News-Record.com

I am writing in response to the rather sanctimonious editorial, "Exercise in incredulity" (April 21). The writer rushes headlong to the defense of the newspaper's source of the leaked RMA report on the local police department.

The contorted excuses for Councilwoman Bellamy-Small's suspicious stance were not unexpected. Nor was the news of the EEOC complaints filed by black police officers. All of it seems predictable and planned.

The editorial characterizes the report as "about underhanded activities in the Police Department during the administration of former Chief David Wray." Neither Wray nor his attorney has been able to examine the report, thus it is impossible to rebut. The editorial calls upon the city to release the report.

Well, here's an idea: Since the editorial page calls for the release of the report, and since it rests in the hands of the editors, I recommend that the newspaper simply publish it so that readers, including the GPD employees, can scrutinize it for fairness, accuracy, objectivity and underlying motivations, perhaps some of which were not all that honorable or noble. Are you willing to do what you cravenly ask others to do?

Fred H. Gregory
Greensboro

I was thinking about immigration reform over the congressional Easter vacation. As a social worker intern working with Latino families, I daily witness the struggle for existence that immigrants face. Theirs is certainly not the easy life, in their home countries or in this one.

Many of us who are citizens have earned our citizenship the easy way: birth within this country's borders. Some of the political elite seem to have forgotten their own immigrant roots. Intoxicated by their self-determined wages (up $16,700 in six years) and an enviable vacation (one week for St. Patrick's Day and the two-week Easter vacation), Congress has obviously fallen out of touch with the issues that are important to working-class citizens and this country's responsibility toward immigrants, illegal or not.

I have heard many Latino families discussing today's boycott of work. If this boycott is followed by a large number of immigrants across the country, we will see whose vacation time and whose work really impacts the daily functioning of this country. The economy of this country would collapse without the boost we gladly accept from "illegal" labor. Hopefully, this reality will dawn in the minds of some of our saner politicians.

Madan Gopal
Hillsborough

Rosemary Roberts' article (April 14) on outspoken retired generals hit a nerve. One sentence in particular shows Roberts' woeful ignorance of things military and constitutional.

In speaking in favor of retired flag officers openly disagreeing with our war efforts, she ignorantly states that, "It may embolden active-duty officers to protest more vigorously when civilian military planners concoct misguided plans."

In case some of you readers don't get it, what Roberts is favoring is the ability of the military to exercise control over our civilian leaders. Not only is this constitutionally prohibited, any serious student of history knows that once the military starts exercising control over the civilian leadership, any last vestige of freedoms once enjoyed then disappears. Only a cursory look at the tin-horn Third World dictators shows the folly of Roberts' arguments.

Harry Truman knew this when he fired Gen. Douglas MacArthur, one of the most beloved generals in American history. Ballot boxes are meant to elect our leaders, who then appoint and control our military forces. It is not meant to be the other way around. What Roberts wrote appears to condone treason for the sake of supporting her liberal viewpoints. Thoughtful readers should question her motives.

Steve Gorden
Kernersville

Recently the question was asked, "Why should working taxpayers be forced to take responsibility for those who do not take responsibility for themselves?" Opponents of social welfare feel the system actually makes poverty more attractive. They feel such a system not only encourages welfare recipients to live marginalized lives, but it also places an unfair burden on the workers who must pay for the program.

Welfare proponents argue that freedom means nothing if people do not have the ability to exercise it. To do that, they need a minimum level of well-being.

This position is taken from a conviction that people have dignity based on their ability to choose. Meaning, when human beings are given the chance to express themselves fully, they are, by nature, interested in the well-being of society and all its members. They will not only work but will also offer assistance to the needy, bringing the poor to an economic level where they can begin to act in a similar respect toward others.

The issue of social welfare is not merely a disagreement of rights but a matter of life and death, malnutrition and nourishment, disease and health, ignorance and education. Welfare is not only a good thing to do, it is a moral imperative.

Mark Johnson
Greensboro

Many people don't really understand homelessness. For example, not all homeless people are addicts and drunks. Individuals who are homeless do have opportunities to get back on their feet.

There are many programs in the Greensboro community that are trying to eliminate homelessness altogether, but in order for that to happen the different agencies need to work together. The homeless population is a group of people with various needs, but their greatest need is housing. Finding affordable housing is probably the most difficult thing to do next to finding a job because, in order to get housing, you first must qualify.

The main two reasons homeless individuals don't qualify for conventional housing is lack of income and criminal/credit backgrounds. Luckily, there are transitional housing programs available to help homeless individuals and families transition back into mainstream society. These programs offer supportive services to these individuals. The main goal of these programs is to promote self-sufficiency and to move people into permanent housing.

As a future social worker and a member of the community, I feel it is my responsibility to provide the resources, education and training that will support the under-served in obtaining meaningful employment and housing.

Oreon Shaw
Greensboro

John Freeman's April 23 News & Record review of Claudia Emerson's poetry collection, "Late Wife," berates the volume partly on grounds of its style. Emerson's lines, he says, "are prosy, full of airy extras, their single posture a dogged upward glance." He refers to a phrase only 21 words long as a "symphony." He complains of feeling "claustrophobic, bullied into a pretzel of sympathy."

Those who criticize the language usage of others ought themselves to demonstrate at least some primitive level of skill. Freeman couldn't mix his metaphors more thoroughly with a Cuisinart.

I urge readers to try "Late Wife" for themselves. To accept Freeman's judgment is like taking piano lessons from a tone-deaf spot welder.

Fred Chappell
Greensboro

The writer is a former poet laureate of North Carolina and a former professor of Claudia Emerson at UNCG.

I was deeply disturbed by your article "Missed By a Prayer" (April 23). Your double entendre title was as cruel as it was clever; because for every Jeremy Ackerson there is an Andrew Russoli who was killed in Iraq in midst of and in spite of hundreds of prayers.

The prayer itself, Psalm 91, rings hollow and harsh for children who have lost parents and parents who have lost children in this ongoing nightmare in Iraq. If this story is "an affirmation of faith" and indication of "God's presence with us every day," then the deaths of more than 2,000 soldiers must evidence either God's cruel caprice or terrible truancy.

Or could it simply be that, as you more sensitively state, Sgt. Ackerson was "lucky" that day? For every soldier "missed by a prayer" there is one saved by a different talisman, e.g., rabbit's foot, four-leaf clover, etc.

One person's faith is sometimes another's superstition. Your article comes dangerously close to confusing and conflating the two. And for anyone who has ever lost a loved one prematurely, either by an enemy bullet, a deadly disease or an automobile accident, this story is anything but comforting; indeed, it could be construed as callously cruel.

David Ramsey
Greensboro

I'm a taxpayer and I approve of Roy Carroll asking the city and Guilford County for tax money to help him redevelop the old Wachovia Tower. When we moved to Greensboro, I loved it right away; it had the feel of one big, beautiful residential area. However, when I went downtown, especially at night, it gave me an eerie feeling. Where were the people?

People living downtown are what make any city alive and well.

The Wachovia Tower with condominiums, offices and shops will make the city of Greensboro more truly our "hometown."

DeWitt Barnett
Greensboro

Who made the decision to alter the Pat Oliphant cartoon that was reprinted in the April 19 edition of the News & Record? In the original, which can be viewed at The Washington Post Web site, Secretary Rumsfeld is very clearly wearing the German Iron Cross around his collar, a device Oliphant has used in subsequent depictions of the Secretary of Defense. Do political cartoonists allow for editorial interference with what is, after all, their own editorial comment?

Scott Culclasure
Greensboro

Editor's note: On rare occasions, the News & Record edits small details in illustrations if they are considered gratuitous or offensive. If the entire thrust of a cartoon is considered objectionable, it is not published at all.

Regarding the article "Pit bull owner gets prison" (March 30):

Thank goodness there is a court in this country that has made this pet owner responsible for the actions of her dogs.

This pet owner in Spotsylvania, Va., allowed her three pit bulls to roam the streets, against the city ordinance, which led to the attack and death of an 82-year-old woman and her pet Shih Tzu in the victim's own front yard.

The pet owner and her attorney argued that she should not be held responsible because the dogs were the ones that committed the act. The jury did not see it that way and convicted her of involuntary manslaughter and two misdemeanor charges of allowing her dogs to run loose. She was sentenced to three years in prison.

A woman and her pet are dead by the careless action of this pet owner who disregarded her responsibilities, then denied being at fault. I'm glad she was convicted. If all of us were held accountable for breaking the law and the penalties were enforced, there would be a lot fewer tragedies like this one.

Thank you, Spotsylvania County Circuit Judge Ann Hunter Simpson, for upholding the jury's sentence.

Kitty Mae Thompson
Greensboro

Thank you so much to Kathleen Parker for her column, "Fact and myth must Duke it out," (April 20). I can relate to both sides of the situation in Durham because I'm a single parent and a Duke parent. My son lived in that very same white house before he graduated.

If a rape took place on Buchanan Street back in March, punish somebody. If a rape did not take place on Buchanan Street back in March, punish somebody else.

Susie Cox
High Point

Charles Davenport Jr. wrote in the News & Record (April 23) of "circumstances that breed division and clashing of cultures" regarding immigrants living in the United States.

These "circumstances" include individuals who speak their native languages, take pride in their native lands' flags, and continue to practice their traditional customs.

What strikes me as odd is that a person so concerned with the "division and clashing of cultures" accuses immigrants who speak their native language as living in "linguistic slums," acting in a "distasteful" manner by waving their nation's flag, and that our country should be focusing on the assimilation of immigrants. It seems to be that Davenport's intolerance and disregard for immigrants' values, customs, and traditions are at the core of the "division and clashing" he is so worried about.

Perhaps Davenport and those who share his views should spend more time thinking about the unique traits of their immigrant ancestors, the reality that most "Americans" can still identify with their European roots, and that the best way to foster unity is through communication and respect for everyone's world views and less time holding on to the myth of the "once-common [American] culture." Then, maybe, we wouldn't be so divided.

José A. Villalba
Greensboro

I enjoyed your opinion piece detailing the 16 reasons to support the proposal to refurbish the former Wachovia tower. I hope we see the project come to fruition.

I had to chuckle when you pointed out that Roy Carroll was even able to sell Dennis Glass on the idea. Judging by the new name on the former Jefferson-Pilot tower, I'm guessing that selling Mr. Glass on an idea is not particularly difficult.

Joseph F. Mullinax, III
Greensboro

I cannot believe the audacity of developer Roy Carroll in asking the city and county for $2.1 million to help subsidize his $37 million renovation of the old Wachovia building.

Carroll noted that the top level of the building will be his personal residence, the ground level will contain shops and the second level will house offices.

If the city and county agree to subsidize Carroll to the tune of $2.1 million, it will be the Greensboro and Guilford County residents who help buy and pay for Carroll's personal residence.

Carroll described his need for the $2.1 million as "critical" and said, "I don't know where I would turn, I don't have a good Plan B."

Here's a Plan B for you, Mr. Carroll: Instead of asking the residents of Guilford County to subsidize your personal residence, please beg the millions from Jim Melvin and the Bryan Foundation.

This is the perfect opportunity for Mr. Melvin's organization to put its money where its mouth is and make a sizable contribution to support another project in downtown Greensboro, even if it's one in which his group has no financial interest. After all, "It's good for Greensboro."

Greg Gibson
Greensboro

After reading the April 11 article, "Board says no to bank, drugstore," I wonder if real estate attorney Marc Isaacson would be willing to live in our neighborhood. Every day for over six years, we have endured the constant clatter of construction and the insistent beeps from trucks and backhoes.

This was a beautifully wooded area that was rezoned (with his father as the attorney) from single-family to multi-family Hummer-housing (Willoughby End), over the protests of the entire neighborhood. Isaacson's statement, "A pharmacy and a bank, this is not a new concept, folks. This is the kind of development that Greensboro has seen and embraced for many years," comes from someone not living in the world of the ordinary citizen.

Most people who have had their home areas rezoned have not welcomed these intrusions, but have had them rammed down their throats. It's unfortunate that the zoning regulations are just about worthless and that the City Council has so little backbone when it comes to saying no to developers.

How about respecting and abiding by the zoning guidelines and regulations? Now that would be "embracing" a concept.

Kent Tager
Greensboro

Be afraid. Be very afraid. He hears only what he wants to; he promises but never delivers; everything he has put into the system has failed; he provides for the rich and cares for no one except his own cronies.

He has started a war with no end and blatantly has said those who come after him can take care of the war he put us into. He put incompetents into office and denies they have done no wrong. He and they profit from his "mistakes" or non-intervention.

Now, he says, "No, it is not true" while his finger draws closer to the red button to start yet another war. The reason: He has the power of pre-emptive strike regardless what his advisers say. What part of the word "no" doesn't he understand?

Maniac, war monger, dictator, destroyer of our beloved system and way of life. He must be stopped by the voters who can block him through Congress.

Otherwise, be afraid. Be very afraid.

Zora Bunin
Jamestown

The column on your religion page is called "Faith Matters," so I found it amusing that atheist Eric Harrington's thoughts were published in it (April 22). If this was a golf column, we would not expect to find the thinking of a non-golfer published in it, would we? What could someone who has never tried golf and does not even believe that golf exists have to say that would benefit the golfing community?

Harrington wrote that he is in the "religious minority." I disagree. With no belief in God, and without any faith, I say that Harrington is not in the faith community at all.

It's a free country, and I have no problem with Harrington's atheism or the Piedmont Freethought Association. However, if the News & Record finds any of Harrington's ideas worthy of publishing, they belong on the editorial page, not in a column called "Faith Matters."

Mike Baron
Greensboro

The April 24 issue of Time magazine identifies Republican Sen. Conrad Burns of Montana as one of the five worst U.S. senators. And the April 24 News & Record reports that Sen. Elizabeth Dole, R- N.C., recently campaigned for Burns, saying to a crowd: "He's doing such a great job."

Reminds me of the old saying, "Birds of a feather flock together."

Bill Burnett
Greensboro

It was sufficiently astonishing to see the winners of the 2006 Pulitzer Prizes in poetry and journalism reported recently as local news, but what was truly incredible was the review of Claudia Emerson's prize-winning book of poetry that appeared in the April 23 Books section. It is a very good thing that the reviewer was not a member of the distinguished Pulitzer committee that gave the award; let us devoutly hope that he never is.

No poet connected with Greensboro, other than the occasional visitor, has ever won the Pulitzer. I can only imagine what treatment awaits the unfortunate Greensburger who wins a Nobel Prize!

Tom Kirby-Smith
Greensboro

I think it is great that the Greensboro City Council has voted in favor of voluntarily taking lie detector tests. Since the council works for the people of Greensboro, shouldn't we have the right to submit questions that they can be asked?

I think they should be asked if they have done anything unethical or illegal since they have been elected to office. I assume that most of them would not refuse to answer that question, unless they have something to hide.

Chuck Mann
Greensboro

On April 27, new community columnist David Johnson wrote, "The press has failed to expose the fallacy in the administration's attempt to characterize the (warrantless domestic spying) program as one that only spies on terrorists."

Mr. Johnson has every right to argue this view, and many surely agree with him. He could be right; I don't know. But to be credible and persuasive — or to actually change anyone's opinion — he should offer evidence for anything presented as a statement of fact.

If the press has indeed failed to expose such a "fallacy," it seemingly isn't because of a lack of motivation, considering the furor over domestic spying. Can Mr. Johnson expose it? Does he have specifics to back up his assertion? If not, perhaps he should have developed another example.

