News-Record.com

I want to thank our employees, medical staff, volunteers and the public for their help in dealing with the norovirus outbreak in our community.

A few weeks ago, our alert infectious disease staff noticed a small number of patients on a single unit with stomach flu. A test confirmed that it was the highly contagious norovirus. Growing numbers of people with the same symptoms sought treatment at our emergency departments. Because norovirus is so highly contagious, we took additional measures to keep the virus from being transmitted within our hospitals. We notified the Public Health Department and other area hospitals. We also informed the media and the public -- asking visitors to avoid coming to our hospitals if they had been sick recently and to wash their hands when entering or leaving our facilities.

While norovirus itself is not deadly, people fighting illness or recovering from surgery didn't need three days of stomach flu. The informed public, our employees, volunteers and medical staff successfully cooperated to protect these patients.

The number of new cases is now a trickle. We hope the outbreak has burned itself out. Health care is a community responsibility, and we appreciate the help of all involved.

Tim Rice
Greensboro

The writer is president and CEO, Moses Cone Health System.

It appears the political rats are already scrambling to cover their tracks in the wake of Jim Black's scandal.

Take the N.C. Ports Authority and its funky ferry ride. Hell-bent to make sow's ears out of silk, this shadowy bureaucracy reversed its recent glowing financial report, acknowledging substantial losses and announcing salary cuts for N.C. Ports System executives.

The murky alliance between N.C. Ports Authority, the Department of Coastal Management, the Coastal Resources Commission, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Council of State and the dredging and mining industry is a bit disconcerting. That industry was prosecuted under RICO statutes as late as 1989. More recently, it had legislation enacted to protect dredging and mining from foreign competition. It was responsible for moving Cape Lookout when less expensive alternatives were on the table. In the past five years, dredging and mining contracts to maintain and deepen Morehead and Wilmington harbors have run into hundreds of millions of dollars.

The irrational exuberance of the Ports Authority may be blamed in its wont to overindulge from time to time. Nonetheless, when you think how far North Carolina chiropractors got on $29,000, it makes you wonder how far you could get with some real money.

Joe Exum
Snow Hill

It seems as if T. Dianne Bellamy-Small does not want to acknowledge her threat to Officer Calvert. She implies her "private life is not up for scrutiny," but she tells Officer Calvert her position while asking for his card. Does this not open up her private life? Who else would have gotten away with only a warning?

I hope Chief Bellamy will support his officer, and the city should censure Bellamy-Small.

Is there any relationship between the Bellamys? I am sure Officer Calvert and the other officers wondered about this.

Wasn't Bellamy-Small the one who refused the lie-detector test? It's obvious she thinks she is above the law because of her political position.

Herman Hunter
High Point

Our country is in a mess.

Also, we don't need to send more troops to Iraq. Enough have been killed already.

There are other issues that need attention, too numerous to mention here.

It wouldn't hurt to pray.

Think on these things.

N.R. Smith
Greensboro

I have to take issue with the Dixie Chicks and the letter appearing in the News & Record (Feb. 21). They admitted they were wrong to say what they did, only to later recant and make even more inflammatory statements. I agree that they are free to speak their minds, and that is welcomed in the United States. Therefore, why is it wrong for people who did not agree with them to exercise their free speech by throwing away their records and boycotting their concerts?

I have never been a Dixie Chicks fan or a fan of country music for that matter. However, if I were, I would have been offended by the Dixie Chicks as they bashed their once-fervent fans for not siding with them over their statements.

Since the Dixie Chicks play country music, how could they upset the conservative-leaning country music crowd and not expect any consequences? If the Dixie Chicks have freedom of speech, then shouldn't the rest of us have the same?

Jason Branch
Colfax

I know that a lot of people thought the British would be on our side through thick and thin. We have to expect them to cut and run since half of our Congress we have elected has turned and run, including the Republicans we used to trust.

I hate to think what would have happened if we had cut and run in 1941 when the Brits had their very existence threatened. We could have said, "It ain't our war," and bowed out to political pressure. We don't have a senator or congressman left who could fill the tracks of that generation.

Political correctness will destroy us. A word to the sorry bunch that will not back our troops: None of you is worth the trust we put in you.

Our soldiers have not lost a war. You lost every war we have ever lost with the help of the liberal press.

Ken Sawyer
High Point

In the Feb. 25 letters to the editor, Frank Delfino complained about being stopped for speeding 15 mph over the speed limit.

I do agree with Delfino about his comments concerning Councilwoman T. Dianne Bellamy-Small, our local version of Ex-Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, who, among her other antics, punched out a Capitol policeman.

However, as a senior citizen like myself, Delfino should by now realize that speeding 10 mph or more over the speed limit is an invitation to be picked up by the police.

Although Delfino claims to have been ripped off and cited without any consideration, in reality, he should have thanked the officer for showing compassion.

By ticketing Delfino at 9 miles over the speed limit, Delfino just had to pay the fine of $125.

Had the officer cited him for going 15 mph over the speed limit as charged, not only would he have had to pay the $125 fine, but he would have had points charged to his driving record and would have his auto insurance rates substantially increased for the next three years.

Arthur Klages
Greensboro

Just when it looked as if Anna Nicole had run away with it, Britney stepped up to the plate and hit one out of the park.

First the head shave and the tattoo, then the double entry into rehab. What a pro.

Seriously, I want to thank the News & Record for the extremely limited coverage given to these very sad young women. I congratulate you on your restraint.

Earle Bower
Greensboro

Thank goodness for our elected officials, tirelessly working to save our reputation and us from our weaknesses. The latest are two bills in the N.C. legislature to prevent a Greensboro company from selling a device that allows one to inhale alcohol vapor.

Sen. Kay Hagan, who is "inclined to support" the bills, says this is not "the kind of business for which Greensboro ought to be known."

First of all, few people ordering the device that vaporizes the alcohol will even bother to think about where the seller is located, or won't care. The company does not sell its products in North Carolina because of an existing law that regulates glue sniffing.

More importantly, why should the state regulate how one chooses to enjoy alcohol? The emphasis should be on enforcement of DWI laws, not on how someone imbibes the alcohol.

Finally, in Greensboro we have several cheesy adult businesses that operate freely, some advertising their product with billboards on our highways, etc. This is OK, I guess, but save our reputation by banning a company that does not even sell to North Carolina residents. I don't get it.

Keith Hoile
Greensboro

Much has been written about building a new $100 million jail to house 1,000 prisoners. There's a much easier, cheaper and sensible way to resolve the problem.

Bring modernization and efficiency to the system so that it would never hold more than a few hundred prisoners at a time.

Operate the court system like a modern efficient business, not the present good old boy and buddy system.

Require lawyers, judges and court personnel to be on the job six hours a day, five days a week and use their time to clear out the jails, and allow no extensions for any reason other than absolute necessities.

An amazing amount of time is wasted while people sit in jail because lawyers are taking care of personal business or playing golf.

Also use house arrest rather than jail for those being held on minor charges. If these suggestions were followed, prisoners would be processed efficiently, justice served better, there would be a surplus of jail space and the public would save $100 million.

It is time to update a system that has not been changed in ages.

Al Myrick
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint:

By R. Todd Shaver

Facts are missing from statewide news coverage of the Jim Black chiropractic co-pay issue, and we want to set the record straight.

Reports implied that this was a new law, snuck in and not subject to normal scrutiny -- all false. The 2005 co-pay legislation didn't create a new statute but was a one-sentence amendment to a 1965 state law enacted to guarantee consumer choice in health care selection.

The amendment simply stated that co-pays for chiropractic visits cannot exceed co-pays for similar M.D. visits -- necessary because unfair discrepancies persisted. Before legislation, chiropractic patients often were charged up to five times more co-pay than M.D. patients with similar conditions.

This amendment was fully discussed with all stakeholders, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, which communicated extensively with chiropractic representatives before the amendment passed.

While BCBS has cited significantly higher insurance costs related to co-pay equity, legislation hasn't even been in effect for one calendar year, so BCBS' increases are based on estimations.

What should be reported is the huge windfall that BCBS and other carriers will enjoy at the expense of health care consumers if co-pay legislation is repealed. Patients already pay increased premiums for co-pay equity that may not stand, and their co-payments will rise if legislation is voided.

I proudly represent the N.C. Chiropractic Association, which had nothing to do with the alleged misconduct of three chiropractors. The purported activities of a few should not reflect on the 1,000 chiropractic physicians providing invaluable health care for North Carolina consumers.

The writer is board of directors president, N.C. Chiropractic Association. He lives in Wilmington.

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Keith Peddie

I believe that the Rev. Mark R. Sills, in his column, "God calls us to care for immigrants" (Feb. 28), tends to overstretch the issue.

Fine, quote the Bible, but, please tell us which version is being used. I find it somewhat dubious to translate "stranger" in the King James version as "immigrant."

True, "stranger" would include "immigrant," but not totally. What about the guy who lives on the other side of town whom we have never bumped into before?

If I could look at the problem a little simpler, I can well see why the average God-fearing North Carolinian is upset about immigrants. It is not some vast xenophobic revolt but a basic problem of communication.

Most people here only understand English. Most of us resent the fact that those serving us or being served by us do not have a basic knowledge of the language. We don't expect immigrants to regale us with Hamlet's soliloquy or to appreciate the finer points of litotes, but surely we can expect them to have a basic vocabulary of English everyday words and be able to pronounce them in a half-decent way.

When immigrants apply to come to this country, it makes perfect sense to me that they should be required to pass a very practical reading, writing and comprehension test of their facility with English. Is this covert racism? No, we just want to be able to understand and be understood by them.

English has absorbed an enormous number of languages and words, and this does give it its peculiar charm. But to leap from this fact to welcoming all those who can barely speak the language is a logical step that I cannot follow.

And if we are quoting the Bible, didn't God tell the Israelites to shun all other peoples lest they pick up bad religious habits? Well, that was certainly true then -- and now.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

As one who was born, raised, educated and married in Greensboro, it shames and repulses me that one such as T. Dianne Bellamy-Small represents my hometown. She is a disgrace to the district she represents.

I am not surprised, however, that there are those serving on the City Council who are afraid to confront Bellamy-Small for her behavior. Let's pass the buck to the voters.

According to Mayor Holliday, to call for Bellamy-Small's resignation is something "we just don't have time to deal with ... and I think it's counterproductive."

Really? Dealing with a troublemaker and blot on the city's name and reputation is considered counterproductive? (I guess that is why the mayor failed to deal with Bellamy-Small when the leaking of a confidential police report was traced to her office.)

It's amazing that after being stopped by a Greensboro police officer (during which she attempts to intimidate him with her "council power"), she later states she had no issues with his manner. A week later, when it becomes apparent that she was the one with the "attitude," she suddenly decides to file a complaint saying he was "rude."

To Councilwoman Florence Gatten: Thank you for stepping up to the plate and facing this challenge with your call for Bellamy-Small to step down.

B.L. Woltz
Greensboro

Billy Yow and Skip Alston have finally decided to act like adults and earn their salaries as county commissioners, not like performers at a sideshow. I was really enjoying this quiet respite.

Then along comes T. Dianne Bellamy-Small (-minded). Instead of focusing on her job as a member of the City Council, which in my opinion should be an honor, she's more concerned about which office space she should occupy. The process of choosing an office was done in a fair and democratic manner.

One person suggested that she be removed from her position. At first, I thought that was a little radical, but now I'm inclined to agree. Let's see ... there's the alleged speeding incident, her refusal to submit to a polygraph test and the office space episode. She seems to be suffering from a disease to displease.

Speaking of corner office space, Bellamy-Small needs to know the difference between cornering people and getting people in her corner. Solution: "Home Office." Some people work better alone.

That way she won't have to compete for attention.

Shirley J. Wright
Greensboro

I would like to add my two cents' worth on the Dianne Bellamy-Small fiasco. She is one of the pack leading the charge against the so-called corruption in the Greensboro Police Department; however, her behavior is just as bad as the alleged behavior she is pointing her finger at. She is using her position to receive preferential treatment by the same department that she accuses of being corrupt -- not to mention the other questionable behavior.

Though we don't expect perfection from our leaders and elected officials, we do expect a higher standard and that they should lead by example. She should have commended the officer who stopped her for speeding for being diligent instead of trying to intimidate him.

Why the voters in her district continue to return her to office is baffling. You can do better.

Keivin Smith
Greensboro

In the article, "Black's plea entered in state court" (Feb. 21), we were exposed to yet another layer of Jim Black's crimes. Yet, focusing just on Black misses the larger story: Our campaign financing system is fundamentally broken.

What Black did was patently illegal. But a system where powerful interests influence legislation while making large campaign donations is still business as usual. Many well-meaning, conscientious legislators are stuck in this system where more and more money has to be raised to stay in office. This creates a vicious cycle for legislators and undermines voters' faith in our political system.

As president of N.C. Voters for Clean Elections, a campaign reform coalition of more than 35 civic organizations, I call upon the legislature to create a public financing alternative to this money chase. By creating a source of "clean," publicly financed campaign money for candidates who satisfy certain public trust conditions, we would reduce moneyed interest influence over our elected officials and improve the integrity of our democracy.

Only a reform that includes public financing gets to the root of our broken system. Until we do that, we can expect a lot more big money fund-raising and a lot more Jim Blacks.

Beth Messersmith
Durham

I want to applaud the Greensboro City Council, which passed a resolution 9-0 on Feb. 6 requesting the N.C. General Assembly to return to local governments the power to regulate public smoking in their jurisdictions. I appreciate the leadership and concern shown by our City Council members.

The current state law, passed in 1993, prevents local governments from passing a local ordinance to control smoking in public buildings, businesses or restaurants. This law was passed without public debate. Greensboro citizens and officials had no voice in the 1993 law. What's wrong with Greensboro having a voice on the secondhand smoke issue? Why can't our citizens debate and decide for themselves if and how public smoking should be handled in our community? Why have we been silenced for the past 15 years by a state law?

Please support our City Council and contact our local state representatives to ask that Greensboro be given a voice and the freedom to decide for itself about the risks of public secondhand smoke.

Mark Dozier
Greensboro

Sometimes, the cost of change is too high. That's the case with the idea to close the U.S. Postal Station at PTI Airport.

Closing the station will make a big difference to the hundreds of customers each week who need access to mailing services outside of other stations' hours. This includes not just business people, but others like us whose work schedules make it impossible to go to a post office during weekday hours.

We have been regular customers at the PTI station for nearly 15 years. Alternatives such as Great Stops or the mall don't offer anywhere near the same service. Great Stops doesn't offer ongoing package service and has untrained workers handling mail. Going to the mall means hauling packages for long distances and walking through unsafe parking lots. Not only that, the mall offers 23 1/2 fewer hours of service each week.

We are writing the local postmaster and our congressman in hopes that the decision can be changed, and we hope others will, too.

Rob and Sue Stevens
Greensboro

After reading about Councilwoman T. Dianne Bellamy-Small's run-in with the police and her actions during and after the incident, I think her last name fits her character: "small." Is she not the one who refused to cooperate in the investigation as to who leaked some information a while back?

The police need to protect themselves against arrogant politicians by keeping their cameras and tape recorders on when dealing with these self-appointed petty tyrants.

Kermit Marion
High Point

Black history records will tell that Yvonne Johnson and Goldie Wells were two of the City Council's sharpest wits and that T. Dianne Bellamy-Small was one of the City Council's dullest twits.

Bill Burnett
Greensboro

In your Savor section (Feb. 21), an item recommended gourmet honey from ArtisanSweets with an article that contained the comment, "If you're worried about the recent threat to local bee colonies ... ." The local honey harvest is not contaminated; it's facing a shortage. Don't beekeepers like the Bowers of Julian, profiled in the paper on Feb. 15, have enough to worry about without misleading comments going out to their customers?

I'm a repeat customer of the Bowers' Honeybee Harvest, and I encourage other area residents to help them out by giving them business at their farmer's market stands on Yanceyville and Sandy Ridge roads.

Britta Waller
Greensboro

Well, Tony Moschetti has done it again. We can always count on him to hit us right in the gut by spewing his hatred and vitriol. His latest letter (Feb. 26), leaves me gasping with dismay and disbelief. How can one person possess so much hatred for another human being?

Of course, the effect of his most recent diatribe against the evil Democrats is heightened by the News & Record's uncanny use of the words "terrorists" and "Democrats" together in the headline of his letter. People who resort to the use of labels (cowards, despicable, treasonous fools, etc.) display a lack of confidence in themselves as well as in their beliefs and positions.

Laura J. Ford
Greensboro

Recent news reports suggested that our county is considering a program to help students with financial aid so that they can graduate debt-free. A worthwhile idea.

Personally, I do not see anything wrong with taking a loan to graduate from college. It teaches you to be careful with your money and motivates some to graduate with fewer loans.

Some students do need help, and we should try to help them. The basis for help should be performance. For example, those who maintain an A average get 100 percent; B average get 50 percent; C average get 25 percent for four years. This should make students work hard and take their college education seriously. It should improve graduation rates.
In return, the county should require them to stay and work in the county for five years. If they do not, they should be required to pay back the loans with interest. This will help more educated people stay here, provide an educated work force for businesses and attract new businesses. It also would enlarge the county's tax base.

Before embarking on a new entitlement, we should consider this or similar ideas.

Shashi Sethi
Greensboro

Regarding the recent column about his role as an Iraq interrogator: Eric Fair, don't deceive yourself. You may get on with your life, but the memory of your failure to speak up when another human was being tortured in the name of our country will not go away.

Don't feel badly; the whole nation, including our Congress, courts and military, did not speak up or act to stop it. Doesn't it strike you as the ultimate farce that we are trying to export our constitutional form of government and moral backbone while at the same time destroying them at home?
Our state prison systems also indulge in torture. If you were reading newspapers a few years ago, you would have learned about Georgia beating shackled inmates and bashing their heads against a wall until it ran with blood.

A female prison officer made this torture public after she reasoned that, "If they can do this in our prisons, they can also do this in our homes." She understood and had the courage to speak up.

Dorothy Oliver
Greensboro

It is no wonder to me that T. Dianne Bellamy-Small didn't succeed as a police officer. She obviously didn't even know the laws that she was supposed to enforce. She should have known that she is required by law to produce a driver's license when requested to do so by an officer.

What bothers this retired police officer the most is her dishonesty as a councilwoman and her intimidating tactics. Those are not traits becoming of someone who was supposed to uphold the law as an officer and as an elected citizen. I am offended by persons such as she who flaunt their stature as being almost untouchable whenever they have committed a wrong.

Greensboro citizens, wake up. You have a cancer among you that will continue to grow if it is not treated right away. I am embarrassed for you. Obviously, placing one's hand on the Bible and swearing an oath doesn't have as much meaning to some as for others.

