News-Record.com

In response to David Hoggard's recent lament (Nov. 22) about voters not wanting to spend their tax dollars on renovating War Memorial Stadium as a limited-use facility: I grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y., where I used a collection of fields at the Parade Grounds of Prospect Park to play many a ballgame, both in organized leagues as well as of the "choose-up" variety.

Why not consider preserving the front gate area of the present stadium as a memorial to those who have served, to maintain its original intent, and converting the remainder of the facility to a series of open ball fields? Just as the Parade Grounds were available to all comers, the resultant "War Memorial Park" could service both organized groups (on a reservation basis) as well as neighborhood kids just looking for a pickup game. A couple of the fields could even have a small group of stands for spectators.

Utilizing the facility in this way might well involve less expense and at the same time be a lot more beneficial to the public it is supposed to serve.

Charles Ganz
Greensboro

Say hallelujah. What a relief. The Baptist Convention has passed an anti-gay rule. North Carolina's largest religious denomination will no longer affiliate with churches that embrace openly gay members. This follows the secession of some Episcopal churches protesting the appointment of an openly gay bishop, and the recent proclamation of Catholic bishops that gay relationships are "disordered."

I suppose the next logical step is to disaffiliate with churches that embrace convenient liars, smiling hypocrites, corporate pirates, petty thieves, murderers and jaywalkers — sinners all. The irony to me is that all of us would qualify in one or more ways. To those who have concluded that homosexuality is a sin, I ask: Who would choose to be a homosexual? Who would choose to incur the hateful, exclusionary reaction of so many of us? Are all gays and lesbians crazy? If not, maybe sexual orientation is not a choice. Maybe it's the way people are wired. Sinning is not about wiring. Sinning is about choice.

With the justifiable furor over the global impact of Muslim extremists, how comforting it is to live in a place where the American Taliban is right around the corner.

Walt Gavin
Greensboro

Regarding Chief David Wray's resignation and the circus that has been created around some very questionable behavior by our city leaders:

It appears our city officials have decided that questionable behavior by any black person is acceptable. No one can challenge any activities out of fear of being labeled a "racist." The black criminals and black racists are feeding off this like sharks in a frenzy. James Hinson and his supporters are not being judged by the color of their skin. The public is judging them by the content of their character.

The mayor, City Manager Mitchell Johnson and the rest of our city officials who have allowed this cowardly behavior and policy should resign immediately. They no longer have any credibility. They have neutered the police department.

Liberal apologists with their political correctness are destroying every American value. Liberal apologists call political correctness civility. My parents raised me to tell the truth. I am sorry theirs did not.

Greensboro's reputation has been soiled again by incompetence. I do not want to hear, ever again, why people will not get involved in the political process in Greensboro. It is a lost cause.

Larry York
Greensboro

I recently read that the destruction of Eastern Guilford High School might have been prevented if the building had been outfitted with a sprinkler system. But alas, the problem is money — about $800,000 is needed but not available. This money can easily be made available immediately and at no increased cost to the taxpayer.

Eight hundred thousand dollars represents about $500,000 in direct salary. The school system can easily eliminate a half-million dollars in salary by cutting out much of the very heavy administration and such positions as guidance counselors, etc.

I'm 70 years old and was in public school in the 1940s and 1950s. Our "guidance counselor" was the paddle in the principal's office. It worked for me and I think I turned out pretty well with no apparent psychological hang-ups.

Let's cut all of the excess in the schools. Install the sprinkler systems, keep taxes down, protect and educate our children and possibly even whack an errant kid on the bottom every now and then. Maybe they will grow up to be a good guy like me.

Paul S. Watson
Jamestown

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Keith Peddie

Queen and country?

To see a very intimate film ("The Queen") about the nation that one lived in for more than 40 years is an interesting experience. On one hand, one is a voyeur; on the other, one says, "Ah, yes!" That's how it is.

Since I am a total, absolute fan of Helen Mirren, I knew I would enjoy the film even if she just walked around, silently, for two hours on screen. Of course, she is a consummate actress and, to my untrained eye, did not put a foot or even a face muscle wrong. The film is worth the price of admittance just for her.

But, I often wonder about these films that purport to show us something unknowable. For example, "Amadeus" was just a figment of an imagination, "The Da Vinci Code" the same.

Interesting ideas, good stories, but were they true?

In the same vein, did we hear the verbatim conversation that took place between the characters in the film? I think not. No doubt the queen (Britain's figurehead) could well have been condescending to Tony Blair (the prime minister, the power literally behind the throne), but it surely is one person's guess as to what was said and, more importantly, how.

The film certainly brought out (albeit tangentially) the then-very unusual grief of the Anglo-Saxons, not known for open weeping, short of losing a limb or a family member.

I well remember calling my friends in London a few days after the princess' death. I was told that the whole country was in mourning. One, a good friend for many years, had closed his business, taken to his bed and sobbed inconsolably for three days. Even his family could not understand his response. Paradoxically, he was not in the habit of visiting his widowed mother living only a few miles away and when she became seriously ill did not go at all.

Even as an Englishman, I cannot explain such anomalies. I suppose that eventually psychology will branch out into psychoanalysis of entire nations when such matters will be explained or at least dissected interminably. But until then, do see the film. It will give you a very interesting snapshot of a statue crying.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

By Anne Snoek

City Manager Mitchell Johnson mentioned in a column in the News & Record on Nov. 2 that his first core value was honesty. It doesn't look like the core is inside of him: where is his honesty?

There are different ways of lying to people. One is to tell a flat-out, linear lie: I was driving 95 mph and I tell the cop I was driving 65 mph.

The form of dishonesty I want to address is Johnson's form, which creates illusions by putting two or more things together in one phrase that don't belong together.

In the News & Record article Johnson says, "After I reviewed the RMA report, I decided I had to ask (former police Chief David) Wray to explain the differences between what I had been told by him and the documented information in the report. Rather than respond to my questions, Wray instead resigned." That is called creating an illusion.

What really happened was that Johnson had the locks on Chief Wray's office door changed on Friday, Jan. 6. Wray, having had his power systemically weakened for the past two months by being robbed of his ability to hire, fire, promote or demote, could not even get into his own office to do any more work. Powerless and humiliated, he resigned on the very next business day, and went to get help for the police department.

To use an analogy: Someone tells us that Julie screamed when the sun came out. Julie may well have screamed when the sun came out, and Wray may well have resigned after not responding to Johnson's questions. But to pursue our analogy, Julie did not scream because the sun came out; she screamed because she dropped a can of peas on her foot in the kitchen.

And Wray did not resign because he would not respond to Johnson's questions but because he was locked out of his office.

So Johnson's statement, though not containing linear lies, is full of illusion. And that is why the public has become deeply suspicious of him.

Who is to know when he is creating illusions elsewhere?

The writer lives in Greensboro.

Regarding the Nov. 17 story, "God still in the game," about high school football teams that pray:

"As long as there are tests, there will be prayer in schools." Whoever wrote that was a genius because it definitely is true. Prayer will never go away from schools even though it is technically against the law. It goes on whether you know it or not. Kids pray before tests and even before competition.
Prayer has become so strong that even school officials such as football coaches around the Triad are joining in and encouraging the players as well as fans to pray before and after games.
I appreciate the fact that people are not straying away from their morals just to conform to some idea that America, a country founded on Christian principles no less, has put on us. Why is it such a bad thing for a team and a community to pray together and thank a higher power just for allowing them to be together?

I applaud these coaches, players and fans for taking a stand and not being ashamed to break a few rules and pray. It is a beautiful thing when people can come together and do something positive.

Kelli Gary
Greensboro

Allen Johnson suggests in his Nov. 19 piece about sectarian squabbles of Guilford County that the main school office be moved near the airport because it's a central location.

I thought Greensboro was the center of Guilford County. That's why it's the county seat.

Since the school office already is in the county seat, why move it?

Lauren Davis
Greensboro

Regarding Christian Arevian's Counterpoint, "Terrorists prevail in Republicans' defeat" (Nov. 18):

Bush has been commander-in-chief of the armed forces and the architect of this nation's foreign policy for the past six years. The fact that the war in Iraq has gone badly is due solely to his incompetent leadership. He could have had more troops in Iraq at any time. He could have changed our strategy and tactics in this conflict at any time over the past six years, but he utterly failed to do so.

To blame the "liberal press" for such a monumental failure, and to call the recent election results "an unexpected humiliation" that will "give aid and comfort to the Islamic terrorists" is just unreal. The "humiliation" of the Republican Party and Bush, in particular, was richly deserved. It was the American voters, not the "liberal press," who finally said it is time for some accountability in our conduct of the "war on terror."

Kent Boyles
Greensboro

Accountability. That's what I want the Congress to obtain from this administration. Hearings, investigations, special commissions — whatever it takes to ferret out the whole truth of how we were led into war in Iraq dishonestly, illegally and immorally. And then I want justice.

Many are saying that what's important is not how we got there but what to do now in Iraq. That is important, but it's more important for us citizens to understand precisely how and why it happened so that we might prevent another repeat.

I say "another" repeat having in mind Vietnam, where I served as an Army officer. That war, too, was based on lies. When the debacle was finally over, we seemed to have learned the folly of such military misadventures, but all too soon we forgot. And after Sept. 11, understandably fearful and confused, we fell for the empire-building designs of the neocons — giving away our democracy for phony security.
We need to pay more attention to our history and learn from our mistakes. We need to keep closer tabs on our politicians (whose interests may be quite different from our own). And we must never again be cowed into silence.

Paul Mitchell
Greensboro

The stance of High Point Regional Health System regarding the Moses Cone facility in north High Point, while interesting, is based on flawed assumptions.

Why should any health-care provider be granted a monopoly by state bureaucrats? Thinking the public cannot make quality decisions concerning their health needs appears as hubris.

Or, maybe there is a fear of competition. Competition has helped make this a great nation and maybe a little more in health care choices would improve our health-care delivery system.

Citizens of western Guilford County deserve the option of deciding where to get their health-care services. Artificial monopoly barriers only serve the institutions, not the population.

For the record, I retired after serving 30-plus years of my career in health care administration (seven of those years at Moses Cone Health System).

Michael Lopez
Summerfield

The world lost a bit of its heart and soul last month with the death of Ed Bradley.

I met Ed in 1977 when I was an intern in the press office at the White House in Washington. He was the White House correspondent for CBS News at that time. Ed loved young people. From taking me to gallery openings to "teaching me the ropes" of journalism at its finest, Ed became my friend and my mentor.

Everything the tributes have said about Ed is true. He lived his life with great integrity, passion and compassion. And with great style and humor. To someone who was just starting out in her career, he taught me the importance of reaching out to everyone we meet on life's journey and treating everyone the same, no matter how great or small. Everyone has a gift to offer, if we are just open to it.

I saw Ed for the last time in Durham several weeks ago. Despite his weakness, his eyes and his smile were still as warm as ever, and I was so glad to have the chance to let him know that I haven't forgotten the lessons he taught me by his own example those many years ago. It is my hope that I'll always be one of his best students.

R. Ross Harris
Greensboro

I read the Motley Fool column about dividends being taxed twice, but the writer didn't go far enough. He failed to say that the consumer actually pays the corporate tax through higher prices for the goods or services purchased from the company. This is a hidden tax that most are apparently unaware of. You can't tax a company; only people pay taxes.

This is one more reason we need to completely abolish the current tax code and get one that is fair and completely transparent like the proposal currently before Congress, HR25/S25. If you are not familiar with it, go to the Web site at Fairtax.org and then write your congressman asking him to support it.

Locally, there is a community coordinator for the fair tax who can give a presentation to any group that would like more information and answer questions anyone may have. He is a CPA/CFA and is well qualified. I am a grass-roots volunteer for the fair tax. I can be reached at 336-656-3992.

William Tidwell
Browns Summit

I was dismayed to read in the News & Record that the coyote in the Lindley Park neighborhood was trapped and killed. Surely, we can find a better way to manage our wildlife than deliberately baiting and killing animals who have not presented a known threat.

Relocation would have been a much better solution and should have been used, absent any evidence that this coyote was an immediate threat to the public or had shown evidence of being rabid. I understand why a trap was set for coyotes in Battlefield Park earlier this year, since a coyote, suspected to be rabid, had been seen acting aggressively toward park visitors.

I do not believe killing the Lindley Park coyote was justified, however, under the circumstances. Humane relocation of this animal was a better option. Based on the information provided in your article, the euthanizing of this animal, and I certainly hope it was merciful, was the wrong choice.

Anne Harris
Greensboro

Let's get the record straight: The vote at the Baptist State Convention did not exclude anyone from coming to church to worship. All are welcome.

The news media have not reported the whole truth but slanted the press release to leave the readers with the idea that worship attendees will be screened at the door.

The Bible is specific, Old and New Testaments, concerning church membership, and that's what the convention decreed.

Charles O'Brien
Greensboro

By Latimer Alexander

Your editorial, "Work-force weaknesses hold back local economy" (Nov. 28), was an interesting perspective. Somehow the editorialist felt that the economic incentives for Polo.com by High Point, Guilford County and the state of North Carolina should have been invested in greater education and preparedness of our work force in High Point.

I can assure those concerned in Greensboro that High Point is working very hard to assess our community's work-force skills and to enhance our citizens' ability to meet the job skills required for the head-of-household jobs in the 21st century. Our work-force development program is moving forward with broad community support. We are nearing the end of the second phase of assessment. The third phase of the process will begin in early 2007, where an oversight body will be created and a director and staff hired to implement the directives of the oversight body.

With respect to attracting world-class companies, High Point has enjoyed a wonderful 2006 in the area of economic expansion. High Point and its citizens have been blessed to attract more than 12 new companies. High Point is very proud of Ralph Lauren Media/Polo.com opening a new $40 million distribution center in our core city. Drawing 250-plus new jobs paying more than $34,000 per year is an excellent example of High Point EDC's continuing success.

We in High Point continue to work hard to make our community the fastest growing in Guilford County. We continue to work hard to make our household income levels the highest in Guilford County. We appreciate the concerns of the editorialist, but High Point will continue to do both, to educate and empower our citizens and attract world-class companies. We wish to encourage every community in the Triad and wish them great success in empowering their citizens with greater levels of education and job skills as well as attracting world-class business opportunities.

The writer is a member of the High Point City Council.

By Craig M. Kabatchnick

North Carolina is expected soon to have the fifth-largest veteran population in the country. Many veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan will have service-related disability claims, especially post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. It is anticipated that many reserve and National Guard personnel who have served bravely during multiple tours of duty will suffer from PTSD due to urban combat, which exposes military to close-in combat, civilian casualties and the devastating effects of road-side bombs.

Reserve and National Guard personnel are especially vulnerable because their training was initially less extensive than that provided to active-duty soldiers.

I handled veterans' appeals for five years as an associate special assistant and senior appellate attorney in the Veteran Affairs General Counsel's office, and have since spent 11 years representing veterans in claims against the VA.

The VA has hired few, if any, trained psychiatrists and psychologists during the past four years to handle veterans suffering from PTSD. Furthermore, no new mental health hospitals or clinics have been constructed in North Carolina; the three major VA medical hospitals, in Durham, Salisbury and Asheville are adding no beds, wards or trained mental health personnel.

Without the assistance from the VA to treat mental health disorders, especially PTSD, the burden will fall upon private and county health facilities. The cost for mental health care is often not covered by private health insurance, leaving returning veterans to bear the expense. Much of the cost will then fall to Medicare or Medicaid, passing the expense on to the public.

The VA must recognize that action needs to be taken now to deal with the inevitable mental health crisis.

The VA must not be allowed to simply stick its collective head in the sand and ignore this serious problem.

The writer lives in Greensboro and will be director of the Veterans Law Project, N.C. Central University School of Law, beginning in January 2007.

The recent article, "Change to law outrages disabled adults' parents," raises concerns with North Carolina's Medicaid program. Parents, who are also the legal guardians of their disabled adult children, are distraught with the state's new policy that prohibits payments to legal guardians for providing Medicaid services to these children.

Several years ago, North Carolina secured approval from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to use Medicaid funds for providing home- and community-based services to people who otherwise would need nursing home or similar long-term institutional care. North Carolina now wants to suddenly stop parents, who are legal guardians of adult disabled children, from being their child's paid caregiver.

There may be legitimate concern that guardians who are paid caregivers could influence the adult child's plan of care for personal financial gain. However, state health officials ignore the decent parents who forfeited good, paying jobs with health insurance to remain home and care for adults who depend on the constant attention of a compassionate caregiver.

North Carolina's new policy is a classic example of government "throwing out the baby with the dirty bath water."

John Ansbro
Greensboro

The writer is executive director, The Arc of Greensboro.

Regarding the letter of Walter Milosky (Nov. 21) about blaming the Democrats for "everything" now, beginning with his power outage the day after the election, he may want to wait until January when the Democratic majority in Congress becomes a reality.

As for blaming President Bush for "everything," it has been well documented from many sides that mistakes have been made regarding "everything" from Iraq to the response to Katrina. It would be refreshing to hear "someone" own up to blunders, but we'll have to just do with the "resignation" of Rumsfeld, and the bipartisan government report, "A Failed Initiative," on the delayed and inept response to Katrina, as "apologies," I guess.