Much of today's opinion writing is the verbal equivalent of sticking out one's tongue and then running, which doesn't add much to the level of civic discourse.

To be fair, I don't believe that was Mr. Johnson's intention, and I wish him and the other new community columnists well as they begin to offer their thinking and writing for public evaluation.

Bob Garner
Burlington

The YWCA's Equal Pay Day, observed April 25, heightens awareness of unfair pay for women. Women generally earn less than men and work more to lessen the salary gap.

Much of the blame for the disparity in earnings is associated with women's work and family roles. Although some companies are attempting to balance inequalities by giving women "flex time" to accommodate work and home, many are not making the effort to consider the numerous responsibilities gender roles have forced on women.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women earned 24 percent less than men did in 2004. Women of color have even greater financial disparities. Asian women earned 20 percent less, African American women earned 34 percent less, and Latinas earned 45 percent less than men. Unequal pay means that our skills, abilities and talents are discounted and undervalued! We must continue to strive for justice in the workplace.

Nicole Baker
Greensboro

Many of our young men and women are receiving felony charges for whatever reasons. Many of them are 14 and 15 years old. Are there any employers in this area who are willing to give a job to an ex-offender who, (1) was a child when charged; (2) has served his or her time; (3) has learned life's lessons the hard way; and (4) would like a chance to prove themselves as able to hold a job and be upstanding citizens in our society?

I know several of these young people in my neighborhood. Please do an article on how this group in our society can get on their feet. Who are the employers who are willing to hire a rehabilitated felon, even if it is only for a tax break? I also know that many of these young people get extremely frustrated when they are constantly told, "No convicted felons here!"

Francis McFadden
Greensboro

The April 9 article, "Partisan bickering slowing Congress," regarding our congressional leaders in Washington was disheartening to say the least. The article stated that Congress has taken roughly 21 out of the last 30 days off.

Meanwhile, according to a recent study by the National Sleep Foundation, the average American works 46 hours a week and gets seven days vacation a year. However, if you let our senators and representatives tell it, they are regular working-class Americans just like the rest of us. They also say that the reason for this much-needed rest is that they can no longer get along. Sounds like children on a playground.

Hopefully, the elections later in the year will remind them of who their employer is.

Josh Burnette
Greensboro

May 10 is Confederate Memorial Day in North Carolina. Sadly, it will be observed only by heritage organizations such as the Sons of Confederate Veterans and United Daughters of the Confederacy. Why this lack of interest in one of the most defining periods in American history?

In 1860, the Southern states had a difficult decision to make following the election of a minority Republican (Whig) president, since that party's platform promised expanding federal powers and a prohibitive import tax, which would have a devastating effect on the Southern economy. They chose to exercise their constitutional right to secede, and formed the Confederate States of America.

The new federal president ordered an illegal and unconstitutional invasion of the South, which resulted in a four-year bloodbath as the Confederates fought valiantly, against overwhelming odds, to protect their homes and the constitutional government created by the Founding Fathers.

Six hundred thousand soldiers, North and South, were killed, the South destroyed, and the totalitarian, imperialist federal government of today created.

The courage and suffering of the Southern people in that terrible struggle should be a lasting inspiration to all generations of Americans.

William K. Oden Jr.
Greensboro

I was quite pleased to see your April 20 editorial about the lack of sidewalks in Greensboro. This city is undergoing a metamorphosis, and sidewalks are critical to the success of this change.

In short, build sidewalks and you will build more connected, safer and healthier communities. So, please, if the city wants to build a sidewalk in your neighborhood, on your street, or in front of your house, say "Yes!" You'll be doing all of us and our children a very big favor.

Missy Ver Eecke
Greensboro

There are restaurants in the area with a reputation of excellent fish. But few are smoke-free. They have smoking and nonsmoking areas. I respect that. Some people want that cigarette before and/or after their meal.

It does seem, however, that if the owners want to keep those customers coming to enjoy the atmosphere of a nice meal and good rapport with the employees, they would take a good look at the seating arrangement. What good is a nonsmoking area if you walk in the door and off to the side is the first table surrounded by smokers? Smoke travels fast and all over the whole restaurant. When nonsmokers have to be led through it to get to their table, damage is done; it's all over their clothes.

Would it be so much to ask if owners would take a look at how much the smoking area is affecting people and how annoying it can be? Shuffle some tables or put them farther back. It could be the difference between heaven and hell. It's not that smokers are outcasts; it's called consideration.

Glenn Shearin
Jamestown

Too many times I have heard, "If you want to be a resident of this country, learn the language." Why is it assumed that immigrants do not want to learn English?

In some areas, there are waiting lists for ESL programs. If that's not a sign that immigrants want to learn the language, I don't know what is. English is not a language that can be learned quickly. It is full of exceptions, and even lifelong Americans frequently misuse the language.

If you feel passionate about immigrants learning English, look into becoming a literacy tutor and help make it happen.

Kathy Mills
Greensboro

em>The following is a Counterpoint:

By Bill Bencini

The News & Record reported on May 2 regarding attendance at the spring furniture market. Of note was a quote from Broyhill executive Harvey Dondero: "It's definitely down -- a lot of dealers are opting to attend Vegas or are just not coming to High Point."

That sentiment is counter to the experience of most at the spring market. Exhibitors were enthusiastic about attendance in light of a challenging retail environment. Wide-ranging improvements in the overall market experience were acknowledged by many of the 95,000 visitors to our region.

In the interest of fairness and accuracy, the news media should adequately research and divulge relevant relationships of individuals referenced in articles regarding the market.

Dondero is, in fact, CEO of Broyhill Furniture, a division of Furniture Brands International. He is also a vocal supporter of the Vegas market. A bit of simple Internet research would have revealed family, political and business ties to Las Vegas and its market.

Dondero is a native of Las Vegas. His daughter works for the World Market Center, Vegas' market sponsor. His family is active in politics in Vegas. The connections to the city and the Vegas market bring to question what motivates Dondero to speak disparagingly of High Point. He is a detractor to our market, even as positive enhancements are being implemented. Is this the role he is asked to serve as CEO of Broyhill?

Market Authority Director Brian Casey noted at Monday's board meeting that 234 of the 236 largest buying groups in the home furnishings industry attended this week at market. If High Point was "definitely down," as purported by Dondero, perhaps a number of these buying groups did not visit Broyhill. If that is true, then Dondero's time might be better spent tending to his business instead of bashing the preeminent furniture market. Such efforts would be appreciated by Furniture Brands' shareholders and industry supporters alike. It is no secret in North Carolina that Broyhill, under Dondero's leadership, has closed no fewer than six plants, eliminating thousands of jobs in our state.

In the interest of fairness and accuracy, I am an unabashed supporter of the High Point market, working in the furniture industry, representing Ward 4 on High Point City Council, and serving as a liaison to the Market Authority.

It is the journalistic obligation of reporters to separate spin from fact. Revealing relationships and agendas of sources is fundamental to maintaining fairness and accuracy.

The writer is a member of High Point City Council.

Of course Chad Olmsted ("A noisy ballpark enlivens downtown," letter, April 21) doesn't understand that Fisher Park residents — and others living within the six-block radius — could be bothered by the noise of the baseball park, because he doesn't know the meaning of "progress."

Progress is conservation and preservation, and respecting your neighbor's right to peace and privacy.

Sadly, he is one of many who can't understand that concept, but the consequences will catch up with all of us one day when it's too late.

Rosemarie Andrews
Greensboro

The title "Day Without Immigrants" is largely a gross misnomer. Millions of legal immigrants went to work just as they do every work day, each in their own way contributing to make America a bastion of freedom and a nation of law-abiding citizens.

What actually took place on May 1 was a celebration of criminal activity, supporting "illegal aliens." The key word here is "illegal." These people are not immigrants, rather they are foreign nationals who are squatting where they do not belong.

What we witnessed on May 1 was an open anti-U.S.A. effort by a criminal element present in our cities and towns aided and abetted by misguided supporters. The obvious result is that we now can clearly see that our future does not depend on any group of illegal aliens regardless of their ethnicity.

America's greatness does not hinge on illegal activity rather it hinges on all of her people pulling together for the common good. As a foreign-born legal citizen of this country, I went to work on May 1 to protest this effort to destroy our country. I hope millions of others did so as well.

Ian A. Millar
Kernersville

I recently read an article about how President Bush stated that "The Star-Spangled Banner" should only be recorded in English, due to the recent publishing of a Spanish recording of the anthem. Not everyone in America can speak English, especially newly arrived immigrants. I believe that this is a good thing allowing people of different cultures to hear and understand our anthem.

Being an American citizen doesn't mean you should have to be able to speak our language, though it could be useful. Singing the anthem in Spanish is just as good as singing it in English.

Iain Pritchard
Greensboro

Last week, a woman in the Target parking lot called me a (expletive). Why? I had helpfully suggested that perhaps, if she chose to either talk on her cell phone or back out of her parking space, she might not have come so close to hitting my son with her brand new convertible. I wasn't being sarcastic with my remark. She, on the other hand, was.

I have come to fear parking lots and intersections in the Triad. It seems every other car I see on the road has a driver talking on a cell phone and not paying enough attention to driving.

In Britain, talking on a cell while driving is illegal, even with a hands-free system. Responsible drivers in North Carolina should encourage restriction of cell phone usage in automobiles.

Until then, I will wait a few seconds before heading through that green light and keep my children close when crossing a parking lot.

Susan Cox-Smith
Greensboro

"Thousands rally in North Carolina to support immigration," (May 2) is mistitled. Accuracy would require, "Thousands rally in North Carolina in support of illegal immigration."

The protesters want America to reward those who broke in line with "legal status." To do so would be to guarantee millions of new line breakers. The last such reward for illegal aliens was in 1986 when America gave what was supposed to be a "one-time-only" amnesty to an estimated 1.5 million illegal aliens (3 million after rampant fraud in processing).

We reaped what we sowed — 20 years later: 12-15 million more illegal aliens.

Tom Shuford
Lenoir

In regard to the illegal alien problem: Maybe it's time to consider making Mexico the 51st state.

Ralph Duke
Kernersville

Most of us have read company "mission statements." Those I have read are from mid to large size manufacturing companies. All seem to have certain buzzwords or phrases, such as, "world-class," "low-cost producer," "best in class," "increasing company/shareholder value," etc. — all very impressive.

However, something seems to be missing. Not one statement includes anything pertaining to employee economic well-being or promoting a strong national economy, an important element for our national security.

Then, I say to myself, "OK, the national economy and security shouldn't be the responsibility of a company — that should be the responsibility of our government." It says so in our Constitution, Powers of Congress, Section 8, " … provide for the common Defence and general Welfare." I'm sure economic well-being is included in "general welfare."

But what has happened? Our government has abdicated its role, while allowing U.S. corporations to disregard our national interests. Economic uncertainties are explained away as the results of a market economy. "Market force" has become a euphemism for outsourcing, often resulting in offshoring. While many companies, executives, and major shareholders are thriving in this global environment, U.S. employees are being deserted.

Ray Potts
Greensboro

It is very easy to complain about our schools in Guilford County. What is more difficult is to research and follow what our school board members stand for and implement.

Why? We, as parents, are so busy trying to provide for our children's needs that we don't take time to fully understand the policies proposed by Superintendent Terry Grier and then implemented by the school board.

We, the parents, should come together and take a stand for our children, schools administrators and teachers. Instead of being reactive, we need to be proactive. We complain about what the board does instead of being informed and vocalizing our concerns.

I challenge parents to ask questions, read the paper and educate ourselves so we can vote for people who will represent our voices. Don't leave the decision-making up to Grier and the school board. They are making decisions that will affect our children, our future.

Contact our school board representatives and tell them what we want for our children and schools. If we don't, we have no one to blame but ourselves.

Lisa Clapp
Greensboro

Let me see if I understand Terry Grier's latest plan. Place our best teachers in the low-performing schools. I guess we would then have to ship our worst teachers to the high-performing schools (to fill those vacancies). Having our best teachers in the low-performing schools should raise their test scores and the high-performing schools (which lost their best teachers) would see their scores drop.

If you are just looking at the numbers (which Grier and the school board are so focused on), things should about even out. Since budgets and pay raises are awarded on statistics (not children), everyone in school administration would be ecstatic and we may have an added bonus of closing the achievement gap.

But, suppose the quality of our teachers was never the problem in the first place. What if the real problem in our low-performing schools is some low-performing parents.

What's Grier's next plan ... "Trading Spouses"?

Jack Johnson
Gibsonville

I am one of those inconsiderate people who has a "gas-guzzler." I drive it by choice. The SUVs did not run the price of gas up. The world demand on oil has been the biggest factor. China has become a major player in the world oil market.

The oil companies in the United States are refining as much oil as they can. The last time a refinery was built was about 30 years ago. One of the reasons would be that the environmentalists will fight any new construction and exploration for oil.

If we are going to ask for a surcharge at the pump for certain vehicles, maybe we should also charge a surcharge for children in the school system. Each child costs an average of $7,129.17 per year. What about the person who has no children and an SUV? Charge him or her for his or her choice and not charge others for their choice? Let's be fair.

George Cole
Greensboro

I used to go to Uwharrie when it was a very beautiful place. That was before the leeches bought up the land that borders the lake right down to waterline. It was a beautiful place. Quiet as a mouse, just an owl at night or birds in the daytime. Then the Skidoos and the idiots who rode them came up into all the necks to see how much noise and how many wakes they could make. I had bought a fishing license for the right to fish there.

These people who destroyed my world were born with the money to destroy everything and trample on everyone else. I hope they drain Badin and leave the Skidoos and mansions high and dry. George Bush is not destroying the forest, the people are.

Ken Sawyer
High Point

While this country was formed by immigrants 230 years ago, those of us who chose to make a better life by emigrating here learned the language and were honored to become citizens of this country and yes, even to pay taxes.

If you want to live here, work here and take advantage of all this wonderful country has to offer, shouldn't these same people be thinking about being part of the United States as opposed to being apart from the United States?

Claudia DeMaggio
High Point

This is in regard to the May 2 headline in your newspaper. Why continue to attempt to deceive some of your educated readers? The headline should have read, "1,500 rally downtown to support illegal immigrants."

Edward Galaviz
Greensboro

The Republicans' 32 percent favorable rating can only get worse with their attention to the number of Hispanics in America instead of the number of Americans in Iraq.

Bob Wright
Greensboro

In Noe Juarez's article (April 26), he conveniently misses the point of the entire uproar over illegal immigrants. It can be stated simply by the word "illegal."

These immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally did so knowingly, making them, in actuality, lawbreakers. Fairly simple to understand, I would think.

Juarez glosses over this point, instead choosing to threaten us with an "immigrant strike" of sorts. Should these illegal individuals choose to go on strike, I can only say they dare to do something that most of these individuals would not have dared to do in their countries of origin.

Few of us U.S. citizens would deny the many contributions to this country made by immigrants. That fact is, simply, undeniable. I have nothing but admiration for those folks who enter legally. And for those who seek and achieve legally naturalized citizenship, my only feeling is "welcome."

For those who choose to break our laws, I say that deportation is deserved.

William H. Glaze
Summerfield

Here is a suggestion how to save $5,000 of taxpayers' money and settle the "leak" case: Publish a one-paragraph story on your editorial page saying the newspaper denies that it was a member of City Council who directly or indirectly leaked a copy of the Wray report to the paper. How about it?