Monte D. Brooks
Lexington

Despite its more than 110 years' existence, our beloved telephone still is technologically in its infancy. Better systems are under development. Available lines are few for the demand and to businesses of all kinds depending on it. It is a costly burden and becoming more so every year.

The purpose of a telephone is to serve as a fast, practical and succinct — repeat, succinct — means of communication. And here comes my request to our young and beautiful girls, ladies and "senoritas" of this country working for dentists, doctors, hospitals, etc.:
Be brief. Don't talk more than needed. Don't clog the lines with chitchats. Avoid telling on it the history of your life or bragging about your latest boyfriend's sex appeal. Customers and patients are waiting and hate to be burdened by one of your most famous idiosyncrasies — talking too much.

Helio Salvador
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column.

By John Roberts

Both houses of the Virginia legislature have recently approved a bill offering a formal apology for that state's role in slavery. Hard on the heels of the politically correct bandwagon, North Carolina lawmakers are now pushing bills that would help atone for slavery.
Before this goes any further, I want to get out front and admit my family's small participation in the slave trade before I am pre-empted by some vote-sucking politician.

In mid-1863, with his eldest son already enlisted and being pressed by the Home Guard, my great-great grandfather, Stephen Taylor, reluctantly decided to go to war. As farm life in the mountains of Alleghany County was difficult at best, he decided to buy some help for the wife and young children he left behind. He and a family friend traveled to Salisbury to the slave market and bought a Negro man named Dick Johnson. He paid $2,400 — most likely Confederate currency, but still a great deal of money for a farmer. I'm sure he had no clue that what he was doing was morally wrong.

Well, apparently Dick Johnson did not take well to life in the mountains or to taking orders from a scrawny white woman. She must have complained of his indolence as Granddad wrote back and threatened him with a sound whipping when he came home on leave. The battle of Plymouth, N.C., intervened and Granddad's leave was taken in the cemetery at Wilson instead.

While these events are true, they occurred in a world and time as foreign to me as another planet. Any even remotely possible need for an apology for this has been rendered moot by the blood and property of the individuals involved. Before North Carolina legislators feel the need to assuage their conscience or to curry votes by offering an apology, I want them to understand that they are speaking strictly for themselves and not for me. I have absolutely no intention of apologizing for the poor moral, political and financial judgment of my ancestors.

The writer lives in Reidsville.

Congress, senators, opponents of President Bush, have you bothered to listen to our people in the war zones? They are frustrated with you trying to force them home before the job is complete. They need our support.

You are sabotaging us, slamming the door on the brave efforts of our troops, making the efforts of our fallen heroes in vain. They need safer equipment and more support so they can get their job done effectively and come home victorious, having saved our country's soil and people. Do you want them to come home in defeat after all their bravery and hard work? How dare you? Can you imagine their feelings of betrayal?

Some of you missed the point of my last letter. President Bush is a man of faith — a Christian. He seeks guidance through prayer, also seeking prayer from clergy and their guidance. He remains gracious through it all, not barbing back but continues to try to get the point across. He is not in office for self-indulgence.

Iraq bows to Allah, teaching force, hatred, suicide — wanting to rule us and the world. Our God teaches love — the opposite. Please help us keep it that way.

Elizabeth Jones
Greensboro

Many people are aware of the problems that exist at Gateway Plaza at 200 Spring Garden Street; however, this is an urgent request for prayer on behalf of the approximately 200 residents living there on 16 floors.

During the next approximately 17 weeks, there will only be one elevator in service at a time. There are only two elevators normally. And for years, residents have frequently been trapped on the elevators and the fire department had to be called to get them out. Now that they are to be repaired (one at a time), this is an urgent request for prayer that there will be no emergencies.

There are residents without legs, many on oxygen, some with motorized chairs or wheelchairs. This could be most serious. There are two stairwells, but they could not accommodate such needy residents. Their windows only open a few inches. There is a small ladder which goes to the roof. Perhaps we could see rescues in helicopters?

We need prayer.

Virginia K. Petty
Greensboro

I have recently become aware of the topic of fair trade and its many benefits. In researching this topic, I came across articles related to free trade. There seem to be issues with free trade that could be helped by fair trade.

Free trade is supposed to create jobs, but many are being lost to outsourcing. The top business people are making more at the expense of others because of a lack of global standards.

Fair trade is a means of providing a living wage to workers using safe working and environmental standards and promoting self-sufficiency. It not only helps the economic status of the countries where fair trade is being practiced, but it would also help the U.S. economy.

When we pay a living wage for an item, we increase the economic stability of the country it's being purchased from which in turn reduces the need for U.S. help. This increase in economic stability enables that country to take care of its own citizens. Employers can provide jobs in their own country, which may decrease U.S. outsourcing because the price to outsource will increase. Based on today's economy and the unemployment rate, it would behoove politicians to embrace fair trade.

Lauren Doyle
Jamestown

The spurious debate in Congress over sending 20,000 more troops to Iraq continues even while many of the remaining "coalition" nations announce plans to withdraw their troops.

It is often argued that we cannot let the troops already there feel as if they have failed. This argument for the "surge" misses the point: It is the administration's policy that has failed, not the troops. Why should we ask those dedicated service personnel to continue to risk their lives for a failed policy?

Yet, it wasn't until this week that the full hypocrisy of our policy makers was made evident. With the disclosure by The Washington Post of the squalid conditions at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C., just blocks from the White House and the Capitol, the question of who supports the troops came into stark focus.

More than 25,000 American service personnel have been wounded in Iraq. Walter Reed is not providing those injured Americans with the care they deserve. This is a national disgrace. All Americans should be outraged. Mr. Bush and the entire Congress should make the walk to Walter Reed and personally offer to serve these brave Americans.

Chris Webster
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint.

By Shawn Wozniak

March 1 marked the start of Women's History Month. In this historic year for women, in which Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi shattered the marble ceiling, a record number of women were elected to Congress; the first woman president was named at Harvard, and Wimbledon agreed to pay women players the same as men.

Women's History Month serves as an important celebration of the progress that has been made by women as well as a reminder of the obstacles that still exist today. Our elected leaders should take note of these firsts and make policies that will ensure such barriers continue to fall.

More than 40 years after the passage of the Equal Pay Act, women still earn only 77 cents on the dollar compared to their male counterparts. Equal pay for equal work is a simple matter of justice for women, and pay equity is essential to the economic security of women and their families. Congress should strengthen the Equal Pay Act, closing loopholes and improving its effectiveness.

Congress must also preserve and enforce Title IX, the law that prohibits sexual discrimination in education. Passed 35 years ago, Title IX's impact goes far beyond sports, making it one of the country's most notable civil rights success stories.

The Family and Medical Leave Act has ensured since 1993 that America has productive and successful workers and healthy and secure families. The FMLA was a monumental step toward our goal of being a nation that values families.

But it was only a first step. Millions of Americans do not have access to the act's protections, and millions more cannot afford to take advantage of them. FMLA should be expanded to cover more workers, as well as making paid family and medical leave and paid sick days available to everyone.

This year, the American Association of University Women, one of the oldest and most respected women's organizations, celebrates 125 years of influencing the social, political and economic status of women. I am proud to join with them in recognizing March as Women's History Month, because equity is still an issue.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

Two words sum up what is wrong with our schools — Terry Grier.

1. Terry suggests that the taxpayers send qualified graduating seniors to GTCC for two years. What is the definition of "qualified," and why should I pay for someone else's child to go to college? It's shocking that most of the school board agreed about sending seniors to GTCC, funded by a tax increase or a bond referendum.

2. Schools are not meeting yearly AYPs, so Terry decides to send administrative staff in teams to the struggling schools. Who is doing the staff jobs while they handle another assignment from Terry?

3. Math scores are dow,n so Terry decides to add math departments to the elementary schools.

Terry, it is time for you to leave our school system. Once that occurs, we can attempt to clean up your many toxic waste sites.

Susan Hayworth
High Point

The statement below was written 400 years before the birth of Christ. In light of the present situation in Iraq, I think it will be of interest to readers.

"In joining battle, seek the quick victory. If battle is protracted, your weapons will be blunted and your troops demoralized. If your armies are kept in the field for a long time, your national resources will not suffice.

"When you have blunted your weapons, demoralized your troops, exhausted your strength, and depleted all available resources, the neighboring rulers will take advantage of your adversity to strike. And even with the wisest council, you will not be able to turn the ensuing consequences to the good."

Source: Sun-Tzu (453-221 BC). "The art of warfare." New York. Modern Library. Translated 1993 by Roger T. Ames. p. 75.

William Watson Purkey
Greensboro

Is it just me or have others also noticed and felt sadness, anger, or even outright disgust due to the flagrant violence done to nature?

I am referring to the trimming of bushes and trees along Pleasant Ridge and nearby roads by "monster" pieces of machinery that don't just cut off tree branches and bushes but literally rip them off like limbs from a body, leaving behind stretches of devastation on and above the ground.

It's not that I don't understand the need for efficiency and keeping the roads open. What I don't understand is the total disrespect for nature, which seems to be symptomatic of the ways in which we relate to it in Guilford County.

Michael H. Hoppe
Greensboro

I read Janet Howard's letter ("Pet cat cruelly taken away for no good reason," Jan. 16) with great dismay.

Some blog comments that appeared in response to this letter were also distressing.
Howard's properly cared for cat was apparently trapped in one of three cat traps set by her neighbors, and it has not been seen since. Various readers blogged in, calling Howard a law breaker and irresponsible.

According to the law in Guilford County: "The Animal Control ordinance does not mandate a leash for cats. Therefore, cats can run at large..." There are exceptions for animals that are nuisances, in which case Animal Control investigates. Cats aren't territorial toward humans, as dogs are. Unless the cat is rabid, it poses no harm. It seems most likely that some of Howard's neighbors were not raised responsibly.

A neighbor of mine complained that a cat ate one of her birds. I also love nature, but it is natural for cats to hunt rodents, birds, etc. Her request that my cat be leashed when outdoors is absurd. Her birds relieve themselves on my car, by the way, which damages the paint. Is she liable for the damage?

Let's all be reasonable and live by the law. Cats don't require leashes.

Bill Dawson
Greensboro

Gov. Easley is scheduled to visit Hampton Leadership Academy. Hampton is supposed to be teaching leadership using Covey's "7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens."

Habit one states "be proactive not reactive." Is it not reactive to clean a stage that has been so filthy for the past two years that children could not have their choral performance on it because of its condition, or to clean bathrooms that, on any given day, are unsanitary but are now being thoroughly cleaned in anticipation of the governor's visit?

Are the children not as important as the governor? Do they not deserve cleanliness, order and sound leadership? What type of adult leader allows a school to become filthy and only cleans it to provide a dog and pony show for state government?

It is great for the children to meet Gov. Easley, but should we lead by the principal's example or the example of our proactive governor?

Donna Brown
Greensboro

The writer is a former PTA president.

The following is a Counterpoint column:

BY ROBERT HUDSON

I don't get the point of Mark Bowden's column about Dante Freeman, a slain Philadelphia street tough ("A teenage boy's reckless pride has fatal ending," Feb. 22).

Are we supposed to feel sorrow for Dante? For his mother and sisters? I suppose that the reaction of many will be that we need more gun control laws, but I'll bet that neither Dante's gun nor the guns used to shoot and finally kill him were legally purchased.

The article [from the Philadelphia Inquirer] was more notable for what it didn't say than for what it did. It made no mention of the medical costs or who paid them. Having been through the experience of having a loved one in intensive care for about 30 days, I'm sure that his total expenses were somewhere around a million dollars, give or take. And, I'll be willing to bet that neither Dante nor his loving mother paid a dime. So who paid it? You and I paid it, in the form of higher medical costs. And there are millions more Dantes all over the country, shooting each other and being patched up at our expense.

Another thing not mentioned was anything about Dante's father. Mama and sisters got tattoos but no mention of Dad. I wonder if Dante even knew who his father was. Probably not, and he sure wasn't around to apply his belt to Dante's backside when he needed it, not around to make a man out of him. So Dante became an animal.

Dante Freeman is a perfect example of what you can buy for $3 trillion dollars. That's what we've spent in the "War on Poverty," and that's what we get for our money. Not just Dante, mind you, but him and millions more just like him. By replacing the black father with a welfare check, we are running them off the assembly line at full production speed, with no end in sight.

In fact, we're going to have to add another line, just to keep up with the demand. We haven't reduced poverty, we haven't accomplished a single thing except the creation of Dantes. I think it's time to withdraw or at least re-deploy.

The writer lives in Pelham.

Recently, the WFMY Good Morning Show presented an interview of an 18-year-old who was arrested for breaking into a High Point school. He later confessed to the police that he was homeless, had aged out of the custody of the Department of Social Services and was sleeping in the school.

Unfortunately, he is just one of 20,000 young adults who age out of the foster-care system each year, 25 percent of whom end up homeless. DSS will extend foster-care services to children past their 18th birthday, but this does not work for all teens.

Some of these teens experience multiple moves, unstable school history and mental health problems that make their transition to adulthood more difficult.

Being in DSS custody should not be a precursor to having a difficult adult life; everyone needs equal opportunities. A common thread for those who succeed is the presence of a supportive adult. While the state is working to establish a long-term solution to this problem, more citizens can take it upon themselves to, whenever possible, mentor and support teens as they transition out of care and educate others about the increasing needs of youth in foster care.

Lena Pinnix
Browns Summit

I am responding to the article, " 'Recall Small' initiative begins with committee" (Feb. 28): Tony Wilkins, not so fast with your information about a petition to oust our City Council member for District 1. Have we not learned anything from history?

This is still a democratic society. Let's not try Dianne Bellamy-Small in the media. I believe there are two sides to all of these issues.

Bellamy-Small is a very strong leader in District 1. Let's give her a chance to explain her views in District 1.

Dot Lassiter
Greensboro

In his letter, "Global warming theory warrants skepticism" (Feb. 22), Paul Daniels suggests reasons to doubt that global warming is occurring. The evidence is all against his view.

Practically every physical, chemical and biological process operating on the surface of the earth is subject to temperature and moisture conditions. If global temperatures are warming, evidence should be readily available from all quarters of the globe, and it is.

Here are a few examples:

1. Actual measurements of temperature over the entire planet are rising.

2. Mountain glaciers are melting on all of the continents. Even the famed snows of Kilimanjaro near the equator are all but gone.

3. Ice sheets on the Antarctic and Greenland are melting rapidly.

4. Ice cover on the Arctic Sea has declined 40 percent in the last century.

5. Coral reefs around the world are dying largely due to warmer water.

6. Global wind systems are changing.

7. The intensity and paths taken by severe storms are changing.

8. Tropical plants and animals are migrating to higher latitudes and higher altitudes. This includes tropical diseases.

These are facts, not hypotheses or theories. The overwhelming evidence indicates global warming is taking place and is increasing rapidly.

John J. Hidore
Greensboro

The Dianne Bellamy-Small issue has gone on long enough. It is time for Bellamy-Small to resign from her position on the Greensboro City Council. Now that she has been "called out" by council member Florence Gatten for the sake of the city and City Council, as well as the people whom she represents in District 1, if she really cares about this city she should step down.

She is a distraction to the City Council. She is confrontational and opposes most council actions.

Up until now, it might be said that no one spoke out against Bellamy-Small for fear of backlash from the black community with charges of racism. Her behavior reflects on the black community in a negative light. The black community, even her constituency, is not proud of the manner in which she conducts herself as an elected public official. I, as an Afro-American, am not proud of her.

Apparently, she has become obsessed with the power of her position and continues to flaunt that power in and out of the council chambers. Bellamy-Small has had her 15 minutes of fame. For the sake of all concerned, it is time for her to resign, ASAP.

Pollard Stanford
Greensboro

This responds to Charles Hawes' letter, "Liberal Democrats are Roman Catholics, too" (Feb. 25).

All those Hawes mentioned are ardent supporters of abortion on demand. They remain Catholics in good standing because the Roman Church won't follow the scriptures on excommunication.

In 1 Corinthians 5:1-8, Paul orders the immediate excommunication of a man having an affair with his stepmother. What's worse, having an affair with stepmom, or supporting the American holocaust?

The Roman Church won't excommunicate elected officials who support the unfettered slaughter of millions of innocents. But, according to a Fox News Channel story a few months ago, it recently excommunicated an African archbishop. What was his crime? Appointing four married men as bishops. (Paul requires a bishop to be a married man; see 1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:6.)

So, the Roman Church considers having married men as bishops to be a worse crime than our abortion plague. And is it really pro-life when it lets abortiaholic politicians remain members in good standing, including Ted Kennedy, who is a member of the Knights of Columbus?

Al Shumard
Greensboro

I want to express thanks and congratulations to state Reps. Laura Wiley, Nelson Cole and Pat Hurley for their support of a bill that would repeal the law that allows in-state tuition and fees for nonresidents of North Carolina.

This law that allows in-state tuition for nonresidents has cost the taxpayers of North Carolina more than $5.2 million. There is no justification for this special law that benefits booster clubs for our victory-starved state universities. The repeal of this law will allow more recruiting of North Carolinians and fewer of out-of-state students.

I hope those legislators who vote against the repeal of this bill will be exposed and defeated in their re-election campaigns. The governor should have vetoed the bill when the trustees and administrators of the UNC system did not support or want this legislation, which currently remains a heavy burden to the residents and taxpayers of North Carolina.

Shirley R. Webster
Madison

Let's all 'fess up: We're all racists ("Racism behind council feud, ministers say," News & Record, Mar. 2). That's right. We're all intolerant, each and every one of us, of anyone who is not exactly like we are. We're bigots and xenophobes, and anyone who doesn't like it can go back where they (or their ancestors) came from.

There. Everyone feel better now? Good. Then please explain to me how being a victim of racism or any other intolerance excuses bad, rude, incompetent, impolitic and childish behavior on the part of the City Council, the city manager, the county commissioners, or any other public figure.

Mark Gottsegen
Climax

Almost every day, I read the total of your opinion and editorial pages and I always try to give thought and consideration to the writings and motives of your various columnists.

Today, I am not writing to comment on a subject one of your columnists has opined on; rather, I am writing to comment on an issue one of your regular columnists appears to have avoided.

To wit: Have I missed something or has Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Leonard Pitts failed to weigh in on the Duke University lacrosse case?

Do you think we might have heard more from Leonard if the race of the accuser and the race of the defendants had been reversed? Might he be just a one-trick pony?

Guy Sinclair
Graham

Editor's note: Pitts has written at least one column on the case.

Dianne Bellamy-Small brings thoughts of general lack of respect for her office as a council member. Her district should be wary of her as a representative.