The arrogance of the current administration and staunch defense by the likes of Limbaugh, etc., will continue, but, I hope our leaders —Democratic, Republican, and Independent — will focus on the real issues.

Kent Benfield
Greensboro

What were you thinking when you decided to publish the picture of the dead deer with its blood spilling out announcing the opening of deer hunting season (A thousand words, Nov. 21)? It was in very poor taste. Do you think your readers appreciate seeing something so disturbing?

Also, what was the meaning of the caption, "A Thousand Words"? Did it take that many words to describe how the poor deer was killed?

Lorraine Moretti
Burlington

Theodore Roosevelt said, "It is not the critic who counts."

City Councilwoman Dianne Bellamy-Small is an invaluable asset to Greensboro. She has worked for the needs of her constituents and Greensboro citizens throughout her time on the council. Let her constituents decide her value and get on with important city business.

Claire Holmes
Greensboro

Kudos to the Guilford County sheriff for proactively taking child predators off the street and to WFMY (Channel 2) for partnering with him to capture and broadcast the chilling images.

Unfortunately, one partner in this story is a victim of sensationalism. The Triad Apartment Association (TAA) wants you to know that despite what the creepy, spectral images of "Apartment X" on ads and billboards might tempt you to believe, apartment communities are crime-fighting partners with local law enforcement. In fact, the owners of "Apartment X" were partners in the sting.

Many local apartment communities participate in crime-free and neighborhood watch programs. They get regular neighborhood crime updates from local police departments.

Many also provide subsidized housing for law enforcement officers living in their apartments who help their neighbors protect their community. Further, most (70 to 80 percent, I think) professionally managed apartment communities perform criminal background checks on all prospective residents.

Finally, TAA urges all of its members and neighbors to register with the Guilford Sheriff's Office to get e-mail updates when a registered sex offender moves into your neighborhood. Visit www.TAA.bz for that sign-up link.

Clarke Martin
Greensboro

As Rose Furniture prepares to close its doors after 81 years of business and service, I would like to say a public "thank you" to my good friends Jean and Bill Kester, to the entire Kester family, and to the Rose Furniture employees for their support of our community, and of our United Way in particular.

Over the years, the corporate leadership and personal philanthropy of this family and their employees have enriched Greater High Point in innumerable ways, and we are grateful for their generosity and compassion.

Like so many others in our community, they chose to share their blessings with others, and what a wonderful difference it has made.

At this difficult time, we thank them, and wish them all good luck and Godspeed on their new journeys.

Kem Ellis
High Point

The writer is chairman of the board for United Way of Greater High Point.

On the radio recently, I heard a politician claim, "Americans have fulfilled their responsibility to the Iraqi people.'' It was a way to plead for a much-needed withdrawal.

But "fulfilled their responsibility to the Iraqi people" is a staggering denial of U.S. violence: 150,000 to 655,000 Iraqis now estimated dead, unsafe water, unreliable electricity, scarce medical treatment, bomb-shattered neighborhoods and lives, a civil war unleashed, bitterness and resistance increasing.

Too many in government want to deny what has happened and keep us living inside a Hollywood World War II movie. As much as we need to withdraw our troops from Iraq, we need to admit what we have done. We violated international law and started a war, unprovoked. We have caused massive destruction from which more violence has spiraled. The bravery and sacrifice of our soldiers has been misused again.

We owe it to all those whose lives have been shattered or lost to face the truth about what war does and admit the need for reparations and reformed U.S. policies. Sen. Biden wisely advises a conference to enact a regional nonaggression pact. If only we had started there, with the United States, top military power and No. 1 seller of arms, an active participant.

Anne Cassebaum
Elon

Where did Karl Rove find James Sherk (column, "Pundits crying wolf on wages," Nov. 6)?

The big problem that Sherk ignores is the national debt and $260 billion added to that debt last fiscal year alone by this administration and Congress, and they are still spending a billion dollars a week, with borrowed money from China and others, in Iraq.

Our soldiers in Iraq are being kept alive and fighting with borrowed money. These debts will not be paid by our "government." These debts will be paid in the century ahead by the American workers, not the profiteering corporations -- big oil, pharmaceuticals and health care providers.

It doesn't take an economist, nor a student of the Center for Data Analysis at The Heritage Foundation, to explain who will pay these debts.

John Kincaid
Reidsville

"Woman honored for being mom to kids in need" by Tom Steadman (Nov. 19) was a heartwarming story. To open the Sunday paper and see an article such as this makes a person proud.

The woman is truly a shero (hero) in her own right. She took in children that many people had given up on, turning them into a family that they still love.

This is one of hundreds of local hero stories that need to be published. Great credit goes to Steadman for publishing this article.

On the other hand, it is sad that it took this long for her to be recognized. This goes to show that the problems of the world are focused on so hard that the good things that are being done to preserve this great place we call America are being over looked.

Tiffany Balmer
Greensboro

The electorate obviously wants a change in government. And about time. Undoubtedly, this administration and this Congress have made more mistakes than any in memory. Of course, the question is whether we will see any improvement. Have we elected some statesmen this time?

Obviously, it will be a Herculean task to reverse our current direction. It will be difficult to disentangle ourselves from Iraq, and, of course, there is no way to compensate for the lives and property that have been so wantonly destroyed.

And it is almost necessary to conclude that we will never be able to repay the gargantuan deficits of the last six years. But the best thing the new Congress can do is to get us out of Iraq, raise taxes and at least begin.

Maybe we have made a good start. We will see. But the big test will come in 2008. I see no savior on the horizon. No Truman or Clinton. Well, maybe one Clinton. At least, she would have the benefit of some good advice (he left a surplus) close at hand -- and presumably no problems with interns.

As Chicken Little shouted, "The sky is falling!" Well, maybe not yet. But maybe soon.

Dan W. Maddox
Greensboro

My husband and I were invited to see our twin grandsons in the Eden nighttime Christmas parade. We're not young anymore and I have problems that don't allow me to stand for any length of time, so we left an hour early from home, got a good spot on the curb, and expected to see the boys as they came by.

We overheard that the Reidsville parade had banned the throwing of candy. But, as the first floats came by, all the people who got there after us and were standing up behind us rushed out in front of the people seated on the curb and blocked our view. We tapped a guy on the shoulder who had two kids in tow and asked him to move out of our view. He told us, "This parade is for kids." My husband told him, "You don't look like a kid." The kids could have sat on the curb, but he kept shoving his kids out into the middle of the street each time candy was thrown. Several times it was in front of a moving vehicle. His attitude was, "We're the only people who count, not those others." He never considered that the parade was for everyone or that someone might be seated might because they had physical problems. We left before the parade was over. We won't go to another parade.

Why am I putting it in the paper? Reidsville and Eden are not the only places parades happen. I hope folks see themselves in this and think about their behavior the next time they go to a parade and block someone's view.

Eden, ban the candy before someone gets hurt. Parents, learn to respect others. Your kids are watching.

Carolyn Nittler
Reidsville

I find myself being astonished at Christian churches taking an anti-gay stance (News & Record, Nov. 15). Do they actually know any gay people? Do they really think gays choose to be so? If so, who would choose to be so discriminated against, even hated? Ask Ted Haggard. The church leaders should ask themselves when they "chose" to be heterosexual, to understand the absurdity of their stance.

Studies and anecdotal evidence (ask a gay person) suggest that these people were born that way, just as others are born with traits they did not choose, like skin color. This is discrimination, pure and simple, something we as a culture can grow beyond.

Where is the compassion that is fundamental to Christian teaching being demonstrated by these churches? What are they afraid of? Gay contagion?

And if there is anything like a "gay gene," the means to its removal is to accept homosexuality as a variation, even a mutation, beyond the control of the individual. They need compassion and acceptance, just like the rest of us, if not more, because of such ignorance and prejudice.

These churches have larger and more serious issues to see to rather than to ostracize "the least of these."

James R. Jackson
Reidsville

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Joseph E. Turner

I was struck by your editorial on interpreters in the court system (Nov. 17). Your opening hypothesis concludes: "That happens (not knowing what has been said in court in English) more often than you think, especially in a place like Guilford County, whose residents speak more than 100 different languages." Actually, that has not happened in Guilford County for many years.

As of Feb. 24, 2005, Guilford County's courts formalized a procedure that had been in effect informally for several years. We also formalized a contractual relationship with two certified part-time Spanish interpreters who are present in the courtroom every day in Greensboro and High Point.

We have a judicial assistant who obtains all other interpreters. She has developed relationships with translation services in the county, the state and the nation in order to provide accurate, simultaneous translation for all of our non-English-speaking citizens upon reasonable notice.

Your editorial said, "The new system (of providing court interpreters) ought to bring greater accountability and increased efficiency." In fact, the state's plan is being modeled after the salient features of the Guilford County plan, including certification. Your editorial concludes that courts overspent the budget for interpreters last year and "That's inexcusable in any language." The fact is the Administrative Office of the Courts requested $775,000 and the legislature budgeted $0 for a service that is mandated by the Constitution.

I believe your opinion was based on a statewide news release reported several days earlier. Your readers and our fellow citizens would have benefited more if the editorial had provided a local context of what is happening in our courts. Then, perhaps you would have formed the opinion that we should not be required to fix what is not broken but actually works economically, efficiently and effectively here in Guilford County.

The writer is chief District Court judge.

Open letter to Guilford County planners: Thanks for the invitation to attend the updating of your 1989 Plan for Southwest Guilford County ("Growth overtakes area plan," Nov. 27).

If I understand your current situation, it's that the combination of developers, annexation and the paving of roadways for our transportation hub has rendered what was once an excellent, well-thought-out plan obsolete. So now it's time to dust it off and bring it up to date with reality so that we can move forward. Only here is where I struggle.

If the county's been pretty much gobbled up by those ignoring the first plan and doing just what they want, what exactly will the function be of this new and improved plan? Pardon my asking, but don't you planners feel a little, well, silly sometimes going through these motions with a straight face?

I think I'll just read a good book that night as it's probably a better use of my time.

Bill Yaner
Jamestown

In response to letters from Cris Elkins ("Prejudice toward gays cruel, insulting to God," Nov. 21), Stephen Wessell ("Equality in God's eyes doesn't create virtue," Nov. 10) and Gary Marschall ("Billboard about gays doesn't tell whole story," Nov. 8), I simply say that we are all God's children. Period, end of report.

It matters not what religion you are, what political party you belong to, or what you do behind closed doors. We are all viewed the same in God's loving eyes. "He that is without sin among you let him first cast a stone at her" ( John 8:7).

Carla Strickland
Pleasant Garden

I love small retailers like the one featured by the News & Record on Nov. 19, "A most Ungeneral Store."

Maria Johnson nicely captures the charm of the University General Store, depicting why its many features really earn it the reputation as an "Ungeneral" country store.

Unfortunately, one aspect really does place the store outside of the mainstream: the retail sale of single cigarettes. Selling cigarettes individually is a violation of federal law: 26 CFR 296.166 states that all cigarettes offered for sale must be in proper packages that bear the Surgeon General's warning.

Additionally, the sale of "singles" has been shown to increase youth access, providing an inexpensive way to start smoking without the worry of hiding a pack of cigarettes from parents and teachers (Action on Smoking and Health).

I truly want to see stores such as the University General Store thrive, but we need to help it do so without the sale of "singles," and not at the expense of our youth.

Robert Strack
Greensboro

I was pleased to see the article (Nov. 20) on a Purdue University program aimed at improving the quality of personal fitness trainers. This article correctly points out that there is no universal educational standard or certification for personal trainers. Some trainers receive their certification following a few hours of online training and, therefore, may have limited skills or knowledge when it comes to prescribing physical activity. Perhaps more importantly, they may know little about contraindications to exercise.

An instructor affiliated with the Purdue program is cited as believing their program is the first of its kind in the United States. I wish to point out that we have had such an undergraduate program in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science at UNCG for many years. This Fitness Leadership program is endorsed by the American College of Sports Medicine, the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world. We currently have several hundred students enrolled across the four-year curriculum. Our students receive training in exercise testing and prescription. They have hands-on experience with older adults and other target groups of individuals.

Consumers need to have confidence that the activities prescribed by a
personal trainer are appropriate to their age and health condition. There is an excellent program here in the Triad aimed at that specific goal.

Kathleen Williams, Ph.D.
Greensboro

The writer is professor and head, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, UNCG.

I am second to none in admiration for the growth that U.S. railroads have shown in the past several years, so I was pleased to see your feature on Nov. 28 titled, "Guess Who's Hiring? Railroads."

However, your figures are way off track. You state, "Overall, employment in the industry is up from 36,500 in 2003 to more than 40,000." (This is clarified somewhat later on in the article as being the data for the BNSF railroad.)

The Association of American Railroads states that the total employment for U.S. railroads in 2005 was actually 162,438, up 7,739 from 2004. If you are going to praise this vital sector of U.S. transportation, then please do so factually.

Clarence Phillips
Greensboro

"Storm fells trees, causes wrecks," in the local section of the paper (Nov. 23) contained an error regarding what was pictured with the caption, "Water spills out of a manhole cover near Buffalo Creek along Latham Park Road."

That isn't a manhole but a sewer and what was spilling out of it certainly wasn't water. It also wasn't the first time that happened that week. The city continues to ignore this unsanitary problem, paying fines to the state with each spill and covering up the problem with a little lye the next day.

A little rain is an OK story, but how about writing about a problem like this? That would be news worth reading.

Amy Hoefle
Greensboro

On Nov. 5, you published an article regarding a young lady who was a Hispanic immigrant being deported by Homeland Security because of a series of legal missteps in documentation ("Heavy hands, cold heart"). Sara Lenna was gainfully employed and married to an American. It seemed a gross injustice that someone so ingrained in American culture and seemingly the opposite of a security risk would be singled out for deportation while so many criminals and drug traffickers of Hispanic background are permitted total freedom in our country.

One can wonder if this is not by design. If the administration's desired policy is to permit a continued influx of cheap Hispanic labor, then certainly deportation is not their preferred policy. What better way to bring about a halt to such deportation than to pick a test case which to the public appears a travesty of justice? This would paint the entire program as revolting to the American conscience. Bingo. An end to the whole idea. They might view the sacrifice imposed upon Lenna as the necessary price for ending the concept of sending illegals home.

Charles C. King
Siler City

Lisa Barnard's letter ("I am my parents' child, not their adopted child," Nov. 28) perpetrates a common myth regarding the fabled "assurance of privacy" for birth parents.

According to the history of North Carolina adoption law, birth parents were never guaranteed absolute privacy under any circumstances. Absent statutory language to the contrary, there is no contractual obligation on the part of North Carolina toward maintaining birth parents' privacy from their children; nor is there is any state or federal constitutional right to privacy for birth parents.

Adoption records were originally sealed to prevent birth parents from interfering with the statutorily created family. Adoption law in North Carolina was created to protect the adoptive family rather than birth parents whose rights have eroded steadily over the years.

Persons adopted prior to legislation that requires birth parents to complete medical history forms have no other way to gather their family medical histories than through the names on the birth certificates. Should birth parents eschew contact with adoptees, the adoptees can use those names to pull death certificates and cobble together a genealogical medical history for themselves and their children.

Until adult adoptees are allowed equal access to their medical histories and personal records as non-adoptees, we truly are "less than" non-adoptees.

Teresa Frohock
Reidsville

The city of Greensboro is advertising for a police chief through the International Association of Police Chiefs. At one time this job would have been one of the premier chief of police positions in the country. But why would a professional, progressive, ethical, moral, honest, dedicated, tenured, educated, competent, experienced, committed law enforcement leader and administrator seek this position with the knowledge of what happened to just such an individual as David Wray?

Byron Jones
Hernando, FL

The writer is retired from the Winston-Salem Police Department.

I read with interest the letter by Tom Ward ("Needs of U.S. citizens must take top priority," Nov. 27). Ward states that we need to give priority " … first to our own people." Perhaps Ward is an indigenous Native American and therefore is one of the few people who should be allowed to remain here. I, on the other hand, am a descendant of immigrants.

One was John Witherspoon, a 1768 immigrant from Scotland who signed the Declaration of Independence eight years later. Another ancestor was President Ulysses Grant, whose forefathers came from England. Immigrants traveled here hoping to fulfill the promise of a better life for themselves and their children.

The vast majority of immigrants arrive here today looking for that same promise. They work hard, save money, get educated and obey the laws. The fact that Homeland Security has made its mission the deportation of law-abiding, tax-paying immigrants is the real issue with which Ward should be concerned.

As a moderate Republican, I share Ward's fears of illegal entrance into the United States. President Bush's logical program for guest workers and reasonable amnesty for current illegal immigrants would greatly improve our current situation and reduce costs.

Meredith Millard
Greensboro

I have been extraordinarily distressed over your story of Sara Lenna, a Peruvian lady who was picked up at her work place and handcuffed like a common criminal by Homeland Security agents.

