News-Record.com

Everyone seems to be searching for the best way to end our war in Iraq. Perhaps the perfect solution would be to have all the politicians who voted for the war go to Iraq and stay. They should stay, in the "safety" of the Green Zone, if they like, until they fix this horrific problem they have created. If they had to live in this environment, instead of the safety and comforts of their homes, offices and this country, I believe the war would be over very soon.

Also, anyone who truly supports this war should join the military and go fight for their country. Too old? Then have your kids or grandkids join. Our military personnel are doing an amazing job over there, but they need a break. Are you willing to put your life on the line, or is "support our troops" to you a simple slogan?

Margherita DeRosa Richardson
Madison

H 259, sponsored by Rep. Hugh Holliman of Davidson County, likely will be calendared for vote Wednesday. It originally was a comprehensive bill banning smoking in most public places and workplaces throughout North Carolina. The Health Committee approved it decisively, but Rep. Holliman may be open to compromising amendments to ensure passage.

Following strong recommendations announced last year in the Surgeon General's report, the public seems favorable to smoking restrictions. Polls by both Elon University and Civitas documented more than 60 percent favor smoking bans in North Carolina.

The Surgeon General's report concludes secondhand smoke is a health hazard that can cause death in nonsmokers from heart disease and lung cancer and increase asthma attacks. The Centers for Disease Control states even brief exposure to secondhand smoke can worsen heart disease and urges those at risk to avoid such exposure.
With bans now in place in 18 states, eight countries and 577 cities, no negative economic impacts are found.

Smokers have a right to smoke, but not in places where it endangers the health of innocent bystanders. Urge your representatives to vote for H 259 without weakening amendments to protect the health of all North Carolinians.

Richard J. Rosen, M.D.
Greensboro

To preface my argument, I am a high school teacher for Rockingham County Schools. As a high school teacher, I fight a constant battle to get my students to value their education and strive to reach higher standards. As I face this problem daily with my fellow educators, there are people still fighting about starting school too early because of the tourism industry.

Our society tries to get our youth to value their education, but then we go and contradict ourselves by rotating our yearly schedule around tourism. How does this make sense? As a state, we are blatantly contradicting ourselves right in front of our youth. What does this show them?

As for the students, when the school year starts after Aug. 25, end-of-course tests are forced to be postponed until after winter break. We are expecting our students to use their time over their break to study material independently so that they can come back after a 12-day break and pass their EOCs.

Put yourself back in the shoes of a high school student. Would you spend your winter break time studying for tests? I didn't think so.

Jennifer Rogers
Stokesdale

The proposal of the Greensboro Minimum Wage Council to set a $9.36 per hour wage law is ridiculous.

Most people earning the minimum wage are not the primary source of household income. They are unskilled or inexperienced teens for whose work employers cannot pay much.

Less labor will be bought if wages are elevated by fiat. Bottom line: Minimum wage laws aggravate unemployment, especially among the least skilled and the least educated.
If all we need to do to improve wages and wealth is to decree higher pay, why stop at $9.36? Why not go further and declare $1,000 an hour if legislation can create wealth?

There is also the issue of freedom. Who is the Minimum Wage Council that it feels qualified to dictate the terms of work for me? And at a time when thousands of local jobs have been lost to overseas rivals that have low-wage advantages, how does it improve our competitiveness to raise our labor costs still higher? The real sources of higher wages are economic growth and higher productivity, not ill-conceived, ignorant legislation.

William James
Reidsville

I was disappointed to read about the failures occurring at the Lake Townsend dam. I expect the City Council to push, prod and challenge city staff on why they recommend replacing instead of repairing the dam and to publicly evaluate each option with respect to its benefits and costs.

That said, what I found most alarming was reading that the proposed new $50 million dam would be paid for by increasing water usage bills. Based on my records, it appears since 2002 the city has increased water usage fees 41 percent, storm-water fees 10 percent, wastewater usage fees 65 percent and water/sewer access fees in excess of 150 percent.

Increasing the cost of water and sewer services has a major impact on the affordability of life in Greensboro for our fixed-income and working poor residents. I believe this type of fee increase is as detrimental to these residents as raising the gasoline tax or reducing the minimum wage.

If the City Council determines the best cost-benefit trade-off is to replace the dam, I hope it attempts to find the financing by making tough decisions within the city's operating budget rather than further burdening those least able to accept the additional burden.

Seth Coker
Greesboro

The writer is president, Greensboro Landlord Association Inc.

Vietnam and Iraq were both curveballs served to the American people. When will we ever learn? We must get out of Iraq now. The deaths and destruction are antagonizing the whole world. It is also harming us in every way.

Kay Mersereau
Greensboro

If the Episcopal priest would believe the Bible he supposedly preaches from, he would not be apologizing for the "arrogance and narcissism of cultural Christianity" (Counterpoint, March 22).

There is faith and morality in the religions Randall Keeney mentions, but no salvation. Love and respect for everyone is not an excuse to ignore the Christian's responsibility to sow the seeds of Christ's Gospel.

How can a "minister" of Christ teach all paths as equal? If all roads lead to heaven, Jesus was a liar.