She is absorbed in self-gratification such as bullying police out of a ticket or bullying council for office space she wants.

It can't be proven with pictures and fingerprints but evidence leans toward her copy of the confidential police report being leaked to the press.

She thinks people are stupid when she refuses to answer to the press concerning suggested abuse of power, or about being the only council member not participating in the leak investigation.

With her attitude of being above reproach, she bullied the young policeman who stopped her for speeding. Wouldn't we all like to bully ourselves out of a ticket or not be held accountable for rudeness and negative attitudes of being above reproach?

If she has done any good on City Council it's overshadowed by belligerence. I hope her constituents are aware of her actions and show her at election time they are not stupid, blind, deaf and dumb. I hope they see she isn't the victim but they are.

Peggy Willis
Greensboro

Thank goodness someone decided to do something about the 1995 ordinance on pets. Just think how the population at the animal shelter would go down. I have three pets and all have been fixed. They have always been at the top of my list. Please do something soon.

I have been very upset since 1995 that the law was not carried out. What happened to the 1995 ordinance? I have asked everyone I know. These backyard breeders need to realize they can't make money without giving a little.

Please don't let this fall through the cracks this time.

Ruth Dillman
Greensboro

News & Record, you made my day Feb. 21. The entire Op-Ed page deserved a Pulitzer (yes, I agreed with all four columnists).

Top of the page: "Stan Bingham goes his own way in state Senate." Doug Clark introduced us to the state senator from Denton, a Republican who calls the shots as he sees them. Bingham, says Republican Phil Berger, "is about getting things done and solving problems."

And Bingham says, "If being a legislator means lining up with your party all the time, you might as well get a monkey to do it."

Next, local columnist Sarah Jones wrote on the "forced mediocrity" of public school education and lack of emphasis on critical thinking.

Then Guilford College student Malcolm Kenton tackled tough issues with insight and common sense: campus fight, stereotyping, taxpayer money for business.

Finally, Bob Hall of Democracy North Carolina on Jim Black and corrupt politics: "the
money chase ... clearly threatens the integrity of fair elections."

For dessert, no Maureen Dowd.

Bill Beerman
Greensboro

Racism, regardless of its source, black or white, is putrid. Unfortunately, the white-black race issues in Greensboro, as well as any other city in America, are totally predictable. The time for a new day is long past due.

Is this revolutionary? Let's suppose some group of white leaders said to the black community, regardless of who sold who to whom, we are sorry for the part our race played in slavery.

Then suppose a group of leaders in the black community said we forgive you regardless, and hold no grudge against you for any part your heritage played or didn't play in the travesty of slavery.

I believe there are plenty of white people who want to extend the hand of reconciliation. I believe there are many black people who want to do the same. If this be true, then a group of leaders will emerge in our community who want to bury racism for good. It is too good a town to let race issues taint, smudge and divide a community that has the capacity to be great if there are leaders who will rise to the challenge and lead.

Edwin R. Lyon Jr.
Greensboro

It seems whenever a person of color in a position of power does stupid things, it's not their fault but rampant racism.

Again, the race card is used to hide behind. Ms. Bellamy-Small, please take responsibility for your actions.

Erik Stookey
Jamestown

The following is a Counterpoint.

By Andrew J. Young

In the alternate universe of Charles Davenport Jr., conservatives give up their traditional faith in American business, free markets, science, and the research and development that have fueled our nation's innovative greatness in favor of extremist opinion and fear of the future. How else to explain his stubborn insistence that environmental change is a mere figment of liberal imagination?

As Davenport should appreciate, money talks. Leading American corporations have already concluded that energy efficiency, green technology, carbon emissions trading and other so-called liberal-agenda initiatives are the responsible way forward.

They have concluded, even if Davenport cannot, that environmental instability is bad for business, bad for stockholders and bad for America.

What will environmental catastrophe mean for the world's and America's security? Davenport wants to pretend it won't happen.

Meanwhile, our military have already identified severe environmental change as a serious threat to the political and social stability of many regions in the world already beset by poverty, inequality, corruption and religious intolerance.

Even our President Bush, who seems to have lived alongside Davenport in Denial Land, has signaled a willingness to face reality and recognize global warming.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

Here's something for Charles Davenport Jr. to consider: If you are going to have a column titled, "Hysteria displaces serious science on global warming" (March 4), it might behoove you to actually include some serious science yourself.

Instead, Davenport labels scientists who study climate change "global warming enthusiasts" and glibly dismisses an international study because it has ties to the United Nations. All Davenport can manage as an afterthought are a few factoids from a conservative magazine.

I presume Davenport is not a scientist. Neither am I. But, when we lack the appropriate specialization, we find those who have it.

If you want to know how your teeth are doing, you go to a dentist. If you need help with your will, you seek out a lawyer. If you want to know about the state of the environment, you ask environmental scientists for their opinion.

And the American Meteorological Society, the American Geophysical Union and the American Association for the Advancement of Science have given us theirs: Anthropogenic global warming is real.

If Davenport can point to leading scientists or scientific journals that disagree, let him. But he will be looking for those in the minority.

Ashish George
Greensboro

I agree emphatically and wholeheartedly with the sentiments expressed by David Willett of High Point (letter, Feb. 27). Much too rare is the mention of the devastation and the horrible indignities suffered by Native Americans when this country was founded and there was westward exploration and expansion.

Native American history is unfortunately dotted with sad, violent episodes. One of the saddest was the "Trail of Tears." Families were herded into makeshift forts with minimal food and forced to march 1,000 miles to Oklahoma during the brutal winter of 1838-39. Some 4,000 Cherokees died.

There was the Sand Creek massacre in the Colorado Territory in 1864. Many Cheyennes were reported killed, some were reportedly mutilated with most being women, children and elderly men.

Yes, there needs to be a day to honor those Native Americans who suffered and died protecting their homeland, and to honor the wounded, orphaned and mutilated who fought for their freedom well before the colonists fought for theirs. We also need to update our history books to show the true history of Native Americans.

I salute Mr. Willett for his opinions. A day to celebrate the Native American culture deserves its proper place on the calendar.

Rhonda Mitchem
Asheboro

I would like to add my agreement and support to the Rev. Mark Sills' timely reminder of our call to care for our immigrants ("God calls us to care for immigrants," Second Opinion, Feb. 28).

In response to Keith Peddie's Counterpoint ("Immigrants ought to be able to speak English," March 3), I would like to say two things: One, I think when someone is not aware of the plight and conditions that can drive someone to leave their homeland, this could explain their lack of caring.

Second, to Peddie's concern for immigrants to understand and speak the English language: He should be pleased to learn that one of the many valuable services the Rev. Sills' Faith Action House provides is through its many volunteers teaching new North Carolinians the English language.

I will bet that Rev. Sills would love to have Peddie visit Faith Action House, meet some of the families involved and maybe even have him lend his volunteer support.

Frank Massey
Greensboro

To quote the March 4 News & Record Astrology forecast: "Blame is an insidious thief, robbing the blamer of growth opportunity he or she would incur by making the choice of personal responsibility."

Boy, does this ring true in Greensboro, and the world, today.

Take, for example, the current news about Councilwoman T. Dianne Bellamy-Small. There appears to be no personal responsibility on Bellamy-Small's part whatsoever. Everything that has happened has had an outside cause.

According to the Pulpit Forum, that cause is racism. Interesting that racism can cause an action on the part of the recipient of said racism.

Fellow Councilwoman Florence Gatten has brought her concerns in this matter to the public. Gatten is also a political figure in Greensboro.

Are her actions politically motivated? Possibly.

Are they the result of racism? Doubtful. That would be political suicide in this day and time.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out.

Chuck Schorr
Greensboro

There has been a lot of news lately about the protocol for executions in North Carolina.

Recently, officials from the Department of Correction and the North Carolina Medical Board failed to resolve a legal dispute over a doctor's role in executions. The issue will probably go back to a Wake County Superior Court judge who previously placed four scheduled executions on hold, creating a de facto moratorium.

Besides the presence of a doctor, the death penalty has been challenged in North Carolina and 10 other states over the use of lethal injection as unconstitutional.

Any attempt to work out the problems in executions will involve state correction officials, the medical board, prosecutors, district attorneys, judges and legislators. The complexity of the situation seems to indicate that there is no way to make it "work" or make it "right."

I can only come to the conclusion that the death penalty should be abolished.

Sue Jezorek
Greensboro

Patriotism runs high in the teenage years. Indeed, patriotism might be the only human emotion that can convince a young person with his whole life ahead of him to risk losing arms, legs or life for the privilege of riding around in a cool-looking Hummer with a machine gun on top, firing explosive-tipped projectiles into dwellings.

Recruiters for our armed forces frequent high schools because they know that precious little cannon fodder is recruited after kids have picked a college. Drug dealers prey upon the same gullible children and, when apprehended near schools, are punished severely, as they present a very real danger to our young people.

Taking into account the murdered children of Iraq and adding our own, you have to wonder -- who is killing more kids these days, drug dealers or war dealers?

James Quinn
Greensboro

I enjoyed David Noer's op-ed, "Get informed, get mad, and make some changes" (March 4), up until he complained about underpaid teachers compared to football coaches. Apparently, liberals don't learn the basic supply-and-demand rules anymore.

Like the NPR program whining that history majors pay as much for their degree as physicists and should, therefore, be paid as much on graduation, they fail to comprehend that 100 job-seekers looking to fill 1,000 openings will command higher pay than 1,000 job-seekers looking to fill 100 openings. And $45,000 isn't bad pay for jobs that have an abundance of qualified job-seekers.

I have a solution for you, though: Let's pay teachers by the number of students getting honest 90-plus scores in their classes. Get 90 percent of students to score 90-plus on national independent testing and teachers get a $100,000 bonus. Of course, if they don't after trying for three years, they get fired. Fair enough?

Warren Pegram
Snow Camp

Would Guilford County please take away field oversight at Gibson Park from the town of Jamestown? Our kids deserve a place to play, and practice, without the fields being closed every time a drop of rain hits the ground. It seems as though every time a drop of rain hits the ground, the fields are closed. This is absurd.

I can understand if the fields are drenched, but when it rains on a Thursday, and Friday is sunny and windy all day allowing the fields to dry out (and a decision is made at 4 p.m. on Friday to cancel all Saturday games), then use the fields; that is what they are there for, to be played on.

It doesn't seem that the town of Jamestown has the kids' best interests at heart, and it should not be making field decisions at Gibson Park.

Greg Everhart
Jamestown

James Cameron says they found the body of Jesus. Well, the BBC reported this 12 years ago and scholars did not take it seriously then, either. Professor Amos Kloner, the archaeologist who oversaw the work at the tomb in 1980 and has published its contents, dismissed the claims. "It makes a great story for a TV film, but it's impossible. It's nonsense. There is no likelihood that Jesus and his relatives had a family tomb," Kloner said. "They were a Galilee family with no ties in Jerusalem."

The family from Galilee would not have been buried there. Joseph, a construction worker, would not have been able to afford a tomb.

Do they have a test sample of the DNA of Jesus? Without that there is no proof, just conspiracies with a thin veneer of scholarship.

The "James" ossuary came from the same tomb? Israel charged five suspects with forgery in connection with that infamous bone box.

We can comfort ourselves with the fact that if Cameron is looking for Jesus, he will find him. Luke 24:6 says, "He is not here, but is risen." The body of Jesus is not in a tomb.

David McGee
Kernersville

In defense of T. Dianne Bellamy-Small: Why should she resign her seat on the City Council when Billy Yow has been allowed to remain a county commissioner? He has been a local and a national disgrace to Greensboro.

Councilwoman Florence Gatten should get her facts in order before calling for anyone's resignation. Unless the incident with the police officer is on tape, there's no proof as to what transpired.

Pauline Austin
Greensboro

The recent controversy around Councilwoman T. Dianne Bellamy-Small highlights the politically correct politics of our day. The Pulpit Forum calls Councilwoman Florence Gatten's comments about Bellamy-Small's behavior "manipulative and deeply rooted in racist assumptions and values."

Playing the race card is a way of silencing one's critics and taking a moral high ground. Inconveniently for the Pulpit Forum, Gatten is neither being racist nor manipulative. She has correctly identified immature and narcissistic behavior.

Fredrick May
Greensboro

If it is not playing the race card to ask if Sen. Barack Obama is black enough, is it playing the race card to ask if he is white enough to be elected?

Richard A. Davis
Pfafftown

I read the letter by David G. Willett (Feb. 27) concerning a day of observance for Native Americans. I myself, having Native American heritage, truly believe it is long overdue. Even if I didn't have Cherokee blood running through my veins, I would still support this motion to honor these people.

The atrocities that the Native Americans suffered during the Trail of Tears are unspeakable, to name one incident. To rob a people of their homes, families and everything they had built and worked for without remorse shows just how wicked the heart of man can be. To be lied to and manipulated into believing these lies shows just how deceitful the heart of man can be.

For Native Americans to hold their heads up and continue in spite of what they had gone through shows just how determined the spirit of man can be.

I think it is high time for America to honor Native Americans and let the process of healing begin throughout the land.

I commend Willett for having the heart and compassion to recognize that a major part of the history of this land has been overlooked. Let's let the Native Americans know that we haven't forgotten, and we never will.

Jamie Snead
Randleman

Your March 2 editorial totally misses the point of recalling Dianne Bellamy-Small. The purpose is to remove the councilwoman who has flagrantly abused her elected position and made a mockery of her seat on the City Council.

You question whether it is worth the time and expense to hold a special election and remove her now. How can you equate economics with the strong message that a recall would send to the council?

She has embarrassed our great city multiple times. The voters in her district need to speak clearly and quickly. Waiting until the elections in November is wrong. Common sense must trump political correctness.

Ken Eiler
Greensboro

The Chavis Branch Library several years ago sent out a notice of a meeting concerning hope for growth in attendance of children. I went to the meeting carrying only a pencil and paper, expecting the usual: appointment of committees to study the problem, etc.

A very young woman brought with her careful notes, which in effect said, "Here's what needs to be done, and here's how to do it." Unspoken but evident was her attitude: "Let's not waste time with polite frippery, committees, etc."

Amused and amazed at such a brash young expert, I agreed with her. So did the others, unless my memory fails me. The young woman was Dianne Bellamy-Small.

Jean M. Bright
Greensboro

I'm heartbroken. How can the children who read the newspapers and listen to the news on TV learn to be honest, trusted with confidential information, not threaten police if they decide to speed and get caught, etc., when a group of black people defend Dianne Bellamy-Small, who is guilty of all of the above?

Here's our chance to teach our children — black, white, whatever — that when a person does these things, he or she has to pay the consequences. Surely, the black people want to set a good example for their children (and everyone's). The black people I know feel very strongly about good behavior. Doesn't this special group care about what they stand for as an example for their children?

Emelie Thomas
Greensboro

Max Roseman's letter (Feb. 23) shows how much reason has been sacrificed to sentimental togetherness. Saying all gods are one is atheism because it assumes that there is no real God who exists in himself, whose particular nature is unaltered by our beliefs. All "gods" are not the same.

Christians believe Jesus is divine, God's son. Muslims believe it is blasphemy to think God has a son. Hindus believe in millions of gods. Pagans believe not only in a Lord but a Lady. Obviously, not all these can exist because they contradict each other. That means lots of people pray to a god that doesn't exist and cannot help them no matter how benevolent their intentions.

Not only that, but all religions disagree on the human dilemma and how to solve it. Only Jesus of all religious founders claimed to be God and the reparation for our sins. Unless you accept his death on your behalf, you stand guilty of your own misdeeds before a just and holy God who will hold you accountable. No other alleged gods can save you because they don't exist.

As Jeremiah says: "Do men make their own gods? Yes, but they are not gods" (Jeremiah 16:20).

Stephen G. Wessells
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Kevin Green

On behalf of the War Memorial Coliseum Commission, I would like to congratulate Matt Brown and the staff of the Greensboro Coliseum for the tireless efforts showcasing the ACC Women's Basketball Tournament.

The entire city should be proud of the overwhelming success of the event, which showed the country that Greensboro is home to the best women's basketball tournament year in and year out.

With more than 69,000 tickets sold, the ACC Women's Tournament once again shattered every record and continues to set the pace for all others to match.

The tournament host committee, led by Dr. Harrison Turner, led a group of more than 400 volunteers from throughout the city welcoming people to our fan-friendly coliseum and providing that special touch that sets Greensboro apart from other host cities.

Our crown jewel, the Greensboro Coliseum Complex, again offered the fans a clean, comfortable environment and showcased Greensboro in a very positive light.

The News & Record provided excellent daily coverage of the tournament, providing helpful guides to all the events and the inside scoop on the games themselves.

The list goes on, but that is just some of the tremendous support necessary to run a premier event. Managing Director Brown and his staff made the experience first class for all who attended. Whether it was a school-age fan or a proud parent of a player, they left just counting the days for next year's tournament to begin.

We hope we can do an even better job the weekend of March 23-26, when Greensboro hosts the NCAA Eastern Regional Women's Finals and continues its efforts to show the NCAA that Greensboro deserves to be home to a future Women's Final Four.

I encourage all to purchase tickets and attend the games and activities, as Greensboro will roll out the welcome mat to thousands of fans as they enter Tournament Town.

The writer is chairman of the War Memorial Coliseum Commission.

On Feb. 23, a Winston-Salem police officer was killed in the line of duty. What a horrible shame for all people. This officer, his wife, their children and everyone who knew him have been done a great injustice by the News & Record.

In the Feb. 24 paper there was a very small statement and I did not find anything in the Feb. 25 edition. The Feb. 26 paper had a story regarding a police officer and her duties. That's great, as we all need to know what they do, how they do it and how they survive.

Greensboro's officers are under a great amount of stress due to the political unrest that this town has. Law enforcement personnel and firefighters are human beings who wanted to be public servants since they were small. Why else would they want to put their lives on the line for the likes of us?

Yes, they are human and make mistakes, but they are trying to keep you and me safe from the horrible things that go on in our world. Thank God for them every day. I know I do.

Everyone's life has value, but public servants deserve more than a small mention when they lose their lives.

Debbie Morton
Greensboro

Why does Bellamy-Small feel she is above the law and others? If I got stopped for 15 miles over the speed limit, I would be in court paying a fine and get points on my license. If I told my boss I must get desk space where I want it, I would be told to hit the road. If I leaked information at work, I'd be fired.

She has disgraced her position as an elected official, and then claims she is never in the wrong. I live in her district and she probably has never set foot in this area to find out what our needs are. If she feels she is so high and mighty, she needs to take a look at reality. It is time for her to go.

As for the recall petition that is in a secret location, how can the voters get to sign it? Is she in control of it too?