Recently, I read with joy of her release from prison and her eligibility for a green card. I am so grateful that there really are people in authority in this country who are able to make humane judgments.

When the issue of immigration to this country by people looking for a better life is constantly in the news, we need to know that there are many more hardworking "Sara Lennas" who are not quite so lucky.

Bonnie Miller
Greensboro

In response to the article by Mark Sills ("Every one of us is a child of God," Nov. 25), it is obvious that Sills has an agenda and begins the article by making some ridiculous allegations.

No, the earth is not flat but it is 6,000 years old. But he would rather believe theory than truth. His real message is to justify the homosexual lifestyle.

Are we to believe that the church should accept the adulterer and still allow the person to continue cheating on his spouse? Or say to the thief, it is all right to rob as a "lifestyle"?

This sort of ideology is permeating today's church, which is no longer preaching repentance and turning away from sin. It's one thing for the secular society to accept this type of behavior, but not the church.

We have already seen the effects of taking God out of the public schools and the murdering of more than 40 million babies. Now the acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle will be the last straw before God removes his restraining grace (Romans 1).

To say that there is overwhelming evidence that someone is "born gay" is as ludicrous as believing the earth is flat. We have become like Sodom and Gomorrah.

Rick Fife
Kernersville

The good news is that Sara Lenna, a taxpayer and apparently a decent human being, will be spared deportation to Peru, allowed to stay in Greensboro to pursue citizenship and remain with her husband. The bad news is that hundreds of similarly decent Triad illegal immigrants will not have the same support when they get caught.

The good news is President Bush might come up with a practical plan for immigration reform by working with Democrats; the bad news is he promised this years ago.

The good news is that fiscally conservative Republicans might get their party back; the bad news is they may not be electable without the religious right.

The good news is that fundamentalists are disgusted by their political advocates' buying meth and being caught in corruption; the bad news is that N.C. Baptists would prefer serial killers or pedophiles in their congregations over tax-paying, law-abiding gays.
The good news is that Greensboro is looking for a catchy slogan to embody our sense of purpose; the bad news is that we're still having to look.

Andrew J. Young
Greensboro

Of all the reasons, excuses, rationalizations, and outright distortions being offered to validate the continuing loss of American lives in Iraq, the one that chills me to my soul is "saving face."

Over the past few days, the phrase has been bandied about by a prominent luminary (President Carter), cable news interviewers (Chris Matthews and Tucker Carlson) and newspapers, domestic and foreign (Washington Post and Manchester Guardian), and other pundits, as one of the reasons the administration will not withdraw our soldier kids from the killing fields. What's worse, none of the commentary condemned outright such a heinous self-interest.

That even one young life should be sacrificed so that some politician or general avoid embarrassment is an obscenity. To be willing to have thousands more sacrifice their lives or have their bodies irreparably maimed to perpetuate the delusion of competence in conducting the war is a sin against God.

No matter how the argument for withdrawal of troops from Iraq (and I would do so immediately) progresses, I pray the "save face" element plays no part in the final decision to stay or withdraw. If it does, then God help us all.

Michael J. Scotto
Greensboro

Political movements, conservative and liberal, generally run in 15- to 20-year cycles, as noted by Sen. Joe Biden, David Gergen, George Will and other political analysts.

The most recent conservative movement that began with Ronald Reagan's moderate platform and later was joined by the evangelicals and ultra-conservatives ran its course until their arrogance, corruption, scandals, incompetence and self-serving interests, led by big corporations and the wealthy, finally caught up with them even as Republicans' memories of why they originally sought power faded.
Americans said that they had enough and voted the Bush conservatives out. The conservative Republicans actually lost the elections more than the liberal Democrats won them. Americans sent a strong message to the politicians in the elections: You work for us, not the other way around.

Biden, Gergen, Will and other analysts pointed out that the same trend happened to the liberal Democrats in the 1970s and early '80s. They also pointed out that a great thing about our great country's two-party system is that when a political party gets too far left or right, and forgets to listen and take care of the middle class and the poor, it eventually will be voted out of office.

Now it is the turn of the liberal and moderate Democrats, working with the moderate Republicans, to begin trying to correct the mess our country is in.

Good luck, and God bless America.

Wayne Veach
High Point

I just want to thank you for letting the community know what was going on with Sara Lenna. Thanks to your articles, many prayers, and Sara's husband and lawyer she is home. This is such a blessing.
Sara has been truly missed at work and in the community. She is a very important person to many people and has played such a big role in so many people's lives. Because of all the letters and prayers she is home. Thank you again.

Jennifer Barnes
Kernersville

Attacking Iran would be insane. "Bush the Crusader" would be a good moniker. We have neither the troops, nor the equipment, to open another front. And the present's "peacemaking" is bursting the budget.

James Deere
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Wanda Myatt

What a relief, now that Center City Park has replaced Fisher Park as our city's "green heart" (editorial, Dec. 2). Fisher Park neighbors can take a break. We no longer need to clean out streams, plant bulbs, prune, drag out dead limbs, pick up trash — things the city has no manpower to do. Parks and Recreation constantly tells us there is no money when we plead for broken paths and benches to be replaced. We need not fear the dead trees our park committee has marked and asked be taken down before they fall and damage live ones. One very large, very dead tree will fall at any moment on the monument marking Guilford County's center.

We have been under the impression that Fisher Park is our city's green center, a living legacy inviting and full of features worth discovering: gardens, trees, lawns, walkways, benches. It promises equal enjoyment for family picnics, quick getaways from work, senior citizen walking clubs — the features listed for Center City Park by the News & Record. Fisher Park already has these and a natural stream, a playground and parking. "Wow, someone had the insight many years ago to preserve this spot ... that's what legacies are all about," said our mayor during Center City Park's dedication. I say, "Wow, what insight Captain Fisher had to donate land for a park more than a 100 years ago."

The Center City Park gift horse's mouth was not even opened, much less looked into. The part of the package I am saddened over is the $350,000 of taxpayers' money to be spent each year to maintain this space. In past years, Fisher Park has been denied funds to maintain and refurbish, and now it and other older and much-used city parks will suffer even more. Done is done, proving that city officials would rather discard history and natural beauty to embrace a new pseudo, artificial park only blocks away in order to make themselves look good and satiate the misled, tasteless masses.

Fisher Park deserves better status than of a neglected stepchild.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

In reading the news reports about the plans for Eastern Guilford High School students, I have seen much comment on the plans in place, and coverage of those who feel other plans might have been better. It seems to me that not enough attention has been given to the big picture. I think it is absolutely incredible that an entire school and all its contents were destroyed, yet a week-and-a-half later all students were back in school, let alone in only two locations, rather than scattered to other schools.

I think the school administration, teachers and staff deserve much credit and thanks for a job well done. Credit also goes to many others who stepped up to help, especially GTCC, UNCG and N.C. A&T for facilitating use of their buildings. We so often hear people question the need for school administrators; this seems to be an excellent example of ours working hard and well.

Ron Pudlo
Greensboro

Surprise, surprise. From a new book by Arthur C. Brooks, "America's Charity Divide — Who Gives, Who Doesn't, and Why It Matters," we now know that conservatives give more to charity than liberals. Not only to their churches but to other charities as well. More time, more treasure, and even more blood. Not a little more, but a lot more. This in spite of the fact that liberals make slightly more money than conservatives.

It's been known that liberals are always "compassionate" with other people's money. This demonstrates once and for all that liberals are self-righteous, bloviating phonies.

They are less disingenuous than neocons, who are nothing more than repackaged liberals.

Larry W. Emory
Greensboro

Congratulations to N.C. A&T State University for its classy presentation Dec. 2 at the Greensboro Holiday Parade. It was very entertaining and enjoyable. Thank you.

Linda McCain
Greensboro

The hap-hap-happiest day of the year is fast approaching. The jol-jol-jolliest season of the year has already begun. For the children, Santa is the Man of the Year, as well he should be.

But, regretfully, and in a large part, the Christ in Christmas has been replaced by "Xmas," "Jingle Bells" and Rudolph. "Silent Night" and "O Holy Night" have been overshadowed by songs with catchy jingles.

I'm sure that the babe born in Bethlehem now blesses those who celebrate that special day as His birthday, and rejoice in knowing why He was born.

Dorothy Meehan
Graham

When the High Point City Council was warned that its premeeting invocation must be inclusive and cannot reflect a specific faith's belief, Councilman Latimer Alexander argued that, "When I am asked to pray, I will pray to the Father I know, believe in and worship in my faith."

I wonder if Mr. Alexander has ever given any respectful consideration to the attendees who might feel coerced to participate in a prayer that does not reflect their beliefs. Would he have any problem being asked to pray in the name of Mohammed, Buddha or Ram?

Gloria McClanahan
Asheboro

I strongly commend the Guilford County Board of Commissioners on its recent decision to establish a long-term treatment option for Guilford County residents with chronic substance-use disorders. This visionary and enlightened decision marks a significant milestone in Guilford County's leading embrace of science-based perspectives of addictive and mental health diseases and treatments.

As a substance-abuse treatment specialist and best-practices consultant to the Guilford Center, I have long been impressed by this community's willingness to set aside usual bias and stigma to understanding the long-term needs of individuals who suffer from these treatable problems. With this allocation of funds, Guilford County has expressed a noble intention to produce outcomes that will surely reduce the personal, societal and financial impact of substance abuse on the Guilford community.

Guilford County should take pride in having leadership committed to enhancing recovery opportunities for its troubled citizens.

Paul Nagy
Durham

The writer is program director, Duke Addictions Program, and clinical associate, Duke Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.

There have now been more than 2,800 U.S. combat-related deaths in the war in Iraq and many times that number of injuries, many life-long disabilities causing who knows how much in economic cost and human misery.

The price for those Mr. Bush and his accomplices crowed about liberating — the Iraqis —has been significantly greater.For this ruinous expenditure in blood and treasure (it's largely our treasure, after all), Bush and his team have earned for us the hatred of about half the world and the contempt and snorting derision of the other half, amongst whom are, of course, those for whose benefit he has claimed and still is claiming to act, the Iraqis.

One might have expected Mr. Bush to heed the wiser counsel offered by those whose knowledge of the region and the world exceeds his own by light years. The catastrophic consequences of his administration's ill-fated and possibly criminal actions will take some time to comprehend and a longer time for us to learn to live with.
Alas, could it not be said that the greatest responsibility lies collectively with the tens of millions who voted — not once but twice — for government presided over by an ideological simpleton?

Stephen D. Lanier
Randleman

My car was nearly set upon by an Armada: a car, not the ill-fated Spanish fleet. This made me think about the new Harris Teeter.

SUVs, boastful in size, are like the ships the Spanish built, which against the convention of the day were defeated by the hardscrabble, nimble little English ships. Likewise, the new Harris Teeter (Friendly Center) reminds me of the Armada ships described in a book I read on the subject. Outsized, pompous and all for show; lacking foresight and intuition about the waters it invaded and so user-unfriendly, in the end it all sunk.

Elizabeth English
Greensboro

Since our republic's beginnings, Americans have made a clear and careful distinction between the respect due the office of president and that earned or squandered by its occupant.

Certainly, no modern politician has faced the vitriol heaped upon Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Madison, though the office they held grew in stature due to their successes and personal virtues, and despite their missteps and human frailties.

Has George W. Bush grown presidential respect? Bush might not be the most ignorant and incompetent president we've had — the 1840s-50s and 1920s provide worthy rivals — but otherwise he's bungled every significant issue he's faced. He surrendered to lies and wishful thinking before ordering our troops into a war of aggression against Iraq with inadequate material and without occupation plans. His administration initiated yet another war we can't win and won't abandon.

Using Sept. 11 or faulty intelligence to excuse Bush's blunders reflects ignorance or a gullibility for his lies. Bush's inflexibility and intransigence are less virtues than evidence of Sophoclean hubris and faith-based closed-mindedness.
I respect the office of president even as I despise the disrespect that Bush's decisions have brought to America and its reputation.

Christopher C. Tew
Greensboro

I noticed the school calendar in my daughter's handbook listed winter holiday (Dec. 25-Jan. 1), but no Christmas. Even though the school board approved this calendar, maybe they forgot the miraculous birth that split time (BC and AD) on the calendar forever. The school board doesn't want to offend, but its members may believe only Christian symbols have the power to offend. Should our lives be controlled by the fear of offending or controlled by convictions?

Unfortunately, the American Civil Liberties Union is successful at intimidating school boards across the country with litigation that silences carols, hides nativities, and fixes calendars. Their justification for this censorship is a misinterpretation of the First Amendment regarding so-called separation of church and state.
The school board may not know that the First Amendment prohibits the establishment of religion, not any mention of religion or reference to God. A Christ-filled Christmas is constitutional.

The ACLU continues to bully school boards, scare the truth out of schools, and harass public expressions of faith. The school board's fear of the ACLU may have confused its priorities.

Our children are at risk without understanding Christmas. We should not allow our children to be taught that Christian symbols and their faith are actually offensive in a country that honors religious freedom. Designating Christmas break on the school calendar is not "advancing religion" — it is recognizing commonly known fact.
"Always winter, but never Christmas" — a good description of life on earth had Jesus never been born.

Wayne Loman
Eden

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Eugene Johnston

The Greensboro City Council's current search for a police chief could present the people of Greensboro and Guilford County an opportunity for a substantially more cost effective and efficient security force.

Many cities and counties throughout the country, for example, Savannah and Chatham County, Ga., have recognized that the arbitrary line between city and county law enforcement is obsolete, especially in counties where the boundaries of a city may soon become conterminous with that of the host county. In response, they have consolidated law enforcement into a single unit.

If current demographic projections are even close to correct, in the next 20 years Greensboro and High Point will occupy almost all the land in Guilford County.

While consolidated law enforcement would require the cooperation of the Legislature and some help from the Institute of Government, lowering the cost of law enforcement, and correspondingly, the tax bill, is always positive in business recruitment as well as providing relief for our already overtaxed citizens.

The High Point Police Department has already received national recognition for its effectiveness in drug interdiction. Our sheriff, BJ Barnes, has just been decisively re-elected and is well known for running a very professional department. Currently, the county provides incarceration facilities for all three major governmental units.

The Greensboro Police Department runs its own police academy while the sheriff's department uses GTCC. Would it not make more sense to have a single training curriculum? A single crime lab would be cost efficient if utilized by a large enough security force rather than relying on the SBI.

The new leader should be elected by the county at large or perhaps selected by each of the major governing bodies by appointing a selection committee.

Is the time not ripe for Greensboro and High Point to look to the future and secure it in the most efficient and cost effective manner?

The writer lives in Greensboro.

Regarding Leonard Pitts' column (Nov. 20) on "the n-word":

African American people must realize, once and for all, that nasty, foul word was meant for us. It's a word that speaks volumes about our history in America.

I thank Pitts, the Rev. Al Sharpton and all African Americans who are finally standing up and speaking out against the use of this foul word.

We, as a people, have become much to comfortable with its use. "A history forgotten is a history repeated" (Malcolm X).

I beg all my African American brothers and sisters to stop using this word and its self-hatred, and to teach your children not to use it.

We have come a long way, but we have a long way to go. Stop the self-hatred.

Henry C. Thomas
Greensboro

Research by the National Institute on Aging has found that those who quit smoking add years to their lives and lower the risk of many ailments. The greatest consequence of giving up smoking is health improvement. It is a proven fact that smoking is the single biggest cause of human disease, disability and death.

One freedom that cannot be taken away from us is the power of choice. Before smoking a "coffin nail," a person should ask if he has to do this or chooses to do so.

One process to quit smoking is as follows: On day one, stop smoking the first cigarette after awaking, continue doing this for a week, then stop smoking the second one, after a couple of weeks, the third one, and a few weeks later, the fourth one, etc.

I have read that the two strongest words in the English language are "I can." And quitting smoking is something smokers can do. Regarding this battle, they should tell themselves they are "in it to win it."

Someone wrote that the book the tobacco companies are praying you will never read is "Dying for a Smoke" (David A. Rives, author).

Nadine Kernodle
Greensboro

I'm a big animal lover myself (having two dogs) but I'm not understanding why so many people are writing in crying foul over the euthanizing of this wild animal (coyote). I've read articles of the letters in here and they don't make sense to me.

First off, trapping the coyote and removing it from this heavily populated environment was the only common-sense decision to make. What if this wild animal had maimed or injured a young child or a little dog or cat? Then this whole idea of relocating the coyote (proposed by many writers) is completely preposterous.

I ask, just where do you expect this animal to be released in an environment that is safe to humanity anywhere in the state of North Carolina? Should the coyote be released to the zoo where it can fatally injure other animals? Do you expect Guilford County Animal Control to drive 2,500 miles to drop it off in the desert of New Mexico at the taxpayers' expense?

Like I said, I'm a big animal lover, but let's be reasonable here, folks.

Dave Gleason Jr.
Greensboro

I just read the article, "Graduation rate dives at Dudley," (Dec. 7). Hmm. Does anyone actually have to think this through? Why are we blaming the schools for everything? When are we going to hold the parents and students responsible for themselves?