America became great with a Christian foundation; let it erode and see where that path leads.

Derrick G. Hinson
Walkertown

In reference to Lorraine Ahearn's article, "Adoption records prickly debate" (March 14), let it be known to the North Carolina Family Research Council that even though it successfully opposed a past effort to allow adult adoptees access to their original birth certificates, it did not stop the countless successful searches and reunions that are occurring every day.

With volunteer search angels searching, and finding, and paid searchers still working, it's too late to try to stop the wheels of progress from turning on the Internet where information is just a click away.

Our current adoption laws operate in the dark ages. Some adoptive parents may feel intimidated if the adoptee expresses a desire to search, and the adoptee will feel guilty and sometimes delay searching until the parents are deceased.

If adoptive parents have earned the love and respect of their adopted children, they will not lose their relationship, love and loyalty.

A wise adage said it like this: If you love something, set it free. If it returns to you, it's yours. If it doesn't, it never was.

Hazel Kaisinger
Greensboro

In regard to Richard Johnson's idea of $100,000 for a teacher bonus, I think it is very clear that Johnson's main motivation for teaching is money. With the stipulations he has outlined in his proposal (letter, March 21), even I could attain a 90 percent score.

He should try his hand at a job in the real corporate world or start his own small business, then see what real fun is.

Michael Canoy
Climax

The firing of eight U.S. attorneys is not about past presidents. It is a continuing, unprecedented power grab by the executive branch at the expense of the legislative -- a curious rallying cry for so-called conservatives.

In the hysteria that followed Sept. 11, Congress adopted the Patriot Act. It is a specific provision of the act that brought us here. As a result, the attorney general may remove sitting U.S. attorneys and replace them without Senate confirmation, a clear break with precedent. This has nothing to do with past presidents, Republican and Democratic, replacing U.S. attorneys after winning election.

Typically, the Bush administration cynically manipulated its newfound powers for political purposes. Adding insult to injury, Bush now asserts that his minions cannot appear before Congress under oath. Bush & Co. couldn't care less about the "culture wars" -- the true goals have always been radical privatization of government, profiteering and expanded presidential powers.

The showdown now shaping up is the greatest constitutional crisis of our time, forced by the Bush administration's attempt to create a permanent Republican imperial presidency. And if the president is concerned that "honorable public servants" may somehow be harmed by testifying under oath, he can't be thinking of Karl Rove.

Bryan Chitwood
Greensboro

I am an adult adoptee and an adoption professional, so I understand the concerns many people have about accessing records. One of the foremost, stated as "the collapse of the adoptive family," has not proved to be true.

Experience has shown that the accessing of adoption records is not about finding new parents, but about ending decades of secrecy and allowing adoptees the same rights as everyone else — to know their heritage and see their original birth certificates.

Most of us who successfully searched were looking for information, not new parents. The majority of us were blessed with very positive parents and we have no desire to replace them. We searched to learn more about our histories, our genetic heritage and ourselves.

Sadly, my real mom (adoptive mom) died when I was just 21, before I began my search for my birth family. I have known my birth mother now for 27 years. While we have a very supportive relationship, even after all these years, she is still Judy and my mom will always be my mom.

Openness and honesty in adoption not only provide us with information about ourselves, but also strengthen the ties with our real parents.

Francie Portnoy
Greensboro

Sarah Beth Jones' article is filled with obvious liberal rhetoric. If President Bush has dismantled her civil rights, how did she and her cronies get to protest and demonstrate in Washington and criticize the president?

I get so tired of liberals (media included) saying "Bush lied" to get us into war when every leading Democrat said the same thing and Clinton appointee, CIA Director George Tenet, "guaranteed" the president that there were WMDs — but the media ignore this fact.

I have one question. Have we been attacked by terrorists in this country since we went to war?

Lester Dyson
Greensboro

I would like to take this time and thank the sponsors, merchants and countless volunteers involved in the planning and execution of the Get Downtown event on March 23. The sea of people that poured into downtown Greensboro far exceeded my own expectations.

Hats off to the Greensboro Police Department for a job well done. To pull off an event this size with only a few minor incidents should have a positive impact when debating and planning future events for downtown Greensboro.

I was pleased to see so many city officials and representatives from Downtown Greensboro Inc. checking in on the downtown merchants Friday night.

The biggest thank-you goes to all wonderful people who came downtown that Friday and enjoyed themselves. I was really proud of our city.

Is Greensboro ready to host the NCAA Women's Final Four? Absolutely.

Can the infrastructure downtown handle considerably large crowds and events? You bet.

Thanks, Greensboro.

Joseph Morphis
Greensboro

The attempt by Edgar Mack (letter, March 23) and others to equate the firing of eight U.S. attorneys to firings when new presidents take office is nonsensical. No one disputes the right of presidents to replace political appointees, especially those placed by their predecessors.

However, since 1981, only five U.S. attorneys out of more than 500 have been replaced in the middle of a president's term, an indication of the unusual nature of these current dismissals.

