News-Record.com

In what way is Oliver North, whom the Old North State Council of the Boy Scouts has invited to be its fund-raiser speaker, representative of "citizenship and patriotism," as field director Tim Harper thinks? By working subversively to defy established law in the Iran-Contra affair?

In a recent survey organized by the University of Maryland's McConnell Center, presidential historians rated this Reagan-era scandal as one of the 10 worst presidential mistakes.

And does Cub Scout master Tom Franklin really believe that, "Anybody you put up there is going to be controversial"?

When I led my son's Cub Scout den, we did not place so high a value on dissembling and cynicism. Whatever the Boy Scouts is teaching by inviting North to speak has little to do with either history or ethics but everything to do with money. Oliver North may be a hero to some, but without doubt he is also divisive, partisan and capable of dishonoring his president and the nation's laws.

For the first time, I am ashamed to have my Life Scout associated with the local council of the Boy Scouts. Thankfully, we still live in a nation founded on principles that are larger than its scandals.

Scott Culclasure
Greensboro

Today, the Greensboro Coliseum becomes smoke-free. Because secondhand smoke is an important health hazard, leading to heart attacks with as little as 30 minutes of exposure and causing asthmatics and others with respiratory problems to have acute attacks, this is a major advance for health. But there is a fortuitous bonus.

The coliseum will host the ACC women's, ACC men's and first two rounds of the NCAA basketball tournaments in the next three weeks. There will be 28 games, all but two in doubleheader formats. Because of other uses of adjoining spaces, smokers will not be able to leave the coliseum for a cigarette break and return during the course of these doubleheaders.

It is established that 70 percent of smokers want to quit and more quitting takes place at times when smokers are confronted with a smoke-free environment. Faced with the prospect of several sessions lasting five hours or longer without smoking, spectators at our March Madness may make this sensible choice.

Cessation is the single most important step to improving health for most smokers. Professional counseling is available by dialing 1-800-Quit-Now (1-800-784-8669) from 8 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.

Richard J. Rosen, M.D.
Greensboro

Next time you use Google, take a moment to click on the ads that appear on the right of the screen. Then contact these companies and tell them that you will no longer be buying their products or using their services as long as they continue to advertise with Google and Google is a puppet of Chinese oppression.

Daniel J. Flak
Greensboro

Your editorial (Feb. 21) regarding your desire for "opposition" for U.S. Representatives Miller, Watt, Fox and Coble is so transparently self-serving, it would be laughable if it wasn't so pitiful.

I do not believe for a moment that you wish this simply for a good debate on the "issues" and the "democratic process." You want this so you can have more "news" to report ad infinitum, whether there really is any news or issues of import to report.

Opposition, however meaningless, would be hyped by you in hopes of more circulation and consequent advertising revenues.

Has it ever occurred to you that these congressmen rarely have serious opposition because the electorate is very satisfied with the jobs they are doing? At least three of them win with large margins of victory, and that is truly democracy in action: The majority rules and is apparently satisfied.

John Beaman
Greensboro

I wish to apologize to the media for just now reporting a hunting accident that occurred in 1950. My boss, chief engineer of Fieldcrest Mills Inc., was dove shooting with his safety engineer. During the hunt, the safety engineer shot his boss in the seat of his pants. He was not seriously injured and no bird shots migrated from his wounds to his heart. It is felt that there is no need for further investigation of the incident.

Bob Wilkerson
Eden

The left wing continually searches for fault with the Bush administration without any constructive ideas about how to solve problems. Their main goal is destructive criticism of him and seemingly the country, too.

There is a serious problem to be solved -- millions of Muslims in the world who want Western civilization eliminated. The latest example is their deadly reaction to cartoons in newspapers.

The solution to this problem is new and complex. How do you fight an army of worldwide suicidal guerrillas who are not in uniform and have no home-base country? How do we try to collect information about their activities without intruding on our own privacy? How to stop Iran from becoming nuclear?

This problem has been festering for decades and, with Sept. 11, boiled over.

Bush is the first president who has had to seriously deal with it. Check back in five to 10 years to see if the liberation of Iraq was a good idea or not. Instead of just bashing Bush and America, give us alternatives.

Paul Camp
Greensboro

By Steve Simpson

It is likely that everyone who has watched television, surfed the Internet, or read a newspaper or news magazine is aware of the tragic aftermath of the publication of the political cartoon portraying the Prophet Muhammad wearing a turban depicted as a bomb.

The cartoon has been published widely. Both the cartoon and the violent reaction are despicable. The media certainly have a responsibility to report the event and the right to publish the cartoon.

But, was our community really well-served by The Rhinoceros Times publishing the cartoon in the name of informing its readers when it was known to be insulting, insensitive and inflammatory to Muslims everywhere?

In recent years, the Greensboro community has worked hard to bring together our many different faiths, ethnicities, cultures and races to discuss issues that keep us apart, create barriers to open communication and deal with past hurt and insensitivity. Among those efforts are the Greensboro Community Truth and Reconciliation project, the Mayor's Mosaic Project, programming of Faith Action, Lutheran Family Services, Jewish Family Services, National Conference for Community and Justice and many others.