Robert Pinnix
Greensboro

I attended Guilford College and graduated in 1982. I am not of the Quaker faith and hold no ill will toward those who are. Even with the nonviolent basis of the Quaker religion, I think someone (the News & Record) has spent an extreme amount of time covering "the fight" which occurred on campus. I have seen less coverage of homicides.

If the truth came out in public, I would venture to bet this was a typical incident on the typical college campus. Someone said something and someone said something back. Alcohol was most likely involved on one or both sides.

Now that the college has handed out its punishments, please move on to cover the major issues facing the Triad, North Carolina and our great nation.

Tom Jacobs
Bear, Del.

I feel the need to vent my frustrations toward the city of High Point's Building Department. I have been a resident of High Point long enough to know that there is no plan for this city's growth and beautification.

Living in the area of Skeet Club and Highway 68, I have seen more and more dysfunctional planning and maintaining of the area, such as the shopping center now housing the Big Lots. The parking lot is in such disrepair, with potholes you could lose a car in and a catch basin full of bottles and paper with ducks swimming amongst them.

Recently, three mobile homes were moved onto a lot on Whites Mill alongside $250,000-and-up homes, which the city says is legal. OK, so now will the city reduce all of the surrounding area taxes to accommodate our housing value loss?

How can the city allow some developer from Greensboro to come in and do this to our area? Did this developer need to come to High Point because Greensboro would not allow this to happen in its city limits? Who decides that it is OK to ruin the value of the major investment most of us have in our homes? Who will be accountable?

We need help over here and fast, before people start making a mass exodus out of High Point.

Germaine Mahoney
High Point

I watch and read with great interest the Walter Reed Medical Center controversy. The American veteran has been denied, ignored and insulted for much too long.

As a Vietnam combat veteran (decorated if it matters), the disrespect shown to veterans of that era and now the present has been documented by myself and many thousands of vets. Veterans Affairs has a very difficult job, and I am sure many employees do a great job. But, they (VA) are also shackled by politics and a "let's cut VA spending" attitude. Many politicians would rather have some local, feel-good project.

It's time we, as Americans, respect our veterans and show them we appreciate their sacrifice. These fine young men now coming home do not deserve a runaround on benefits and medical treatment.

Take care of your vets.

Jerry Danielson
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Frances Jochum

In a recent edition of "Art in America," News & Record editor John Robinson was quoted regarding the newspaper's coverage of visual art.

He quite candidly admitted to the paucity of coverage, saying, "It could be a self-fulfilling prophecy — we don't write about it because it's not that much in demand, but it's not in demand because we don't write about it."

He also said, "The visual arts get less coverage in the newspaper than any of the other artistic fields, with the possible exception of dance." How sad.

We appreciate that newspaper space is devoted to the symphony and to the theater in our community, but there are also excellent exhibitions and permanent collections of art in Greensboro that the general public deserves to know more about.

At the Weatherspoon Museum on the campus of UNCG, for example, one can always find stimulating work from the permanent collection (of more than 5,000 pieces) and thoughtful exhibitions of both well-known and emerging artists.

In 2007, this museum offers the public nine different exhibitions from the collection, three shows by Falk visiting artists, three traveling shows from other institutions, one national and one international exhibition which were initiated by the museum, as well as numerous lectures, films and other educational opportunities. No fee is charged for admission, but membership in the museum association is always the best way to learn about what is happening at the Weatherspoon.

We who do care about the importance of art in our lives would like to see more coverage, including criticism, by our local newspaper of the many opportunities to experience the visual arts in Greensboro. Our paper can serve the population as a valuable resource for broadening knowledge and interests.

The writer is president, Weatherspoon Museum Association.

In Allen Johnson's March 4 column, he questions the use of the word 'rogue,' after listing a litany of transgressions by T. Dianne Bellamy-Small. Several of these transgressions border on being criminal in nature. He then berates Florence Gatten for being huffy, overblown and drenched in self-righteousness.

Were the inflammatory words of "lynching," "a black target of white arrogance" and "black-white thing" needed to strengthen Johnson's position as an apologist for Bellamy-Small?

One needs to ask oneself, was the use of the adjective "white" absolutely necessary as he described Gatten? And in speaking of Bellamy-Small and her district, was the use of the adjective "black" absolutely necessary? Of what possible significance did the playing of the race card have to do with the matters at issue?

Would the community not have been better served if Johnson would have written about the issues that Bellamy-Small has now placed before the citizens of Greensboro and of the City Council, rather than turning it into a racial issue? There's clearly no mystery as to how Johnson feels about Gatten.

Ed Pring
Greensboro

Regarding Tony Mochetti's letter (Feb. 26) in which he claims that the Democrats support terrorists, are cowardly, have no guts, etc.:

The Democrats can hardly do worse than the Republicans have done for the past six-and-half years under Bush's leadership. Here are a few facts that he should think about the next time he wants to castigate the Democrats:

I recently attended the ACC Women's Tournament with my family, and I must say that the games were entertaining to watch. However, I was quite disappointed with the coliseum's handling of the event.

Considering that the ACC has extended its contract there to 2015, I hope that they will work to improve on several items:

Based on your "Put Tom On It" column, I was able to finally get rid of an ugly satellite dish on a pole that has been in my yard for two years. Thank you, Tom Taylor, for all your follow-through on my behalf.

Thanks, also, to Evonne Frost, Sheldon Smith and Craig Dobert of the city of Greensboro for calling me back, as promised, and for taking care of the problem.

Their actions were quick, and I especially appreciated the courtesy with which I was treated. Their work is an example for others to follow.

Laura J. Kruse
Greensboro

The Bible teaches that we should judge a tree by the fruit it bears. It has become apparent that there is a bad apple on the Greensboro City Council in T. Dianne Bellamy-Small. The Bible does not distinguish between an apple or pear tree, yet certain church leaders are now claiming racism.

Did Jesus approve of lying and deceit? Of greed and selfishness? Of possible abuse of power? Did Jesus preach a different set of morals and principles for the different races on the planet? It is disingenuous of the Pulpit Forum to ignore such behaviors while accusing the media of racism.

As leaders, council members should set the highest standards for themselves and serve as role models. Given the embarrassments she has brought upon herself, one would think that Bellamy-Small would choose to take the most noble and honorable course of action: Step down.

In the next election, the voting constituency of District 1 will also be judged by the fruit it bears. Until that time, however, it is in the best interests of the Greensboro community that she resign.

Greg Carroll
Greensboro

Regarding your report on Feb. 28 of the deaths of at least 1,000 North Carolina women (many of them mothers) in the past two years from domestic violence:

Why in the name of humanity would you "bury" this information in the obituaries on page 5, Section B, along with the good news of further action being taken by the General Assembly on behalf of victims of domestic violence?

Placing the story where more women might read it could possibly deter some impending cases of violence due to precautionary action being taken, don't you think?

Is there not a female reporter on your staff who might take these "staggering" numbers into account and do justice to this story?

Naomi Knight
Greensboro

It appears the News & Record and city government are in lock step in an attempt to discredit former police Chief David Wray.

In recent months, there has been a rising tide of negative commentary about David Wray from both sources that seemed coordinated for maximum effect. Reporters Lorraine Ahearn and Eric Townsend, objects of criticism in the Rhinoceros Times articles written by Jerry Bledsoe, seem intent on retaliation by attacking David Wray at every turn.

The city manager also has been able to inject his negative comments on several opportune occasions. The city has ballyhooed the ongoing police department's criminal investigation by the SBI.

If David Wray is found to have committed criminal wrongdoing while police chief, then he will have to face the possibility of criminal indictment. There are many who hope and believe this is not true. David Wray had a long and distinguished professional record that often crossed racial lines in a positive way. Surely, his record of service and accomplishment entitle him to more respect than has been shown him thus far by the city government and this newspaper.

Bill Knight
Greensboro

It really hurts me to read and see the difficulty that some of our injured veterans of the Iraqi war are going through to receive care and disability pay.

Cpl. Dell McLeod ("Holding pattern," Life section, March 5) spent 10 months in Iraq and then sustained a head and back injury from what seemed to be a faulty repair job on a door on a big rig. The door fell on him and he has spent a year wading through red tape to get help.

He and his wife have been staying in fleabag quarters for that duration while the higher-ups decide if he is eligible for disability. The holdup is that the people in charge have doubts the injury actually caused his brain damage because -- get this -- Cpl. McLeod is said to have been "slow" from childhood.

This happened at our prestigious Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Maryland.
If this is even remotely possible, I would say the "slowest" people involved here would be the recruiters and examiners who coax and process young men and women into military service without proper medical testing and evaluation.

Chris Myott
Eden

Many of us are seriously distressed by the money chase in politics. The recent guilty pleas by former House Speaker Jim Black have exposed the dominant role of money in politics. The rising cost of campaigns causes legislators to spend too much of their time fundraising. Public financing is the solution that challenges the influence of big money and special-interest groups because it can give candidates real independence.

I urge the legislators to expand public financing in North Carolina and give candidates an alternative to the money chase. I also urge voters to check the yes box on their North Carolina tax returns, which will transfer $3 to a special public campaign fund but will not change their tax refund.

Kay Doost
Greensboro

I am a small-business owner confused about the rising cost of gasoline. I have watched gas prices climb 21.5 percent in less than six weeks. On March 2, the cost of light crude fell below $60 a barrel, yet we continue to see price increases at the pump.

I am a firm advocate of the free-market system until it is misused. Oil industry mergers and lack of government monitoring have allowed major gas producers to increase prices any time there is a perceived market adjustment. One current justification is the switch to summer-grade gas.

I am a conservative who disagrees with the GOP's hands-off policy with major oil. Liberal Democrats and some moderates reject drilling in Alaska, the Gulf of Mexico, and off the coast of Florida and North Carolina. These groups also blamed President Bush for price increases after Hurricane Katrina. The president's proposed energy policy promotes ethanol as an alternative fuel, but this will take years to implement.

If the new Democratic majority wants to help small business, they should enact legislation to reduce and stabilize gas prices, promote building additional refineries, and release their chokehold on our natural resources until these new energy policies are implemented.

Now that Democrats control Congress, why have they turned a blind eye to this important issue?

Tommy Hunter
Greensboro

Recent scandals at Walter Reed highlight the accomplishments of this administration. We are almost surprised that the administration did not announce that we "heal with the hospitals we have, not the hospitals we would like to have."

This administration has cut Veterans Administration funding and oversight, just as it has cut oversight for just about every federal program. Without oversight, are we surprised the government is running blind?

The vice president suggests that he won't let "federal bureaucracy" get in the way of fixing the Walter Reed mess. Excuse me, but isn't he in charge of the federal bureaucracy? From the folks who brought us Abu Ghraib and the Katrina fiascoes, voila! … a new mess.

We now have a perfect storm of incompetence: a president whose experience is a failed business and baseball team, a vice president whose experience is running a corrupt defense subcontractor, and oversight groups, including the Congress and the press, that fail to examine the facts.

In short, let's fight the terrorists at home before they go abroad.

Kurt Lauenstein
Greensboro

Laura J. Ford's letter, "People who use labels lack faith in their ideas" (March 4), reprimands Tony Moschetti (letter, Feb. 26) for labeling liberals as cowards, despicable, fools, etc.

My question to Ford is, if she finds labels offensive, has she considered how offensive we conservative Christians find the liberal catalog of condemnation and humiliating labels? They have a label for every idea disagreeing with theirs, e.g., "bigot, hateful, homophobic, narrow-minded nitwits, intolerant, right-wing extremists, Talibans," etc. All because we believe the Bible is God's word and is true, and that by repenting and believing on Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we have the hope of salvation and eternal life.

Jesus tells a humorous story of a person attempting to remove a tiny speck from another's eye only to become a spectacle himself due to the huge beam dangling from his own eye. "Let them who have ears hear what saith the Lord."

Allen Bullard
Randleman

The recent controversy involving an elected city official who was stopped for speeding brings to mind the story of a traffic stop involving then-President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson.

Only after stopping the president's car did the poor officer realize whom he'd stopped. The officer saluted and said, "It's all right, Mr. President, I didn't know it was you." "On the contrary," the president replied, "I, of all people, must observe the laws."

Richard E. Rumley Jr.
Greensboro

In answering Elizabeth Jones (letter, March 6), she says we are turning our backs on our soldiers. Well, now that the Walter Reed fiasco has been uncovered, I wonder whom she is going to blame?

Doesn't she think the soldiers feel betrayed by an administration that sent them to war under false pretenses and now will not take care of them when they are sent home with brain injuries and with lost limbs?

She talks of not having protective armor. We are past the three-year mark in this war. Doesn't she think this administration should have given our troops what they need by now?

Last but not least, she says President Bush is a Christian man, I do not know that for a fact, but if he truly is, why did he deceive us to get us into this terrible war?

Paul Moscato
Siler City

Someone much brighter than I once said something to the effect that anyone intelligent enough to run the job of president of the United States is much too smart to run for that job.

Makes you wonder about some of the recent occupants of the White House and all those 2008 wannabes, doesn't it?

Roy Montrose Graham
Reidsville

We have heard from some of you that you've had problems posting comments to letters to the editor.

If that's the case, please let us know (edpage@news-record.com). We've noticed a decrease in the number of comments since we've made some technical updates to our blogs.

The more we can learn about how widespread the problem is (and to whom it's happening), the better and more quickly we hope to be able to fix it.

Thanks for your help and patience.

It is good to see that after seven years in a row, the number and cost of so-called pork-barrel projects is way down.

Who needs a bridge that goes nowhere, a study on teapot museums or any other study? This is not needed.

What is needed is better hospitals and places for our wounded soldiers who return from wars, who have put their lives in harm's way so that we Americans and the world can be free from enemies.

Give credit where credit is due and help where help is needed here in the USA to help our own troops.

God bless all of them for fighting to help us keep our freedom and may God bless us all.

Iris Newby
Eden

Where has our respect and etiquette gone? My wife and I frequently eat out. I wonder what has happened to people respecting other people. I am talking to those that have forgotten that you are in a public place and should show respect to others.

Some pet peeves:

For many years prior to being elected to City Council, Florence Gatten served Greensboro in leadership roles on various boards. Then and now, she has consistently taken her responsibilities seriously and demonstrated this through high standards of behavior.

She is hard-working, does her "homework," is prepared for meetings, gets to meetings on time, makes herself easily available to citizens and is courteous to others.

For those in the public eye, conduct is important. Florence Gatten holds herself to high standards of conduct and I am glad she is one of our city leaders.

Janice "Smack" Mack
Greensboro

President Bush has assured us that there are no plans to invade Iran or seek a military solution to the "Iran problem." This in spite of (1) an eerie similarity to the military maneuvers and rhetoric preceding the Iraq invasion, (2) the arrival of the USS Stennis and its aircraft carrier task force in the Persian Gulf along with fixed Iranian target sites, and (3) Iran being another major source of petroleum.

That the Bush administration is incapable of dealing honestly with the American public was established long ago. Plans for removing the current Iranian leaders have been high on the agenda of the reactionary members of the Project for the New American Century whose membership has included leading neocons Richard Armitage, Dick Cheney and Zalmay Khalilzad — a who's who of bad decision makers and worse planners.

This administration may not know much, but they know that oil is in regions of large Shia populations in Iraq, Iran and even in Saudi Arabia. This fact, amplified by our love of 15 mile-per-gallon vehicles, drives oil men in Washington to surge and plan for the bombing of Iran. All the rest is fabricated rhetoric.

Gerald Meisner
Greensboro

As an animal shelter volunteer, I applaud Guilford County for considering a spay/neuter requirement for cats and dogs ("Proposal: Spay or pay," March 10).

It's heartbreaking to see so many loving, healthy cats and dogs — including animals from breeders and cast-off dogs abandoned at the end of the hunting season — being euthanized simply for lack of homes.

Nationwide, three to four million animals are euthanized in shelters every year. With so many animals dying for homes, having your animals spayed or neutered is part of the responsibility that comes along with caring for an animal. If people can't afford to have their 40 "hunting dogs" sterilized, then they shouldn't have so many dogs in the first place.

Please, do the right thing — have your animals spayed or neutered. For the low-cost clinics nearest you, call 1-800-248-SPAY. Visit www.HelpingAnimals.com to learn more.

Lindsay Pollard-Post
Norfolk, Va.

The writer is with for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Paul L. Hastings

As a partially disabled veteran of the Vietnam era, I have been following closely this outrageous situation uncovered at the Walter Reed Hospital in D.C.

Only recently, I spoke with an old friend and fellow Vietnam vet who was totally unaware of a medical condition for which he should be compensated.

Through assistance of his local VA coordinator (with paperwork and a physical), he is now receiving a benefit. Made my heart sing.

There's a problem, though. Why did he have to find out about this from me? And I only knew of it from an article in a periodic Agent Orange newsletter that I receive.

Conclusion: The government is not going to proactively seek out any of us to say it owes
us anything. The veterans will need to rely on other veterans to uncover their potential rights and dues.

Back to the hospital problems. The fact that so many veterans are housed in such deplorable conditions is, I believe, just a symptom of the real problems. Kind of like the tip of the iceberg, so to speak.

While I get real emotional seeing the thoughtfulness and energy with which we greet our returning heroes (missed that when I came home in 1967), what then?

It is such a terrific gesture, but many of those who can walk off those airplanes may need some counseling.

Don't forget, the mind can be wounded without a bullet going through it. Then there are those who are taken off planes on stretchers who may not have the opportunity to experience this type of reception. The same thing happens in both situations.

The emotions of the moment fade, the press has covered a really great "photo op" for their closing story on the news that day, and the veteran passes through the portal and fades to black — lost in the government morass.

Shame on our government. Shame.

The writer lives in Lexington.

Regarding James Quinn's letter (March 10), in which he compared military recruiters to drug dealers:

If Quinn's thoughts represent mainstream America, we have slipped to a point so low that we may never recover.

I am in my 19th year as a high school teacher and coach. I have frequently crossed paths with military recruiters, whom I have found to be courteous and professional. Several of my former students and players have answered their country's call and enlisted.

I can honestly say that to a person, these young men and women have become better people as a result of their military experience. They may not have chosen such a path without the recruiters toward whom Quinn expressed such disdain.

Having never served in the military, I often feel a void in my own life. So many have served and given the ultimate sacrifice that the last thing I will choose to do is criticize them.

Quinn probably hasn't considered that, without these sacrifices for his freedom and mine, he would not be able to spew such garbage as I read. God bless America and those who defend her.

Lin Stadler
Reidsville

The City Council's decision ("Council votes down TRC Resolution," March 7) to oppose seriously considering the report and recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (GTRC) sends a puzzling signal to those outside Greensboro who have regarded the process as a courageous undertaking.

