News-Record.com

I am a registered nurse and have always held a place in my heart for animals. I own two dogs and a cat that I adore and consider to be part of the family. However, over the past two years, I have been faced with numerous animals (cats mainly) being dumped at my house. I guess when people see my two dogs in the yard and cat in the window, they assume I want and can afford to take care of the animal they no longer want.

People do not realize how disrespectful this is to someone who is kindhearted and loves animals. It creates a burden because not all animals are healthy; they may have fear, aggression or other emotional issues and may not fit in with the other pets. Not to mention that they usually are not "fixed" and, therefore, are pregnant when dumped.

I wish people would realize the commitment and responsibility of pet ownership and stop dropping their pets off on someone else. If you do not want a pet forever, please take it to the shelter where pets are contained and cared for until a home is found for them.

Suzie Beasley
Browns Summit

Regarding Melody Miller's Counterpoint, "Whites still try to deny effects of racism" ( July 21):

We all know that race matters. What we don't know is how to go back and erase the sins of the past.

The majority of the parents I know — black, white, Asian, and Hispanic — are in agreement. All we want is to be able to send our children to school in a safe environment that is conducive to learning. When you have a classroom where children are involved in fighting, drug use, and abhorrent disrespect for the teacher (i.e., cursing, chair throwing, etc...), nobody wins. The responsible children must be removed from the classroom, regardless of race, so that the majority of students can take advantage of the education that our tax dollars provide.

It's getting to the point that many parents are simply giving up on our schools.

Everyone knows the schools aren't able to solve the many social problems that exist in today's society, but as long as they try, education will continue to fail.

Lydia K. Fritz
Greensboro

Thanks to the 260 people of the House who voted to keep and protect the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance.

It is time we and elected officials wake up to the fact that we live in the greatest nation in the world. We have freedom of speech and so much more because our forefathers fought and died for all of us.

Without God's help, we would be like so many others who are still fighting for their freedom.

Let's all stand up and be counted and thank God that we were born here and do our best to keep America as the land of the free and home of the brave — all with God's help.

Iris Newby
Eden

Please support House Continuing Resolution 450, which calls on President Bush to urge an immediate cease-fire and to pursue negotiations in the Middle East. It is sponsored by Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio. I feel that we should not support Israel if it is going to use our aid to act in such an uncivilized manner. Violence only begets violence. It does not solve problems. Only discussion and compromise will work.

Arden Kirkman
Greensboro

Regarding Rosemary Roberts' column (July 28), which argues: "We believe that saving a human being's life trumps saving embryos that fertility clinics usually discard anyway."

To me this quote embodies a glaring inconsistency — that it is acceptable to deny the right to life of a young human being in order to prolong the life of or possibly cure an ailing older human.

Basically, we are terminating the young to benefit the older. Human embryos are human beings and we all have passed through that stage of development.

Stem-cell research may or may not prove successful in treating disease, but we should be aware of the trade-off mentioned above. There are, of course, other sources of stem cells.

Also, I feel President Bush should be praised, not condemned, for following his conscience with regard to his veto. In government, politics appears to frequently trump conscience.

Brooks V.S. Klostermyer, M.D.
Asheboro

I really tried to resist the temptation to write about the latest absurdity perpetrated by County Commissioner Skip Alston.

When he stated that the county managers he'd worked with "didn't know that much about the budget," I stifled my laughter. Alston's full knowledge of the budget process is how to procure pork for one's cronies and oneself, and this hardly constitutes a basis for judging the fiscal wherewithal of a handful of professional public administrators.

But now Alston has decided to make life difficult for Interim County Manager David McNeill, apparently because he didn't like the way former Manager Willie Best was treated. Let me paraphrase what I just said: Skip Alston has publicly stated that he feels it is his duty as an elected official to impede and encumber the administration of Guilford County government. Think about that.

I realize that some action by the majority of the board — let's call it a censure — would be little more than a symbolic gesture, but it's time that Alston was shown that county government is not his personal plaything. He must be reacquainted with reality before he does any further damage.

W. H. Nash
Greensboro

I have just completed reading an article on the CNN Web site about Nebraska being the only state to execute by the electric chair. I really do not comprehend why anyone is concerned with how a criminal is eliminated from the face of the earth.

If an individual is given a death sentence, then that is the punishment — death. I do not care if it is cruel or causes suffering.

After all, the criminal is in prison for causing an innocent individual's suffering.

The laws in the United States are too lax as it is. I do not mind paying more in taxes for the building of more prisons.

That is my personal, humble opinion.

Kelly Brown
Greensboro

I hope everyone else was as thrilled as I was to find out that Sen. Elizabeth Dole has been spending her time raising money for the Republicans ("Is Elizabeth Dole's show almost over?"A1, July 23).

That cleared up a lot of things for me.

I didn't understand why North Carolinians elected her, but now everything is crystal clear.

Since Dole did not live in North Carolina, I thought we could do a lot better finding someone who lived among us to represent us. I stand corrected.

We were not electing someone to represent the good people of North Carolina, but we were electing someone who had been an "unstoppable star for 25 years" and who could head the Republican fundraisers.

Betty Almond
Greensboro

By Elizabeth Olson

I am writing in response to various criticisms expressed concerning Rep. Laura Wiley's participation in a "State-sponsored Party Cruise."

This whole issue has become quite the tempest in the teapot for some folks. From what I understand, Rep. Wiley and a whole host of other representatives were invited by the North Carolina Ports Authority to travel at their own expense to witness a special event at the North Carolina coast, tour the Port of Morehead City's facilities and meet with local officials to hear their concerns, all at the cost of approximately $27,000.

