News-Record.com

On Oct. 18 in Raleigh, Rep. Earl Jones of Guilford County convened the third meeting of the N.C. House Select Committee on Stem Cell Research. Rep. Jones is chairman of this important study group, which will make a recommendation to the 2007 General Assembly.

This issue has great potential for all citizens, our internationally recognized research institutions and our economy. Rep. Jones and the committee were commended by Parkinson's Action Network and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International speakers.

H.R. 810 was passed by the U.S. House in 2005 and by the U.S. Senate in July of this year. President George Bush vetoed this legislation to relax restrictions on development of embryonic stem-cell lines using federal funding.

Broad public opinion validated by reputable polling organizations, votes in the U.S. House and Senate, and research experts tell us the American public does support embryonic stem-cell research and adult stem-cell research.

Advocacy groups and victims of Parkinson's, diabetes, Alzheimer's, MS, ALS, spinal cord injury, cancer and many other diseases and disabilities realize therapies will not come quickly. But caring families and the community urge legislators to listen, learn and act on legislation to advance North Carolina toward this promising medical frontier.

Barbara R. Teichman
Michael Jacobson
Greensboro

After seeing Rush Limbaugh mocking the involuntary movements of a national spokesman for Parkinson's disease, I hoped the president and the Republican leaders would have denounced his behavior. Limbaugh has, after all, been trotted up to Washington for special White House briefings before the election.

One would think his callous depiction of a human being afflicted with Parkinson's disease would infuriate the president and his religious base. So much for "compassionate conservatism."

John Graham
Greensboro

In the Oct. 18 News & Record, there were two very interesting articles concerning FEMA.

One told of the storm damage in Buffalo, N.Y. The city was still coping with snow, floods, downed trees, the loss of power for 101,500 homes. Schools were still closed and 12 people had died due to problems and conditions in the area.

Yet, it was reported FEMA offered little guidance on reimbursements and during a tour of damage, ignored the situation.

Another article concerning the earthquake in Hawaii stated the EPA reported there were no spills that merited federal assistance. Yet, 54 hours after the quake, FEMA spent $250,000 to fly 100 officials there. That was one of the biggest deployments since Katrina.

After finding no catastrophe, some found busy work driving vans or loading boxes. Of course, these officials needed housing and transportation at FEMA's expense.

I lived in Buffalo for 33 years and experienced many storms of ice and snow, but I doubt that any would equal this one in 2006. In 1973 I spent a week in Hawaii, where weather and sights were wonderful.

If I had a choice of flying to Hawaii or going to Buffalo during a storm crisis, I know what I would choose. What would your choice be?

Donna Torrico
Greensboro

The article on the former principal of Grimsley, Rob Gasparello, is absurd. It was filled with a bunch of speculation. Then the journalist interviewed some sophomores and juniors. Why not get the opinion of somebody who has been there for four years? It's ridiculous to bash the man when he did so many great things for the school. He was the best thing to happen to that school.

Why must this paper continue to be so biased?

Brett Bloomquist
Greensboro

In regard to Jessica Bowman's Oct. 21 letter suggesting we "put out the welcome mat" and say "thank you for our better nation" to illegal immigrants, I commend your compassion, yet I believe your neurotransmitters have failed you miserably.

This same humanistic ideal has the French culture in turmoil. Where once there were bistros serving French cuisine, there now exist restaurants serving Middle East fare.

Curry is France's most popular food due to the onslaught of Middle Easterners using France's shortsighted liberal mantra to essentially usurp the ambiance that was once France.

"La Conquista" is a sanctioned invasion of America by Mexico to garner the almighty dollar to better their economy without respect for Americans or their law.

Vicente Fox is neither altruistic nor humanistic. He's a desperate man residing over a murderously corrupt nation.

I lived in San Antonio and witnessed remarkable racism that disenfranchises "darker skinned" Mexicans through their more urban "upper class," which urged them to leave their country en masse because they're more useful to Mexico working in America.

Every day, more illegal Mexicans are driving on your roads (sometimes intoxicated) filing for welfare, suing Americans and smuggling contraband.

Goodbye America, hello East L.A.!

Parris Lee Patton
High Point

Thank goodness North Carolina has found a way to reduce the number of bloodsuckers in the state. I can only hope that those attorneys turning in their licenses rather than contributing to the judicial election fund are all civil attorneys.

One of the few good things done by our legislature (other than the lottery) was to take judgeships out of the hands of the country club members and restore a sense to the public that the judge on the bench is not the paid client of one of the attorneys in the courtroom.

And the Rusty Duke-Sarah Parker race is proof that the system works. Now Duke is no longer begging his fellow attorneys for money, knowing that he can't outspend Parker.

J.H. Jeffries III, Esq., enjoy your retirement. And get some of your fellow attorneys to follow your lead. Maybe my car insurance rates will drop.

Bob Lamar
High Point

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Billie M. Pierce

Consumers across North Carolina are transitioning from receiving many of their mental health care services at public, government-operated facilities to private providers' offices. These changing times can be confusing for consumers.

This letter provides clarification on what services will still be offered to Guilford County's consumers at the Guilford Center buildings at 201 North Eugene St., Greensboro, and 211 South Centennial St., High Point.

The Guilford Center will continue to provide psychiatric and medical services for both children and adults. Although many areas of North Carolina are reporting a shortage of psychiatrists, our county employs a team of 11 full- and part-time physicians to perform psychiatric assessments, prescribe/dispense medications, and monitor the medical management of our mental health consumers.

The Guilford Center is not divesting its Crisis/Emergency units. In fact, the center has been designated by the state as a regional crisis facility. In Greensboro, the Crisis/Emergency unit is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. High Point's unit is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, with after-hours services offered by High Point Regional Health System.

The Guilford Center's toll-free, 24-hour/7-day ACCESS telephone line for consumer information, support and referral services has not changed and will not change: (800) 853-5163 The Guilford Center has added a new TTY ACCESS number for deaf and hard-of-hearing consumers: (866) 518-6778.

In addition, the Guilford Center will retain specialized treatment programs that were originally scheduled for divestiture:

•Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Services for Children and Adults;

•Specialized Treatment of Perpetrators (STOP) Program, a program for assessment and treatment of youth who have committed sexual offenses.

Some areas of the Guilford Center have been strengthened by mental health reform. The agency is expanding training efforts for providers. Consumers and their families will benefit from the enhanced program of customized trainings, continuing education courses and support offered to community providers and long-term care facilities. The center also employs best-practice specialists to work closely with community providers in assuring that treatments follow accepted standards.

Yes, the Guilford Center's role as a mental health service provider has changed. However, the center continues to provide many critical services at this crucial time.

The writer is director of the Guilford Center.

I am a 71-year-old woman who is disabled by multiple sclerosis. But you wouldn't know it just seeing me walk around, sometimes with a cane.

MS has many ways of affecting a person. Among those ways that affect me are hidden disabilities that create all kinds of grief when I try to work computers, electronic machines (such as voting machines), even the thermostat for heat or air in my apartment.

Coupled with the problem I have of standing for long periods of time, I had almost given up on voting.

Imagine my relief when it suddenly dawned on me that I have the option to vote by absentee ballot (paper ballot).

So I'm writing to urge anyone who has a reason to vote this way to do so in the future. All it takes is a phone call to the Board of Elections office to request the ballot. They'll supply the return envelope, and your postage is only 63 cents, a paltry amount to pay to exercise your right as a citizen to vote.

Reva S. Moore
Greensboro

The Grove Street Revitalization Task Force, part of the Greater Glenwood Neighborhood Association (GGNA), has been diligently working to address the types of problems Matthew Scarborough mentioned (letter, Oct. 25) on Grove Street, such as crime and a negative image. We have a vision for what we want to see on Grove Street and are actively seeking help from public and private sources to make that vision a reality.

If we want help from the Greensboro community, we must first demonstrate that we are willing to work hard and follow through with our plans. New Birth Sounds of Thunder Church has proven its commitment to our community by opening the Jr. Tech and Robotics Academy. But, much more needs to be done if we are going to turn Grove Street around.

As an organization that represents all of the residents of our diverse community, GGNA does not advocate any particular religious perspective. However, we are happy to partner with any person or organization with the desire to work toward a better neighborhood for all. I hope those concerned about the Glenwood community will attend our Glenwood Neighborhood Plan kickoff at 10:30 Saturday morning at Peck Elementary School, 1601 West Florida St.

Rebekah Kates
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint

By Ben Andrews

In response to your Oct. 14 endorsement of extending mandatory school attendance age, the "clear message that kids over age 16 belong in school" is the wrong place to start solving the dropout problem.

Students drop out at 16 because the education they have received from the sixth grade on lacks direction. Therefore, attendance after the 10th grade is a waste of time.

The fault lies not in the students but in the system that fails to show them they can have a place in our society. So, let's concentrate on re-tooling the system.

Public education needs only to turn our children into responsible, productive citizens. The following six steps should help educators move toward that goal:

1. Adhere to a stated philosophy that every child in every class is a potential responsible, productive citizen. The system's job is to help each child realize that potential.

2. Introduce a behavior grading system based on consideration for others and tied to the academic grade for each class to instill individual responsibility within the social group.

3. Test each sixth-grade student for an aptitude matrix, then focus the next four years on maximizing those individual aptitudes, leading to entrance into a wage-earning trade or profession.

4. After 10 years of schooling, each successful student would be awarded a secondary education diploma and enter a trade through an established apprenticeship.

5. Use as an incentive to succeed what is now a "right of passage" without any corresponding responsibility: a driver's license. No diploma, no driver's license.

6. Use the decreased need for 11th- and 12th-grade teachers to save money and provide smaller classes made up of students motivated toward professions requiring more rigorous schooling.

The value of our education system is measured by its ability to turn children into responsible, productive citizens. Our education system currently turns our children into students instead of plumbers, programmers, technicians, etc., and hence has little value to our society. Yet, its cost is escalating exponentially.

It is time to pull the plug and demand that public education employ methods to develop responsible, productive citizens. Until the system changes, the dropout rate will remain, regardless of the mandatory school age. However, if each school adopted these six points, we would see significant results in six to 10 years.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

As we know from history, political corruption and chaos from within brought the downfall of the Roman Empire.

With what is happening recently in our country and our involvement around the world, I wonder if this is perhaps the beginning of the downfall of our great country.

Let us all pray not. May God help us.

Lampros T. Megremis
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Jim Morgan

How somewhat naive the headline "Three cheers for Dondero's departure" in High Point City Councilman Bill Bencini's letter to the editor, published in your Oct. 9 edition.

Bill Bencini seems to express some level of personal frustration with Harvey Dondero and seemingly obvious extensive irritation with even the existence of the Las Vegas furniture market.

As a recently retired CEO serving the high-tech capital equipment markets for both the textile and furniture industries and as a 32-year resident of Greensboro, I strongly support the High Point Market and recognize its economic importance to High Point and Greensboro as well as to surrounding communities. On the other hand, I also recognize the potential danger of the lure of Las Vegas, which seems to be moving forward to dominate the trade show and convention business for most U.S. industries.

Let's face some facts:

1. It is the visitors who make the market a success, not the locals. High Point vs. Las Vegas?

2. Airline tickets into the Triad are expensive from most locations because we are not a competitive destination. To Las Vegas, there are bargain fares from virtually anywhere in the U.S.

3. Hotel rooms are another issue. It is normal for area hotels to increase rates for the High Point Market. In Las Vegas, there are first-class hotel bargains. I stayed at the Paris Hotel during the July 2005 Las Vegas market for $105 per night.

4. Car rentals are not required in Las Vegas.

5. Entertainment in Las Vegas, which can be an important draw to conventioneers, is without an equal in the U.S.

6. As overseas furniture manufacturers become more directly active in the U.S. market, emotional ties to High Point do not exist.

Harvey Dondero is a neighbor and a friend, and my wife and I hate to see his family move away. More importantly, I hate to see someone with 10 years of experience in the furniture industry and career-long experience in the home furnishing industry take over responsibility for the success and future growth of the Las Vegas market. An "exposition industry specialist" heading up the Las Vegas market without ties to both the domestic and foreign furniture manufacturers and with a learning curve ahead would be more desirable as it could delay potential success in Las Vegas.

Can we ask Bill Bencini to outline his recommendations as to how High Point can react to this financially dangerous challenge from Las Vegas?

The writer lives in Greensboro.

Regretfully, Eastern Guilford High School experienced a devastating fire that consumed the school on Nov. 1. Guilford County Schools would like to thank Principal Lisa Cooke and the school staff for their immediate and effective response. Their actions resulted in all students and staff being safe.

GCS would also like to express our gratitude and appreciation to all fire, Sheriff's Office and emergency personnel who responded quickly and efficiently and to the staff and members of Bethel Presbyterian Church who were so accommodating to Eastern students by providing a safe environment during the evacuation process.

The loss extended beyond the physical structure of the school. Teachers and students lost personal items and mementos. Offers of help and assistance are being received from many organizations and individuals throughout the community and from across the state.
With everyone's continued support, together, we will get through this difficult time.

Terry Grier
Greensboro

The writer is superintendent, Guilford County Schools.

Even though they are not registered voters, a very influential constituency has kicked off the voting in the American mid-term elections and they are voting a straight party ticket.
Yep, in case you haven't been paying attention, the Islamo fascists have been casting their votes for the last several weeks for the Party of Cut and Run.

Surely, you have noticed a significant "uptick" in the level of violence in both Iraq and Afghanistan That is al-Qaida and the Taliban, who along with nuclear wannabees Kim Jong Il and the Iranian mullahs are making their electoral choice known.

In trying to influence the American elections, they have redoubled their efforts to increase war-weariness and angst among faint-hearted Americans, hoping for a win by the limp-wristed and much more accommodating Democrats who they know will stop shooting, and try to "negotiate" with them and will undoubtedly try to "feel their pain."

Forget concerns about voting by illegal immigrant Mexicans. Keep in mind the choice of the Islamo fascists as you decide whether and/or how to vote this Tuesday.

Mike Crouch
Greensboro

I find Mike Lukovich's editorial cartoon in the Oct. 27 News & Record offensive, and your inclusion of it on your pages irresponsible.
It is de rigueur for the sycophants in the liberal media to spin for their own benefit; that is expected. However, did anyone on your staff bother to take the time to listen to what Rush Limbaugh actually said?

Or would the truth get in the way?

John Harrill
Greensboro

I found the article, "Grimsley principal quits to prep new schools" (Oct. 26), to be misleading and unfair. The title implies Rob Gasparello quit as principal, leaving Grimsley inconveniently in the middle of the semester. Yet in the first paragraph, the author states that "he has been tapped to prepare the opening of two Guilford County elementary schools," implying that he was perhaps promoted.

Which is it?

In contrast to one student's comment that "digging up the school garden" is a poor choice for discipline, I find it to be a clever way to help beautify the campus rather than having students sit idly in a classroom. Successful principals, particularly those with different or innovative ideas, rarely win popularity contests.

My son graduated from Grimsley in 2006 and, while we were not always in agreement with Gasparello, we both found him in most cases to be fair. Gasparello was unique in that he worked hard to establish relationships with the students — not as their "friend," but not as their enemy either. I think Gasparello is to be commended, not vilified.

Michele Hanley
Greensboro

In response to Rick Reitzug's question, "Which person is supporting you, (the troops)?": Whether you are displaying a ribbon of support or standing on the street corner protesting, void of personal action these demonstrations are nothing more than lip service.

Adopt a soldier and send him or her a letter of appreciation along with a care package filled with some tasty goodies and some simple necessities of life. Pray for them and give them a piece of America and a part of your heart! By doing so you will not only boost their morale but you also will demonstrate that you truly care for their well-being while they face dangerous challenges on a daily basis.

Robert Flowers
Summerfield

Recently the city of Greensboro lost a great athlete, Hall of Famer, coach, assistant principal, principal, community leader, family man and friend to all in Lody Glenn.

Lody was a terrific leader in chartering ideals, teaching, coaching and administration at Greensboro Senior High School (later Grimsley High School). He had a wonderful smile and a great laugh. He was a giant of a man.

Robert Clendenin
Greensboro

The writer is a retired principal, Page High School.

Just as we were starting to regain our health from that prolonged battle with cancer, we received the regrettable news that remission was short-lived and the disease still lives, striving to mutate in our society.

The News & Record, like most newspapers, is not able to ever put communism to rest once and for all. Just when some of us thought perhaps this time the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, a lightly veiled personification of that glorious workers' paradise, had been consigned to the trash heap of history as another example of a failed system of slavery, up pops the article "Truth in Learning" (Oct. 26).
Of course, as freedom-loving people, we know well that this form of cancer does not succumb easily to treatment, festering just beneath the skin to re-emerge, propagated by people who would not know freedom if it bit them on the backside.

Now, the soon-to-come money grab and glorification of this group of communists is sequestered in the hallowed halls of ivy, academia, where it may be massaged by those students and professors who bathe in all forms of anti-Americanism.

Jovanovic's class is the blind leading the blind.