Progress is sometimes slow, tedious and controversial for those of us who want to see a unified community, but nevertheless progress is made.

Do not the media have a responsibility to further that progress whenever possible?

Printing this volatile picture is a step backward. It insults our Muslim brothers and sisters and portrays Islam as evil and murderous to many who know little of the peaceful philosophy of the religion.

The National Conference for Community and Justice of the Piedmont Triad implores The Rhinoceros Times and others to consider wisely and responsibly their power of the pen and how to exercise their right to use it.

Let us all help Greensboro join together rather than divide further.

The writer is executive director of the National Conference for Community and Justice of the Piedmont Triad Inc.

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Bob Hall

We commend House Speaker Jim Black for recommending an important set of reforms for the political process and for effectively opening the door for more discussion related to campaign finance reform, ethics and lobbying reform. We think it is vital for legislative leaders to begin discussing ways to address the escalating arms race in political fund-raising that is at the heart of so many of the issues being investigated today.

From the beginning, Democracy North Carolina has stressed that the real problem is not Black -- it's green. The money chase in state politics is out of control, and it is distorting the election and the law-making process. Certainly, we must hold wrongdoers accountable, but we must also address the root cause of problems.

In his column on Feb. 19, Rob Christensen of The News & Observer described the "Washingtonization of Raleigh or the professionalization of politics." As he noted, "Most of the political money flowing into Jones Street is from people who expect something out of the legislature. Nearly every sizable contribution includes an unwritten IOU."

That's the basic definition of special-interest domination. The public interest suffers. Candidates feel trapped in an arms race. Voters feel pushed out, etc. It's time for political leaders in North Carolina to discuss how we can adapt the "voter-owned" public financing program now in place for appellate judges to other offices. Arizona and Maine have provided a public financing option in the last few legislative cycles, and more than half the candidates are using it.

Public financing is not a freebie -- candidates have to raise hundreds of small qualifying contributions from registered voters to qualify to use public money. Now is the time to get serious about serious reform -- provide candidates with a real alternative to the money chase, reward those who reject special-interest money and focus on accountability to voters. Empowering those candidates (and their supporters) will do wonders to apply pressure for a cleaner political process.

The writer is director of Democracy North Carolina.

The members of the Board of Directors of the Piedmont Interfaith Council, representing a dozen faith traditions, wish to respond to the uproar provoked by cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. While we deplore violence in the name of religion, we also deplore any explicit or implicit message conveyed by those cartoons. Our rejection of violence in no manner represents any disrespect for Islam, or for any tradition. In fact, Muslims in our community and around the world, protesting peacefully and creatively, are demonstrating their own commitment to peace and reconciliation among peoples.

For 24 years, PIC has worked to build bridges of communication and understanding in the community and we invite all people of faith to join us in this mission. We share far more in common than we have differences. We call upon each of us to be sensitive to our neighbors' distinctive traditions and to work for mutual understanding and peaceful resolution of our differences. This surely is a time to practice the golden rule inherent in nearly all religions. By respecting our neighbors we also honor our own faith traditions.

James and Jo Hull
Greensboro

The writers are co-founders, Piedmont Interfaith Council.

I saw the Danish cartoons attributed to having caused Muslim outrage in The Rhinoceros Times.

If there is no recognized likeness of Muhammad, and the Muslims are not to look upon or draw images of Muhammad, how do we know these cartoons are depictions of Muhammad? There is nothing in the cartoons that identify the characters. The individuals depicted in the cartoons do not even look alike, so how can the Muslims know if, and, which character is Muhammad, and why are they looking at the pictures anyway?

Robert Adcock
Reidsville

How do the members of the Bush administration take themselves seriously? As if they haven't failed badly enough in the war on terrorism, we now learn that they approved the outsourcing of control of six major U.S. ports to Dubai Ports World, a company controlled by the United Arab Emirates.

I think that this move would send the wrong message even if that country had been tough on terrorism. However, the country has a very troubling security record, especially in regard to Al-Qaida and to the transfer of nuclear materials. Clearly, this is a ridiculous lapse in judgement that cannot be permitted to continue.

I urge the Congress to reject this deal and for the immediate resignation of all members of the Bush administration that approved the deal.

Benjamin Thomas
Greensboro

I cannot believe that in today's time that we could even consider giving control of our ports to any foreign nation.

1. Don't Americans need the work?

2. How can we trust these nations that help to attack us to run our ports?

We must be crazy to even consider such an thought.

Terry Isler
Jamestown

Enough already about Dick Cheney and the accident. This was an unfortunate event, and, yes, I am sorry that someone got hurt. Will someone in the media please tell me why this was such a huge deal. The gentleman that was shot was not a public figure; the accident in no way affected national security, the economy or anything else that really matters nationally.

For the press to even think they should have been told at all irritates me. I thought the press was supposed to report news, not create stories where none exist. If newspeople would go back to reporting news instead of trying to be celebrities, this country would be a lot better off. This was a private hunting trip between two friends. The only reason the press is mad is because they didn't get an extra day to blow everything out of proportion.

I would be willing to bet most people feel the way I do. If everything that happens to a public figure like Cheney is news, then let's report how many times a day he uses the bathroom. Or maybe people should know he brushes his teeth side to side instead of up and down. Could the press please grow up.