The Ports Authority budget is fully funded by the revenues that it derives from fees from users, not the general taxpayers of North Carolina. Many state agencies spend more than this on brochures — that may or may not be read. Gov. Easley has now directed the Ports Authority to reimburse the Department of Transportation for its cost from these revenues and said that he did not think that people who had boarded the ship — including members of his cabinet – had any responsibility to pay for their portion of the trip.

Rep. Wiley has already paid $365 to the Ports Authority. In my opinion, there certainly are more important issues for folks to make a fuss over.

My husband and I are Democrats and we firmly support Rep. Wiley, a Republican. Why? Laura Wiley dedicates her heart and soul to her district. She was a strong advocate to procure state funds for the High Point market. She works tirelessly on community issues that do not even concern her position as a state representative — such as the Guilford County school system. When there is a problem, her door is open.

I urge those who have lambasted Rep. Wiley to reassess the issue at hand. High Point is fortunate to have a representative who works so hard for our interests. And, as the polls have shown, the majority of High Point is behind Laura Wiley 100 percent.

The writer lives in High Point.

Here we go again, as Ronald Reagan used to say. I read Nicole Sherrill's letter (July 29) about how the United States and the Bush administration are doing nothing to stop the killing in Lebanon. Another letter was about how the United States is letting the war in the Sudan go on and not doing anything about it.

All I can say is, which way do you want it? I hear and read all the time how the United States does not need to be big brother and police the world's problems, and if we do, we are a bully and do not need to stick our noses where we're not needed.

If we do not go in, then we are insensitive and have no compassion. You can't have it both ways. If people would really watch and read about all of these problems instead of being part-time news watchers, maybe they would understand why we don't just jump in to every fracas.

Those countries like Lebanon need to unite and rid themselves of the terrorists, and just maybe the world could be a safer place. They just can't let them headquarter there and not expect disaster when they attack.

Ernie Andrews
Greensboro

On July 16, you published an article that discussed the changes at the Guilford Center and how they will affect the mentally ill of Guilford County.

When asked for a comment, Guilford County Sheriff BJ Barnes alluded that those served by the Guilford Center were akin to "someone that doesn't have enough sense to come out of the rain."

Is this offensive and ignorant statement the most intelligent response he could summon regarding an impending mental-health crisis in his own back yard? Clearly, he is either indifferent to the plight of the mentally ill or woefully misinformed on the subject.

According to that article, 16,000 Guilford County citizens receive services from the Guilford Center. Regardless of their condition or situation, I can't imagine they appreciate Mr. Barnes' assessment of them or their capabilities. He owes his constituency a public apology after which he would be well-served to learn more and speak less on this matter.

As for the 16,000 citizens he insulted with his remarks, perhaps they will find their way "out of the rain" during the next election so they (and their families) can let Mr. Barnes know how they feel about him. I know I will.

Shanon Armfield
High Point

As a single mother, I am grateful for the tax-free weekend allowed those of us responsible for obtaining school supplies and clothing for our children, to save a bit of money. Unfortunately, my mortgage, like many parents' mortgages, is paid during the end-of-the-month period. Some of us won't have the financial resources to purchase many items needed for our children over one weekend.

I ask other parents who are grateful for this tax-free weekend, but would also like to see the tax-free weekend extended beyond three days, to please write to our newspaper editor but also to those in Raleigh — our state House and Senate members, who can actually do something about it.

If I were a state legislator, I would support and draft legislation to extend the tax-free weekend to a period of time when all parents could benefit and provide the necessary items for their children without forgoing paying other bills.

All parents need to voice their concerns and ask for an extension of the tax-free weekend beyond three days. Together we can all make a difference.

Olga Morgan Wright
Greensboro

The writer is a candidate for the state House, District 58.

Regarding your editorial, "An execution impasse" (July 25), apparently, it's difficult to see the forest for the tree in front of your nose.

I suggest a simple solution to this modern medical problem. Just return to the old, time-tested method of the gallows with the county coroner attending. Think of the savings. Gallows can be reused, they're proven to be efficient, and the coroner is already on the payroll.

Thomas E. Morris
Whitsett

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Hank McGovern

In Mona Charen's article (July 29) she actually is one who is guilty -- guilty of numerous fallacies in proclaiming there should be an option, "guilty but insane."

For one, she states experts disagree "all the time" and, therefore, juries "must use their common sense," as if common sense is the proper course to expert disagreement. It's more reasonable to have juries distinguish differences between the degree of credibility of experts. Charen's argument reminds one of Voltaire's statement, "The only problem with common sense is that it's not so common."

Charen makes the inference that Andrea Yates used "planning" because she committed the murders after her husband left the house. There are two problems with her inference.

For one, there is a 50-50 probability that Yates would've committed the murders with her husband at home or not at home. Just because one of those two occurrences happened doesn't come close to implying "planning" happened to exclude the other.

Another fact is that even if there was an element of planning, it is still a fact that Yates was extremely mentally ill, to the point of extremely diminished capacity. Someone who is mentally ill may still do or say things having some reason to them within episodes of psychotic experiences. I've seen many psychotic patients lie down on beds to rest, a reasonable behavior for self-care. But, in their best interest, I would not favor releasing them from a hospital.

Charen proclaims "guilty but insane" should be used for "moral clarity." How can someone be held accountable for their actions if they do not have the needed resources, i.e., sufficient rational thinking, for their behavior?