I am a parent of a high school senior. She knows the rules at home, she knows the rules at school and she knows she is responsible for her own actions.

My job as a parent is to encourage her to do her best and when the going gets rough, suck it up and keep going, but I'll be there right beside her for strength.

My daughter knows the importance of an education and graduating. I've instilled those values in her. The parents and students at Dudley need to get involved to save their future.

T.L. Froning
Greensboro

By Anita Campitelli

Charles Davenport's intolerant rants (Dec. 3) about official English are intolerable. In his article, he mocks the assertion of James Crawford, president of the Institute for Language and Education Policy, who declared that official English is "just a gratuitous statement of intolerance."

Indeed, because Davenport was commenting on a resolution of the Davidson County commissioners making English the official language of the county when there is already a law in place making English the official language of North Carolina, unless Davidson County has seceded from the state, the resolution is gratuitous. Its only purpose, therefore, is to express intolerance of immigrants, especially Spanish-speaking immigrants.

Davenport acts as if assisting new immigrants with materials in their native language discourages them from learning English. This is absurd. In fact, his whole attitude toward immigrants is patronizing and offensive.

My grandparents came to this country in the early 20th century and their mastery of English varied a great deal; my great-grandfather never learned English while one grandmother became quite fluent. My other grandmother managed to survive widowhood and raise two children, to work and to buy a home, to vote and to see her grandchildren become doctors, lawyers and teachers, all without ever mastering English. The stores and businesses where I grew up were full of people who were willing and able to help her.

To suggest that living in such a linguistic enclave is the same thing as "preventing" someone from learning English or "refusing" to learn English is just plain ignorant.

You couldn't keep the kids of immigrants from learning English if you tried. But you could probably provoke them to hold on to their heritage language longer by harassing them for using it.

Americans like Davenport who would like to "insist" that immigrants learn English must think these immigrants are a lot smarter than they themselves are, because most Americans doubt their ability to learn a foreign language.

Face it, this "official English" movement is totally unnecessary and just a veil over a severe case of xenophobia.

It makes me wonder what people like Davenport are really so afraid of.

The writer lives in Greensboro and teaches German at UNCG.

On Nov. 28, the Guilford County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to support conversion of an existing facility at 5209 West Wendover Ave. into a county-funded, long-term substance-abuse treatment center. This landmark decision offers the hope of recovery to thousands of individuals whose struggles with addiction are inadequately addressed by our current treatment system.

The new center will provide a full continuum of care, with the addition of much-needed social-setting detoxification, residential services and intensive community support services, such as vocational, housing and independent living skills. These treatments are conducive to sustained recovery.

I want to publicly thank and applaud our commissioners for their progressive leadership in authorizing the first step in a viable solution to the growing issue of substance abuse in Guilford County.

Sheron K. Sumner
Greensboro

The writer is board chairman, The Guilford Center.

The aggressive actions of Iran, Syria and North Korea in recent years indicate that either the United States is facing an unwavering determination among rogue nations to challenge its military hegemony through the aiding of terror and the proliferation of nuclear weapons, or, more likely, the actions of these nations continue because of the failure of U.S. diplomacy. The current policy of using multilateral negotiations or the U.N. General Assembly to address the actions has accomplished nothing. Therefore, other options must be explored.

The current administration has ignored an axiom extolled throughout history by wise men, "Keep your friends close but your enemies closer." The administration continues to stubbornly insist that if they negotiate bilaterally with states engaged in unacceptable activities, they are condoning those actions. Thus, it is not an option.

While our leaders are taking the moral high road, Iran and Syria continue to aid insurgents in Iraq, and North Korea and Iran's nuclear programs continue to progress. For the sake of national security, any ethical misgivings should be trumped by the potential consequences of not stopping these aggressive actions.

The effectiveness of bilateral negotiations must be explored.

Patrick McCrary
High Point

The holidays are upon us and teachable moments are everywhere. As parents, we need to be responsible around our children.

Guilford County is a wonderful place to live, yet tragic stories over the holidays continue. During last year's "Booze It & Lose It" Campaign, 6,258 people statewide were arrested for DWI. With that information, I offer some words of caution on how to make your holiday season safe and happy for all.

• Be aware of the messages that you are sending to your children when you have "just one more."
• If you are going to a holiday gathering, please have a designated driver.
• If you are hosting a party at which underage youth are drinking, you could be prosecuted.
• Have an agreement with the parents of your child's friends: no alcohol, no drugs and no sex in any of the homes. Tell your child that you have made this agreement.

The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign has a great Web site at www.theantidrug.com where you can obtain further tools and resources on how to raise healthy, drug-free kids. Let's work together to make Guilford County safer this holiday season.

Julie Westholder
High Point

The writer is parent leader, Alcohol & Drug Services.

With some exceptions, retailers have been celebrating this selling season without acknowledging Christmas or allowing their employees to say "Merry Christmas" to their customers.

These same retailers make most of their year's sales and profits during the Christmas season but have decided to ignore the vast majority of Christians who shop their stores and malls. Why? Is it "political correctness"? Are they afraid to utter the word Christmas for fear of being sued by someone who feels offended? What?

Christmas is just that, the celebration of the birth of Christ. Retailers know this but don't express it. Why? So be it.

Don Mulligan
High Point

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Kathe Latham

I'm responding to a column (Dec. 5) by David Brooks in which he attempts to explain what type of educational environments are best for our children. Brooks cites brain research, which delineates different functions of the brain. According to many diverse theories on brain research, the "unconscious" part of the brain, or what Brooks opines is the "unruly passionate side," is what scientists call the amygdala. It's responsible for how we process information, form intuition, and produce emotions and visceral experiences.

Brooks then compares how children learn to the way elephants learn by absorbing information from their environments. Out of this, he somehow concludes that the most "nurturing environments are highly structured" ones where children thrive by being organized, regimented and taught about hard work. He states that "the best environments don't liberate students." And worse yet, he implies that poor children need more of this kind of authoritarian structure.

I agree with Brooks that children do absorb all too well the "unconscious" messages of their environments. Poor children learn what it means to be hungry in a society of plenty. They learn that while others have safe and secure environments, they are left to fend for themselves by a society that puts profits, war and destruction above caring for our most vulnerable members. Children absorb the 2,500-plus advertising messages per day that tell them that what's really important is "things," not people, and that their own inherent self worth is dependent on material consumption rather than civic engagement.

Children do need structure and discipline, some more than others. Most educators will also agree that they need critical thinking skills that enable them to see through these negative messages to the importance of developing an awareness of what is really important to live and thrive in a democratic society. They need skills that encourage harmony through negotiation. They need to learn how to care for and honor each other as well as our mother earth that feeds and nourishes us.

Nurturing environments for children must give them the space, the liberty, to explore their hopes and dreams in order to imagine the possibility of a new world that nurtures and respects all God's children.

We need to help our children develop that "unruly passionate" side of their brains that can produce their ability to imagine new possibilities for creating stronger communities of caring and love and peace.

The writer lives in Greensboro and is an instructor at UNCG.

After years of planning and construction, the new Center City Park is finally finished. What a show-place. Anyone wondering where this city is headed has to visit this new downtown attraction.

Once you set foot in the park, you will forget about all of the controversy that surrounded its delays and construction. See it one time and you will visit again. Maybe on the second visit you will go and visit some of the other attractions you can walk to.

Hank Groch
Greensboro

More than 2,000 of our servicemen killed and nobody can tell us when this war will end or if we can even win it. Stop the bloodshed now. Make peace. Bring our troops home -- From an editorial not written on Dec. 8, 1941.

Daniel J. Flak
Greensboro

Why do we in America continue to allow the financial concerns of corporations trump our health concerns?

Flu shots are still manufactured with mercury preservatives because it is the cheapest way. Mercury, a known neurotoxin, has been linked to autism, ADHD, learning problems and aggression. Do I know if such studies are correct? No, I don't. But that is beside the point.

Why put any child at risk by exposing them to any amount of neurotoxin? Some say such concerns are overblown, that one gets as much mercury from a can of tuna as from a flu shot. Well, we don't eat tuna either, and last time I checked, tuna is not typically injected into the bloodstream.

I have spent three months searching for the mercury-free flu shot for my 3-year-old son. It exists for all the citizens of Japan and Europe, but not here.

Speak with a single voice to tell the vaccine manufacturers that if they want to sell us any vaccine, we insist that it be the healthiest alternative available.

Mark Smith
Greensboro

We have allowed President Bush to launch an unprovoked war against Iraq. In so doing, he has destroyed the most important link in the chain of our oil dependency; without oil, our country will collapse.

Syria and Iran are like vultures circling overhead of this recalcitrant government Bush is trying to establish. If they are successful in taking over and force Saudi Arabia to follow, we will be in big trouble.

Someone wrote, "The only thing worse than having sight is to have sight but no vision.”

Saddam Hussein has been found innocent of all the reasons we went to war. Why not restore him back to his rightful place and keep our troops there until he has things under control? I feel he will change and become one of the world's greatest leaders.

By doing this, we may gain an alliance instead of being looked upon as a pariah by most of the world.

A divine hand once wrote on a wall in that same area to Belshazzar. The way this war is going, I wonder if someone has given us an ominous warning.

Hershey Crenshaw
Browns Summit

Secondhand smoke is a major public health danger, and separating smokers and nonsmokers into different sections is not an effective way to handle this problem.

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), has stated that ventilation systems can't adequately reduce the health risks associated with secondhand smoke. The only way to get rid of the risk is to eliminate indoor smoking completely.

Hundreds of restaurants in Guilford County have already gone smoke-free to protect their customers and employees. This holiday season, I encourage you to patronize these restaurants. For a complete list of smoke-free restaurants, please visit: www.smokefreeguilford.org.

Michelle Gill-Moffat
Whitsett

I would just like to comment on a letter (Dec. 5) talking about having the photograph of a dead deer in the News & Record (Nov 21).

First, I would like to say I am an avid hunter and fisherman. I think that there was nothing wrong with what was posted that day and that there are a million things in the world that need to be talked about other than this topic. Would the writer rather see a graphic picture of a Humvee blown to pieces from an IED in Iraq? How about another murder in our area?

I think this article was a brief escape from the typical negative stories we read about daily, and I enjoyed reading a classy piece about hunting season this year.

Michael Overton
Browns Summit

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Sharon Ritchie and Kelly Maxwell

Rosemary Roberts' column, "Most 3-year-olds not ready for school” (Nov. 24), did not present an accurate picture of FirstSchool. If she had asked us what's the rush, we would have told her we're not rushing any preschoolers to public school. They're already there.

Today, a quarter of all 4-year-olds are educated and cared for in public schools, and 38 states provide public prekindergarten programs, many of which serve children starting at age 3.

Recognizing this trend, FirstSchool is about ensuring high-quality, appropriate educational services for young children -- places where children develop physically, socially and emotionally. FirstSchool seeks to make sure that prekindergarten does not simply become another layer in the K-12 public schools but rather is a part of an integrated, coordinated period of schooling for children between the ages of 3 and 8.

Many of Roberts' comments reflected an "either-or” notion of education for young children -- they either just play and have fun or they're in an academic setting sitting in desks. FirstSchool recognizes that children need both play and learning. We aim to unite the best of early childhood education with the best of early elementary education so that, for example, children learn basic math concepts while playing in the pretend grocery store set up in the classroom.

FirstSchool is unique in that it is being created by teachers, administrators, higher education faculty, researchers, parents and community leaders coming together to create a school that reflects the best available research in concert with the needs and values of the community and the experiences of families and educators.

FirstSchool is not endorsing schools as the only place for 3- and 4-year-olds to be, but rather that schools are another viable, quality option for families.

The writers are co-directors, FirstSchool -- a project of Frank Porter Graham Development Institute at UNC-CH.

It's obvious to many of us why the Dudley graduation rates are so low: We don't spend enough money on education in Guilford County. What is it now, about $10,000 per student? How can we expect these folks to read at an eighth-grade level when they graduate?

Hey, look on the bright side -- not everything is down. Crime is up 5.2 percent in the North Carolina public schools. When I was in high school they didn't have to report crime statistics, and almost everyone graduated, and we could actually read our diplomas. Of course, we weren't blessed with diversity, as are today's left-wing indoctrination camps.

We are outraged by failed and failing policies in Iraq, and many demand our withdrawal, but we continue with failed and failing policies in our public schools with demands for more money, which thus far hasn't worked.

Maybe we need a bipartisan FSSG (Failing Schools Study Group) to make recommendations to get us out of these failed and failing schools. It would be comprised of five liberal Democrats and five moderate (liberal) Republicans. It's the only hope for our schools, except, of course, for increasing spending. I vote for withdrawal.

Tony Moschetti
High Point

With John Bolton's departure from his position as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, reviewing the utility of this international body seems appropriate.

While the United Nations was founded on ideal principles, its current application invites question as to its capacity to continue to function as a legitimate, beneficial world organization.

In 2001, the U.N. Human Rights Commission passed a vote that refused to grant the United States another term on the commission. But, in that same vote, Sudan was appointed as one of the African representatives.

A Reuters report put it as such: "The commission (is) turning into an 'abuser solidarity' group with more and more countries with questionable human rights records gaining election and then voting as a bloc against singling out individual nations for human rights abuses."

Perhaps it shouldn't be surprising that questionable countries such as Russia, Libya, Syria, China, Cuba, Vietnam and Indonesia have found a way onto the panel. Those are countries whose citizens do not enjoy a fraction of the legal protections and freedoms that we Americans take for granted.

With Bolton gone, I'm anxious to see who will take his place and what reform he or she can bring to an organization gone awry.

David Eng
Elon

The Bush administration is considering changing its approach to current challenges, besides turning the country into a police state, invading other countries, and counting on G-d.

Perhaps it will consider some lessons of the past six years:

1. Ignorance about foreign cultures leads to disaster.

2. Ignorance about nature leads to waste and suffering.

3. A strong army, no matter how much favored by G-d, cannot solve our problems.

4. Placing bounties on the heads of enemies reflects our inherent trust in money. The ineffectiveness of bounties in the Third World suggests a different set of values there.

5. Hate and fear are expensive and painful substitutes for understanding and reason.

6. Don't trust people who cannot admit mistakes or who think they speak for G-d.

7. Selective use of facts misses the forest for the trees.

8. When all else fails, try asking someone who knows more than you. If you can't find someone more knowledgeable, you haven't looked very hard.

9. Majorities that legislate away minority rights are called mobs.

10. Disease, ignorance, poverty and injustice are our enemies, not Republicans, Democrats, Muslims or the press.

Kurt Lauenstein
Greensboro

We used to respect the concept of negotiation; it helped us to avoid a third world war (so far). The present administration doesn't value this kind of chat much and won't talk to just anyone, but the Iraq Study Group strongly recommends it, post-haste. Maybe our fearless leader should trust these elder statesmen, as none opposed his illegal invasion of a sovereign nation.

The countries bordering our experimental democratic incubator state might be flattered if the American president deigned to consult with them about the future of Iraq, although they have more clout there than he does. They seem to be willing to use it -- at least one of these countries is working on the ultimate form of clout, the nuclear kind.

If we do manage to engage them in dialogue, perhaps we could call them "Our New Partners in Peace" or some other absurdity, but anything would be better under the circumstances than "enemy."

As for me, in the next election, I won't be voting for anyone who ever supported this war, and I will be reminding those citizens who did just who their bedfellows were, right up until that November day.

James Quinn
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint:

By E.T. Edwards

I was once proud to acknowledge that I grew up in First Presbyterian Church, but that pride has turned to embarrassment. Its deliberate decimation of an established traditional neighborhood is inexcusable.

First Presbyterian was the first church founded within the original town of Greensboro. In 1929, when it outgrew its original location, it moved to its current site. Over the years, it has split off portions of its congregation to found several new churches. But these traditional approaches to dealing with growth have been discarded; now it prefers to destroy the value of the surrounding neighborhood. After all, who wants to live in a fine, expensive home when it is surrounded by parking lots?

The problem lies with city zoning ordinances. Churches are exempt from zoning restrictions, allowing them to acquire property and do anything they want without input or recourse from the surrounding residents. No other nongovernmental entity has this privilege.

The answer is to get the City Council to amend local zoning ordinances to require that churches acquiring noncontiguous properties in an established residential neighborhood be subject to the same rules as everyone else -- an approval hearing before the zoning commission, which would allow owners of surrounding properties an opportunity to be heard.

The members of First Presbyterian should be ashamed of being such irresponsible neighbors. I suggest that all Greensboro citizens write or e-mail the City Council to have this carte-blanche privilege reconsidered. The scourge of Fisher Park must be stopped.

The writer is a member of the Guilford County Historic Preservation Commission.

Sara and I do not know where to begin to express our deep gratitude for what your newspaper and this community has done for us.
Greensboro has grown exponentially since I, Nathan, first moved here as a 5-year-old in 1981. Yet, we are still a close-knit family.

The News & Record published our story and the love and concern began to pour out. Not only did this community show love and concern, but it took action. Phone calls were made. Letters were written and many prayers were asked. I know because we could feel our strength and faith being renewed daily.

