News-Record.com

What a breath of fresh air to read the article about Proehlific Park (Jeri Rowe column, Sept. 15) after year upon year of seemingly nonstop sport scandals ranging from the youth level to the pros.

My admiration goes to a pro athlete who, rather than squandering his fortune, has the faith, vision, values, mission, courage and conviction to invest in the youth of our community -- a community his own family calls home.

As one who experienced the joy and personal fulfillment of coaching youngsters in sports for 20 years, I encourage all parents concerned for the environment in which their children are being formed to give their support to Ricky Proehl's community project. Proehlific Park's mission and guiding principles can be found at www.proehlificpark.com. They are worth the read!

John Malmfelt
Greensboro

My husband and I have lived in beautiful Greensboro for 30-plus years, but after reading two recent articles in our newspaper, we're thinking about moving.

On Sept. 16, we read how one of our officers of the court, attorney Kevin Morse, has tried to finagle his way out of paying $2,300 in parking fines he owes the city of Greensboro. Isn't there a law about paying parking fines?

Sept. 20, we read that our city's well-known Agapion family, who own "more housing units with code violations than any other landlord in the city," have won an award for repairing some of their rental property. Aren't they required by law to repair their property?

Yes, a nice little cabin in our beautiful mountains is sounding pretty good right about now.

Yvonne Cousino
Greensboro

Bluegreen Corp. wants to take 100,000 gallons (minimum) per day from the Haw River. Where is this Haw River? If you drive east on I-40/85, or on U.S. 70, you will cross the Haw River in Alamance County. It is recognizable as a river.

To find the Haw River that Bluegreen Corp. wants to develop, you must take a different route and see a very different river.

Drive north on Church Street from its intersection with Wendover Avenue at Moses Cone Hospital. Cross N.C. 150. There's a traffic light, be careful.

About 1 1/2 miles from 150, you will round a curve to the left and cross two little bridges (11.2 miles from Cone Hospital). The first bridge is the Haw River! It's hard to believe; it's not signed, there is not much water. Be careful, they drive pretty fast through there. Go take a look.

Vance Arnold
Greensboro

With the increased dichotomy of American opinion on the Iraq war, I would like to suggest a positive alternative. The Iraq Study Group produced a number of useful suggestions of ways for us to get out of the quagmire. There is legislation before Congress (Iraq Study Group Implementation Act) that would include the following policies:

* make clear the United States does not seek to establish military bases in Iraq or to control Iraq's oil resources;

* stress need to engage directly with Iran and Syria, and build "Iraq Support Group" in region;

* bring about early transition of military role from combat to training that would allow early redeployment of troops from Iraq;

* base continued U.S. political, military and economic support on specific reconciliation benchmarks;

* establish congressional oversight by requiring the president to report every three months on actions taken to implement provisions of this bill.

This bill has bipartisan support and could set the United States on a new course in Iraq and the region as a whole, beginning in this administration and likely continuing into the next.

Marilyn White
Greensboro

On Sept. 17, the Constitution turned 220 years old. Two days later, the U.S. Senate killed it. And North Carolina's Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr helped. The Senate voted against restoring habeas corpus, which had been effectively neutered by last year's Military Commissions Act. That it was even considered for annulment will prove to be one of the more contemptible sins of George W. Bush. That our own representatives refused to reaffirm habeas corpus, after they had sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution, is treason.

I live in Rockingham County. For months I've watched elected officials in my own backyard trample on the Constitution: from a school board member suing citizens for practicing the right to petition, to a city council banning new churches.

From the top down, we are being destroyed by those lusting for power rather than desiring justice. We don't need these kinds of "leaders" anymore. We require honest citizens, not partisans or parasites.

Are there people to be found who still believe in the Constitution that our forefathers worked, fought and even died to establish? If there are, they should step forward and take the lead.

Christopher Knight
Reidsville

I know Gregory Woodard to be a fair and honorable man. He is an experienced leader who is action-oriented and possesses those desired leadership traits all voters desire in a civic leader.
He is a common-sense decision-maker, knowledgeable, and he produces results, not excuses.

As a veteran and schoolteacher, I strongly recommend we elect Greg as councilman at large.

Rick Dunlap
Greensboro

Regarding the nooses recently found at Andrews High School:

Stupid pranksters need to be dealt with. Regardless of who was involved the hanging of nooses at Andrews, it was, in my opinion, a prank performed by nonthinking persons, regardless of color.

When the guilty parties are caught, they need to seek counseling and should be required to take a course in exercising good judgment until school ends next spring.

These persons are copycats. Whether they are students or not, they have no idea what problems they could cause with the furniture market in High Point this week. Neither High Point nor any other city wants or needs this kind of publicity.

Anyone who knows who placed those nooses at Andrews needs to give this information to the police now. And we all need to try thinking about something that will help this city become a better place to live. Together we can.

Lawrence Graves
High Point

I sympathize with all young girls and parents who are dealing with the ticket situation for the Hannah Montana concert.

I am a dad who awakened early and stood in line for tickets. I arrived at 7 a.m., and I got four tickets. I do not condone or support anyone who buys up tickets online and then sells them for inflated prices. But by now, anyone who wishes to attend a very popular show knows this will happen.

I was amazed as I watched people arrive five to 10 minutes before ticket sales started. Should citizens be forced to camp out just to see a show? No, but the reality is that this show features one of the hottest TV and children's stars in the world, and you know it's going to sell out.

The Greensboro Coliseum could have served ticket buyers better. Due to the rodeo, the large ticket-sales area on the upper level was unavailable so they herded everyone into the small ticket-sales area on the lower level.

It was nice seeing coliseum Director Matt Brown standing off to the side grinning as he watched it all unfold. I wonder how much parking will be that night.

Joe Henzler
Jamestown

Yes, yes, crack down on the baggy-pants boys. Then cite the girls stuffed into tight jeans and short skirts. After that arrest the guys waddling around like toddlers in sneakers, shorts and message T-shirts. (Surely those bellies should be classified as private parts.)

Finally, go after the shameless old women who occasionally flash a bit of cleavage.

Let's punish those affronts to decency by displaying the perpetrators in stocks at Center City Park.

We're definitely going to need more cops!

Noel Kirby-Smith
Greensboro

Why won't the police and city government release all of the transcripts relative to the David Wray case? It is obvious they are keeping information from the public when the public has the right to know. In other words, they are protecting their rear ends and snubbing the public's rights.

Their actions say that the public is weak and ignorant and doesn't need to know the facts. Democracy fails when you tolerate public officials with such a warped sense of superiority.

It is very clear what these officials are trying to do. For some time now, Greensboro city government has been trying its best to put a good image on a sorry situation. Witness the newspaper articles and TV appearances by our mayor and city manager. Neither was credible or believable. The public is not stupid.

Let it all come out and let the chips fall wherever they may. Release all transcripts. Quit trying to cover up for certain groups and individuals as you have obviously been doing.

Let the sun shine in and it will all clear up quickly.

Louise Myrick
Greensboro

Lately, small groups of well-dressed, soft-spoken folks have knocked on our door.

They come bearing a message: Commit to their god. That would be my only path to heaven. So, I can surmise where I am heading.

When they left, I felt lousy. After living a long, honorable life, I was doomed. Why do people challenge another man's faith?

I am a World War II veteran, pretty much set in my ways. I don't do change easily. I admit that I switched from Pepsi to Coke, and when I smoked cigarettes, I tried different brands.

But to switch gods -- that's a bit much.

Even if I were to entertain this idea, what would I say to my God? "I found a better god?"
That's ludicrous. God is God. Or, are there different gods for different faiths?

Is heaven crowded? Or is the spirit of God universal?

In the interim, God told me that "heaven awaits."

I think I will maintain the status quo. Peace.

Max Roseman
High Point

The community has shown great support for an expanded Haw River State Park. We are grateful for that. There is some perception in parts of the community and media that the state was slow to move on acquiring the property currently being considered for rezoning.

The State Property Office, which handles all acquisitions for the state, has certain rules it must adhere to in order to make an offer on a property. These basic rules protect us all by assuring proper use of our tax dollars.

The state cannot make an offer on a property without having an appraisal in hand by a certified appraiser to justify the offer.

Community volunteers and employees of the state parks and property offices had numerous meetings and discussions with the property owners concerning the 692 acres up for rezoning next to Haw River State Park. Regretfully, the state was never able to obtain written consent to appraise these properties.

The state is willing and able to acquire these properties for the state park at the market price. By overturning this rezoning, we can allow that to happen.

Carolyn Allen
Greensboro

Allen is co-chairwoman, Citizens For Haw River State Park, and a former mayor of Greensboro.

Sept. 15 was Clean Up the Beach Day. Ocean Conservancy shows pictures of what was found dead on the sand: a seal wrapped in the nets of careless fishermen; a bird, its stomach filled with people garbage, including a cigarette lighter and bottle caps.

Oh, I can hear it now: "A seal, a bird? So what? Who cares?"