Jeff Rhudy
Greensboro

On Feb. 16, I was invited to Hampton Elementary to see a PTA production of "The Wiz." I must say I was amazed by everything I saw there.

First of all, it was wonderful to see the turnout. It was a packed house. Many times in today's world you don't see parents and neighborhoods coming out to see their kids do anything. There weren't a lot of costumes and lights; however, the students created one of the most enjoyable and believable productions I have ever seen. They made me believe they were the characters they were playing. This got me thinking. It's so important to give young people an opportunity to use their imaginations. I feel with TV, video and the streets, imaginations are coming in short supply.

To all the parents who are supporting these types of activities, keep up the good work. Also, thank those teachers and artists who take their time to work with our kids. Most of the time we have one or two children to take care of; imagine trying to costume and teach a song to 50 of them.

Finally, congratulations to the students at Hampton Elementary for a job well done. Hope to see more soon.

Alex Crawley
Greensboro

In his article, "Greensboro makes a faith-based statement" (Ideas, Feb. 19), Bob Wineburg identified several exemplary faith-based organizations providing essential services to our community. Left off his list, however, was Guilford Interfaith Hospitality Network (GIHN), an ecumenical effort providing shelter, food and case management to homeless families with children.

Indeed, more than 50 local communities of faith support GIHN: Jewish, Catholic, Greek Orthodox and Protestant churches from many denominations. The network's mission, "Connecting faith-based communities to provide hospitality and hope for homeless families," underscores the important concept that persons with different faiths and perspectives can and should work together for the common good.
Incidentally, GIHN operates in and finds support from congregations in both Greensboro and High Point, linking two cities that historically have chosen to work apart rather than together.

Manning A. Connors
Greensboro

The writer is chairman, GIHN Board of Trustees.Greensboro

Too often, headlines trumpet ominous developments everywhere, foretelling gloom and doom. But no Jeremiah am I. Perhaps there may yet be time for wiser leaders to emerge and show us down saner paths. Meanwhile, even in troubled times, I find much to please me now, and I also recall many pleasures from years past.

Consider the often seen but seldom noticed hills and fields and forests of our lovely country. Electronic marvels that faithfully reproduce music (from when it was music). Even oft-maligned TV, with diligent searching, offers commendable entertainment. Literature, art, loving family and friends.

And what far-flung wonders we have seen. The incomparable Grand Canyon. The ethereal beauty of the natural wedding chapel of Kauai. The ubiquitous pigeons that serve as grace notes to the magnificent Piazza San Marco in Venice. And, yes, the glitzy monuments to unabashed avarice in Las Vegas.

We were given a marvelous planet, complete with bountiful resources for those who will use them well. How sad that many of us prefer to proselytize and fight and generally hammer the Golden Rule into shards.

Why can't we all help each other and live together in peace?

Dan Maddox
Greensboro

Regarding Jim Sartwell's letter (Feb. 18) about how quickly the media covered separate incidents involving Cindy Sheehan and Britney Spears — purely non-events — and not the Cheney hunt:

The media tend to blow everything out of proportion. Who cares abut Cindy Sheehan and Britney Spears and hearing it all day long?
There are certain places the media do not belong. The Cheney hunt was one of them. The time taken to report this incident is irrelevant. The public was told in due time — after the wounded party was cared for, after his family was notified and after other, more important needs, not the needs of the press, were met.

It is one thing for the media to cover an incident, but when the ill-informed reporters give their personal opinions, it becomes ridiculous. And, by the way, I don't recall anyone anointing the "media" as first to know, last to be heard.

Marilyn Gideon
Greensboro

Regarding Joey Cheek, our Olympic gold-medal speedskater with his Olympic gift to the charity Right to Play: His generosity is priceless for our community. Our check is in the mail to:
Right to Play
Attn: Ellen McCance
Chelsea Piers, Room 5925
New York, NY 10011

Tom Ward
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint:

By STEPHEN P. MILLIKIN

Rosemary Roberts' vicious and baseless attack on Ollie North Feb. 17 was not even marginally justified.

The thought of the Boy Scouts being contaminated by Marine Lt. Col. Ollie was too much for Rosemary to swallow. Without knowing what Ollie will say March 7, without regard for his First Amendment right to freedom of speech, and without a hint of any redeeming feature that Ollie may have, it appears that Rosemary is advocating a Ban Ollie campaign. Why treat in such a shoddy manner this Marine officer, Naval Academy graduate and Vietnam combat veteran decorated for leadership and bravery under fire?

Rosemary gives two reasons: First, she reminds us that in 1985, some 20 years ago, Ollie attempted to assist in freeing from captivity U.S. citizens being held hostage in Lebanon. This seems like a worthwhile project, but it got Ollie into a political thicket. His efforts were thought by some to be a violation of a vague and somewhat senseless law enacted by a confused Congress.

Ollie's conviction was reversed on appeal. Thus, Ollie stands not guilty.

Second, Rosemary objects to Ollie speaking to the Boy Scouts because, in her words: "He is an avowed right-wing conservative and thus a politically polarizing figure. Surely, the Scouts could have found a fine speaker with no political connotations." (Come on, Rosemary, you can't be serious.)