Ian A. Millar
Kernersville

In reply to William Nutt Sr. ("Triad's senior citizens looking for a radio home," letter, Oct. 28), our company, J&H Music Programming, has the great sounds of yesteryear, including the Big Bands and great singers that he mentioned. I totally agree. I like the country music; however, I highly prefer the Big Bands, and the great vocalists of the '40s, '50s, '60s and '70s. We have the music he is referring to, and I am sure it would go very well. It would bring back many memories of the past.

When I was a young man, I used to listen to Martin Block's Make Believe Ballroom that featured the Big Bands and vocalists of that era. When we were in syndication, we included middle-of-the-road, some contemporary, and leased it to radio stations around the country. We would love to start again and listen to it in the Greensboro area.

Joseph Gelo
Greensboro

The destruction of Eastern Guilford High School was not caused by fire. Yes, it burned, but the real cause is the folly of a bunch of ignorant, greedy clowns that call themselves a school board.

Voters have approved school bonds totaling hundreds of millions of dollars to renovate and construct schools. These projects are behind schedule, over budget, and our students still haven't the infrastructure we promised. Beyond those failings, does it require genius to realize that a chemistry lab must have proper fire suppression installed? I do not mean a tiny fire extinguisher hanging by the door.

Now with hundreds of millions of dollars at their disposal, these clowns cannot even spend a few thousand to insure adequate fire safety in a laboratory? This level of utter stupidity boggles the mind. No industrial lab would be allowed to operate without such safeguards, but the school board blithely places our children at risk.

Not only do we have a major school reduced to ashes, requiring millions of dollars to rebuild, but also the tremendous social, psychological, environmental and other consequential costs. And it all could have been prevented with a few thousand dollars and the common sense God gave an ant.

Michael Best
Greensboro

How in the world can a school (housing our most precious gifts, our children) be without fire sprinklers? With all the bonds passed and all the money allocated, why were sprinklers not included? Must a child die before the incompetents on the school board and county commissioners do something about this problem?

My praise goes to the principal of Eastern Guilford for getting all the kids out of the building unharmed. Her fire drills must be A-1.

Lenore Reinhard
Greensboro

The only joke gone bad is Sen. John Kerry himself. That he would ridicule our men and women in the U.S. military is far beyond his normal sleaze. It is a disgrace that a man who has spent his entire career pandering to the left wing is now ridiculing our military.

The fact that the people of Massachusetts now officially have the two biggest jerks in the U.S. Senate should truly make them ashamed. His sorry excuse of trying to say it was a botched joke is the only real joke.

I trust that the liberals are really proud of their two most recent presidential candidates. Al Gore and John Kerry have offered the United States absolutely nothing but disgrace in their never-ending spin of the facts. No wonder middle America is so fed up with the liberal agenda.

Hollis Bensen
Greensboro

You might have seen red as you drove down Wendover Avenue in Greensboro and Main Street in High Point. Car dealerships were taking a stand against drugs by participating in this year's Red Ribbon Campaign.

National Red Ribbon Week serves as a tribute to Special Agent Camarena, who was kidnapped and brutally tortured and murdered by drug traffickers in Mexico. This tragic event produced an immediate outpouring of grief but, over time, has generated a sense of hope across America. That hope is being kept alive through the hard work of thousands of Americans who participated in Red Ribbon events during the last week in October.

This tradition is stronger than ever as an increasing number of Americans are saying "yes" to a drug-free life. This was a great opportunity for all of us to send a clear and unequivocal message that drugs damage lives — whether it is through lost productivity, unfulfilled dreams, drugged driving incidents or addiction. And it was a chance for us to show that Kiki Camarena's spirit — and hope for a drug-free America — can never be extinguished.

Julie Westholder
High Point

As a proud alumnus of N.C. A&T State University, I and others want Allen Johnson to know that we truly enjoyed his heartwarming column (Oct. 29) about "The greatest homecoming in the world."

We certainly will continue to support our team, no matter what. That's what Aggies do. All of the activities this year appealed to all ages to enjoy. Aggie Pride is and will always be alive.

Myrtle Soloman
Greensboro

By Bruce Caldwell

I read with dismay Gov. Mike Easley's endorsement of a statewide "living wage" in his address before the state NAACP (News & Record, Oct. 14). If this proposal became law, the statewide minimum would more than double, rising from $6.15 (effective this January) to $12.32.

The effects of such a dramatic rise are easy to forecast. The number of available minimum-wage jobs would shrink, as firms cut back hours and jobs. On the other hand, the number of job seekers would rise. When more people chase fewer jobs, the result is a higher wage for those who get jobs, and unemployment for the rest.

Who is most likely to be in each category? Put yourself in the shoes of someone hiring a new worker. You will have your pick of many applicants. At that wage, you will probably prefer to hire adults with job experience, and some of these will be among those applying. The chief losers will be younger and inexperienced workers.

In August, the unemployment rate nationwide was at 4.7 percent. However, the rate for teenagers was 16.7 percent overall, and 28.8 percent for black teens. A living wage would make these numbers considerably worse. For teens who are still in high school or enrolled in college, the effects are negligible. The real losers are those who have limited options who get priced out of the job market.

The minimum wage is not an effective anti-poverty tool. Small increases like the one just passed have little effect because most entry-level jobs already pay above $6.15. Furthermore, those working at minimum-wage jobs are spread throughout the income distribution. A minimum of $12.32 would have real effects, but the negative ones would fall hardest on the most needy.

These effects are well known among economists, though not among the general electorate, where nearly 80 percent of voters support increases in the minimum wage. Following the votes, politicians often support increases, too: it would take a very principled politician to try to educate the electorate at the potential cost of losing votes. Even so, it is amazing that Gov. Easley would speak in favor of the living wage proposal, and that the proposal would be a major plank in Alma Adams' platform. Are these politicians ignorant, or aiming for new heights of political cynicism? And, why didn't the media, or members of the audience at the NAACP convention, call them on it?

The writer is professor, Department of Economics, UNCG.

By Robert O'Hale

I read with interest Doug Clark's column (Oct. 11) proclaiming that a person's race or gender shouldn't matter for a judge. Clark wrote it shouldn't matter if a judge is black, white, Asian or male or female for everyone to receive equal justice under the law. Clark recited that judicial candidates Patricia Timmons-Goodson, an African American; Sarah Parker, a white female; and Susan O'Hale, an Asian American, were somehow out of line in their belief that diversity is important on the bench.

In a perfect world, it shouldn't matter if the person being judged is a particular gender or race. It shouldn't matter that the person doing the judging is a particular gender or race. It shouldn't matter at all. But it does.

I have been a lawyer in the state and federal courts of North Carolina for 25 years. I started my law practice as an assistant district attorney in Johnston, Lee and Harnett counties. On one occasion, I was prosecuting an attempted murder case. The defendant, an African American, was charged with stabbing another African American. When I went to the judge's chamber at the end of the day to tell him I was sorry the case had taken so long, he said, "Don't worry about it. It's only a nigger cutting." I was shocked. That was only a little over 20 years ago.

Not too long ago, juries were composed of only white men. Not long ago, women couldn't vote or sit on juries. In a historical context, these events are quite recent. Our culture is slow to change. We've come a long way, but, we have miles to go.

In an idealistic sense, Clark is right. Race and gender shouldn't matter in the courts. In a realistic sense he is absolutely wrong. I am not so confident as Clark that we have put all our prejudices behind us. Parker, O'Hale and Timmons-Goodson have every right to proclaim their "diversity" as an important aspect of our judiciary. If we want justice, we should strive for a representative judiciary. The face of justice should be a reflection of all of us.

The writer lives in Greensboro and is married to District Court candidate Susan O'Hale.

We were all stunned as we watched the news coverage of one of our high schools burning to the ground. The loss in the community and to the students and staff is incalculable.

Not only did we lose a structure that was closely aligned with its community, but we watched untold investments by individual teachers go up in smoke. These teachers use their own hard-earned money to provide for their students and classrooms.

The Greensboro Regional Realtors Foundation donated $1,000 and agreed to head a fundraising drive to help teachers replace some of the items they lost in the fire. Your contribution is tax-deductible, and all funds collected in this promotion will be used for the Tools for Teachers campaign.

Please mail or deliver your checks to GRRF, 23 Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, N.C. 27407. In the memo line, please enter "Tools for Teachers."

If you have questions, call Nancy L. Nelson at 402-1000 or 346-1910 or Kathleen Sullivan at 852-9373 and 387-2275.

Help us help the children and teachers of Eastern Guilford High School. Now.

Nancy L. Nelson
Greensboro

That the superintendent and school board would put the students and faculty at Eastern Guilford High School at risk by not having water sprinklers in the chemistry lab nor in the rest of the high school is indicative of their total incompetence and borders on criminal negligence, for which all, superintendent and members of the school board, should be fired.

How many other students and faculty are at risk in our schools because of the incompetence and neglect of the superintendent and school board?

Anthony J. Chibbaro
Greensboro

With new aircraft delivered and on order, AirTran is looking to expand to new cities, and using a novel approach: potential passengers may vote for the new destinations. Greensboro is notably absent from the list and one might wonder how deep-seated is the resentment toward PTI after our airport embraced the now-defunct Independence Air.

AirTran left soon after Independence arrived. Showing that they may forgive and forget, Knoxville, abandoned at the same time as Greensboro, has made the list. Is our Airport Authority striving to bring AirTran back and restore some semblance of reason to the exorbitant ticket prices in Greensboro, or should passengers start a write-in campaign in the hope AirTran will notice us?

Brian Robinson
Greensboro

I live in the historic Warnersville neighborhood, the oldest organized African American community in Greensboro. Warnersville is the home of historic J.C. Price School, one of the city’s treasures. The school is the only link to our past after urban renewal in the 1960s demolished our entire community.

Again, we stand on the brink of devastation in the Warnersville community. Greensboro College purchased the J.C. Price complex several years ago and had the property rezoned under the premise that the property’s use would not change. Now it plans to demolish J.C. Price School to build a football stadium in our quiet neighborhood. This will be built within 50 to 150 feet of some residential homes.

Life as we have known it would never be the same with the invasion of Greensboro College into our community, bringing noise, bright lights, tailgating, traffic, litter, parking problems and additional infringements.

This is not the community for a sports complex by Greensboro College. The neighborhood does not welcome Greensboro College.

To destroy its treasure, J.C. Price School, and destroy the peace and quiet of this African American neighborhood would be a travesty.

Lynette Parks
Greensboro

New Jersey has made a step in the right direction. The state’s Supreme Court ruling is evidence that homosexuals can no longer be treated as second-class citizens. It doesn’t matter what your moral views are. Regardless of your feelings on homosexuality, right or wrong, our government long ago sanctioned heterosexual marriage. New Jersey has taken the right steps to ensure all citizens are treated equally.

Our government provided special rights for married couples long ago. The new ruling helps to ensure that those special rights are pushed aside and that equal rights are available to all people. Black, white, gay or straight.

Today New Jersey, tomorrow North Carolina.

The United States has long claimed to be the land of the free. Thank you, New Jersey, for proving that today.

Tony Hummel
Reidsville

Regarding the Oct. 28 story about the Triad Equality Alliance billboard campaign promoting gay rights under the slogan, "We are all equal in God's eyes. How about yours?":

Another billboard is in order for Greensboro. If we had a Triad Truth Alliance, it could post the following: "The Bible does indeed reveal that God views all mankind as equals; adulterers, gossips, murderers, homosexuals (aka gays), pedophiles, etc., are all equal. This includes everyone, for any of us not specifically mentioned above is in the "etc." group, and all are viewed by God as sinners.

However, fortunately, this is not the end of the story. For God, who is rich in mercy and love, poured out His wrath for our sin on the sinless Son of God, Jesus Christ, on the cross. Now, and only through faith in Jesus and thus our receiving Him as Lord and Savior, we can receive eternal life and the power to turn from our rebellion (sinning) against God.

The question we must ask ourselves is, "Do I desire to be equal or saved? Kept in the bondage of my sin or freed?"

Jesus said, "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."

Gary Marschall
Greensboro

Regarding President Bush's recent visit to Greensboro for a Republican fundraiser:

Wow. Isn't it something how a political party can raise money so easily for its own use. Let's see now, 600 dinner plates at $1,000 per plate equals $600,000. But they raised more than $900,000.

Wouldn't it be great if the people in this country could raise money that easily to help homeless and underprivileged people in our own country?

Recently, when I was downtown in Greensboro, I saw a man walking on the sidewalk in his stocking feet. I wished I had a pair of shoes to give to that man.

I can't see that we are going to have a good candidate to run for president next time in the Republican or Democratic party, and I wish money didn't play such a part in politics.

Then maybe, just maybe, if there were an exceptional person to run for president, he might just win. Wouldn't that be an awesome thought?

Mary Young
Pleasant Garden

Columnist Thomas Friedman says that "government's job is to set broad goals and standards, and then let the market reach them" (Oct. 23). That's an erroneous job description.

He exhorts Californians to tax themselves $4 billion to give energy research money to presumably intelligent universities, "educate" the public, and subsidize alternative fuels. I believe this sums up The New York Times and Democratic Party's beliefs in general.

Friedman laments the constant starts and stops in funding subsidies for "things like solar and wind power." I suggest the stops came because the expenditures proved inefficient. The starts came because they sounded so good.

Could it be that California suffers budget problems because its citizens believe government can solve so many problems only to find that the market solves them better?

The profit motive tempered by strong ethical standards allocates resources pretty well. Heaven may have a better system.

Meanwhile, in the short run it always sounds like government can decide issues better. In the long run, free markets provide more effective solutions.

I believe these perceptional differences delineate the core issues fed to us in the elections. Do you vote for the attractive or the realistic?

Jack Glenn
Greensboro

October brings geeks from across the country to Greensboro for the ConvergeSouth conference, which recently celebrated its second year at N.C. A&T.

Without the commitment from A&T, the Southeast's pre-eminent technology user conference simply could not happen. ConvergeSouth and Greensboro owe a big thank you to the hard-working staff at A&T, including Dean Michael Plater, Dr. Nita Dewberry, and their entire team, especially the indefatigable Willene Rucker. Our gratitude also extends to Laurie Harper, Bill Wood, Kevin Lupo, Sam Hamlin and the whole IT support staff, which made wireless Internet a reality for everyone at this year's ConvergeSouth.

There were 260 attendees at ConvergeSouth on Oct. 13-14. The positive image these people got of Greensboro through this conference has helped put our city on the map as a place that understands and welcomes technology and its diverse users. Thanks to our many volunteers and participants, the folks who traveled to be here, and the team at A&T for making it all possible.

Sue Polinsky
Ed Cone
Ben Hwang
Greensboro

The writers are ConvergeSouth co-coordinators.

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Bob Guertin

The pope's comments on Islam in September were well-received and not incendiary to his immediate audience and to thinking Christians around the world. The confrontational Muslims look for any straw they can misconstrue and spin to their self-serving agenda. How they can remain silent when the minority of their ilk have caused unimaginable havoc around the world is reprehensible.

Maureen Parker ("Pope should admit Christian violence," Counterpoint, Oct. 6) feeds right into their trap by delving randomly into history, keeping her head in the sand rather than facing the present and suggesting means for the future. It's a typical Democratic ploy. Criticize the present and past with no demonstrable solution for the future.

The Crusades were reprehensible as were actions of others but have no bearing on the present and certainly not on the pope's remarks. His remarks were included in a point of much larger proportions and were factual and not intended to impugn anyone present or within worldwide earshot. Simply a quote to make a point with no need to apologize.

One could make selective quotes from the full lexicon of recorded history to avoid addressing the simple point the pope made at a German university to a well-informed audience.

Bill Clinton is hardly a basis upon which Parker can make her point. He's a lying, corrupt, lecherous, impeached draft dodger, going down as perhaps the worst president in modern times, having degraded the image of the presidency to an all-time low.

Her remarks about the rest of Muslims are well taken. Her comments on the pope are ill-conceived and off message. Maybe she should read the pope's entire speech and intelligent comments thereon.

The writer lives in Jamestown.

A swift response to the loss of Eastern Guilford High School is necessary for the success of its students. Students need continuity.

I suggest using the Greensboro Coliseum for immediate needs. Points to consider:

* Large enough to sustain the entire student body, rather than dividing and overwhelming already crowded area campuses.

* Drama/theater and band classes could use War Memorial Auditorium.

* Physical ed/sports could use the arena.

* There are conference areas, restrooms and audiovisual capabilities, and even food service is already in place.

Graduation would be more special to seniors whose final year was in the same building. Granted, logistics would have to be well mapped, but this is an underutilized taxpayer-funded entity that presents potential as a valuable resource to the community at this time of need.

Laura Todd
Greensboro

Concerning Eastern Guilford High School:

Clean up the scene as soon as possible and establish a school made up of temporary structures. There is no reason why this can't be done in the space of one week.

Keep these students and faculty intact and give them the opportunity to watch a new school rise from the ashes of the old one. A school is not a building but rather the spirit of those who attend it.

One other suggestion. Eastern might want to consider a new mascot: the Phoenix.