Wilderness Society pictures wolves being shot from airplanes, hard to miss from that vantage point.

"Wolves? So what? Who cares?"

A polar bear with the glacier melting out from underneath it in the warming Arctic.

"Polar bears? So what, who cares?"

Your daughter's puppy run over by a truck.

"My daughter? Her puppy? So ... who?"

Your neighbor's son murdered by a gang knifing.

"My neighbor ... his son?"

We're all in a line from seal to son, all related, all connected. One life built on all those that came before.

So what? Here's what: It's time to start caring. Now. Before it's too late, before we're all gone.

We need a Clean Up Your Heart Day. Soon.

Gay Cheney
Browns Summit

I was watching WFMY (Channel 2) earlier, and I commend whomever came up with the idea to have a funeral service for the N-word. It's about time.

God never intended for anyone to be degraded, and it pleases me to see a word that degrades finally die.

I just wanted to thank whomever orchestrated this for putting an end to such a childish word.

Matthew Scarborough
Greensboro

I'd like to stress one important fact to Christopher Rees, who thinks he has the right not to buckle his seat belt as long as it doesn't do anyone any harm (letter, Sept. 19). It is the law.

I could say I want to grow marijuana in my backyard and smoke it in my home (hypothetically speaking, of course) as long as it doesn't do anyone any harm. Wrong.

We may not agree with all the laws our elected officials have enacted, but we are bound by law to obey them.

Donna Padgett
Summerfield

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Earle Bower

Charles Davenport's last two columns have been absolutely on the mark. Numerous studies have shown that the single greatest factor in predicting failure for a child is being born to a single parent. It is far more significant than race, nationality or socioeconomic standing. It only stands to reason that children from single-parent households are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than children from two-parent households.

I couldn't disagree more with Annette Kiesel's letter in which she calls Davenport's remarks hurtful and an attack on single mothers who need community, not criticism. The really hurtful thing is to ignore the plain documented truth for the sake of political correctness. Identifying the problem is not criticism; rather, it's intellectual honesty.

Like it or not, single-parent children have very high failure rates and represent a large percentage of prison inmates. Let's let Davenport's columns become the impetus for dealing with this problem here in Greensboro. Let's start a real dialogue based on honesty and reason.

It's been reported that some single mothers on public assistance encourage teenage daughters to get pregnant to receive additional benefits. Why not create ways to provide an incentive for young girls not to get pregnant? This could take the form of a cash incentive of $3,000 per year every year the girl doesn't get pregnant. Or, it could be a cash incentive to have a birth-control patch implanted in the arm of teenagers. No matter the cost, it would save enormous sums of money and a great deal of human suffering in the long run.

Teenage pregnancy almost always leads to single parenthood with its dismal rates of success for the children. Why not develop innovative solutions to reduce teen pregnancy and save those children from a miserable life of failure?

The writer lives in Greensboro.

It's evident that a criminal assault was committed in Jena, La. The problem is with the Louisiana legislature, not the district attorney. The law is what it is.

Also, school administrators should have done a better job. Suspensions should have been in order when the first noose was hung. Jena school officials were aware of the history of the tree that only white students socialized under.

Jena is like most small towns in America. It's unable to embrace diversity, unable to engage in dialogue with the disenfranchised and unable to think outside the box.

Let's make no mistake. This is not an MLK Jr. moment. The good doctor would never advocate a physical assault on a another human. I would like to see black leadership spend more time helping black people overcome economic hardships, creating business opportunities so we can become self-reliant; educating black youth about our history; and eradicating Jim Crow laws that some municipalities overtly and covertly practice.

It frustrates me when I see "Pimp Ph.Ds" and "Pimp Pastors" play on the emotions of the youthful and simple-minded. I hope all who took the drive to Jena, both black and white, realize that there's plenty of work to do.

Myron Johnson
Reidsville

At our 2007 campaign kickoff on Sept. 15, the fundamental spirit of caring, civic pride and giving that is a hallmark of the Greater High Point community was demonstrated by the 36 United Way "Pacesetter" companies that conducted their fund-raising efforts in advance of our general campaign. We are pleased to announce that these initial campaigns have already raised $1.7 million toward our total campaign goal of $4,370,029.

It is through the efforts of caring and concerned citizens such as these and many other dedicated volunteers and supporters that the United Way of Greater High Point and its 29 partner agencies are able to continue to provide life-changing and life-saving benefits to so many in our community.

On behalf of the United Way of Greater High Point, and particularly those served by its 29 partner agencies, we extend heartfelt thanks to all the generous citizens who support our United Way with their donations and volunteerism. Because of you, our 2007 campaign is off to a great start. And thanks to you, and your continued generous support, we can confidently say we will continue to do "what matters" in High Point, Archdale, Trinity and Jamestown.

Charles Cain
High Point

The writer is chairman of the 2007 Campaign of United Way of Greater High Point.

The following is a Counterpoint column.

By David C. Ribar

Defying the clear wishes of the American people and discarding the expert advice of the nonpartisan Iraq Study Group, President George Bush initiated a military surge in Iraq at the start of this year. Recently he came back to the American people to tout the many "successes" in his strategy and to announce that the surge would continue, as planned, through next June.

Bush conditioned his initial decision with a number of assertions and promises, in effect, defining the terms of success. Eight months later we can see that he has failed based on those terms.

Recall that the president indicated that the Iraqi government had responsibilities, telling us in his Jan. 10 speech that we would "hold the Iraqi government to the benchmarks it has announced" and that failure would cost them "the support of the American people." Now the president has reported that "the government has not met its own legislative benchmarks," yet he went on to commit us to more support.

In January, the president asserted that the Iraqis would "take responsibility for security in all of Iraq's provinces by November." That date is now less than two months away, but instead of making progress, the Iraqis are actually less capable now than they were at the start of the surge. A panel headed by retired Gen. James Jones reports that the Iraqi army is 12 to 18 months away from functioning independently and that the country's national police force should be disbanded and reformed. The president has stated that security is the most fundamental goal of all, repeating that as "Iraqis stand up, we'll stand down." Nevertheless, the day of the Iraqis actually standing up has drifted farther into the future.

Finally, the president said at the start of the surge "that America's commitment is not open-ended." But now he has revealed that the surge was only a down payment, saying that "success will require U.S. political, economic and security engagement that extends beyond my presidency" and that "Iraqi leaders have asked for an enduring relationship with America. And we are ready to begin building that relationship."

We ran out of good options in Iraq long ago. Congress and the American people must not allow the president to compound and extend his failures. A significant drawdown and redeployment of U.S. forces should begin immediately, and Congress should reject the president's open-ended commitment.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

Walter Sperko wrote (letter, Sept. 3) that people near the airport were whining because of the noise FedEx would generate. He needs to consider several things.

When most of the people bought their homes before the FedEx announcement, the planned expansion was for a 5,000-foot general aviation runway. We checked with the airport authority before we purchased our home in 1989 and were shown the proposed plan for this new runway. We have lived near other airports and felt this wasn't going to be an issue, as general aviation runways generally operate during the daylight hours only, which wouldn't present a future concern.

As part of the FedEx expansion, hundreds of acres of land have been leveled and thousands of trees have been removed. Doing this has allowed sound to travel greater distances. This will be a bigger issue when FedEx is operating during the late-night hours, when sound really carries. You can now regularly hear planes in the Summerfield and Brassfield areas, when you wouldn't have heard them in the past.

Lastly, my home's value decreased during the 11 years I lived in the Cardinal. I paid $325,000, put $35,000 into it and sold it for my original purchase price.

Jack Gale
Hampstead

Several years ago, six white men beat up one black man, Rodney King, and a nation of black protesters rushed to the support of the one.

Several months ago, six black men beat up one white man, whose name nobody knows, and a nation of black protesters have rushed to the support of the six.

How much more of a double standard can you get?

Adam Wilson
Browns Summit

Bennie Taylor (letter, June 17) feels that Democrats are not Christians. I am a Democrat. Politics is a choice that everyone is free to make.

I have never heard of anyone in my county going to an African American church to campaign. I think they are capable of deciding for themselves whom they will support.

I see Taylor is calling Democrats liberals. The man he voted for twice is the biggest liberal I have ever known. Look at the uncalled-for war. It has cost billions and billions of dollars and taken the lives of thousands of people.

I won't look for Taylor to open my door in heaven. Don't judge other people.
Christ is the final judge.

Willie Duncan
Siler City

True immigration debate has not yet occurred in Congress. Proposals were put forward to criminalize illegal immigrants, build a barrier along the 2,000-mile Mexican border, and to create another guest worker program. Few of these proposals have become law, though a partial border fence was approved.

The country demands more in-depth debate because we do not have real reform yet or a comprehensive solution to illegal immigration. It is impossible to support leaders or columnists who lack ideas and only offer argumentative opinions. Congress hasn't done its job. We need solutions, not reactive partiality.