In addition, Mack states that these firings were for cause and thereby justified. Since three of the eight were rated in the top 10 U.S. attorneys by the Justice Department, including the top-ranked prosecutor in the country, it would be interesting to see exactly what the "cause" was. For an administration that has placed so many political "hacks," e.g., "Helluvajob" Brownie, the reason they fired the top-rated prosecutor might give insight as to what is important to them.

L.F. Rappaport
Greensboro

The letter writer (Pachovia Kimes, March 19) who addressed the issue of below-average performance of diverse-language students was of the opinion that what would assist these students was for more interpreters to be hired. I disagree. Teachers to teach the English language would be a better way to spend our funds.

I trained and taught adults and children with disabilities for more than 30 years. If you want to consider a population that has an unfair start in life, look to those struggling every day to fit into our society. With tools like language, academics and adaptive skills, many are working successfully in the community today.

The non-English-speaking student is not new — from the time of our inception as a great nation, such students were being taught in our schools. The answer was to teach them English. Children learn faster than adults so there is no better time to equip these children with this tool. This tool will give our children the opportunities for higher education, better jobs and leadership roles. I do not believe this is a two-nation society but a many-nation society — the mixing pot of the world. Let us give our children a tool, not a crutch.

Shirley Collura
Greensboro

Thank God that Michael Auberry is home safe and sound. As a longtime Scout parent and former leader who has raised two Eagle Scouts and a Girl Scout Gold recipient, I encourage Michael to continue in Scouting and to try camping again in the future. The skills taught in Scouting will help him throughout his life.

Perhaps Michael's dad should accompany the troop on the next few camp-outs until his son feels more comfortable with the outdoors. What a great opportunity for some father-son time. They can learn together.

I applaud and support the three leaders who gave their time to take the troop on an outdoor adventure and who took action so quickly when they realized Michael was missing. Scouting depends on its great volunteers.

I know that all of my children have benefited from the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. They are truly worthwhile organizations.

Kathy Fay
Greensboro

First, some humor. Ex-police Chief David Wray was accused of monitoring Lt. James Hinson's ex-wife. Wray denied it. Given recent developments (allegations of her involvement in check fraud), he should have been investigating her.

Now (seriously) I don't know new Chief Tim Bellamy, but I truly wish him well. However, I'm tired of hearing comments from the city manager and council leading one to believe citizens had lost trust in Wray. I don't think that's true. I believe it was concocted to force Wray out because of fear of civil rights unrest and possible lawsuits. I also believe the majority of people in Greensboro think like I do. Hinson cried racism and the city panicked.

If, after all this time, someone actually gets charged and convicted when the SBI investigation of the department is over, I'm wrong.

If not, all that has been said to date is simply commentary. We will have wasted a lot of time and money besides destroying a career.

David Colin
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint

By Alan M. Mullis

On March 17 in Washington, something very big happened. America showed up at an anti-war rally. Why did the News & Record choose to take a slanted AP article and then edit out all pro-troop parts of the story?

The pro-troop groups outnumbered the anti-war protesters three to one. Unofficial estimates had the protesters at 10,000 and the pro-troop groups at 30,000. Interestingly enough, the statement that the pro-troop groups were fewer than protesters came from the protesters and was readily repeated, even though totally false.

There were no instances of protesters defiling national war memorials because the Capitol police made a presence at the request of a pro-troop group, Gathering of Eagles. In addition, 30,000 patriots guarded the memorials. No pro-troop counter-protesters or memorial guards were present at the Pentagon, so that is where they rushed the police.

The so called anti-war protesters were made up of communist, socialist and anti-American groups. This anti-war protest was an anti-United States, anti-military protest. These "pro-terrorist" groups are attempting to recruit liberals and young people to follow their treasonous propaganda to defeat. Go to their Web sites and see for yourself. These people don't protest genocide in any part of the world. They don't protest the killing of Americans anytime, anywhere. They think that Sept. 11 was a plot of the U.S. government to start a war with the peace-loving Muslim citizens of the Middle East.

The pro-troop groups that assembled around the Vietnam memorial came to say one thing: "Never Again!"

Never again will we sit back as these groups spit on and defile our heroes as they return from defending the very freedom that we all enjoy.

Never again will we sit back as traitors dishonor the sacrifices our military members have made for the sake of our country.

You have the right to speak your mind. Our soldiers have died for 250 years to give you that right. But, by God, you do not have a right to be treasonous or treacherous.

Jane Fonda was a no-show. She wasn't brave enough to face the veterans she betrayed. The Hollywood elites left Cindy Sheehan and her collection of misfits to the weather and the disdain of the honest, hard-working patriotic Americans that want truth and right to prevail, along with our troops.

The writer lives in Jamestown.

Editor's note: We didn't edit out any counter-protesters from that story the writer refers to.

With scarce exception, we have become a people unworthy of the freedom for which the Founders and countless others sacrificed.

Ours is a culture built on Schadenfreude: Destroying "the other guy" has become our purpose in life. Show me a man who boasts of being "conservative" or "liberal" and I will show you a man desperate for a reason to hate others. We now desire money and power over humility and righteousness.