Rosemary says that she inquired of the Scouts as to why they had invited Ollie and was told: "We felt that some of the leadership qualities that (North) possesses are some of the leadership ideals that we hope to instill in young people in Scouting," to which Rosemary snidely commented, "Let's hope he wasn't referring to North's illegal Iran-Contra caper. Nor even to North's outspokenly conservative politics because Boy Scouts are supposed to be above the political fray." (Come again? Since when?)

Rosemary closes with a whimper of an objection: "But Ollie North as a symbol of Scouting? I hope the Boy Scouts use better judgment next time."

So, to Lt. Col. Ollie North and to other stalwart Marines, so much for the hard-earned and blood-splattered but much-deserved reputation of the Marines for dedication to duty, courage, determination, loyalty, fortitude, strength, sacrifice and other qualities of leadership that are instilled in all Marines, whether they are liberals or conservatives, qualities Scouts might do well to emulate.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

During the next three weeks, Greensboro has the opportunity to be on the world stage. We have the privilege of hosting the women’s ACC Championship, the men’s ACC Championship and the first and second rounds of the NCAA Eastern Regionals.

These events will bring thousands of people to our community who in turn will spend millions of dollars that will economically benefit a number of our citizens. We are the only community in the country that has ever hosted three events on successive weekends. This is certainly a significant honor.

None of this would be possible without the enthusiastic support of more than 700 volunteers and a very dedicated coliseum staff. We all need to thank Matt Brown, the director of the coliseum and especially Dr. Harrison Turner, who coordinates the volunteers.
Also, Dr. Turner has just been selected Dermatologist of the Year by the National Dermatology Association.

This is a wonderful honor which he justly deserves. We should all be proud of our community and those who work so hard to make it great.

Jim Melvin
Greensboro

Our community’s health will be improved if the Guilford County Board of Commissioners supports dental clinics as part of the Guilford Adult Health and Guilford Child Health clinics.

My role as teacher of family medicine residents and as practitioner in the Moses Cone Health System Family Practice Center provides frequent contact with patients who have insufficient financial resources or insurance to cover dental care. Our physicians are often faced with the challenge of managing patients’ medical health while it is adversely affected by dental disease.

A common example is the patient whose diabetes cannot be adequately controlled due to chronic infection in the mouth. The poor control of their blood sugars contributes to early development of heart attacks, strokes, loss of limbs and kidney failure.

Another is the elderly patient who becomes malnourished because painful gums and lost teeth interfere with eating. These patients had very limited access to dental care before the Guilford County Dental Society’s efforts to provide volunteer care.

Monies that the county expends to support dental clinics at Guilford Adult and Guilford Child Health will be multiplied into a much greater effect on patient’s health and ultimately into cost savings for their medical care.

Wayne A. Hale
Greensboro

The author of a Danish children’s book on the prophet Muhammad made a mistake by seeking to illustrate her book and not taking the hint at the lack of volunteers. The Danish newspaper made a follow-up mistake when it decided to venture out on deeply disrespectful limbs of free speech. The right to freedom of speech should not be an excuse for making poor choices.

With the power of freedom of speech, there is inherent responsibility to be attentive to diverse faiths and not downgrade rules that others hold close to their hearts. We should not interpret our privilege as some absolute green light to say whatever we want whenever we want about anything we want.

This issue clearly illustrates how free speech cannot be a peaceful human right unless tempered with strong personal integrity grounded on principles of tolerance and respect for our fellow man, his faiths and the rules therein.

Peter Copeland
Greensboro

Here’s how serious the Bush administration is about homeland security: They recently vetted a company controlled by the government of the United Arab Emirates to operate six major East Coast U.S. ports.

I’m not an anti-terrorism expert, but I do have enough common sense to think that maybe having one of the three governments in the world that recognized the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan could present some possible security problems in the future.

If the United Arab Emirates can operate our seaports, why don’t we outsource our airport security to the Saudis? After all, only 15 of the 19 Sept. 11 hijackers came from Saudi Arabia.

And, while we’re at it, why don’t we see if we can’t get an Iranian company to oversee our embassy security — they have plenty of experience in the field.

Kent Boyles
Greensboro

Concerning your Feb. 20 article, "Bowles: N.C. teacher shortage deserves higher priority," I'd like to say as a minority parent, I'd like to see the active recruitment of more minority teachers. And then, there is absolutely no way to recruit entering college freshmen into the field of education after this generation has witnessed our public schools become the "everything" for our society — from orphanages to social services providing food for students to take home on the weekends.

Instead of rewarding education bureaucrats who have no inkling of teacher needs and happiness factors with tremendous salaries and perks, a study of teacher salary increases based on job performance and employment demands needs to be done by economists or corporations that regularly perform such tasks in the private sector. Until society once again makes teaching look respectable, inviting and integral to our nation's success, there will be no mass influx of education majors and resulting teachers. Corporate sponsorship of school systems in every aspect, including supplementing teacher salaries and benefits, may be all that can save the profession.
It is a shame that no one wants to teach our nation's children. It is even more of a shame that we do not want to pay those teachers what they are really worth.