H. Nolo Martinez
Winston Salem
The writer is an assistant director at the Center for New North Carolinians at UNCG.

The United States should try diplomacy for once. Look at where our egocentric views have gotten us with Iraq. We need to start looking beyond our own myopic self-interests. When the global economy is all grown up, how do you think it's going to look at the bully named America that used to steal its lunch money on the playground when it was a kid?

Matthew Busick
Greensboro

Recruiting money for PTI Airport development may help the Triad get better air service, yet I doubt whether the Airport Authority is effective. To question community interest is disingenuous.

We travel to Raleigh-Durham regularly because prices, even after parking, are a lot cheaper -- and because we fly on full-size aircraft instead of the cramped, puddle-jumper excuses for transport at PTI. We're certain that many people from the Triad also drive to RDU or to Charlotte to avoid the local indignities.

In the world of chicken and egg, our local authorities seem to lay a lot of eggs.

Peter Guthmann
Greensboro

I am consistently amazed at how the need for early foreign language instruction continues to be questioned, for any reason, by the State Board of Education. It is critical that our children be equipped with the necessary tools to compete in this ever-expanding global economy.
Anyone with eyes and ears can see and hear how much the demographics in North Carolina have changed in just the last 10 years. China is the largest English-speaking country in the world and has more honor students than America has students.
This is proof that early cultural and language acquisition needs to be actively promoted and rewarded to position our children for success in the global marketplace.

Rhonda Frazier
Greensboro
The writer is PTA president, Jones Spanish Immersion Elementary School.

After reading Charles Davenport's column on ADD/ADHD (Sept. 16) and the resulting letters to the editor, I have a few things to say:

First, does he have any kids in public school? In fact, does he have any kids at all? If so, did they ever struggle in school like my son and many others? After all, if he's speaking from experience, that's one thing. If he's talking just to hear himself talk and is not invested in the issue, his opinion doesn't count for anything.

Second, has he ever said anything constructive? Does he have any ideas to make the situation he's ranting about better?

Last, to all those parents of ADD/ADHD kids: Hang in there and fight! Use every resource you have and never give up. Ignore people like Davenport, never miss an opportunity to educate yourself and others, and if a technique, medication or strategy works, then use it.

Susie Barnes
Greensboro

I read with interest the article, "Time to get your children back outside. "What a sad time it is that we as parents must be reminded to take our children outside.

Last week was the kickoff to the national Take a Child Outside week that was started in our own great state of North Carolina. I can't think of a better opportunity to remind our county commissioners that we have the perfect natural resource right here in Guilford and Rockingham counties at the Haw River State Park.

The Haw River State Park/Summit Environmental Education Center welcomes thousands of people each year to experience what nature has to offer. From wetlands ecology classes to orienteering, it is the perfect place to have hands-on experiences outside.

However, if the rezoning is allowed and the development of the neighboring property is approved, the natural resources currently at our fingertips will be greatly compromised.

Please join me in support of the Haw River State Park. Once the trees and natural areas are cleared for development, there is no turning back.

Mary Myers
Greensboro

America is a free country. Here, anyone who wants to make an ass of himself can do so. Lee Bollinger, the president of Columbia University, gave a perfect example of that by introducing Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as a "petty and cruel dictator with a fanatical mind-set." Bollinger not only insulted the president of Iran, a country not at war with us, but he also insulted the chief guest of his university and the American hospitality.

Apparently, Bollinger's mother never taught him any manners or etiquette. Nor does he appear to be a very knowledgeable person.

Ahmadinejad is not a dictator. The "bossman" in Iran is Ali Khamaini, and even though Iran is a sickly democracy, it is a democracy. I believe Ahmadinejad did say that there was no holocaust. But why get excited? People do make foolish statements. Ahmadinejad has called for the elimination of Israel. So many other people have said that before. Bollinger should realize that Ahmadinejad is not responsible for the death of a single Jewish person.

Here was an opportunity to open dialogue with Iran -- an opportunity we needed badly. That was most foolishly squandered away.

N.M. Chopra
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Mike Clark

A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on suicides prompted an Associated Press article that appeared in the Sept. 7 News & Record. The report indicated a suicide trend among youths and young adults, ages 10-24, particularly in "tween" girls, ages 10-14.

I believe that the data pulled from this report could be better understood if other information is provided. An editorial note in the CDC's online newsletter says youth suicide statistics are potentially skewed because 1) research on suicide deaths in youths, ages 10-19, has focused on males, and 2) research on females has primarily examined suicidal thoughts and nonfatal suicide injuries.

The AP article also noted an overall trend toward hanging and suffocation as suicide methods. Again, the CDC offers further explanation: Unintended death due to a practice of self-asphyxiation, the "choking game,” is likely to have been misclassified as intentional suicide in adolescent boys.

This is not to downplay the incidence or tragedy of youth suicide. I am simply attempting to put
the CDC research into the proper perspective. As a child psychiatrist in Guilford County, I have not noticed a substantial increase in thoughts of suicide among tweens or teens. However, I would suggest that our concern, as parents and as a community, should be prevention, early intervention and treatment for adolescent and teen depression.

Depression is a problem for all populations and age groups. If left untreated, 15 percent of individuals with depression will kill themselves.

Healthy adolescents and teens are well-adjusted and on task. It is not normal for young people to dwell on topics like death and suicide. Other symptoms to watch for include difficulty sleeping, withdrawal, altered eating habits and a lack of interest in activities that were previously enjoyed.

Depression screenings are simple and painless. If you suspect that your child may be suffering from depression, please talk to your pediatrician or school counselor, or call Guilford County toll-free at 1-800-853-5163 (for TTY users, 1-866-518-6778).

Remember, untreated depression can be fatal. Early detection and treatment save lives.

The writer is a psychiatrist with The Guilford Center.

As a relatively new (three years) transplant from the West Coast via Raleigh, I find Greensboro to be a fascinating study of feebleminded attempts to "beautify" the city. Or perhaps more to the point, making Greensboro a more modern and attractive city.

An example that proves my point is putting in a green median along Friendly Avenue with no thought or effort to install bike lanes. This street runs between four colleges!

Now the street will be even more difficult for bikers to ride with the traffic as the cars will have no "move around" space when passing bicycles. No, bicyclists cannot safely run on the new sidewalks that few, if any, pedestrians will use -- let alone have bike lanes to our wonderful parks.

But maybe the city planners have a baby Newark in mind for our future. It's cars or nothin', baby!

Brandon Martin
Greensboro

Concerning the Supreme Court's examination of lethal injection to determine if it hurts the prisoner too much, I would think they would examine the way their victims were killed and how much that hurt, and how much the family still grieves.

Our country has the best justice system in the world -- if only we had the courage to enforce it.

G.L. Herbin
Greensboro

The Jena 6 case offers a textbook example of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Had they been in a Guilford County school, they could've beat their classmates' "brains out" (a Northeast teacher's words, not mine) with relative impunity.

Steve Schorr
Browns Summit

Some people interested in business and profits might favor a gated golf-course community on the Haw River. Actually the cost of infrastructure is more than the tax revenue from 775 units.

How will our citizens exercise their stewardship of land that has on it wetlands, hardwoods, grasses and openness? Will the Guilford County commissioners have the concern to make a decision that is more about good land and people than about a development that is better than usually proposed?

The present state park conference center was sold to the state by the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina. I serve on the Diocesan Committee for Environmental Ministry. A housing development was not part of the vision when the sale took place.

Such a development will seriously limit the park's area and its need to expand its lands, offerings and investment in our counties and state for all people to connect to creation.

More information can be obtained from www.CitizensForHawRiverSP.org so that people can witness to the importance of land preserved and made available. The commissioners have the chance to favor the people of our counties and the land of the Haw River.

Thomas Droppers
Greensboro

Thank you, Rockingham County, for your wonderful giving response. After the article describing the bare food pantry at the Rockingham County Chapter of the Red Cross, caring people went into action. Boxes were placed in workplaces, schools, homes and were soon being delivered to the Red Cross.

The United Way of Rockingham County delivered a check for $1,000 from its Emergency Fund within 24 hours. This is the cost of food for one week. This allowed Jana Nowell, director, to purchase food and reopen the doors until the donated goods began arriving.

The Red Cross not only provides blood services, but also disaster services, support for military families, health and safety training along with the food pantry. The demand for the food pantry has increased from 670 family members per month last year to 892 family members this year. So you see the critical need that is ever-present.

Let me again express my heartfelt appreciation to all of you who responded so generously.

Jim Burnette
Eden

The writer is a member, board of directors, Rockingham County Chapter of American Red Cross; vice president, United Way of Rockingham County.

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Maureen Parker

With global warming, climate change, melting glacial ice, dying polar bears, hybrid and hydrogen cars, cool cities, vanishing species, bee colony collapses, declining bird populations, deforestation, recycling, green energy, green awareness, water pollution, air pollution and draught so constantly in the news these days, it seems inconceivable that the Guilford Country commissioners would rezone land next to the protected Haw River State Park in favor of a golf course and a gated community.