I'm especially disappointed with fellow Christians who have used the name of God as a means to gain power. The cross is something to be knelt before, not a weapon to be wielded. The nation - and this world - has followed our example.

We're supposed to be a people of ideas, not ideologies. Of wisdom, not folly. A republic, not an empire. We have become spiritually shallow, decadent in character, sloth in industry, ignorant of our sovereignty, apathetic in responsibility, careless with our liberties, and enslaved to our lusts.

I'll say it if no one else will: America is dying. "God bless America"? Why should He? Doing what is right over what is convenient will determine whether this country endures.

Christopher Knight
Reidsville

I attended the Gathering of Eagles in Washington last month and am saddened by how this historic event was reported. I was among (officially) 30,000 veterans who came from across the country to defend the honor of our fallen brothers and the sanctity of their memorial. Much like on the battlefield, we, the veterans, take care of our own in life and death.

In the U.S. Marine Corps, I learned such creeds as honor, courage and commitment. The media included us with the protesters and gave our numbers a political spin. Shame to anyone who politicizes what we did that day. I wasn't there for or against Bush. It was for the troops past and present.

Do you wish Vietnam era strife? Never again will political agenda come on the backs of fallen soldiers and their families. The protesters were made up of extremists, some of whom vowed to damage the Vietnam Wall.

This day, I was there to protect my country from domestic threats as I swore to do in days past. The military man does not fight for political favor, but for you and the ideals this great nation was founded upon. Give us our voice and report it correctly.

Chad Nixon
Greensboro

Common sense needs a comeback. Let's look at three issues:

Energy. The critics fail to provide realistic options and fail to support building safe and clean nuclear power plants, which will eventually save our system. Plants and underground permanently sealed waste storage could be built on military bases in states that wish to keep bases. Security is already there.

Public schools. The problem is discipline and security. That's why good teachers flee for less pay and good students flee to pay more. The system assumes that 5-year-olds have been taught basic decency at home and that there is parental support. Disruptive, violent children must be moved to what they can or wish to do or learn. My Tennessee school had five vocational "shop" options (airplanes, radio, wood auto, general) in 1950.

The war. Sept. 11 events have certainly provided world awareness. Why didn't we know? We have a terrible political system but it's the best in the world. Resolution should precede November.

Frank M. Freeman
Greensboro

I agree with the article in the newspaper, "Shelter garners praise for spay-neuter rules" (March 16). Animals are precious and do not need to be treated badly or abandoned.

Animals keep us company when we feel depressed. It's shocking to see a nice dog or cat abandoned in the street. People who cannot take care of a pet and its offspring should not buy one. If they do want a pet, then they can do the right thing by spaying or neutering it. This helps to reduce the number of strays. I applaud Animal Control for picking up stray animals on the street.

Responsibility begins with each of us. If we are pet owners, this is our problem, not someone else's. If people choose to be pet owners, they should take responsibility for and be caretakers of their pets.

Jemima Agyei
Greensboro

The disgraceful situation regarding retirement funds of state employees being in the hands of one man demonstrates how foolish things are. Richard Moore is running for governor with assistance from state funds being spent in self-promotion like his counterpart, Attorney General Roy Cooper. Moore has even refused to obey the law requiring annual reporting of performance.

The General Assembly has entrusted this man with $75 billion only to be rewarded with mediocre results at best. The use of state funds in self-promotion was made into an art form by Mike Easley, and if Moore can get by Beverly Perdue in the Democratic primary, he will be our next governor -- since voters in North Carolina follow, lemming-like, the Democratic nominee without much thought about issues.

Moore's wife is an heiress to a $2 billion fortune, and he doesn't need to accept questionable contributions from people he deals with investing state employees' funds. If they behave like this before the election, just imagine what you could expect afterwards.

While the General Assembly spends time banning incandescent light bulbs in 10 years, Moore will go right along double-dealing with retirement funds and campaign contributions.

God pity this state.

Ken Lewis
Greensboro

The student was being interviewed by Fox News 8 about the shooting at UNCG and was asked if she felt safe after the incident.

The student replied that she was scared and did not feel as safe anymore. "I thought UNCG was a safe campus," she said. "You would think something like this would happen at A&T, not UNCG."

The student, who is an Afro-American female, angered not only current students at both universities but the alumni and community associated with these fine institutions.

I find it sad that in the 21st century an Afro-American female would perpetuate the thought that crime only happens on historically black campuses. I hope she knows now that crime occurs on every college campus, regardless of where you attend school. Most of the crimes are minor and do not make the 6 o'clock news like a shooting.

Perhaps a visit to N.C. A&T State University would help this young lady have a better understanding that her comments about A&T were shameful and unfounded. It would help her learn the history of N.C. A&T because obviously she knows very little about this top historic institution.

Terry Rankin
Greensboro

It appears to be a certainty that President Bush will veto any plan from Congress to set a timetable for troop withdrawal from Iraq. Amazingly, this will only be his second veto in the six years he has been in office. The first one was to stop further funding for stem-cell research. He considered it immoral, even though the research would probably lead to cures and treatments for diseases that could improve the lives of countless people.