In addition to not having the needed resources, Yates did have psychotic symptoms causing her behavior. So she should not be held accountable for moral behavior if she did not have what was needed and did have something causing immorality. Yates actually believed she was being moral by releasing her children from this world.

As Nietzsche said, "Distrust anyone in whom the impulse to punish is powerful." My verdict is that Charen is guilty of such impulses. Her sentence is to be distrusted.

The bigger question involves a question of our values as a country. We remain one of the most violent in the world in terms of our crime rates. When we have more compassion, understanding, sympathy and forgiveness, consistent with Christian teachings, for people like Yates, the more likely we are to create a peaceful society. These values and virtues would require the courage to love despite egregious, heinous behaviors. Are we up to it?

The writer is a licensed psychological associate living in Asheboro.

News & Record headline, Aug. 1: ‘‘Council sees big backing of bonds.’‘‘‘At least one person spoke for 10 of the 11 items passed.”

Is this tongue-in-cheek spoof or pure propaganda? It is doubtful whether any of these so-called bond issues (more accurately property tax increases) would be approved in November if only those property owners who will have to actually pay for the bonds were allowed to vote.

Yes, the special-interest groups will flood the polls with students and others who don’t own property, and the bonds probably will pass, resulting, of course, in more property tax increases.

When will property owners finally demand a change in the tax system, as other states have done, to control these regular property tax increases --especially for the homeowners? No homeowner’s taxes should ever increase as long as the property remains his residence.

Further, public funds should not be used for any of these proposed projects. Let those who will benefit pay for them. Wake up, taxpayers. Say no to any more bonds.

William K. Oden Jr.
Greensboro

I want to thank Robin Moore Siles for her article, ‘‘Soldier’s stories"(July 30).

My daughter, Traci, and her husband, Doug Bast, are on their second tour in Iraq as I write. Our family has endured those airport farewells too often. We, as Americans, may disagree on the war, but there is no disagreement on whose shoulders the Bush Iraq policies are weighing the heaviest. They are the soldiers, Marines and their families who are bearing the brunt of this failed mission through endless deployments.

It is time more Americans than just a few carried this load, or the troops should be brought home now.

David Reid
Browns Summit

Recently, I read that North Carolina is going to put out bait with rabies vaccine in it in some state parks. I wish the state would make this same bait available to people to buy for their neighborhoods.

I, for one, would be happy to buy it and put it in my backyard and also in the park in our neighborhood in order that the raccoons in our neighborhood would not have rabies. My guess is that a lot of people would be willing to pay a little for some bait to help keep their neighborhood safer.

Lucy Austin
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Paula Flynn

Samuel Flippen, a 36-year-old man from Forsyth County, sits on North Carolina’s death row, awaiting his execution date, Aug. 18. He was found guilty on circumstantial evidence for the beating and death of Britnie Hutton, his 2-year-old stepdaughter. He has been on death row for 12 years.

During that time, he still claims he is innocent and has told the same story as to how things went that morning. The child’s mother left for work that morning. Flippen states that Britnie was crying, and then she fell from her chair. When he noticed she was having trouble breathing, he called 911. Britnie later died. Flippen was the only suspect.

In cases that are similar to this one, the mother was also investigated. In this case, she was never even considered. In her own testimony, she claimed Flippen was violent. If that is the case, which many deny, why did she leave her child with him, not only to go to work, but to go to a concert? What mother would leave her child with someone if she thought he was capable of harming her child? She received nothing, not even a slap on the wrist. Besides this, Flippen has no record of crime. His conviction was based on circumstantial evidence.

I cannot find anything that clearly points out that he did this and no one else. I am for the death penalty, but a case as this one does not warrant such a sentence. There’s reasonable doubt. Could this be a situation of a bloodthirsty district attorney?

Forsyth County has the most inmates on North Carolina’s death row. They were wrong about Darryl Hunt, and they may be wrong again. This case clearly cries out for clemency.

The writer lives in Walkertown.

I wrote two years ago, ''This tax-free weekend is a grand idea, but it needs to be expanded.'' I have asked members of the legislature to examine expanding the program. Our current members in the House from Greensboro and Guilford County think it's not worth looking at.

I read your editorial, ''Weekend tax break deserves longer run'' (Aug. 13, 2004), and said, ''I hope they mean it.''

I am pleased the editorial staff agrees with me about extending our annual tax-free holiday. We know that the taxpayers deserve a tax-free vacation, not just a holiday. Three days isn't enough.

I propose a three- to six-week tax vacation on the items listed. I suggest it start on Aug. 1 so it is before schools start. Then end a week after the start of school. This allows parents and students to know if there are items they need to purchase after school starts, saving them money and time. Retailers would enjoy a prolonged opportunity to boost their sales, while the state helps working families get critical school supplies.

We can get bipartisan support in the N.C. House for the tax-free vacation. It offers everyone a vacation from taxes.

Jim Rumley
Browns Summit

The writer is running for the N.C. House of Representatives in District 59.

I enjoyed Gene Owens' column about kudzu (July 29). I have a special affinity for that jolly green giant.

My grandfather, one of the first farmers in southern Granville County to build Mangum terraces for erosion control, also bought, with good money, oriental kudzu from the Progressive Farmer and planted it on the banks of his fields to ''stop erosion.'' That was in the late 1920s. He was praised for the foresight to build the terraces and later was cursed and laughed at by his relatives and neighbors for his kudzu purchase.