Dave Stump
Greensboro

Reading the Oct. 30 Leonard Pitts column, "U.S. cuts, runs from stay the course," I recall how important it was that students read George Orwell's "1984."

We studied the book and debated its concepts. Much of what it proposed seemed to have seeds of probability. Students researched newspaper articles for evidence that "1984" was coming true. We found much evidence to support the affirmative. Pitts' column supports one of those Orwellian concepts -- rhetoric changed reality to be what the government said it was.

Thus, the statement "we're going to stay the course" changing to "we've never been stay the course" seems to be just the example that Orwell predicted.

In the year 1984 when I was teaching the book, one of my students said, "In 2004 you will have students still comparing this book." I said, "No, I will probably be retired by then." I was, but I thought how much more relevant "1984" had become.

Was Orwell only off by 22 years? If so, let's not become "probes," as did most of the citizens of the fictional Oceania. Read, think, be an informed voter, and save America from becoming Oceania.

Judy Crutchfield
Kernersville

I helped four senior relatives sign up in 2006 for the cheapest Medicare prescription drug plan for their mix of medications.

Like most people, I assumed it was a one-time event. But when I checked for one of them for 2007, I discovered that the plan that she had was no longer best for her. Not only was it no longer the best plan, it was one of the most expensive ones for 2007. Her drug costs in 2006 are $2,985 annually. Estimates for the same medications in 2007 in her current plan are $4,970. The best plan that I can find for her will be $4,159. So the best she can do is a 39 percent increase, and if she sticks with her current plan, she will pay a whopping 66 percent more in 2007.

I checked for the other three seniors and the story is the same. No one will be better off staying with the plan selected for 2006. Even the person who has only one medication needs to switch plans and will pay an additional 7 percent. And not a one of them has received notice that their monthly premium and/or co-pay are going up.

Ann Beck
Advance

Torture may destroy the spirit of the victim -- but torture always kills the soul of the torturer.

When our grandchildren come to us after studying the Iraq war in American history and ask us, "What did you do when you learned about the secret prisons, renditions and water boarding?" we'll hang our heads and say, "We let our moral values be bullied into silence."

There is now a campaign to scare us out of our decency. Our silence is being taken as approval. ("They're not speaking against our actions. They must be in favor of them.") Our silence erodes our spiritual core.

Every day we remain silent is another day when our souls suffer. In this short life, our spiritual journey is the priority we're called to. We make a terrible mistake for ourselves and for our country when we insist that the means justify the ends. That argument disregards our sense of moral goodness and our efforts to become better people. The "American way" has meant fairness, decency, honor and justice for all. Let's not let that slip away.

Tom and Emilie Sandin
Greensboro

Since when did it become fashionable to sit in your car and drive behind your children while they trick or treat on Halloween?

Parents: For the safety of your child and others, please get out of your car and walk with your child. I hate to think this is the way it's going.

I noticed one street in Adams Farm actually put up barricades to prevent what I just described. By the way, when you do not see lights on at the front of the house, that means either they are not participating in Halloween or they have already given out all their candy.

Kids: If you're going to trick or treat, at least bother to put on a costume.

We went through seven pounds of candy, turned out the lights and still had people ringing our doorbell.

Troyce Hood
Greensboro

Greensboro and the surrounding area lost a major advocate for older adults and their families with the untimely death of Ann Kernodle Umstead on Oct. 23.

Ann, over the past 20 years, helped initiate policies and services that significantly impacted the quality of life of thousands of local older adults. I had the privilege of working with Ann on numerous committees at both the regional and local levels. As a result, I observed firsthand her never-ending efforts to improve the quality of life of older adults.

Through Ann's boundless energy, her ability to form alliances, her leadership skills and her creativity, many older adults in Greensboro and the surrounding region have been able to maintain independent and vital lives in their families and community. Ann's leadership and service addressed the broad spectrum of later life needs. She was most characterized by modesty, a commitment to others, and a passion for creating structures in the community to address the needs of both advantaged and disadvantaged older adults.

Perhaps Ann's character was revealed best in her obituary: "The lives Ann has touched cannot be counted. Her positive outlook, her love, her guidance, her strength, and her courage will not be forgotten and will continue to touch the lives of all those who knew her."

Vira R. Kivett
Greensboro

Greensboro's past still pays great dividends for our sense of community today — to wit, the Carolina Theatre. Over the last couple of months, and among many other events, the Carolina presented three very different virtuosos: from bluegrass, Ricky Skaggs; from rock and blues, Robert Cray; and from '70s English folk/rock, Richard Thompson. All at reasonable prices, without parking problems, in a warm, beautiful space, and within a pleasant walk of downtown restaurants. Moreover, diverse and changing communities comprised each audience.

In the next months, the Community Theatre of Greensboro's wonderful "Wizard of Oz," "Man of La Mancha," the original, silent "Phantom of the Opera," "Miracle on 34th Street" and "The Embers" will appear at the Carolina along with many more community events.

We should honor and enjoy our past as we plan for our future. We can do so in a wonderful, 78-year-old, privately owned treasure — the Carolina Theatre.

Charles Brummitt
Greensboro

The writer is a board member, Carolina Theatre of Greensboro Inc.

The generosity of the Triad never ceases to amaze me. Your neighbors raised more than $290,000 for cancer research at the second annual Triad Dinner for Cancer Research, a Golfers Against Cancer event, hosted by TV personality John O'Hurley. Donations will fund cutting-edge research at the Comprehensive Cancer Research Centers at Duke, Wake Forest and UNC.

William Seawell Jr., our honoree of the year, thanked the Triad supporters for contributing more than $560,000 in just two years. Golfers Against Cancer nationally will raise more than $3 million this year with 100 percent of the proceeds paving the path to the cure.

Please join us as we continue to help speed the cure.

J. Bruce Lyon
Greensboro

The writer is chairman, Triad Dinner for Cancer Research.

Add my voice to the growing chorus against the change at Oldies 93 radio station. For well over a decade, it was my "go to" station. It woke me in the morning and had the first button on my car radio. It was an oasis of pleasant sounds in a jungle of cacophonous country and rap.

All of a sudden it's taken away and replaced with yet another country station. Forgive me if I hope "The Wolf" gets caught by a trapper.

George L. Hopkins
Greensboro

In response to the “We’re all equal in God’s eyes” billboard, what if it read, “We’re all sinners in God’s eyes, how about yours?” That’s just as biblical as the other and points out the logical flaw in the argument.

Equality and virtue are not the same thing; nor does being equal to others in God’s eyes (or men’s) turn our evil actions into good ones.

What about NAMBLA (North American Man-Boy Love Association)? Are they equal in God’s eyes and therefore entitled to everyone’s tolerant acceptance of their diversity? How about polygamists? Or bigamists? Or the incestuous? Or — but the list is endless.

The truth is that God hates sin too much to leave us wallowing in its misery and alienation. As a member of America’s last invisible minority, ex-gays, I testify that God’s grace can deliver us from the delusion that gay is good and free us from the degradation and despair hidden behind the proud facade of the gay “lifestyle,” which I lived for 15 years.

Come to Jesus, who “made them male and female” for a good reason, and leave your idolatrous worship of your own image.

Stephen G. Wessells
Greensboro

This is a response to the Bob Lamar letter (Nov. 2), in which he apparently refers to attorneys as “bloodsuckers” and believes that if more attorneys retired, his car insurance rates would drop. Would that Steve Crihfield still received this fish wrap so his erudite response could be here rather than mine. But here goes.

Hey, Bob, here’s hoping that we “bloodsuckers” remember your name when you call us to get you out of trouble, or draft a contract or a will, or when your sister or son has some legal difficulties, or a loved one passes away.

Inform yourself, Bob: Insurance companies have more money than Carter has liver pills. Your rates have nothing to do with attorneys. I suspect your driving has a lot to do with it.

John Lunsford
Greensboro

By Kent Williams

The News & Record's characterization of the weapons recently seized at Eastern Middle School as "toys" is disingenuous. If the items were of the type generically known as "Airsoft" guns, these are not toys.

The fact that these items are so common among children is troubling. First, children cannot legally purchase Airsoft guns. Several online sources say these guns will not be sold to anyone under 18. They also state that if minors do operate the weapons, it should only be with adult supervision. Local retailers don't typically display these guns in toy sections but instead in the sporting goods department.

Second, these guns are often styled to closely resemble real-world firearms. Any person who brandishes Airsoft-type guns runs the risk of being identified as a possessor of the real thing. There have been numerous reports of the use of faux weapons in the commission of crimes.

In a school setting, particularly in light of recent national events involving firearms, a law-enforcement officer must presume any gun to be deadly and respond accordingly. U.S. law requires Airsoft guns to be identified by orange tips, but that is easily obscured.

Third, stock Airsoft guns can inflict pain and injury, particularly if discharged at vulnerable areas of the body at close range. The plastic BBs travel at speeds ranging from 240 to 285 feet per second. Web instructions and modification kits can boost the power to the 400 feet per second range, and some of these guns spit out 15 rounds per second. To paraphrase one seller's warning, at close range Airsoft guns can produce a sting or a welt. Blinding can result if the BBs hit the eye.

Finally, I believe minors having and operating Airsoft-type guns can potentially lead to a cavalier attitude toward more powerful weapons in other settings. It doesn't appear that today's youth have much opportunity to learn gun safety and responsibility. That is frightening.

If a child has no compunction at blasting away at another child with an Airsoft gun, perhaps little distinction would be made in another place and time among steel BBs from an air gun, a bow and arrow or a true firearm.

The writer lives in Browns Summit.

I have a belly dance group that generally performs for free at community events. I had an idea to do some street performing in downtown Greensboro to add something colorful and fun to the evening scene and to offset costuming costs that come out of pocket. We had a great response. People were smiling — some spontaneously danced with us — while others were so inspired, they asked us to teach them some moves.

We were set up as to not block the sidewalk or any pedestrian traffic. All was going well until the cops came over and shut us down. Turns out street performing is illegal in Greensboro. You can't even get a permit to do so. You can, however, get a permit to panhandle.

It seems that if the city can figure out how to create opportunities for the homeless to panhandle respectfully, then they can figure out how to allow street performers the opportunity to perform respectfully. The cops were just following and enforcing existing ordinances.

With Greensboro's downtown burgeoning, it seems to me street performers have something worthwhile to contribute. Greensboro should rework its ordinances to allow for more creativity in this growing and evolving city.

Faun Finley
Greensboro

I learned about studying hard, and at least paying attention to things I hear and read about. The other day, I was having a mild disagreement with my wife about something that I didn't say.

Well, then Sen. John Kerry apologized for not saying our troops are undereducated, or just not smart, or at least not "Haavahd" grads. I think what he said was that we didn't understand what he said, and he was sorry for that. Then everyone became really happy that he came across as a stand-up guy who wasn't afraid to make an apology, when we all misunderstood what he didn't say.

So, I told my wife that I was sorry that she misunderstood what I didn't say, and she said, "See there. That wasn't so hard, was it? Don't you feel better now? You're a much better man for admitting you were wrong."

Boy, I really feel good now.

Larry Stafford
Kernersville

Most Americans want our environmental laws strengthened and strictly enforced. Let's face it; there aren't Democratic or Republican children. And, if we want to provide our children with the same opportunities our parents gave us, we've got to protect our forests, water, air and wildlife.

The EPA announced for the first time in 30 years, American waterways are getting dirtier. One hundred and eighty nations (the whole world except the United States and one other nation) agreed to the Kyoto Protocol to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The acid rain that is steadily destroying the forests of the Smoky Mountains comes mainly from the pollutants of outmoded coal-burning power plants.
These discharges are illegal under the Clean Air Act. But President Bush excused them from complying with the act.

Coincidentally, the energy industry contributed $48 million to the president and his party during the 2000 election and another $58 million in following years. These industries are now reaping the benefits of their donations through regulatory relief. But generations of Americans will pay the clean-up and health care costs of these "deals."

We must demand both campaign finance reform and national leaders who are interested in protecting our environment. Our forests, lakes and rivers, and the very air we breathe are at stake, for us and for our children.

Gary Parker
Archdale

When the country is attacked, the military plan is to identify the enemy, pick the battleground, engage the enemy and eliminate the threat to the country.

We picked Iraq as the battleground to drive a wedge between Iran and Syria, to create a position and influence in the region to counter the growing threat that seems to be a danger to our security. Our intelligence community was in total confusion in 2000 and 2001 as to the situation in Iraq and the Islamic radicals after eight years of Bill Clinton's leadership.

Now that we are in Iraq, trying to diffuse the building threat, the radicals are in process of driving us out with the help of the Democrats and the news media. Their strategy seems to be that once we leave, they can use Iraq as a recruiting and staging ground to drive us out of Afghanistan and then plan the attack on the United States without any resistance. If we leave Iraq, we can adopt the Democrats' national security plan and call it the sitting-duck strategy — and wait to see when and where the radicals hit us so we can put our finger in the dike.

Is peace worth fighting for?

Bill Robinson
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Charles A. Jones

I wanted to comment on the column by Rebekah Kates in the "Hometown Hub" section (Oct. 29) in which she advocates some type of "update" of Lee Street. Her naivete is remarkable.

I was born in Greensboro in 1954 and lived here until leaving for college in 1973. For years, my uncles (the Mateers) ran a curb market and trailer rental business on West Lee near the coliseum, and my father ran John Robbins Motor Co., formerly a truck dealership, beside what is now U-Haul.

I visit Greensboro two or three times a year, frequently traveling West Lee. Its nature has not changed since I lived here as a child and teenager.

In short, Lee Street has been, is now, and probably always will be a major commercial traffic artery with commercial, not residential, property on either side. To think otherwise is fantasy. Who cares what it looks like as long as it serves the community's traffic needs?

I agree that massage parlors should vanish and property not meeting city code standards should be policed. But to advocate "beautifying" or turning Lee Street into a pedestrian or bicycle-friendly avenue is, again, fantasy.

Lee Street's businesses make Greensboro's economy go. People like Kates, who works for UNCG — a state agency — do not make the economy go. She can easily sit back and condemn the "tractor-trailer graveyard near the coliseum" that my cousin (a Mateer relative) owns. That "graveyard" is a business requiring factors foreign to people like Kates: financial risk and hard work that produce jobs and thousands of dollars in revenue and taxes. I would compare his community contributions to those of Kates without hesitation.
The last thing Lee Street needs is "pretty" medians, bicycle paths and large sidewalks that clog traffic; such were placed downtown, making driving there an ordeal.

So, Ms. Kates, if you want to ride your bike, ride it somewhere made for bicycles rather than trying to change an essential commercial avenue into something it is not and was never intended to be.

The writer lives in Norfolk, Va.

Members of this community are somewhat like the "Who's down in Whoville." When someone is in trouble, we don't just pat their hand and say, "That's a shame." Instead, we pray, serve, lead and take direct action to lift them up.

The devastating fire at Eastern Guilford did not have the last word — all because this community triumphed over chaos. An outstanding principal and staff quickly led students out of harm's way. Courageous firefighters never gave up despite exhausting heat.
The school board met long hours to implement a new plan. News organizations maintained coverage and held telethons. Churches and clubs stepped up. Citizens dropped off supplies. GTCC and the School for the Deaf were offered without hesitation as sites. Greensboro College created scholarships. Donald Moore and the Grasshoppers made a contribution that is beyond generous. This is all just scratching the surface.

Nov. 2, I asked my Honors English 9 class at Weaver Academy to write letters to Eastern High. A simple message carried strong words: "The community will carry you through this." This teenager obviously has no doubts about the strength of the place where he lives. I'm proud to live in Greensboro, N.C.

Meredith Newlin
Greensboro

With pleas for assistance being sought all over North Carolina, is it true that the N.C. Education Lottery will give each teacher a voucher to buy supplies for their students to replace those lost in the fire? Is it true the N.C. Education Lottery has negotiated a discount at major office supply stores where the vouchers can be used? Is it true that the N.C. Education Lottery has already donated funds to Eastern Guilford High School as a show of support during this emergency?
If it's not true, then why isn't it?

Gerald Smith
Greensboro

The destruction of Eastern Guilford High School is a loss we can all feel. We must do everything possible to get a new school in place. The estimate of three years to finish a new school is "business as usual" and is not acceptable. It may cost $1 million or $2 million more to get it done by Aug. 15, 2008, but it will be worth it.
Everyone should ask their elected representatives (including the governor) to put this building on the fast track. The students, staff and the citizens of Guilford County deserve it. It can be done.

Joe Stafford
Greensboro

I am writing after reflecting on Myla Barnhardt's thoughtful eulogy (Oct. 27), if you will, in honor of 19-year-old Lauren Cole, who passed away Oct. 24 after a lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis.
I routinely try to include my young daughter in the reading of human-interest stories that may offer a lesson in life, peace and perhaps civic responsibility. As I began reading about Lauren, I was overtaken by emotion and the great sense of loss by her family. My daughter immediately responded, retrieving tissues and attempting to console me, of all people.