Karen Mebane
Burlington

As a Guilford College sophomore, I am dismayed that college administrators are getting such negative feedback from the community about the proposal to allow students (beyond their first year) to choose roommates of either sex. The intent behind the policy change is to provide a comfortable and harmonious living situation for all students, regardless of sexual orientation. Those who worry that it will only increase sexual activity among heterosexuals miss the point entirely. As it is, homosexual students are allowed to share a room and students are engaging in sexual activity regardless of desires to the contrary.

Non-heterosexuals are forced to pay extra money to live in a single room or in an apartment, where opposite-sex suite mates are already permitted, simply to avoid the discomfort and stress of living with somebody to whom they might be attracted. This is fundamentally unfair and disrespectful. Guilford has excellent institutions set up to address any gender-related concerns that come up in the course of college life. These avenues for constructive problem-solving will remain open if the administration acts upon the gender-blind housing proposal. Those who criticize this idea should take a moment to walk in another person's shoes.

Malcolm M. Kenton
Greensboro

I have practiced Emergency Medicine in Greensboro for more than 25 years. Over the years, I have seen many Guilford County individuals suffering with dental complaints. Unfortunately, providing dental care in the Emergency Department is at best a minimal help to these patients.

A permanent dental clinic that could provide general dentistry to those in the community that have no means of receiving dental care would prove beneficial to these patients' overall health. Lack of dental care may contribute to loss of teeth, deterioration of gums, diabetes, heart disease, psychological issues and chronic pain.

Our county has come together to address health issues before. There is care provided by Moses Cone Health System to all, regardless of their ability to pay. HealthServe Community Health Clinic cares for those who have no health insurance, and Guilford Child Health provides primary and specialty care to our smallest and most precious residents — our children. It is my hope that the same generosity, vision and leadership will again prevail, making a permanent dental clinic a reality in Guilford County.

Norman M. Mayer, M.D.
Greensboro

The writer is past president, Guilford Emergency Physicians, P.A.

Two myths regarding the minimum wage should be exposed. One portrays teenagers as the primary beneficiaries of an increase. The facts are 71 percent of workers receiving minimum wage are adults and the average adult minimum-wage worker provides 54 percent of his/her family's weekly earnings. The other myth is raising the minimum wage will produce job losses, particularly among workers the increase is designed to help. Economists studying the 1996 and 1997 increases in the federal minimum wage found no systematic significant job loss. Researchers found the employment effects were generally small, statistically insignificant and almost as likely to be positive as negative.

It is encouraging that 80 percent of North Carolinians favor an increase in the minimum wage. If it had risen at the same rate as CEO pay during the decade of the 1990s it would be over $25 an hour. The federal minimum was last increased in 1997. Subsequent inflation has increased the general price level by 21.7 percent and seriously eroded the minimum wage's purchasing power. Clearly, an increase is past due and four out of five of us say so.

Lawrence B. Morse
Greensboro

The writer is a professor, Department of Economics, N.C. A&T State University.

It is truly appalling that the Boy Scouts would bring Oliver North to speak at their breakfast event. Oliver North's conviction for obstructing Congress, illegally shredding documents, and taking an illegal gratuity were only reversed because his testimony before Congress had been granted immunity. It could not be used against him.

It sounds as if the Boy Scouts think their terrible choice is validated because North will make them lots of money. What kind of values does this reflect? How do we explain this to our children?

Cathy Kimel
Greensboro

I think Greensboro is a great place for teenagers to grow because it is the perfect atmosphere for teenagers to learn that the real world is not a safe place.

This is the real world where drugs, guns and crime happen. There is not a real happy way of living in the world. That's the truth and there is no way of getting around it.

Teenagers know this firsthand because sometimes they are the ones involved in it. I am a teenager myself, so I know this for a fact. Now, I will let the Greensboro community decide if this is true or not.

Alex Roseman
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Ches Kennedy

Regarding recent letters about "Brokeback Mountain" and other gay, lesbian and transgender issues in the News & Record:

Greensboro has an incredible gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community supported by straight allies of many faiths, races and cultural backgrounds. I speak from experience, having served on cultural, religious and health-interest boards. What I see from the straight allies who support the GLBT community here is not simply tolerance but acceptance of people who make Greensboro a better place to live. We have a common goal.

I have gay friends who are teachers, lawyers, doctors, insurance salesmen, civic champions and construction workers and love living in Greensboro. We participate in leadership roles in churches, neighborhoods, nonprofits and government. Greensboro has one of the first GLBT organizations to operate as a foundation with an endowment. The Guilford Green Foundation was established in 1996 as a nonprofit to support the Triad Health Project, the AIDS service organization.

The GGF has grown and now makes grants to organizations as diverse as Friends for an Earlier Breast Cancer Test, the National Conference for Community and Justice, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, Women's Resource Center, Triad Equality Alliance, N.C. A&T PRIDE, Common Sense Foundation and the N.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Last year, the Guilford Green Foundation partnered with the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro on a major fund-raising initiative spurred by a $50,000 matching grant from the National Community Funding Partnership for Lesbian and Gay Issues. Because of fund-raising success in Greensboro, the national organization granted a second year of matching funds. Guilford Green Foundation successfully raised more than $132,000 last year from GLBT and straight persons.
Greensboro is anything but homophobic on Friday nights when downtown is packed with people attending Green Queen Bingo. It is a fun evening. Approximately 60 percent of attendees are straight allies and more than 400 people participate. Who knew such an event would be so popular in Greensboro?