We found the GTRC process to be thoughtfully tailored to Greensboro while leveraging important lessons from other truth-seeking experiences. The commission paid special attention to ensuring its independence and credibility and to hearing all views. Its report, worthy of study and consideration, pointed to the lasting consequences of Nov. 3, 1979.

It's sad to see another squandered opportunity to support efforts to reconcile through understanding a tragic and divisive chapter of the city's past.

Why would anyone vote against modeling and promoting "an attitude of respect for all people," as the resolution proposed; against studying the report, considering its recommendations, and urging an inclusive, informed community debate?

Greensboro's Mosaic Project Web site says increasing "trust across races and cultures" requires the city to "reflect upon and recognize our past in order to create our brightest future." Hopefully, others in Greensboro, if not the council, will follow that advice.

Lisa Magarrell
New York

The writer works with the International Center for Transitional Justice.

I am certain many vets, injured Iraqi soldiers, Marines and their loved ones have been writing their congressmen concerning the conditions at Walter Reed Army Hospital for quite some time.

Did any of our congressmen miss a lunch with their favorite lobbyist and walk over and personally take a look at the conditions at Walter Reed? No, as usual, the press and a seriously wounded national news personality blew the whistle.

Congress will play the role of Sgt. Schultz -- "I know nothing" -- and terminate the careers of a few generals and bureaucrats and it will be business as usual.

Bruce McCreedy
Greensboro

I am calling for Florence Gatten's removal from the City Council. My reasons: She is rude and speaks without thinking; she flip-flops for political expediency; and she grandstands in an attempt to grab headlines.

Debra Harris
Greensboro

So, let me get this straight. The Pulpit Forum is rallying to back Dianne Bellamy-Small simply because she is a black woman. They are shouting "racism" to whomever will listen because someone, a Caucasian someone, had the nerve to call Bellamy-Small to task on her repeated flouting of the law and abuse of office?

Does the color of her skin give her a free pass to behave the way she has in the eyes of these people of the cloth? Would they have acted the same way if it had been one of the other black members of council who spoke up against her?

Calling the race card is a cheap way to take heat off a woman who is clearly power-hungry, using her office and relations within the police department to her personal advantage because she has some misguided sense of entitlement. This is simply not a race issue. It is a matter of right and wrong, not black and white.

Hopefully, the good people of District 1 will see beyond this race-baiting rabble-rousing come November.

Debbie Cook
High Point

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Fred Gregory

I am writing to express my outrage over the perverse prosecution of Lewis "Scooter" Libby, former chief of staff to the vice president, by an out-of-control, overzealous special prosecutor, Patrick Fitzgerald, whose investigation, in the words of a Washington Post editorial, "arose from a scandal remarkable for its lack of substance."

This was monstrous overkill over a series of lies cooked up by dissembling blowhard Joe Wilson and his wife to undermine an administration in the middle of a war.

Within a few days of his appointment Fitzgerald knew that the so-called outing of CIA analyst Valerie Plame was done by State Department hack Richard Armitage and that the act itself was not a violation of the Foreign Intelligence Identities Act because Plame was not covert. The sensible thing to do at that point, as other special prosecutors had done in the past, was to pack up and go home.

But no, not "Fitzfong," who for two years scoured the White House and terrified (and jailed) reporters, searching for a process crime, any crime, even lacking an underlying illegality. Finally, to the delight of the Bush haters, poor Libby was nailed for spitting on the sidewalk.

Now take a look at what happened to Bill Clinton's former national security adviser, Sandy Berger, who stole and destroyed original, irreplaceable classified documents from the National Archives. No doubt, if these documents had come before the 9/11 Commission they would have shown blunders in dealing with threats posed by al-Qaida and would have been embarrassing to the previous administration.

After first denying his crime, Berger gets a misdemeanor sweetheart deal, no jail time, a puny fine and, just in time for the next Democratic president (God forbid), the right to obtain a security clearance. By the way, Berger's plea bargain included an agreement to take a polygraph test, which he has yet to undergo. Shame! President Bush, pardon Lewis Libby now.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

The editorial, “Ethics on death row” (March 10), really puzzles me for various reasons. The North Carolina Medical Association and your newspaper say that a physician’s presence at executions is wrong because it violates medical ethics. I cannot argue with that point, but this is my suggestion to alleviate the problem:

Obtain a list of all the physicians who not only participate in abortions but actually perform them, and use them to participate in executions, as they have already done their dirty work. They have already violated their ethics without losing their medical licenses.

In a related subject about pain and suffering with the present way condemned individuals are executed, I probably am having the same problem, although I’m not a person on death row, not yet anyway. Four or more times a month I have injections into my veins to obtain blood, and once or twice a year I have IVs, so perhaps the doctors who administer them are violating their ethics about pain and suffering.

Bernard L. Zales
Greensboro

Charles Davenport’s column on climate change (March 4) is inaccurate if not disinformation.
Davenport decries how mainstream media report climate change. He omits that mainstream media articles through 2002 actually favored the contrary position by ignoring the growing scientific consensus on climate change and giving equal or favorable coverage to what were increasingly peripheral and discredited minority opinions.

Balanced reporting is “fair” only when there are two sides of equal credibility, but climate contrarians can’t make their contradictory stories consistent, and they consistently sacrifice their credibility by botching or omitting crucial information.

Similarly, Davenport botches what little “evidence” he has to counter the scientific consensus. He claims that surface temperatures and temperature-related conditions in Antarctica during recent decades counter early models of climate change. He ignores, however, that these localized conditions are consistent with more recent models, that obvious surface warming does occur in exterior areas of Antarctica, and that scientists have reasonable explanations for the exceptions: Banned man-made ozone-depleting gases remain in the atmosphere, ultimately leading to countervailing weather conditions and lowered temperatures in parts of the Antarctic interior.

The temporary effects of local weather hardly refute the extensive record of global climate change.

Christopher C. Tew
Greensboro

I wish to thank David G. Willett (letter, Feb. 27) and Jamie Snead (letter, March 12) for urging the creation of a day of observance for Native Americans.

We Tsa-la-gi (Cherokee) and other Native Americans already have such a day, however, which we call “Day of Sorrows,” among other names. It is Oct. 12. All the government has to do is rename Columbus Day.

Tsa-li Yo-na (Charles Bear)
Greensboro

The communities of southeast Greensboro were excited and pleased to get a Super WalMart, Lowes and Cracker Barrel in Elmsley Square off South Elm/Eugene. However, we would like to see more varied shopping areas and restaurants similar to those on Wendover.

Are developers still planning to give us more shopping on the opposite side of Elmsley Square? A Sheetz gas station would be great, and many of us would like to see an Olive Garden and Target.

What is the status of this property, which has already been partially cleared and graded?

Barbara Knight
Greensboro

Many years ago, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) declared that television is a “wasteland.” Today, TV presents a multitude of shows filled with violence, sex, raunchy language and every other act of pornography known — all as entertainment. It is a wasteland.

These programs are even shown during the family hour, directed at children as well as adults. The entertainment industry continues to produce and present outrageous shows with no limit as to rotten content and language.

To combat this filth, please contact the FCC and register your concern. It will listen and act.
Contact: Kevin J. Martin, chairman, FCC, 445 12th St. NW, Washington, DC 20554
E-mail: fccinfo@fcc.gov
Phone : 1-888-225-5322

Don Mulligan
High Point

The article published on March 4, "One Chance: Two languages, two cultures," really sparked my attention. I have been involved with the Guilford County school system for about three years, and the growing number of non-English-speaking students we serve has become obvious. I commend the district for the efforts that have been made to make our school system more diverse; however, many students are being left behind due to the content and intensity of the end-of-grade tests.

What about these children? Is the school district doing everything it can to make these students succeed?

Where are all the interpreters who were newly hired to help these families? I have not had the pleasure of working with any of them, and I deal with a large number of students who desperately need that service.

I, too, look forward to the revision of the No Child Left Behind Act because it is clear that many of our students are falling through the cracks. It is becoming impossible to measure the true success of academic performance.

Pachovia Kimes
Greensboro

Newspapers across the state have commented on the Forbes exposé in which N.C. Treasurer Richard Moore is accused of accepting campaign contributions from firms that manage the state's $73 billion retirement system.

That is not illegal, and the contributions seem modest compared to the money often spent in campaigns.

But Forbes also mentions the failure of Moore's office to provide timely reports of how the $73 billion is invested. Under Harlan Boyles, the reports came out regularly; now, the most recent that can be viewed online is for 2004-2005.

I used to be dismayed at Boyles' excessively conservative management of the pension investments, nearly all in AAA bonds. But I was far more dismayed when I discovered several years ago that most of the fund is now in equities, some speculative. I cannot report accurately on the current situation because the report is unreadable. The figures appear deliberately blurred.

North Carolina pension funds are the best in the country, being over-funded by about 8 percent. In the event of a serious bear market, however, that over-funding will vanish. The fund could lose $10 billion or more. Few retirees realize that 60 percent of their assets are in the stock market.

Tom Kirby-Smith
Greensboro

Is anyone as tired of the Greensboro City Council as I am? This latest squabble between council members is why I urge everyone to get out and vote when it is time.

Greensboro is a great city and deserves to be represented by a great council, not a bunch of people who apparently are incapable of demonstrating the integrity, honesty and responsibility it takes to know how to behave or to represent our city. I understand that it is not everyone on the council, but the deplorable actions of a few bring everyone down, which we have seen in the past.

Both Florence Gatten and Dianne Bellamy-Small have behaved like a couple of spoiled children who have not gotten their way and both should be ashamed. Honestly, it's embarrassing.
So, folks, take notes and when the time rolls around, get out and vote, go with your gut and let's make up a City Council that is committed to making our community a better place that we are proud to have.

James Tunstall
Greensboro

Regarding Charles Davenport Jr.'s column (March 4), "Hysteria displaces serious science on global warming":

He summarizes the subject in succinct terms and wraps it up with a nice bow to be thrown away with the rest of the trash. It's hard to add to his summary and most difficult to rebut. No need to beat a dead horse.

Even if Al Gore's fallacious thesis had merit, which it doesn't, he doesn't even practice what he preaches. Even the left coast's self-adoring Hollywood set gave him the dubious Oscar for lack of other causes they might have espoused. In so doing, they have scared kids the world over into believing that when they grow up, their land will be under water.

"Science says" might have surfaced here for once to dispel the myth.

Bob Guertin
Jamestown

One simple question regarding the North Carolina Medical Board's decision to discipline physicians who help the state put condemned inmates to death: Does the medical board also frown upon the physicians performing abortions? After all, those fetuses are innocent on all counts.

Just think about how messed-up our society has become.

Eileen Thiery
Stokesdale

The following is a Counterpoint column.

By Mary K. Wakeman

The Undoing Racism Reading Group would like to express its appreciation to the Greensboro Truth & Reconciliation commissioners for the magnificent job they did, writing the report of their pain­staking and difficult work over the course of two years in Greensboro. We read and discussed the full report section by section during our last four monthly meetings. We believe this document makes a significant contribution toward a more just and more inclusive future for Greensboro.

First of all, the quality of the writing: Truth and Reconciliation commissioners have managed to convey a huge amount of information in a manner that is clear, concise (considering!) and eminently readable. At times, one "couldn't put it down."

We appreciate the differences in perspective among them, which results in a kind of objectivity not achievable by a single author; the thoroughness of their research, which is so important to the credibility of the document; the breadth of information resulting from their having sought out so many different people, with such a wide variety of perspectives among themselves.

We appreciate the courage and stamina it took for each one to persist in the face of resistance to their efforts, the sacrifices they made of time and energy, the generosity of spirit that enabled them to hang in there with each other through a process that at times must have been excruciatingly painful.

This report is a monument that will be inspirational locally, nationally and internationally for years to come. We are so proud that they took up the challenge and stayed true to the mandate to the end. They have shown us how it is done. Now, it is our turn to take up their challenge to understand "issues of capital, labor, race, poverty, oppression, privilege and justice," and to have that understanding inform our work in the community toward implementing their recommendations.

Bravo, and thank you.

The writer lives in Greensboro; the article was written on behalf of the Undoing Racism Reading Group.

As a born and bred Georgian who grew up in Atlanta during the 1950s, I feel that I have the right to express my thoughts on the push for Georgia to follow Virginia's lead to apologize to the blacks for slavery. I certainly don't condone what happened and no human being should ever own another. Slavery, to me, is incomprehensible, but can this generation be expected to be held accountable for our forefathers' conduct?

If we are to apologize to any one group, let us begin with the Native Americans. We took their land and way of life as if it were our God-given right and then we exiled them to reservations.

Let's also apologize to the women of America, who were considered less important than men and denied the vote until the early 1920s. Now, let's fast forward to recent days and try to imagine that the next generation will be expected to apologize to same-sex couples who were denied the right to legally marry and have the same rights as heterosexuals.

My point? We can't control what has come before us, but only attempt to learn from past prejudices and see that we socially, politically or otherwise not be so arrogant to believe that one race, one sex, one lifestyle should be superior.

So get in line if you want an apology.

Carol Hook Rebb
Summerfield

The Bush administration appears to be playing politics with our troops. It is trying to create the illusion that those who oppose the war in Iraq do not care about the military forces there. The opposite may be true.

The Bush administration involved the United States in Iraq based on, at worst, lies and deceit or, at best, ignorance and negligence. It invaded a country that was little threat to us and put our military personnel at risk of death and injury for poor reasons, and wants to continue that risk for a failing policy. Those who are willing to put their lives on the line for our country deserve better than that.

Perhaps caring for our troops is removing them from harm's way and seeking a different solution.

Do those who oppose the Iraq war disrespect those who gave life and limb?

Again, the opposite may be true. There is no disrespect for the soldier, Marine or airman — just disrespect for the fools that sent them to Iraq.

True disrespect is letting more die for a failing policy and a president's pride.

N.K. Cline
Greensboro

Washington, D.C., is engaged in its favorite game of "scapegoat" with the vice president's former Chief of Staff Lewis "Scooter" Libby and his conviction on charges of perjury related to the leak about former Ambassador Joseph C. Wilson's wife Valerie Plame being a CIA operative.

The absence of testimony by Vice President Richard Cheney, which might have served to save Libby, reminds us of another famous scapegoat incident: the conviction of Deborah Gore Dean.

Amidst the scandals of the Department of Housing and Urban Development in 1989, HUD Secretary Samuel Pierce failed to appear in Dean's defense.

One of the major objectives in all scapegoat episodes is the diversion of attention from other prohibited activities. Protecting the involvement of Karl Rove and even Vice President Cheney in the campaign to discredit Wilson was a strong motivator for throwing Libby to the wolves.

Possibly Dean suffered the same fate in order to divert attention from HUD's treasure-trove of giveaways in the Housing and Urban Development programs. Dean was sentenced to four concurrent 21-month sentences and a modest fine.

Libby has yet to be sentenced and there is talk of a presidential pardon at a future time. This seems like a small price to pay to save the skins of political VIPs. Unless, of course, you happen to be the scapegoat.

Nancy Bowers
Greensboro

Articles in the News & Record inspire me to suggest solutions to various problems within our community and state.

On flooding and sewage spills in Latham Park, integrate the community like Woodmere Park. The city will immediately respond, as they did to the landfill stench. The probable long-term cost of trash transfer will far exceed the cost of sewer repair. What about the stench from Osborne Wastewater Treatment Plant? Which of these problems causes more immediate environmental damage and health risk? By law, all new landfill cells are lined and have leachate collection systems.

On the new jail cost, Skip Alston used his vast architectural and engineering expertise to devise a plan that lowers the jail cost to $4.5 million. Skip, apply this limitless knowledge to the cost of the Civil Rights Museum.

On state execution, the editorial (March 10) is ironic. "If the state can corrupt doctors, it can poison all," is very true. My solution to the dilemma with which the Department of Correction and the Medical Society are wrestling is simple. Change the state death sentence statute's wording from "death by execution" to "removal by abortion, type B." Problem solved.

Larry Chandler
Greensboro

I want to make sure I understand what Jay Moore is suggesting in his Faith Matters article (March 10). On a recent day, God manipulated the cosmos and Greensboro traffic light infrastructure in order that Moore could help a friend find a ladder at a Lowe's store, and that lady could later take care of his dog while he was on vacation.

I wonder if Moore is aware that:

1) Lowe's pays its employees to help customers find items like ladders.

2) At precisely the same moment God was synchronizing Greensboro traffic lights for Moore's magical ride, scores of people in Iraq were blown to pieces by a suicide bomber, who also believed God had placed him in precisely the right place at the right time to accomplish allegedly divine purposes.

Moore ends his piece by asking, "Ain't he amazing?" My response is, hardly. For if God can trick traffic lights and create parking spaces in order to meet the mundane desires of Moore and his friend, yet this same God can't and hasn't stopped wars, can't and hasn't cured cancer, then, no, that God ain't amazing at all. That God is woefully irrelevant, terribly trivial, and as ridiculous as Moore's Neanderthal and puerile world view.

David B. Ramsey
Greensboro

As a relative newcomer to Greensboro, I have always been inspired and grateful for the city's dedication to its parks system and, more importantly, the care of its trees. Sorrow and anger are the feelings I possessed as I recently drove into Friendly Shopping Center only to see that a third of the beautiful oak allee that once graced the old Harris Teeter had been cut to the ground.

Having grown up on an oak-covered street as a boy, these majestic trees reminded me of home and the security I felt from Club Boulevard in Durham. My hope is this desecration was brought about by some type of disease in the oaks and not by the general greed of needing a few more parking spaces in an already full concrete jungle.

I imagine this was done under the guise of economic progress. I only wish more thought had been given to the grand oaks before they were sent to the wood chipper.

Harold Ashworth
Greensboro

Elizabeth Jones (letter, March 6) asks us to continue to support the president and his war in Iraq because he is a Christian and asks other Christians for guidance.

George Bush took this country into a war that has cost more than 3,100 U.S. military lives and 32,500 wounded to date. Add to this the tens of thousands of innocent Iraqis killed and wounded, the hundreds of billions of our tax dollars expended, and the ever-worsening security situation in Afghanistan (where we should have completed the job of destroying al-Qaida). Then throw in the national disgrace recently reported (again) at Walter Reed.

I would like to have someone explain how it is that a war started on lies to satisfy some agenda of George Bush and the neocons that had nothing to do with the security of the United States meets anyone's definition of Christian values. How does such a war square with George Bush's supposed adherence to the teachings of a God of love? And what is Christian about sending young Americans into harm's way and treating them shabbily when they return with grievous wounds to their bodies and psyches?

Please, someone, explain this to me.