I find it quite ironic that he seems to have a bottomless pit of money for this erroneous war he started, and yet he doesn't see the immorality associated with the deaths of well over 3,000 American service personnel, the wounding and maiming of at least 23,000 more, and the death toll of nearly 600,000 innocent Iraqi men, women and children.

Can anyone explain this utter contradiction of logic, other than the fact that he believes his religious faith will sort it all out?

Paul Manzi
Greensboro

Regarding Donna Brown's letter, "Clean Hampton even when governor isn't looking" (March 7), I have worked with some of the best administrators and teachers in North Carolina. Recently, I have had the privilege of working as a reading tutor at Hampton Leadership Academy and as a volunteer at Colfax Elementary. Hampton and Colfax both have excellent administrators, dedicated teachers and intelligent students. One difference is the physical facilities. While Hampton's building is very old, Colfax has a newer building.

Hampton requires extra custodial effort to maintain a good learning environment. Utilizing all space for educational opportunities, the 2006 Hampton students produced on the sturdy old stage the hit play, "The Wiz." Mindful of providing the safest environment, Principal Michelle Thigpen has had asbestos removed. Recently, as host to the governor, Hampton had assistance from the Guilford County Schools custodial staff to spruce up. As you know, guests in our homes require a spruce up.

If I had Oprah's resources, I would build a new school for Hampton and give raises and cruises to the Colfax and Hampton faculties.

Michelle Thigpen, Hampton's outstanding leader, will replace the retiring Dr. Mary Hamlin, Colfax's outstanding principal. As we know, good leadership is critical to school successes.

Dorothy E. Walker
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Lionel Roberts

In reference to the state of Georgia's potential apology for slavery, allow me to present to you a scenario. You are a middle-aged American with children. You have worked hard every day of your life to provide for your children. You even have saved a substantial portion of your wages to pass on to them.

Let's say one night your home gets robbed. Your safe is cracked and your entire life savings is stolen. To add insult to injury, you find out that your next-door neighbor was the burglar. You report him to the authorities only to find out that he is well connected and escapes justice.

Would you feel resentful? What if you see him add improvements to his home with your money? What if he spoils his kids with expensive gifts and maybe even a car for the oldest? Could you contain your anger if you saw them drive past your kids as they walked to the bus stop? Would you feel anger knowing that all your labor and sweat was going to be used by your thieving neighbor to enrich his children's lives and not yours?

This, my friend, is the dilemma cast upon slaves and their descendents. All their lives' labor was taken and controlled by men like our "founding fathers" who were all slave owners.
These slave owners hired what we call overseers to run their plantations mostly in their absence. This arrangement allowed them the free time to become "politicians and presidents," effectively creating the U.S. governing body and its institutions with money generated by slave labor.

So, would a drive-by apology help the descendents of African American slaves walking to the bus stop? I am not sure. But there should be some attempt at breaking the link between inferiority and black skin, which slavery formed in the minds of Americans. A formal apology could be a step in the right direction.

The writer lives in Winston-Salem.

When Elizabeth Edwards went public that her cancer had returned, money started pouring into John Edwards' campaign — more than $1 million.

Because she has cancer (and my prayers are with her) does that make him any smarter or more capable of running our country? People didn't think so before her cancer returned.

I have the same cancer Elizabeth has; my breast cancer came back and metastasized to the bone.

I think the money would be better spent on cancer research to help find a cure for all of us.

Peggy Manning
Greensboro

What costs more:

With respect to Rhonda Landreth's Counterpoint, "Praise for Scout sends wrong message," (March 29):

I know of no persons or organizations "praising [Michael Auberry] for disobeying Scout rules ... ." Indeed, Michael within hours of his rescue took full ownership of his lapse in judgment by describing the incident to his father as the stupidest thing he had ever done.

What is being celebrated by his family, friends and the media is his safe return. Too often, these stories have bad endings. Michael is 12 years old. Kids make mistakes and they sometimes break the rules.

Lord knows I did. We learn from our mistakes and move on.

So, instead of running Michael down, please join us in rejoicing his safe return and leave it at that. How and why he got in that situation should not matter — he's a kid.

Jeff Peraldo
Greensboro

Here's a thought for you. If you watched the show where they did a lie detector on notable people on national television, Paula Jones passed a lie detector test with flying colors. Now if Hillary is elected, will we be sending a proven liar and sexual predator back into the White House?

Bill Robinson
Greensboro

President Bush has been criticized (and rightfully so, on some occasions) for his swagger. For his "cowboy" attitude. For his "Bring it on!"- type statements.

So, what's up with Nancy Pelosi and her "Calm down with the threats. There's a new Congress in town"?

Who is she trying to be? Annie Oakley? More likely Calamity Jane.

Randy Friddle
Browns Summit

When she was 90 (and in excellent health), my mother moved to Greensboro to live near me and my family. She chose an apartment with a balcony that overlooked a wooded area because she loved trees and birds. For two years, weather permitting, she enjoyed her morning coffee on that balcony, reading the paper and watching the seasons change.