As far as Greensboro and kudzu are concerned, I hate to inform you that it is already here. When we moved to West McGee Street -- just three blocks from downtown -- kudzu had grown over the backyard fence and was rapidly approaching the garage some 40 feet away. That was in 1987, and I continue to have an annual battle using large amounts of Round-up just to keep it at the property line. For some reason it continues to grow toward me instead of my backyard rental house neighbor, who probably doesn't even know what it is.

Sometimes I think that wily vine knows about my link with its ancestor.

Skip MacMillan
Greensboro

Why is Lebanon so shocked at what's happening to them now? When one lets a vicious, dangerous snake (Hezbollah) to come into the house (Lebanon), you can expect innocent people to be bitten (killed).
For years, Lebanon has allowed Hezbollah to live and amass weapons there. What did Lebanon think Hezbollah was going to do with those weapons?

Why does it seem that the world expects the USA to come in and take care of whatever problem exists? We (USA) would do far better to quit wasting our money propping up the useless United Nations and spend it on keeping our own country safe.

This whole terrorist situation only underscores why we need improved border security here so the terrorists will not be slipping into our country. We already have some of them here and I'm sure they have evil plans for us.

America needs to learn from what is happening in the Middle East.

Phyllis Lambeth
Greensboro

I applaud Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tony Blair (Aug. 1) for taking the lead in combating global warming and greenhouse emissions, in defiance of a federal government that does nothing while the earth turns into a toxic oven.

Their bold initiative is the latest in a string of extra-governmental efforts cited by Al Gore in "An Inconvenient Truth," which should be required viewing for everyone who wants this planet to survive. Like the researchers who skirted the feds' short-sighted refusal to fund stem cell research (Jul. 23), real leaders are sending a clear message to our do-nothing government: "If you won't address our urgent needs, we will."

Bush himself legitimized defiance — every time he flouts Congress with his outrageous signing statements. His impeachment is long overdue. In this matter, too, the grass roots are taking the lead.
Perhaps the federal government has outlived its usefulness. Is there anyone left inside the Beltway willing or able to serve the people? What have they done for us lately, anyway? On the other hand, if the true president, Gore, had been in charge ...

Valerie Putney
Greensboro

On April 25, the American Oil Co. ran an ad about the cost factors of fuel at the pump. The cost of fuel has risen by nearly double in one and a half years. However, the price of crude oil during this time has only risen 25 percent.

First, their excuse for rising prices was the war in Iraq, Hurricane Katrina, and now, they say, the conflict in the Middle East. They need to explain how you double your price and make the same profit margin. They also cite supply and demand. Yet, at the same time, they have not built a new refinery in more than 20 years. Just another way for them to control supply.

The United States needs to take the same path as Brazil by developing ethanol-based fuel and keeping the oil companies out of that market. America uses about 25 percent of the world fuel. This is the best way to prevent oil companies from rewarding record profits.

Jeremy L. Westmoreland
Thomasville

I've seen several articles lately about the very remote possibility that condemned murderers might, just might, feel a bit of pain during the moments of their execution.

But I wonder. Aside from their lawyers, newspaper editors and the ACLU, does anybody really care? I know I don't.

I'd like to settle this once and for all. Let's execute them in the manner that they chose to kill their victims. Think about it. What could be fairer?

Chet Hodgin
Jamestown

Regarding Ben Lassiter's letter (July 22): He is critical of Israel! I wonder what he would do if, since 2000, he had been constantly bombarded with Katyusha rockets and then he decide to move south in order to survive and, "surprise," now he is under fire from Kassam rockets, delivered from Gaza.

It's interesting to see that for the first time, Arab nations have been critical of Hezbollah. Israel has been extremely careful in selecting the targets; if not, you would count deaths by the thousands. It's not all Arabs the Iraelis are fighting; it's the extremist Islamic terrorists.

Ruben Kaliski
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column

By Kathe Latham

I am responding to recent columns in the News & Record that overwhelmingly support a narrow interpretation of events in the Middle East, minimizing the brutal Israeli invasion and air war against the people of Lebanon and Palestine.

Our leaders tell us "we" are attempting to bring "freedom and democracy" to the region, but a closer and more balanced examination makes clear we are only supporting the "freedom" of the Israeli government to take away the democratic and human rights of the Palestinian and Lebanese people.

Democracy can't be delivered by the barrel of a gun.

It's a process created by people from the ground up, in relation to others, but not at others' expense. David Brooks, in his Aug. 1 column, stretches credulity by stating that after weakening Hezbollah, "we" can create an international force to "help create a better Lebanon." This notion of "delivering" democracy by killing innocent civilians, brutally destroying infrastructure, creating homelessness, joblessness, death and destruction and assuming they will somehow embrace their destroyers as liberators, is a horrible distortion of reality and of the meaning of democracy.

The media's role in perpetuating these distortions to justify such brutality has been laid bare in the devastation in Iraq. The media perpetuated what we now know were lies about our government's reasons for going to war. There were no weapons of mass destruction, no being greeted as liberators, and no connection between Iraq and 9/11.

We are now bombarded by a one-sided view of Israel as the victim of Hezbollah aggression, after they captured two Israeli soldiers. The brutal and disproportionate response of the Israeli government has resulted in the killing of more than 500 innocent civilians, many of them children in Lebanon, and 800,000-plus refugees fleeing their homes. Israel's massive invasion of Lebanon has destroyed civilian infrastructure, Beirut International Airport, a mosque and a community center.