I recently spoke to a friend about the comfort he and his family received when they lost a son and a brother. He affirmed what I already know about his community and how we pull together to help one another.

Greensboro should be very proud of itself for taking care of one of its own. Sara and I plan to return this love whatever way we can. We want to be active in the community and help others going through similar situations. Because of you, Greensboro, we are able to do this together as one.

Nathan and Sara Mondargo-Lenna
Greensboro

I can forgive Amy Hoefle for assuming the city of Greensboro is doing nothing about the sewer overflows in Latham Park (letter, Dec. 8). It's difficult to keep the public informed about some of the massive public works projects that the Water Resources Department is engaged in.

One of these is the North Buffalo Sewer Outfall Project, a project of three parts that will cost more than $50 million dollars and was started in 2003. It's not done yet because of permitting requirements, property acquisition delays, and the time it takes to design a massive new sewer, pumping station and diversion line between our two wastewater plants. The construction of the last two are under way.

It is true that the city pays fines for each occurrence as part of an agreement with the state that assures the project is completed as quickly as feasible. No one is as eager to complete these projects as city staff. This rehabilitation of deteriorated infrastructure is an excellent example of projects that are driving up the cost of water and sewer service.

Allan Williams, PE
Greensboro

The writer is Greensboro's director of Water Resources.

Thank you for your coverage of the report by the Iraq Study Group. This report provides a strong foundation for Congress and the president to construct a new policy to help end the war in Iraq and dramatically change the course of U.S. policy in the broader Middle East.

I'm also pleased the report calls on the president to affirm that the United States will not build permanent bases in Iraq.

What the report lacks is a clear timetable for the withdrawal of all U.S. troops and bases from Iraq. Without this timetable there is no clear signal that the U.S. is not planning an indefinite presence.

As new year approaches, the need for change is desperate. Don't let the momentum for change get lost in new recommendations, dire headlines,or holiday festivities.

I call on my senators and representative to embrace the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group and encourage the president to do so as well. I call on President Bush to take up the report's recommendations by the Dec. 31 deadline and set a clear timetable for a withdrawal from Iraq.

Shawn Wozniak
Greensboro

How many more times must we open the pages of this newspaper and read a letter that claims the United States was founded on Christian principles? It was not. A brief bit of research will easily confirm this.

The men who framed the bulk of this nation's Constitution were certainly not Christians. In fact, other writings which they committed to history speak rather harshly of Christianity. They, like others of their day, were deists. Yes, they believed in God and referenced such often, but they were not referring to a Christian God. It was their wholehearted intent that no American would be forced to participate in any religious endeavor that they did not wish to participate in.

They ensured this in our Bill of Rights. Forced or required prayer or religion of any sort is diametrically opposed to the principles that this nation was founded upon.

Tom Kirkman III
High Point

Many people are not familiar with the rules of driving as it pertains to passing school buses. But one rule in particular is not being followed. It states that if the road has a median or a center left turn lane, oncoming traffic is not required to stop when a school bus stops.

My drive to work each day includes a ride down Friendly between Holden and Market. The part of Friendly closest to Holden does not have the center left turn lane. Therefore, all traffic going in either direction must stop if a school bus stops.

But farther down Friendly, between Jefferson and Guilford College, there is a center turn lane so only the traffic going in the same direction as the bus is required to stop.

Betsy Buhrman
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Clyde L. Hunt Jr.

Just a few observations relative to Dennis Quaintance's column (Dec. 9) on diversity and inclusiveness being keys to business success, if I may.

I would suggest that the overwhelming majority of businesses in Guilford County (and throughout America) are successful because they acquire and retain employees based primarily (almost entirely) on their ability to perform the task for which they are being employed, and not because of their skin color, national origin, sexual orientation or any other social feel-good reason.

And as long as we maintain both our democratic republic and the capitalist free-enterprise system that have provided the highest standard of living for the greatest portion of our society than any other system in history, this will continue to be the totally justified criteria for employment.

I see no advantage in acquiring and maintaining a work force based on anything other than its ability to do the job efficiently, effectively and economically, even if to do otherwise might give someone a warm, cuddly, fuzzy feeling inside.

And most companies with which I am familiar are really not all that concerned about appearing to be (to quote Quaintance) "cosmopolitan" and "sophisticated," or of having "an engine of self-interest ... and a turbo-charger of enlightened self-interest" or of "burning the ethanol from their own personal value system"… whatever all that means.

They just want to hire the right people for the job, provide good working conditions, make a profit and grow their business. It ain't all that complicated.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

I enjoyed the article, "For the heavenly host" (Dec. 8), but I wanted to mention another possible suggestion for gifts for co-workers, neighbors, hostesses, family, etc. There are so many wonderful organizations that work year-round to help families and individuals in need.

My husband and I prefer to purchase holiday "honor cards" from organizations like The Salvation Army and Greensboro Urban Ministry that use the donations from the sale of these cards to help people who lack what many of us tend to take for granted — food, shelter and clothing.

It is a wonderful gift that doesn't have to be returned or exchanged or stored away to collect dust. It is a gift of love for fellow human beings who have fallen on hard times.

I cannot imagine any hostess or boss or friend who would be disappointed with a gift that honored them by helping someone in need.

May we all know the peace and joy that comes from being a blessing to others.

Tina Crain
Oak Ridge

Instead of complaining about the Guilford County Animal Shelter, do something to help it this Christmas season. Adopt a companion animal for Christmas.

There is a lot of controversy about whether a Christmas adoption really works out. Statistics show the success rate on these adoptions is actually good. Don't adopt an animal to give as a surprise Christmas gift. That usually does not work out. If you adopt an animal, you will be helping the shelter and you will get the gift of sharing the love that a companion animal can give. It's a win-win situation for all.

In the end, though, the only way to stop the problem of overpopulation of companion animals is to spay and neuter your animals. If everyone will do that, we won't need a shelter anymore.

Marsha Rogers
Pleasant Garden

From our school system's Web page in the past year:

"The district's high school dropout rate of 2.98 percent was the lowest among the state's largest districts and among the lowest in the state. It is also believed to be the lowest dropout rate among the nation's largest 50 school districts.

"As a result of these efforts, GCS received the prestigious Crystal Star Award from the National Dropout Prevention Center. This prestigious honor recognizes the district's innovative and effective approaches to keep students in school and to recover them once they drop out."

From the News & Record (Dec. 7): Guilford graduation rate is 73.1 percent.

We are supposed to understand this? We have a statistician on our payroll. Our school system actually gave itself an atta boy.
Approximately 23 percent appear lost. Maybe in the closets and locker rooms.

Does anyone in authority question anything and apply a sanity test? How can you address a problem that your statistics don't appear to grasp?

David Colin
Greensboro

Regarding Richard Barron's article, "Suburban poverty hits region" (Dec. 10): He references the recent Brookings Institution study and cites the loss of manufacturing jobs, slow job growth, lower-wage service jobs and the increased cost of living as culprits for the increase of suburban poverty in the Triad.

While these factors certainly contribute to an increase of poverty, Barron omitted other factors in the study, notably immigration and single-parent households. The study mentions these factors several times, including: "Immigration is spreading to a wider set of metropolitan areas than in decades past, especially in the Southeast, which could alter poverty levels in those receiving areas." Also, "Families with children, especially those with a single earner, are among the groups most likely to live in poverty in the United States." ("Single earner" can be translated into "single parent" in many cases.)

It may not be considered politically correct; however, our nation's open border policies toward illegal immigration, as well as children living in homes without two parents, also contribute to poverty. We reap what we sow.

Tom Imbus
Browns Summit

David Noer was right on the mark with his article, "Gifts for Greensboro." That one article made reading the Sunday paper (Dec. 10) worthwhile.

Let's hope our community leaders, voters and parents read the article and heed his advice in 2007.

Rita Cockerham
Greensboro

No cheers for the Guilford County commissioners, who should have taken the brave step of critically looking at the animal shelter.

I recently moved here from a city with a model animal shelter that cooperatively works with all area animal groups and has hundreds of loyal and committed volunteers.

I've been shocked by the current shelter management's fortress mentality in refusing to work with the various organizations and people who could help solve the killing of thousands of our dogs and cats every year. They say conditions have improved, but previous articles and quotes from former staffers tell a very different story.

A management that has "fired" more than 100 volunteers just in the last few years indicates the need for intense scrutiny.

I've read and heard about many studies (some featured on a recent HBO documentary) that directly link pet overpopulation and animal cruelty to violence in schools and the community's overall quality of life. I was hoping that a new contract finally would be placed that balances cost with quality of management.

Pam Williams
High Point

This article is for the argument that prayers must include all faiths. No matter how many things you do to neutralize religion, you will always step on someone's toes.

We, on the Christian end of the spectrum, will always be the ones to have our toes stepped on. Even if we fight back, we are disregarded. But, our great nation must remember something: "In God We Trust."

"In God," not Mohammed, Buddha or Ram. Our country was founded on biblical principles. Many of our nation's leaders over the past years have been true believers in Christ, and God-fearing. Has Gloria McClanahan (letter, Dec. 10) considered respecting Latimer Alexander for his faith, whether she agrees or not?

Though I may be only 17, I believe that our nation is in grave danger of repeating its past, and unless our heading is changed, we may be in for disaster worse than any yet. Yes, we are a free country, but we must uphold our morals, and we must uphold our freedom.

Nicholas Hawks
Greensboro

Regarding the editorial, "Bellemeade on hold" (Dec. 8): Has anyone taken a look to see what it costs to live in a condo in downtown Raleigh or Charlotte? Even Winston-Salem has listings for more than $1 million in downtown buildings.

Priced at $239,000 to $364,000, Bellemeade would have been a deal by comparison. Wake up, Greensboro. This is 2006.

Catherine Rollins
Greensboro

A most heartfelt thank you to the residents of Greensboro for your recent endorsement of the bond for the parks and recreation projects.

Most particularly, I wish to thank each voter for enabling the development of the Brightwood Neighborhood Park through the passing of this bond. Our neighborhood has never had a park for residents of all ages to spend time together, to exercise and to play in a tree preserve.

Yet, none of this future would even be promised or possible without the vision, endorsement and unflagging support given to this project by council member Florence Gatten, former Mayor Pro Tem Yvonne Johnson (now serving as council member), former council district representative Claudette Burroughs-White, representative Goldie Wells and council member Tom Phillips. I commend your stamina and enthusiasm.

On behalf of our neighborhood, with so many natural resources yet so little infrastructure, and from my capacity as executive director of the adjoining public conservation and education garden, Cove Creek Gardens, I thank you all.

Nancy E. Cavanaugh
Greensboro

When the Constitution of the United States was written, there was no section that declared the official language of the country as English.

In April 1981, the English Language Amendment was introduced before Congress with intent to make English the only official language in the United States. This legislation was not passed because, traditionally, the United States has been seen as a country of immigrants or a "melting pot" of different cultures and identities.

If now the official language were to be changed to English, a large portion of immigrants would face many problems adapting to the language.

Currently, about 18 percent of people in the United States speak languages other than English. Of this 18 percent, more than 22 million are Spanish speakers. If there were to be an English Language Amendment, it would cause large problems for non-English speakers in the United States.

Mark Olsen
Elon

The following is a Counterpoint:

By John Gehris

Again it seems the News & Record cannot let go of forced busing to "de-re-segregate" schools.

The view that the government can sculpt schools to some type of a socioeconomic balanced ideal makes four basic assumptions -- none of which, in a free society, is true.

1. The system is closed-ended and students and parents can be herded like sheep to go to whatever school the government wants them to go to.

Reality: People will vote with their feet. No people anywhere, of any economic class or ethnicity, will willingly let their kids be taken from a good school close to their home to a more distant school of perceived lesser quality. People thus disenfranchised from their local public school will move or, if they can afford to, leave the public system, helping to foster a true caste system.

2. Teachers are indentured servants.

Reality: Teachers likewise are free to move from any school at which they don't want to teach or at which they are not respected or supported by students, parents and administration. They will likewise vote with their feet.

3. A school can be improved by going to another area and importing people against their will who have no vested interest in the immediate school environment.

Reality: If people from the immediate surrounding geography of the school do not support their kids' teachers and administration, expecting people from someplace else to do it is lunacy.

4. There are unlimited resources, both temporal and economic, both public and parental, to transport people to the four points of the compass.

Instead of sitting back and depending on the government to play an endless game of Three Card Monte with their schools, parents and students everywhere must take ownership. They must demand competent administration and teachers, and respect for such. Only then can positive changes be made.

The writer lives in High Point.

On Dec. 6, there was an article, "Life on the streets," regarding feral cats. The Feral Cat Assistance Program traps these wild cats, has them neutered and returns them to the streets.

In my opinion, this is a very misguided and irresponsible "solution" to controlling the feral cat population. Who knows how many irresponsible cat owners will now think it acceptable to abandon their unwanted cats thinking that someone will pick them up, neuter them and return them to the streets, solving their problem?

There is nothing cute about a feral cat. How do they survive? What do they eat? They dig in garbage, spreading disease, or they kill something. Millions and millions of our songbirds are killed by feral cats and by cats left to wander the streets by irresponsible owners. I have found neighborhood cats eating birdseed out of a feeder on my deck. I resent owners of cats making their cats my responsibility.

In my opinion, feral cats should be humanely euthanized. They serve no purpose. This is an irresponsible program society can do without.

Taffy London
High Point

As a teacher at Grimsley, I was horrified by Amos Quick's divisive statement ("Graduation rate dives at Dudley," Dec. 7) that Dudley's drop in graduation rate was caused by redistricting Grimsley's problem students to Dudley.

First, in the 1999 redistricting, Dudley area students came to Grimsley because of the upcoming construction at Dudley.

Second, we currently have 57 students on administrative reassignment from Dudley. The majority are here for personal reasons such as family, safety issues or not wanting to wear a uniform. The population at Grimsley has changed greatly during my tenure here and it is presenting challenges, but at no point did we send young people away.

Concerning the huge drop and increase in graduation rates at the two schools, did anyone, including the reporter, consider the possibility that the data could be faulty or a statistical anomaly?

As Grimsley's population got more diverse, its composite score fell from 81.6 (2002) to 76.4 (2006) while at the same time, Dudley's increased from 37.2 to 51.7. Our educational leaders need to stop managing statistics and visit the schools. We have a lot of angry, uninterested students that we need to figure out a way to reach regardless of what school they are assigned to attend.

Roberta Rohan
Greensboro

More than 50 years ago, Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh told the French that if they killed 10 Vietnamese for every one Frenchman killed, even then, "You lose and I win." In the Vietnamese war, we lost 58,000 Americans against two to three million Vietnamese killed for a ratio of 1-to-50. Yet, we lost the war.

The Iraq war has shown us that the U.S. Army is invincible and that our conflict there is going to end in a stalemate, just as the Israel-Hezbollah war has been. We can stay in Iraq as long as we would like, at a price of $4 billion a week and four U.S. soldiers killed a day.

Iraqis are smart people. They can be trained to be as effective as any U.S. soldier, but they can never be motivated to support a government supported by the USA.

The best thing we can do is to leave Iraq lock, stock, and barrel. The British did that in 1947 in India, leaving Muslims and Hindus to butcher each other; the French did that in Algeria, with rival factions killing each other; and we did that in Vietnam. Now, once again, we need to do the same in Iraq. Let the Iraqis handle the mess themselves without us being there. They will eventually find a solution acceptable to them.

N.M. Chopra
Greensboro

I have been a subscriber to the News & Record for more years than I care to reveal. With me, a day without my newspaper is like a day without sunshine regardless of what the weather conditions are.

Over the years, I have read so many heart-wrenching stories that usually turn into heartwarming endings about the citizens right here in our city. I will always remember the Dudley High School student who was homeless and the couple who lost their home because the husband was unable to work because of illness. The young student at Peck Elementary who has cancer and, more recently, the young lady who was nearly deported back to Peru.

These stories and many more have been highlighted in the News & Record. The response from the public has been overwhelming. The best of us stepped up to help the rest of us. Without the News & Record, these stories would never have been told; these people would not have gotten the help they so desperately needed.

Since the News & Record is too modest to toot its own horn, please allow me to do it for you. You have raised my level of faith in mankind and for this, I thank you.

Shirley J. Wright
Greensboro

By Margie Bailey

The following is a Counterpoint:

In reply to Erin M. Rainwater (Family Life, Nov. 20) on what to expect from a son, I'm an older woman and my kids are now grown.

When I was married, I was told I could never have children, but at 32 years old, I found myself pregnant and the happiest woman on earth. I wanted a little girl and God blessed us with a precious little girl. Like Erin, I could not imagine loving anything or anyone as I loved my little girl.

I can't describe the wonder of just watching her and holding her in my arms. Then I wanted her to have a playmate and asked God to give me a little boy; and at 35, I had a precious little son who was just as dear to my heart as my daughter. She played with him all the time and called him her little baby.

I could tell no difference in my feeling for each one. I loved them with all my heart and so did their dad. I never got tired; looking after two was no different than looking after one.

They were so sweet and loving, and always making things in church for me and their dad; picking flowers for me all summer.