One day she reported in horror that the woods were being destroyed. She described heartless machinery that ate up trees, branches, baby birds, baby squirrels and any other wild creatures unfortunate enough to be caught in the maw of death. My mother didn't use her balcony after that. She couldn't stand to see the devastation. Soon afterward, she died.

Trees bestow transcendent beauty, absorb carbon dioxide, create homes for wildlife, and offer shade. North Carolina's trees are disappearing, largely due to development. When they are gone, they are gone. They will not grow back in our lifetimes.

Decades ago, singer Joni Mitchell lamented that "They Paved Paradise and Put Up a Parking Lot."

Think about it.

Maureen Parker
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Gaines Wilburn

The recent $9.36 per hour minimum wage law proposed for Greensboro by the Minimum Wage Committee is another attempt to socialize our market economy, ostensibly to aid Greensboro heads of household living below the poverty line.

Yet as William James points out (letter, April 1) many (most?) of those earning the minimum wage are dependents working to supplement household incomes — not primary breadwinners. I have some additional reservations.

How many of the rest of us are willing to pay for this and see it become law? What about next year or the year after, when it's determined that the minimum should be raised? What will be the penalties for noncompliance? Who will enforce the new law in addition to present duties, and at what cost to the community?

Andrew Brod (column, March 25) seems to be of the opinion that not many jobs would be lost and not many would move outside Greensboro due to the nature of the work. Let's say he's right. The reverse of this, however, is the following: How many people from outside Greensboro would compete with city residents for low-skill jobs at wages up to 50 percent higher than what they can earn outside the city? How many of these would be illegals (are we not enough of a magnet already)?

And with the increased competition for $9.36 per hour jobs, how many city low-wage earners, the people the new law was supposed to benefit, would lose their jobs and join the unemployed?

Does this still sound like a good idea?

The writer lives in Greensboro.

I don't understand why when developers try to rezone to build apartments or town houses, the residents always have to act against that. It is because the zoning commission approves rezoning very easily. They don't care about us residents and the community. The same problem has come to our neighborhood.

A developer sent a rezoning request to build more than 200 apartment units beside our subdivision on Horse Pen Creek Road. This will affect not only our house value, but the entire community.

What happens then? Three stoplights have been installed within a couple of years and more may be needed soon.

Now four town houses are being sold or being built on and near Horse Pen Creek Road. Middle-school students from these townhouses go to Kernodle Middle School, which has almost 1,000 students, far more than the average enrollment in the state and district.

That means we will need to redistrict again in the near future; riding time on school buses will be longer, and traffic jams will get worse.

The developer won't care about these problems after they build and sell these town houses and apartments. Zoning commissioners and the City Council should take care of residents and the community, not the developer.

Yukari Matsuoka
Greensboro

I often agree with columnist Mona Charen's viewpoint, and I think she's right in arguing that we shouldn't be ashamed to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement (column, March 31).

Nevertheless, I thought she was way off base to suggest that African Americans should be grateful that their ancestors had been dragged off to the New World as slaves, considering the corruption, cruelty and genocide to be found in Africa. She attributed that statement to African American foreign correspondent Keith Richburg of The Washington Post, but it was still an incredibly callous and insensitive thing for her to write -- and I think she should humbly apologize.

Bob Garner
Burlington

At one point in history, the United States was the place to move to escape poverty and to dream of a better future. However, with the outsourcing of jobs, a move to Central America or China may fulfill that dream better.

The closing of the Hanes Brands Inc. factory in Winston-Salem is an example of how lives are affected by the trend to move jobs to foreign nations.

The United States still lives on the Rugged Individualism model, where if you work hard you will be rewarded and the government needs to play no part.

But how is this model still advocated when 40 percent of those listed as being in poverty are working poor?

Can we really sit back and allow jobs that are supporting American families to continue to be sent away for profits? Can we honestly support wages so low that a working two-parent household lives below the poverty line?

We have to stop blaming the poor and realize the system is not working. We need to quit allowing companies to move away so easily, and raise the minimum wage to an amount where a family can confidently care for their loved ones. Then the American dream can be saved.

Tenecia Harper
Greensboro

Thank you, Anna Mercedes, for your compelling column (March 28) concerning the loss of trees and local character. When Starmount Co. began its newest development, we were promised that Friendly Avenue would be lined with trees to obscure buildings and pavement. Instead, restaurants and stores are in clear view and Starmount is now constructing a three-story bank building that looms over the Friendly Avenue-West Avondale Drive intersection.

Why a new bank building in place of irreplaceable old oak trees?

Our neighborhood is adjacent to Friendly Shopping Center. We have been informed Starmount Corp. intends to develop 2.5 to three acres of land on the residential side of Friendly Avenue, very near the dangerously congested Green Valley/Friendly intersection. It does not make good sense unless you are Starmount and looking at the bottom line.

Thankfully, the city of Greensboro has taken a different approach. They have preserved older buildings when possible and promoted local business development. In addition, we now have a lovely green space with Center City Park.

Perhaps it is time for Greensboro to enact an ordinance similar to those in New Jersey and other municipalities requiring developers to create green space equal to any land purchased for development.