Lawrence Brenowitz
Greensboro

The recent decision by the N.C. Utilities Commission to approve construction of Duke Energy's Cliffside coal-fired power plant west of Charlotte is a move we estimate will increase North Carolina's global warming pollution by 3.8 million tons annually. This is just one of more than 150 new coal-fired power plants proposed across the country. If constructed, these power plants would emit more than 35 billion tons of additional global warming pollution.

To avoid the worst impacts of climate change, scientists tell us that we need to cut global warming pollution by at least 80 percent by 2050. Clearly, new coal-fired power plants take us in the wrong direction.

Congress has the opportunity to take us in the right direction with the Safe Climate Act, legislation that would set science-based limits needed to prevent the worst impacts of global warming by implementing solutions like increased renewable energy and energy efficiency.

We urge North Carolina's members of Congress to be a leaders in tackling global warming pollution by co-sponsoring the Safe Climate Act.

Margaret Hartzell
Raleigh

The writer is field associate with Environment North Carolina.

There is a name for the machine mentioned in Michael H. Hoppe's letter (March 7) about the assault on nature. I christened it the "Bush Hog from Hell" several years ago, when I was sickened by the mutilation it left behind.

Beware. The Bush Hog from Hell is everywhere. It tears, grinds, strips and hacks limbs and branches from trees, even when the trees are no threat to traffic. This damage weakens the remainder of the tree, making it vulnerable to insects and disease. This is DOT work. Shame on you!

Other trees are cut off several feet from the main trunk, making them look like hat racks. Cutting a branch close to the trunk allows it to heal properly. "Hat racks" are mostly power line work. Shame on you!

The visual damage lasts for years. It makes me sad, embarrassed and angry that there is so little regard for trees, which make up so much of the natural beauty along our roadsides.

Several weeks ago, Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue wanted an efficiency panel to look at saving state money. I vote that The Bush Hog from Hell should be the first casualty.

Loretta Lutman
Asheboro

Warren Pegram of Snow Camp (letter, March 11) might be surprised to find that I as a teacher actually agree with his suggestion to pay me a $100,000 bonus if I can get a certain number of my students to earn "honest 90-plus scores in their classes," based on national independent testing, much as coaches get paid large amounts for their winning records.

Of course, I must also insist that students be required to try out for my classes. I will be allowed to cut anyone lacking the proper skills and "bench" others who do not perform up to standards. Plus, I must be allowed to recruit the best students by offering them perks to come to my class rather than going to someone else's.

Finally, I will need a team of assistant teachers and a good booster organization to raise needed funds for equipment, field trip travel and other necessary expenses.

Build me that system, Mr. Pegram, and I will back your proposal.

Richard Johnson
Burlington

There are many beautiful things about the Triad, but I want to talk about something that isn't beautiful: litter.

Individuals and communities have the power to create and maintain a beautiful environment free of trash and unsightly waste, but we are not doing it.

If we each take personal responsibility for putting trash in its rightful place and setting the example for others, our environment will continue to be a source of livelihood and pride for ourselves, our children and families.

As a public health leader, one of my personal resolutions is to work with businesses, schools, neighborhood groups and local governments to improve our neighborhoods and preserve our area's natural resources. One such effort will begin with my own staff.

On Monday, April 2, a group of public health employees will be leading "High Point Spring Clean," a planned trash pickup event in a targeted area of the city.

I hope you will join us by participating in other local events, creating your own event or simply taking the time to keep your own community neat and clean. Together, we can clean up.

Merle C. Green
Greensboro

The writer is director, Guilford County Department of Public Health.

With the hullabaloo in the media about health-care conditions for our returning war veterans, let us not forget that this is only one group that faces a health-care crisis. About 45 million U.S. citizens are uninsured. Millions more are under-insured. The poor are forced to choose between buying medications or groceries. The fastest-growing bankruptcy cases and homeless population are related to medical costs.

Yet, health-care costs increase exponentially. Insurance rates steadily climb. U.S. citizens pay 60 percent more for prescription medications than people in other countries, while the pharmaceutical industry is one of the most profitable in the world. Is universal health care the answer?

The United States is the only industrialized nation that does not have a universal health-care plan. Opponents argue that such a plan is not worth the higher taxes required to pay for it. Where the majority of wealth is in the hands of a minority number of citizens, it seems that it is time for U.S. citizens to help each other.

I fear that without universal health care, our nation's poor, disabled, mentally ill, elderly, hard-working, able-bodied under-insured, innocent children and military veterans are becoming as disposable as pharmaceutical packaging.

Karen Phillips
Gibsonville

Like most of us, I was appalled at the live television coverage of the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

I could no longer watch the coverage on television and went outside with my daughter and painted our mailbox post and mailbox red, white and blue. We mounted an American flag on top of the wooden post.

As we were doing this, passing cars would blow their horns and people would stop and say it looked wonderful. This was done as a memorial to all of those who died during the events of that horrible and tragic day.

During the darkness of night, someone evidently took issue with my particular mailbox and it was destroyed. To whoever this little individual was, rest assured that it will be replaced and will continue to memorialize all those thousands of innocent people of all colors and backgrounds who died on Sept. 11.

Ron Pittman
Greensboro

On March 2, I was in the sad position of being in a funeral procession. It was a very long line of cars that traveled down U.S. 220 and Cone Boulevard to Lakeview Cemetery.

I was surprised at the number of people in the oncoming lanes of traffic who stopped and pulled to the side of the road. I just wanted you to know that your show of respect is greatly appreciated.

Theresa Gordon
Browns Summit

If the food fight provoked by David Geffen proved anything, it proved that Hillary Clinton will never be mistaken for a peace candidate.

Rewind to the penultimate Democratic controversy du jour.

At the risk of stumbling into a minefield only recently vacated by Joe Biden, I share with your readers the following.

Whenever I listen to Barack Obama, I can't help hearing the Peter Sellers character from the 1979 movie, "Being There."

The cryptic is not always profound; sometimes it's just cryptic.

Barney W. Hill
Thomasville

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Randall J. Keeney

I don't mean to be a stick-in-the-mud, but you had a wonderful idea and an adequate article titled "Faith, involvement, generosity, socializing, trust, activism" (March 13). Unfortunately, your artwork and your coverage within the article reduced "faith" to the cross and Christianity. You interviewed only Mark Sills (a very faithful and good man), a Christian.

I would suppose that you are aware that there are people of "faith" in Greensboro who might not be Christian. When your only symbol of "faith" is Christianity, you reduce people of other "good faith" to insignificance. I wonder if this was an error resulting from laziness or the cultural norm of Christian dominance.

Would you print an article on racism and only interview and consider Caucasians? Would you print an article on sexism and interview only men?

If you are going to print articles on "faith," please respect and consider the ideas of Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and others. When you reduce "faith" to the cross and only include Christians, you continue the cultural and religious bigotry that feeds the suspicion, hatred and war that we see around the world.

This ain't rocket science. It is simply a matter of respect and honor. Until we all change our thinking to consider and include people who believe differently than we, we will not grow beyond the fear and bigotry that divide us.

It's time we moved beyond passive notions of tolerance to the active and progressive extension of honor. The simple fact that I can say "we" and communicate my intent about cultural dominance says volumes.

To all the good people of faith in our community, I apologize for the arrogance and narcissism of cultural Christianity. Please know that many of us hope for and work toward the time when we can live in this world with the same unity and care that our creator offers us in the life to come.

The writer is priest at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church.

The state legislature should pass Rep. Hugh Holliman's proposed bill to create smoke-free workplaces since it has the support of the majority of citizens statewide as evidenced by a recent poll by Elon University. The bill also has the support of the N.C. Restaurant and Lodging Association.

Nonsmoking sections offer no protection against secondhand smoke. Allowing smoking sections in a restaurant is the same as allowing a peeing section in a public swimming pool.

People of limited means, people who are in a hurry and their children have no choice but to go into a restaurant or business, whether it allows smoking or not, and the surgeon general has warned against breathing even the smallest amount of secondhand smoke.

According to American Reynolds Tobacco Co., the bill will offer a reasonable solution to the problems created by secondhand smoke.

Bring me some clean air, please.

Barry D. Carlton
Elkin

Congress is complaining of the firing of eight U.S. attorneys. They even want a congressional investigation because "it is unprecedented" and politically motivated.

On March 14, the CBS Evening News legal expert reported that "this has never happened before." To prove it was politically motivated, CBS had John McKay report that he was fired without cause.

Perhaps both he and CBS forgot that McKay refused to investigate voter fraud in the state of Washington governor's race in 2004, even when newspapers reported that some of the voters were deceased; others were convicted felons. The Democratic governor won the statewide race by 126 votes.

Both Congress and CBS forgot about Bill Clinton's firing of 93 U.S. attorneys when he took office. It was done by Hillary Clinton's right-hand aide, Webster Hubbell, now in jail for fraud. Perhaps Hillary, who wants to be president, should be reminded of what was done while she was in the White House instead of being so shocked that eight were now fired for cause.

Edgar Mack
Greensboro

Is it too much to ask Lincoln Financial, a billion-dollar corporation, to deal with the hideous eyesore it owns on High Point Road? The former Jefferson Pilot headquarters looks like a mansion out of a grade-B horror movie. The grounds are worse. This vandal magnet is horrific by any measure. It is overrun with vermin and also shows evidence of squatters.

If the Wyndham Golf Tournament moves to Sedgefield, this is going to be fine eye candy for visitors. Lincoln Financial needs to tap the petty cash fund and deal with this embarrassment. If it doesn't, public officials should force it to do the right thing.

William Sparks
Greensboro

We can cool the earth by reducing one-half of the politicians in government that do nothing but talk. Wow! Think of the reduction in "hot air" each year.

That would mean less building space needed; less heat and air conditioning, lights and water. We would waste one-half as many resources like paper, pens, pencils, etc. — you fill in the blanks.

Wouldn't it be nice to have one-half less newspaper space wasted on political scandals? We could also save one-half the jet fuel that politicians use taking world trips at taxpayers' expense.

With one-half the politicians, it might be harder to protect big businesses that use dirty fuels.

Last, but not least, we could reduce one-half of wasted salaries.

I could go on, but you get the idea.

So, Sir Richard Branson, give me the $25 million. Perhaps it's off-the-wall, but it's my
idea on how to cool the earth.

Glenn Andrews
Greensboro

I read in the News & Record (March 13) President Bush said free trade (so-called free trade) is important to a lot of people.

He said the free-trade deal he pushed through Congress created jobs in America and Latin America.

I wonder if all the people that have lost their jobs in textiles and furniture and companies that have gone out or moved out because of cheap labor abroad would agree.

If they moved over there, they should have to sell their goods over there. I wonder how Harry Truman would handle this, plus price gouging by the oil companies.

I think so-called free trade is helping China, not us.

Lawrence Flinchum
Julian

The following is a Counterpoint:

By M.B. Campbell

After reading almost every Thomas Sowell editorial, I ask myself: What qualifies a person to be a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution? I've concluded it must involve some initiation fee and perhaps a subscription to the Ann Coulter Weekly.

Sowell's column, "Supporting the troops or using them" (March 15), is so ridiculous that even the Hoover Institution must be questioning his status. His primary conclusion is that the "liberal media" is using wounded soldiers from Iraq for their own political purposes and undermining our troops. How dare Newsweek call these brave young people "heroes" instead of Sowell's preferred terms, "victims" or "casualties."

What will they want next, decent health care for the soldiers whose lives have been destroyed? No, that wouldn't fit into this administration's budgetary priorities.

Imagine the media's nerve doing stories on soldiers being killed, injured, having their lives turned upside down or dealing with financial problems all because of the asinine policies of this administration. How dare the media want us to know there is a human cost to the decisions made by our government. It's so much easier to follow the Bush/Cheney policy; no pictures of body bags (don't remind us that people are dying), be constantly upbeat about how well everything is going (no matter how bad things are really going), get those troops dressed up for photo ops with senior officials (preferably in the setting sun) and be sure to say anyone who disagrees is undermining our troops (the Sowell doctrine).

As bad as this column was, one statement shows how despicable this "you're undermining our troops" crowd can be. Sowell implies that all the bogeymen on the left "criticized" soldiers "fighting for their lives" for "not protecting the contents of an Iraqi museum."

The blame was with an administration so unprepared they didn't even think of giving orders to guard these important buildings. Instead the troops sat around watching, waiting to hear from those on high (Donald "looting happens" Rumsfeld) what they were to do.

Everyone I know supports the troops who defend this country. What we don't support is this administration and its horrible Iraq policy. What we find especially reprehensible are those, like Sowell, who parrot this administration by saying that if we don't support it, we are not supporting the troops.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

It was refreshing to read Rosemary Roberts' column (March 15) concerning marital infidelity as a campaign issue. Should the private lives of our politicians matter to us? Definitely.

The decisions that we make in our daily lives mirror the values we hold dear. One's moral compass does not differentiate between public and private matters. If a politician would treat his family, people whom he ostensibly cared for deeply, at least at one time, with disrespect and insensitivity, how much easier would it be to do the same with his constituents, who are basically nameless and faceless? Undoubtedly, the decisions that our leaders make for us are influenced by their moral values.

Wake up, America. Let us hold our would-be leaders accountable for all of their actions. They do matter.

Cappi Stanley
Greensboro

The 2006 N.C. General Assembly should be applauded for increasing the state's minimum wage to $6.15 per hour; yet, their work is not over because the minimum wage is still not high enough to provide for the basic needs of individuals and families.

Individuals who earn a living at minimum wage are often the most marginalized and are subject to a wage that has not sufficiently increased with inflation. Women, minorities and low-income workers are typical minimum-wage earners. These workers often contribute to more than half of their family's weekly earnings; yet, many just received their first raise in almost nine years with the recent increase in the minimum wage.

While opponents argue that an increase in the minimum wage would hurt businesses and increase unemployment, this has not been proven. In fact, following the minimum-wage increase in 1996-1997, the low-wage labor market performed better than it had in decades, showing signs of lower unemployment rates, increased family income and decreased poverty rates.

Without greatly harming the economy, a further increase in the minimum wage would help alleviate poverty by providing disadvantaged, low-wage adult workers with a fair wage that is sufficient to meet their basic needs.

Melissa Kraskouskas
Greensboro

The juxtaposition of the Summers editorial cartoon ("Clinton administration fires 93 U.S. attorneys (smiling donkeys); Bush administration fires 8 U.S. attorneys (scowling donkeys)) and the Leonard Pitts column ("Loyalty tops competence on Bush team") on the op-ed page in your March 19 paper was probably accidental; if not, someone there has a heretofore hidden delicious sense of humor.

Harris Johnson
Greensboro

The only thing worse than having a war run by an incompetent commander-in-chief is having a war run by committee — as Congress is now attempting to do. Evidently neither our president nor the 535 members of Congress are capable of interpreting the wisdom behind Article I, Sec. 8. of our Constitution, which gives Congress the power to declare war. True, undeclared wars are not necessarily unconstitutional, but the undeclared "wars" we have had since World War II have all been disasters precisely because a timorous Congress allowed a politically motivated and malleable president to lead us into each of them.

The murder of more than 3,000 civilians in the heart of our largest city is apparently not a significant enough event to rouse this fat, dumb and happy country into fighting a real war on terror.

As Congress and the president now spar over whether to shine our shoes or wind our watches in Iraq, al-Qaida is reconstituting itself in the border area between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Given enough time, they will strike us again. By then, I hope, we will have elected new leaders capable of understanding the very simple yet profound language and intent of the war powers provision of the U.S. Constitution.

Kent Boyles
Greensboro

What genius decided to start campaigns for president 20 months before voting day? Why are the media covering this nonsense? How are the voters supposed to care, after more than a year and a half of campaigning?

Could we please have some candidates who are out of political diapers? Barack Obama is a promising talent, but he needs at least eight years seasoning on the Hill. John Edwards is, of course, a ludicrous candidate. Hillary Clinton is carrying too much political baggage to survive the race.

My heart longs for a presidential bid by Condoleezza Rice. Talk about talent and experience. She is one candidate who would get my money and my time, even if she ran as a Democrat.

I am a white, male Republican hoping for my first choice.

Edward Philpott
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column:

By Lonnie H. Baxley Jr.

Quality comes from ownership with integrity and appropriate resources in a healthy paradigm.

It was interesting to reflect upon this in light of the Teacher Working Conditions Community Forum held at GTCC Jamestown on March 18. Guilford Education Alliance (www.guilfordeducationalliance.org) sponsored this forum, which included participation from teachers, parents, community members and the Guilford County school board.

Two things bubbled up in my mind from the discussion that appear to be essential ingredients for improved quality in our schools.

First is time for teacher planning; time is an important resource and lack of it results in reduced quality and teachers becoming frustrated and unable to be adequately prepared to teach the students.

Second, "school improvement teams," when appropriately implemented, can address improving the health of the paradigm. Where can the public help in improving teacher working conditions? Among the ideas suggested at the forum were volunteers in schools relieving teachers from menial tasks such as copying, etc.

Also, school improvement teams that help identify and resolve issues in a cooperative spirit make for a healthier paradigm for teachers and, therefore, a healthier learning environment for students.

These factors would support improving the rigor, relevance and relationships that are cited by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as important to education.

The public can get involved by getting to know its schools and teachers, volunteering in a way that frees teachers to better plan, and understanding issues that affect the learning environment and holding those responsible accountable for improvement.

We are blessed to have Margaret Arbuckle and her staff as advocates for our schools in Guilford County. The best investment is in the next generation.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

Who are the people who don't trust the Greensboro Police Department? Are these the people shown daily on Crimestoppers and in surveillance videos, or their friends and relatives? Are these the people being arrested for breaking and entering, carjacking, drug dealing, fraud, murder, rape, robbery and so on, or friends and relatives of those being arrested?

I have never been involved in any of these crimes, so my experience with the GPD may be different from those mentioned above. I have always found members of the GPD to be courteous, helpful and polite. The few times I have needed them, they responded promptly.

Why should officers of any race be exempt from scrutiny or be treated as victims when their conduct is questioned? Let's get rid of the rotten apples regardless of their race and move on.

Charles W. Hodges
Greensboro

Homelessness is on the rise in the United States. The average homeless person is a male between the ages of 6 and 9.

Traditionally, the homeless population consisted of single men, but homelessness is affecting more families and couples in the United States. A majority of the homeless now are unmarried mothers and their children.

Why are there not more shelters for homeless families? Homelessness often becomes a vicious cycle: You have no permanent address, no phone number and no place to bathe. Many of the homeless shelters operated by churches and the government provide temporary housing.
The big question is, where does one go after being thrown out of the shelter? We have millions of families who do not have a permanent home and spend their nights sleeping on the streets. Society often blames that person for being homeless when we really do not know why they are in this predicament. We need to stop being so judgmental and be more supportive.