Herman Geschwind
Greensboro

Parents, please supervise your children, no matter what their location. My family has been walking to Hester Park every day for weeks, watching Canada geese with their two eggs. They were extremely protective of their nest, as should all parents be. My daughters have been taught to respect wildlife and were learning an important life cycle lesson.

On April 29, that lesson was disrupted by six young boys, who apparently have not been taught to respect animals or any living being, for that matter. As we came up, we saw that one of the eggs was completely crushed and the other was partially broken. The downy feathers and yellow and red contents were coming from the inside. My children were heartbroken.

After conversing with the boys, we learned they crushed the egg with a stick, all in good humor. Ha ha. The parent geese found no amusement as they lost their defensive side and made strange noises to their broken young.

The parents of the children were under the shelter having a great time letting the kids "amuse themselves." Our day was ruined.

Moral of the story: Watch your kids. Teach respect for all living things.

Kelly Frye
Greensboro

I think there should be more programs for kids' self-esteem. Many gang members come from poor and broken homes. Most kids who are associated with gangs have low self-esteem and feel worthless.

If we can get our children into these self-esteem programs, maybe we can make them feel good about themselves. These kids feel like they do not fit in with society, so, usually, they join a gang looking for love and protection. They need to feel like they belong. Most of the time, kids join gangs because their needs are not being met at home or school.

I think that we, as parents, should get more involved with our community. Parents need to know the signs of being affiliated with a gang so that we are aware of what is happening with our children.

Ella Sombelon
Sedalia

I read with amusement your article, "Politics still alive in appellate judicial races" (April 30), which stated, "The shift to nonpartisan elections came as (N.C.) lawmakers created a voluntary public financing program, which attempted to remove politics and big money from (judicial) campaigns."

Well, voluntary for some. The General Assembly forced lawyers to pay "assessments" of $50 to fund appellate judicial elections, eviscerating freedom of speech for attorneys, as their extorted "assessments" may fund candidates opposing the "donating" attorneys' political beliefs. Does anyone know another segment of society forced to tolerate mandated funding of elections?

Our naive legislators and media persist in socialist attempts to impose public financing and to remove money and politics from any election. Bulletin: Absent dictatorship, politics is the heart of elections, judicial or general, and money always has influenced and will continue to influence elections. Private financing is a small price to pay for the right to support a candidate of one's own choice.

Charles A. Jones
Norfolk, Va.

The writer is a lawyer and native of Greensboro.

Many Greensboro residents are aware that the Arbor House beside Moore Music Company on Market Street was demolished on April 19.

Next scheduled for demolition is an old building immediately beside Moore Music. In that building is a young pregnant cat that has given or soon will give birth. We independently began trapping, vaccinating, neutering and placing numerous feral cats residing in that significant semi-natural habitat as soon as we learned the fate of the property. Of course, we attempted to contact the Humane Society and Guilford Animal Control, receiving no response.

The developers of that property say there is nothing they will do about this matter. Our efforts to rescue her and the imminent kittens have been unsuccessful. Aside from that issue, readers, please be responsible pet owners. Neuter your pets. Keep their vaccines updated. Keep them at home.

Jay and Nancy McCracken
Greensboro

The boycott May 1 does deliver a message. Illegal immigrants need to go home and re-enter this country the legal way. If I had just not shown up for work, I would be fired. Not so for "special" people. And the boycott doesn't mean anything; they could simply buy stuff the day before or the day after.

Our laws are much more lenient on this subject than in Mexico. But, of course, we aren't in Mexico. Mexico has a southern border to prevent people slipping in illegally. Vincente Fox wants things from the United States that he wouldn't dare offer his own country.

Naturalized citizens of this country should be offended that we are waiving rules and catering to criminals. That is what they are by coming here illegally. And they have the gall to wave flags not of this country, but their homeland. If you like it so much, go back. If you can't sing the National Anthem as it is written, take English lessons.

We need to tell our representatives that we will not stand for this, and that their jobs depend on protecting American jobs (lost to illegals rather than going to Americans who would take any job that paid). Remember, your vote counts.

Michael Cumbus
Greensboro

In regard to the person saying atheism should not be considered a religion (May 3), I must disagree. Religion is faith, and faith has been defined as "confident belief in the truth, value or trustworthiness of a person, idea or thing" (dictionary.com).

This taken into consideration, is not the belief in nothing a form of faith? After all, no one can prove that G-d does or does not exist, so not believing in G-d (or in any other religious figure) requires just as much faith as in believing that G-d does, in fact, exist.

The choice to believe in what you wish to believe in is personal and must be made according to what you believe, and since no one can prove that your beliefs are either right or wrong, is not any belief an act of wholehearted faith?

Darren Lipman
Asheboro

The case involving Terri Schiavo demonstrated the importance of having a living will. Actually, there are two types of advanced directives: living will and durable health care power of attorney. Brevity does not permit a full description of the difference between these documents: Both are important.

Money is not an object to completing an advanced directive. All anyone needs is a copy of the documents, witnesses and a notary public. As a public service, the Moses Cone Health System has made these documents available on its Web site: http://www.mosescone.com/

Simply go to the home page, scroll down to the big question mark and click on "Want information on living wills?" There, you will find information on both types of advanced directives plus blank copies that you can download for free.

Please take this opportunity to discuss this important issue with your loved ones and to put your wishes in writing. You and your family will be glad you did.

William Hensel, MD
Greensboro
The writer is chairman, Moses Cone Health System Ethics Committee.

So the crowds of immigrants chose May Day — the day when international socialism celebrates its creed — to boycott America and present their "demands" to the American people. What a nerve.

The socialists' deification of government and abrogation of individual freedom collide head-on with American values of limited government and liberty, but apparently the immigrants' allegiances lie with the former rather than the latter.

I am an immigrant. It cost me four years and my life savings to enter America legally and become a legal resident. It was the best bargain I ever made. On May 1, I went to work, mailed a routine check to the Department of Revenue in Raleigh, and bought everything I could find that said it was "made in the USA."

And I will always be grateful for the opportunities this country has given me.

Christopher Rees
Greensboro

Those of us who support banning public smoking have written and talked about such a ban until we are blue in the face from secondhand smoke.

Apparently, our current legislators and candidates to the legislature either do not hear or do not care about our desperate pleas. Our government has successfully sued the tobacco companies for compensation for health costs related to smoking but has failed to take action to keep that cancerous smoke from public places. What hypocrisy!

Personally, I have resolved to hereafter vote for only those candidates who support the public smoking ban. Only when enough voters take this approach will you see the ban become law.

Gerald Parker
Greensboro

The illegal immigrants in the United States have shown they can come together and march to prove a point. I have some suggestions for future marches I would like to see.

How about the next illegal alien march be down to the local immigration office to sign up for a green card so they can contribute to the system they claim to love? How about a legal registered voter march to the polls to vote out the politicians who have allowed our borders to go unchecked, giving lip service to the need but no action? How about a march of business leaders to prison for knowingly hiring illegals and paying off the politicians so they would turn a blind eye? Throw the dethroned politicians in with this group, too.

The illegals will probably march their way to glory while the rest of us will be left the silent, nonmarching, disenfranchised, temporary majority. So, march on America, and look what happened to France.

James Oakley
Greensboro

Columnist Max Boot (May 2) takes to task the Pulitzer committee for awarding a prize to the Washington Post's Dana Priest for revealing that the CIA operates secret prisons. Boot feels that somehow this shows "a startling degree of animus toward the commander in chief in wartime."

Boot neglected to mention that the Iraq invasion was begun on false pretenses and that many in this country feel a startling degree of animus toward the commander in chief for his bogus war, which has dragged on and brought havoc, not democracy, to the people of Iraq. The revelation of the CIA prisons further points out the furtive nefarious operations of this administration, and such operations should be brought to the attention of the country. Dana Priest and the Pulitzer Prize committee rightly recognized this fact.

Bolling Lowrey
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By WAYNE ABRAHAM and MARSHA GLAZMAN

The Complaint Review Committee of the Greensboro Human Relations Commission has been working alongside Interim police Chief Tim Bellamy, City Manager Mitchell Johnson and others to deal with problems in the Greensboro Police Department. This committee is composed of five commissioners appointed by the City Council who represent Greensboro citizens and their interests in matters of police complaints and fair housing complaints.

The committee is regularly briefed regarding past and current situations in the Police Department as it relates to our duties. Recently there was some breakdown as to how inquiries and complaints were being reported to the Police Department and the Complaint Review Committee. A new fact-gathering form was devised, and now the Police Department will make available to the CRC copies of all inquiries as well as formal complaints regarding police conduct. This will enable the CRC to track more closely what the citizens are experiencing.

Most importantly, the CRC is available to hear complaints that were not resolved satisfactorily by the Police Department. The citizens of Greensboro should understand that they can appeal complaints or discuss any problems that may need to be further addressed. In filing a complaint, if one does not feel comfortable speaking directly with the Police Department, the CRC will start the complaint process along with legal counsel that has been appointed to assist the committee.

The Human Relations Commission's Complaint Review Committee is available to aid any citizen of Greensboro regarding police officers' conduct if they have not fulfilled their promise to protect and serve the community.

Wayne Abraham is chairman, Complaint Review Committee, vice chairman, Human Relations Commission. Marsha Glazman is chairman, Human Relations Commission.

I'm not sure I understand some of the language that surrounds the immigration debate. I heard a local TV news report where the reporter described "activists angered by legislation that would criminalize illegal immigrants."

My question is, how do you criminalize something that is illegal? For my money (and either of these proposals will come with a huge price tag), the INS needs to enforce the laws that are on the books before we give them new laws to deal with. If we need reform, it needs to be centered around the INS and how it enforces what's already law. If the INS is understaffed, then we need to spend the money to provide enough staff to enforce current laws, not give them new laws that they won't be able to enforce.

Phillip Pfister
Greensboro

When I moved my son to Irving Park Elementary School in November, his test scores were in the 30s for reading and math. Brenda Gaffney was his assigned teacher and without her, I feel my son would have remained behind or become so frustrated he would just have given up.

Mrs. Gaffney saw his potential and has continued to go the extra mile for him. Many times she has called me in the evening to discuss his progress and to give me ideas on how to help him at home. Her positive reinforcement has made the difference. A few weeks ago he was given another assessment test and this time his scores were in the high 80s for reading and math.

Mrs. Gaffney has made a difference in my son's life at a time in which he could have gone one way or the other.

She believed in him and he knew this. Mrs. Gaffney has been investing in children's lives for many years. My son is privileged to be one of those children.

Thanks to Irving Park and Mrs. Gaffney for your investment in our children.

Paula Wilder
Greensboro

Greensboro has got to be the least enjoyable town for teenagers. We have no place to hang out and be with friends.

It used to be that we'd go to the movies, the mall or maybe ice skating for fun, but movies are for dates, shopping is for girlfriends and ice skating can get cold and tiring.

We need a chill place just to hang out. Couches, televisions, Internet access computers, concessions and arcade games would be nice to have in one location. A cafe would be even nicer. It would be so much safer for teens to hang out at such a place than at someone else's house, or loitering in parking lots.

Wouldn't it be better to know that your kids are out at the local teen scene instead of the hard-to-believe "at Rachel's house" doing God knows what, when you don't even know Rachel's parents?

Hannah Alford
Greensboro

A lack of respect by some students lies at the root of many of our school problems. Administrators don't have the authority to do anything but suspend children who continually disrupt the classroom, and only after many wasted hours.

These troublemakers do not become rude and disrespectful when they walk into school. This is a behavior that has been developing since they were toddlers, meaning the parents should be held accountable.

I suggest the parents be advised at the beginning that if their child disrupts the class two times, they will be required to spend a day following their child around the school, if they don't want him suspended. Knowing ahead of time, maybe the family would take steps to correct the situation and save the student some embarrassment and the parent from taking a day off from work. If the parent refuses, the Department of Social Services should become involved.

I also think Dr. Terry Grier and each member of the school board should be required to spend a certain amount of time in the classrooms. They might find answers to some of their questions about our schools.

R.P. Jessup
Greensboro

Regarding the article, "1,500 rally downtown to support immigrants" (May 2): Why does the News & Record feel compelled to report the fact that "there were no arrests"?

You don't say that about the Crop Walk or the baseball game. A political rally is very civic-minded, and your implication that the lack of arrests is somehow noteworthy is demeaning.

Ray Huger
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Colin R. Edwards

Regarding UNCG economist Andrew Brod's column (Ideas, April 30):
His treatise on the "Bush tax cuts" was characteristic of liberal academe.

He omitted some observations which might have been interesting to a serious reader.

First, we should acknowledge the fact that tax cuts should go to those who deserve them: the folks who pay most of the taxes. There is nothing evil about "rich people" paying "roughly the same proportion of their earnings in income tax" as others.

I tend to agree with Brod that we should not tax human capital at a rate higher than investment capital. But the rates on both are too high.

Brod's most serious omission was the fact that the tax cuts increased revenues. Whether these increases were the result of economic stimulation or capitalization of old money is moot; the fact is the increases occurred, in billions.

Your writer found employment "still subpar." Most economists consider unemployment of 5 percent virtual full employment. I guess the current rate of 4.8 percent is "still subpar."

Our deficits stem not from a lack of revenue, but from too much spending. Government is too large by one third and that includes all four levels. Three trillion dollars is enough even for the United States.

The tried and true axiom still stands: If you want more of anything, tax it less; if you want less of anything, tax it more. The "Bush tax cuts" should be made permanent.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

Your editorial (May 7) concerning the proposed competition swim facility implied that I was in favor of the proposal. Like many things the editorial department writes about, you don't have it right.

I am opposed to placing this project, as well as many others, on the November ballot because I don't believe this is the appropriate time to be increasing the tax burden on our citizens. I will be in the minority regarding which items are on the November ballot, but I believe that I have an obligation to make sure those proposals the citizens will be voting on will be the best possible, whether I support them or not.

The discussion we had was concerning a proposal the council had requested from the manager for a city-owned-and-operated facility versus the YWCA proposal. I believe that if the voters are going to approve a competition swim facility, the city should own and operate it.

The mayor referred to this being like a church that would only be used on Sunday. If the mayor will check with his pastor, he will find out that, like this proposed facility, something is happening at his church every day.

Thomas Phillips
Greensboro
The writer is a member of the Greensboro City Council.

As illegal immigration continues to grab headlines, it is obvious many people come here for a better life. If we could take any Third World country or a country with a repressive government and put them within walking distance of the United States, we would see the same flow of people coming here as we do from south of our border.

With so many trying to come here from all over the world, I fail to understand Noe Juarez (April 26 column). He blames wealthier, successful countries for the poverty in poorer areas of the world and for illegal immigration. If we're so oppressive, why do masses of people long to be here? It seems it ought to be the other way around: that inept, corrupt and despotic governments cause their own imbalance of rich versus poor with no middle class.

I agree with Juarez that Latinos contribute enormously to the U.S. economy. Could it be America is reaping the consequences of years of abortion? After all, a nation's growth relies on its population. Could abortion be an underlying cause for the disproportionate labor market that, as recent news reports have said, will cause Social Security to be defunct by 2040?

Mary Underwood
Asheboro

Several days ago, I received an e-mail message from a person in a small town in Texas. The message was a vitriolic assessment of the problems with immigrants from Mexico. I happened to notice the e-mail's circulation list. In addition to my own name, the list included Biehunko, Garcia, Obermayer, Novak, Albrecht, Appelt, Cavazos, Magruder, Rosendich, Boehm, Bujnoch, Cinadr, Drozd, Etzler, Kutach, Olsovsky, Pekar, Pohler, Satsky and ... well, I guess you see my point.