True and Walker Campbell
Greensboro

By Harrison Turner and Steve Showfety

Wow! If you were among the 23,795 at the "Tournament Town Goes Downtown" Block Party on March 23 or the 1,500 who had a great time at the Family Fanfest in the new Center City Park on March 25, you helped us welcome the NCAA to Greensboro.

This enthusiastic turnout showed that our community is unique in hosting collegiate basketball tournaments. Our downtown was a major happening Friday night. As the Chris Daughtry concert began at the corner of South Elm and McGee streets, people in every direction were enjoying the evening. These exciting activities were held to promote an atmosphere of big-time hospitality in conjunction with the NCAA Women's Regional games at the Greensboro Coliseum.

Thanks to the coliseum and its Tournament Host Committee, NCAA officials and visitors from Arizona State, Rutgers, Bowling Green State University and Duke left town knowing how Greensboro embraces tournament basketball.

In addition to its first-class hosting of the competition on site, the coliseum also created and produced the hospitality events. They were part of our aggressive bid to host an NCAA Women's Final Four, a major sporting event accompanied by a national convention of women's basketball coaches and administrators. Not many mid-sized cities would pursue an opportunity like this.

It is time to aggressively provide the critical support our Coliseum Complex needs to achieve key parts of a changing master plan. Acquisition of the adjacent Canada Dry property is a much-needed step for the coliseum and a central part of plans for the redevelopment and improvements of the High Point Road-Lee Street corridor. This is an important strategic opportunity upon which community leaders need to act.

Thanks to the coliseum, the city of Greensboro, Grassroots Productions, Center City Park, Downtown Greensboro Inc., Action Greensboro, the volunteers and many others for making "Tournament Town Goes Downtown" a tremendous success.

Turner is chairman, Tournament Host Committee; Showfety, president, Greensboro Sports Council.

Wars have been fought over territory and race and seemingly from habit. Some people seem to prefer to fight than to do anything productive.

But perhaps the most reprehensible conflicts are those perpetrated in the name of religion: the Crusades, the Inquisition, the Holocaust and the Holy Wars (a real oxymoron). The current war has come to be a strong religious connotation. Within our own country, though founded on religious freedom, there are certainly many religious bigots, but, thankfully, they don't resort to mass violence.

It is difficult to see how anyone could fail to understand and appreciate the teachings of Jesus. Local churches offer programs that are uplifting and heart-warming. Mere attendance and fellowship with others of similar inclinations lift the spirits and promote peace of mind.

Though for centuries it has been human nature for us to fight one another, maybe someday we Americans can learn to follow His teachings and, though remaining in readiness, avoid all conflicts unless we are attacked. And certainly, we must never start another one.

Peace on Earth and good will to all men.

Dan W. Maddox
Greensboro

Thanks to Elon University for taking the lead here in Alamance County and among other institutions of higher learning by switching from buses that use foreign oil (gas/diesel) to buses that use U.S.A. biodiesel. They are leading by example. Now if we can just get our federal, state and local governments to do something about our dependence on foreign oil instead of just talking about it.

The Alamance-Burlington school system could and should follow Elon's lead. Not only would they be doing their part in the fight on the war on terrorism (Arab terrorists use our oil money to kill our troops — remember Sept. 11, 2001), but we would be teaching our children a valuable lesson on how to save our economy by making us less dependent on foreign oil and save our environment by putting less pollutants into it.

My wife, Margaret, and I just traded in our 4-year-old vehicles for hybrids. They actually cost less than the cars we purchased four years ago (low $20,000s vs. high $20,000s) and get twice the fuel mileage.

John M. Jordan
Saxapahaw

I can't help wondering if the proposed Guilford County jail would be excessively luxurious. Apparently the commissioners and the Sheriff's Office have in mind a building costing about $105 million and housing maybe 1,000 inmates, working out to about $100,000 per bed. But next door to us in Alamance County, they have just opened an addition to their existing jail costing $12.25 million and housing 240 inmates, or about $50,000 per bed.

What is going to be in our jail that will make it cost twice as much per inmate as the expansion in Alamance County? Why do we propose to put our new jail on expensive real estate downtown? Is it possible that if we built a jail in eastern Guilford County near the Alamance County line, it would be less expensive? Or, if we built four new jails or expansions to our existing jails, each housing 240 inmates and costing $12 million, wouldn't we save money?

Tony Blake
Greensboro

The Guilford County school board needs to support Garth Hebert's proposal to give children the choice of Southwest, Andrews or Welborn in High Point. Many of the children who are being bused the many miles from south High Point up to Southwest are suffering hardship. They are enduring two- to three-hour bus rides when there are model schools within walking distance of their homes. When they are sick at school they cannot get home because there is no public transportation, and if they miss the bus they lose a school day. It's almost criminal.

High Point politicians and school board members promised to help on such occasions. There has been no help. They have betrayed and abandoned these children. The school board cannot abandon them again. They must support this brave proposal and give these kids the chance to walk to school if they want.

Martin Phillip
High Point

Sylvia Woodard's letter, "Carr shouldn't ask public to help pay legal costs" (March 30), prompted me to write about something that has bothered me since Casey Bokhoven's death occurred.