Lauren and her family have been on my mind, and I would like her parents to know that sharing their story was brave, selfless and an incredible tribute to their beautiful daughter. And know that, while I began reading assuming I would be teaching my daughter something important, I came away with an immense appreciation for my own child and family and a deepened desire to cherish every moment that we have together.

So, thank you for sharing your personal loss so that others may learn and grow, and God bless your family as you attempt to move on. Your message encouraging organ donation was not lost.

Kimberly Heil
Greensboro

We live near Bryan Boulevard and are privileged to drive on it nearly every day. At almost every time of year, the landscaping and views along this roadway are just beautiful, but the drive this past week has been spectacular.

Everyone who has planned, paid for and cares for the landscaping on Bryan Boulevard deserves a big thank you for giving our community the gift of such continuing beauty.

Margaret Parker
Greensboro

If one more organization (city, company, school system, etc. ) rolls out their core values, I think I will throw up.

My experience has been if you gotta post 'em, you ain't got 'em.

David Colin
Greensboro

With the elections freshly behind us, I want to send a message to those who will run in races at all levels in 2008:

Appeal to the best in all of us. If you are a loyal partisan, uphold the highest ideals of your party. If you are more independent-minded, clearly state your vision without trying to be all things to all people. Let your convictions lead your campaign, not the pollsters, pundits or consultants. Campaign on your ideas and strengths rather than the failures of your opponents.

We the people are starved for political leaders with the intelligence to form a clear vision of a better future, the courage to articulate it boldly and the integrity to conduct campaigns in a manner that puts the public good ahead of personal gain.

Holly Stevens
Oak Ridge

In light of Veterans Day, which just passed, I have been reflecting on our political situations, our problems and our moral development. Since World War II, and even Vietnam and Korea, a lot has changed. Our politicians have changed, our musical tastes have changed, our dress has changed.

When looking at the core of America, however, I found that we as a people have not changed. We still hold up the same ideology we did 70 years ago. America stands for freedom: freedom of speech, religion and much more.

We challenge evil in order to promote a safe democracy. And, yet, it seems the American people have forgotten the very freedom they possess.

Ask those who served in World War II what freedom means to them. You know what most will tell you? Freedom is what they fought for. Ask a Vietnam veteran or even a soldier in Iraq what freedom means to them. They'll tell you that freedom is the ability to protest the very war that is buying us the right to protest. Maybe instead of protesting, we should celebrate the men and women who buy us our freedom, even now.

Christopher Ball
Greensboro

This letter is a follow-up to the wonderful story that Jeri Rowe shared about Ben and Susie Roberts' major undertaking in moving their restaurant, the Undercurrent, to its new location.

The story is not complete without sharing that in the midst of all of the challenges of relocation and upfitting a new space, working with designers, construction, and all the details, including providing delicious food, the Robertses still reached out and thought of others in their community.

The Undercurrent held two evenings, one a dining experience and the other an hors d'oeuvres and cocktails event, with invited guests asked to celebrate their new location and to help local charities.

The Women's Resource Center of Greensboro, the Johnnetta B. Cole Global Diversity & Inclusion Institute at Bennett College for Women and the Salvation Army were the selected charities. On behalf of the more than 8,000 women served by the Women's Resource Center, I would like to thank the Robertses and their guests for their compassion and generosity.

Ashley Brooks Reckard
Greensboro

The writer is executive director, Women's Resource Center of Greensboro.

In reference to the letter (Oct. 31) by Rick Reitzug, his two mentioned interpretations of "supporting our troops" both revolve less around the troops themselves than whether or not one supports current foreign policy. I don't see it that way.

My support for the troops has nothing whatsoever to do with their involvement in what I consider to be a poorly advised war, but is based on an admiration and appreciative respect for their voluntary willingness to serve our nation at the risk of their own lives during a very volatile time in world affairs. By my way of thinking, the very fact that they take those risks puts them in a position far above that of being mere representatives of the miscalculations of our elected leaders, and places their service and sacrifice among the level of man's highest dedication to his fellow man.

My support for the men and women of the U.S. military is not contingent upon where they are sent, who sends them or what their mission will be on arrival, but is earned by the fact that they have volunteered to be available wherever they are needed. For that reason, I consider them to be defending our freedoms even when they find themselves enforcing policies I disagree with or don't see the relevance of.

A.J. Sells
Greensboro

I say I support my troops and I am behind the war because it was called on us to fight for our lives. The troops are over there fighting for all of us, and I will not be ashamed of them or the war or my country. What are people thinking when they join the Army, Marines, Air Force or Navy? Are they doing it just to receive an education? I would like to think not.

I would like to think they know the consequences of fighting in battle, so I get so tired of the people who talk for these Americans, our brothers and sisters.

Do not stand there and say this is an unfair war and we should bring them home. They are doing their job for us. The flag means more to them and me than that.

I am so thankful and in support of our troops as they fight for me and my family to be free and safe. I pray for them every day and hope they can come home and feel good about what they have done for their country. I bless the souls of the ones who have died as a result of fighting for us. God bless our troops.

Lisa Watson
Staley

As a bow hunter, I read with interest "Commission considers urban archery season" (Oct. 22) as well as the letter, "Bow hunting causes unacceptable suffering" (Oct. 28).

I commend this writer in that unacceptable suffering is what the true sportsman always wants to avoid, whether harvesting the animal by bow or gun. Proper shot placement assures the hunter of taking game in the most humane way possible, much more skillfully (with today's equipment) than our forefathers had in their efforts to place meat on the family table. Bow hunters are responsible sportsmen. They are not just shooting arrows at deer. Archery is mastered, skills developed, honed and maintained — enabling the hunter, at close range, to take game cleanly and swiftly.

I'm sure if the N.C. Wildlife Commission passes this proposal for an urban archery season in specific areas, a selection process of the most skillful licensed hunters will be made and a controlled hunt will go off safely, providing both a herd reduction and food for the needy through a donation process.

Clifford E. Beck
Jacksonville, Fla.

On behalf of the Guilford County Tobacco Reality Unfiltered Youth Advisory Board, I encourage the community to participate in the Great American Smoke Out on Thursday. This day seeks to help tobacco users quit by asking, "If you can go one day without using tobacco products, why not your whole life?"

Participants can get support by calling North Carolina's free Quitline number (1-800-QUITNOW) or visiting www.quitnownc.org. Trained counselors are available to help both teens and adults. Please consider quitting for the day, if not for yourself then for the ones you love.

Spencer Foster
Greensboro

As an alumnus of Eastern Guilford High School, Class of 1998, I've found recent events quite hard to digest. However, I view this situation as an exciting opportunity.

For many, many years, Eastern Guilford has not been a proud place. Students were not proud of their school, but why should they be? We led in few academic areas, our sports teams never excelled, and our band had 25 members.

Also, a questionable redistricting decision seemed to only bring violence to the school. Eastern was more of a mess before it burned down than it is now.

Now we have an opportunity to fix this. I hope these events will cause the school board to actually start paying Eastern Guilford some attention for a change. Let's change the mascot name to "the Phoenix," which rises from the ashes to become something new.

A pile of bricks does not make a school — students and faculty do. Hopefully, this will signal the rebirth of something that has been dormant for too long: Wildcat pride.

Eli Oklesh
Greensboro

In your Nov. 2 story covering the disastrous fire at Eastern Guilford High School, automatic sprinkler systems were given a negative impression. Mike Wright, deputy director of Guilford County Emergency Services, was quoted as indicating that a sprinkler system just holds off flames and wouldn't have mattered much in this case because of how quickly the fire spread and its severity.

Automatic sprinklers are installed to protect property as well as life. The Factory Mutual Insurance Co., with which I was employed for 35 years, has always contended that a building with a proper sprinkler system, and without extenuating circumstances, has never burned.

Sprinklers are the first line of defense with the fire department having an important secondary role.

Lewis H. Webb
Greensboro

Why…

was Sara Lenna handcuffed, put in jail and sent to a detention center eight hours away from her (American citizen) husband?

 should she be deported to Peru when she was obviously not a threat to anyone?

 should she be punished for wrong advice from an incompetent (and now disbarred) attorney?

 can't an exception be made in this case to allow her a new hearing?

 don't the Homeland Security agents focus their attention on real security risks?

 have we become so paranoid that we see every immigrant as a potential threat?

Nancy L. Poulos
Greensboro

Here we go again, another politician standing in front of a TV camera saying, "I did not do it."

Sound familiar? No, I am not talking about Bill Clinton.

This came from the mouth of Councilwoman Dianne Bellamy-Small, who swore up and down she did not leak the report in question. She told reporters she did not do it, but was the only council member who did not take a lie detector test.

There is only one thing for her to do and that is resign. The trust she asked the public to have in her was betrayed.

The only way the City Council can get on with its business is for Bellamy-Small to leave so that this problem can be dealt with, and, hopefully, put to rest.

Ernie Andrews
Greensboro

OK, City Council members — you say that the public's trust has been violated by the release of a report that originated with Councilwoman Dianne Bellamy-Small's copy. Now what do you plan to do about it and when? It will be interesting to see how long it takes you to make a decision.

B.L. Woltz
Greensboro

We would all love to see our troops come home ... in victory. Rick Reitzug implies (letter, Oct. 31) that supporting our troops means that our troops should be tucking their tails and running home to their spouses and loved ones.

The cut-and-runners need to be reminded that in one day on 9/11 we lost more spouses and loved ones, all civilians, than we have soldiers on the battlefield in Iraq — soldiers who volunteered to put their lives on the line to reduce the threat of another such attack. They are fighting terrorists who want nothing more than to bring harm to this great nation.

Supporting our troops means giving them the tools and strategies for victory. When President Bush spoke of staying the course, he clarified that to mean staying in Iraq until the job was complete — until we win.

Do you think he doesn't mourn the loss of each young man or woman fighting for our freedom? Of course he does. Bin Laden made it clear that the United States leaving Iraq would mean victory for his cause.

You may question the strategies used or have a better plan for victory, but to "retreat in defeat" supports the terrorists, not the troops.

Supporting the troops means that we must win, period, lest those who have fallen die in vain.

Rob Brafford
Jamestown

Lex Alexander's recent articles on Greensboro attorney Craig Kabatchnick's support of veterans are right on target. I have been fighting for many years with the VA Regional Office and the Board of Veterans' Appeals over benefits for diabetes mellitus type 2.

My duties at Fort Bliss, Texas, where I served and maintained Nike and Hercules missiles from 1962 to 1963, exposed me to solvents, cleaning agents and other chemicals. Many of those same chemicals and solvents were, later in the 1960s, used in Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. But the VA has taken no steps to help me show that my service duties were related to my many physical problems after the service.

Diabetes mellitus type 2 is a presumed disability in connection with Agent Orange. If I had served in Vietnam even for one day, my condition would have been considered service-related.

It is ridiculous that a layperson such as myself has to find a chemist to prove my claim. I salute the efforts of Kabatchnick and Alexander to obtain assistance for veterans in this state in their battle with the VA.

Joel K. Brigman
Rockingham

This community lost one of its most valiant heroines on Oct. 23, when Ann K. Umstead died. Ann had worked tirelessly for the 20 years I have known her to make life better for older adults, their caregivers, the homeless, the poor and those without a voice.

She grew the Adult Center for Enrichment into a successful service to help adults with day care needs. All one would have to do is have a short conversation with Ann to hear her vision for respectful aging and her dreams for coordinated service planning. She was tenacious, creative and ever giving of her time, energy and resources. Her voice will be missed at United Way, the Guilford Commission on Aging, Shepherd's Center, Friends' Home and other organizations.

Most of all, her voice will be missed by people like me, who loved and followed her, happy to be a part of her "vision."

Kim Dawkins Berry
Greensboro

The North Carolina Coalition for Adoption Reform plans to submit a bill to our legislators in 2007 asking them to pass legislation to allow an adult adoptee and the descendants of a deceased adoptee access to their original birth certificate.

NCCAR understands the plight of adult adoptees who need their updated medical history, or the adult adoptees who cannot give their children or grandchildren true information concerning their heritage They also understand the potential for an adult adoptee to unknowingly marry someone who may even be a sibling.

Anyone who has ever conducted a genealogy search has enjoyed a privilege that adoptees do not have. North Carolina adoptees are not allowed the right to know which county they were born in. Their county of birth is falsified on their amended birth certificate and changed to the county where the adoptive parents live.

Members of NCCAR are gaining momentum and interest with support from the public and legislators. It is time North Carolina becomes educated about why this law needs to be changed and give our adult adoptees the same civil rights every other adult has. You can get more information about NCCAR at http://adoptionreform-nc.org, or send e-mail to mrseek2@aol.com.

Hazel Kaisinger
Greensboro

The writer is a board member of NCCAR.

I can't understand why a radio station as popular as the oldies station, 93.1, would change from playing music that most everyone can identify with to playing only country. Now, I love country music, but I also like listening to all the old songs from the 1950s and '60s. Seems like to me we have enough country stations in this area.

Somebody, please start another oldies station.

Martha Hudson
Greensboro

In North Carolina, partisan politicians from the General Assembly redraw the state's voting districts after every census. This often results in gerrymandering, which occurs when politicians redraw districts to pack or split voters to give their party an advantage when voters head to the polls.

To ensure that voters are being given a real choice at election time, North Carolina should join 10 other states in instituting an independent redistricting commission free from partisan politics.

Such a commission was suggested by an independent legislative committee to the N.C. General Assembly in 1997. This commission would be composed of nine members appointed by legislative officials but include no more than five members from one party and at least three minority representatives. Commission members would also be barred from running four years before, or after, their terms on the commission.

In a state where half of all General Assembly candidates ran unopposed this election cycle, an independent commission would restore competition by encouraging voters to make their way to the polls because their vote may make a difference.

Common sense says that when North Carolinians go to the polls, they should choose their representatives, not the other way around.

Patrick Evans
Durham

Stand your ground? Stay the course? Finish the job? What is the ground, the course, the job? When will we know we have done it, that the troops can come home? Does anybody know? Do you, Mr. President? Cheney? Rove? If so, tell the people.

Whatever it is we're after, we're not doing it, but we're sure getting it: 102 troops in one month. Whatever it is, or was, it's over, it's failed. Time to come home and let them figure it out, now that we've started a situation we will never be able to solve. It's theirs, not ours.

We can't shove democracy down their throats; can't force the Kurds, Shiites, Sunnis to love one another. Come home to start again: the war against fear, poverty, disease; against lies, greed, corruption; the fight for integrity, hope, compassion, freedom.

Let's stop singing, "And the rockets red glare; the bombs bursting in air," as if it were a matter of pride. And sing instead, "Oh Beautiful for spacious skies," "God shed his Grace on thee" and on every one of us here and there.

Help us to know how we ever got to this awful place and know that we'll never do it again.

Gay Cheney
Browns Summit

The devastating fire that destroyed Eastern Guilford High School burned away some comfort that the county schools possessed a viable disaster plan ready for efficient execution.

No one thought fire would gut Eastern Guilford, but it did. The unthinkable is now thinkable.

As we all grieve for the loss -- and as students and the community grapple with the new normalcy -- a burning question is: How prepared are school officials and all civic leaders for the unexpected?

Had a disaster plan been in place, at least the path to reconstruction and the lives of students and their families might have been less frenetic, anguished, confused and more directed. In no way am I chastising leaders for their concerted response.

In seeing the destruction, though, other parents probably asked, as I did: What happens if my child's school is destroyed? What's the plan?
For sure, Eastern Guilford High School will rise again. So should school officials and public fiduciaries rise to the responsibility and institute prudent crisis-management programs for all campuses.

Unfortunately, someday the unthinkable will be thinkable again. Will we be prepared? That could be the burning question.

Ivan Saul Cutler
Greensboro

Our hearts go out to the students of Eastern Guilford High School. It is interesting to note, however, that as the school burned, the students were evacuated to the nearby Bethel Presbyterian Church.

While I do not want to minimize the sorrow felt in that community, it is rather symbolic that a public school system that has cast away God and His word finds a great refuge in a time of crisis in a local church.

Christian students are forbidden to refer to God in the classroom or during graduation services. Christian teachers are raked over the coals if they mention the possibility of a divine method of creation. And even the local Gideons are told that schools are not the place to pass out their Bibles. Yet, in the midst of this great tragedy, the school officials took time to send the students to church.

What a good lesson. When our young people need answers, when their marriage collapses, when faced with the great stresses of life or when they contemplate suicide -- it would be a great thing for them to head to the Bible and to the church.

Sid Stewart
Trinity

We have a community devastated by a terrible fire, losing a school and stranding students and faculty.

I'm seeing lots of donations and fundraisers, but just where the heck does the N.C. Education Lottery come in? They need to get a check, a big check, out immediately to get the rebuilding started and get these kids on their feet. If not, then what was all the hoopla about an education lottery? Is it not to help the schools?

Annette Fine
Climax

I'm not so sure Greensboro deserves a new auditorium. At least that's the way it struck me recently when I attended Greensboro Opera's production of "Madama Butterfly."