Jim Barborak
Jamestown

This is in reference to William K. Oden Jr.'s letter (May 5). Thank you so much, Mr. Oden, for educating some of us about the Civil War.
There were many reasons for this conflict, and you have allowed some readers of this newspaper to learn more about this tragedy. I love my South, and you have given me a reason to love it even more.

Yes, this struggle should give us pause for reflection and inspiration. May 10 will be a special day on my calender for the rest of my natural life. Thank you again.

Becky Weaver
Greensboro

If, as Mark Twain wrote, "Faith is believing what you know ain't so," which isn't so far removed from Tertullian's misquoted, "Credo quia absurdum," then it's easy enough to contend that Faith Matters didn't matter about much until Eric Harrington wrote concerning his atheism.

To contend that his words do not belong among those of religious Americans is to imply that faith in human reason is somehow inferior to faith in absurdities that we know aren't so, and that Harrington is less of an American for bringing that matter to our attention. This would disappoint Thomas Jefferson, who urged his nephew to subject all matters to the test of human reason, despite Jefferson's reaching a different conclusion.

If, however, having faith in human reason and having faith in religion differ in kind and quality, as matters often seem, then Harrington's words were indeed misplaced, and the newspaper is sorely missing a Wisdom Matters section. In which case, the anecdotal sermonettes on various person's miraculous benefits currently placed with news articles are similarly misplaced and should be placed in Faith Matters so that the community can better appreciate the absurdities and not-so matters that matter in our lives.

Christopher C. Tew
Greensboro

The News & Record's decision to run the Sunday strip of "Doonesbury" has once again, most disgustingly, demonstrated the utter contempt and total lack of respect it and the liberal elitists have for our troops. The refrain, "We support our troops, but not the war," truly rings hollow.

For the men and families that have lost a loved one, who have heard the call of duty and have offered their lives to protect you and me, to be called losers by some hack elitist is one of the basest, most vile things I have ever read — and masquerading as "humor" on the comic pages.

The total irony is that our troops are defending a vile elitist person who is spitting on their image — one who has total disregard for them. They are defending him against terrorists who would just as soon murder him as to hear his opinion or allow him to utter it. You wonder what kind of world he lives in.

It is obvious that Garry Trudeau has never met or even tried to meet some of the doctors, engineers and truly wonderful, devoted individuals who comprise our Armed Forces and who heard the call to duty. He and this paper owe an apology to anyone who has ever put on a uniform for this country.

Dan Holsenbeck
Greensboro

I'm so tired of reading about "Thirsty Thursday" at First Horizon Park (May 4). It seems like whoever is in charge of this program does not read the newspaper and see the problems some of our young people have with alcohol. It breaks my heart when they are killed in a car accident.

Carolyn Corbett
Climax

The following is a Counterpoint.

By Terry Moore-Painter and Julie Peeples

Over the past few months, reporter Nancy McLaughlin has helped readers follow the engaging story of Sudanese refugee Alice Lawrence, her need for a bone marrow transplant, and the struggles involved in getting her brother Jimmy here from their home country so that he could be a donor for the procedure. We have felt honored to be a part of their story, and on behalf of Alice, her family and all who have come to care so very much for her, we want to thank the many people of this community who have contributed so generously to her needs.

The compassionate response of both friends and strangers provided Jimmy's round-trip plane ticket and is helping meet additional expenses and basic day-to-day needs. Contributions continue to come in and are being used for medical needs not otherwise covered.

We wish to extend a special word of gratitude to the good people in Sen. Elizabeth Dole's office who worked tirelessly to get Jimmy here and who patiently received our countless phone calls.

Some have sent personal notes to Alice; she is exceedingly grateful for these, for the prayers, the support, and the amazing fact that so many would care about someone they haven't even met.

We, too, join our deepest gratitude with hers and ask that you continue to keep Alice and Jimmy in your prayers as she begins the long-awaited treatment, and, as we all hope, a return to a full and healthy life.

She continues to inspire us, and for all that she has seen and suffered, she continues to draw forth so much good in all whose lives she touches.

Terry Moore-Painter is chaplain, Moses Cone Hospital; Julie Peeples is pastor, Congregational United Church of Christ.

You can't make everybody happy. Hence this letter.
In making some folks happy, you brought back The New York Times, but in doing so you apparently dropped Molly Ivins. That makes me unhappy.

In my opinion, Ivins was your only columnist who, from the first, correctly called the shots on the present administration in Washington. To drop her, in favor of some who did not, seems a poor reward for good efforts.

I hope that you will arrange to return Molly Ivins' column to her customary spot on Saturday's Second Opinion page.

Thomas L. Harmon Jr.
Greensboro

I'm confused about what's legal and what's illegal concerning immigration. I hear people who entered this country illegally saying they're not criminals. I thought a criminal was one who violates the law. (I'm not referring only to committing a felony.)

If illegal aliens aren't criminals, does that mean that our immigration laws haven't been violated? Has the definition of "criminal" been changed?

I'm also wondering what would happen if I sneaked across our southern border, showed up in Mexico City and began protesting that I deserve the rights of a Mexican citizen while waving the American flag and singing the Mexican national anthem in English.

Does that mean that the Mexican government is obligated to treat me the same as a citizen? What would Mexican nationals think of me? Would they accept me as someone who has the same rights as they do?

What does it mean to be a citizen of a country, and how do the rights of a citizen differ from those who are in a country illegally, no matter how beneficial they might be to the economy of that country?

As I said, I'm confused.

Anne Sampson
Greensboro

In response to the letter, "Sheriff's department needs accreditation," by Patricia Thomas, (May 8), the writer advocates a return to accreditation, an expensive window dressing that serves no purpose other than allowing a sheriff bragging rights.

At the completion of a seminar for new sheriffs at the FBI Academy, final remarks by an official with the National Sheriffs Association included a suggestion that we might want to consider national accreditation.

When asked by one sheriff what the benefits to his department would be, he replied, "It looks good politically." Period.

On my return, my staff and I looked at the accreditation process, calculated the cost and found it to be prohibitive with no real benefit (other than political). We were confronted with too may other hard choices the department needed.

The writer has never had any exposure to the requirements and costs of accreditation for a large law enforcement agency. To compare it to accreditation for teachers is to compare apples and oranges.

Jim Proffitt
Greensboro

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

Regarding citizenship and English:

It certainly is necessary to speak English to become a citizen. Our courts, laws, rights and principles of government are all in English and should, like our anthem, only be in English.

How dare people who come here as illegals demand amnesty and citizenship when they can't even speak, read and/or write the national language. To be an American has always meant to assimilate our culture.

If someone does not want to, invite him or her to leave.

Douglas E. Mapou
Jamestown

In the late 19th century, when John Muir was fighting to save the majestic groves of redwoods on the northern California coast by asking Congress to create forest reserves, he said, "Through all of the centuries since Christ's time — and long before that — God has saved these trees from drought, disease, avalanches, tempests, and floods; but he cannot save them from fools — only Uncle Sam can do that."

Once again, we must go to our government and beseech it to save our national forests. Please write to or contact your representative with a plea to protect our state's Pisgah, Nantahala, Uwharrie and Croatan forests from development. In the words of John Muir, these forests are "fountains of life. Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike." We need these natural forests to remain undeveloped and open for all to enjoy and love. Awaken.

Rose Mary Daniels
High Point

Your coverage of the leak of the confidential police report by a member of the City Council is extremely biased. Your editorials and reporters' writings continually criticize the eight council members who took the test and defend Councilwoman Bellamy-Small.

Confidentiality between the council and city government must be maintained.

The case is simple. Your paper seems to gloss over the indisputable fact that the reports returned by the eight councilmen who took and passed the lie-detector test were intact.

Dianne Bellamy-Small's copy had staple holes that indicated that her copies were separated and then re-stapled. This proves that her copy was the only one that could have been copied.

Because an accomplice could have copied the report and passed it on to others, Bellamy-Small potentially states a half-truth when she says, "I have never been the source of any leak."

I challenge her to explain details of the events surrounding the staple removal and re-stapling.

Had she been forthcoming and not attempted to stonewall the issue, polygraph tests would have been unnecessary.

I am reminded of TV's Judge Judy's remark, "Please don't pee on my head and tell me it's raining."

Arthur Klages
Greensboro

Congratulations to the residents of McLeansville and their "American Idol" contestant, Chris Daughtry. However, the people of McLeansville and Guilford County have another hero to celebrate, Brad White.

Brad, a physical education teacher at Madison and Gibsonville elementary schools, was named one of five teachers nationwide as an All-Star Teacher this year by Project Fit America, a charity dedicated to children's fitness.

Congratulations, Brad, for the fine contributions you make quietly but effectively in teaching children the importance of a healthy lifestyle. You, too, are a hero whom we celebrate and thank.

Willie Taylor
Greensboro

With all the stress and concerns that contemporary life puts on us as individuals and families, events such as "Poetry GSO" sponsored by the Friends of the Greensboro Public Library can transport and inspire us in many ways. I know because I attended several of the events during April.

The highlights for me, and I hear for many others, were the readings 18-year-old Mexican poet Ekiwah Adler Belendez gave at the Central Library and the Green Hill Center for North Carolina Art. Although born with cerebral palsy, Ekiwah speaks a universal language of joy, pain and the spirit.

I understand there were 60 events held at venues all over the city to reach every age and socioeconomic group. Citizens of Greensboro need to thank Steve Sumerford, assistant director of the library, and all the participating library staff for their tireless efforts in organizing this event.

Collaborations such as this between the library and venues such as the Carolina Theatre, Green Hill Center, A&T, Centro de Accion Latino for the Latino Poetry Project, local coffee shops, etc., enrich us all and need to be supported by the citizens of Greensboro.

Beatrice Schall
Greensboro
The writer is a visual artist.

Thank you for the article regarding reduced prices for beer on Thursday nights at the Grasshoppers games. Should my wife and I decide to attend a game, we will make sure not to go on a Thursday.

Ray Puckett
Summerfield

When your editorial (May 7) stated, "A season of hockey probably would attract more customers than a few swim meets," I decided to challenge your perspective on the proposed competition swimming venue. Certainly, the coliseum will hold more spectators than nearly any competitive swimming venue, so your statement is, in essence, true.

A world-class swimming venue would serve as a host facility for not just a few, but many regional championship meets. Families in our area involved in competitive swimming have to travel to Hillsborough, Raleigh, Wilmington, Charlotte and out of state for championship meets. There is a shortage of pool space and reasonable practice times for high school teams. Pools in the Triad lack availability, lanes and seating for regional or state high school championship meets.

Doctors applaud those of us past 40 who swim because it can be done without stress on the musculoskeletal system. I am convinced that my own good health is due to the fact that I swim regularly.

Such a facility would require skilled management and be costly to construct and maintain. With a mission to train athletes, host competitions and promote healthy exercise, I think the costs are worth the benefits.

Debbie Leach
Greensboro

The recent spate of publicity and finger-pointing surrounding the reports of construction problems at Dudley High School is well deserved. Two major weaknesses in the contract system deserve some attention: the politically correct minority participation rule that awards preference based on criteria other than ability to do the work, and the rules for awarding the contract that require award to the lowest bidder regardless of competency.

Dan Donovan
Greensboro

I wholeheartedly and enthusiastically support Councilwoman Bellamy-Small as she refuses to submit to a polygraph to determine her actions, if any, in releasing information concerning the investigation at the Greensboro Police Department. Bellamy-Small is quite right that submitting to a polygraph would call into question her scruples and character and undermine her integrity.

I think we should ask ourselves what kind of people we are electing when their word is not their bond, when to give credence to their testimony we must subject them to testing.

Moreover, I wonder why, if the News & Record knows who the informant is, and if it isn't Bellamy-Small, it won't clear her name.

A note to Bellamy-Small: The News & Record is railroading you.

Rodd Smith
Greensboro

Editor's note: The News & Record promised it would not reveal its source. It will not, therefore, say who the source is or is not.

I had not heard about "Thirsty Thursday" until I opened my paper (May 4) and saw the two pictures on A1 of the group of young people all holding their beers and smiling, and another picture on A4.

I read the article with interest to find out that the Greensboro Grasshoppers, for the most part, play to a small crowd on Thursday. Their sport is not respected, at least not on Thursday. The game is just an excuse to congregate at the beautiful and expensive First Horizon Park to drink discounted beer and pick up dates.

Yes, it certainly does promote revenue, but do we want our children exposed to drunks, suggestively dressed women, and possible clashes with police officers? Was that what First Horizon Park was intended for?

By the way, as far as the Hoppers' performance on that Thursday night, it was on C1. The headline said, "Crawdads beat sloppy Hoppers."

Sharon Davis
Gibsonville

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By W. Luke Johnson

We live in a society that is plagued with alcoholism and the devastating effects it has on the lives of those involved and their extended families.

There is also a growing number of automobile accidents leading to permanent disfigurement and in some cases death.

Yet, on the front page of the News & Record May 4, there was an article, complete with photos, that depicted young people drinking at a Grasshoppers' ballgame. The caption read, "Who cares about baseball when the beer's just a buck?"

Is this the image the city leaders and developers want to send to the nation about our great city?

The article further implied that the patrons of First Horizon Park's party deck proceed to get drunk, as indicated by the young man who stated he really got drunk the previous week, hence his purchase of a T-shirt. The individual is 39 years old and should know better.

The article also implied that the party deck has become no more than a "meat market" endorsed by the Grasshoppers and the city.

By the way, where are the police while this public drinking and drunkenness is going on?

Greensboro deserves better publicity than this from the Grasshoppers.

Our citizens help to pay for this park in the long run. The obvious intent of this article is free advertisement for the drinking arena at the ballpark and an endorsement of the same.

I am very disappointed with our mayor, City Council and those associated with the ownership and management of the Hoppers.

However, I guess I shouldn't be. All they want to do is fill the stadium and try to make a profit, without any concern about what goes on at the party deck and after the drinkers leave the stadium.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

To the legislature in Raleigh:

A "surplus" means that we have been overtaxed. While the Demon-crats are trying to figure out how to blow the "surplus," probably on more of Jim Black's and Marc Basnight's pork-barrel wasteful vote-buying schemes, they fail to realize that a lot of the new spending that they pass will have to be paid for even after this "surplus" is long gone — meaning Gov. "Tax-Hike Mike Sleasely" will be coming back to the trough for more.

If they do anything with that "surplus," they should hang onto it — hurricane season is about to start again. Or they should replenish the highway fund that they've been underhandedly raiding for all these years.

Jay Callaham
Greensboro

Time is running out for City Council to decide what to include in the 2006 bond referendum. One investment that can set Greensboro apart from our competitive cities and enhance quality of life is the construction of a 4.2-mile greenway loop around the center city.

I urge City Council members to include at least $2 million in this bond issue for site and right-of-way acquisition for the proposed urban greenway loop.

A Center City Greenway would promote health and fitness, enhance Greensboro's trail system, stimulate economic development, and act as a magnet and impetus for recreation on properties contiguous to and near the trail. This greenway would help connect the eastern and southeastern communities of Greensboro to downtown and to the rest of Greensboro. Additionally, it would connect Greensboro College to its planned southern sports complex. The loop would help beautify our city.

Going forward, we will need greater funding to construct this 4.2-mile loop around our center city; however, in the meantime, should land or right-of-way opportunities arise, we don't want to miss them.