They were, and still are, very sensitive children and loving. I remember my mom saying, "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it (from the Bible).

I loved them and gave them lots of attention. I spent more time making them happy and now they spend more time making me happy. And, you change a boy's diaper just like you do a girl's.

My husband and I were Christians; our children were raised up in the church and today they are both wonderful Christian children. They lost their dad at 47 years old, but have continued to be close to me and as precious to my heart as when they were little children.

Good luck to Erin, and if she has a little boy, she will feel about him just like she did with her little girl. As soon as she holds him in her arms, he will melt her heart.

Merry Christmas to Erin and her family and to the News & Record.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

Kudos out to Dennis Quaintance and his spouse for being pioneers in having a diverse work force in Greensboro.

For the past several years, I have occasionally had the pleasure of dining at Lucky 32. As a man of color, the first thing I noticed was the integrated staff. Lucky 32 is my favorite restaurant based on that, plus good food and service.

In my 70 years here, the only thing I have seen change is crime. We need a lot more Johnnetta Coles and Dennis Quaintances to change this paradox. Dr. Cole, keep stirring the melting pot; Dennis will make sure the food is served.

Philip Lindsay
Greensboro

Has anyone noticed recently that the letters section of our newspaper is filled, day after day, with comments from those who hate our president and want us fleeing out of Iraq, regardless of the consequences? Notice also that you see very few positive letters printed regarding our president or this war against terrorism. Have you wondered why this is so?

Consider this quote from Osama bin Laden regarding America: "In this final phase of the ongoing struggle, the world of the infidels was divided between two superpowers — the United States and Soviet Union. Now, we have defeated and destroyed the more difficult and the more dangerous of the two. Dealing with the pampered and effeminate Americans will be easy."

If we do not fight the terrorists in Iraq, then we will fight them here.

Stand up for our troops and our country, and don't allow bin Laden's "pampered and effeminate Americans" comment to remain the truth. Remember Sept. 11 and the 3,000 innocents who were murdered, and the reasons this happened to us.

Bob Goodman
High Point

After reading all that has been written in the News & Record, The Rhinoceros Times, Yes! Weekly, and listening to Mitchell Johnson, Keith Holliday an others on television, and talking to police officers and retired police officers, I cannot find even one reason for not hiring David Wray for police chief.

In David Wray, the city finally had a chief who tried to clean up the corruption, and look at how he was treated. I hope he sues so that this can play out in court.

Larry Walton
Greensboro

Which part of "Your inept leadership, arrogance and utter incompetence got us into this" does the incompetent-in-chief not understand? And when will George Bush finally acknowledge that the November elections sent a clear message on the disaster in Iraq?

The Bush/Cheney misadventure in Iraq rates as this country's greatest diplomatic blunder and will soon be one of its greatest military disasters unless the administration faces the facts: The U.S. military won the war in nothing flat and the administration botched the occupation, effectively leaving our troops in place for target practice.

Bush has but two choices: reinstate the draft and put 500,000 or so troops on the ground in Iraq, or get out. His failed "policies" in Iraq have already created the world's best terrorist-training base. Do we want to see this repeated in Afghanistan, home of the Sept. 11 terror strikes? Bush had the world behind him when we invaded Afghanistan, and rightly so, as the result of Sept. 11. He betrayed that trust when he turned to Iraq.

America can't take another two years of this arrogance and incompetence. If Bush doesn't understand that, perhaps he'll respond to impeachment.

Bryan Chitwood
Greensboro

No more Bah Humbug for me this year. Christmas is here, I'm full of good cheer. For example:

• Kudos to Rosemary Roberts for her column (Dec. 8), "Are coaches' salaries out of control?" Taking her cue from Bill Friday, UNC's living legend, Rosemary spotlights the obscene pay demeaning athletics. (I was impressed with Carolina's 45-44 win over Duke — student football at its finest.)

• "Gifts for Greensboro" by David Noer (Dec. 10) is worth reprinting. This leadership guru covered seven areas of need, including elected official responsibility, failure of voters not demanding accountability, erasing Triad political boundaries, parental neglect of children's education, and need to eliminate labels that stereotype diverse groups.

• Again, your Dec. 10 editorial and op-ed pages had more good stuff: young lawyers helping veterans; editor's column on killing the n-word; the beauty of our new Center City Park.

• In a final burst of goodwill, I wish Maureen Dowd Merry Christmas and a quick recovery. She is a sick woman.

Bill Beerman
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Brett Moore

This is in response to the Counterpoint, "Consolidated police force more efficient" (Dec. 11).

With all due respect, a consolidated police force would not be good for anyone other than the citizens of Greensboro. The various Guilford County municipalities and the county sheriff do an admirable job of policing their own jurisdictions and are accountable to the citizens they serve. A consolidated police force would only centralize power and lessen the ability for people to have any voice in what is occurring around them.

Consider a similar situation with the Guilford County school system. After the schools were integrated into one unit, almost none of the parents in High Point would agree that their children are receiving the same quality of education as they previously had. Parents are completely ignored at meetings. Children are tossed around with one experimental plan after another, none of which gives our children a proper education.

The Guilford County schools in Greensboro get more resources and attention. The dollars go away from some districts (as they would under police consolidation) and go to Greensboro, which has more students, just as it has more crime.

High Point, Jamestown and Pleasant Garden each have their own culture. If the people who live in these communities wanted to live in Greensboro, they almost certainly would. Greensboro has a lot of weight to throw around, and it would be easy for the citizens outside the Greensboro city limits to get poorer services than they do now or maybe not even the essential services that are owed to them.
Eugene Johnston argues that the new consolidated police force might be more efficient. This has not been the case of Guilford County Schools. Its operating and capital costs have risen each year beyond the growth rate of students and inflation.

I submit that cost efficiency, at the expense of effectiveness, would not be a smart trade-off. I prefer the award-winning police force of High Point to any centralized attempt (and certain failure) of a combined force.

The writer lives in High Point.

I would like to expand on Wanda Myatt's comments (Counterpoint, Dec. 9) concerning Fisher Park.

As the first major park in Greensboro, it has hosted birthday parties, weddings, concerts and other important family and community events for many years. Fisher Park is truly a destination park, a place our residents from all over the city seek out for its shaded paths, stone bridges, attractive landscaping. We are appreciative of the extra effort the city puts forth in our park in the form of additional landscaping and maintenance services.
However, any facility more than 100 years old needs more than just maintenance at some point. Walking paths, stone steps and bridges need repair or replacement, and landscape improvements are needed to keep plants in check. The Fisher Park Neighborhood Association works hard to maintain the park but can only do so much.

As we celebrate the opening of the Center City Park, we remember that previous jewels in our park system require polishing. Fisher Park is an integral part of the downtown experience. I urge the city find ways to keep Fisher Park from deteriorating further and to improve the park for the next 100 years.

David B. Craft
Greensboro

The writer is a member, Fisher Park Neighborhood Association and Park Committee.

In reference to the article about the Heart Attack Grill (Dec. 11), anyone who believes heart bypass surgery to be funny has not seen their mother, as I did, when she returned from surgery. The shock of her white, shaking body hooked up to machines and tubes caused my legs to give way.

As for "Quadruple Bypass Burger" with two pounds of beef, four slices of cheese, a mound of bacon, etc.: disgusting.

Frankie Ellis
Greensboro

Regarding Nate DeGraff's article, "Mental care runs into bottleneck" (Dec. 11), I want to reiterate just how serious a problem this is, not only for mental health centers, but for private practitioners in North Carolina.

A family member — a licensed clinical social worker who practices with a small group in the state — is working with several adult Medicaid-funded patients sent to her by the state. This consumes many hours per week of her time. She has not been paid for working with these patients since early in September.

Mental health patients can't wait months to "clear the system." This practitioner can't operate without these funds. Ethically, she can't stop trying to help them. She's in a Catch-22 — an economic disaster over which she has no control. She, and others like her, just might become Medicaid-eligible themselves because of this "reform."

Eleanor McGinty
Asheboro

Receiving rebuttals by people who can read but lack comprehension skills is somewhat entertaining. My previous letter was directed specifically toward illegal immigrants, the operative word being "illegal," as in prohibited by law. No matter how clear and concise your dialogue may be, there will be those who misunderstand, misconstrue or alter the context to press their own agenda.

The more serious matter would be that ever-increasing numbers of illegal aliens are driving next to you and your family, as I wrote in a previous letter. Too many times, these people with no insurance are driving, thanks to North Carolina's licensing policy.

In Maryland recently, Marine Cpl. Brian Matthews and his girlfriend, Jennifer Bauer (both 24) were killed by Eduardo Raul Morales Soriano, an allegedly intoxicated illegal Mexican who wasn't licensed in Maryland but did obtain a valid license in North Carolina. Soriano blew four times the legal limit on the Breathalyzer and had an extensive history of being stopped by police who were not allowed to inquire if he were illegal or not. Political correctness is killing America on so many levels it's surreal.

Parris Lee Patton
High Point

The Dec. 10 News & Record had a front-page story about the increasing poverty in the Piedmont Triad region among 10 U.S. regions with the highest increase.

Further down the front page is an article by Lex Alexander about the huge backlog of cases of veterans seeking help for service-related disabilities. Sandwiched between these two stories is a color photo of the nighttime liftoff of the space shuttle Discovery heading to the incomplete space station.

The space station and Challenger program are costing many billions of U.S. dollars so four or five people can float around the Earth as they sip on Tang orange juice.

Our sense of priorities has gone haywire. At least the homeless veterans and destitute people in Florida could watch the liftoff and not freeze under their bridges.

Grady Scott
Greensboro

I find the editorial, "Cyber-charters limit social learning opportunities" (Dec. 11) disappointing, starting with the headline. You offer no evidence that this is fact, although you present it as such.

I can offer as evidence to the contrary only two anecdotes. I know two home-schooled young adults. Each has social skills far superior to graduates of public schools. Neither has been exposed to zero-tolerance, disruptive students, armed police, drugs, teachers putting in time until retirement, arsonists, rapists or gangs. Neither sasses, lies or cheats on exams.

Perhaps the News & Record should do the research required to do the definitive study on who has better social skills, home-schooled or public-schooled. No doubt it would be more informative than a filler editorial.

Robert Koch
Greensboro

Regarding the letter, "Censoring Christmas" (Dec. 11), if our country doesn't rise up and yell, "We're not going to take it anymore," and say it loud enough, the antichrist is going to swallow up our principles on which this great and mighty nation was birthed. Do Christians have to lie down and let outsiders come in and smother our voice of faith to a dead silence?

I know your mainstream church has preached a literal antichrist, but my interpretation is somewhat different. I believe it is a spirit that can get held back by rebuke until, like all other great nations before her, America's cup of iniquity is full. Then we will be in a merciful Father's hand for judgment.

But to allow them to remove faith symbols at our most holy day of the year from our children's schools for the sake of offending people who come to America because they desire all her good blessings by a good God, is to lie down and give our values away to aliens.

Mabel Jones
Pleasant Garden

About 200 years ago, my ancestors were part of a large number of Germans who settled in southwest Alamance County and adjacent areas. They went to school at Brick Church, still standing in eastern Guilford County, to learn English. They were not to speak German in public. It was rude to do so.

I believe that a person should speak and read English to become a citizen, vote, obtain a driver's license or receive the benefits of citizenship as our ancestors did.

M.M. Way
Graham

Here's a brief account pertinent to the article "Mergers may hurt travelers at PTI" (Dec. 14).

Last week I traveled to Baton Rouge. Had I flown from PTI, the ticket price would have topped $350. Instead, I drove to Raleigh (1 hour) and flew to New Orleans, rented a car and drove to Baton Rouge (1 hour from New Orleans). The plane ticket was less than $200 and the car rental was about $50 for two days. So, I saved about $100 at the cost of two hours of driving and a minor amount of fuel.

Not only that, but the airport experience in Raleigh is better than at PTI: better traffic patterns, better parking (thought $4 more per day), better food, and so on. Now I've flown from all three airports in this region. Raleigh is the hands-down winner.

The problem for travelers from PTI stems not only from airline mergers and other shenanigans, but from PTI's general operations.

Mark Gottsegen
Climax

I drive in Greensboro more than most and have noticed that you cannot make more than two green lights on any major street (except in the immediate downtown area) at any legal speed. Idling and acceleration must cost Greensboro drivers tens of thousands of gallons of gas and tons of pollutants per week. I'm no computer guru, but I'd bet I could take a 10-year-old Powerbook, $200 worth of surplus switches, $25 a month in telephone charges and a few day's diddling, and wire Lawndale-Aycock to where a car doing the posted speed could go from Route 150 to Florida Street without stopping and without tying up the side streets. Traffic control should get a clue and save the taxpayers some money.

Joseph P. Mitchell
Greensboro

Rosemary Roberts' column (Dec. 8) on coaches' salaries was on target. William Friday, former president of the University of North Carolina, and Dr. Thomas K. Hearn, former president of Wake Forest University, appear to be the only North Carolina educational leaders who are trying to make necessary reforms in the NCAA that will save intercollegiate athletics from the dangers of destruction by the current arms race.

North Carolina is burdened by low SAT scores and low high school graduation rates resulting from the alarming number of high school dropouts. North Carolina ranks below the national level in per capita income. However, our state legislators and university trustees have passed and supported laws that will allow out-of-state athletes to attend our state universities at in-state tuition. This will only financially aid the booster clubs of these state universities.

It is indeed a shame that the highest-paid employees of the state of North Carolina are one basketball coach and two football coaches, while our professors and instructors in our community college system are ranked as the lowest paid in the nation. I think that it is time for a strong review of these programs that are funded for entertainment and not educational purposes.

Shirley R. Webster
Madison

This message is not for people obsessed with revenge, terrorists or religious fanatics. Rather, it is intended for all who believe in intercessory prayer. To bless those who would destroy us is not easy. But an intervention is imperative because vengeance is futile. It only causes a vicious cycle.

Each new generation is the hope of the world. Now is the time to begin.

A few random minutes a day would not be adequate. This would entail a regular, concentrated effort by everyone involved.
It takes time, but unconditional love inevitably conquers hate. Incredible transformations have occurred through persistent prayers.
Jesus said, "Love your enemies. Bless those who persecute you."

Miriam Hill Caviness
Greensboro

It's done. It's over. We had a chance to show that we can learn from our mistakes in Vietnam, but we didn't. Bureaucrats have lost another war for America.

The blame starts with them, but it must end with us, the people. In a thousand different ways, we "supported the troops" but not their mission. We worried incessantly about getting out of Iraq while we are still in Germany, Japan, Italy and South Korea.

One incident is illustrative: Abu Ghraib. While the news media and the world were lying prostrate and inconsolable, we the people should have said, "Yes, those soldiers are misguided, lack character and are too distracted in the middle of a war zone. Dishonorably discharge them. Next story, please." But we wallowed, too.

I apologize to the families who lost a loved one in this conflict. We are no longer worthy of their sacrifice. I apologize to those who were wounded. God's plan for your life cannot be thwarted by bureaucrats or cowards.

Let's close off all immigration from Middle Eastern and Muslim countries and open the floodgates from everywhere else. Perhaps the next generation will have the stomach to fight back when it is attacked.

William Rorrer
Eden

Each time I read an editorial or column that consists of "made up" conversations and imaginary people, I feel ill. Lorraine Ahearn was the worst offender, but now this trend has slunk onto the editorial page ("One more dinner in Raleigh overloads Jim Black's friends," Dec. 14).

Please, have a backbone; take a stand. If you have nothing to say, leave the space blank. I would prefer to have the room to doodle or write a memo than read "news" that may have happened if …
Better yet, write fiction, get an agent and a contract. But for the love of every journalist who has put pen to paper and given thoughtful consideration to what he wishes to say, stop corresponding with your imaginary pen pals and reporting their conversations. It's cheap, lazy and insulting to people who still bother to read.

Sherry Murr
Greensboro

What a refreshing list of gifts for Greensboro (and all of Guilford County) on the front page of the Ideas section (Dec. 10). Professor David Noer not only listed most of the current issues disturbing Guilford County, but gave solutions to resolving them.

Now if only the so-called leaders in our local bodies of government could understand.

Charles Lane
McLeansville

The leaf truck came by our house this morning and vacuumed up the huge pile of leaves from our yard, and I am so grateful. Their work started me thinking of all the people who work in the many governmental departments of our city and the work they do to keep our city safe, clean, beautiful, fun, interesting, and wonderful. People who work in the county, state and U.S. offices and departments do also. The many people who work in community and private organizations also contribute to making Greensboro a great place to live. To all of you, I say thank you. I am glad to be living here.

Merry Christmas. May you be healthy in body, wealthy in spirit, and wise in mind as you continue your service to our city now and in 2007.

Blanche Stevens
Greensboro

Education is about lessons taught and lessons learned. On Nov. 1, the school that I graduated from and have been the principal of since 2004 was destroyed in a fire — teaching the students and staff of Eastern Guilford High School lifelong lessons.

As we reflect back on this painful experience, the most valuable lesson that we learned is to be thankful. Fortunately, no students or staff were injured in the blaze. We are thankful to the emergency personnel who responded quickly and risked their own lives to save Eastern.