The death is a tragedy: certainly to the young man who died; to Tolly Carr, whom I admired for his youth and freshness on the news and whose career and life are now ruined; to their families and friends.

At the same time, I could not help but think of the deference shown to Carr by the print and electronic media to a member of their own, and compare to other coverage of "celebrities." Anna Nicole Smith, a trash story from the beginning, filled more than 70 percent of the television talk show coverage for several days, and it continues on a lesser scale weeks after her death. Sidney Lowe II, the son of a prominent basketball coach and a local student, is a story of local interest deserving of an initial report and a follow-up, but there have been six or seven stories in the News & Record since his arrest.

The absence of reporters thrusting TV microphones or pad and pen in Carr's face day after day says much, all bad, about the quality, independence and professionalism of today's journalists.

Jerry S. Weston
Greensboro

I recommend replacing Howard Dean as Democratic National Committee chairman with Rosie O'Donnell. I believe she could get out the anti-Bush message even better than he does.

Hank Powell
Greensboro

In my neighborhood, Garden Lakes, the ruin of one of Greensboro's most beautiful avenues is well on its way once again. Developers are trying to get a toehold into the side streets.

We have been saddled with two years of incredible dirt, noise, Spanish and heavy equipment taking shortcuts through our streets.

It all began with the decision of Jefferson-Pilot to sell its park land on New Garden Road. There was a loud outcry about this, leading to many promises that there wouldn't be any negative result -- after all, a school was to be built and a library.

We know the agony that the folks living on the side streets of Wendover and Red Road must have experienced as developers never fade away when they think they've got a good thing going. There are no longer any homes on those side streets along Wendover.

Developers begin by offering a very lucrative price for the first few properties on the side streets closest to the main drag. They no doubt make it up later as they proceed with the redevelopment and values dive after the initial rebuilding gets going.

Barbara B. Blust
Greensboro

As I ride through the south side of Greensboro, I see there are many condos and town homes being built. In the past this would not have bothered me, but as a social work major who works with disadvantaged populations, I have become more sensitive to the needs of others.

The greatest need in the Gate City is adequate housing. When I say adequate, I mean free of roaches and lead paint. Is Greensboro trying to become more appealing, or maybe draw a different type of resident? What happens to the people who have lived in or near these areas for the past 50 years? Can they afford these new condos that start at $365,000? I don't think so.

If you really want to help Greensboro, take some of this money and erect housing people on the south side can live in that will not be labeled a project.

I don't know what the current thoughts of these builders are, but putting a mansion on what they think is a molehill will not get rid of the "moles." These residents should be respected, and those in need of housing should be helped.

There are plenty of other ways to increase the economic flow of this city, and I am more than willing to make suggestions.

Natashua Siler
Greensboro

A medical business that does not fit in with its neighborhood recently opened on New Garden Road. It's not the business itself, rather it's the company's neon flashing message board that makes it an unwelcome eyesore.

Travelers along this once-mellow stretch of New Garden Road are now bombarded by messages of "spider veins" and "Dick Cheney's blood clot." These neon message boards are commonplace on commercial-oriented thoroughfares such as High Point Road, or even farther north or south on New Garden -- but not here.

Apparently this property, which is on the north end of Guilford College and near the entrance to New Garden Friends School, was rezoned to accommodate such a commercial enterprise.

That begs the question: Is every "commercial" property afforded the opportunity to use such signage, regardless of its neighborhood? A 12-story high-rise or a giant billboard would not be appropriate for this space and neither is an obtrusive flashing message board.

In order to save the character of our neighborhoods, I ask the Greensboro City Council to review its zoning policies and to take down this eyesore.

Bob Lowe
Greensboro

The developers are at it again. Now they want to change Lawndale Avenue across the street from Country Park from residential to conditional general business. The first property up for rezoning is the northeast corner of Lawndale Avenue and Lake Jeanette Road. I say the first because, if this is changed, other properties nearby will quickly go the same route.

The entire character of that area is single-family residential. There is no commercial zoning on Lake Jeanette Road, and plenty enough on Lawndale at Pisgah Church and at Cottage Place. Lawndale through that area is a pleasant tree-lined drive. A recent article in the News & Record deplored the cutting of trees and the destruction of what used to be unique to Greensboro. Will this unique area go away next?

We do not want coffeehouses, ice cream parlors, delicatessens and other general retail, no matter how high-end, in our neighborhood. We want single-family homes with quiet streets, trees, places to walk, places for our kids, our dogs and our families. We want to be able to enjoy Country Park and the Natural Science Center without more commercial traffic around it. We want to preserve our property values and our neighborhood.

James Bennett
Greensboro

There's an old saying, "If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention." Every week I drive through another neighborhood with "Stop Rezoning" signs. Every week we see on the news another neighborhood having to fight just to keep itself intact.

What is happening to this city? Has greed completely taken the place of common sense? This type of rezoning is both reckless and irresponsible. We depend on our elected officials to squelch these types of requests before they can be seriously considered.

Will someone please pull in the reins on these greedy developers before our entire city is paved?

Bruce Graham
Greensboro