The Guilford Green Foundation's mission is to "courageously unite community." It and other organizations, gay and straight, make Greensboro a great place to live by doing just what they say they want to do: unite community.

The writer, who is gay, is the past co-chair of the Guilford Green Foundation and owns O'Kennedy's in downtown Greensboro.

The editorial page on Feb. 26 was my reward for continuing to search for worth in the editorial pages of the News & Record.

Charles Davenport, would you please request your piece be reprinted monthly ad infinitum? Dr. Andrew Brod, yours is the first balanced presentation of oil and the economy I've seen anywhere other than The Economist.

Now for a favor: Would you please do a piece revealing the economics of managing ports and the financial risks attendant? Where do the dollars go? From whom, to whom, for what services?

I only wish I could extend this same note of appreciation to Flemming Rose for his truly exceptional piece on Islam and us.

Many thanks again.

Tom Jordan
Randleman

I applaud the News & Record's decision to not publish the Danish cartoons. Your reasoning, as expressed in John Robinson's column Feb. 19, was sound. Freedom of the press needs to be tempered, as Robinson stated, with taste, tone and civic value.

In addition, for me as a Rotarian, the decision not to publish also adheres to the Four-Way Test. Thank you.

Jim Kennedy
Greensboro

High Point, the "white flight" is ready to take off. Destination: Westchester, High Point Christian Academy, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Our Lady of Grace, Wesleyan, Greensboro Day, Caldwell Academy, Shining Light, Bishop McGuinness and any other private school. Now loading. Arrival: 2006-07 school year.

We even serve beverages and peanuts.

Nancy Gillespie
Jamestown

To be honest, I didn't support the idea of going to war from the start, and I've always feared catastrophe. But, America, I think we better realize that if this thing in Iraq doesn't work, it could mean really bad news for the entire world.

We Americans are good people by nature, so we need to start believing in ourselves again. Whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, we have no choice but to hope for success. This is no time for "I told you so."

My advice is that we, as a nation, dedicate ourselves to succeeding in Iraq. Now, that doesn't necessarily mean supporting just the use of military force; it's also very important we show goodwill to that region. I think a mixture of strength and compassion is this country's best hope for remaining the world's greatest superpower.

It's time to show everyone that a freedom-loving secular democracy can uphold the ideals of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism or Buddhism better than ingrained dogma.

Jason Brown
Thomasville

When is enough enough? We are losing our freedoms and right to vote, people are suffering and dying, and we owe so much to foreign countries. Our country is in big trouble. Please do something.

Jacalyn Engler
Greensboro

Greensboro Muslim leader Wajeh Muhammad says, regarding the cartoons published in The Rhinoceros Times, "It made me sick to my stomach." But he does not comment on the feelings of the thousands of innocent victims and their relatives in the outrageous murderous bombings of Sept. 11, 2001, by his fellow Muslims. Nor does he comment on the recent worldwide murders of innocent people by his fellow Muslim anti-cartoon demonstrators.

I believe Wajeh Muhammad has his priorities out of order. It is time that his fellow Muslim leaders speak out against the atrocious murders of Muslims and non-Muslims by their fellow Muslims. That public statement is long overdue.

Frank Reinking
Burlington

For five years, all we've heard from Junior and his gang is "terror, terror, terror," and now he wants to turn over control of six of our ports to a country that harbored some of the very terrorists responsible for Sept. 11? This ploy is as pathetic as it is transparent.

No doubt his "expert" cronies decided that this would be a way to apologize for Junior's declaration to reduce our dependence on foreign oil during his State of the Union address. Do they really think that no one is paying attention? Is no one paying attention?

How can we let this madness continue? When is it going to stop, and what are you doing about it?

Carol G. Williams
Greensboro

Is it a federal law, in spite of all the horrific killings and stated agenda to take over the world, that Islam must be referred to as a "peaceful religion" by our newspapers and politicians?

Gary Marschall
Greensboro

An article in the News & Record, "White House details land sales" (Feb. 11), caught my eye. I cannot see selling the public land, our national treasures, for any reason. Once it is in private hands, it is gone.

The development lobby probably has spent a bunch and will continue to try to acquire "isolated, expensive-to-manage parcels" that "no longer meet the needs of the Forest Service." As soon as the developers get a hold on these useless pieces, they will suddenly become something of value to the people who can afford them. Right now they have an irreplaceable value to all American citizens.

There is a section of the Uwharrie National Forest in North Carolina that has no roads, no houses and no trailer parks in it. I've paddled by it. It is beautiful. I can imagine what it will look like if this deal goes through. When any public land is moved to private ownership, it becomes private, with fences, gates and "Keep Out" signs. We, as a nation, lose.

Jim George
Greensboro

The News & Record condemned the Rhino Times for printing cartoons offensive to Muslims, yet on another page you printed more (not new) pictures of Abu Ghraib that you knew would ultimately lead to more Americans dying. Please spare us the poppycock about "the people have a right to know," which seems to apply only when it demeans our military or President Bush.