If this happens, it suggests our elected officials are living in the past when trees were cut with impunity and no one thought much about it. Earth was lush and green then, and filled with life. There were so many trees that a few didn't matter one way or the other.

The point is that they did matter. We just didn't realize it.

Perhaps past commissioners didn't know what they were doing, but unless current commissioners exist in a fantasy world, they must be aware that environmental stewardship is crucial to Earth's life and future. Many drops of water make an ocean; many trees help make a healthy environment. The 700 acres of land earmarked for Haw River State Park should remain so.

Long ago, John Muir said, "When one tugs on any single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world."

When money is involved, nature almost always loses. Even when "balance" is sought between conservation and development, the natural world is gradually chipped away. A little beauty disappears here, a few trees there, and after a while we notice that much of what used to be lovely is gone.

Concrete does not soothe the soul. Wilderness does that. Mountains and trees do that. Deer and rivers do that -- and wild geese flying south in long vees.

A News and Record editorial (Aug. 2) stated that North Carolina's 1999 goal of preserving one million acres of land from development by 2009 is more than 50 percent behind schedule.

Guilford commissioners will decide if the Haw River land will become part of the state park system or if it will be sacrificed on the altar of development.

That North Carolina has funds available to purchase the land for the park makes Haw River State Park a hopeful possibility. Apparently, even trees now require money for survival.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

Hate crime legislation -- HR 1592. The title of this legislation previously passed by the House of Representatives and pending in the Senate is a classical misnomer. Very few moral individuals would be in favor of hatred or mistreatment of any individual. My concern and what needs to get the attention of those who value freedom of speech are the underlying ramifications of this legislation.

When questions like that of Congressman Louis Gohmert of Texas are answered "Yes" while discussing legislation, we need to be concerned. He asked, "If a minister gives a sermon, or Bible study of any kind, stating that homosexuality is a sin, and a person in the room goes out and commits a crime against a homosexual, can the minister be charged with the crime of incitement?"

Our nation has seen prayer taken out of our schools, we have seen many of our freedoms oppressed, but when attempts are made to take the word of God out of our spiritual leaders' mouths, it is time to stand up. If those who value their freedom of worship don't speak now, may God have mercy on our nation.

John J. Oakes
McLeansville

This week I saw it -- or really looked at it for the first time: an area once called "Twin Oaks Golf" on Hilltop Road in Jamestown. For many years a rolling par 3 course for our community's enjoyment, today it has been re-engineered into a treeless, flattened mass of clay dirt waiting to be paved over and filled with still more condos, town homes and apartments.

On its Web site, the captains of this enterprise, Blue Ridge Development, make it clear how fortunate we are to have had them there to solve our "problem" of what to do with this land. Perhaps.

But would it have hurt their profits too much to have left just a few of those beautiful trees ... like, say, the magnificent "twin oaks" that became the namesake of this course? Or to work with the contours of that plot of earth instead of leveling them?

Rachel Carlson wrote, "I believe that whenever we destroy beauty, whenever we substitute something man made and artificial for a natural feature of this earth, we have retarded some part of man's spiritual growth."

Maybe that's what so many of us feel is happening to our Triad and to our growth.

Bill Yaner
Jamestown

Donald Miller could not have been more wrong if he tried (Counterpoint, "Don't waste school time on Spanish," Sept. 26). There is not a second language that would be more useful to have than Spanish for a young person coming out of school.

Companies will need employees who speak both Spanish and English to target their fast-growing Spanish-speaking customer base — not to mention the possibilities to move into management positions based on their abilities to communicate with the growing number of Spanish-speaking employees.

If I'm deciding between two otherwise equally qualified candidates for a job, I will hire the one who can speak Spanish as well as English. It has nothing to do with making minorities feel good about themselves. It has everything to do with preparing our young people to face reality.

The only point on which I will agree with Miller is that we had better start training our young people to speak Chinese. Other than that, I suspect his motives may be less than educationally driven.

Kevin Murray
Summerfield

This is in response to Elizabeth Smigel's letter (Sept. 18). It's the motorists who need to learn how to share the road. Motorists must yield to cyclists because cars are stronger, more powerful and more lethal. Bicycles cannot kill as easily as a car can.

Let's go back to the reasons why many communities are now having bike lanes to promote bicycle riding, not only for recreational purposes but also practical purposes such as commuting (less than five percent of our nation commutes on a bike). Bicycling is better for our environment, health and wallets, not to mention one less car during the morning commute.
It's totally anachronistic and backward to put a damper on this positive movement called cycling. By making it difficult to ride bikes, you are encouraging this bad habit of driving anywhere in this country even if it's around the corner for milk. No wonder 60 percent of our population is overweight.

My advice to motorists is slow down and pay attention. If you commute through the Battleground area, there is a very good chance that a bicyclist is commuting. What's your hurry? That bicycle is going to slow you down 30 seconds.

Carl Peltzer
Colfax

In the editorial, "Battle crime using a strategy that's creative and long term" (Sept. 28), it is suggested that Greensboro should do away with its academy in order to fill vacancies. Although this may be out-of-the-box thinking, it hardly seems logical.

Using community colleges as feeders is a great idea, but if the primary concern is filling vacancies, shouldn't we keep as many training options open as possible? If the primary problem is a limited pool of new officers, we should be hiring both from the community college and from the academy, which trains officers in a fourth of the time.

We should also learn from other industries: hire recruiters, offer incentives for officers to relocate to Greensboro, offer sign-on bonuses and have recruiters speak to graduating high school seniors. Law enforcement could even go the way of nursing and offer to pay tuition in exchange for a commitment to serve in Greensboro.

As a Greensboro resident, Guilford County schoolteacher and soon-to-be parent, I understand the importance of having a well-stocked police force, and that is why I think cutting the academy is too shortsighted.

Mike Albert
Greensboro

I watched "The War" on PBS. I have always been very patriotic and proud of the American soldiers, Marines and sailors.

After watching this series, I realize what a great effort these men and women gave. As they are all into their 70s and 80s, we need to tell them how much they did for their country and honor them as often as possible. I know that all soldiers and their families sacrifice, sometimes with their lives.

I am proud of all these men and women and even go out of my way to let them know. Not long ago, I stopped at a traffic light and noticed the tag on the car was the Medal of Honor tag. The car was being driven by an elderly gentleman, and he had a lady passenger. As I pulled up beside him, I motioned for him to roll down his window. When he did, I simply thanked him for his service.

Again, tell them all, every day, how proud we are for their service.

Roy Riggs
Greensboro

In response to the Sept. 9 article, "How can we help our nation's caregivers?" (featured in Parade magazine), I am writing to educate local caregivers (individuals providing informal and unpaid assistance to someone 60-plus) about a valuable resource Gail Sheehy neglected: the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP).

The NFCSP calls for states to offer services to caregivers under the following categories: information about services; assistance in accessing services; individual counseling, support groups and training; respite care; and supplemental services to complement care.
In North Carolina, where families supply the national average of 80 percent of all long-term care, NFCSP services boost the physical and emotional well-being of caregivers through supportive services and programs. Caregivers of adults 60 and older are eligible for NFCSP services.
In addition, adults caring for individuals of any age with Alzheimer's disease (and disorders with neurological and organic brain dysfunction) and grandparents age 55-plus raising grandchildren also qualify for services.

For an overview of the NFCSP, visit www.dhhs.state.nc.us/aging/fcaregr/fcspsum3.htm. To obtain information about services in the Triad, contact the Area Agency on Aging at (336) 294-4950.

Catharine Sutherland
Greensboro

The writer is family caregiver support program specialist for the Piedmont Triad Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging.

I am a Moses Cone Health System employee who has been working with seniors in the community for the past nine years. We are hearing a lot of concerns and questions voiced by seniors who have Blue Cross Medicare insurance coverage and are worried about the impact of the contract dispute between Moses Cone and Blue Cross.

We would like to let all seniors with a Blue Cross Medicare supplement or HMO product know that they will not be affected in any way by the contract issue. They will receive the same benefits as usual and have full access to all Moses Cone facilities and services.

Elizabeth Westwater
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Robert Hudson

Salim Muwakkil (column, Sept. 12) tries to explain why fewer blacks are joining the military these days, but none of his arguments holds water. For Muwakkil, the answer is simple: It's all George Bush's fault. If Bush hadn't started this war, the problem wouldn't exist.

But is that really the problem? Let's ask ourselves what the reason should be for joining the military. To me, a Vietnam artillery vet who enlisted, the answer is simple. You join the military to defend your country from enemies. That's what the military does.

It has a job to do, and an important one. If it fails, your economic situation just may be one of your lesser worries. The military needs men, and women, who can do that job, do it well and do it without complaint.

If you are "opposed to war for moral reasons," as the column says, guess what, Sport? You do not belong in the military. If you joined the Army just to get an education, you don't belong in the military. That's just a perk, like having a company car or employer-provided medical insurance.

