News-Record.com

It's just a thought, but if someone by chance truly "doesn't have enough common sense to come out of the rain" they in all probability are neither aware of or offended by Barne's remarks.

I'm not attacking the lte writer's concern for those needing help, it's just that as I grow older I become more wearied of our society's "culture of complaint" and incessant demanding of apologies for every real or perceived transgression or poorly thought out statement.

Barnes may have been being flippant, he may have been taken out of context, or he might truly have a callous attitude toward the mentally ill.
In any event I have found that any apology that has to be forced out of someone holds less value than a campaign promise from a Congressman and as such is an exercise in mundane futility.

Got a problem with Barnes? Vote him out then, but if your ego needs the satisfaction of coercing him into making an apology - go for it.

Everybody's got to be doing something, and you might as well be doing that.

Pound for pound, Barnes is a pretty good Sheriff.

I hope he doesn't get offended at my pun, But given our "culture of complaint"(very well said jh) I'm sure some fat, I mean, gravity challenged person will come along and chastise me for being insensitive.

Truth be told, there are those mentally ill who don't have the sense to wipe their own noses, let alone come in out of the rain.

It seems to me that the point here is that the thousands of individuals served as well as their families shouldn't be lumped into one category (Winnie the Pooh syndrome, you know, bears with little brain). Guilford Center serves people struggling with a variety of difficulties, many of whom show more sense when they are following successful treatment. Of course Mr. Barnes opinion may be influenced by the ones that he has professional contact with, for example, the juvenile substance abusers who have committed a crime or the mentally ill teenagers who show up in court with a liason. Of course children don't vote so there's no harm there. He may have made that unfortuneate remark with the deaf and hard of hearing in mind, considering that they would not hear him anyway.

What Mr. Barnes says reflects his opinion. OK. The lte writer's opinion is that an elected official that makes what she considers a bonehead public statement might want to consider making a public clarification that shows a little compassion. OK.

The real value of what she says in my opinion is that we could all "be well-served to learn more and speak less" on most matters.

I'm with you Howie. Barnes is a pretty good old chap, and I liked the gravity challenged comment.

Just sorry that he offended neocon.

Barnes is the sheriff. Who gives a rat's tail what he thinks about legislation?

THEY SAY IGNORANCE IS BLISS MR B.J. BARNES,PERHAPS YOU DONOT KNOW MUCH ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS TO GO SPOUTING OFF AT THE MOUTH, BUT YOU DO ENJOY ALL THE PRESS TIME 'ON AIR'THAT THE LOCAL MEDIA OUTFITS GIVE YOU, SO IM SURE YOU WILL TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE TO GIVE YOU ''SINCEREIST APPOLOGY'' TO SAVE YOU OWN JOB!!!! AND BY THE WAY I AM ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT ARE HELPED BY THE MENTAL HEALTH DEPT, IF NOT FOR GUILFORD MENTAL HEALTH I WOULD NOT BE ALIVE TODAY, MENTAL ILLNESS IS A DISEASE, SO BEFORE YOU GO BLURTING AT THE MOUTH WHICH YOU ARE SO FAMOUS FOR, DO YOUR HOME WORK, IN THIS CITIZENS OPINION THE PEOPLE YOU REPRESENT DESERVE SOMEONE NEW AT THE JOB, EVERYONES VOTE COUNTS, I HOPE EVERYONE WILL REMEMBER THIS ON ELECTION DAY,

neoCON!
Didn't know you were posting now as GUILFORD CITIZEN. If you are getting help, I be easier on you from now on. Kind of funny you won't be supporting the straight GOP ticket this time.