We are also thankful for the numerous individuals and businesses that were moved to help. Words can't express the overwhelming amount of support and love that has been given to us. No act of kindness has been too small. This kindness and generosity has been instrumental in us moving forward. And, for that, we will be forever grateful.
We are also thankful for the instrumental support that has been given to us by Guilford County Schools. The entire district has played a significant role in helping us get through this experience.

Education is about lessons taught and lessons learned — Wildcat Pride is about being thankful.

Lisa Cooke
Gibsonville

The writer is principal of Eastern Guilford High School.

I was very impressed with your editorial ("Race and education," Dec. 10) about the Louisville and Seattle race-based school assignment plans appearing before the Supreme Court. You give current information and cogent arguments. I especially like your statement: "... exposure to other races, religions and ethnic groups is a form of education in itself and can help prevent the seeds of ignorance, fear and prejudice from taking root." No one can argue the benefits of meeting and working with other people prior to entering the "real world."

Your closing paragraph began with another obvious truth: "By 2006, the high court ought to recognize segregation for what it is: outmoded, unhealthy and unproductive." One could argue the benefits of neighborhood schools at the elementary and middle school level, but diversity is vital to a vibrant, relevant high school and college education.

Now that you have argued so well against segregation and the lack of diversity in school assignment plans, which, by default, extends to high schools and post-high school institutions, when will you push for diversity at A&T and Bennett? Don't all of our children deserve the benefits of a diverse student body? Shouldn't all of the Triad's college and university students benefit from the education that "exposure to other races, religions and ethnic groups" can give them?

Len Docimo
High Point

I feel a need to respond to Mona Charen's column, "Carter book maliciously bashes Israel" (Dec. 16).

This article is an attack on the character of former President Jimmy Carter, an esteemed elder statesman who embodies honesty, compassion and service — qualities that our nation still holds sacred. The occasion of this invective is Carter's latest book, "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid." This book proposes a commitment to moving the peace process forward in that strife-torn region.

Additionally, it laments the absence in our country of a robust and open debate on the relevant issues, both in Congress and in the news media. In Carter's view, however painful this debate might be, it is an important ingredient in the path toward peace.

Who better than Carter, broker of the Camp David accords, with wide experience in Middle East peace efforts, to write such a book? But Charen's criticisms are solely vindictive. In her view, Carter is a pompous bumpkin who never gets anything straight. According to her, he is naive, incompetent, dishonest, biased against Israel and an anti-Semite. None of these criticisms has merit.

Charen's character assassination of Carter is unprofessional and a needless affront to your readers. Why would you think it worthy of printing?

Tom G. Berry
Greensboro

In the article, "Family buries soldier killed in Iraq combat" (Dec. 17), there is a statement I found to be misleading: "He was posthumously promoted to the rank of sergeant."

Out of honor and respect to Nick and his family, I would like to make it clear that the army signed off on his promotion on Dec. 4, 2006. Nick earned his promotion before his death.

Allen Thorson
High Point

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Virginia Gunn Fick

Zack, an eighth-grader, was assigned a book report in which he could either write a poem to introduce the book, create a poster to advertise the book to the class, describe an interesting character, construct a bulletin board display to showcase the book or write a letter to a friend telling why he thought the friend would like the book. The options clearly were designed to appeal to a range of thinking modes, both verbal and visual, and, of course, to prove some grasp of the book's contents.

"A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole, a book written well above an eighth-grade reading level, was Zack's choice. Further, he elected to merge several of the book report options into a new one of his own. He wrote a letter to the main character of the book, responding as if the entire book had been the protagonist's letter to Zack. His report showed a grasp of the character and also his own perspective on the character. Yet, because Zack took a slightly different approach to the assignment, his report received a zero. The message in that grade? There are no rewards for creativity.

While creativity demands deviation, experiment and risk-taking, many of today's schoolchildren are carefully trained in obedience, promptness and rule-following. They learn to proceed along set patterns toward predetermined goals.

What happened to Zack indicates American education may be omitting an important element in the instruction of our young — the encouragement of creative thinking.

So, is creative thinking so important in a hi-tech, information society?

The answer is yes. Social scientists say that people who are flexible and innovative, not people trained merely to store information and perform skills, are especially needed in a society experiencing accelerated change.

Dr. Richard Paul, director of the Center for Critical Thinking and Moral Critique at Sonoma State University, says, "We fill students full of data, but the essence of education is to use information to address new situations and questions. We're neglecting that."
If our education system can act upon what is now known about learning, students like Zack may begin to get the right message about the value of creative thinking.

The writer lives in High Point.

For the 16th consecutive year, Target stores have partnered with local United Ways to coordinate the distribution of decorated holiday trees. In 2006, more than 4,500 decorated holiday display trees valued at nearly $2 million will be donated to local nonprofit agencies and needy families through local United Ways. Our local Target at 1050 Mall Loop Road donated three beautifully decorated trees to families in three United Way partner agencies — Family Service of the Piedmont, the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club, and the YWCA.

The United Way is most appreciative for this continued gesture of kindness. Three families will know the joy of having a Christmas tree thanks to the generosity of our local Target.

Jane S. Liebscher
High Point

The writer is community impact associate, United Way of Greater High Point.

I was delighted to read about Heifer International in the News & Record. After graduating from college in the 1960s, I entered the Peace Corps and was assigned to Ecuador. During the last phase of my training, I was told I would be a "Heifer volunteer." I was taken aback since I had never heard of Heifer International and wasn't very good with cows. The assignment turned out to be a wonderful experience and made me a true believer in the good works of Heifer.
In Ecuador, I worked with other volunteers in a Heifer-sponsored sheep-management project. This allowed indigenous sheepherders to acquire a purebred ram to improve their herd. They were required to "pass on the gift" by sharing offspring with neighbors. Through the years, this has resulted in greater wool production throughout the Andean areas of Ecuador.

For several years now, my husband and I have "bought" an animal to honor our family at Christmas. Although the gift is symbolic and represents a contribution to the Heifer general fund and will be used wherever needed, we like to believe that the llama, sheep or goat goes to Ecuador.

Barbara Whitfill
Greensboro

Greensboro lost one of its most compassionate and loyal citizens when Stanley Shavitz passed away Dec. 14 from cancer.

I was privileged to serve on the board of trustees of the Greensboro Children's Museum with Stanley for many years. He was always the first to volunteer his time, offer a donation and provide advice. He felt it was not enough to make a monetary contribution, but that it was equally important to give of your time and talents. His excitement and spirit were contagious.

At 78, Stanley was an active board member, attending every meeting. After his board retirement, when extensive radiation treatments had robbed his body of energy and strength, Stanley attended a recent reception at the museum. When a new scholarship fund was announced, Stanley's check was the first one I received.

What a unique experience it was to work with a man who spent his life finding ways to make a difference. Stanley's primary wish was that people less fortunate would benefit from his work after he was gone. I am proud that his exceptional legacy will long be felt at the Greensboro Children's Museum. I will truly miss him.

Melanie R. Soles
Greensboro

The writer is chairwoman, board of trustees, Greensboro Children's Museum.

This is in response to the letter (Dec. 19) about the feral cat program. I have spent hundreds of hours doing trap/neuter/release. These cats don't deserve to be euthanized because of the irresponsibility of the human race.

As far as the cats eating trash, we all feed these animals daily. Animal control is understaffed and doesn't have the time to focus on just the feral colonies. So what should we do, leave them out there and let them keep reproducing? Two cats in nine years can create 11 million feral cats. How would the writer like those on her bird feeders?

T/N/R greatly reduces the over-population of these animals and is a humane way to handle this.

Erica Cutright
High Point

Does Greensboro have any traffic control police? I've just wasted most of my Sunday afternoon due to the absurd traffic handling, around the Market Street/Guilford College Road intersection.
I know that having an armed man holed up in a business location could be dangerous, but if police are going to block off a major intersection, it stands to reason that some strategically placed traffic directors might be in order.

I first approached on Market from the west. Did the police block Market at a convenient place near an intersection? No, it was blocked mid-block where all traffic had to make a U-turn and seek an alternate route. Much later, I approached on Guilford College Road from the south. Same situation: make a U-turn, then attempt to cut through a residential neighborhood. Not a cop in sight. Terrible backups everywhere.

Surely Greensboro can afford to hire someone who knows how to handle a traffic situation. This was absolutely the worst job (or no job) of handling excessive volume I can recall. It went on for hours on a day when traffic was probably as heavy as it gets. Apologies are owed to everyone unfortunate enough to attempt to negotiate that area, and a bigger apology to all the residents neighborhood residents who had to bear that congestion.

Bob Yarbrough
Oak Ridge

I don't see why Democrats should have to choose between U.S. Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Why not have both on the ticket? I believe this "odd couple" would create an excellent balance for support of more than half the voters in 2008. And in 2012 or 2016, Obama would be prominently qualified for the No. 1 slot.

Bill Burnett
Greensboro

On Dec. 16, as Christmas shoppers rushed through stores and malls, the family and friends of Sgt. Nicholas Gibbs, U.S. Army, gathered at Oak Ridge United Methodist Church to celebrate his life.
Nick's commanding officer spoke of Nick's honorable and faithful service to our country. The Army chaplain spoke of the commitment and desire of our military men and women to defeat evil in the world, and their love of freedom.

We all love our freedom. There is a bumper sticker I saw recently that put it quite simply: Freedom is NOT Free. Every minute of every day, there are countless thousands of our military personnel working, serving our country around the world to protect our freedoms.

And so, few of them will be with their families this Christmas. It is my hope that this Christmas, as you start your family gathering and celebration, that you pause for just a moment to remember those away from home, as well as those families who will have an empty chair at their table, whose sons have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. The cold ache they must feel in their hearts breaks mine.

Todd C. Harmon
Stokesdale

Once again, I read a story of domestic violence in our newspaper (Dec. 19). Rebecca Ann Wilson is the most recent victim. According to documents, her husband "beat her and put her in the hospital." She arranged for a protective order and he violated it four times in just a few weeks. And yet, when asked about him, neighbors described her husband as "a good guy" and "great with kids."

A man who allegedly beats his wife, stalks her and kills her is not a good guy. I'm sure he was distraught after not seeing his children for 40 days. However, it is no excuse for allegedly killing his wife and basically orphaning his children. And worst of all, we aren't outraged by it because such incidents have become all too common. Violence of all kinds, and especially violence against women, must end.

Liz Summers
Greensboro

I have just completed my study of Mike Clark's Sunday column regarding proper usage of the English language. Please relay my thanks to him for learning me more better.

Guy Sinclair
Graham

This is in response to the letter by Taffy London about feral cats (Dec. 19).

I would love to write about the Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Rescue Program; however, the newspaper would not have enough room to print it. "Millions and millions of songbirds are killed by feral cats"? Where do you get your statistics? I believe more are killed by environmental issues than by cats!

My suggestion to Ms. London is to check out a Web site and read about the feral cats: www.alleycat.org. Please read about them before you make such a harsh judgment.

Many volunteers work countless hours to rescue these cats and find suitable communities for them, such as being a barn cat. They have their purpose which I hope you and others read about. Please consider making a donation to help this program in your community.

Pat Woods
Elon

On December 6, I had a very hard fall on my face while on a shopping trip to Friendly Center.

I want to thank the wonderful people who picked me up, stayed with me and took care of me while getting me the proper help.

I thank God for such caring people. My family also appreciates their care.

Pauline F. Scott
Greensboro

I had a conversation recently where the idea of a "just war" came up in the general sense.

In a society where militarization and expansive, extractive economic values and protocols are so thoroughly charged in their doubtless purpose, there's an argument to be made that valorizing, rationalizing, mobilizing and institutionalizing the concept of a "just war" becomes nothing but opportunistic.

As I see it, this kind of doubtlessness offers nothing for the future and understands nothing of value from the past; it is a history-less present with no exit strategy; there is no becoming and being ceases to be.

There is no military solution to Iraq, so please disentangle the trajectory of doubtless, dry-drunk power posturing from a legitimate debate about the resourcing and use of military force. More troops will only create more problems.

Brian Boylston
Greensboro

Memo to Hillary: You can win.

A simple formula for success — announce your choice for Secretary of State: Bill Clinton. The former team of Bill and Hillary would now be Hillary and Bill.

America needs Bill Clinton. He would be the best secretary in modern times. Our standing in the world community is at an all-time low. He is the one man who has the respect and ear of the world's leaders. His grasp of global problems is unparalleled. He would be a winner for this country.

Hillary, for you to make this choice would show great leadership. And Bill would be out of the house for extended periods of time.

Max Roseman
High Point

In response to Bob Goodman’s letter on Dec. 20 titled, "War in Iraq to essential to war on terrorism":

Dear Bob:
The reason you are reading so many letters chastising our president and the failed, misdirected war in Iraq is because people like yourself continue to confuse the attacks on 9/11 with Iraq. The two had nothing to do with one another.

And now that the president has finally acknowledged that Saddam Hussein had nothing to do with 9/11, you should, too.

Andrew Murphy
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Obrie Smith

Since it was reported in your newspaper last week ("A&T leader faces embezzlement charges," Dec. 19) that an N.C. A&T administrator maintained a "personal" account in the foundation, we have received myriad inquiries questioning the basis of such an account. The fact of the matter is that the N.C. A&T University Foundation Inc., a private, non-profit entity, does not open, or maintain any "personal" accounts or "slush" funds for "anyone."

Accounts are established in the foundation by university administrators and faculty for departmental purposes. Funds placed with the foundation are either restricted for a specific purpose, e.g., scholarships, endowments, equipment purchases and the like, or for purposes that are undesignated and/or unrestricted.

The foundation's single purpose is to provide financial support to the university and its departments through the management of private gifts and resources. As mandated by our bylaws, the foundation is not for the benefit of any person, and as such, a "personal" account that is attached only to an individual, and for his or her single purpose, would never be a consideration.

Finally, the A&T University Foundation Inc., through its board of directors and staff, enjoys the benefit of trust from its donors and university clients, and would in no measure compromise that trust by doing anything that would tarnish its impeccable image with those for whom the foundation was established.

The writer is president, the N.C. A&T University Foundation Inc.

Editor's note: The arrest warrant said that the account in question was used for "personal" purposes.

Health care has become a real waiting game. Every doctor I visited recently made me sit in the waiting room for 30 to 90 minutes because they were running late. Many offices threaten, "Patient may need to reschedule if 15 minutes late" or "Patients will be charged for no-shows or for canceling without giving a 24-hour notice."
What if the doctor is more than 15 minutes late or cancels appointments unexpectedly?

I say, what's good for the goose is good for the gander. First, I propose a solution similar to that which has been imposed on patients: Patients should be able to charge for their lost time by billing their health care professionals for tardiness or unexpected cancellations. Second, in one office, I was struck by the number of pharmaceutical representatives who were allowed back to see the physicians and get immediate attention while patients waited unnecessarily.

I strongly encourage health care providers to take a stand and tell pharmaceutical reps to leave their samples and literature at the door because they're taking care of those who matter most.

Tom Murray
Greensboro

Regarding the Dec. 19 letter from Taffy London: I hardly think irresponsible pet owners will abandon their unwanted cats just because Feral Cat Assistance Program (FCAP) advocates the trap, neuter and return (TNR) approach. Irresponsible pet owners are just that, irresponsible, and they have been abandoning their pets to the streets of Greensboro since long before FCAP came into existence.

FCAP does not search out feral cats to neuter and return to the streets. FCAP works with individuals and groups who care for colonies of feral cats by providing a monthly clinic where the animals are vaccinated and sterilized. Many of the people helped by FCAP care deeply about these cats that Ms. London claims serve no purpose.

Studies show that eradication does not work. Irresponsible pet owners who will not get their animals sterilized provide a continuing supply of feral cats. A TNR program that returns feral cats into managed colonies provides a humane and effective way to control their population.

Ms. London made a number of unsubstantiated claims in her letter. There are many excellent sources for accurate information on the Web, including www.theanimalspirit.com and www.alleycat.org.

Katherine Burckley
Greensboro

I am disappointed to read the letters of support for David Noer's "Gifts for Greensboro" (Dec. 10). It seems apropos that a professor at Elon University, a school that paints its lawn, would be so concerned with Greensboro's "image" and "branding.It's not Greensboro's image we should be concerned about, wrapped up in schlocky Christmas decor, but instead the true substance of this city and the spirit of Christmas that seeks more than superficial images.

Noer hijacked the image of Christmas to make jabs at our community, especially around the issue of race. He criticized members of the City Council and the intolerable racism coalition for tainting Greensboro and not "moving on" beyond injustices of the past.

I too am a white man associated with a local private college. However I try to listen to the people of this city crying out against systematic injustices. I hear people who do not have the time to worry about Greensboro's image as they still struggle to put gifts under their Christmas tree.

In the words of Ras Jahaziel, "All history is current events." We are called this season to look beneath the wrapping paper for the true spirit of righteousness and brotherhood Christ challenged us to find within ourselves.