If you are hoping, as Muwakkil seems to be saying, to get through three or four years without having to go to combat, that is a good sign that you are probably a sane person. At the same time, a soldier has to realize that he may be called upon to give all, up to and including his life, at any time. My God, man, we've been at war with the same people for more than 20 years, even though it has just been of late that someone decided that their side would no longer be the only one doing the fighting.

Muwakkil also cites "... the negative attitude that blacks have of George Bush." That's another thing; a soldier has to follow orders, or unnecessary loss of life can happen. War is dangerous, nasty business, and if you don't do your job because you don't happen to like the boss, from squad leader to commander-in-chief, someone may die. If you can't understand that, you don't belong in the military.

The military is for the man or woman who is willing to stand between the wolves and the sheep. And, if you believe that the United States is the wolf, you really, really don't belong in the military.

The writer lives in Pelham.

Regarding the article, "Runner sues to get back on the team" (Sept. 28), I think not allowing this young lady to run cross country for her school is horrible and insensitive.

The article states that she has passed her classes but is still academically ineligible. This does not make any sense. Student involvement in school sports is a very important part of their development. When students who wish to and are academically qualified to participate in sports, they learn valuable knowledge about themselves and others that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Lauren Stange is co-captain of the Page High cross country team. Running is very important to her. If she is denied the opportunity to represent her school, this is unforgiveable. A lot of heart goes into a sport like cross country. When this heart, spirit and talent is turned away, it is as if you took that heart, spirit and talent into your hand and squeezed the life out of it.

We must encourage not only the young, like Lauren, but everyone in our society to pursue positive ways of expression. Lauren has passed her classes. Let her run with her teammates and represent her school.

John Rahenkamp
Greensboro

Jim Schlosser celebrated our congregation's most lovable curmudgeon, Alex Stoesen, in his Oct. 1 column.

Jim captures the fascination and pleasure that Alex elicits from folk as he recounts his many around-the-world travels in support of Habitat for Humanity. Jim's article hit our front lawns on the same day Slam the Door on Poverty Housing (www.slamthedoor.org) began its national campaign for World Habitat Day 2007.

Part of its proclamation reads, "we ... declare that the lack of decent, affordable housing is unacceptable."

Knowing Alex Stoesen, I'm certain he'd appreciate all of Jim's readers checking out this proclamation to see if they, too, might like to support Habitat for Humanity.

Alex L. Richardson
High Point

The writer is pastor of Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro.

On Tuesday, Greensboro's voters will have an opportunity to select the top several candidates for City Council at-large positions, as well as for their own particular districts.

Before voters go to the polls, I urge them to look carefully at the qualifications, the occupations and the financial backers of each candidate. This information has been printed in the News & Record and is available through the Internet. In addition, both political parties, the League of Women Voters, and the Greensboro Public Library should be able to provide current information on each person.

Please do not go blindly into the voting booth making a choice based only on name recognition. That is not always a good decision. Do go to the polls Tuesday as well-informed as you can be.

Lynn Bennett
Greensboro

Your editorial on Sept. 27 states, "City managers don't get fired by petitions. The effort to force out Greensboro City Manager Mitchell Johnson might gather hundreds or even thousands of signatures, but decisions can't be made that way." I beg to differ.

Americans, North Carolinians and Greensburgers have the right to petition representatives for "redress of grievances." This appears, much like the recall petition for Dianne Bellamy-Small, to be the voice of ordinary citizens attempting to do as much.

While Johnson is not an elected official, he reports to those who are elected. It will be interesting to see if this petition is ignored (possibly at the expense of the elected officials), or if they address the concerns of the electorate in a public forum. Either way, they cannot ignore the people's right to redress.

Jerry Liles
Greensboro

If the Guilford County school board were serious -- I mean, really serious -- about combating gangs, it could just put its money where its mouth is. If the board awarded even a third of its current million-dollar construction projects to minority-owned businesses, this would create jobs, training and paychecks for thousands of Greensboro's unemployed minority youths.
In the words of the old song, "When you ain't got nuthin,' you got nuthin' to lose."

Terry Austin
Jamestown

Regarding Carra Woodham, who asserted in her Sept. 13 letter that the Woolworth sit-ins were as important to Greensboro's history as the Guilford Courthouse:

Surely, you jest. The Guilford Courthouse represents the struggle and fight for everything we have in this county, and it was done over centuries by all classes of people.

Now, four kids protesting at a lunch counter pales in any comparison you can make. And your seething about the Civil Rights Museum is misplaced. It will be built when and if the black community can produce some responsible leadership to guide it, including producing clear and correct audits of where the money is going. Two infamous politicians started out with their hands in the pie and have been joined by a vast array of so-called consultants, etc., all of whom get their cut. No wonder you need money.

But the public is not fooled, as evidenced by the past two bond defeats. Get your house in order and then the public will support you.

Al Myrick
Greensboro

You do a good service when you list candidates for office and their positions on issues.

However, I believe you omit one of the more predictive items about a candidate and how he or she will vote by not giving his or her occupation.

In my many years of following local issues, there has been a strong correlation between what a person does for a living and how they will vote on an issue.

This phenomenon is more pronounced the more local the election. People seem willing to say almost anything to get elected. If this is what one bases one's opinion on when choosing for whom to vote, one is likely to be disappointed. There's the rub. Ah, but check out what they do for a living.

So how about it? Will you do the voters a favor and publish the occupations of the candidates?

Cecil Carpenter
Greensboro

Editor's note: The News & Record has published candidates' occupations, in news stories, editorials and on the Web site.

Spanish is spoken by about 322 million people throughout the world; English by 478 million; Mandarin Chinese by more than 800 million.

Obviously Donald Miller (Counterpoint, Sept. 26) must have had his native tongue in cheek when he derided the importance of the Spanish language and the many diverse Spanish-speaking cultures throughout the world.

Get thee to a library, amigo.

Ed McShane
Fayetteville

The writer is chairman, English and foreign languages, Fayetteville State University.

I am 93 years old, and I was astonished when I recently heard on the news that some of the Muslim faith made a request to the schools to have Halloween changed to "Fall Festival" -- which is fine -- and Christmas changed to "Winter Festival" -- to which I strongly protest.

What right do they have to diminish or change a Christian holy day? It is not a festival at all. It is a season for Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, born as our Savior, the Son of God who came to take away the sins of the world through His death and resurrection, a gift freely given to all who repent and receive, by faith, Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Our faith does not call on other religions to diminish the name or practice of their faith. Please do not think you must take authority over the holy day of Christmas.

Jane A. Sparrow
Greensboro

I wrote some time ago about the dangerous situation on Hobbs Road between Friendly and Holden and suggested that the speed limit be lowered and enforced to 20 to 25 mph and other options (speed bumps) be considered. The intersection at Hobbs and Cornwallis is extremely dangerous.

This dangerous intersection magnifies the potential harm to the residents and the many citizens who are using the wonderful Bog Garden and Bicentennial Park.

Another accident (Sept. 27, 4 p.m.) occurred at the Hobbs and Cornwallis intersection (the third I know of in the past two months), and I hope no one was seriously injured.

I have seen people going through the intersection in both directions at very high speeds, and it is time something was done about this before someone is killed.

I, again, suggest lowering the speed limit and enforcing it. Time is running out, and I'm afraid someone will be killed.

Please check police records for accidents in the area and you will be surprised. Other Hobbs and Cornwallis residents support this safety request for our area, and are signing a petition for the city to act immediately.

Dick Michaud
Greensboro

Regarding your editorial, "Wreck questions unanswered" (Sept. 26): You suggest that deportation is just punishment for Jose De Jesus Euzondo Balderas.

Now let me get this straight: He snuck into the country illegally, was arrested for DWI after a fatal accident and we are going to just send him back home? He is just going to come right back in. There is essentially no border. Even if he decided to stay home, what kind of punishment is that?

No, he needs to be tried, sentenced and do time in jail before being deported.

Paul Bradshaw
Greensboro

I am challenging each and every county commissioner in Rockingham and Guilford counties to do their jobs regarding Haw River State Park.

Your job is to serve in the best interest of the citizens. Do not bow down to corporate greed with its gated communities for the elite few. Protect this land that it may be enjoyed by future generations from all walks of life.

Dawn Rickman
Reidsville

A disappointed group of citizens left City Council on Oct. 2 after the council first voted against a continuance, then later allowed a continuance on the matter of rezoning the corner of Lake Jeanette Road and Lawndale Drive. Now the issue is set to be heard on Oct. 16.

The move to continue the matter only stiffened the neighborhood's resistance to the rezoning request. The developer is trying to wear down the neighborhood, refusing to hear the neighborhood's voice, which says very clearly that an office building does not belong in a single-family residential neighborhood, especially one sitting beside major parks.

Hopefully when the matter is finally heard, the council will listen to the neighborhood and reject the proposal to rezone. I ask all those who agree with the neighbors to let council members know their opinions on the matter.