For citizens who would like additional information about the greenway, you may visit www.actiongreensboro.org and click on Center City Greenway.

Trip Brown
Greensboro

In all the news about Zacarias Moussaoui and his life sentence instead of the death penalty, I have yet to see any discussion of all the harm this man is liable to do while in prison. I can't imagine a worse place for an unrepentant terrorist to be preaching his gospel of hate. Hopefully, he will not actually be allowed to associate with other inmates.

John R. Dykers Jr.
Siler City

A recent article on the proposed expansion of WUNC-FM (91.5) into Greensboro tells only part of the story of National Public Radio service in our community.

WFDD (88.5), the longest continually broadcasting public radio station in the state, has served Greensboro for decades. Of its listeners, 40 percent live in Guilford County.

While I wish WUNC well in its fund raising, WFDD opened its Greensboro bureau more than five years ago and has a journalist covering local issues full time.

WUNC is a fine station and I have been a supporter for many years. I am also a member of WFDD, to which I turn for balanced and complete coverage of Greensboro issues.

Eric R. Calhoun
Greensboro

I guess all of our local services want to be part of the loss of the taxpayers' trust. Along with Project Homestead, the Greensboro Police Department situation and numerous other wastes of tax money, here's a new one.

Greensboro has a nice, new softball facility. Teams that play there pay a league fee for the fields. These league dues are supposed to reserve the fields. But recently, long after schedules were made and given to the teams and the season had begun, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference decided at the last minute that it wanted to use these fields for its softball tournament.

The Parks & Recreation Department decided to dump on the local taxpayers and give the MEAC the fields.

Approximately 48 local teams were bumped out of their games for people who have no claim to the already-reserved fields. I have worked for the Parks & Recreation Department and as a Greensboro police officer and have seen both sides of the waste.

Are our local leaders ever going to get it? City and county leaders, stop biting the hands that feed you and look out for the people who pay the bills.

Lane Roberson
Greensboro

It is a sad day when parents allow their young boys to destroy nesting birds' eggs for amusement, especially Canada geese (letter, May 8). For their information, Canada geese are federally protected migratory birds, and it is a federal offense to destroy their nests and eggs. Let the parents remember this because they could be charged with this offense.

Cecil Livengood
Greensboro

Regarding the article, "Belly up to the ballpark" (May 4): It seems with all the news happening in our world, there could have been a much more newsworthy article than a full front page devoted to 20-somethings getting drunk.

Our children in grade school go through the DARE program to learn to stay off of drugs and alcohol. The News & Record is in every school library and is used for current events in school. This article was the first thing they saw that day for news.

How does that back up what they are learning? Instead it glorifies alcohol and makes it look like the cool thing to do.

This article will actually keep families from coming to games on Thursdays. As a "family-friendly" stadium, what kind of example is First Horizon Park setting by supporting "Thirsty Thursday"?

It seems the $24,000 of beer sold on one Thursday could have been used for many worthy causes. Where are the articles promoting family-oriented activities? When is $1 Coke/Ice Cream Night for families?

Sorry, News & Record. You struck out with this article.

Diane Myers
Karla Moore
Stephanie Nichols
Greensboro
The 11th- and 12th-grade girls Sunday schools class of Lawndale Baptist Church also signed this letter. Myers, Moore and Nichols are their teachers.

The Minuteman Caravan that passed through Greensboro is one of our last lines of defense against the illegal invasion of aliens. Unfortunately, many people in this area are ignorant about who they are and for what they stand. The issue is simple: Stop the flow of illegal immigrants into our country.

The movement has nothing to do with race, creed or color. It is a matter of upholding laws already on the books, the drain on the U.S. social structure and the depression of wages due to illegal aliens taking jobs from which Americans cannot make a living.

It is also about our government turning a blind eye and deaf ear to the voice of the people. American citizens put them in office, not the million of illegals marching in our streets. The Minutemen are not vigilantes; they do not endorse violence; they carry weapons only for self-defense.

Before you start screaming racist gibberish about these brave citizens, do a bit of research on the radical groups backing the illegal alien movement and decide for yourself if you want the southwestern part of the United States returned to the authority of Mexico.

Cindy Craven
Greensboro

Curiosity and questions about the construction going on at the Natural Science Center clearly have peaked. Inquiries have become so frequent that I cannot adequately and efficiently respond on a one-to-one basis. Perhaps this brief update will help.

"Animal Discovery" is under construction. The official grand opening will be early next spring. "Animal Discovery" will be an education-based "living museum" that will focus on animal adaptations, interaction and behavioral enrichment.

Yes, we are building a tiger habitat.

Phase two of our Science City USA master plan has already been kick-started. The two projects moving forward now are "HealthQuest Adventure," which will focus on human health and anatomy, and the "OmniSphere," which will be a state-of-the-art, digital, total-immersion theater replacing our antiquated planetarium system. Both projects are deep in committee development and we soon will be looking to residents or businesses to support our passion for community service through science.

The exciting "Prehistoric Passages" project will expand and re-invent our dinosaur realm, and will follow the completion of "HealthQuest" and the "OmniSphere."

"Monster Trucks: The Science of Extreme Machines" will roll into Greensboro on Memorial Day weekend.

Glenn Dobrogosz
Greensboro
The writer is executive director, Natural Science Center.

Thank you, Greensboro Public Library, for sponsoring Poetry GSO during the month of April, with more than 150 literary events.

Just to recall a few — poet Coleman Barks mesmerized his Elliot Auditorium audience when, accompanied by live music, he read from Rumi, the 13th century mystic. Activist Luis Rodriguez's words flashed white heat about growing up as a gang member on the streets of east Los Angeles. He sent a message of hope through education to his audience of students and their parents.

At the Historical Museum, seven of Greensboro's African American women poets captivated the audience with their words and electric personalities. One of the poets, Dr. Anjail Rashida Ahmad, also served as the guest editor for the 2005-06 High School Poet Laureate Project.

At the last event of Poetry GSO, Ahmad's students, the poet laureates from 15 Guilford County high schools, read to an admiring audience. The poems of these talented students have been published in an anthology titled, "Poetry GSO WORD."

It was wonderful to see all types of people and families at poetry programs. Poetry GSO is an annual event that will continue to grow and enrich our lives.

Suzanne Pell
Greensboro

The Bush administration's proposal to sell national forest land is a prudent solution to fund the Rural School program. The understaffed Forest Service selected these small, high-maintenance, low-value parcels.

This land sale is necessary to replace revenues that came from timber sales until logging was restricted to protect endangered species. The unbalanced environmentalists hate loggers but love spotted owls. They view loggers as terrorists and chain saws as weapons of mass destruction. The death of one tree is unacceptable to them, but the loss of 130,000 logging jobs and greatly increased lumber prices are acceptable.

Spendthrift environmentalism has created a funding crisis in schools and will continue to cost all taxpayers.

Those worried about decreasing federal real estate holdings may not know we have more than 730 million acres of forest land (including non-federal land) and about 230 billion trees. That's more than we were growing 40 years ago, thanks to intelligent forest management.

We often raise taxes for schools. We invented so-called education lotteries. So, to gain support for this proposal, let's call it an Educational Land Sale.

Wayne Lowman
Eden

The News & Record and some other news sources have mentioned George's urging his brother Jeb to run for president. Also, I believe that poppy Bush is in favor of it. It seems that at some time in the past in discussions within the Bush family, poppy Bush initially favored Jeb over George. So it makes some sense to see this scenario unfolding.

I like the idea in a way. George has said that the quagmire in Iraq would be left to future presidents to dig us out of. What a curse to leave to his own kin, but perhaps better than to have a Democrat be saddled with solving this ongoing problem with no near-term, easy way out.

Things will have to get worse over there, which they will, and the onus for the debacle will probably be laid on whatever administration is in power. In the end, I see the oil-producing states bringing us down by oil starvation in total, or by economic ruination resulting from high prices.

May the Bush dynasty continue as the world heads for an East/West global war, so that we will know where the responsibility lies.

Joseph P. Iacone
Kernersville

If the students of today had been disciplined by their parents and if teachers had been allowed to discipline, as with my generation, Tasers would not be needed.

M.M. Way
Graham

Praise the Lord for good news. I am writing about the two miners who were rescued after being trapped in a gold mine more than a half-mile underground in Australia — for two weeks.

It is so good to read where people have the knowledge to do such a feat. We need more good stories rather than the bad ones. It is time people woke up and realized that it takes a lot less energy to do good than to do bad.

Thank you for a good newspaper and for keeping us informed.

Iris Newby
Eden

School resource officers from the Sheriff's Department are carrying Tasers. The school board wants to talk about this at its next meeting. My question is, talk about what? The school board should have no say about what weapons the officers carry in order to do their job.

I was a school resource officer from 1994 until October 2005 when I retired from the Sheriff's Department. During that time, I had the misfortune of charging students with everything from simple assault to strong-armed robbery to assault with a deadly weapon. Had I been carrying a Taser, it would have allowed me to deal with fights and assaults without having to have physical contact with a student, which could have led to my injury or the student's injury. The only weapons we had at the time were pepper spray, an ASP, which is an impact weapon used to strike someone, and our service weapon.

The school board needs to stay out of what weapon the sheriff issues the officer. The board needs to stick to running the schools, which I'm not sure it knows how to do. The sheriff is the officer's boss, not the school board.

Walter Richardson
Colfax

The article, "Rip into ribs" (May 17), had my mouth watering for my own husband's delicious ribs. The writer testifies that her husband cooks the best ribs. I beg to differ.

This Saturday, Greensboro can come and sample the best ribs in town while supporting a great cause. The event is Hoggfest/ Friends helping a friend, to help raise money for a cancer patient and his daughter. You can buy a plate of BBQ, listen to local musicians and even get a professional haircut for a donation. Go to State Street between Neal's Hair Salon and La Bamba between 10 and 3 on Saturday and satisfy the craving that the article produced.

Jinni Hoggard
Greensboro

I'm proud of Bob Hinson for requesting a runoff in the Guilford County sheriff's race.

Berkley Blanks' supporters tried every trick in the book to convince Bob Hinson not to request a runoff. They tried to make it appear that Hinson is wasting the taxpayers' money, but what they have not told you is that the money spent on a runoff has already been allocated in the budget just in case there is a need for a runoff.

In the May 2 primary, Hinson won 71 precincts and Blanks only won 57. That shows a lot of support and confidence in the community for Bob Hinson. He has given a lot to our community working with homeless shelters, Habitat for Humanity and youth mission work with his church. I think that it is time that we show our gratitude to him.
On May 30, I will cast my vote for Bob Hinson. Please join me and show your support for Bob Hinson.

Maggie Wisco
Greensboro

Thank you for returning Thomas Friedman to your Second Opinion page. His knowledge and understanding of the world's problems send us a sane voice in all this turmoil.

Martha Morey
High Point

Enough Chris Daughtry. I know, I know, he was a local boy, but really, who needs another screaming rocker with attitude?

The voters got it right. Taylor Hicks is unique as an entertainer.
Prediction: Long after Chris becomes "whazzisname from North Carolina," Hicks will be performing in Vegas.

Michael Crouch
Greensboro

The News & Record welcomes letters related to the May 30 primary runoff. Letters should be no more than 200 words and should be as specific as possible. All letters are subject to editing.
Include your name, home street address and a daytime telephone number. We will not print letters that are unsigned or have been submitted to other publications.

Though we cannot guarantee that all letters will be published, we will make every effort to see that the full range of competing views is represented. Here are the criteria:

Substance: Letters that merely endorse or recite the obvious about a candidate are less interesting to our readers than letters that contain useful information or compelling arguments.
Criticism: Opinions about a candidate's fitness or unfitness are welcome; allegations of misconduct are not. To raise that kind of issue, call the news department at 373-7001.
Online: To avoid attacks against candidates based on incorrect or unfounded information, election letters will not be posted on the letters blog.
Deadline: Noon today.

Finally, letter-writing campaigns are unacceptable. A letter should reflect the writer's own initiative.

The following is a Counterpoint:
By Jeff Burcher

The more I think about it, the madder I get. I have already written my duly elected government representatives, but that does not seem like enough. I still have some steam left, it seems. I am outraged about the consideration of amnesty for illegal immigrants.

I have married a woman from China. I am being patient and following immigration procedures. It is not easy, and I am emotionally stressed by it all, but that is the nature of the beast. That is necessary bureaucracy at a time of high security risk from international sources. I understand, so I do it anyway and trust the system. I am filling out volumes of forms, paying application fees, and having to wait a long, long time to see my wife again. To say that I could have avoided all of this by sneaking her into the country and having her get a job washing dishes is ludicrous.

I am sure there will always be criminals who will work for less than minimum wage, for cash under the table and no questions asked. There will always be unscrupulous employers who want to increase their profit margin by circumventing the law, not providing benefits or paying FICA, Social Security, etc. But to say these illegal immigrants are performing jobs Americans won’t, as a justification for this movement, is deceptive at best.

I live in an economically depressed area. I have plenty of friends and neighbors who work in low-paying, manual labor jobs. There are still others who would welcome the work if it was here, but that is another issue.

What laws are we going to grant amnesty for next because the criminals have formed a protest movement? I am furious that this is even an issue. I simply do not see how that position can be rationally defended or supported.

If the American people want a cheap labor force, I am sure there are plenty of Chinese who would also like to come over. Maybe we could set up sweatshop recruitment stations in refugee camps, disaster areas and Third World countries.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

How nice that the General Assembly and Gov. Easley want to finally give teachers and state employees a raise. (We appreciate the editorial endorsement).

Now, how about restoring the state contribution to our state employees pension fund to where it was in 1999? The balanced budget, with all its "pork" of the past five years, was achieved by robbing teachers and state employees of matching state contributions to their pension fund. That little piece of grand larceny (we are talking hundreds of millions of dollars) has never been rescinded. And don't bore us by mentioning the "catch-up" contributions of recent years.

All in the General Assembly, as well as Gov. "Robbing Hood" Easley, know you're still stealing from your teachers and employees pension fund. The state's matching contribution was 9.35 percent, but for years now it has only been 2.35 percent, which doesn't even match half of what employees themselves contribute.

So, I suggest that when voting this fall, North Carolina teachers and state employees wake up and ask legislators: "When are you going to stop stealing from my pension fund for your pork?" Then vote accordingly.

Bob Gaines
Greensboro

I am commenting on the letter written by Thomas L. Harmon Jr. (May 12), requesting Molly Ivins be returned to Saturday's Opinion page. I appreciate the fact that her vitriolic pieces are gone since I don't recall her ever having contributed positively to nearly anything she chose to write about.

It's one thing to disagree; we all have that right under the Constitution. However, mean-spirited vindictiveness does not contribute to anything worthwhile and merely serves to foment anger. I'm glad her column no longer is in the News & Record.

J.M. Shadley
Greensboro

I am a patriot. I have served as a U.S. Air Force officer for 20 years. I have deep roots in America. Nine generations before I was born, James Eno, my paternal ancestor, left London for these shores, starting a new life in Connecticut in 1648.

I have traveled extensively, lived and worked in five continents. I have seen governments in Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe and the United States from the inside. I have firmly believed that U.S. society and government stand as a sentinel of freedom and compassion in the world. I love my country.