I was aghast when some folks sat down in front of my party carrying Cokes, complete with lids and straws, and bags of what looked like Cracker Jacks. I thought surely these rubes have bought these somewhere outside and managed to sneak them past the ushers. Shortly thereafter, I realized that there were Cokes and bags of assorted crunchies all over the place. A constant crackly din permeated the hall during the first 15-plus minutes of the first act. In addition, our discomfort was aggravated by the seating of latecomers (in virtual droves) for maybe 30 minutes. It all brought back memories of being at the movies on Saturday afternoon during my youth. The only thing missing was the smell of popcorn.

Greensboro, darlin', this doesn't happen in Winston at the Stevens Center. At the Met the offenders would have been dragged out onto the Plaza and drawn and quartered. Maybe the Gate City should be content with the sad facility it already has. It'll be easier to clean up the mess.

Terry Allen
High Point

On Nov. 3, the Southern Guilford High School community hosted Eastern Guilford High School for its first football game after the fire that destroyed its school.

The Southern marching band led by Director Trent Walton invited the Eastern marching band to help open the game and then went over to the Eastern side and played their fight song as a tribute.

Southern's Athletic Booster Club took donations at the gate and gave ribbons to all with both school colors on them. In addition, thanks to the generosity of Principal Jim Gibson and the athletic director, Sharon Parks, all admission proceeds were shared equally with Eastern.

These unselfish acts of the Southern Guilford community make my entire family proud to be residents of this community.

Dale Osborne
Greensboro

Regarding the letter by Parris Lee Patton (Nov. 2):

Maybe it's his neurotransmitters that have failed because he has forgotten that he, like myself, is an American citizen, descendant of an honest family that came to this country looking for a better future. How can Patton talk about America's economy and laws being disrespected by Mexicans as if they were the only immigrants coming into this country, and as if there weren't thousands of our own American citizens who daily abuse our welfare system, kill innocent people while driving intoxicated, and even sell drugs to our children?

Being American doesn't give us the right to disrespect our government system just because we can't get thrown out. It's unfortunate Patton has had such bad experiences with Mexicans, but we've all had bad experiences with people from this country who have done the same things, we just don't go bashing each other through newspaper articles.

Patton's opinion was cruel toward many Mexican families who have come here legally and earned their right to be here. He needs to realize that our government, laws and economy are suffering because of the way they are managed, not because there are illegal immigrants in this country.

Alejandra M. Alvarez
High Point

The Nov. 5 article about the deportation of Sara Lenna was heartbreaking. It seems as if Homeland Security has somehow erred on this one.

Apparently, some old documents that were presented by an incompetent attorney started the whole thing. Those documents should be rendered null and void since the attorney didn't follow procedure in his representation of Lenna's family (her sister and parents).

I understand that we are at war against terrorism, but I can't understand how Homeland Security can lock up a model citizen. What about the known domestic terrorists? Do they get the same treatment? Obviously something is wrong with this case.

Lenna shouldn't be blamed for the incompetence of her parents' lawyer. Somehow, U.S. Immigration and Homeland Security should try to make this right by at least granting her temporary release.

Lenna is married to a U.S. citizen and has been an integral part of her community and church.

The solution to this quandary is to release her immediately under a six-month conditional waiver in the custody of her husband. During the six months, Homeland Security can review her case.

I hope an appeal to Sara Lenna's congressman will help in this process. It's worth a thought.

Claxton Boone
Asheboro

I read about the plight of Sara Lenna. This situation is absolutely pathetic.

We have what are real illegal aliens is this state (and probably every other state) who are a real threat to this country inasmuch as they are dealing in drugs, causing accidents that kill and/or maim our citizens while driving under the influence as well as overloading our Medicaid and other welfare programs. And our government can't do anything about them.

It appears that Lenna has done everything that she was supposed to do to in order to become a citizen and due to having an attorney who gave her bad advice and did not do what he was hired to do, she has to pay by being deported. This is wrong.

This is how the Patriot Act is going to protect the citizens of this country? We were safer and better off before the Patriot Act. Maybe it's time to dig out the tennis shoes and banners and start demonstrating for what is right and fair.

Jan Flowers
Stokesdale

When a new Wal-Mart Supercenter is built, the average construction time from groundbreaking to grand opening is six to eight months. I'm told that the Empire State Building was completed in just over a year.

I have heard that a "realistic" timetable for opening a new Eastern Guilford High School would be August 2009. I urge the state of North Carolina to act.

If every available emergency resource can be utilized, along with charitable contributions of money and labor, don't tell me we can't rebuild by August 2007. While this might be a slight burden for taxpayers statewide, not acting in a timely manner will overcrowd already overcrowded high schools next year for rising freshmen, sophomores and juniors.

My hat is off to Guilford County school officials for coming up with a short-term plan for the remainder of this school year. Gov. Mike Easley, the ball is in your court to make this happen. Failure is not an option.

To the Wildcats of Eastern Guilford High School: God bless each and every one of you in this trying time. I wish all the teachers and students good luck in the future and hope that tomorrow will bring a brighter day.

Vern Sullivan
Kernersville

On the day after the election, I can say that at long last it's a great day to be an American. Not because Democrats were elected in great numbers, but because Americans at long last threw off their 9/11-induced stupor and rejected the politics of fear.

For days leading up to the election, Mr. "I'm a uniter not a divider" Bush was crisscrossing the country saying that a "vote for Democrats was a vote for the terrorists." For a change, the fear dog didn't hunt.

Way to go, America. Perhaps now we can discuss the issues in a rational manner and start rebuilding a democracy that we can be proud of.

Marshall White
Archdale

Call me paranoid, but when I cast my vote, no one asked for my ID, driver's license or voter registration card. I was told to sign a statement that I am who I say I am.

When I expressed my concern, three ladies defensively threw explanations toward me. "Because you say you're that person!" "Because you signed a paper saying you're you!" And the coup de grace: "If people lie, it's punishable by federal law!" Please! How are the feds going to catch them if they're using a false name?

In the voting booth, I touched the screen to activate it. Three brief sections of instructions appeared. I was reading the first when a "helper" reached in front of me and pressed the screen, making the instructions disappear. When I asked her what was she doing, she responded, "Oh, those are just the instructions. That screen just tells you how to work the machine!"

And you wonder why people remain apathetic about voting; why Homeland Security warnings are always elevated, meaning basically nothing to us; why people slip through our borders day after day; why bureaucrats run the country. Maybe this election will change that a little. Paranoid or not, I still have hope.

Kate Kitchen
Greensboro

I read with interest James Sherk's Nov. 6 Second Opinion article on wages and the economic situation our country is in. He blames pundits for making Americans believe our economy is what they think it is.

In doing so, he assumes that a majority of us are unable to come to our own conclusion. Then, as if that wasn't condescending enough, he states, "Why aren't constantly inaccurate pundits seeking new jobs?"

Since he is writing on behalf of the Heritage Foundation, which was a huge supporter of the war in Iraq because it said Iraq had WMDs and there would be no insurgency, because the Iraqi people would greet us as liberators, I would like to ask Mr. Sherk the same question.

Todd Schmidt
Greensboro

My son goes to Eastern Guilford High School, and I would like to express my gratitude to the teachers and staff for the good job they did getting everyone out safely.

I would like to thank the firemen for all they did, for their hard work in trying to save the school, and for saving all that they did from the burning school.

I would also like to thank the community for coming together and donating supplies and money to the school and students.

I hope the school board and the county commissioners will come together as well and get the students back into a permanent school sooner than two to three years, as they have suggested.

Debbie Williams
McLeansville

By A.M. Little

First, this is not a same-sex bashing article. It is only expressing another side about a lifestyle that is freely mentioned in this newspaper.

Lorraine Ahearn, Addison Ore and others have talked recently in the News & Record of the gay lifestyle; now let's hear the other side. Challenge me, that's fine, but get educated first.

Both the New and the Old Testaments have guidelines and boundaries for us. We need to make sure that we consider all that is said in the Bible as a whole, not just take bits and pieces.

We all are sinners, but the sin in homosexuality is when the same-sex attraction is turned physical. Same-sex partners say, "I wouldn't choose this lifestyle." I truly believe that, but you do have a choice as to whether to follow that lifestyle.

I would like to challenge you and your readers to go to an informative Web site, www.exodus-international.org. There is also a link from the Exodus site for youth. There are many books as well that address same-sex attraction. Books that have good information are "God's Grace and the Homosexual Next Door" by Alan Chambers and "You Don't Have To Be Gay."

We all are born heterosexual; the gene theory has never been proved. Most people aren't interested in the reason people become attracted sexually to the same sex, but there is a basis for why this happens. The science of same-sex attraction is very unclear, and there are many studies that include environmental and biological influences. All of this makes up who you are. Many people were once gay-identified and now are living in alignment with God's design for their sexuality.

In regard to how churches handle this issue, the church is to be there with open arms to those who struggle. It is not to condemn or judge, only to tell the truth and be an example. The big lie that we and our youth are being told by the media and schools is not accurate. Why is the other side of the same-sex lifestyle not being told?

The writer lives in Summerfield.

Well, shot down again. How long, or should I say what will it take to get the Civil Rights Museum up and running? Ten million dollars is what it's going to take.

Do you mean to tell me that with all the successful African Americans in North Carolina alone (or with ties to the state), we can't come up with $10 million? Joe Dudley? Michael Jordan? Oprah? Maya? Or for that matter, Jesse (Jackson, not Helms), or even Skip?

I'm so sick of our people doing lip service and nothing more. It's obvious the money isn't going to come from anywhere else, so we need to do the ol' “bootstraps” maneuver and get this thing done.

With what we have spent on lottery tickets alone, we could have not only opened the thing but probably added a wing or two. I challenge everyone to donate at least $100 in the next month. I'm sending my check today. How about you?

Anthony Montgomery
Greensboro

Thank you, Guilford County, for your support and giving me the opportunity to go back to Raleigh as your representative.

I look forward to next year's session and the ever-evolving task of crafting the brightest future for both North Carolina and Greensboro.
Thanks again to my supporters, my constituents and my opponent, who was gracious throughout the whole process and never let our contest devolve into mudslinging.

I always hear that politicians only listen just before and during election season, but I want to let you know that I am always available to try to answer your questions about local issues and state government.

Pricey Harrison
Greensboro
The writer represents N.C. House District 57.

As long as I have participated in the world of politics, nothing really surprises me, including the results from election night. One thing, however, continues to amaze and humble me — the faith and support that citizens of the 6th District continue to show in me. Your overwhelming vote of confidence on Nov. 7 is truly gratifying and is not something I take lightly.

Your support is also an affirmation of the confidence you have placed in our outstanding staff. Over the years, we have assembled a team of dedicated professionals who have served the needs of the residents of the 6th District. Your support has re-energized all of us to work for you even more diligently.

When first elected to the House, I was a member of the minority party in Congress and learned to work across the aisle effectively to get things done. I am confident that our office will continue to be able to work with the Democratic majority in Congress and the Bush administration on legislation that will keep our economy strong, make our national security effective, and find common ground on the issues that face our nation.

Howard Coble
Greensboro

The writer is a member of Congress from North Carolina's 6th District.

We have just witnessed a tragedy in our county school system. One of our schools was destroyed in a terrible fire. Who was the first to step up to help? A house of God provided a place for the students to gather until they could be safely transported home. Then the next day not one but several of God's houses made safe places for the students to discuss their fears and concerns with school counselors.

I believe God is telling us that He needs to be welcomed back in our schools. What could we do that would be better for our students? Only God can help us take back our schools and our country.

Robert L. Fields
Greensboro

The voters of Greensboro appear to have chosen thoughtfully on what items they passed in the bond vote. They are tired of being told what they need by the same tired old cheerleaders who happily pile on more debt obligations for the taxpayers to fund their pet projects. Ego massaging is OK, but not with the public's money.

Councilwoman Dianne Bellamy-Small should be given accolades for leaking the report on the police department investigation. There is too much secrecy in our government, starting with the president and flowing down to the local councils and boards.

Melvin E. Hooper
Greensboro

Editor's note: Councilwoman Bellamy-Small denies that she leaked the report.

Since the voters, for a second time, have rejected a bond issue to fund the Civil Rights Museum, the sponsors should go back to the drawing board.

Greensboro certainly needs a museum to recognize the Sit-In Movement, but not the planned grandiose project, upon which more than $10 million has so far been largely wasted.

The Sit-In Movement, while important, does not attain the stature of the MLK museum in Atlanta. Despite being in a large city with ample visitors, the MLK museum is bleeding red ink, as will the proposed Greensboro museum.

The projected attendance will never be attained. Most people speeding on I-40 and I-85 will not take time to visit the proposed museum. A few tourists will stop, but visitors will mainly be schoolchildren on field trips.

As to being a gathering place for international forums, this is an impractical dream.

Greensboro needs a more modest facility. A small auditorium showing a continuous film on the movement, a display area, a conference room and a gift shop should do the job nicely. It can be run with docents and should have low maintenance.

If the proposed facility is ever built, it will be a millstone hanging on the taxpayer’s neck for countless years.

Arthur Klages
Greensboro

Go into all the straight world and preach the Gospel. Is that what Jesus said to do?

I am disgusted and utterly disappointed by the recent vote at the Baptist Convention. Yes, I know the pieces of Scripture to which they will turn to justify their action, but I believe their vote breaks Christ's heart.

Looking at his life, in which he constantly stepped across cultural boundaries and touched the "untouchables," I am sorry that we who call ourselves his church are unwilling to follow his example. Instead of opening our arms to each and every child of God, we pick and choose the ones to whom we offer God's grace.

Shame on them, and shame on us all.

Lee Bristol
Greensboro

La-Z-Boy given $600,000 to stay in the county? So much for Triad cooperation. One has thought that by working together, High Point, Greensboro, Winston-Salem and the Triad counties would be trying to better the area.

Since it's every man for himself, I offer my 56 years of being a Greensboro resident and assorted tax base to High Point. What's the offer?

Andy Nelson
Greensboro

Doug Elliott's column on littering is one subject I really agree with him on. If you look around at our society you can see why this problem really exists. If you look further, our court system has no time to punish these people, either.

I know it is hard to really catch these people. Our police have a hard time catching them mainly because we have more people in society who are doing other things that keep our police busy.

If they can be caught littering, the court should make them go out with bags and pick up trash, along with giving them a stiff fine. And those lawyers who would try to go to court to set their clients free should have to pick up trash with them. Thank you, Mr. Elliott, for your article.

Charles Hagan
High Point

I voted:

 Against our support for Israel and against our $4 billion annual grant to the Jewish state because being on Israel's side means to be under eternal threats of terrorism. Let the Jewish state take care of itself like so many others.

 Against our interference in other countries' business because we have not been elected the world's cops, nor should we be.

 Against chasing dictators and trying to impose democracy around the world because it's none of our business. In the process, we are having our soldiers killed and spending billions of dollars.

 Against the arrogance of our administrations, both Republican and Democrat, to think that our military and economic powers are a free ticket to dominate the world instead of being just one of the 187 nations.

Helio Salvador
Greensboro

Accolades to the voters of House District 69 for returning Maggie Jeffus to the General Assembly for her eighth term in spite of this paper's endorsement of her opponent.

The concerns that were expressed are the very ones that make her an outstanding leader. She is a listener and a person who works diligently and quietly to get the job done.

I have known Maggie for many years. We have worked together on numerous education, civic and political committees. I always knew that if you wanted the job done correctly, you asked Maggie to do it.

While in the General Assembly, Maggie has shown that same dedication. She cares more about the needs of her constituents than receiving public attention for herself.

In summary, experience is not a detriment, working behind the scenes is not a negative trait, and caring more about doing her homework than seeking the limelight is not a weakness.

Indeed, these are the very qualities that Guilford County deserves in a leader, and I for one am very glad that Maggie Jeffus will return to the General Assembly to continue her hard work representing the people of our county.

Donna G. Barrier
Greensboro

Now that the voters have refused to pour more money into a huge mistake (War Memorial Auditorium), it seems appropriate to consider a more viable, less expensive alternative.

Rather than have prospective customers spend $6 to try to find a parking space and then compete for that space against monster truck rallies or rap concert attendees, why not allocate some money to upgrade the Carolina Theatre? Downtown has adequate, free parking.

There are multiple pleasant restaurants to enjoy for dinner before an event and bars to top off the evening.

I should think that some outside-the-box thinking could achieve a facility similar to the Stevens Center in Winston-Salem for a lot less than $36 million.

Robert Butler
Greensboro

"I am the only one left alive in my family."

"My parents, my husband, and my six siblings have all been killed."

"My children and I are the only ones left."

These statements sound like something from the Holocaust, when such occurrences were sadly common. Instead, they are from this year, this week, this month. They come from refugees from Sudan, where government-sponsored militias continue to practice genocide.

State Treasurer Richard Moore's decision to stop investing in nine companies known to aid the Sudanese government is — at long last — a voice raised against allowing this genocide to continue. Will it be the only voice?

The world vowed, "Never again," after the ghastly truth of the Holocaust was made known. Since 1945, however, we have allowed it to happen again. It continues today.