James Bennett
Greensboro

Last week, as more chunks of Arctic ice melted, President Bush hosted a gathering of world leaders to convince other nations that setting voluntary goals is an adequate response to global warming. This mediocrity should not be mistaken as leadership: President Bush has been all but absent from the global warming discussion, and his recommendations would take the world backward. Voluntary actions are a relic from the 1990s, ultimately rejected because they failed.

Because our federal government fails to lead, states and cities are stepping up and passing emissions reduction laws. North Carolina's General Assembly is also leading through the creation of the Southeast's first Global Climate Change Commission. To show that America is serious about stopping this threat, the Bush administration would re-engage in global climate talks and support strong, mandatory emissions reductions that include the United States. Congress must help us realize this goal by passing a comprehensive, sustainable energy bill now, and cap our global warming pollution.

I applaud Congressman Bob Etheridge for supporting a good energy bill this summer, and I urge other elected officials to boldly lead in seeking climate and energy solutions. It's time for all elected officials to join the effort.

John Bonitz
Siler City

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Susan Feit

Four nooses were hung at Andrews High School almost 50 years to the day after nine black schoolchildren integrated their high school in Little Rock, Ark. Ironic, isn't it? This latest incident is a powerful reminder that the quest to build inclusive, tolerant, successful schools and communities that allow all children to succeed both academically and socially is not over.

Fortunately, today in Guilford County there is nearly unanimous consensus that racial intimidation and exclusion cannot be tolerated in our schools or in our communities. Accordingly, immediate action was taken to address the noose incident. School faculty, parents, student leaders and the High Point Human Relations Department worked together to take an emphatic stance against displays of racism on the Andrews campus. The High Point Human Relations Commission also held a news conference calling on the entire High Point community to engage in a collaborative effort to eradicate racism, hate and intolerance. I was one of numerous community leaders who attended the news conference and a subsequent assembly at Andrews. The National Conference for Community and Justice of the Piedmont-Triad (NCCJ) will always take action when symbols of racial intolerance and hate are used in our community.

I am proud to live in an era when outrageous public displays of racism are not tolerated. However, today's world brings a different set of challenges. It is easier to recognize blatant racism. It is more difficult to identify the more subtle forms of bias, bigotry and racism that maintain inequality in our society.

At NCCJ, we know that we need to stand up to both overt and more subtle racism. That is why organizations and initiatives that address racism as an everyday issue and bridge divides in our community are vital. Our strength as a community depends on our ability to guarantee that Guilford County is a better place for all of us and not just some of us.

The writer is executive director, Piedmont Triad Region, the National Conference for Community and Justice.

Donald Miller's statements (Counterpoint, "Don't waste school time on Spanish," Sept. 26) regarding teaching foreign language in schools demonstrate his lack of understanding of both language learning and public school planning.

• In the best of circumstances, it takes about two full years of language immersion to get close to fluency, not "a few weeks of Berlitz." The sooner students start, the better chance they have of using the language naturally.

• There is no one language that is "easiest for an American to learn." Spanish is a very good match for schools because of the availability of qualified teachers. The enormous cost of finding and hiring enough certified Chinese teachers makes his suggestion of teaching that system-wide untenable.

• "No value" to language learning? Miller should study up on that one. Research shows how language learning activates different parts of the brain; it might even stave off Alzheimer's. Or he should visit the American Translators Association Web site to find out how many people make a very good living off of bilingual skills.

• "When and with whom will our kids use this language?" How about 322 million people, by latest counts. Some of whom live right next door.

Kathleen Quinby
Greensboro

The Counterpoint by Donald M. Miller suggesting our schools not waste time teaching Spanish or any language that doesn't have a practical benefit was interesting but reflects a very narrow viewpoint.

Education, even on the secondary school level, should provide exposure to many fields. I suspect that few know what they want to do with their lives. Taking courses with no "practical" value may open their eyes to fields and opportunities they had never considered.

I agree with Miller that Arabic, Chinese and other languages may be of great value now and in the future. However, don't write off Spanish. There's a large continent south of us where everybody speaks Spanish (except in Brazil and Suriname). I can't believe such a collection of countries can be of no commercial value!

As to the question, "When and with whom will our kids use this language?" there are many opportunities to use Spanish in this area.

Secondary education should be more than trade school. Many courses, such as history, music, art and literature, may have no immediate benefit but contribute to the enlightenment that ideally results from education. I do agree with the author that 100 percent that fluency in English is of paramount value.

Brooks V.S. Klostermyer
Asheboro

When five black teens have been charged with killing a 12-year-old white girl, where are the 40,000 people who should be marching in Moore County for justice? Why will white people march to save whales or a tree, but not for a child? Why don't white people have an equal to the NAACP or someone like Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton to step up? This isn't intended to be racial. I just can't believe the way white people are afraid to march.

Allen Hooks
Greensboro

We are writing to support the Haw River State Park, which faces a crucial threat. We urge the Rockingham and Guilford commissioners to deny Bluegreen Corp.'s rezoning application for a gated residential golf course development adjacent to the park.

The park, which would preserve a green corridor along our shared border, is vital to protecting water quality. Bluegreen's development would withdraw water to irrigate its golf course, destroying filtering wetlands. Its plan for spraying treated sewage, herbicides and pesticides on the golf course would further damage water quality in the river, which currently dilutes effluent from Reidsville's sewage treatment facility downstream.

The park has the potential to become a central park in a rapidly growing area, to draw thousands of visitors and to generate business to serve these visitors. The amenities provided by a fully realized state park and its high quality-of-life effects will increase our attractiveness to businesses and industries that will contribute far more to our economy than the proposed development could.

Unlike the park, the proposed development can be sited elsewhere. It is not dependent on being located in this river corridor. The park represents the highest and best use of the land for our future.

Lindley S. and T Butler
Reidsville

The following is a Counterpoint.

By Al Lineberry and Elizabeth "Boo" Stauffer

Claudette Burroughs-White, who died on Sept. 16, was known and beloved by many people for her warmth, wit and love of Greensboro and its people.

Much has been said about her life and her many contributions to our community as both a leader and friend. One of her most recent gifts to our city was the leadership she gave to the Greensboro Bicentennial Commission, helping to shape the celebration of the city's 200th birthday that will take place next year.

Immediately after leaving the City Council in December 2005, having decided not to run for re-election, Claudette was asked by Mayor Keith Holliday to be one of the volunteer co-chairpersons of the Bicentennial Commission. This group of 27 citizens had been appointed by the City Council and charged with planning the 200th birthday celebration for the city.

She took on the task with a passion, using her leadership talents to help guide hundreds of volunteers in planning the events. As with many of the things she did during her life, Claudette worked to make Greensboro a city that held promise for its residents, present and future. The bicentennial activities planned for next spring will mirror her passion for her city and its people.
When the bicentennial celebration officially begins next March, the events and projects that take place will be a product of Claudette's vision and work for nearly two years. She was determined that the celebration be inclusive of the entire community. The bicentennial will kick off on March 25, with a torch relay that includes all quadrants of the city and involves a wide variety of residents as torchbearers. The events that follow over the next eight weeks, including opening ceremonies, a heritage festival celebrating our city's history and diversity, a community gathering celebration, interfaith events and a parade of decades, will reflect Claudette's desire that this celebration be the grandest Greensboro has ever seen.

Even as we miss Claudette, we go forward. As we continue to plan, and as more volunteers from across the community become involved with the work of the Greensboro Bicentennial Commission, her words and her vision remain in our hearts and our minds.

We are grateful for the work, leadership and vision she gave to the planning of the bicentennial celebration, and we look forward to honoring her memory with an unprecedented celebration of the community she loved.

The writers are co-chairpersons, Greensboro Bicentennial Commission.

In September, the House passed bipartisan legislation providing $100 billion in, as a news story reported, "taxpayer backing to help the insurance industry meet the costs of any future terrorist attacks." Then came news that the administration wants another $190 billion for the war in Iraq, as well as a report that Wall Street responded very positively to the government's intent to invest so much more money in private contractors -- happy shareholders.

Now President Bush has vetoed a $35 billion bill to fund health care for children of the working poor -- people who don't qualify for Medicaid but can't afford adequate health care. His rationale: The measure would be too costly and a step toward federalized health care. (The fact that three-fourths of Americans want this legislation was apparently a non-issue.) That my government would invest in corporations and warfare before the health of any American child saddens me. I say this as a registered independent who is the daughter, wife and mother of U.S. Army combat veterans.

We hear that Mr. Bush and many of his most ardent supporters consider themselves devout Christians, so I wonder what Jesus would think about the priorities here.

I intend to remember in the next election how Congress responds to this situation.

Michele Abbott
Thomasville

By Leo Bobadilla

The following is a Counterpoint:

Guilford County Schools would like to expand on the recent News & Record article, "Sizing up spending in Guilford Schools" (Sept. 30).

The perception of some has been that GCS is building schools that cost substantially more than what is being built in other districts across the state. The reality is that, due to inflation and other factors, districts across the state and the nation are paying more to build schools.