Evan Welkin
Greensboro

There isn't enough traffic on two-lane U.S. 220 coming into Greensboro from the north.

First, a school was built on one side of the highway. Now a large shopping center is under construction on the other side.

Have you tried to come into Greensboro via 220 lately? The person or persons who thought up this nightmare must have a brain the size of a gnat. Cars and trucks are backed up to Summerfield.

Four lanes in the near future? Dream on.

Mary S. Ward
Madison

At first I wondered how anyone could think that America was not established by Christians and based on Christian principles. My dismay is the result of known facts: The first settlers were 100 percent Christian, pilgrims and Puritans; our first president was not a deist, but a Christian who incorporated prayer to the triune God throughout his life; Thomas Jefferson had Congress fund spending for the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Indians.

A cursory investigation of true American history, not a recent revisionist version, reveals that our heritage is totally Christian. This is easily evidenced by the 1892 U.S. Supreme Court ruling stating "our laws and our institutions must necessarily be based upon and embody the teachings of the Redeemer of mankind. It is impossible that it should be otherwise; and in this sense and to this extent our civilization and institutions are emphatically Christian."

However, I do understand why some cannot conceive of our country as having a Christian foundation when they look at us now. How could such a Christian-based country legalize abortion, promote homosexuality as normal, remove God from public education, etc.?

How indeed?

Gary Marschall
Greensboro

I just returned to my house to be greeted by a most unwelcome drop-in: the Talking Phone Book, completely unsolicited, unwanted, unneeded and worst of all, so totally wasteful. Following the suggestion of the walking-finger icon in its upper left corner, I grabbed both and let my fingers do the walking, taking both straight to the brown recycle receptacle, wondering and worrying all the way over how wasteful this effort had been.

So now it's time for an inventory of how I handle all resources and what underlying values direct my fingers as they do the walking with innumerable things every day — frugality or wastefulness, savings or consumption? The one reality is that there will be little corporate leadership in this endeavor; the political leadership is only slightly less anemic. The answer is somewhere in the muddle of those innumerable day-to-day decisions that we all as consumers must make. Rejecting the passive acceptance of wasteful consumption is a first step in rediscovering that core value of frugality. The next time that the grocery store clerk asks "paper or plastic," I need to say "I've got my own tote bags, thank you!"

Doug Berry
Greensboro

Regarding the Dec. 20 letter, "War in Iraq essential to war on terror," by Bob Goodman:

Yes, Mr. Goodman, I too have noticed the daily barrage of negative letters to the editor lambasting our president and the failure in Iraq as well as the incessant bloviating about everything wrong with our leadership and country. It's disgusting, and is making our country weaker by the day.

These individuals, intent on undermining the war on terrorism, are all part of the secular-progressive movement, which could prove to be more dangerous than most terrorist movements in any given place in the world.

I'm with Mr. Goodman. I recommend everyone keep Sept. 11 a vivid memory, and resolve to prevent any future attacks on our soil. And the only way to do that is to keep the fight on foreign soil. We remain, and always have been, the leading nation on the face of the earth, in all respects.

Let's prove to Osama bin Laden that we are not " pampered and effeminate Americans."

Richard Sanders
High Point

Thanks for the article about the children during World War II doing their part in the war.

I was reared at Mooseheart in Illinois, and we all saved our cans and even had a Victory Garden that we each tended. We also had a cannery where the vegetables were canned. There were 850 children plus adults there in 1942, so we were all taught to do our part.

Too bad that people these days do not recycle more. This would be a better place to live and a lot cleaner with less waste to clutter up our waste places.

Thanks for being a good newspaper and sharing with us.

Iris Newby
Eden

Recent articles are of interest to me because my wife and I looked at Bellemeade Village in our search for a more urban lifestyle. We looked in Charlotte and Asheville before choosing a townhome in Greensboro.

Our goal was to have city living with stores, restaurants, etc. within walking distance to our new home. All of the most recent downtown Greensboro developments did not fit this requirement. They may advertise their location as being downtown, but the fact is there is nothing within walking distance to any of them. This is one reason we decided not to live in town.

What is the point if you have to get in your car and drive to everything? Secondly, the money per square foot for these developments is not a good value considering the lack of amenities. Greensboro has made enormous progress downtown but to compare it to Charlotte is ridiculous.

Clifford Ginn
Greensboro

I am writing to thank the many people in this community who helped collect 504,589 food items for the Triad Holiday Challenge — a food drive to benefit local Salvation Army food pantries.

The Triad Holiday Challenge began with 26 area business conducting a friendly competition to see which company could donate the most food items. Thanks to the dedication of their employees, 289,000 food items were collected, more than double last year's total. I'm especially proud of the 150,000 cans Sealy employees at our Trinity headquarters collected.

The Challenge culminated with the Sealy/Fox 8 Holiday Concerts in Greensboro and Winston-Salem, offering a free night of family entertainment in exchange for non-perishable foods. Together, the concerts attracted more than 16,000 attendees who donated a record 214,000 items.

I want to thank Fox 8, participating companies and the individuals who contributed to stocking Salvation Army's food pantries to help feed the hungry in our area.

Jeff Claypool
Greensboro

The writer is Senior Vice President Human Resources Sealy Inc.

With the recent gun violence at Four Seasons Town Centre, has it occurred to people yet that law-abiding citizens with concealed-carry permits are not the ones to fear? The sign on the door to the mall prohibits the carrying of weapons in the mall, but that didn't stop the recent individual from shooting another.

The fact that he was a felon breaking the law by possessing a firearm didn't stop him either. Those signs on the door only increase the responsibility for the mall to protect me and my family while I'm on their property.

Jeff Rorer
Winterville

If you wish me a Merry Christmas, I certainly won't be offended though I am Jewish; you mean to be kind and I thank you.
However, what "Happy Holidays" is really about is an enormous, overwhelming American Christian majority being kind enough to make room for those of us who are not Christian.

Some say that "Happy Holidays" is an attack on Christmas and Christianity. By whom? Attacking Christianity in America would be more difficult than attacking Judaism within Israel; after all, Christians make up a larger proportion of America's population than Jews do of Israel's.

Even if such an attack were feasible, even if the gnat could attack the elephant, who in America wants to? Jews aren't evangelical; neither, to my knowledge, are atheists, and I have my doubts about the existence of the Great American Muslim-Wiccan Anti-Christian Conspiracy.

So we Jews watch with our usual bemused sadness as a kindness offered to us by major retailers is eliminated by their giving in to paranoids who seem to be afraid of our inclusion. We've been in America since before it was founded, we have never threatened Christianity at all, and yet once again we find ourselves marginalized.

We belong here. It would be nice if all our fellow citizens agreed.

Steven Taub
Greensboro

My husband and sons sell firewood at the end of our driveway. It's a good way to teach our boys about hard work, money, trust and honesty. We sell our wood on the honor system, asking customers to leave their payment in a money box. It's a good feeling when we come home, see a stack of wood gone and money left in the box. But how disappointing when the wood is gone and the money box is empty.

On Christmas Eve we came home from church and saw two stacks of wood gone. The boys were saddened when they found the money box empty. My husband and I shook our heads and commented that maybe the people were cold, needed the wood for heat, and didn't have any money. We were surprised and our spirits lifted when we got to our front door and someone left an envelope there with a thank you, wishes for a Merry Christmas and ten dollars!

The true spirit of Christmas is still alive and we are grateful for those who have renewed our hope in mankind. Merry Christmas to you, too, and blessings in the New Year.

Marybeth Gentry
Greensboro

Goodwill to man seems to be in short supply these days but a stranger showed goodwill to my children. Every day, our school carpool heads down Battleground Avenue. We turn onto Drawbridge Parkway headed to Caldwell Academy. Since August there has always been a gentleman taking a morning walk who waves at us. His wave looks like sign language and it has delighted every one of us to look for him each day.

As December approached, the carpool decided they wanted to give our waving friend a gift and invite him to the school Christmas program.
Sitting in a packed gymnasium Monday night we turned around to see him. The kids faces lit up. Our waving friends name is Marvin; he's retired but for the last 16 years he has walked and waved to everyone who passes his way. That sign language thing he does signifies peace, love and joy.

Marvin has blessed our carpool. You see, "goodwill toward men" starts with just one.

Amy Chamblee
Greensboro

Your article (Dec. 26) starts with the foreboding words "He's 16. He's got a gun." The headline reads, "Guns Easy to Obtain for Teens." However, "he" doesn't exist except in the mind of the reporter. Not a single person interviewed said, "Yeah, I'm a teen and I got a gun over the Internet."

Even the statistics in the article disagree with the headline. According to the reporter's sources, teen gun crimes are down; drunk driving kills more teens than guns ever have.

Let's be honest: It's easier to get a six pack than a six-shooter.

Where's the backbone of the N&R to point out and attack this bigger problem? For years you have shown your absolute disdain for the Second Amendment and legal gun ownership. You ignore the fact that there are laws making it illegal for teens to have guns and alcohol. Prosecution for teen gun possession is sure and swift. You could have run the same story with the title "Teen gun crimes decline" or "88 percent reduction in gun crimes in Guilford County schools."

Those statistics were in the article, but you chose to ignore them.

Mike Stone
Oak Ridge

This letter responds to the letter entitled "Quaintance includes all with diverse wait staff" by Philip Lindsay (Dec. 20), who wrote that as "a man of color" he was pleased that Lucky 32, a restaurant, had a "diverse" staff; That factor, together with good food and service, made it his favorite restaurant.

First of all, I am also a person of color; mine happens to be white. If Mr. Lindsay is black, why not say so instead of the politically correct, vague term "person of color"? That term tells me nothing: what is Mr. Lindsay's color? What does color matter in today's world? Certainly, it was a problem years ago, but tremendous progress has been made in racial relations.

Second, can we get beyond the racial composition of a business and focus on competence and quality? While good food and service were factors in Mr. Lindsay's choice of restaurant, clearly the primary attraction for him was the staff's racial composition.

We will progress as humans when decisions are no longer made on "bean counting," i.e., how many black or white employees a business has. We need to look beyond the racial composition.

Charles A. Jones
Norfolk, Va.

The writer is a native of Greensboro.

Are J.C. Penney's, Belk and Gap Kids selling Kevlar vests now? Because that's what it will take for me to shop Four Seasons Town Centre again. Being injured or killed is not my idea of a shopping adventure.

This is not just a mall problem, it's a Greensboro problem. Or do we dare look at this as an even larger issue? When the United States has more than 30,000 deaths in a year (2003) from guns, is that enough to decide that it is time to act?

Maybe we haven't outgrown our need to get the other guy before he gets us? Maybe we just can't accept responsibility? Or maybe we have to have a loved one killed before we decide that it is enough.

Do Japan, Great Britain or Canada have this issue? We might be astonished at how little of a problem it is for them compared to the U.S. It's a huge problem for us and it is long past time to respond.

Jerry Simpson
Greensboro

The genocide in Darfur is not only an African problem but an international problem that requires an international response. The U.S. has a moral and legal obligation to push for the implementation of United Nations resolution 1706 authorizing a U.N. peacekeeping force to go into Darfur and help the African Union protect civilians.

There are currently about 4 million people relying on aid for food, shelter, and health care, and with the escalating violence many humanitarian workers have been forced to return home, leaving the refugees without help. The U.S. declared what was happening as genocide on Sept. 9, 2004, but has so far refused to apply the pressure on the Sudanese government to force the deployment of the peacekeeping mission. The Africa Action Web site, www.africaaction.org, offers several options for taking action to make your opinions known to the president and others on this human disaster.

Please take time during the busy holiday time to think of those suffering unbearable atrocities in Darfur.

Sue Jezorek
Greensboro

The on-going tiff between Donald Trump and Rosie O'Donnell is further evidence the quality of discourse in this nation is going down the toilet, and the media is partly responsible by providing a forum for it.

Because O'Donnell made some allegedly defamatory comments about Trump, Trump said he would sue O'Donnell and "pull some money out of her big fat (expletive)." Why would the media unconditionally choose to give such a vile comment the dignity of national exposure? At the very least Trump should have been required to assure the money would be laundered before invoking this truly repulsive metaphoric visual image.

Paul M. Muchinsky
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Ruth Mary Weston

As usual, Thomas Sowell asserts authoritative-sounding conclusions after a shallow analysis that simply ignores any facts he finds inconvenient. ("How much is something or someone really worth?" Dec. 28)

Yes, a free market will dictate its own "fair price" for goods and services. Sowell falsely assumes we have one, then denigrates our basic American ideal of equal opportunity in the marketplace.

The recent congressional election shows that most Americans understand what Sowell refuses to acknowledge: Money buys power, and power makes money. We voted to stop our slide toward corrupt Third World economic circumstances, where business and government are walled off completely from moral and ethical considerations. Sowell may condemn it as moral exhibitionism and a whiney desire to redistribute "other peoples' money," but the real question is whether it became their money equitably.

Jesus said, "Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven." (Colossians 4:1) Should business do any less toward employees?

That's why I'm not buying what Sowell's selling: "Don't take it personally, it's just business." He says we're ignorant or confused "if we don't understand why some people are paid so much or so little" and want "to give the government the power to 'do something' about it.'"

Those with the money to do so already buy access to government. Then they use that access to outlaw both free-market forces that benefit others and regulations that rein in ruthlessness.

I'm reading Eric Schlosser's "Fast Food Nation," which documents the economic havoc wrought by the machinations of powerful business interests on our government.

Executives crow over brutal union-busting tactics, ghost-write self-serving legislation for their lackeys to pass, bus Mexican nationals to Greeley, Colo., and dump them at the homeless shelter for housing, keep false worker-injury logs for OSHA review, and brag about near-100 percent annual worker turnover where medical benefits start after one year's employment.

I believe it is fair to say that any profits resulting from such behavior are stolen. To say it's none of our business how pay is determined in America is sometimes to sanction thievery.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

I was saddened by the damage done to Christmas decorations in Jefferson Gardens this past week.

I was horrified to learn that Baby Jesus was stolen from a manger scene my husband and I purchased almost 48 years ago. His cradle was destroyed and electrical cords used to light up the scene were wrapped around Joseph's neck. It was of no value to anyone but had many precious memories to me especially since I had just lost my husband. Several deer and spiral trees were also broken. I had not planned to decorate anything this year but my husband insisted we continue with our usual plans because we both love seeing the joy on children's faces when they visited or rode by.

I pray the person or persons responsible for the damage in our neighborhood will get some help because they are truly troubled.

Betty McMillan
Greensboro

Granted, the traffic flow during the holiday season is much greater than at any other time of the year but our traffic engineers are doing a horrible job in this regard. During the past week the traffic backed up on West Wendover Avenue going east is atrocious. There are four lanes of traffic virtually at a standstill from Costco going back to beyond the animal shelter west of Bridford Parkway.

It moves at a snail's pace. This is a disgrace. I lived in New York City for over 30 years and the number of cars in Greensboro is infinitesimal compared to NYC but at least in NYC the travel moves. The residents of NYC would never put up with the disgraceful way traffic flows in Greensboro.

It seems as though there is no timing of the traffic lights to allow traffic to move at a leisurely pace.

Bob Slone
Jamestown

On December 14, I had the privilege of participating in the Patriot Guard's aspect of the motorcade bringing Sgt. Nicholas Gibbs' remains home to Guilford County from the airport in Raleigh. It was indeed an emotional event, and especially so when we entered into Guilford County.

There we were met with the flashing blue lights of Guilford County's finest. They did a first class job blocking intersections and brought the motorcade safely through Greensboro’s numerous intersections without incident or any interruption in speed. Sheriff Barnes, I would like to say "thank-you" to you and your deputies for an impressive job well done.

Robert Flowers
Summerfield

I am a hard working middle class man who was in the Army many years ago. I was proud when my son followed in my footsteps and joined to serve his country. My son, who is my only son, has served for two-and-a-half years on two tours in Iraq and just returned from a rotation in Afghanistan for four months. He has just learned that his unit at Fort Stewart is to be deployed in September, preventing him from proceeding with his discharge in August.

My son has been on the front lines in Iraq, won commendations and awards and did so bravely and without question. However, as a father and former Army man, I question the judgment of the Army and my president.

As a citizen, veteran and father, I ask that President Bush allow these men who have unselfishly served their country to leave when they are entitled to and not keep deploying the same men over and over again. To allow some to never see war and force others to repeatedly serve is not only unfair, it is a disgrace, dishonor and a disservice to these young men.

I beg President Bush, as a father, to allow my son and all the others like him to come home when their enlistment is up instead of making them become one of the statistics by sending them over repeatedly until the odds catch up with them.

Kenneth R. Freeman
High Point

In response to your editorial on Nov. 10 regarding excessive political campaign spending, I offer the following.

For the past few years, I've returned these requests in the "postage paid" envelopes stating:

1) I am tired and weary of the months long barrage of your ads on TV, many of which are irritatingly abrasive to my brain.

2) When you pass legislation limiting campaign ads to a maximum of 30 days prior to the election, only then will I contribute to your campaign. For now, I refuse to add to the problem.

Providing more campaign money is not the answer.

Thomas Morris
Whitsett