By our inaction, we allow the genocide to continue and even to spread, as it has done, to neighboring countries. Southeastern Chad is now sharing the burden.

What is happening in Sudan is intolerable. We must not turn away any longer.

Beth Woodard
Jamestown

One of the greatest pleasures of living in Greensboro is the green spaces and parks throughout the city. Like many, I am glad the city will be able to purchase new park land with the passage of the new bond.

Each day I spend at least an hour in Latham Park and am grateful to those employees who mow and labor to maintain our parks. However, it appears they must be woefully understaffed, or that manpower is oddly appropriated. Those of us who live near the city's older parks envy the careful attention and grooming that seems reserved for the city's newest parks.

In our park, large tree limbs often remain in place for months on end, and the mowers simply mow around them. Private lawn care services dump leaves and grass clippings directly into the park and this practice goes unchecked.

There are discarded tires lying near the Latham Park bridge that have lain there for weeks. Gang tags remain on the Wendover Avenue underpass. Debris from storms washes over the exercise stations and remains to rot.

In short, the park in our neighborhood looks increasingly neglected and bedraggled. As the Arboretum and parks off Hobbs Road shine, our park looks sad by comparison.

Surely park maintenance funds could be used more equitably among all the city's parks. Isn't that fairer to taxpayers and users, particularly given the bond that just awarded them millions?

Cynthia Adams
Greensboro

In their respective letters Gary Marschall and Stephen Wessells decry the Triad Equality Alliance billboard campaign promoting understanding and equality for gay and lesbian Americans ("Billboard about gays doesn't tell whole story," Nov. 8, and "Equality in God's eyes doesn't create virtue," Nov. 10).

They consider same-gender love a sin and would like nothing better than to destroy my committed, loving relationship of 32 years and other same-gender families like mine. What kind of family value is that? To condemn committed, loving relationships between same-gender couples defies logic. It is cruel and unfair.

The billboard campaign is about my right to exist — my God-given right to life, liberty, equality and the pursuit of happiness. Sexual orientation is part of the great diversity and mystery of creation. Being gay is not a sickness or a sin but merely the way a minority of people were created. To project one's own prejudice and hatred onto God and reject part of creation is an insult to God.

God's extravagant inclusion blesses all kinds of loving families, including mine.

Cris F. Elkins
Greensboro

Following the news in this newspaper and others, I have noticed it has been the habit to blame President Bush for everything. I wonder who the liberals and Democrats are going to blame now.

The News & Record and a number of its syndicated columnists have blamed President Bush for everything from Iraq to Hurricane Katrina to their toilets not flushing. So I'll start a new trend and blame the Democrats.

On the Wednesday morning following the election at about 12:30 a.m., my power went off and stayed off until approximately 3:30 a.m. This was in the Guilford College area and happened just after CBS news was telling us, gleefully, I might add, that the Democrats had gained control of the House and most probably the Senate.

So I'm sure that this is the fault of the Democrats, as they had just won control of Congress.

Following the lead of the news media, it has to be the Democrats' fault, as everything up to now was the fault of Bush and the Republicans. I expect to see this reflected in this and other newspapers.

Walter Milosky
Greensboro

Donald Rumsfeld has fallen on his sword. U.N. Ambassador John Bolton may be next.

Who else must die to ensure the legacy of George W. Bush? Conservatives in the party say the GOP must be more conservative, but the electorate chose "Democrat conservatives."

Did the electorate choose less security, open borders, more taxes, more secularism, less faith, bigger government, higher fuel and a change from a roaring economy to financial insecurity? That is what many said.

Exit polls say the electorate does not want to cut and run. But, they have ensured we will do just that. They want another Vietnam. Why?

George Bush failed to articulate what he wanted for this country. He can dump as many cabinet members as possible, but that is his legacy. He stayed the same course too long, and the nation will pay dearly for that.

Jack Stratas
Denton

I strongly disagree with Charles A. Jones of Norfolk, Va., in his opinion regarding West Lee Street as stated in his Counterpoint (Nov. 11). Here is a person who hasn't lived in Greensboro for more than 30 years and yet he believes he knows what's best for Greensboro.

I believe that Rebekah Kates' ideas (column, Oct. 29) about cleaning up Lee Street had nothing to do with trying to put in bike paths. There are many ugly buildings on this street that could use face lifts. Commerce would continue as usual.

The Mateer trailers are an especially ugly sight for visitors to see when they come to the coliseum and the owner should make an effort to find some other place to store them. I also object to Jones' personal criticism of Kates. Where she is employed has nothing to do with wanting a better appearance on West Lee Street.

We, who live in this Glenwood neighborhood, want West Lee Street's appearance improved to increase the attractiveness of our neighborhood. We have nothing against commerce.

Alice Ashman
Greensboro

Let's see now ... al-Qaida's stated objective is to kill as many Americans as possible — including innocent men, women and children.

Al-Qaida and like-minded terrorists throughout the world are cheering and celebrating the Democrats' recent victory in Congress. Hmmm.

Lee Widenhouse
Greensboro

"Love the sinner, hate the sin." It's this type of slick moral wordplay that gives members of the state Baptist convention the leeway to discriminate against gays and lesbians and claim that it is with "best intentions."

I wonder how "gay" you can be allowed to be at these churches. Will an effeminate man be asked to leave Sunday morning service? Will an adult woman with a female roommate be denied the Lord's Supper?

I am straight but worship with many gay and lesbian friends. Some of them ministered to my family after a recent death. I consider them a blessing from God. What any of my friends do in their bedrooms is none of my business.

If the state Baptist convention isn't going to allow "sinners" to lead worship or be baptized, there aren't going to be many folks in their pews. There is only one person I know who never sinned (and he was a Jew).

Matthew Cravey
Greensboro

To the North Carolina Baptist State Convention:

Most of us other Christians are appalled at your stand on homosexuality. The Bible must be interpreted carefully. Leviticus is against homosexuality, but it is old, harsh Jewish law and also states that if your children are disrespectful they should be put to death. No Christian would follow that. Paul didn't like homosexuals or women. He didn't always follow Jesus' teachings.

Studies on identical twins adopted and raised by different families show they are mainly either both straight or both gay. Therefore, if God put it in their genetic makeup, who are you to decide that He is wrong? If you think homosexuality is a moral problem, why don't you welcome them into your church and show them "the right way" by love and example? Jesus set the example by welcoming all, but you're not following him.

I knew a homosexual boy in high school who was so isolated that he committed suicide. Is this what you want?

John Mooney
Greensboro

City Councilwoman Dianne Bellamy-Small said she doesn't know what happened to her copy of the "confidential" report that was used for the leak on former Greensboro police Chief David Wray.

Can she be trusted enough to be given any other confidential information when she doesn't show responsibility for it?

Is this the way we can trust our council people? I'm concerned, aren't you, and the council members?

Emelie Thomas
Greensboro

Greensboro voters rejected the proposed $5 million bond that would have helped cover expenses for the renovation of the proposed Civil Rights Museum in downtown Greensboro.

Supporters of the project and what it stands for obviously are disappointed by that outcome.

However, the fact remains that the spirit of perseverance that guided four A&T students to push for social equality and end the injustices of racial segregation at that site in 1960 is indeed alive and well in the hearts of those who support it.

Today, more than 40 years since the events that made the store a national icon for the tenacity of the civil rights movement, the site of the future International Civil Rights Center and Museum in downtown Greensboro remains hallowed ground not only for the four men who made the site famous, but for countless generations of children and young adults to come who will have so much to learn from the sacrifices made that day.

We owe it to ourselves and to the memory of what these men accomplished to honor them and their courage through the establishment of the Greensboro civil rights museum whatever the cost may be.

Benjamin Fair
Greensboro

It has been said that the purpose of life is not to be happy but to matter -- to make a difference and to have it matter that you ever walked this way. I am writing to honor the memory of one such person who made a great difference, the late Mrs. Ann Umstead.

Ann chose to spend her career working in the field of human services, making a difference in the lives of persons, mainly seniors, who were experiencing difficulty or in crisis. She even served as executive director of the Adult Center for Enrichment and Shepherd's Center at the same time, a most demanding role; however, she touched more lives than she could ever know, and our community is a better place because of Ann.

It seems clear that her legacy to us is a challenge to make a difference, and to have it matter that we ever walked this way.

Jan Cripe
Greensboro

Regarding Martha Hudson's request for another oldies station in Greensboro:

Let it be known that as of Nov. 15, Hitz 94.1, formerly "Eighties, 90s and Now," is now oldies 94.1. Hip, hip hooray.

Fred Robbins
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Sylvia A. Melton

I would like to thank the News & Record for such a wonderfully written article by Robert Bell on Chris Jeffries and the Warnersville Mountaineers ("Game of their lives," Nov. 12). Hopefully, this article will open the eyes of many of the citizens of Greensboro when they talk about the Warnersville community.

True, there is much despair in that community, but there is also much potential and many caring people who are unsung heroes when it comes to mentoring those children.

The stigma that is often attached to this community is exposed in the children's lives each and every day when people become aware of where they live. At that moment is when the attitudes change, the eyes wander and the preconceived judgments begin.

Your article was very moving to the point that it actually brought tears to my eyes and touched me in a very part of my soul. My son once played for Warnersville and he is now a student at the Art Institute in Charlotte majoring in graphic design.

As small as this may seem, I don't know if you will ever know how so little can amount to so much to these young people. Some of them will carry this article in their wallets or photo albums until they are old and gray.

Sadly, as it may seem, even the published papers sometimes don't give these young people the credit that they are due. I don't believe that they even received this much attention or space in the News & Record when they won the previous five city championships.

Again, thank you for such a well-developed, beautifully written and so deserving article on these unsung heroes.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

On Nov. 4, 150 trees were planted along Westerwood neighborhood streets and in Lake Daniel Park, compliments of a $10,000 grant from American Express Company and more than 225 community volunteers.
Sponsored by Greensboro Beautiful in partnership with the city of Greensboro, the NeighborWoods program is designed to help restore tree cover in Greensboro.

A special thank you to the many volunteers from American Express, Scouts, Greensboro Beautiful, Grimsley High School, Master Gardeners, Guilford College, N.C. A&T, UNCG, Syngenta, churches, and other individuals and families. Thanks also to Bill Burd, Personal Gardens; the city of Greensboro's Planning, Parks & Recreation and Field Operations departments' staff, who donated equipment and labor to augur holes and deliver trees and mulch to each planting site, and organized the effort.

Greensboro Beautiful's Community Tree Plantings began in 2000 and include planting hundreds of trees at each of the following: Caldwell Historic Park; New Garden Road/Price Park, Eastside Park, Glenwood and Kings Forest/Woodmere Park neighborhoods. Funding for the plantings is provided by private contributions to Greensboro Beautiful's Tree Fund.

For more information on how you can support planting trees in Greensboro, contact the Greensboro Beautiful office at 373-2199.

Chuck Mortimore
Greensboro

The writer is Urban Forestry co-chairman, Greensboro Beautiful Inc.

Now that the bond issues are settled, and the city is in improvement mode, maybe a group of investors can be found to build an IMAX theater here. Charlotte and Raleigh already have one, and many other cities the size of Greensboro all over the country are enjoying the financial benefits of this venue.

An IMAX theater is a great tourist attraction, and if built near the coliseum, Four Seasons mall or our new First Horizon Park, it would be a wonderful addition to already vibrant and growing areas of town. Plus it would be an exciting fill-in when there are no other major events going on.

Paul Manzi
Greensboro

To the body of Christian believers:

I would like for you to consider supporting an idea to change the celebration of Christ's birth. America is pushing Christianity out; we need to be more of a true Christian example of the identity of our Savior. My thought is if we celebrate Christmas with completely unselfish acts, it would be a true celebration of our Lord's birth.

In Matthew 25:35-40, our Lord is telling us if we feed, give water, housing, clothes, and visit those in prison, we have done it for Him. So my thought is if the churches would encourage each other to stop gift giving the way we do it now -- instead of just filling up our jewelry boxes, our clothes drawers and closets, children's rooms overflowing with toys and men's drawers with ties, shirts and the latest gadgets.

We give these things on our birthdays and even throughout the year. It would not hurt the economy because we would be buying coats, gloves, hats and other things for those in need. We could still enjoy the decorations (put our gifts to the needy under our trees).

Oh, what a better world we would have! And those who get so depressed during Christmas I believe would find it hard to feel this way when we celebrate Christmas in our Lord's way. It would be a giant step in witnessing to the world or our Lord's true nature.

Sondra F. Wilmoth
Greensboro

The conservatives are working hard to keep us safe in spite of the liberals. Do you guys want this nation to be overcome by the terrorists? What are you thinking?

This country has become ridiculously liberal since the 1960s when prayer was taken out of schools. Drugs, sex, violence and AIDS have become rampant, just as a few examples. This is terrifying me! This country needs accountability, not more liberalism. God's wrath was taken on Sodom and Gomorrah, and that's what this country is becoming.

I'm fighting to keep a ban on partial-birth abortion, which is horribly barbaric. Why kill a defenseless baby? Give this precious little one to loving parents who are praying for a baby. When a baby is conceived, there's a heartbeat before you know there is another human being within your body. It's not just your body for nine months!

This is just one example of causes I'm fighting for. This country has gotten more and more selfish and has lost its discipline and accountability. Please help turn our country around before it's too late.

Elizabeth Jones
Greensboro

I live in High Point and work in Greensboro. I also subscribe to The News & Record.

During the recent election, I took great interest in the Albright/Bray race as it appeared to me to be the most contested. I read the papers, looked at the blogs, watched the TV advertisements, the billboards, etc.

I would like to congratulate Judge Stuart Albright on the class campaign that he waged. Not once did he engage in mudslinging by degrading his opponent, her family or her supporters.

Instead, he took the high road, which should be the way for all judicial candidates. His behavior certainly won my respect.
Judging from his behavior during this much-contested election, he will be a great judge.

Linda Trogdon
High Point

The District 2 school board seat was the only one contested this year. Unfortunately, the other districts had incumbents, or a successor, with no opposition.

Despite being the only game in town, this is not why District 2 gained so much attention. For those of you unfamiliar with the school situation in High Point, District 2 has been a hotbed of discontent for many years.

Until recently, our representative decidedly jammed down her constituents' throats not only the choice plan but also the more recent redistricting fiasco. Even though there were multiple forums held in which residents overwhelmingly begged for neighborhood schools, the board and our representative said no — and High Point was (again) bused.

Thankfully, District 2 has a new face. Garth Hebert is a welcomed breath of fresh air to the stagnant Guilford County school board. There are many other fine members on this board: Darlene Garrett, Anita Sharpe and Nancy Routh, to name a few. But these ladies have been unable to tow the boat alone.

High Point is lucky to have Garth, and so is Guilford County. I am anxious to see what changes can be made for the benefit of our students and our communities.

Elizabeth Olson
High Point

Thank you, Guilford County, for giving me the opportunity to continue serving you.Thanks to your vote on Nov. 7, we will continue having a Sheriff's Office that will be responsive to the needs of our citizens.

The majority of the voters (61 percent) seems to appreciate the efforts of the fine men and women we have at the Guilford County Sheriff's Office and the leadership that I try to provide. I promise you we will continue to represent you and your family in a manner that will bring honor to our great county.

I am humbled and appreciative of your support and again thank you, the voter, for your support and confidence.

BJ Barnes
Summerfield

I am a 62-year-old female who lives in P.E.G. Homes off 16th Street. I went to a meeting at the GTA office to get a bus stop on 16th Street at the top of the hill. There's one by the office, and the next one is at Joseph McNeil. They are two or three blocks apart.

Some of us cannot walk down to the office to get a bus, but here's the big one. Now Wal-Mart is there with a bus stop almost at the front door.

The people at GTA will not answer our calls, put a stop closer, or keep their promise. Greensboro is not the city to be poor, old and black to get what you want or need.

Eva Gates
Greensboro

Whether on television, radio or in the newspapers, coverage of human error and misjudgment seems to have considerably more public appeal than acts of leadership or accomplishment. It is acts of leadership, however, that have the greatest positive impact on our lives.

On Oct. 31, the News & Record reported on the recent reform within the American Red Cross under the leadership of Greensboro's own Bonnie McElveen-Hunter. In my community role as president of the Greater Greensboro United Way, I have come to appreciate the commitment and vision required to build strong institutions.

Ms. McElveen-Hunter is known for her vision, willingness to undertake large initiatives, and for doing the right thing for all the right reasons. This latest achievement will benefit our country during a period that increasingly depends on strong and nimble social institutions. As a community, we should be proud of the accomplishment from one of our own Greensboro citizens. We owe Ms. McElveen-Hunter our gratitude for public service.

Lastly, while the Red Cross may have received some criticism nationally, our local Red Cross Chapter and its staff and volunteers performed admirable and tireless public service on behalf of more than 800 Katrina evacuees who arrived in our area.

Neil Belenky
Greensboro

The writer is president, United Way of Greater Greensboro.

I enjoyed reading the article about the various bicycle shops in Greensboro (Nov. 5).However, I was surprised at the omission of Higgins Cycle Shop.