During the last three years, school construction costs have risen statewide by more than 50 percent. During that same period, GCS has succeeded in keeping cost increases well under that amount.

For several years now, our county has experienced tremendous growth. As our county grows, so does our school system. GCS is the third-largest school district in North Carolina, serving more than 71,000 students at 119 schools. Moving forward, GCS will be taking several steps to learn from the lessons of the past while preparing for future construction projects. Steps include:
* conducting post-occupancy evaluations of new schools;
* developing a process to revisit and update standards and specifications, as needed;
* receiving broader community input;
* planning budgets based on available cost data and market conditions;
* and encouraging design features that reduce total costs over the life span of a building.

We will continue to work toward providing schools that save taxpayers' money in the long term, while working within our budgets. In the past, we have done this by setting design goals that include reducing operating costs, protecting our environment, designing buildings that teach, improving academic performance and designing for health, safety and comfort.
GCS has encouraged architects to build holistic, innovative and green schools that tie into the curriculum. Not only has this provided a positive learning environment for our children, it also reduces our operating costs.

In construction, time is money. GCS has been and will continue to be a good steward of the public's dollars. The district will continue to explore all possible avenues to protect taxpayers' interests, without compromising quality and safety.

The writer is chief operations officer, Guilford County Schools.

It could be that Donald Miller (Counterpoint, Sept. 26) thinks we have enough Spanish speakers in our country, considering the influx of Mexicans and other Latinos.

That is not a good reason not to teach Spanish or any other foreign language in our schools. To begin with, we need scholars in foreign languages -- in business, diplomatic affairs, the military and in travel. Since it is a small world nowadays, it is important to have excellent communication. Translators are hard to come by.

I am in agreement with Stephanie Piraino (letter, Sept. 29) who is pleased to have her child in a Spanish class. It is a bonus for this child, for she already knows her native language. Children's brains absorb new languages very easily.

As a former instructor of conversational French to elementary school children, I advocate starting early, and continuing for years, if possible. We began with the spoken language only -- exactly the way we learn our native language.

I also recommend that if a native language is spoken in the home of a foreign family, it should be continued with the children. They will learn English in school and be ahead of the game.

Betty Sink Aydelette
Greensboro

Regarding the Sept. 3 article concerning unfair treatment to renters: As you know, there are always two sides to every story. This article is relaying only one side. My questions are as follows:

* How many people living in this apartment were actually on the lease legally?
* What size apartment were tenants living in and how many children were living in this one apartment? Were they following HUD stipulations?
* What brought on the rat and roach problem?
* How long had the residents lived there before reporting the infestation?
* Could an unsanitary way of living have contributed to the roach problem as well as the nasty carpet?
* How was a window broken?

I'm sure the residents didn't move into an apartment with a nasty carpet, filthy walls, roaches and a broken window.

It comes down to how you were raised to respect and take care of your property or someone else's, no matter what nationality, race, color or religious background you are a part of. When a person signs a lease, that means he is agreeing to the rules and regulations set forth in the lease.

Why is it always assumed the renters are being discriminated against?

J.S. Rook
Greensboro

Recently, while watching television, I saw Chad Johnson of the Cincinnati Bengals talking about an idea that is so easy it could change the world: It's possible to save a child's life for $9 per month.

Organizations feeding starving children have long needed a celebrity spokesperson. Now they've got one. They just needed a better channel, time and program, like "Monday Night Football."

If all Americans ages 18 to 64 would give just $9 per month, the whole world could be fed. Of course, Feed The Children would need a few more employees.

Rodney Warren VonCannon
Asheboro

To Triad parents: I have heard enough whining about Hannah Montana tickets. Whatever happened to telling a child "no?"

The scalpers who are charging thousands of dollars for tickets are doing so because they can.
The parents who always say "yes" are the ones responsible for the insane price-gouging.

If you did not spoil your babies by buying them everything they want, there would not be a market for these thieves to thrive on.

Get a life, people, and quit complaining!

Alex Stanley
Greensboro

In his book, "Last Child in the Woods, Saving our Children from Nature Deficit-Disorder," Richard Louv paints a sobering picture of what happens to children who have very limited opportunities to experience our natural world.

Surely, the county commissioners will not vote to rezone the almost 700 acres adjoining the Haw River State Park and allow a gated community and a golf course to be built on that pristine land.

Our children and grandchildren deserve to know we will respect and protect the land, and we will work hard to save our natural resources.

Betty Ruffin
Greensboro

Darrell Kitchen's spiritual journey ("Simply letting go," Oct. 7) is interesting, though I'm sorry he felt Mary Baker Eddy was over-emphasized by Sunday school teachers.

Actually, Eddy discouraged personality worship and reminded students of Christian Science to follow her only so far as she followed Christ. It was her desire to focus on the healing ministry of Christ Jesus and on understanding the relationship between an all-good God and man created in His image.

When one has serious questions about the Creator, God, or whatever term for the Sustaining Infinite one is comfortable using, they deserve simple, practical answers.

In the absence of simple, practical answers, one may hear a quote from a religious leader, a minister, experts in specific fields, or the founder of a denomination like Eddy. It's not that this is a bad thing, but the quote referenced should be directly meaningful and applicable to one's life experience. After all, if this life stirs us to ask questions, a loving God should provide answers to them.

Personally, I find promise when reading about people like Darrell Kitchen. He's a seeker who is not confined within the narrow limits of religious provincialism.

Thank you, Tina Firesheets, for this story.

Chris Shoaf
Spencer

These days you can't walk through a store without reading labels that say, "Made in China" or "Made in India." The problem is these countries do not adhere to the same strict safety regulations concerning the contents of products that the United States does when manufacturing goods.

Recently, more and more tampered products from China have been making their way into U.S. households and creating serious health issues. Dog food laced with the chemical melamine has killed 23 dogs and sickened 18 others.

High levels of lead found in toys, jewelry and clothing are poisoning babies and children, and have the ability to cause learning disabilities, kidney failure, anemia and irreversible brain damage.

On Aug. 2, nearly one million plastic toys, made by a Chinese vendor for Fisher-Price, were recalled due to paint containing sufficient amounts of lead.

That is why the United States needs to implement stricter consumer product safety standards and more thoroughly inspect imported products, so that lives will not be put in danger the next time we go to feed our pets or give our child a toy.

Lisa Schildknecht
Elon

I read with interest the article on the abandoned Revolution cemetery (Oct. 9). There is another abandoned cemetery located in Pomona where an aunt of mine was buried in 1915.

I know the approximate location of this cemetery but hesitate to go to find the grave since it is so grown up. I think it would be wonderful if some organization such as the Jaycees or Scouts would take the cleaning of this land as a project.

I was once told that the land had been purchased by an individual. Would a project of this type be possible?

Mary York
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Gisela B. Hood

As a former German and English teacher, having taught for 32 years and currently working as the world languages specialist for the Guilford County school district, I take exception to the Counterpoint, "Don't waste school time on Spanish" (Sept. 26).

Guilford County Schools has a strong commitment to prepare students to be competitive in the global economy of the 21st century. Students can chose Spanish, French, Latin, Hebrew, Japanese, German and Mandarin Chinese to have the skill sets needed for a successful future. Investing time and money in our students by teaching a world language pays huge dividends for our nation.

Jobs in finance and sales are looking for employees who are bilingual. There is a growing awareness that studying a foreign language can help one obtain a really successful career. Knowing Spanish helps in fields where you deal directly with buyers such as automobile sales. Call centers will add a 10 percent to 15 percent premium for bilingual workers. Workers with skills in a second language have an edge in climbing the professional ladder.

Spanish is the fourth-most commonly spoken language in the world with some 400 million speakers.

Students will have a better understanding of English, since both Spanish and English share roots, and a better understanding of their native vocabulary. There is no more effective way to learn English grammar than by studying the grammar of another language.

Students gain cultural understanding and will get a sense of how other people feel and think.

We need to continue our effort to emphasize the importance of world language education. As a world language educator and employee of Guilford County Schools, it is my duty and responsibility to prepare students to enter the global community as engaged, informed and educated citizens. World languages aid in bridging cultural gaps to connect communities.

For democracy to function successfully in the future, students must understand their own social identities, communicate with people who are different and build bridges across cultural boundaries. These goals can only be achieved by giving our students the opportunity to study and learn a world language.

The writer works in Greensboro.

In his spirit of "No Child Left Behind," our president has vetoed the SCHIP legislation (which funds medical care for poor children). He argues that increasing help to poor children makes them more dependent on government. To wit, these children need to learn self-reliance and just get a job.

Our conservative government does not hold large corporations, the pharmaceutical industry or the military to the same principles. But then, they are not poor.

Some spiritual leaders argue that to save one life is akin to saving the world, but not our leaders, not our society.

On the punishment side of life's equation, this administration (with America's blessing) lets innocent people be murdered and incarcerated to serve political ends. The recent Blackwater events highlight years of murder and chaos in Iraq and Afghanistan. The simultaneous wire-tapping, torturing and suspension of habeas corpus are just frostings on the conservative cake.