Shahnaz Khawaja's defense of Islamic violence over offensive cartoons (Feb. 19) failed to deal with the real issues: Why is Islam involved in almost all world conflicts, and if it's only "radicals," why are Islamic governments, i.e., Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria, etc., supplying and financing terrorists, trained by their mullahs in their mosques? The Muslim concept of "diversity" seems to exclude the thousands of Christians killed annually in Islamic countries and their plans for annihilation of the Jews, all for the glory of Allah. If Islam is misunderstood, I'm afraid it's by the blind leading the blind who refuse to see the handwriting on the wall revealing Islam's vision of world dominance.

Allen Bullard
Randleman

Editor's note: The News & Record has not condemned the Rhino. We simply explained why we chose not to publish the cartoons.

Now that the maps are drawn, it is time to move on. It's time for all parents to work through our differences for our children's sake. We need to show them that we can disagree but still work and live in the same town. All children deserve the very best education that we can give them. I am tired of all the arguing and fighting.

Please, for our children, let's come together and work to improve the education at Central, Andrews and Southwest.

Debbie Gallemore
High Point

Our government has tried to convince us that the choice in Iraq is either "stay the course" or "leave in defeat." Rep. John Murtha recently explained that "we have become the enemy."

The choice is not between victory and defeat. The choice is whether to continue to do what does not work or to seek new directions for a road to a sustainable peace.

The exorbitant cost of this war can be measured in loss of lives and national treasure. A military solution will not end the war. Iraqi people need clean water, food, electricity, schools, hospitals, sewage treatment, security from crime and control of their government and society.

The Friends Committee on National Legislation recommends that, instead of spending billions more on a failed Iraq war and occupation, Congress should push for withdrawal of troops and no permanent military presence there.

The cost of continuing the war is driving up the huge federal debt. Congress is trading off human needs here and abroad for the war in Iraq. By being there, the U.S military is slowing Iraq's progress toward a democracy that reflects its own culture, history and mores.

The U.S. cannot abandon its responsibility to rebuild Iraq, but the military should leave.

Eppie Turner
Greensboro

Regarding Mary Speidel's letter, "Cable viewers deserve a choice of channels" (Feb. 15), I agree with her 100 percent about all the trashy channels we are subjected to and pay for but never watch.

My main concern is the rate increase. Last month, Time Warner Cable increased another $4. I know a lot of senior citizens who depend on TV for their only entertainment. People on a limited income will soon be unable to afford cable due to these price increases. If people could select and be charged only for the channels they watch, it would help decrease their bill.

On Feb. 15, I called twice and left messages for a return call on the recorder of David Marshall (regional manager of Time Warner Cable). I have yet to hear from him.

No one at TWC has any information on pay-per-channel. I want to know if a plan for pay-per-channel has been implemented and how long it will take to go into effect.

Thank you, Ms. Speidel, for bringing this to the public's attention. My next letter will be to my congressman.

Betty Phillips
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Martha McKee-Koletar

After reading your gasoline-igniting editorial, "Return to Grimsley offers second chance" (Feb. 22), I wanted to rip your hate-mongering editorial into a million little pieces and throw them into the garbage where they belong.

Instead of writing such an inflammatory editorial filled with opinions instead of facts, I think it would have been far more appropriate to write a positive article about the peaceful way Josephine Boyd-Bradley was received and the giant step forward she made in the civil rights movement.

I don't minimize her brave character. In fact, I truly admire her courage and applaud her actions, as it must have been very hard indeed. What I don't admire is your "colored" opinion of this historical occasion. You were not in Greensboro at the time, were you? Greensboro doesn't need your left-wing, hate-filled spewing in the name of righteous journalism.

My brother was a student at Greensboro Senior High at the time she attended and he doesn't remember any bad treatment of her. Most certainly, he would not have been a participant in any such awful behavior.

In addition, I happened to have been in the dime store when those young black students came in and sat down at the counter. I, too, was a part of history. I didn't witness any bad treatment of these students at all.

Why should Grimsley apologize? For what? You have given absolutely no specifics of demonstrated bad behavior but rather espoused damaging rhetorical nonsense. Do you have proof that her family dog was killed because of race? Do you have proof that her father's shop was intentionally burned because of race? Do you have proof that her mother was fired because of race? If so, give this information to us.

You state that she had no friends and that she was taunted. Do you not realize that, unfortunately, lots of kids are taunted? This is not to say that is good, but it is not always because of race.

You and your newspaper are doing terrible harm to a city that once was a great city in North Carolina. You seem to delight in race-baiting and stirring up trouble between the races. Why are you constantly bringing up things that happened more than 40 years ago? There can only be one reason, and it is because you and those of your ilk are the real racists. Stop it. Please let Greensboro go back to what it once was: a city filled with love and hope among all races.

The writer lives in Bolivia, N.C.

In reference to the U.S. National Slavery Museum, I hope that all of our history's facts are shone under a bright light. Here's a few ideas: It is estimated that more whites were in involuntary servitude than all slaves combined. These people were treated worse than blacks because they weren't purchased, thus expendable.