Higgins opened its first shop in 1957 on Spring Garden Street and is now located on Battleground Avenue. I have purchased bicycles, motor bikes and mopeds for my children and grandchildren at Higgins for almost 50 years. They provide on-site repairs and also have a lock and key service.

While I am happy to see new businesses come to Greensboro, I believe we should recognize long-standing businesses that have thrived in a world of constant change.

Howard Willard
Greensboro

By Kenneth and Mary Anne Collins

We want to comment on the rebuttal by Charles A. Jones (Counterpoint, Nov. 11) to the article by Rebekah Kates (Oct. 29). We disagree with Jones on many points.

First of all, UNCG is a big business in Greensboro. It brings business by bringing students, teachers, professors, maintenance workers, retail, construction jobs, etc. It is one of the biggest employers in Guilford County.

Second, we own a home and business in the Glenwood neighborhood just off of Lee Street. We see no conflict in cleaning up and beautifying Lee Street and having a successful business traffic corridor. This is not a fantasy but a wish of many of the business owners and homeowners in this area.

There are other highly traveled streets in Greensboro that have a nice appearance, such as Friendly and Market streets. There are also many other cities that have pleasant high-traffic areas. There is no reason we can't aspire to this as well.

As for bike lanes, many of the local students and working folks already bike to work and school daily. Doesn't it make sense to ensure their safety while keeping a few extra motor vehicles off the road, decreasing air pollution and parking congestion? We already have successful bike lanes on busy Spring Garden Street and Florida Street.

With all due respect, Jones does not live here and by his own admission only comes to town on business two or three times a year. We live here and travel Lee Street daily. Our neighborhood, the Glenwood Neighborhood Association and Community Watch are working hard with the city of Greensboro to revitalize this historic neighborhood. Improving Lee Street can only be a step in the right direction.

The writers live in Greensboro.

The News & Record recently published an article and editorial discussing the disparities in life expectancy among ethnic groups and geographical areas.

Lancet in July contained a relevant article titled, "Social inequalities in male mortality and in male mortality from smoking: indirect estimation from national death rates in England and Wales, Poland and North America." The authors divided men, 35 to 69, into social strata, using education in the United States and Poland, neighborhood income in Canada and employment class in England and Wales. They found the risk of dying in the lowest social stratum was double that of the highest in each country. Since 5/6 of lung cancer is due to smoking, they used lung cancer rates to estimate smoking prevalence. They then input percentages of deaths from other diseases due to smoking. Smoking accounted for more than half the disparity in death rates.

Public policy decisions, such as how much we tax cigarettes (35 cents per pack in North Carolina; national average, 94 cents) and whether to eliminate smoking in public places (completely in 18 states) can help keep kids from starting and lead adults to contemplate quitting, reducing this disparity.

Richard J. Rosen, M.D.
Greensboro

Apparently, one of the primary lessons George W. Bush deduced from the war he spent avoiding while serving in the Alabama National Guard was that, "We'll succeed unless we quit" ("Vietnam offers hope for Iraq, Bush says," Nov. 18).

Young men and women in Iraq, who are not so fortunately connected as Bush was during his generation's war, can be forgiven for greeting their commander's words with skepticism and disdain. Perhaps if Bush had ever served in combat, he would have learned a real, primary lesson regarding Vietnam: There can be no military victory without a political solution to win the hearts and minds of the occupied people.

Bill Burnett
Greensboro

I am a seventh-grade student at Lincoln Academy. On voting day, I decided to do Kids Voting. I went to the station, signed in and got my ballot. The guy supervising asked me if I knew whom I was voting for. I said yes, but as I walked toward the booth he said, "Vote Republican." Then I voted just like I had planned before I arrived.

Later my mom told the supervisor of the official polling station what the guy said to me. I feel he was ruining the whole purpose of Kids Voting. Kids Voting is supposed to help us make our own decisions about who is the best candidate. I hope other kids didn't have this inappropriate comment made to them, and that parents also will have a neutral, campaign-free zone to cast their own important votes.

David Aronson
Greensboro

It's three days since the elections as I write, and I have a couple of thoughts.

One is how a network exit-polled voters not only about candidates but issues. I don't know how they phrased questions or calculated results, but they found Iraq running fourth. First was corruption.
I'm not sure corruption meant only the obvious stuff. Maybe voters were thinking about the overall tenor of the governmental environment with holding on to power as the major goal regardless of the national interest with ordinary abuses only a part of it.

I also suspect Republican abandonment of conservative values like less government and fiscal responsibility can be seen as a part of corruption in the larger sense.

For the future, it's my hope that expressions of cooperation among rivals will turn out to be more than just talk, even involving Bush. At least his arrogance has been chastened, a hopeful indication of better things to come.

And I hope Democrats will not spend a lot of time wallowing in the thrill of victory. However, we all should be grateful to have avoided the agony that defeat would have brought upon us.

Dick Wharton
Greensboro

In his Oct. 8 article, "Power to annex is barometer of a city's economic well-being," Keith Debbage treated us to the latest version of the "urban elasticity" theory former Albuquerque Mayor David Rusk has been recycling periodically for more than a decade.

Rusk appears when we least expect him. Those enamored of his conclusions greet him as a messiah. The rest of us marvel at the capacity of fresh packaging to make stale crackers palatable. Rusk in any of his incarnations is most profitably read with frequent reference to the following axioms:

• Correlation does not necessitate causation (as the great man himself parenthetically concedes).
• A parasite ceases to thrive once it has consumed its host.
• The supply of unincorporated territory is finite.
Debbage dutifully credits others for his awareness of the Rusk report and for the inspiration to turn it into a column. If the professor is running out of ideas, perhaps he should investigate what Henry George is up to these days.

Barney W. Hill
Thomasville

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Steve Gorden

So, Sarah Jones has a hard time enjoying herself at Thanksgiving (column, Nov. 15) due to her personal suffering because of America's bloodied and tawdry past in the treatment of the natives.

Her response is typical of the allegedly "educated" elites on the left. She says she loves being an American, even with our "dirty secret" of Thanksgiving and our "ugly history" of slave trading, scandals, etc.

What she is, in my humble opinion, is just another example of the left's deep-seated but never publicly aired resentment of this country. Their "America is bad" routine is starting to bore me to tears.

Jones is among the left's army of "educated idiots" — my term and opinion, of course — who naively assume one builds nations on grand ideas alone. If that were the case, the old Soviet Union, with its Marxist, "everyone is equal" doctrine, should have not only survived but thrived.

This would be true as well for the continuing stream of failed governments in South America and other areas in the world where great ideas alone have done nothing but support one dictator after another since history has been recorded.

Great nations are built on a foundation of great ideas, but the strength of the structure is reinforced with the blood, sweat and tears of those who have gone before us, willing to face the challenges and aware of the consequences of failure. Our history is what makes us what we are today, and I, for one, am proud of it and will never feel sorry because of it.

Ms. Jones could have cried over her turkey if she wanted, but I would rather go back for seconds, if you please, enjoying every earned minute of it.

The writer lives in Kernersville.

Is anybody listening?

I attended the recent Public Hearing (Nov. 16), conducted by airport noise consultant, Andrew S. Harris, regarding the noise impact of the FedEx hub on the surrounding communities. As I listened to his remarks and the comments and questions of my fellow citizens, I thought, "What a sham. What a cynical use of our democratic process."

I had heard those same arguments and explanations by the Airport Authority's hired hands for years. I had heard the same concerns and well-informed questions from the audience for years.

There was a total reality gap between the measures the noise study applied and the daily experiences of the people in the room. A number of citizens summed it up this way:

Over the years, we have provided input, served on committees and offered plenty of suggestions. However, we don't feel heard. Our concerns and ideas seem to disappear in a big hole.

Our elected officials are nowhere to be seen. The results and approval of the noise study are a forgone conclusion. Its main reason is to give the Airport Authority access to additional federal funds.

Many of our fellow citizens seem to be in a deep sleep. The scores of FedEx planes in the middle of the night will wake them up, unfortunately, too late.

Michael H. Hoppe
Greensboro

It's a travesty when the N.C. Railroad Co. can raise its fees by 700 percent to welcome the new owner. The railroad's charter is supposed to foster commerce, not impede it.

With so many factories and industries already leaving the Triad for locations like Mexico and China, it's unthinkable that the railroad can stand in the way of a deal that would keep a plant that has been pumping money into the local economy for 92 years from continuing operations.

This plant is a Greensboro landmark and could employ up to 50 people when running at capacity. Because of this deal falling through — as a direct result of the railroad's action — 12 of my employees and I will soon be unemployed and part of the statistic of yet another plant closing in the Triad.

Scott Erickson
Greensboro

The writer is plant manager for Charles D. Roberts Co.

An open letter to the Baptists who voted against allowing homosexuals in their church:

If blue eyes were a "sin" according to your interpretation of the Bible, would you "support" those people but still ban them from your church? A homosexual person can no more change his sexual orientation than one can change the color of his eyes.

Wait, are you thinking then that contact lenses to alter the color of eyes would be OK and then they could come in? If homosexuals deny their sexual orientation to "fit" into your interpretation of God's law, then they too could come in?

Do Baptists deny gluttons into their sanctuaries? Maybe a scale in the vestibule is called for to disallow overweight people. What about those who have engaged in premarital sex? Those who covet their neighbors' goods? Alcohol abusers? Divorcees? Drug abusers? Racial bigots?

Your judgmental, narrow-minded, small and pitiful view is truly sad. We are all made by God, in his image and whether you choose to believe it or not, God truly loves all of his children — without exception. The saddest part of it all is that you're missing out on knowing some truly incredible people. Maybe they're praying for you.

Susan Wheeler Topolka
Greensboro

I found the article, "Suicides most common by older white men," (News & Record, Nov. 19), very informative and I could see the logic in the statistics. I had been living with the mentality that young adults were the only ones with issues big enough to kill themselves.

Before reading this article, I thought that young black people would have the highest rate for suicide because many of them come up in poverty. The harshness of the environment in which some of these young people live is enough to make them take their own lives.
This article was the complete opposite of my thoughts. It never occurred to me that older white men could have a tendency or a motive to commit suicide.

I guess depression and illness could be enough to make someone take his own life just as much as poverty could.
This article revealed to me that even though someone seems all right, there still might be underlying issues that could make him suicidal.
Reading the article made me want to watch my aging relatives more closely.

Anndrea Rouse
Kinston

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By E.C. Huey
Dr. Terry Grier's loudest critics are fond of "wistfully rhyming?" Maybe the News & Record should investigate just who these critics are. I can tell you that parents of High Point children make up a very small percentage of these "critics."

Ask the parents. Ask the rank and file, the instructional staff in Guilford County schools themselves, and they, too, will share a difference of opinion. They can also tell stories of how this system continuously mismanages taxpayer money. And the children are the ones who are put on the back burner because of the system's missed priorities.

Using the News & Record's own words, here's where the math doesn't work: student achievement in Guilford County is not up. Nearly 46 percent of schools achieved expected or high growth. That means that more than 50 percent of schools did not.

Schools that were on Judge Howard Manning's widely publicized closure list earlier in the year still remain there. Is Mission Possible working? Is there data to show it is working? Is the busing of our High Point children yielding the promised results?

The board's little socioeconomic experiment is failing and the only thing it has accomplished thus far, in addition to pushing more families out of the system entirely, is to begin the process of electing progressive citizens like Garth Hebert to the board.
Did Grier deserve a contract extension?

A beleaguered school construction program, costly academic programs that are not working, lack of whistle-blowing protection for teaching staff, the threatened removal of middle school resource officers (in the name of satisfying political agendas and special interests) — for all of this and more, I see where Grier deserved a contract extension.

Thankfully, two board members voted to deny him that opportunity. But for Childs, Cooke and Kearns, all of whom are up for re-election in 2008, several challengers await the opportunity to transform this board into one that puts children first. Stay tuned.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

I went to my doctor's office for an appointment and missed seeing the very nice young lady who usually prepared me for my visit. She always put me at ease and had a very outgoing, friendly way about her. My doctor told me she was being deported. I could not believe it.

When I read your article (Nov. 5), my heart absolutely broke. I asked myself how this could be happening in our country. I have written letters to everyone I can think of to try to bring attention to this travesty of justice and end the suffering for the Sara Lenna family.

I urge all good Americans to do the same. We cannot judge all foreigners who come to our country the same. What happened to the great "Melting Pot"?

I think Homeland Security really has overstepped its bounds. Just maybe, "Big Brother" is watching a little too close for our own good. What is happening to our constitutional rights, our Bill of Rights? Have these been rewritten and I was just not informed?

Sara Lenna had nothing to do with Sept. 11 and should not be punished because of it. Stand up, America.

Rebecca McSween
Greensboro

There have been comments in your paper about why some of the city bond proposals did not pass. None of them dared to mention the 800-pound gorilla in the room: Local officials are terrible as stewards of our tax dollars.

We pay outrageous prices for everything we buy, from shoddy school improvements to city services. We give grants to organizations and they just disappear with no repercussions.

There should be much more oversight, detailed auditing and accountability. They are allowed to walk off with the cash, and if or when they are asked to report evidence of where the money went, there is always some lame excuse, no concrete evidence demanded, and no action taken.

The International Civil Rights Center and Museum is possibly the worst offender. It claimed in 2004 that it had raised $10 million. You published on July 3, 2005, a very suspicious audit it provided that accounted for $3 million. Where is the missing $7 million? Where and what are all the artifacts it claims to have? And who has the eight plasma TVs?

And now they say it will take another $10 million? Puhhhhleeze. You cannot let the fox audit the hen house.

Bob Carter
Greensboro

Many good Democrats are dismayed at hearing Nancy Pelosi, Howard Dean and John Conyers laughingly and condescendingly dismiss the idea of investigating George W. Bush for high crimes, almost as if they consider the Constitution to be quaint and obsolete.

Perhaps Pelosi needs to be reminded that her duty as an elected representative is stated in the oath she took to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic."

Any honest lawyer would agree the case against Bush is a slam dunk. Unauthorized wiretapping is a felony, clear and simple. Then there are the matters of taking the nation to war under false pretenses, violating international law, lying to Congress, denying habeas corpus, disappearing and torturing suspects, enabling war profiteering, etc. The list of misdeeds goes on.

If we are indeed a nation of laws, then Bush deserves his day in court. When there is clear evidence of crime, it is not for Pelosi to decide if or when to bring charges. When members of Congress fail to uphold their oath of office, citizens who still care about such things should move to bring charges against them.

Laurie Gengenbach
Julian

Our overwhelming responsibility is to address the poverty that abounds in this country. Our priority must be our millions who are under-educated, under-nourished, under-housed.

Sixteen million illegal immigrants in this country is unacceptable. Companies must pay the penalty of hiring them. We must close the Southern border for our own security. Let's help the Mexican government help its own people, but we must stop the flood of them into this country.

The United States has doubled in population in the last 60 years to 300 million, and we are expected to add another 100 million in the next 30 years. Our public facilities, schools, water, transportation and health facilities must have priority given first to our own people.

In competing in this global society, our resources are not unlimited. How will we deal in an economy where we have shipped our production facilities overseas? How will we defend ourselves in the next global conflict without the capacity to produce those things essential for our own defense?

The English language must be made the official language of the United States. Legislators must pass laws with the teeth to enforce English as the only official language of this country.

Tom Ward
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoit column.
By Bonnie Wallace

I have tried for four years to get the results of any impact studies that may have been done when the decision to connect Markland Drive to Lawndale Drive was made. Markland was a one-block street. The Greensboro Department of Transportation turned the parking lot entrance to Sears (now Target) into a connector to Lawndale Drive. I can only assume an impact study was not done.

We on Markland Drive (2300 block) are confronted with the following issues:

• Noise abatement that was never constructed.

• A four-way traffic signal placed on a four-lane highway (220) where there were existing homes.

• Booming stereo, jake brake, truck acceleration and illegal muffler noise.

• Emissions from vehicles due to tractor trailers and cars idling at the light.

• Two-way traffic on Markland. Cars ripping off our side-view mirrors and hitting our cars because they can't squeeze through.

• Cars turning around in our driveways all day because they don't want to wait at the protected turn light.

• Non-Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant sidewalks on Battleground.

• A house on a corner next to the street that has been vacant for 13 months.

• Cracks in our home from the constant truck traffic and vibration.

• Non-enforcement of the city's noise ordinance by police.

• Shopping carts littering the bus stops.

• Trash all over our lawns every day due to the wind-tunnel effect caused by the poor design of this project.

The solutions? Create a dead end and construct an acoustic barrier. Enforce the noise ordinance for trucks as well as cars. Route trucks around the city unless they have local business.

Was the plan to drive us out and place more business at this corner?

Buy our homes and move us. Do the right thing.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

I am an adult adopted child and the parent of a biological child. I vehemently oppose legislation to open original birth certificates.

The only useful information the original certificate contains is the name of the biological parents. If we legislate the "right" to open this record, it must hinge on whether the biological parent grants permission to do so.