Angelica Beasley
Greensboro

I felt compelled to write in support of Max Roseman's position that there is but one God, many paths (letter, Feb. 23). I was sad for S.G. Wessells (letter, March 12) because of his overwhelming misinformation. His entire premise is sadly mistaken.

Wessells wrongly assumes that the outer form, ritual or cloak of the religion is what is going on when the devotee approaches the state of reverence. "Man looks on the outer appearance, God looks upon the heart."

The sincerity of the devotee is far more important than the form of worship. This position has been supported by people of many different religions for centuries. "Blessed are the peacemakers," said Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. We are peacemakers when we honor and respect others' faith.

The Great Soul cannot be confined to a tiny box of dogma. No one religion has a monopoly on truth. Each has something good to contribute. I submit to you that God is vast enough to embrace all of humanity and invites all people of good faith to the altar. Ultimately, we are all God's children.

"Hinduism teaches us to regard the whole of humanity as one indivisible undivided family" — M.K. Gandhi.

Danny Glenn
Greensboro

De-escalation of confrontations due to student disobedience, as Guilford County Schools Superintendent Terry Grier proposes, will bring down suspension rates. But deep, structural factors will limit success.

Our systems of schooling are based on coercion. Families have no choice about whether to send their children to school. Families have no choice — unless they are well-off — among schools. Schools cannot choose students. Compulsory schooling without choices is a formula for tension.

Providing more options — including nonpublic options — would lessen the coercion, lower tension and allow schools to become distinctive. Let families choose schools, thereby enhancing their status and getting them to buy in to their children's educations, and let schools choose pupils (with added funds following more challenging students).

Student misbehavior is no small matter. Not for disruptive students nor distracted classmates, but also not for teachers. A stark illustration from Britain: In 2005, the BBC uncovered pervasive misbehavior using hidden cameras. Many teachers, it turned out, were under extreme stress. Coercive systems are not healthy for anyone: students, teachers, families, communities.

Tom Shuford
Lenoir

The writer is a retired public school teacher.

It is good to read that UNCG (my alma mater) is getting prepared now for future needs. Yes, the campus is dense and property comes at great expense. Using high-rise parking has helped tremendously, thus it makes perfect sense to use older lots for expansion.

If not, we will have a campus like The College of Charleston. As lovely as it is, students walking all over town at night, alone at times, to get to and fro is not safe.

Too, the College Hill community has taken enough bulldozing. I know firsthand in that my husband and I lived on McIver Street while I was at the School of Music. Our home, which belonged to my parents, was taken out for apartments — no fault of the university. It was a small, gorgeous home with workmanship never to be replaced. I am glad I did not have to watch it being torn down. We had, fortunately, been transferred with Burlington Industries to South Carolina.

Thanks, UNCG. Make plans to use lots and go up with well-thought-out high-rises, as we educate quality North Carolina students first and foremost at a reasonable cost. These students are Greensboro's future teachers, businessmen and women, etc. Give them incentives and reason to stay.

Vail Allen Ellis Covington
Stoney Creek

Since Florence Gatten is asking for the resignation of Dianne Bellamy-Small, why isn't she asking for the resignation of veteran county commissioner Steve Arnold? According to the News & Record article (March 15), he seems to have quite a few issues with several lawsuits.

Gatten has no right to ask for anyone's resignation, or to call anyone a "rogue" council member. If she wants to speak out, let's be fair about it. Otherwise, she needs to focus on her own district and keep her personal comments to herself.

Shannon Booth
Greensboro

Editor's note: Gatten represents all of Greensboro on the City Council.

The United States is blessed with abundant natural resources and is fortunate to have neighbors that are also blessed.

The Canadian tar sands in Alberta are now producing oil in commercial quantities. They are the second-largest oil reserves in the world. For a fraction of the cost of the war in Iraq, they could be scaled up to meet U.S. energy needs for the next generation. There is no need to go into wildlife preserves or engage in Middle East conflicts for energy resources.

Everyone knows WMD was a smokescreen to justify the war in Iraq. Perhaps we should be more concerned with the real smokescreen and the insidious climate change that it will bring about. This will really threaten our way of life. We will see the effects of what we either do or do not do in our lifetimes. We could use our oil resources more wisely and work on the solutions that have already been worked out.

There was no need to mortgage our future for Middle East oil when it is abundant on this side of the ocean already. The only reason to stay there is to establish good government, and that has become a very expensive undertaking.

Kurt Bateman
Montreal, Canada

The writer is a former Greensboro resident.

I came upon a department store display of "distressed" jeans while on vacation recently in Washington state. What a commentary on our throwaway and image-oriented society that instead of simply mending clothes to make them last longer, we discard them when they first develop a rip, only then to purchase premium-priced factory "distressed" versions of our former throwaways as fashion statements.

Holly Stevens
Oak Ridge

A short time ago, there was an article in the News & Record concerning the release of a chaplain from military service. The reason for his release was the fact that he prayed in the name of Jesus Christ.

Since that time, I have not seen or heard a single outcry from the Christian community. What is wrong with those of us who call ourselves Christians? To be a Christian means that you are a follower of Jesus Christ. The Scripture says that, "There is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved."

I call on all Christians to speak up in reference to this important matter. Where is the chaplain's liberty to worship his God as he pleases? In America, there is no persecution for religious practice. Really? Are our ministers afraid to stand up? If so, there is definitely persecution here. Lose your tax exemption? Officials close the church doors? We must confront this issue head-on before it is too late.

God tells us not to fear men but to fear God. Pastors, laymen, we must not allow the government to get away with this act of religious persecution. We must confront the issue without delay in the name of Jesus Christ.

Mary Donese Coe Mears
Reidsville

The article, "Bellamy-Small: Rogue or talented" (March 17), was yet another attempt to cause the Greensboro community to foster biases against T. Dianne Bellamy-Small and emasculate African American community leaders.

As I see it, this is a feeble attempt to take the focus off the more important issues and concerns affecting the people of Greensboro. The matters to which I refer include the secret police; the truth and reconciliation efforts; the cry of the Warnersville community to keep its historic community intact; and the unfair distribution of city contracts.

Additionally, I find your implications regarding the support of Bellamy-Small by the NAACP completely erroneous. It is imperative that you understand the NAACP is comprised of many members of churches, mosques, synagogues and organizations. It must never be construed that the NAACP does not reflect and support the efforts of its constituency, namely to aid in the struggle for social justice and civil rights for all people.

The city of Greensboro has digressed into an unyielding web of deceit, character assignation and unforgiveness. If it is to emerge from this catatonic state (inappropriate and bizarre), first the truth must be desired and told.

Cardes H. Brown Jr.
Greensboro

The writer is pastor, New Light Missionary Baptist Church, and president, Greensboro NAACP.

I just wanted to make you aware of House Bill 853 and why it is so important for it to pass. I am a parent of an 8-year-old boy who recently suffered because of a form of corporal punishment. My son was in the second grade at Guilford Preparatory Academy, a charter school in Greensboro.

As a form of punishment for talking out of turn, the teacher forced him to stand in a corner with his arms raised above his head for eight minutes. If he leaned against the wall for support or brought his arms down, another five minutes was added to his time. This is an outrage.

This type of punishment is what you see in Chinese torture camps, not an elementary school. My son was not only physically punished but suffered mentally as well. This type of behavior being forced on children by adults is unacceptable. This needs to stop. By supporting House Bill 853, we are on the way to making a difference in the world of our future leaders.

You can visit nospank.net for more information or contact me at rileynme99@yahoo.com.

Jennifer Lundrigan
Greensboro

Child abuse fatalities are on the rise in North Carolina. I believe this is due to parents not knowing how to properly handle the stress of daily life, not having the proper parenting skills, and the use of drugs or alcohol.

Despite the efforts of the child protection system, child maltreatment fatalities remain a serious problem. Deaths that result from physical assault or severe neglect can be more difficult to track because the perpetrators, usually parents, are less likely to come forth. No matter how the fatal abuse occurs, one fact of great concern is that the perpetrators are usually individuals responsible for the care and supervision of their victims.

The National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System reported an estimated 1,490 child fatalities in 2004. In North Carolina in 2005, 37 children died at the hands of their parents or caregivers, a 20 percent increase in child abuse homicides since 2004 when 31 children died.

Intervention by various agencies, facilities and authorities still faces many problems; therefore, the rise of child abuse fatalities continues.

Lenora Dotson
Greensboro

Regarding the letter, "Will conditions truly improve in the VA?," (March 17), I have two bones to pick.

1) There is a difference between the VA and Walter Reed Hospital. The News & Record's headline for Bruce McCreedy's letter was inaccurate.

2) McCreedy assumes that the "news media" are factual and complete in their reporting.
Did McCreedy know that the major portion of the problem centered around one of 66 buildings of two installations on 100 acres?

Did McCreedy know that Walter Reed's 4,000-plus staff treats 200 inpatients, 650 outpatients from the war, and more than 3,000 soldiers and their families daily?

Was McCreedy correct that our war wounded have been writing their congressmen?
You decide.

William T. Linton Jr.
Greensboro

In a recent article a museum in Florida called a display of the Confederate Battle Flag (hanging in a noose) art. It is not art at all; it is a disgrace.

As a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, I am offended at that so-called "art" display. In a world consumed by political correctness, I would like to ask who gets to choose when to be politically correct? My ancestors fought and died under that flag. I would like to see that museum send a formal apology to all whose ancestors fought under that flag. Isn't it only fair that our feelings be accounted for also?

Mike Overton
Brown Summit

A recent poll of Iraqi citizens indicates that, by a 2 to 1 majority, they believe the U.S.-led military operations (the surge) now underway stands a good chance of disarming the insurgents.

The poll also revealed that 61 percent of Iraqis do not believe that their country is in the grip of a "civil war" as western media and American liberals have been trumpeting for the last three years.

News like this will go largely unreported in the American media, if it's reported at all. This is devastating news for the white flag Democrats (Murtha, Pelosi, et al.) who have dumped all their political eggs into the "Iraqnam" basket as they have a vested interest in seeing America fail there in order to fulfill their doom and gloom prophecies and discredit President Bush.

If things are turning around in Iraq (and this poll indicates they may very well be), it will be most interesting to see how quickly the Clintons and Kerrys will once again do a 180 and start touting the fact that they had the wisdom to vote "yea" on the Iraq war resolution at the beginning.

John Parson
Stokesdale

Dianne Bellamy-Small, "Talented leader or rogue member"? By any definition Bellamy-Small is a rogue member, not a talented leader. She may be talented, but she is not a leader. She does not have to chitchat with fellow council members or answer questions from the media (though that looks like she has something to hide).

Scientific evidence points to her copy of a confidential report being the one leaked to the press, and she says it was not. Radar says she is speeding; she says she was not.
Either Bellamy-Small is extremely naive, or she thinks the people of District 1 (and all others in Greensboro) are very ignorant.

Although perhaps not politically correct, Florence Gatten had the courage to say the truth. Gatten is to be commended. I don't know any council members, but I'll bet they all would agree with Gatten privately, if not publicly. The voters of District 1 should "Recall Small."

Steve C. Smith
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint column.

By Gloria McClanahan

When Charles Davenport makes the absurd statement that "religion has been banished from the public square" (column, March 18), this is what I hear:

1) "I want Jewish religious laws (Ten Commandments) displayed in my courthouse and paid for by taxpayers. Sure, I know I have the right to display them on my own lawn, or the lawn of my church, or to buy property and erect a public display honoring them — but that is not good enough. I want the state, using tax dollars, to display them on state property whether all taxpaying citizens agree with those Commandments or not."

2) "I want my minister to get on the public address system at our high school football game and tell everyone to bow their heads and pray, whether they want to or not. Sure, I know that I can get my group together to pray before the game — but that's not good enough. I want to coerce everyone to say my prayer."

3) "I want a teacher (preferably Christian) to lead public school students in prayer in the morning, whether they agree with my prayer or not. Sure, I know that students can form a prayer group before school and invite anyone to participate in a prayer before school starts, or at the lunch table where all can say a prayer before eating — but that's not good enough. I want a school-sanctioned prayer said over the public address system."

4) "I want a Nativity scene on the courthouse lawn during Christmas. Sure, I know that my church can set up a Nativity scene on its lawn for public display, that a Creche can be placed in my business window, or in my local mall for the public to see — but that is not good enough. I want the county, with taxpayers' money, to pay for a Nativity scene in front of the public courthouse."

Mr. Davenport, religion is alive and well in America and does not need the help of the government or public funds to support its work.

The writer lives in Asheboro.

A recent poll of Iraqi citizens indicates that, by a 2 to 1 majority, they believe the U.S.-led military operations (the surge) now underway stands a good chance of disarming the insurgents.

The poll also revealed that 61 percent of Iraqis do not believe that their country is in the grip of a "civil war" as western media and American liberals have been trumpeting for the last three years.

News like this will go largely unreported in the American media, if it's reported at all. This is devastating news for the white flag Democrats (Murtha, Pelosi, et al.) who have dumped all their political eggs into the "Iraqnam" basket as they have a vested interest in seeing America fail there in order to fulfill their doom and gloom prophecies and discredit President Bush.

If things are turning around in Iraq (and this poll indicates they may very well be), it will be most interesting to see how quickly the Clintons and Kerrys will once again do a 180 and start touting the fact that they had the wisdom to vote "yea" on the Iraq war resolution at the beginning.

John Parson
Stokesdale

A rezoning request by Rice Toyota scheduled for the April 3 City Council meeting is a bad idea. Rice wants to expand the "parking" in his used car lot into our neighborhood, if the council approves rezoning of some houses on Stratford Drive. We are a neighborhood bounded by Holden Road, Battleground Avenue and David Caldwell Drive. This rezoning would allow removal of the trees that form our buffer and would result in light pollution, noise pollution, and water pollution that would be a problem for a long time.

My wife and I have lived in this neighborhood since 1961 and feel this invasion would be just the tip of the iceberg. More traffic, more trash, and more water runoff are byproducts of this kind of encroachment, which leads to lower property values and destruction of a neighborhood.

Help us send a message to Mr. Rice: "Expand your business on Wendover and leave our neighborhood alone." Please send a message to our City Council members and also attend the meeting at 5:30 p.m. April 3.

Harry Sledge
Greensboro

I am tired of all the T. Dianne Bellamy-Small bashing and would like to suggest that we end it right now. My message to all the Bible-quoting, holier-than-thou, jealous and, oh, yes, embarrassed people that enough is enough already.

It would seem that many of you are simply jealous because she was able to talk her way out of a speeding ticket, if that is indeed what happened. Come on, be reasonable and honest. You'd probably do the same thing should you have brains that function.

Now, to all the perfect people who think she's an embarrassment to themselves and to Greensboro, here are just a few things that I think are more embarrassing.

• Slavery, with all the indecent and inhuman acts of cruelty perpetrated on innocent and helpless black men, women and, yes, even little children.

• Substandard medical care provided to our veterans in a national hospital.

• Homeless Greensboro citizens who are unable to provide for themselves adequately.
Please, let's move on.

K.M. Ervin
Greensboro

Recently, I have been amused by the letters taking aim at military recruiters. Although during my career in the military, I was never selected for recruiter duty, I did serve with many who were recruiters at one time or another. In the military, recruiters are harassed just like any other profession, but when it comes to combat, they fit right in with everyone else.

Like any other profession though, recruiters have their bad apples. When these individuals are discovered, they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, punished and discharged or denied re-enlistment, whichever is appropriate. They are then turned over to the civilian world where they become highly respected human resources people.

William Johnson
Greensboro

I strongly object to the publication of the Summers cartoon on the editorial page March 19. You know very well that this cartoon is misleading. It shows Democrats happy with President Clinton as he asked for the resignations of 93 U.S. attorneys at the beginning of his first term but Democrats unhappy with President Bush for firing eight U.S. attorneys in the middle of his second term.

The problem is that President Bush also asked for the resignation of all 93 U.S. attorneys at the beginning of his first term. This is misleading propaganda not appropriate for a major newspaper.

W. John O’Brien
Jamestown

While driving recently on U.S. 311 from Winston-Salem to High Point, I couldn't help but notice all the orange trash bags on the side of the road. Some crew or civic organization had been picking up our litter and putting it in bags for disposal. I was amazed at the number of bags. Every hundred yards there was another bag or two or three. And it's not just along 311; it's everywhere. All that litter is a disgrace.

When I'm driving, I save my trash until I can dispose of it properly, and I'm sure a lot of New & Record readers do the same. But what about that litterbug we spot while driving? Did you know you can turn him in?

The N.C. Department of Transportation has a Swat-A-Litterbug program. If you see someone throwing any type of trash from of a car, get the license plate number and report it to 1-877-DOT-4YOU (1-877-368-4968). The DOT will notify the vehicle owner of the littering offense, inform the owner of the penalties for littering and urge the litterbug to stop littering.

Just be sure you pull to the side of the road before making that call.

Tom Netsel
Jamestown

I opened the March 17 edition of the News & Record to find a large picture of T. Dianne Bellamy-Small with the headline underneath stating, "The People’s Voice." What? Are you kidding?

Although Margaret Banks did a good job reporting on both sides of the issue, the headline conjured up thoughts of Bob Dylan rushing to write lyrics to a ballad honoring that well-intended but misunderstood politician from Greensboro -"Nightmare in Council Chambers" or "Greensboro's Train Wreck" maybe, but "The People’s Voice"? Please.

A Web site, www.RECALLsmall. com, is being used to assist a grass-roots effort of District 1 voters who wish to remove Bellamy-Small from office. In my opinion, her actions certainly warrant her being the first council member ever recalled in the history of Greensboro. It's time for a wake up (re)call.

Tony Wilkins
Greensboro

The past several days have been extremely difficult for the Auberry family, Troop 230, Irving Park United Methodist Church and the whole Scouting family. We hoped and prayed as rescuers searched diligently for Michael. Needless to say, when we received word that he was found, we all shared a collective sigh of relief and were thankful.

The Boy Scouts of America thanks everyone in the local community, from the National Park Service, law enforcement and church leaders to local volunteers and the media, who showed great concern, unconditional support, and perseverance during this trying ordeal. This spirit of determination led to the ending we all prayed for: a healthy young Scout back in the arms of his loving parents and his friends in Troop 230.

Roy L. Williams
Irving, Texas

The writer is chief Scout executive, Boy Scouts of America.

It is nearly impossible to carry out one's daily activities without reading or hearing something about ending the war in Iraq. I admit that I am opposed to the war, but I feel that the U.S. must complete its mission: Operation Iraqi Freedom.