Something very troubling has happened to my understanding of America in the days since Sept. 11, 2001. We have lost our compassion. We have lost our generosity. And, if we are not wary, we may lose our freedom. There are many reasons I fear for the future of America. Since space limitations prevent me from elaborating, I will declare our invasion of Iraq as the most immediate cause of my concern. I go on record as an American patriot who believes this war must cease, and that any impending plans for war on Iran must be opposed.

Eric Eno
Greensboro

I miss Molly Ivins. Did we have to give up Molly Ivins to get back Thomas Friedman and Maureen Dowd? Was it a matter of expense, or did too many people not want Molly?

I must admit she was getting a little tiresome in her continual tirade against Bush, but was always so funny, you had to enjoy her.

Thanks for Friedman, Dowd and Pitts, anyway.

Gay Cheney
Brown Summit

I was pleased to see your article on the environmental impact of disposable chopsticks, which are not unknown here in the United States, either, (May 15, page A2). I do have a small correction. You said that chopsticks are called "waribashi." In Japanese, chopsticks are called "hashi." The verb for "break" or "split" is "waru." The two words together, "waru hashi," combine to become "waribashi," the special word for disposal chopsticks that one breaks apart to use.

Samuel Johnson
Greensboro

I'm sure that Rosemary Roberts has heard plenty of people arguing that Democrats have no real vision for the country, and it's much easier to repeat what everyone else has said than to look into the issue on her own. But still, I'd like to think that a News & Record columnist would at least bother to research the main point of her column (May 12, "When will Democrats get act together?").

If she had done a little research, she might have found a front-page Washington Post article from May 7, in which House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi laid out a legislative plan for a Democrat-controlled House. They would "raise the minimum wage, roll back parts of the Republican prescription drug law, implement homeland security measures and reinstate lapsed budget deficit controls." Do Democrats have no plans? Doesn't sound like it.

These proposals and more, including those on health care, Social Security and the environment (think increased CAFE standards), can be found on the DNC Web site, which Roberts apparently has never seen. Democrats are making concrete policy proposals, even if the media isn't listening.

Gray Kimbrough
Greensboro

I wish that every citizen could have attended the 2006 Police and Citizens Appreciation Dinner. Officers, citizens and non-sworn personnel were honored for bravery, valor and dedication to protecting our community. The Greensboro Merchants Association helped the Greensboro Police Department to produce this annual event on Thursday at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center.

The week of May 13-19 is National Peace Officers week, celebrated with a 5k run, the annual dinner and a memorial service dedicated to fallen officers. This is a week to show our appreciation to law enforcement officers throughout our community. Their tireless dedication makes Greensboro a great place to live and work.

Let's not lose sight of the dedicated men and women, day in and day out, who put on a badge and leave their families so we might have a safe community.

On behalf of members of the Greensboro Merchants Association, we offer our sincere appreciation.

Michael F. Bumpass
Greensboro
The writer is president and CEO, GMA/FirstPoint Inc.

As a chief judge in a Guilford County precinct, I cannot express in words the dismay I felt the day of the primary, May 2. Your officials and assistants spent 13 hours working from 6 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. plus setting up on Monday night. More time was spent in extra training for the new machines and in an instructional meeting to make the elections run smoothly.

This training supports our democratic way of selecting candidates to run for office. Americans are fortunate to have this opportunity. Tax dollars fund this process.

I don't believe we realize that the people running in our local races may affect our lives more than some of the national candidates. More information about the candidates and an editorial endorsement of the candidates in the News & Record or on our local TV channels were needed. Several people came in to vote only because they saw our "Vote Here" signs out front. The runoff on May 30 would not be necessary if people had voted the first time.

As long as we continue to approach our duty and responsibility for electing our officials in this manner, we will continue to be disappointed with the results and spend tax dollars unnecessarily.

Annie Oakley
Greensboro

Your recent story about some of the Greensboro Jaycee leaders who used their club's funds for their personal spending was most revealing. It left me with resentment and anger.

What kind of "leadership training" is this? This looks like embezzlement and should be treated as such.

These young men and women should not only repay the club treasury in full now but apologize to the few remaining Jaycees and resign their memberships.

As a former active Jaycee, I hope for better Jaycee days ahead.

Grover Godwin
Greensboro

With some trepidation, I attended the Minuteman rally, totally agreeing with the group's published objectives but concerned about the little press I could find being completely negative.

When I arrived I found not your editorial "right-wing extremists," but mature, concerned citizens like myself. We were faced by a scruffy, young and extremely profane group. I never heard one word of profanity from any member of our group. I was shocked and dismayed that these young people would be so loudly obscene, but then, Greensboro's "handled with kid gloves" International Socialist group has had much more experience at rabble-rousing than I.

I wish every News & Record subscriber could have heard this, and then read your news coverage of the event. And, I don't believe for a minute that good law enforcement ever entered into the situation, certainly not while I was present.

Now that the rally is over and gone, why don't you report exactly why a group, the objectives of which are supported by 80 percent of American voters, could not secure a permit for a rally downtown? But then, letting that little secret out would not fit the socialist agenda, would it?

Jane A. Boyer
Climax

It was with mixed feelings that I read of the swearing-in of John Parks as county commissioner — 18 months after his election by the people of Guilford County.

Parks has been cheated in his service, and the people of Guilford County have been cheated when the duly elected person is not allowed to serve.

And, we must not forget the numerous hours and thousands of the taxpayers' dollars that have been wasted in trying to deny due process. This whole episode has been a black eye on the county statewide and a slap in the face to those who voted in that election.

Jerry E. Harper
Jamestown

It recently was evealed that President Bush authorized the collection of some 500 million records of phone conversations made by American citizens. As with the NSA wiretaps, Bush made no attempt to get authorization from FISA to obtain these records at any point in the five years of this program, even though the law specifically states that FISA must approve of such an action. Let us not also forget that these searches violate the Fourth Amendment.

Sadly, this is just another corrupt action performed by an administration that already has set a painfully low standard for ethical behavior and accountability. How many more felonies and constitutional violations must the president commit before Congress takes the necessary action to impeach him and hold him accountable?

Benjamin Thomas
Greensboro

During my service on the City Council and as mayor, I was aware that we appointed the school board but had no authority over its management of the schools. We assumed they were being managed properly.

When our daughter graduated from Aycock (I believe in 1971), she was assigned to Dudley. As we would at any school, we went to Dudley to appraise the education she would get. What we saw was unbelievable. The contrast with her previous schools, Irving Park and Aycock, was incredible.

Apparently, the school board saw no need to provide facilities and equipment comparable to those she was used to. The students were well dressed and polite, but it was apparent that their teachers were not supplied with what they needed.

Before our visit, I firmly intended that our three children would attend the public schools, as my wife and I had. However, although we could ill afford it, we sent our daughter to a private school and have wondered ever since if Dudley students have been able to overcome such a miserable experience. It is extremely disheartening to read that this situation has not been fully remedied. Shame on the school board.

Jack Elam
Greensboro

Impeachment is only a requirement to investigate. The Senate has responsibility for a trial. President Bush's continued spying on U.S. citizens without warrant is patently illegal and should be investigated through the impeachment process.

While presidents should have some latitude in considering their policies, Bush's claim that the law does not apply to him must be countered by severe action. There is no reasonable response toward this requirement other than impeachment.

James Deere
Greensboro

Obviously, the News & Record has performed a valuable civic duty in its reporting on Thirsty Thursday at First Horizon Park, given the flood of letters concerning young people enjoying beer at the ballgame. I fear, however, that only part of the downtown debauchery has been covered. Do these letter writers, so aghast at the thought of alcohol consumption, really know the full extent of downtown's devilry?

Within blocks of the stadium, for example, people young and old are dancing — with each other — at clubs. Women have been spotted in slacks and wearing makeup. In other quarters, people enjoy wine with their meals and take great delight in the sensual pleasures of the palate. While some would call such activities civilized, the local mullahs and their followers know better — this is a clear threat to the Judeo-Christian tradition and Western civilization as they think they know it.

The answer is simple: These God-fearing, narrow-minded children of the nanny church should steer clear of downtown and its myriad temptations. Or, they could mind their own business. Please. If not, I don't think the public can be held responsible if they are exposed to such dangers as intelligent and open-minded discourse.

Bryan Chitwood
Greensboro

On May 9, Dr. William Hensel wrote to urge everyone to write a living will. I commend his advice, but I recommend that he carefully review the "blank copies" furnished by his hospital. A living will states that if you are unconscious and your doctor has said your illness is incurable and terminal, you do not want your life prolonged by artificial means. Most people think of a heart pump or breathing machine, but the blank copies also specify artificial hydration.

Many persons diagnosed as incurable regain consciousness and recover. Not a high percentage, but many. It is accepted that you cannot live more than a week without water (supplied intravenously to those in a coma). Thus, withholding water is an act that will kill you within a week.

We play the lottery; one chance in a million. With life itself, are we unwilling to take a much better chance?

If you get the standard living will form from the Internet, a hospital or even your lawyer, strike "artificial hydration" from the list of procedures withheld. Insist on getting water and preserving your chance to live.

Dick Douglas
Greensboro

When is enough enough? A $300 million bond is not enough. Nor is a $200 million bond. That temporary penny increase in our state sales tax is not enough. (Oh, by the way, that tax is now permanent.)

Last year's county property tax increase was not enough. Now our city and county managers are proposing yet another tax increase. Why is it that Greensboro has the second-highest property taxes behind Durham (among the state's largest cities)?

It's interesting that on the same day that the News & Record has the 5.25-cent increase on the front page, The Charlotte Observer has a front-page article on property taxes. Their county manager wants a 1.2 percent cut in taxes.

Well, I say enough. Enough wasting our tax dollars. This is one voter who will vote against anyone who wants to raise my taxes yet again. Am I alone?

Randy Lewis
Greensboro

Dan Holsenbeck (letter, May 12) uses six-and-a-half column inches to say Garry Trudeau owes me an apology. I disagree. I bet my 22 years' service, including two wars and a handful of battle stars, against whatever he has to wager in support of his opinion.

Bill Thornton
Mebane

The city of Greensboro should be immensely proud of Matt Brown, managing director of the Greensboro Coliseum Complex, and his excellent professional staff for their work in extending the contract for the Women's ACC Basketball Tournament through 2015 and obtaining the contract for the Men's ACC Basketball Tournament for five of six years from 2010-2015.

I have personally observed the complicated process of developing and presenting the bid to the decision-makers within the ACC and commend Matt and his staff for their dedicated efforts.

When the two tournaments are in town, they will bring into our local economy more than $20 million per year. And this represents only two weeks of activities in our coliseum's busy calendar.

I am proud to be a volunteer for Greensboro's exemplary coliseum complex and appreciate its economic impact in our community.

W. Harrison Turner III
Greensboro

The writer is chairman, Tournament Hosts of Greensboro.

I read the announcement of the coliseum getting the ACC Men's Basketball Tournament and I thought, great; but when's the bill going to hit? I only had to read the entire article to see the start of the wish lists — $36 million being asked for this year. Plus, a few million dollars a year in operating losses. Who knows what lies ahead as the coliseum needs more improvements. All this to bring in roughly $130 million over a decade — only a fraction of that is returned as taxes and fees.

This revenue is not distributed to the taxpayers who have footed the bill over many years for a facility rarely used by the average taxpayer. A lot of people say the coliseum is an asset to the city. It may be. However, most of the time it sits empty on Lee Street, an example of urban blight.

It's time to leverage our good fortune of getting the ACC Men's Tournament into a selling point to take the facility private. Time to turn it into a taxpaying facility from a taxing burden on the citizens of Greensboro.

Don Moore
Greensboro

Whenever the president tells us how well the economy is doing, he cites the stock market, the creation of new jobs and the continuing statistical increase in productivity in our businesses. He never explains how the stock market is being artificially buoyed by tax cuts to the wealthy, or that most of those new jobs are service jobs on the low end of the salary scale. But it's his lack of candor about the productivity thing that really annoys me.

Every time I read that "productivity" continues to increase in our country, I cringe. Productivity is measured by the number of units produced (or services delivered) divided by the applied man-hours that created them.

Layoffs improve productivity. So do automation and robotics. Outsourcing manufacturing and service operations as well as working "off the clock" improve productivity.

So the next time you're talking to an order taker in India, or read about how many parts in your appliances are imported from Mexico and China, think of how many American jobs have been lost to that lying measure of prosperity we call "productivity."

Michael J. Scotto
Greensboro

For the holier than thou who whine about discounted beer and presumed resulting debauchery on "Thirsty Thursdays" at First Horizon Park, may I suggest the following baseball schedule for the park:

• Men's Mondays — Ages 21 and up, 9 till midnight. A good summertime replacement for "Monday Night Football."

• Teen Tuesdays — Ages 13-20. No alcohol. An event for teens who complain about lack of events for teens in Greensboro.

• Women's Wednesdays — Ages 21 and up. The only males admitted are baseball players.

• Thirsty Thursdays — No holier-than-thou whiners admitted. Twenty-five percent discount on taxi services for over-imbibers.

• Family Fridays — All holier-than-thou whiners admitted. No alcohol, but an adult ticket surcharge for lost profits on alcohol sales.

• Single Saturdays — Ages 21 and up. Meet that special someone at the ballpark.

• Senior Sundays — Relax alone or with the grandkids. Separate alcohol and no-alcohol seating sections.

Is everyone happy now?

Tom Imbus
Browns Summit

This letter comes as a request to churches and/or other groups desiring to help their fellow man.

Having just returned from a mission trip to the Gulf Coast, I am overwhelmed by the task that confronts the people who were in the path of Katrina. Unless you see it, you cannot imagine it. Air photos of the dropping of the bomb on Hiroshima look very much like some areas of the Gulf Coast.

While it is admirable and a sign of America's big heart for those in trouble that live outside the United States, we now need to focus on helping our own citizens. So, I would say to churches planning mission trips in the near future, please consider a trip to the Gulf Coast. You will not be sorry and the people will welcome you with open arms.

If you cannot go, please support someone who is able and willing to go. You can be an enabler for recovery. At the very least, keep these fellow Americans in your prayers. They are really hurting.

We Americans have always risen to the occasion in the face of tragedy. Let's not fail our own people.

Phyllis Lambeth
Greensboro

After spending a half-hour delving deep into your newspaper, I managed to find the two articles about the popular rape or, as the media have made it, the Duke lacrosse investigation.

When I first heard about these allegations, I was awestruck. As members of a top-ranked team and part of a top-ranked university, I expected better of them. I couldn't understand how people in their position, that of major role model to children everywhere, could act so carelessly and immaturely.

However, as this "case" has drug on, it seems more and more that there is no case. Duke's lacrosse team seems innocent, but with the media chomping on every bit of "progress" the prosecution claims to have made, these players are more and more guilty until proved guilty.

While there is no guarantee that they are innocent, I urge you to remember there is also no guarantee that they are guilty. Thanks to coverage from our media, this investigation has become a bogus case of black versus white, rich versus poor.

No matter what the outcome, lacrosse players everywhere pay the price in our marred reputations.

Paul Van Hoever
Pleasant Garden

Ever since we merged the former Greensboro city, High Point city and Guilford County school systems into the current Guilford County school system, there has been strife, controversy, contention and grief.

Actually, I misspoke, when I mentioned the term merger. It was not. It was, a hostile takeover by a failing and inefficient Greensboro school system that needed the county's tax base and resources.

Children first? I think not.

Instead we've had bureaucracy and political correctness placed first, some very shady dealings and a lot of questions asked with few answers forthcoming. Enough.

What can be done by government can be undone by the people. This is supposed to be a democracy, right?