The results of pre-emptive war and use of force to prevent further conflict is a lesson that we must remember in our hearts and minds. We will not achieve peace by killing each other's children. By using violence to prevent violence, we create a world of unending violence. A lasting peace requires a "mutual" willingness to create safety and security for world citizens. Nothing overrides preservation of human life.

There must be a better way. A more well-informed citizenry is the first step.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

Piedmont Christian Home recently received some bad press from the News & Record. It is easy to criticize when you don't visit often or observe the care that the residents receive. I was there almost daily for six months. I have spent the night. All of the residents receive the same quality care that my husband received.

Yes, there were glitches, but they were handled speedily and professionally. I would challenge anyone to find any place where there are not some issues.

Where else could you find people who will transport your loved one to the hospital and sit in the emergency room with you until 12:30 at night? Where else could you find kitchen, housekeeping, medical and administrative staff who will stop by and visit and cry when they see the deterioration of one of their residents?

My husband got to the point he needed a lot more care. I didn't want to move him, but I was afraid that the level of care he needed would be too much for them. They stepped up to the plate and made it possible for me to keep him there at his home away from home.

Thanks be to God for The Home Place at Piedmont Christian Home.

Gayle Nelson
Greensboro

In his letter to the editor (July 31), John W. Taylor mentioned that the Bill of Rights was given to the citizens by the government. I always thought that the citizens had given the government its rights and that the Bill of Rights enumerated rights that the citizens had reserved for themselves.

In either case, we need to keep the government from taking those enumerated rights away from us.

Richard Evans
Greensboro

It should be very clear to all the well-wishers of the Greensboro Truth and "Re-incrimination" Commission that its effort has failed. All that was brought out were the same old, tired, worn, contradictory expressions from the police reports and from the so-called eyewitnesses.

Everyone already knew this. What we did not know was that the commission was so hellbent on digging up new evidence so that it could charge or "re-incriminate" someone. Sort of like the Mississippi trial of recent years.

But you failed, so forget it, bury it, and like Mayor Keith Holliday said, "On this I am looking to bring some closure." Case closed. Put it in the archives and move on.

Al Myrick
Greensboro

Organizations such as Hezbollah understand the importance of the world stage and how to play to public sympathy. By operating in and among civilian populations, they know that any reprisals against their attacks will lead to the deaths of innocent men, women and, they hope, children. In fact, they count on it.

Governments that harbor such organizations have no right to complain about the reprisal deaths of their innocent citizens. If Lebanon were truly concerned for the safety and well-being of its civilian population, it would have run Hezbollah out of its country long ago.

To allow Hezbollah to hide, operate and launch attacks from among the civilian population and then cry foul when any response from Israel claims innocent lives is hypocrisy.

Tom Kirkman III
High Point

I love to explore North Carolina and have had many wonderful adventures in our beautiful state. One occurred recently when I went to Morehead City to see the tall ships parade. Wow, it was such fun, and I thought nothing of standing in line for the shuttle bus, again to board the ships, especially the two-hour queue for the Cisne Branco, eating an apple and drinking bottled water. Wow. I was all agog until I read in your paper about the favored treatment of some of our elected officials.

The thought had never entered my mind that others would have harbor seats aboard a requisitioned ferry that had been taken out of service, or that they were eating fancy hors d'oeuvres and drinking wine and beer while I ate my apple and drank my humble bottle of water.

Pricey Harrison and others should have smelled a rat when they received invitations for such "grandstand seating and eating." Would she and anyone else have repaid the 90-odd dollars had they not been exposed? Of course not, as there would have been no need to, since the Ports Authority officials apparently thought they had conceived a perfect form of soft graft and corruption.

Sidney R. Sparks
Reidsville

The federal minimum-wage bill, tied to an estate-tax cut, was transparently cynical. For years Democrats have tried to raise the minimum wage. With polls showing it has gained popular support, the Republicans suddenly get religion?

According to Chris Farrell on public radio's "Marketplace Money," it isn't just the blue-collar workers who aren't benefiting from this "dream economy." College graduates have seen their wages fall 5 percent since 2000. The current rising tide is lifting fewer and fewer boats. Corporations are awash in cash and CEO compensation has reached royalty status.

Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric and nobody's idea of a socialist, is telling management to pay more attention to their workers. Worker bees who are adding value to the company, not the honcho in the corner office. When workers increase productivity and gain little to nothing in return, it creates resentment and inertia. It kills productivity and innovation. Is this what we want America to become? An oligarchy, like Russia?

We are a winner-take-all society. How can the fabric of society hold when business leaders reward themselves at everyone else's expense?

And Congress rewards such behavior with ever-increasing tax breaks. These are the "family values" of this administration.

Sandi Campbell
Siler City

According to the Israeli human rights group B'tselem, between the Israeli pullout from Gaza in September 2005 and the latest conflagration, no Israelis were killed by violence in Gaza. Palestinian militants launched about 1,000 crude missiles from Gaza into Israel, but no Israelis were killed.

Over the same period, Israel fired 7,000 to 9,000 heavy artillery shells into Gaza and was responsible for the deaths of 144 Palestinians, 29 of whom were children.

On June 9, an Israeli missile killed seven Palestinians picnicking on a Gaza beach, catalyzing Hamas' abandonment of its 16-month cease-fire with Israel.

Oddly, these facts don't make it into Rabbi Andy Koren's defense of recent Israeli actions ("America stands by Israel, one of its most trusted allies," Aug. 2).

Koren is also dumbfounded by those naive voices who urge Israel to show restraint in its conduct in Lebanon. As a man of God, isn't Koren troubled by the large number of children displaced or killed by the Israeli assault? As a man of reason, doesn't Koren owe it to the tradition of Immanuel Kant, Voltaire and the great Jewish thinker Baruch Spinoza to reject the petty tribalism that insists distant lives are morally distant?