Next is the Emancipation Proclamation. Black Americans especially should read this document. Lincoln is not the "Great Emancipator" millions of children have studied. In its own words: (slaves held) "within any State or designated part of a State the people whereof shall then be in rebellion. …" He "freed" slaves over which he had no control. In 1858, he said, "… I am not in favor of bringing about the social and political equality of the white and black races …"

There are more than 27 million slaves in the world today. Let's hope these can secure their own 13th Amendment, as we have in the "Land of the Free."

Stephen Botts
Whitsett

My family and I have been subscribers to the Greensboro Daily News, Greensboro Record and News & Record for more than 60 years. From time to time, I have contributed to the letters-to-the-editor section as well as the op-ed page. However, I have come to the end of my rope.

As a lawyer, a member of the State Bar Council, and the Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism, I find your printing the letter by John Griffith (Feb. 24) outrageous. You will recall that Griffith stated that "bagging a Republican and a lawyer with one shot makes a good day of hunting in my book."

If this is your idea of a positive contribution to the public discourse, then I don't have any use for your publication. It would seem to me that with your recent preoccupation with diversity, multiculturalism and similar issues as demonstrated by your attitude concerning the Muslim cartoons, that your publishing this letter is totally hypocritical.

If this is your organization's attitude regarding our legal and political system, then you need a basic course in civics and political science.

Please refund the remaining credits that I have on my subscription and cancel it immediately.

G.S. Crihfield
Greensboro

My husband and I graduated from Andrews High School in the early 1990s. When we attended Andrews, the racial and socioeconomic makeup was largely balanced and provided an accurate view of the world. Our high school experience was very positive.

We graduated from college, got good jobs and now have our own family. We live in the Blairwood area that, with the new redistricting, will be shifted from Andrews to Central. This will move our children to the school that is farthest from our home. However, we support the school board's effort to diversify the schools and wish other parents would do the same.

Public school districts should be drawn for the good of everyone, not for the good of one school or one neighborhood. The best that could happen is for the change to be embraced.

If the effort that was made to fight the redistricting was turned to support for all the schools, the effect would be phenomenal. The teachers, students and administrators need our support now more than ever.

Caroline Rodden
High Point

I sometimes read The Rhinoceros Times for humor, but this time, they have entered the fray on the proper side. As you noted, they recently reprinted two of the famous Danish cartoons that have so disturbed many Muslims.

But America believes in the right to political or even improper speech and the press. We see a sense of humor as necessary to life. We also believe in the right of all religions to meet and worship in their own way. We have those rights because of our heritage and our Constitution with its amendments.

If we should go to war, one good reason would be to protect these rights and to maintain the quality of life that flows from them. Frankly, there is no more appropriate way to fight such a war than with cartoons and free speech.

Why do so few Muslims condemn the killing, rampaging and murdering of innocent citizens in evident violation of the Quran? Has no one noticed that it is the murdering brothers who have placed the bomb on Muhammad's head? The Danish cartoonists merely noticed that the bomb was there.

James D. Deere
Greensboro

Back during 1992 and 1993, I had just moved to Greensboro from Durham due to an unexpected turn of events. I was desperately seeking some sort of solace to help me adjust. One of the ways I discovered to help me cope was spending time at Oka T. Hester Park.

Whether it was no more than listening to music such as Mary J. Blige, Intro, Prince, Snoop Dogg, Shanice Wilson, Eric Sermon, Dr. Dre, or just the radio and dancing on the rear lawn and having fun along the way, or having a slice of Elizabeth's Pizza and a Pepsi, the warmth of the park and all my activities were very comforting. That experience has been dear to me every since.

However, Painter Boulevard has now cut through, and I've begun to notice that the look of the park is changing — way too business-like for my taste. If you've ever visited the park, you know what I mean.

Now it's 13 years later and with warm weather fast approaching, I find myself being reminded of that summer of 1993 again in all of its glory. Let's help bring love, beauty and cuteness back to Oka T. Hester Park.

Karlah Koulibaly
Greensboro

There's nothing more that I detest than a hypocrite. The Republican Party and many of its supporters have just taken the gold medal in this respect.

It was fine with the Republican leaders and their supporters when the Bush administration locked Democratic leaders out of committees when determining the best interests of this country. But the GOP leaders cried foul when the Bush administration left them out of the recent port management deal. If these same people had been holding the Bush administration accountable from day one, they wouldn't now be saying, " I just don't understand."

Bush's parents couldn't do anything with him and neither will his colleagues or supporters be able to. Send him back to Texas or better still, send him to a mental institution along with anyone else determined to take up for him come hell or high water.

Rebecca Thompson
Burlington

Why is it that we do not value those who provide care when we are sick and frail? Most often the people who perform the most intimate of our personal care are not paid a livable wage. We expect them to care for the most fragile members of our society, but we expect them to do so without adequate compensation.

If you or someone you know is receiving care at a hospital, adult day care, long-term care facility or home health company, be an advocate for change. Communicate how you feel about the value of this care. Let the administrators of these organizations know how you feel about the importance of rewarding this care with adequate monetary compensation and benefits.

Anita Brock-Carter
Greensboro