I say we band together, draw up a petition for another referendum (this one with a real choice) and send the bureaucrats packing. Who is with me?

Bill Toth
Greensboro

As we move to endorse a wall on our border, a lesson or two from history seems apt.

So I ask: Has there been a river not crossed? Or a moat? Or a fort not breached?

Troy was felled with the help of a wooden horse. Jericho fell. The Mongols were not deterred by the Great Wall. Nor was Hannibal awed by the security protection of the Alps. Nor did Genghis Khan stop at the walls of cities.

The French one day said, "Eureka. The perfect to way to keep the Germans out! We will build the Maginot Line." The British were confident of the security of Singapore as its guns faced the threat from the sea. The English Channel was successfully crossed and Fortress Europa breached.

Are there still some locks left unpicked?

The criminals who attacked us came in through a legal door and left a telephone record trail.

Surely we are more intelligent and capable of border protection than what is being proposed. Or have we given up to the slogan sellers and the trite phrase talking heads?

Would anyone be "playing politics" with national security? Heaven forbid such a thought.

David P. Haxton
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By ROBERT HUDSON

"Minority contractors still snubbed," by Deloris Davis (May 10) shows why some pundits refer to the NAACP as the National Association of Always Complaining People. Any failure, by black individuals or black-owned businesses, is really due to white people holding the black man down. We never hear the same complaints from Hispanics or Asian immigrants. I suspect they are too busy making money to complain.

The most ridiculous statement made by Davis was that poverty causes high crime rates and suppresses academic achievement. She couldn't possibly have it more backwards. People with little education and/or prison records simply don't get high-paying jobs. But it's easier to blame white people than to address the real problem.

The real problem is staring us in the face every day, but no one will acknowledge it. Several months ago, I was in the grocery checkout behind a young black girl with a newborn child. A friend of hers came in, spotted her, and came over to admire the baby. After the usual exchanges, the friend asked, and I quote, "Who da baby's daddy is?"

There's a problem, pure and simple. "Who da baby's Daddy is?" This poor child doesn't stand a snowball's chance of having a successful future. If she is a girl, she will most likely have at least one illegitimate child before she turns 16. If a boy, he will probably father an illegitimate child by the same age, and have at least one run-in with the law. But whatever problems she encounters, she will not be alone. Two out of three black children born today will be illegitimate, all facing he same dim future, most doomed to continue the welfare mentality of their parents. That is a statement of fact and statistics, not a racist statement.

There is a simple formula to avoid poverty in the United States: stay in school and get an education, get a job, avoid drugs and run-ins with the law, and, above all, don't have any children until after marriage. Works nearly every time.

These words of wisdom come from Walter Williams, who happens to be black.

The writer lives in Pelham.

After 10 long months of the Dudley High School renovation, who knew one small mistake would crumble the entire work so long in progress? I’m appalled that two months ago, the county was in hysterics due to the prospect that Dudley could be shut down because of low test scores not improving. What seems more ridiculous is that residents were wondering why the problem was so out of hand, when in reality you could have asked any freezing Dudley student a year ago.

As a middle school student, I know that the environment affects your performance on a daily basis, and it is difficult to learn with the temperature nagging at your brain. We ask ourselves what’s happening in Guilford County, but is it any wonder when $32 million of our money that could benefit the students is wasted because of minor mistakes from no supervision?

A better Dudley has to start from the top down in order for students to achieve excellence. The cycle of ignorance must break with initiative by those in power, while they’re looking at the details of a great education rather than the big picture.

Samantha Robertson
Greensboro
The writer is a student at Jamestown Middle School.

In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the stand that Rosa Parks took, the GTA, City Councilwoman Yvonne Johnson and the Greensboro community came together to pay tribute.

On Dec. 1, 2005, a celebration was held in Parks’ honor at The Depot, with more than 300 people in attendance. The significance of that number of participants was that the boycott lasted 381 days. It was the intent to have each day of the boycott represented by a single person.

GTA has now placed on every city bus throughout Greensboro a plaque emblazoned with Rosa Parks’ name and the date of her “taking a stand” by sitting down. The purpose of this letter is to invite the citizens of Greensboro to get out and view the plaque.

The question was posed to the originators of the event, “Are you trying to spearhead a movement throughout the Triad and beyond?” The answer that Andrea Wright and I gave was a resounding “Yes.”

The charge was given that evening and remains today: “Take back our children, our community, our schools and social issues, because if we do not stand for something, then we will sit for everything.”

For more information, please contact me at 370-8255 or e-mail paularitter@yahoo.com.

Paula Ritter-Lipscomb
Greensboro

I want to share a parent's perspective in regard to the recent lockdowns at Grimsley, Kiser and Brooks.

I have one son at Grimsley and one son at Kiser. I received a voice mail from Grimsley's principal, Rob Gasparello, informing everyone that there was a lockdown. The voice mail was informative and calm. Soon after, I received a voice mail from Kiser's principal, Dot Harper, regarding the same matter.

This voice mail was also informative and calm. Both informed us that there would be follow-up voice mails to keep everyone informed, and both principals did follow up when they said they would. These principals should both be commended for the way they handled a very stressful matter.

I never felt compelled to rush over and see what was going on because of both principals' calming demeanor. Our educators have a tough job, and it is comforting to know Guilford County has quality people such as Gasparello and Harper. Guilford County should be proud to have people such as these two in its organization, and I hope this type of leadership is recognized and rewarded.

Dean Barrett
Greensboro

Lorraine Ahearn's article (May 21) was both informative and compassionate. Someday, we will not make such a distinction between the mind and body.

I do want to clarify that I believe fibromyalgia is a real disease. The point I was making in relation to it was that fibromyalgia and mental disorders are often not believed because of lack of understanding.

Mike Weaver
Greensboro

Many thanks to Lorraine Ahearn and the News & Record for your May 21 piece on the coming crisis in mental health.

As an 18-year volunteer at Greensboro Urban Ministry and the spouse of a retired mental health professional, I am appalled and dismayed that our state's leaders are hell-bent on dismantling our mental health treatment programs.

The impact on homelessness alone could be overwhelming. If our legislature is going to shut down mental health treatment facilities and programs as we know them today, then let us first have a solid plan to replace them with something that we believe will work better.
How many times are we going to stick our heads in the sand on this issue? How many times are we going to take services away from those who need them the most?

Skip MacMillan
Greensboro

In response to Michael Crouch's letter (May 19) regarding Chris Daughtry and Taylor Hicks, "unique" just does not come to mind when I think of Hicks' performances. I think of comic relief.

As for him being around long after Chris is forgotten, I cannot say. I have no clue as to the longevity of performers with Ringling Bros. It could be longer than a rock star's.

After each of Hicks' performances, I expected a little clown car to pull up and he would get back in. Or maybe Hollywood could call him to do the "Wedding Singer Two" after Adam Sandler turns it down.

Anyway, Chris, you are just too cool.

Elaine Stringer
Randleman

The following is a Counterpoint.

By Mark Dimondstein

I disagree with the May 15 News & Record editorial argument that the wisest response to the Minuteman caravan would have been to let it quietly pass rather than challenge it.

The Minuteman "solution" to the complex issue of immigration is to blame the victims. Consequently, it was a good thing that we "welcomed" them and their vigilante/hate group tactics with protesters.

There are few immigrants, documented or undocumented, who wish to leave their homes, loved ones, culture and history to come to a strange and hostile land. They are forced to in order to live.
U.S. foreign policy in general is one of domination of other lands through political, economic and military means, to enrich the "mother country" and the profits of its financiers through the extraction of raw materials, control of shipping lanes and exploitation of cheap labor. (Witness the oil wars in Afghanistan and Iraq today.)

The Philippines is a case in point: The United States militarily seized the country in 1898, ruled it directly as a colony until 1946, controlled the economy through massive U.S.-backed World Bank and International Monetary Fund loans that dictated economic policy to the advantage of multinational corporations, and supported one repressive dictatorship after another. These actions resulted in massive unemployment, starvation wages and rampant poverty despite the great natural wealth of the country. Under these circumstances, more than 10 million Filipino people have been forced to emigrate.
No human being is either an "alien" or a "criminal" for economic conditions forced upon them.

While rejecting the fascist solution to the question of immigration symbolized by the Minutemen, we should not ignore a valid point they raise: that government and big business encourage immigration to create a vast pool of cheap labor that represents a downward pressure on the standard of living of all those working for a living.
Rather than embrace the Minutemen tactics of divide and conquer, those honest followers of the Minutemen who truly want to address the negative effects of immigration should join the fight for immigrant rights and unite with all workers through unionization and other collective means to improve wages and conditions of life for everyone. They should then take it one step further and oppose U.S. wars abroad and trade policies like NAFTA and FTAA that subjugate people to the kind of deprivation and hardship that force massive emigration.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

As a former member of the intelligence community, I must oppose the confirmation of Gen. Hayden as head of the CIA. The record of irresponsible intelligence gathering before Sept. 11, 2001, the manipulation of data before and since, and now the illegal and unconstitutional abuse of power in tracking all domestic phone and Internet traffic are all too much to ask the American people to ignore.

A vote to confirm Hayden is equal to admission of complicity in criminal activity. The payment for such an act of complicity will be delivered in votes for opponents come election time. This issue will not "go away," nor is it being ignored by Americans. We see a Congress run amok with criminal and morally questionable activity.

It's up to Congress to change that course by taking substantive action against the criminal status quo.

James Farrell
Greensboro

Lorraine Ahearn's article, "No sunny side to a mental health system in chaos" (May 21), tells the story of a courageous man and points out issues when dealing with mental health disorders.

I have personally suffered with anxiety/panic disorder and depression a good portion of my life. I saw it worsen as I reached adulthood, even feeling almost disabled at times. After years of suffering, finally finding an excellent therapist has helped me cope with everyday life.

I take the utmost offense to any "optimists" who stereotype people like me with their ignorant assumptions. Paul Corsentino's disease took his life. Mental illnesses are not looked upon equally compared to other diseases. The cliche "it's all in your head" creates a fear of seeking treatment. Insurance companies then limit therapy visits and push high co-pays on mental health drug treatments if they choose to cover them at all. Having treatment options and availability is the key to creating a support system that will allow the many Americans coping with various forms of mental illness the chance to succeed in their everyday lives.

Terri Walton
Kernersville

This is in regard to the letter published May 17 concerning killing Canada geese. I find it interesting that, according to the letter writer, it is a federal offense to destroy the nests and eggs of migratory birds. If that is true, and you compare it to the fact that it is legal to extract and destroy the fetus from a mother's womb, even to the extent of partially birthing the child and then killing it, it makes a statement about the state of confusion this nation's laws are in as relates to the value of human life.

Paul Bowers
Jamestown

I have been a fan of Natalie Maines, Emily Erwin and Martie Seidel, known as the Dixie Chicks, since I was 12 years old, and now I have never been more proud to call myself one of their fans.

The Dixie Chicks represent everything an American and a true patriot is, someone who will stand by their beliefs and voice them regardless of the consequences. It's so refreshing to have artists like the Dixie Chicks speaking out because so many performers targeted to my peers and me are products of their handlers and record companies. They look pretty and shut up. The Chicks are pretty, but they are their own handlers, they are not going to shut up and sing.

I admire the Dixie Chicks more than most of the fools in Washington. They are the real patriots. I admire them for their bravery, courage, talent, musicianship, and most importantly, their patriotism. They are the ones who deserve our respect, not President Bush.

Samantha Korb
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By VIOLA A. MONROE

I am extremely disappointed that Sens. Burr and Dole chose to support federal insurance legislation that was fatally flawed and not in the best interest of North Carolina residents. Burr and Dole chose to support legislation that could have threatened guaranteed coverage for and access to cancer screenings and treatments for millions of Americans. Fortunately, other senators disagreed and stopped the bill in its tracks.

S. 1955 was an ill-advised attempt to address a goal we all share — to increase the number of Americans with health insurance. However, this bill would do more harm than good by allowing private insurers to bypass state laws requiring coverage for cancer screenings and treatments, effectively stripping patients of guaranteed coverage for these lifesaving benefits. It would have negated years of work in the state to ensure coverage for vital benefit protections, and would have been a setback in North Carolina's efforts to reduce cancer deaths.

As a blessed diagnosed cancer survivor, I was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer Dec. 12, 2001. I am thankful to God for being alive and living life to its fullness. It is past time for a better understanding and recognition for health care reformation for all people. I recognize the need to expand affordable quality insurance coverage to more Americans, but not at the expense of benefit protection that helps save lives. S. 1955 would have gutted mammography coverage laws in 49 states and undermined North Carolina laws ensuring coverage for prostate cancer and colon cancer, as well as other cancer screening and treatment mandates.

I, and many other North Carolinians, asked Burr and Dole to save our screenings by opposing S. 1955, but they supported moving ahead with the bill anyway. In fact, Burr was a co-sponsor of this legislation. Fortunately, other senators got the message and stopped this bill.

Ensuring access to screenings and treatment options is essential to winning the fight against cancer. I urge Burr and Dole to come up with other ways to address the problem of the uninsured that won't deprive citizens of the very benefit protections that help save lives.

The writer lives in Greensboro and is a legislative ambassador for the American Cancer Society.

This may be President Bush's one great moment. He took a difficult issue — immigration — and proposed a solution that, while it has its flaws, is both practical and compassionate. It recognized that millions of Latinos who came here illegally already have deep roots in the United States and deserve an opportunity for citizenship. Most of our ancestors were immigrants and spoke a foreign language for years afterward. They stayed within their nationality's communities for decades until over generations they became assimilated into our culture.

My grandfather, born in Finland, stowed away on a ship and entered New York harbor illegally. He spoke only Finnish for years after. And, like most immigrants, he was the object of discrimination aimed at the next wave of immigrants. But he became a productive member of our American society whose children and grandchildren served this country well.

My brother graduated from West Point and served two tours in Vietnam. I was the first in my family to get a master's degree and have served governments in the United States for 30 years.

All of us should remember our immigrant heritage as we consider how to resolve this matter with fairness and compassion.

Gary Parker
Archdale

Regarding the article "NCCU students see rape case as a part of struggle for justice" (May 8), I was infuriated to see that such a ignorant, hateful statement like "the bottom line is this girl probably wanted to (have sex) ... and (get) paid, because "most Black women enjoy that," was included when discussing the Duke rape case. By including such a ludicrous and totally stereotypical statement, the News & Record would appear to support such sentiment.

As a black woman, I was, as were many of my associates and co-workers, disheartened to discover that a statement as offensive as this was deemed to be newsworthy. This particular statement added nothing of value to the story and appeared to be added simply for gratuitous "shock effect."

The News & Record is used in Guilford County classrooms as an aid to current events discussions. Is this the impression that you would like to leave with young black women?

I would hope that priorities at the News & Record would be more noble, with an interest in disseminating the news, not hurtful stereotypes such as this.

Akeysha McMurren
Greensboro

Charles Davenport (column, May 21 and earlier) has captured the essence of "White Man's Blues," a caricature-position that turns gender and race issues on their head, exposing their proponents as PC mouthpieces while claiming manly fellows like himself and the Duke lacrosse team as victims of reverse discrimination.

Implicit in Davenport's writings is the fear that social change is a zero-sum gain: If women and minorities gain, it must be at his expense. Unfortunately, some he criticizes share the same zero-sum view. Polarization, anyone?

America is a richer society because it has historically chosen to unleash the talents of all its citizens, including former slaves and women. Conservatives hate to be reminded of this because it suggests that gays should be similarly entitled.