Ashish George
Greensboro

By Jo Ann Lynn

Have you cried for the children and innocent civilian victims who were killed by American bombs when we invaded Iraq? This is my question to all who condemn Israel for bombing Hezbollah targets.

Surely you do not believe that the more than 10,000 civilian casualties suffered when we bombed Iraq dropped dead of fear?

I am a liberal Democrat, which means I try very hard to see both sides of every issue. However, I have a hard time understanding the massive condemnation of Israel. Every nation has a right to protect itself. Wasn't Israel attacked first? Weren't several of its soldiers killed and two kidnapped by Hezbollah? Hasn't Hezbollah fired thousands of missiles into Israel? Hasn't it been proven during our military encounters with terrorist groups that they often hide among children, women and civilians?

Why, after more than 14 days of rocket fire on Israel by Hezbollah, were so many civilians, mostly women and children, in a place that was sure to be targeted by Israel?

I think I got an answer on "60 Minutes." A would-be terrorist declared, "What I want most for my only son is for him to die a martyr for Islam." This could be why we hear of more children and women being killed in Lebanon than in Israel, even though thousands of Hezbollah rockets are raining down on Israel. The Israelis have made every effort to hit only military targets and in some cases have dropped fliers warning civilians to leave prior to an attack.

Hezbollah counts on world opinion preventing Israel from striking back as long as it uses women and children as shields. It really is a win-win situation for Hezbollah.

I cannot condemn Israel. It took the high road, attacking no one until it was attacked. America cannot say the same. We attacked a country that had done nothing to us because we mistakenly thought its ruler had weapons of mass destruction. Dozens of people in Iraq die in terrorist attacks daily because we prepared to win but not to protect a country we occupied by force. How can anyone who supported the Bush war on Iraq condemn Israel?

The writer lives in Greensboro.

It's very shocking to me that the bigotry and anti-Semitism shared by the United Nations and most of the world have not only hit the United States, but also are very strong and alive here in Greensboro.

About three weeks ago, under direct orders from Iran, the Iranian-created-and-funded terror group Hezbollah crossed the Lebanese border into Israel and killed eight soldiers and kidnapped two. The only condemnation was against Israel when it retaliated against Southern Lebanon, which is the breeding ground for most Hezbollah fighters.

Hezbollah, a group of cowards that hides its rockets in houses with women and children, was made to look like the poor victims. What was even more cowardly were the anti-Israel, pro-Hezbollah rallies around Greensboro and many other cities around North Carolina. You have mostly high school and college students who are ignorant about global affairs marching in favor of Hezbollah based on garbage that their ideologue parents brainwash them with.

Before Sept. 11, 2001, Hezbollah had killed more Americans than any other terror group.

I hope all the protestors are happy with who they defended. Un-American and pathetic are two words that come to mind.

Pablo Torrente
Greensboro

It is remarkable how many letters to the editor are written by Christians with an urgent need to pander pious prose. It seems to be a prerogative of these people to proselytize through this publication. OK, we get it. Sheep go to heaven; goats go to hell.

One of my friends attends a fundamentalist church that teaches that the 4,000-year-old Earth is the center of the universe, dinosaurs didn't exist, and the sooner Armageddon comes, the sooner they'll be with God.

Sounds peachy, but my understanding is that the earth is (approximately) 4.6 billion years old, third satellite from the sun, spinning on its axis at about 1,000 mph (at the equator) while traveling through space at 67,000 mph. If it weren't for the dinosaurs and various flora and fauna decomposing, you wouldn't have to worry about gas prices because gas (fossil fuels) wouldn't exist.

Religious affiliation is simply a function of your respective geographical location. Everyone reading this has a coccyx and opposable thumbs. Maybe we're just monkeys with car keys or blessed children of God.

Regardless, allow yourself to think for yourself.

Parris Lee Patton
High Point

As a youth advocate for tobacco education, I'm excited to bring your attention to "The Red Flag Campaign." This campaign helps prevent merchants from selling tobacco, lottery and alcohol products to minors. The campaign works through using the color-coded outline around the picture on a person's driver's license to help the clerk identify how old people are and what products are legal for them to purchase.

It is very easy: under 18 is red, 18-21 is yellow, and over 21 is green. Over the next year, my youth group will be visiting stores to provide free education and materials to merchants so that they are aware of this easy way to enforce the law.

Too many of my peers use tobacco products, and I want to make sure we do what we can to make it harder to gain access to these deadly products.

Merchants, remember: If you see red ... the tobacco sale is dead.

Tiffany Pate
Greensboro

By Eric Black

Regarding your editorial, "Sludge dumping on farmland could have lingering impact" (July 31):

It should be noted that the city of High Point's municipal sludge (combination of residential and industrial sludge) was applied from 1993 to 1997. All of the city of High Point's 1993-1997 tests on file at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources showed the presence of mercury, lead and arsenic. These substances are ranked numbers one, two and three on the EPA/CERCLA Priority List of Hazardous Substances. It is also a fact that heavy metals do not dissipate; they accumulate and have a propensity to be bound in the soil.

The fact is that more than 1 million gallons of municipal sludge (not biosolids) were applied from 1993 to 1997 on approximately 30 acres out of the original 230-acre tract of land, and 66 percent of the 95 homes proposed will be built on one acre or less — with many of the homes on land where the sludge was deposited. Significant disturbance of the soil occurs in construction (basements, footings, driveways, septic tanks, drain fields, pools, landscaping, etc.), thereby possibly releasing the heavy metals that may be bound in the soil.

