on the concerns about the lottery proceeds. While I am for the lottery and supported it while I was in the Senate, a lesson should be learned about protecting the revenue.

As one of the authors of the highway trust bill, I can only warn that protecting trust funds and dedicated funds is not a foregone conclusion. The Attorney General's office helped me write the protection for the highway trust money. They told me the constitution was very precise and clear on dedicated funds.

Article V, Section 5, "Acts levying taxes to state objects," says: "Every act of the General Assembly levying a tax shall state the special object to which it is to be applied, and it shall be applied to no other purpose."

Money has been taken out of the Highway Trust Fund by executive order and by the General Assembly. We entered a lawsuit to try to prevent this and three judges have ruled against us, but none has mentioned the constitution in their rulings.

It must be concluded, then, that we have become a society of men, and not a society protected by laws. He who controls the gold makes his own version of the laws.

May I say good luck on protecting the lottery proceeds, but I must warn that it is only good until it is needed for another project or "shortfall."

The writer lives in Eden.

The elite media lied to us last week. Blatant, outright lie — News & Record included. You told us that 12 of the 13 miners survived the explosion in the coal mine. Well, they did not.

That means you lied, right? Time for congressional investigations, right, just to be consistent.

Media types have said for several years now that President Bush lied to me about Iraq and that now I should not trust him. Turns out he may have been given exaggerated intelligence and went with the information at hand to do what he thought was right. Now, you want him impeached for it.

The News & Record, along with the rest of the media, went with the intelligence at hand and made a mistake that caused great pain for some. So as not to be hypocritical, I suggest you show President Bush the honorable thing to do. Submit your resignation, effective immediately, recall all reporters from the field and send them home to their families. Now we see what you are made of.

Craig Knight
Archdale

I just wanted to comment on the letter (Jan. 5) written by Carrie Reiser. She states, "I am neither Christian nor Jewish, nor do I mock either faith. I prefer to be accepting of others' beliefs and ways of living." Well, I am a Christian and I say to her, thank you.

Being a Christian, I am taught not to judge others. I am to live my life as Jesus Christ lived his — not judging, not blaming, and being tolerant and accepting of others. Jesus did not "hang out" with people who had money, fine homes and spotless reputations. He walked with and lived among the lowest members of society.

Christians and non-Christians need to remember that our great nation was founded on religious freedom and freedom from persecution. For our society to survive, we all need to learn tolerance and acceptance. If we don't start to learn these lessons now, we will become what we fear and what we are fighting against on foreign soil.

Alexandra Covington
Whitsett