They also struggle with their belief in the free circulation of capital and labor against immigration backlash. Their extremist wing sees employment as another zero-sum gain: Illegals get jobs, they lose them. But even President Bush doesn't buy this. Overall, illegals contribute to economic growth. Might as well implement amnesty and legalization, because history is on his side.

Progress occurs when absolutists look hard and opt for reality; it falters when its Davenports repeat their tired sayings.

Andrew Young
Greensboro

I am usually disillusioned by most of the articles in newspapers today. However, I was touched by two articles in the May 21 News & Record.

"Music is their bond" is an example of the respect that is possible between individuals without issues of age, race, gender and religion and the plethora of politically correct issues that overshadow the world in which we live. The joy inherent in this relationship literally leaps off the page and into my heart.

"A voice for the homeless" restored my belief in the human spirit. While continuing to battle his way out of a disheartening situation (I know how it is to climb out of a discouraging experience over which I have little control), Michael Brown has persisted with realistic expectations but not without hope. It is a sad fact of life that really fine people can be trapped in bad situations. Don't give up, Mr. Brown, and neither will I.

Connie Fowler
Greensboro

I'm ashamed of kids these days ("The new John McCain — pandering," by Maureen Dowd, May 23).

A graduation commencement is supposed to be a dignified occasion, and there's no excuse whatsoever for jeering and heckling the commencement speaker. I don't care if the kids are ultraliberal — nobody's above showing someone else some common courtesy, especially at a graduation ceremony.

And, just because John McCain held his own against a bunch of rude, crude students doesn't mean that he "pandered" to them.

Dowd seems to think that Bill Clinton would have made a much better commencement speaker. Sure, he might have, if you don't mind listening to a draft-dodging, wholesale adulterer for two hours.

Pam Tomlin
Greensboro

One cannot help but wonder if the county and city leaders run their own budgets in the same manner they do our tax dollars. If so, they should all be filing for bankruptcy soon. Have they even thought of deleting massive amounts of spending rather than constantly running into debt?

Since arriving, has there ever been a year when Dr. Grier did not have his hand out?

Think carefully when you vote or you, too, may face bankruptcy.

Elizabeth S. Stout
Greensboro

I was disheartened that Moses Cone Health System has joined the narrow-minded oppressors of our society who take an intolerant attitude against smokers.

In our technologically advanced democratic society, there is no excuse for not exercising our ability to generate enough air circulation to maintain a healthful environment inside any structure. Yet, we apparently have chosen to ostracize a portion of our society by ordering them outside.

However, even this arrangement is unacceptable to the board at Moses Cone, and particularly to the executive director of health services.

According to Tim Clontz, smoking makes it harder to care for patients. It appears that Clontz never learned the first rule of caring for people: Show them you care about them. Why not install fans in the area to blow the air away from the building, where it can mingle with the toxicity generated by all our internal combustion machines? Or, if Clontz truly has a concern about the air, perhaps he, and those in his camp, should stop driving their automobiles.

Smoking has long been a pleasant social behavior in civilized societies. Why would anyone take that privilege away from extended-care patients who have little else to enjoy?

Ben Andrews
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By HARLON E. COSTNER

Permit me this opportunity to thank reporter Jim Schlosser for pointing out what is not obvious to passers-by of the L. Richardson Preyer Federal Building.

In his May 22 article, "Downtown's bunker a real pain to visit," he correctly points out that the L. Richardson Preyer Federal Building is a beautiful art deco building and one that houses many old, pleasant memories.

The article was so well written that I found myself reliving the past, and that is one reason I love working in such a building. It is the beauty and nostalgia this building houses within its walls that make for a great workplace. Also, he correctly points out that this building is a secure facility; it is that way by design.

We are all too familiar with the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and Oklahoma City in 1995. Buildings such as this one must be safe and secure at all times. The responsibility of the U.S. Marshals Service is to protect the federal judiciary, and since court proceedings are held in this building, our responsibility is the security of the building and its occupants, including all persons who enter as employees, citizens, jurors, witnesses and, yes, reporters.

Managing a secure facility requires that we follow procedures outlined by the court and our own Marshals Service policy. But, it is not just this building. There are more than 2,000 federal judges throughout the country, and the policies and procedures are the same in every federal facility where judges sit and hold court. The Middle District of North Carolina contains five such buildings, and the rules are the same for each of them.

I would like to help Schlosser. However, to make an exception for him because he is a reporter working under First Amendment issues or other contingencies related to such a position is not something I am able to do. Because he may be inconvenienced does not in itself warrant an exception to our security procedures.

We welcome visitors to the L. Richardson Preyer Federal Building as long as they comply with our security procedures. The security procedures have been established to serve the best interests and safety of everyone.

The writer is a U.S. marshal.

Nancy McLaughlin's column, " 'Da Vinci' movie inspires protests, calls for boycott" (May 20), addresses concerns regarding some churches and Christian groups attempting to use the movie as an attack on Christianity. She writes, "The movie has become a launching pad for all kinds of Web sites, including hercode.org, about the supposed suppression of women in leadership in the Catholic Church." What is "supposed" about the suppression of women in leadership in the Catholic Church?

What the movie inspires, as fiction, is an underlying truth, mirrored through the voices of women of faith who have found a Web site to submit their stories of struggle and triumph in response to centuries of imposed silence. The historical absence of female authority in religious matters marks both the suppression of the feminine and the threat female sexuality poses for religious tradition. But that truth is far more dangerous than any labeling of the movie as fiction. Ask Toni Morrison about the underlying truth in her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, "Beloved." I invite all women from differing faith communities to visit hercode.org. Entering this national dialogue declaims our striving for the broader values of justice, equality and holiness within our religious traditions.

Ann May
Greensboro

A letter to the editor appearing May 7 has haunted me to the point of tears. It was written by a "gas guzzler" saying "let's be fair." His attitude was that his gas-guzzling SUV was not a problem. It was China's increased use of oil; it was environmental groups seeking to curtail drilling in pristine areas who are causing problems for us.

The real problem here is the attitude that he holds, which can be multiplied a million times across our country. With that attitude, we will reach a tipping point from which our environment cannot recover. Greenhouse gases will have warmed the Earth to a point that the ice caps will melt and our coastlines will change. Prime farm land will be gone. Will it happen tomorrow? No. It'll happen to our grandchildren.

Our arrogant gas guzzlers will be dead and buried. What do they care? Let someone else clean up their mess. What an attitude.

The problem is not China. It is not environmentalists. It is us ... all of us who refuse responsibility for what is being destroyed by our dependence on oil and fossil fuels. The Earth belongs to the next generation. Let's be fair to them.

Warren Romaine
Greensboro

The White Street Landfill deception clearly demonstrates the "tax 'em till they bleed" mentality of the City Council. What an enlightening revelation it would be for Mayor Keith Holliday to honestly and truthfully reveal to the taxpayers the dark side of that issue.

But those two words always send politicians scampering and whimpering into the shadows. More apropos would be the words duplicitous, arrogant and self-serving.

Now Holliday proposes to strap yet another onerous tax burden on the backs of the local populace in the form of a bond referendum that would shovel millions more tax dollars into the dubious Civil Rights Museum. You can safely bet that its inclusion will be packaged with more appealing propositions.

If we wish to shoulder another huge "Holliday tax," then we must vote in favor of the upcoming referendum. It is an absolute truism that you get the leadership you vote for and deserve. "The marvel of all history is the patience with which men and women submit to burdens unnecessarily laid upon them by their government." Appeasement, appeasement, appeasement.

John Walton
Greensboro
The letter was signed by 34 other individuals.

Editor's note: Citizens may vote separately on each bond item.

The requirements for being a good Democrat have changed drastically since I left the party more than 40 years ago. Here are a few rules of the new code you must follow to be a good Democrat.

1. Exhibit moral outrage about monitoring of phone calls that may involve terrorists. Pretend that Bush should be impeached for this, even if you know former presidents have done the same thing.

2. Always refer to across-the-board tax cuts as "tax cuts for the rich." Pretend that you don't understand why, even if your IQ is over 50, that a person paying $10,000 a year would have more of a tax reduction than someone paying $100.

3. Agree with media people and movie stars when they say the administration is lying. After all, these liberals are clear thinkers who are not encumbered by facts such as classified intelligence data and military experience.

4. Lastly, but probably the most important requirement is to criticize each and every action taken by President Bush. Don't dare offer solutions — just criticize.

Following these simple rules will make you an outstanding Democrat, maybe even qualify for national office. It can take some practice, but it is cheaper and more simple than getting a major lobotomy.

Hank Powell
Greensboro

Fictionally speaking, five years ago I was charged for driving without a valid driver's license and for an invalid license tag. I obtained both licenses via false documentation of personal information. Having no insurance was another charge against me.

I was investigated by the IRS and charged with several serious violations. I had worked for three years without filing tax returns or paying any income taxes whatsoever. I was nailed for wiring illegally acquired funds across state lines and national borders.

I never showed up for any court dates. It was too easy to create a new identity and blend back into American society. I feel no remorse for any of my crimes. I have rights. I've been doing jobs that other Americans won't do. America needs people like me.

Well, I better go now. I have to pick up Junior from school. He's receiving a wonderful education courtesy of law-abiding taxpayers. From there, we will stop by the hospital where my wife just gave birth to our new baby boy. The hospital bills are mounting, but another identity is just a phone call away.

Twelve million illegal immigrants. If it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me.

Chris Boland
Brown Summit

In response to Randy Lewis (letter, May 22): No, Randy, you are not alone. I, too, will vote against anyone who wants to raise my taxes, and people don't seem to realize that a "bond" is simply a tax increase sneaking in through the back door. And there has never been such a thing as a "temporary" tax. It is only called "temporary" for the short time it takes to make it "permanent."

Only property owners should be allowed to vote on these issues because they are the ones who have to pay the bill. Thousands of college students in Greensboro are allowed to vote these bonds and "temporary" taxes into existence for the property owners to pay for years after these students have gone home and forgotten about voting in Greensboro.

Yes, I agree there is a lot of waste in local government. If these government officials were spending their own money, I'm sure they would be a little more particular about how much they spent.

Faurest Stum
Greensboro

Tobacco use is the No. 1 cause of preventable death in North Carolina. Moses Cone Health System and more than 30 other medical care facilities in North Carolina should be commended for taking health care seriously enough to prohibit use of tobacco products on their campuses.

Residents of the Moses Cone Extended Care Center recently expressed concern about no longer being able to smoke at the facility. While it is true this facility is their "home," the facility is also home to others who do not smoke, who have an equal right to enjoy a smoke-free courtyard area, and who should not be exposed to the carcinogens in secondhand smoke.

Every one of the patients who smokes is greatly hindering their ability to recover from their particular diagnoses. Cone's first responsibility to each patient is to help them heal to the fullest extent possible. That can't happen if the residents and visitors continue to expose themselves and others to the dangerous chemicals in tobacco products.

I would encourage resident smokers to take advantage of the smoking-cessation classes offered by Moses Cone, which may help them recover quicker and be able to return to their real homes sooner.

Sue Cumpston
High Point
The writer is wellness coordinator, High Point Regional Health System.

I marvel at the duplicity of people who lavish huge financial and emotional capital on injured Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro while subsidizing the abuse and slaughter of billions of horses, cows, pigs and other sentient animals for their dinner tables. Although we don't eat horses, we slaughtered 88,000 last year for export to countries that do.

The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act would permanently ban U.S. transport and slaughter of horses for human consumption.

It makes no ethical sense to cherish our horses, dogs and cats while paying for the abuse and slaughter of billions of similar animals that are not part of our family. With the great abundance of soy-based meat alternatives in every supermarket, it makes no practical sense either.

Allen Freburg
Greensboro

Katrina Weintraub (column, May 21) seems to miss the point about adopting more than one national language. You can have a multilingual society without making other languages a national language. She seems to suggest: "Why not more than one national language?"

The real issue is that when you immigrate to a country, you should be expected to speak that country's language. I lived and worked in Sabah, Malaysia, for three years, where, in the midst of a pluralistic society, the national language was Malay — and only Malay. I was expected to learn the language and function with it in public. In fact, learning their national language elevated the respect I received from the people with whom I associated.

Ed Greenawald
Greensboro

Yes, a nation can have more than one language, but it should only have one official language for government and commerce lest errors in translation cause unexpected complications.

Katrina Weintraub refers to the "coercive English/Anglo majority" and the "precious apple" of "becoming white." Her source for this racist terminology is Noel Ignatiev, an avowed Marxist who is co-founder of the Race Traitor, a quarterly journal whose stated mission is "to serve as an intellectual center for those seeking to abolish the white race."

My father's parents never learned English; they spoke only Italian in the house (my mother's family learned English and spoke English, Russian and Hebrew). But all seven children learned English. They weren't "coerced" into learning English; their parents knew it was the path to assimilation and success.

Perhaps Weintraub learned her distorted definition of "coerce" while earning her degrees in African American studies and Community and Justice Studies — two valuable majors only within academia.

As a native American and a person of color, I am confused why the News & Record continues to publish racist diatribes.

Len Docimo
High Point

Moses Cone Hospital has made a decision to make its premises tobacco-free on July 1. It means no smoking or using any tobacco products in its facilities. Ideally, any step to reduce and stop addiction from nicotine is welcome, but they have overstepped the boundaries by infringing on personal freedom.

Most estimates say about 20 percent of people still use these products. Some have been addicted for years and have tried to give them up. To expect them to stop because they need treatment for an unrelated problem is unrealistic.

My second problem is with enforcement. What happens to a patient who goes into the yard and smokes or uses these products? Will they be denied treatment or pay penalties? Are we going to search and seize the visitor who may be carrying any product when coming to the hospital? It might become a nightmare. Free counseling to each user while in the hospital to get rid of addiction may be more appropriate.

Shashi Sethi
Greensboro

The rantings of your occasional (regularly every other week) "freelance" columnist, Charles Davenport, seem to grow longer and longer. I keep wondering whom you have selected to rebut his charges and insinuations with real data.

His May 21 diatribe about race and his analysis of Ms. Davis' discussion of Guilford County's promise (he said "goal") falls far short of his apparent purpose to excoriate the media for unbalanced reporting. He used half of his column to attack Davis. Then he used another quarter to attack attorney Deborah Hayes who supported women athletes. He does not bother to name the Duke lacrosse team.

It's surely time to put Davenport on the back burner to let him cool.

If his negative discourses follow the policies of the News & Record, I can understand the continued printing of his column each fortnight. Otherwise, please place his obscure arguments on a Tuesday or Wednesday — but only very occasionally.

Sterling Whitener
Greensboro

My wife and I were privileged to attend a concert of the High Point Community Chorus at First Baptist Church on Main Street. As a former professor of music, I have spent my lifetime hearing performances on every conceivable level. But I must say that this performance was the most exquisite choral concert I have heard, ever.

Conductor Anne Carroll was able to achieve a remarkable choral blend and balance that remained absolutely consistent from the very first note to the last. Attacks and cut-offs were as precise as though only one person were singing. Dynamic levels were universally observed, adding to an inspiring interpretation of the thoughtful selection of compositions. It was breathtaking.

I never had cared much for Randall Thompson's "Frostiana," but then, I had never heard it performed by this group. The chamber orchestra contributed with flawless playing. I used to think I would never hear a perfect performance of anything in this mortal existence, but I was wrong. This performance was, indeed, perfect.

Paul Bravender
High Point