Keep in mind that no testing has ever been done on this property in regard to the potential elevated levels or possible "hot spots" of accumulated heavy metals or other toxins.

The residents of the Trinity land (Fuller Mill, Post and Old Mountain Roads) are not averse to growth but do question this "urban sprawl" in what is still a farming community.

The sludge issue is not a "convenient" one as you stated, but an issue that in the absence of testing could have potentially serious consequences on construction workers, homeowners, children and visitors.

Ask yourself the question: Would I build a school, day care center, a playground or, for that matter, a home on land where "municipal sludge" was applied without adequate testing?

The writer lives in Thomasville.

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Mike Moseley

I am writing to address several issues raised by the July 16 article, "Mental health overhaul worries many." Although the article clearly stated some of the fears that people have expressed about the changes at the Guilford Center, I believe it did not seek to determine if those fears are justified or address the positive benefit that the changes are designed to achieve.

Many communities in North Carolina have already undergone the changes that are currently happening at the Guilford Center. The change is massive and has not been without challenges, but in many communities consumers and their families are achieving positive benefits: the ability to choose their own providers; greater consumer and family control over the services and supports received; a focus on recovery; and a broader array of services that allow consumers to live where they choose. Consumers in these communities have told me they would fight any effort to return to the old way of business.

The article quotes the Mental Health Association in Greensboro as saying, "When you cut mental health services, problems erupt elsewhere." I agree. However, none of the changes in Guilford should reduce services. The General Assembly's recently passed budget provides more money for services in Guilford County, not less. The article also expresses a mother's concern that she will have to determine for herself which mental health agencies can help her child. It is the responsibility of the Guilford Center staff to continue to provide care coordination. In addition, the article does not mention that the child should continue to receive services from a qualified mental health professional case manager, just not one employed by the Guilford Center.

I will not minimize the hard work of transforming our public mental health system. Change is difficult and fear of change is a common human trait. However, I believe that by concentrating only on people's fears without explaining the purpose behind the changes or trying to determine if those fears are justified is not only a disservice to the hard work and positive changes that have already been accomplished in mental health reform but to your readers as well.

The writer is director, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services.

After reading "Animal Control seeks an upgrade" (Aug. 1), I feel more than ever that Guilford County needs a dog and cat licensing program to help with the problems at Animal Control and the Animal Shelter.

With rabies an increasing threat in our county to both animals and people, Animal Control needs the ability to answer all urgent calls in a timely manner.

The Animal Shelter also needs to see a decrease in the number of unwanted strays and dropped-off dogs and cats that come to them. With a license program that gives a discount to owners with neutered and spayed pets, the Animal Shelter may see fewer unwanted pets. I've been an animal lover since childhood, and I think all pets are worth being licensed.

Vienna Bender
Greensboro

If Israel wants a disarmed Hezbollah, a cease-fire with terms must be established. President Bush calls for "sustainable peace" rather than immediate cease-fire, but the violence kills innocents on both sides, and both sides harden their positions.

The deadly bombing of civilians by Israel in Qana on July 30 was similar to the horrific April 1996 attack on a U.N. shelter there. The earlier attack led then-President Clinton to press for a cease-fire. The ensuing cease-fire held for 10 years until Hezbollah's recent actions provoked the recent onslaught.

The Bush administration responses represent a flip-flop: first announcing in Italy what amounted to a green light for Israel, then denying it intended any such thing, as the Israelis called, briefly, for a cease-fire, which was then dropped.

Tony Blair's push for an international force was accepted by Bush but can't be effective with a war ongoing. Hezbollah has to be disarmed, and like the IRA, that is more likely with a diplomatic and political solution than by a military solution. In fact, more children have been killed than Hezbollah fighters in the recent campaign. That, in turn, will create more recruits for Hezbollah.

Hezbollah can't be defeated solely by military means.

David Harryman
Burlington

I must respond to Andy Koren's op-ed, "America stands by Israel" (Aug. 2). I found much to object to in his piece.

Since space does not permit me to address all, or even most, of my objections, I will cover only two here. If you object to the Israeli massacres of innocent Lebanese civilians, Koren helps you to understand just how out of step you are with mainstream American opinion. Koren says, "I am merely quoting what you already say or feel: 'I support Israel.' "

I may support Israel, but I surely do not support these attacks.

Koren says that Israel has been a friend of America through thick and thin, and that Israel fights fairly. Consider this: On June 8, 1967, during the Six-Day War, Israeli fighter jets attacked the clearly identified USS Liberty in international waters, killing 34 crewmen and injuring 171. That's 205 of my comrades in arms brutally attacked by our good ally. To this day, every attempt to openly investigate this attack has been stymied, and I don't think that's because Americans have something to hide.

Fair fight? Let's not be persuaded to join the bandwagon for Israel on the basis of this propaganda.

Eric Eno
Greensboro

Recently, I received yet another automated phone call from fellow Republican, Vernon Robinson. How special it was to hear mariachi band-style music as the recorded message railed against the Hispanic community, referred to killing babies, bashed homosexuals and played up to his glorious "values."

As I joyfully listened to the carefully orchestrated message, I thought to myself, is anyone really going to vote for such a man? Here is a man who prides himself on his philosophical similarities with Jesse Helms and who also aligns himself with the current day, acceptable level of blatant hatred -- whether it is against Hispanics, gays or, as he so adeptly labels them, "the ultra-liberals."