Biological parents should be allowed to keep the document closed during their lifetime, honoring any assurance of privacy they received when making a very difficult decision.

My life as an adopted child is not about who I came from but what I became when two people chose and loved me regardless of what was printed on my original birth certificate.

If I consider that original document more important to who I am than the life and history my parents gave me, I reinforce the idea that being an adopted child is less than being a "real" child. My heritage and genealogy are tied to the people and families whose names appear on my birth certificate as it exists today.

I am not their "adopted" daughter; I am their daughter.

Lisa Barnard
Ramseur

In the Hometown Hub section on Oct. 29, a resident of the Glenwood community who works at UNCG suggested that Lee Street should be improved with landscaping and made safer for bicycles and pedestrians. Charles A. Jones' Counterpoint on Nov. 11 argued that Lee Street exists for businesses only and not for bikes. We should not have to make that choice.

I am a business attorney, and I sometimes walk from home to my downtown office. I ride my bicycle in many parts of Greensboro, including areas to the north, south and on both ends of Lee Street. Making our streets safer for bicycles and pedestrians is good for the entire community.

The recently completed BiPed Master Plan calls for bike lanes on much of East Lee Street and for further study of West Lee Street. The South Elm Street Redevelopment Plan calls for sidewalk and crossing improvements in that area.

With good planning, Lee Street can be made more attractive for businesses, churches, community facilities and schools, and safer for motor vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians.

John McLendon
Greensboro

It is amazing how Lee Bristol ("Baptists close doors, break Christ's heart," letter, Nov. 20), as well as so many others, distort the truth of the recent Baptist State Convention action concerning homosexuals.

Yes, the message of the gospel is one of forgiveness of sin, but it is also one of transformation and repentance through Jesus Christ. The measure closes doors to no one -- it only states that churches that endorse, bless and promote homosexuality are not in friendly cooperation with our convention.

What is obvious by the various responses to the recent action of the Baptist State Convention is this: Many in our society accept and promote homosexuality as a normal and acceptable lifestyle.

Ironically, such acceptance, promotion and endorsement of the homosexual lifestyle is what prompted this stance to be taken.

I could not disagree with Bristol more. The churches that break God's heart are the ones that refuse to take stands for Bible truth.

In this day when so many denominations are watering down the truth, I am glad to be part of a denomination that is more concerned about obedience to God's Word than with political correctness.

Tom Brown
Summerfield

If demand is the issue and demand is still strong for the current carriers, Delta, US Airways, etc., I suggest that we should all help out by flying from another (Raleigh-Durham or Charlotte) airport until prices are more reasonable at Piedmont Triad International.

If Air Tran or Southeast were to come back to PTI, I would change to one of these right away. There is no longer any advantage in being a frequent, frequent flyer with the major airlines.

Last week my flight from Charlotte to Atlanta was slightly more than $400, and slightly more than $800 from PTI. PTI flyers are paying "price support" to big airlines for the benefit of Charlotte flyers. Ridiculous.

Craig Lyerly
Kernersville

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Robert Healy

Gene Owens' ridicule of Wiccans in his Nov. 11 column is not at all funny. In fact, it's downright offensive.

Imagine Christianity being insulted in the same manner: "Hey, did you know 'Christians,' as they like to call themselves, believe in someone called a 'savior' who will cure them of everything bad and make everything good and give them eternal life?" Ha.

Aside from the insulting nature of the statement, how would Owens react from seeing the words "Christian" and "savior" between quotes?

It implies that it's suspect, to be ridiculed, not to be taken seriously. But I would not put either in quotes myself, because I understand that it's a religious belief structure and I respect that.

The same respect is not afforded by Owens. He insults Wiccans throughout his column. He puts the religion in quotes, and brings Satanism (a different religion) in as a corollary.

Owens writes, "Not that witches worship Satan. Cabot insists that they are not Satanists but follow a peaceful pagan religion, which they call 'Wicca.' But what if they were Satanists? Does the devil have no civil rights?"

To Owens, Wicca deserves to be ridiculed. It is unworthy of respect. It isn't a real religion.

Tell that to the Department of Defense, which recognizes Wicca as a religion. And tell it to the wives of the veterans currently suing the Veterans Administration to get the pentagram placed on their dead husbands' tombstones.

It is clear Owens did not seek any education regarding Wicca. Instead, he arrogantly displayed his ignorance, thinking it funny.
He suggests the Bible will be banned because it condemns witchcraft, and that strange products will have to be provided by supermarkets.
Wiccans are thriving among Christians just fine and actually buy the same food ingredients. Imagine that.

Owens writes, "One of these days someone is going to propose that pedophiles be recognized as a protected minority." To him, it is as ludicrous for Wiccans to seek equality under the law as it is for pedophiles. What abominable ignorance.

His use of Wicca, Satanism and pedophiles reminds me of the Iraq-9/11 mantra used by President Bush: Take things obviously not connected to each other and connect them anyway.

Wasn't funny then. Isn't funny now.

The writer lives in High Point.

In her Counterpoint, "Tell the other side about homosexuality" (Nov. 17), A.M. Little suggests readers refer to purveyors of totally discredited "therapy." Little is a victim of misinformation.

No reputable medical or public educational association supports reparative (conversion) therapy as having any beneficial effect.

In August, the American Psychological Association stated that "homosexuality is not an illness and is not in need of a cure. ... positions espoused by so-called conversion therapy ... are not supported by science."

Additionally, the APA has stated that reparative therapy not only does not work but that it can do more harm than good. "The potential risks (of this therapy) are great -- including depression, anxiety and self-destructive (suicidal) behavior." It is unethical.

The only beneficiaries of efforts to change same-sex orientation or gender identity are the "ex-gay" ministries that charge exorbitant fees for discredited and ineffective treatment.

Dave Parker
Greensboro

The writer is director, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.

I appreciate A.M. Little trying to make sense of how gays and lesbians fit into society and are to be treated (Counterpoint, Nov. 17). But, in getting at what is fact and what is fiction, either Little is ill-informed or seeks to perpetuate falsehoods.

Exodus International and others like it that claim to make people "ex-gays" have been widely discredited by the American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, American Medical Association and American Academy of Pediatrics, among many others.

Interestingly, Exodus' two male founders left their wives for each other, and its former chairman was photographed in a gay bar not long after appearing on the cover of Newsweek touting his "ex-gay" status.

In God's name, Exodus pressures men and women to live a lie. These people may practice abstinence, but they will never be straight. The results are typically fleeting, and the psychological damage is profound both to the persons trying to "change" and to the spouses and children of these "ex-gays."

I challenge people who want to know the real truth to become better informed. I am convinced they will reach a different conclusion than Little has.

Bob Page
Greensboro

I consider myself moderate in regard to worship. I helped introduce contemporary Christian music into our Southern Baptist Church in 1990. Yet I cannot and will not ever understand how anyone and especially a man in a leadership position in a church (Rev. Michael Usey, College Park Baptist Church) can condone the homosexual lifestyle as OK as long as you're a Christian.

Jesus was very clear when he said in Matthew 5:17, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have not come to abolish them but fulfill them." So you cannot discount the law as not being God's word.

Leviticus 20:13 says, "If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them has done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads."

How can you say that something that's detestable in God's eyes isn't sin? It's one thing to sin and then turn from it. That, sir, is where God's grace is applied. It's quite another to wallow in it and proclaim it's OK as long as you're a Christian.

David Magee
High Point

I will not get into a long, drawn-out conversation over this issue. When it comes to language, English is the native language of this country.

Let's not confuse discrimination with choice. There is no hidden agenda. Every nationality that comes to this country has the freedom to learn the native language — English. You also have the freedom to leave this country, provided you are not a criminal. So let's not tie up our judicial system with unmerited complaints.

The Constitution, Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights are written in English. No other language. Learn it. Remember the Tower of Babel ... there should be no confusing the language here.

L.A. Patrick
Greensboro

A Baptist group voted recently to exclude gay-friendly churches from its convention. Proponents argue that to do otherwise compromises God's word. Since they won't compromise the word of God, how can they sanction participating in acts of violence such as wars?

During the church's first centuries, followers of Jesus weren't permitted to participate in war. Jesus taught his disciples to love enemies, not kill them. When the Roman Empire stopped persecuting Christianity and made it the preferred religion, Jesus' teaching against killing enemies was compromised. Christian men could become soldiers. Many churches still live with this compromise with respect to Jesus' teaching about killing enemies.

It is logical and consistent, therefore, for churches to compromise about welcoming people who want their loving monogamous homosexual relationships blessed by churches.

Baptists certainly aren't the only ones dealing with the way churches treat homosexual persons. Others also experience internal conflict over this issue.

I believe those few scripture verses that condemn homosexual activity don't apply to monogamous same-sex unions. In fact, I believe God calls churches to welcome everyone and baptize all who seek baptism. If churches won't compromise Bible rules about homosexuality, why compromise Jesus' teachings about peace and nonviolence?

Jim Prevatt
Greensboro

In response to Kathleen Parker's column, "Veterans need more than applause" (Nov. 16):

If those who feel as she does (and I do) want money to support our sick (damaged) veterans from all wars, and you lean in her political direction, you are carrying the card for the wrong party.

And while we are talking about homelessness, all humans deserve better than to die on the street just by being humans. Walk a mile in the shoes of the socially and mentally disadvantaged and don't be part of the group wanting to practice social Darwinism.

Y'all don't even believe in evolution.

Lorie Warren
Randleman

Eleven years ago, my husband was transferred to the North Carolina mountains. We lived in a remote area. As an active people person, I was lonely and unhappy.

After a while, I met two young men, both church musicians, as am I. They did all they could to get me plugged in to church life and community music.

I saw Jesus Christ in those two men when I was not finding Him in the ministers and members of churches we were visiting. The two men were a gay couple.

I realized my experience did not fit with the attitudes I had observed in many churches, so I started reading up on homosexuality. I am convinced that in most cases these people knew at a young age that they were "different."

It was not a choice; it was the way they were. As one gay author put it, "Why would anyone choose a lifestyle that would get them so rejected and ridiculed?"

I believe God has the power to miraculously heal those born blind or deaf, or to change someone's sexual orientation, but reality is that most of the time He doesn't do it.

I feel that the Bible has a verse for the Baptist State Convention's vote. "Jesus wept."

Jeannine Bailer
Greensboro

If we ban all sinners from leadership or membership in our churches, won't we soon have empty churches?

Gloria Andrews
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Larry Morse

Regarding recent articles about the merits of living wage legislation in North Carolina: The idea of a living wage is not new. For example, in 1891, Pope Leo XIII issued a papal encyclical proposing what today we would call a living wage.

Why would the pope have done that? I think the answer is clear. Christianity, and the other major religions, teach that we -- as individuals and as a society -- are judged by how we treat the least among us.

Can we say that we have a just society when millions of individuals work full time and yet do not earn enough to allow their families to escape poverty? Needless to say, it was with pleasure that I read Gov. Mike Easley's endorsement of a statewide living wage.

"Despite the absence of correlation between the minimum wage and the unemployment rate, most economists believe that the minimum wage does contribute to teenage unemployment." UNCG Professor Bruce Caldwell seems to be among the "most economists" in this quote from a "Principles of Economics" textbook. Let me provide some of the economic evidence that Professor Caldwell did not mention.

Recent studies using original surveys in Boston and Los Angeles found that the workers affected by the living wage ordinances were mostly adults and mostly working full time, not primarily teenagers, as Caldwell implied. Caldwell describes those working for minimum wages as being "spread throughout the income distribution." While technically correct -- as in the case of a teenager in middle-class family working for minimum wage -- it ignores the income level of the great preponderance of minimum-wage workers.

For example, the Boston and Los Angeles studies found that most living wage workers were in households struggling to meet a basic-needs budget.

As for employment effects? In Baltimore and Boston, empirical studies have found no evidence of diminished employment. In Los Angeles, surveys of workers and firms show that job losses affected just 1 percent of workers getting a raise. Two studies of San Francisco's living wage policies found employment increased among airport workers and home health care workers. Exceptions to the general conclusion of research on living wages are the studies by Neumark and Adams. They find relatively large employment losses associated with wage gains. Many researchers have challenged the studies' methodology, and their findings are largely discredited.

The 80 percent of the general electorate has it right: All workers should earn a decent wage.

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

I want to congratulate Richard Moore, state treasurer, for implementing a new policy of withholding investment of N.C. Retirement Systems funds in companies known to aid the Sudanese government.

As he explained in his Nov. 15 column, Sudan has been supporting attacks on the people of Darfur for years. This massive violence has been called an act of genocide by many countries, including the United States. Hundreds of thousands of people have died and millions have been forced from their homes into refugee camps, and neither the United States nor the United Nations has been able to persuade Sudan to take responsibility for this tragic violence.

The situation has become so dangerous that many relief groups have had to withdraw, depriving the refugees of much-needed food and other aid. Perhaps if monetary pressure is put on the Sudanese government, it will address the problem. This strategy was quite successful in helping to bring South Africa to eliminate apartheid years ago.

I am proud to be a resident of a state that is taking such a strong stand against the suffering of the people of Darfur and join Moore in urging our national government to take stronger action as well.

Marilyn White
Greensboro

Regarding the leaked report on David Wray's possible misconduct while in office at the police department:

I do not have the newspaper copy in front of me. But the expertise level it takes to make a copy of a copy and put it in someone else's in-stack is about fourth grade.

Or did I miss something on the way to my systems analysis degree at Chapel Hill?

We used to say innocent until "proven" guilty, not until "presumed" guilty. In both the cases of Wray and the councilwoman. Or am I missing something here?

I hate official misconduct. And I hate official misconduct looking for official misconduct even worse.

But the worst is when you get official misconduct looking for official misconduct looking for official misconduct.

And that ain't bad syntax, neither.

Roy A. Crabtree
Greensboro

I want to say thank you to all who supported me in my campaign for the N.C. House of Representatives. I knew going in that the numbers would be difficult to overcome. However, I believed voters deserved a choice in their representative for District 60, and I offered that choice.

The election is over, but the issues remain. I will continue to support a constitutional amendment to protect property from government eminent domain seizure for private development.

Our children are vulnerable and must be protected from sexual predators with tough sentencing laws.

The legislature must enact budget reform to provide tax relief for families and our small business community.

And without question, we must hold accountable those representatives who betray the public's trust. We must never allow unethical behavior to become acceptable.

I am appreciative of the help and support I received during this campaign. While elections come and go, friendships made during this endeavor will last a lifetime, and for that I am truly grateful. I will continue to be involved in the political process and look forward to the next challenge.

Thank you again to all of you for your many acts of support and kindness.

Bill Wright
Pleasant Garden

Please support impeachment of the president and vice president for misleading the country into a costly and unnecessary war.

When asked if they had known then that there were no weapons of mass destruction or links to al-Qaida, both have replied they would have invaded anyway. That leaves liberation of the Iraqi people as the reason for invading.

I cannot believe the president lay awake at night before the invasion, pining for the plight of the Iraqis. If he felt compelled to liberate the oppressed peoples of the world, he would have established a commission to identify and rank them in order of miserableness and start at the top, then move to No. 2, etc.

Iraq would not have been at the top of the list, but probably North Korea. So none of the stated reasons explain why we invaded Iraq. The real reason remains in the minds of the president and vice president.

Scott Smith
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Julie Peeples

A friend of mine, a person of deep faith and a lesbian, asked recently, "When will you straight people stop obsessing about who I love?" She has a point. We've so thoroughly tied ourselves up in knots over whom consenting and often faithful adults choose to love and commit themselves to, we have little energy left to be outraged that God's beloved children are losing their lives daily in places like Darfur. What are we as people of faith doing about the rising number of children living in poverty right here? Could we possibly stop fighting about sexuality long enough to realize what we're all doing to this amazing planet God entrusted to us?

Much is said of the gay "lifestyle." Lifestyle connotes a choice of whether to live in the city or country, not something as intrinsic as sexual orientation. You don't call a person's eye color or body type their lifestyle choice. Those who insist on the exclusion or repentance of gays and lesbians zero in on one interpretation of a handful of passages. Yet, the Bible contains hundreds of passages about poverty, justice for the oppressed, feeding the hungry. The Bible reveals a God with the surprising habit of breaking God's own precedents. The Bible says God so loved the world. Not the straight world or the white world or the rich world. The world. What would Jesus do?

Wherever there were outcasts, he was there breaking bread and blessing, much to the disgust of those with power to protect. To all our Baptist friends who feel the heat of judgment due to the decision of the N.C. Baptist Convention, we stand with you. To the gays and lesbians and straight people looking for an inclusive environment, my congregation and a growing number of others in the area stand ready to welcome you. As long as we continue to reduce religious faith to the drawing of lines, deciding who is in or out, the "sin management game" as someone called it, we will have missed the point of our faith. And we will neglect our calling to "help mend the world," as our Jewish brothers and sisters often say.

I live in hope for the day when we will all be able to work together for God's great vision, where none shall "hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain."

The writer is pastor, Congregational United Church of Christ.