On Nov. 19, 2004, my brother, Cpl. DeMarkus Brown, was killed in action in Fallujah. He was my only sibling. We have lost many U.S. soldiers in the Iraq war and I do not wish to lose any more, but if we pull our troops now and end the mission before it is complete, will the lives of our fallen heroes be in vain? Would you feel differently if your home was directly affected by this war?

LaTasha Carter
Greensboro

In March, the Zoning Commission voted 9-0 to deny Rice Toyota's application to rezone several residential lots on Stratford Road for a large parking lot. Rice is now asking the City Council to rezone this property.

Small, pleasant, affordable neighborhoods like Garden Homes are rare in Greensboro. Successful rezoning would mean virtual destruction of buffer trees and habitat, with attendant environmental and neighborhood damage from increased runoff, lights, noise and dust. Even now, Rice Toyota is not a good neighbor. Trash from Rice Toyota inundates the buffer area between Rice and Garden Homes; neighbors constantly hear foul language from the Rice shop at the rear of its property; Garden Homes residents know Rice salespersons' names by heart from the blaring loudspeaker; foul run-off from the property may already be violating city, state and federal codes.

An enlargement of Rice's parking lot and destruction of the treed buffer zone would only increase its opportunities to be a bad neighbor to Garden Homes. Please join us before the City Council, April 3, 5:30 p.m., to protest this rezoning request. Let your voice be heard now, or your street will be the next to go.

Susan Hayes
Pleasant Garden

By now, most Americans understand that, rather than being duped by flawed intelligence into invading Iraq, the Bush administration used flawed intelligence to dupe the American people into a costly and unnecessary war that has left us worse off strategically than before.

As I watch the pundits agree that it's a big mess, there's no easy solution and we're pretty much stuck there to prevent the end of the world, I'm reminded of a parable.

There once was a fire chief named Bush Cheney who, in pursuit of his own agenda, went out to the tank farm by the airport and set off an incendiary device that caused a tank to explode into flames. There followed a chain reaction of other tanks erupting into fireballs as engine companies from the surrounding area raced to battle the spreading inferno.

As the firemen bravely manned the hoses to save the surrounding community, some even dying in the effort, one of the witnesses who saw Bush Cheney start the conflagration frantically pointed him out to the police chief.

The police chief sternly responded, "What's done is done. The important thing now is to find a solution. You're just eroding the men's morale."

Scott Smith
Greensboro

The American Humanist Association commended Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif., for publicly stating that he does not believe in a "higher being" (i.e., humans are as high as it gets). If that is the case, then I would love to meet the person who came up with the whole sunset idea. That was pure genius. It must have taken years to work that out.

The American Humanist Association felt that Stark's "courageous public announcement" was inspiring. I personally feel that God's gift of eternal life in paradise with family and friends, to those who believe, is more inspiring. Fortunately, 4 billion other people with faith share my belief.

Christopher Dickson
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Rhonda Landreth

I am writing in response to the incident with Michael Auberry. I am the Cub master for a pack in Kernersville. I have had one son to make Life Scout and two sons who are First Class Scouts, so I feel very confident in what I am about to say.

I will be the first to say thank the Lord that Michael survived his ordeal. I want to thank his Scout master and leaders for teaching him the things he would need to survive. However, praising him for disobeying Scout rules is not the way to go.

The day I heard Michael was missing, I told my husband that he got upset about something and walked off, breaking the first two very important rules: 1) buddy, 2) tell an adult. We teach our Cubs as early as Tiger Cubs these rules. Never leave without a buddy, and tell an adult or leader where you are headed. This way the adult makes sure you have your buddy. And, 3) if you do find yourself lost, hug a tree. That reminds them to stay put, we'll find you. Don't keep moving.

If Michael and his family had been on a family camping trip and Michael wandered off and got lost, that would be a different story. He could have the praise. But he was a Scout on a Scout camping trip and broke rules. We have these rules to help protect our Scouts and the leaders.

I understand this became national news; talk shows are calling him; Kenny Chesney has written to him; and maybe many other celebrities will call or write. But, what message are we sending the Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and even children not in scouting? Look, if you break the rules and get lost, you become a famous person.

If the media continue to show this, I hope they are clear about the reason Michael became lost in the first place: He broke rules. I am sure that if he had been my child, a Scout leader somewhere would be writing this same letter to you.

The writer lives in Walkertown.

I think Greensboro residents would like to know more about the selection process to determine the new Greensboro police chief.

How many applied for the job and how many made the last cut? What type of education and experience did the finalists in the process have?

Since Greensboro residents were asked to submit suggestions and desired qualifications for the selection of the new chief, it would be interesting to receive more information on how the new chief was selected and determined to be the best candidate.

Betty Almond
Greensboro

Kudos to Congressman Howard Coble and others re-evaluating support of the Iraq war. It takes more courage to admit error and change course than to ignore reality and continue down this catastrophic path.

Many people rightly draw parallels between Iraq and Vietnam. That, too, was a civil war with international implications. The global threat at that time was communism. Some say that if we had stayed in Vietnam long enough, we and our South Vietnamese allies would have defeated the North Vietnamese and Vietcong insurgency. I doubt any military solution would have succeeded and suggest looking at the bigger picture.

Our government cut losses and stopped sinking American lives and treasure into that conflict. We then applied resources in more sensible ways to counter the communist threat. Contrary to predictions of disaster, we won the cold war more rapidly than anyone thought possible.

It's time for today's leaders to acknowledge their error, leave Iraq to fight its own civil war, and apply resources more sensibly to minimize the global terrorism threat. Perhaps we'll have then learned the true lessons of Vietnam.

Tom Taylor
Greensboro

I am amazed that Tolly Carr would ask the public for money. His position as a news anchor does not entitle him to ask for money.

I would be ashamed if I were him. He chose to drink and drive. If anyone should ask for money, it should be the family that had to bury their son. I hope the public will not help him with his defense fees.

Guess what, Tolly, you messed up. Now it's your responsibility, not ours.

Sylvia Woodard
Greensboro

Congratulations to Tommie Lynn Sullivan and the staff at the Greensboro Children's Museum for hosting the "fun day" for the children from Fort Bragg (News & Record, March 20). What a wonderful way for the city of Greensboro to show support for our military troops and their families.

The vast majority of soldiers from Fort Bragg are now deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan and the families at home suffer as much in their own way as do the troops in the field.

Sponsoring an outing for the children of military families is a wonderful act of civic support for our volunteers in uniform serving our country overseas and at home.

Hopefully, Greensboro will continue to serve as an R&R site for families of our military, possibly at the Natural Science Center, Emerald Pointe or other Greensboro/Guilford County venues.

Al Stewart
Jamestown

Everyone is grateful and joyous upon learning Michael Auberry has been found. Everyone from Oprah to Letterman and Leno wants to have Michael on their show. Radio station WMQX (93.1) coordinated with Kenny Chesney's manager, and Michael and his family will attend Chesney's concert free with backstage passes. Kenny may shoot baskets with him.

Rewarding Michael is the wrong message for children. He used poor judgment and decision making that cost a lot of time and money. Thank goodness he is fine, but don't coddle the behavior.

Ed Hitchcock
Kernersville

The following is a Counterpoint:

By George and Pat Gates

"Responsibility, n. A detachable burden easily shifted to the shoulders of God, Fate, Fortune, Luck or one's neighbor. In the days of astrology it was customary to unload it upon a star."
— Ambrose Bierce

Our son Stephen was killed by a hit-and-run driver. A legal loophole, subsequently closed, made it possible for the perpetrators to escape accountability. So, we've had good reason to think long and often — obsess, maybe — about accountability.

After reading "Anchor Speaks About Accident" and repeatedly watching the video released by Tolly Carr's lawyer, we are moved to respond.

By all accounts, Tolly Carr has been an admirable young man. He appears remorseful; but, unfortunately, it seems most about his own fall from "prince to pauper."

He seems to accept no accountability for what he did to someone else, but rather laments that his life has been devastated. As much as that is true — and we are saddened by that fact — we hope he can learn a different expression of sorrow.

We know, from the victim's side, how the family of Casey Bokhoven must feel after seeing that video. We heard similar "apologies" after our son's death from those involved: sorrow for our loss, sorrow for the anguish visited on their lives, and most distressing, sorrow that this event had "happened," somehow independent of their own decisions and actions.

Perhaps it is unintended, or perhaps he's been legally advised to be cautious. Either way, Carr's words are an inadequate gesture. He asked for prayers that the Bokhoven family might get over their anger.

His kind of apology will likely make them more angry, and justifiably so. The only satisfactory apology is one that acknowledges accountability: "I'm sorry for the choices I did or did not make, for the actions I did or did not take, for the awful thing I did to you." Those are words quite different from, "I'm sorry for your loss; I'm sorry that you're angry; I'm sorry my own life has been ruined."

We do not wish ill of Mr. Carr. No good ever comes from vengeance. We do hope he realizes this important difference. Things can be responsible: a tornado, a star falling from the sky, even a swerving car.

But only people can elect to be accountable. People with the moral courage to say, for good or ill, "I did this, and I am sorry for what it caused."

We hope that Tolly Carr, a good and decent man, will find that courage. And, we pray that the Bokhoven family might accept that as a first step on their long road to forgiveness.

The writers live in Greensboro.

Our lost son has been returned to us. The list of people that we have to thank for the happy end to his story is enormous.

Folks from Greensboro and the surrounding area were a major part of the effort, from the Kernersville-based bloodhounds and their handlers that were first on the scene, to the Guilford County Sheriff's Office EMT who checked our son just after he was found.

The administrators and teachers within our school system focused not just on help for our two children, but on support for others who were worried by the unfolding events.

Our faith community and church sustained us by their prayers and, in many cases, their presence.

The people we work with in our Smith Moore family, our other colleagues in the legal community and many others were constant in their efforts. The number of dear friends, and friends we have not yet met, who volunteered to search or support the search efforts was awe-inspiring.

It is a testament to a remarkable region and a great place to raise a family. Thanks to all.

Please share in our joy.

Kent Auberry
Debbie Hayes
Greensboro

Our lost son has been returned to us. The list of people that we have to thank for the happy end to his story is enormous.

Folks from Greensboro and the surrounding area were a major part of the effort, from the Kernersville-based bloodhounds and their handlers that were first on the scene, to the Guilford County Sheriff's Office EMT who checked our son just after he was found.

The administrators and teachers within our school system focused not just on help for our two children, but on support for others who were worried by the unfolding events.

Our faith community and church sustained us by their prayers and, in many cases, their presence.

The people we work with in our Smith Moore family, our other colleagues in the legal community and many others were constant in their efforts. The number of dear friends, and friends we have not yet met, who volunteered to search or support the search efforts was awe-inspiring.

It is a testament to a remarkable region and a great place to raise a family. Thanks to all.

Please share in our joy.

Kent Auberry
Debbie Hayes
Greensboro

Thank you so much for introducing your readers to the "Carbon Footprint Concept" (Ideas, March 18). The suggestions from the UNCG students were terrific except for one misconception. Cattle, goats and sheep have a remarkable ability to turn extremely low-quality forage into extremely high-quality protein that provides a couple of particular amino acids that it's hard to eat enough soybeans to digest directly.

Surprisingly, cattle, as ruminant digesters, are the most efficient at this. It takes more energy to make those essential amino acids and eat enough soybeans to get them than to get the same protein from beef.

Plant a tree. Recycle. Use less hot water. Wear sweaters and long-johns and put less heat in the house.

And have fewer babies, worldwide.

John R. Dykers Jr.
Siler City

Thank you so much for introducing your readers to the "Carbon Footprint Concept" (Ideas, March 18). The suggestions from the UNCG students were terrific except for one misconception. Cattle, goats and sheep have a remarkable ability to turn extremely low-quality forage into extremely high-quality protein that provides a couple of particular amino acids that it's hard to eat enough soybeans to digest directly.

Surprisingly, cattle, as ruminant digesters, are the most efficient at this. It takes more energy to make those essential amino acids and eat enough soybeans to get them than to get the same protein from beef.

Plant a tree. Recycle. Use less hot water. Wear sweaters and long-johns and put less heat in the house.

And have fewer babies, worldwide.

John R. Dykers Jr.
Siler City

I would like to respond to the representative's comments in a recent article that "smoking rules could be worked out among office colleagues and did not need to be set by the government." This is an interesting idea, but as any waitress, bartender or other professional who has worked around smokers will tell you, it doesn't work.

While living in Michigan, I was pregnant and shared an office and car with a chain smoker for most of a year. Despite pleas to my agency director and co-workers, I was told that this was only a concern of comfort and, as it turned out, "smokers' rights" prevailed.

My job, and my health insurance, seemed at the time like a necessity. This was 1988 and the health effects of secondhand smoke were not so widely known.

Eight weeks after birth, my son died with a lung disorder of "unknown origin" and shortly thereafter the office became smoke-free. When we leave employees to "work it out" among themselves, the younger, lower-income, uninsured and service workers invariably are left most vulnerable.

Our government responsibly sets standards for businesses on building codes, food sanitation and fair labor laws -- smoking is no different.

Mary Gillett
Greensboro

I would like to respond to the representative's comments in a recent article that "smoking rules could be worked out among office colleagues and did not need to be set by the government." This is an interesting idea, but as any waitress, bartender or other professional who has worked around smokers will tell you, it doesn't work.

While living in Michigan, I was pregnant and shared an office and car with a chain smoker for most of a year. Despite pleas to my agency director and co-workers, I was told that this was only a concern of comfort and, as it turned out, "smokers' rights" prevailed.

My job, and my health insurance, seemed at the time like a necessity. This was 1988 and the health effects of secondhand smoke were not so widely known.

Eight weeks after birth, my son died with a lung disorder of "unknown origin" and shortly thereafter the office became smoke-free. When we leave employees to "work it out" among themselves, the younger, lower-income, uninsured and service workers invariably are left most vulnerable.

Our government responsibly sets standards for businesses on building codes, food sanitation and fair labor laws -- smoking is no different.

Mary Gillett
Greensboro

As a registered Republican, I write to encourage citizens to ask your legislators to support Rep. Holliman's House Bill 259 to "Prohibit Smoking in Public and Work Places."

It is well-documented by scientific EPA studies that secondhand smoke is a real health risk, especially for young children who develop pneumonia, bronchitis or asthmatic problems from breathing secondhand tobacco smoke.

U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona issued a report last year stating that negative effects of secondhand smoke increase risk of heart disease and lung cancer in nonsmokers. He specifically recommends that the only way to protect citizens' health from risks of secondhand smoke is to eliminate indoor smoking.

As a parent of a child who has experienced asthma and breathing treatments, I strongly support this bill and ask that you contact your area representative to urge her or him to support H 259.

Sherrie Cannoy
Trinity

As a registered Republican, I write to encourage citizens to ask your legislators to support Rep. Holliman's House Bill 259 to "Prohibit Smoking in Public and Work Places."

It is well-documented by scientific EPA studies that secondhand smoke is a real health risk, especially for young children who develop pneumonia, bronchitis or asthmatic problems from breathing secondhand tobacco smoke.

U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona issued a report last year stating that negative effects of secondhand smoke increase risk of heart disease and lung cancer in nonsmokers. He specifically recommends that the only way to protect citizens' health from risks of secondhand smoke is to eliminate indoor smoking.

As a parent of a child who has experienced asthma and breathing treatments, I strongly support this bill and ask that you contact your area representative to urge her or him to support H 259.

Sherrie Cannoy
Trinity

The N.C. General Assembly is considering a bill that would ban smoking on private property. From a property rights perspective, H 259, "Prohibit Smoking in Public and Work Places," is a radical proposal.

This proposed legislation takes an activity that is legal in North Carolina but makes it illegal on private property. The bill would actually make it illegal for business owners to smoke in their own businesses, even if they are there alone, even if they are the only employee.

As well as being a property rights advocate, I am a nonsmoker, an asthmatic and a parent. I often make the choice to not patronize smoky establishments. Choice is the key word in this important debate.

This proposal does not give the property owner any choice.

While our lawmakers certainly have the ability to ban smoking on private property, they also have the ability to pass legislation that would substantially decrease the amount of secondhand smoke that the general public is exposed to. Perhaps that would be a less-intrusive place to start.

Some say that this legislation is a step in the right direction. The more than 33,000 members of North Carolina FreedomWorks believe that instead, it is a door closing on private property rights.

Kathy Hartkopf
Hillsborough

The writer is the legislative liaison, North Carolina FreedomWorks.

The N.C. General Assembly is considering a bill that would ban smoking on private property. From a property rights perspective, H 259, "Prohibit Smoking in Public and Work Places," is a radical proposal.

This proposed legislation takes an activity that is legal in North Carolina but makes it illegal on private property. The bill would actually make it illegal for business owners to smoke in their own businesses, even if they are there alone, even if they are the only employee.

As well as being a property rights advocate, I am a nonsmoker, an asthmatic and a parent. I often make the choice to not patronize smoky establishments. Choice is the key word in this important debate.

This proposal does not give the property owner any choice.

While our lawmakers certainly have the ability to ban smoking on private property, they also have the ability to pass legislation that would substantially decrease the amount of secondhand smoke that the general public is exposed to. Perhaps that would be a less-intrusive place to start.

Some say that this legislation is a step in the right direction. The more than 33,000 members of North Carolina FreedomWorks believe that instead, it is a door closing on private property rights.

Kathy Hartkopf
Hillsborough

The writer is the legislative liaison, North Carolina FreedomWorks.

One evening in December, I dined downtown and subsequently attended a play with a group. Greensboro's streets were alive with our citizens.

The sidewalks were thronged with outdoor diners and window-shoppers. The stores were packed and the cash registers jingled.

Only the northwest corner of "The Square" was quiescent. Here at Greensboro's Ground Zero, darkness poured from the windows of a 17-story tombstone. What served as headquarters of the South's most successful financial colossus for 100 years has become a granite ghost.

This is due to the manipulations of corporate cowbirds and their adherents who "relieved" the Jefferson Pilot treasury of about $250 million, deeply discounted and transferred remaining assets to a weaker corporation (Lincoln National), and thus executed our beloved company.

How like the law of the jungle where the strangler fig, having matured through the support of its host tree, strangles its host to death knowing that even in death the host will support it.

Stay tuned for revelations of how a brilliant, ruthless, self-serving executive sold the assets of the South's most successful financial corporation to a less successful company, executed the company he had been CEO of for a decade, and emerged the largest private shareholder in the newly endowed, surviving corporation.

Walker F. Rucker
Greensboro
Walker Rucker is the grandson of a founder of Jefferson-Pilot and son of a longtime board member who fought the sale of the company to Lincoln Financial.