After seeing that Vernon Robinson's campaign raised more than $500,000 in a mere two-month time frame, it becomes painfully apparent to me that vicious and hateful name-calling, along with pure narrow-mindedness, certainly does have a place in our society today. After all, the world is in such a peaceful state.

Steve Tanis
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Michael John Slane

The blind support by our U.S. government of every evil action taken by Israel must stop.

Committing human rights violations against the Palestinian people by their military through 40 years of military and economic subjugation, while taking the best of Palestinian land for "settlements" for Israeli citizens is contrary to international law and United Nations agreements. This is particularly true since these lands were seized in a pre-emptive, undeclared war on Jordan, Syria and Egypt. Israelis continue to occupy the Golan Heights of Syria and did not withdraw entirely from Lebanon after previously invading and occupying that country, contrary to what Americans are told.

Israel, which refuses to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, has nuclear weaponry developed with technological secrets stolen by its paid American spy, and has the arrogance to demand his release from federal prison to return to his "homeland."

Israel has become an out-of-control, militaristic, rogue state with no regard for non-Israeli human lives. Its diplomacy is exclusively "diplomacy of the gun."

The rest of the world objectively sees all of the above. The United States is identified with the carnage Israel creates because we condone it and provide the weaponry to commit it. Why? Domestic politics, campaign contributions, the power of the pro-Israel, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which patrols the halls of Congress; and the power of senators like Charles Schumer, who acts more like an ambassador from Israel than a U.S. senator. Thus, it's apparent that U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East is dictated from Tel Aviv.

In Israel's latest invasion of Lebanon, innocent civilians are being killed and maimed by its military at a ratio of 10 to 1 versus Israelis, while the U.S. allows the carnage to continue. This enables Israel to carry out atrocities against the Lebanese to "defend itself."

Who is defending the innocent Lebanese, who are obviously considered just "collateral damage"? Not the U.S. That friendly nation is fast becoming another U.S. enemy.

Israel has demonstrated its ability to create hatred of itself and nurture the terrorism vented upon it. There will be no peace between Israel and its neighbors until Israel withdraws from the Palestinian land it militarily occupies and justice is provided to the innocent and downtrodden.

No, Rabbi Andy Koren, not all Americans support Israel's actions and policies. As a well-informed American with some Jewish blood and two grandchildren in the Jewish faith, I consider my homeland to be the United States of America and not any foreign nation.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

The 2005 hurricane season made everyone painfully aware that storms can easily displace us, sending us to other cities or other states, often with only the clothes on our backs.

As people are thinking about preparing for the 2006 hurricane season, I'd like to strongly suggest some actions that will help them should they need health care following a storm.

First, please know where your health insurance card is and carry it with you. Also, make a copy of the card and put it with your hurricane preparedness kit. Lastly, if you and your family have Personal Health Records (PHR) available online, please make sure that your family's PHRs are up-to-date. They will have information on medications you take, medical conditions you are being treated for and much other information that would be useful to health care professionals.

Should you or your family be displaced and need health care, your online PHRs can be accessed (but only with your permission) by a physician or hospital from almost anywhere. If you do not have a PHR, ask whether your health insurer offers that service, and, if so, be sure to take advantage of it.

Austin Pittman
Greensboro

The writer is CEO, UnitedHealthcare North Carolina.

I'm sure many people have heard the Marines' axiom, "Once a Marine, always a Marine." This came about through the strict boot camp training that was embedded into the minds of recruits about right or wrong, and how to protect our country.

We should all be thankful that we have a Marine, Guilford County Sheriff BJ Barnes, who has dedicated his life to his country and now uses that knowledge for the concerns of the citizens of Guilford County.

Our county jails are overburdened with criminals, and the lack of a new jail threatens a takeover by the state that also threatens more taxes and/or bonds for the taxpayers. But the majority of the county commissioners refused to allocate money for a new jail, yet allocated money for a hefty pay raise for themselves.

Sheriff Barnes proposed to the commissioners that a sales tax of one cent, to be levied on all citizens for one year and then terminated, would furnish enough revenue to build the new jail, and homeowners and/or property owners would not be burdened with a tax levied on them alone.

Jack M. Austin
High Point

On Aug. 3, my wife mentioned reading an article in the News & Record concerning Black and Decker. I mistakenly assumed she was referring to the Black and Decker power tool plant in Fayetteville, which I understand will be closing down soon.

We can only hope the same fate awaits Black and Decker in Raleigh.

Clyde L. Hunt Jr.
Greensboro

Our Republican senators have drawn a line in the sand. For almost a decade, Republicans controlled Congress, and there was no increase in the minimum wage. Even as many regions lost more good-paying jobs, Congress wouldn't help the poorest Americans.

Under pressure from the people they represent, Republicans finally decided to allow a vote on a wage increase, but they refused to consider it without attaching an enormous tax break for the wealthiest Americans. Sens. Dole and Burr voted for this unfair bill, but Democrats united to keep it from passing.

Around election time, Republicans always say they don't want politics to be about a "class war." But, it seems they're already fighting that war on behalf of the richest people in our country.

Sen. Bill Frist refused to allow a vote on a wage increase without attaching an irresponsible tax cut that would cost the next generations hundreds of billions of dollars. After this Senate battle, it's very clear where the parties stand. Republicans are fighting tooth and nail for more tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans. Democrats want a fair vote on giving a break to the Americans who are struggling the most.

Billy Corriher
Winston-Salem