There was a time when our society would rather 10 guilty go free than have one innocent person punished. Justice was worth defending. Today, we shoot first and invoke God's name later.

Kurt Lauenstein
Greensboro

Regarding professor Keith Debbage's column Sept. 30 about Greensboro's sunny outlook:

I was grossly misquoted and/or mis-edited. The article includes a quote from my May 2007 letter to the editor that says his report "did a disservice ... and was another negative blow... to this city." This is totally inaccurate. My letter and quote following his report were to your newspaper for your "A gloomy outlook" headline that you put on his well-done report. Professor Debbage's report and call to arms was great!

His information and statistics were based on available information at the time and did not reflect the rebound that was already happening in Greensboro. Your newspaper chose to attach a negative headline to this past article and not seize the chance to present this report in a positive light. That's why I wrote -- to let the newspaper, not professor Debbage, know that you could have presented the report positively. As a positive person and a believer in Greensboro, it upsets me when our local newspaper is needlessly negative.

Professor Debbage, you are a shining light in Greensboro -- that's why I reserved that evening to hear what you had to say. I believe your work is crucial to the success of Greensboro and that we are blessed to have you in our community.

Thank you for your positive and current article about how Greensboro is flourishing and for printing it with a positive headline.

Let's all keep going forward, and together pray for rain.

Randal Romie
Greensboro

I encourage the citizens of Guilford County to take a walk in the woods of "The Summit" at the Haw River State Park and observe during this period of drought the natural springs that feed the Summit Lake. In turn, the lake is a tributary of the Haw River headwaters, which filters and flows into the Cape Fear Water Basin. Presently the springs are a mere trickle.

Now imagine having these extremely limited resources reduced even more drastically to water a golf course. The environmental and ecological impact would be devastating. Water, now and in the future, is a vital resource.

Development in the northern section of Guilford County is exploding, and preserving our natural resources in harmony with our growth should be of highest priority. How often do we have the opportunity to have a state park in our communities and the wonderful educational and recreational resources it provides, as well as helping preserve more of our disappearing green spaces for future generations to enjoy?

Please encourage your county commissioners to support the growth of the Haw River State Park.

Robert Nordbruch
Browns Summit

I'm trying to understand the self-loathing that must be behind a headline like "Las Vegas Market: We'll be the best" (Oct. 4). The News & Record seldom misses an opportunity to inexplicably sabotage the local economy and community spirit by hyping the Vegas market during the High Point furniture market, so all the attendees from all over the world are sure to see us in the Triad as defeatist. It's not even news.

Please consider stopping this damaging practice.

Frank Stovall
Greensboro

In your editorial Oct. 3 regarding the kids' insurance plan, you opine that "the flawed funding formula unfairly relies entirely on taxing cigarettes."

Please, what is unfair about increasing taxes on a product that kills people? What is unfair about penalizing companies that depend on deceiving young customers to replace older customers who die from using the product? What is unfair about punishing an industry that utilizes self-destructive addiction to generate profits?

Ned McMillan
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Shirley Spears

I am deeply troubled by Donald M. Miller's Counterpoint, "Don't waste school time on Spanish" (Sept. 26). I believe the wonderful cultural heritage our Hispanic neighbors bring to our region enriches us all. The beauty of the American melting pot is that each diverse group brings to the mix the wealth of its own art, music, literature and language. What emerges exceeds the sum of its parts and is uniquely American.

For an example, one need only to look as far as jazz -- the great American musical genre. Jazz was born of many cultural influences, African, Latin, French, Acadian and others.

I can agree with Miller on one point. The recent and deep cuts to the arts and music programs in so many of our elementary schools (a disproportionately high number of which have large minority enrollments) are alarming and impoverish our children's education. Research clearly and repeatedly demonstrates that strong music and art programs in our elementary, middle and high schools increase academic achievement across the board; engage children in leadership and community service; reduce dropout rates; decrease drugs and gang-related activity; and teach creative-thinking skills.

Music and art education, however, are not incompatible with foreign language study. On the contrary, the subjects complement each other.

Attitudes such as those espoused in Miller's Counterpoint are the best argument for expanding foreign language study in our schools and restoring -- indeed, increasing -- the time, attention and resources devoted to music and art programs in our schools and in our community at large.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

The letter published Oct. 9 not only undermines the historical significance of the Greensboro Four but also presents an illogical argument concerning the historical ramifications of the sit-in movement in Greensboro and throughout the nation.

Al Myrick referenced the American Revolution when he explained that the Battle of Guilford Courthouse represents "the struggle and fight for everything we have in this country." To Myrick, I simply present this: Centuries of government-sanctioned Americanization, murder and destruction of the Native American culture coupled with the rise of the Southern plantation economy and the eventual enactment of government-supported racial segregation and generations of violence and murder against black Americans in the South are simply two examples of how loose a concept "freedom" actually is from a historical perspective.

Contrary to what we are often told, the fact remains that many of the same men whom we credit with igniting the spark of freedom and liberty in our own nation held little sympathy for the freedom and liberty of others. Quite simply, the legacy of the Greensboro Four proves the American Revolution never truly accomplished what we so often would like to believe it did.

The Greensboro Four accomplished what our forefathers couldn't.

Benjamin Fair
Greensboro

Greensboro citizens can beat the drums of racism and minimal employment opportunities all they want, but more discriminating government programs will never cease gang activities. If Triad residents are serious about combating gangs in their neighborhoods, it needs to be a collaborative effort. Everyone, from the citizenry, the church and the schools to the local governments, needs to work together in providing a structured, supportive environment for the youth, opening doors of education and extracurricular activities while directing underprivileged kids on the right path away from drugs and crime.

Council members can throw money at a problem all they want, but it will never buy a cordial mother-and-father family and moral support from a community, which is what most gang members lack in the first place.

B.L. Peterson
Graham

Your editorial, "The risk of choosing names" (Oct. 4), and the AP article, "Views mixed on Aycock dinner's name" (Oct. 8), both mentioned state Treasurer Richard Moore's suggestion that Aycock's name be dropped from the name of the annual Vance-Aycock Dinner. This shows the length to which the insanity of political correctness can be carried to curry votes.
People live within the mores and parameters of their society. To desire to punish someone who lived in another time and culture using today's standards is the ultimate in arrogant stupidity. And that is what Moore is trying to accomplish.

Your editorial mentioned the possibility of someone demanding a cleansing of Aycock's name from Greensboro. I hope you were joking. Carry this lunacy further. What would you suggest we do about others who have sinned by today's standards?

Consider two of the greatest Americans, Washington and Jefferson. They owned slaves, which is now considered an abomination. Would you start removing their names from today's culture? Would you advocate carrying this Talabanism to its fullest by going to South Dakota and blowing up the mountain where the images of slaveholders are carved? This is a bit sarcastic, but it shows where lunacy, once started, can go.

John W. Taylor
Greensboro

More children need spankings, not fewer, "but the rest of us need to stop drugging children and give them what they really need — a good, old-fashioned spanking without explaining why we did it. They already know why" (letter, Sept. 29).

I cannot understand why discipline without explanation is effective for a child. A parent or guardian sets an example for the child on how to behave in adulthood. When punishing a child, explanation is key to correcting inappropriate behavior. Spanking, in my opinion, reduces curiosity in the child's mind. Physical discipline creates fear and restricts imagination.
Our society is the one creating "thugs" and "killers" who harm our country. Parents raise children. In history, spanking has been the solution to disobedience in school, home and church.

Children are not raised to be "killers" or "thugs" but are provoked by physical, mental or emotional abuse. All of which could be the outcome of spanking a child who was raised to know no better.

Taylor Ramsey
Greensboro

The State Children's Health Insurance Program provides health insurance for children whose families fall into the gap between those who qualify for low-income programs and those who cannot afford private insurance. It will cost about $35 billion over five years, which seems like a lot until it is compared to the $190 billion spent on defense this year. Even this amount would not increase the deficit because SCHIP will be funded by a cigarette tax increase of about 61 cents per pack.

It seems like a better quality of life for American children is an issue that the pro-life and "culture of life" proponents would champion. Alas! The silence is deafening. Does the concern for children's welfare end at birth?

President Bush vetoed the bill and Sens. Dole and Burr, along with Rep. Coble, voted against the measure. Is the freedom of Iraqis worth more than the health of American children? Is it more important to keep the price of cigarettes low than to prevent childhood diseases? Congress has a chance to answer no by overriding the veto on Oct. 18.

James E. Copeland Jr.
Greensboro

Rep. Howard Coble voted against North Carolina's children by voting against SCHIP, a bill with strong bipartisan support. He denied his home state almost $170 million in additional federal funding to help the uninsured children of low-income working parents who are not eligible for Medicaid and have no group coverage through their employers.

When SCHIP was established in the 1990s, the Republicans insisted that each state set its own rules for eligibility. President Bush distorts the truth when he claims that the criteria set by one or two states are universal. North Carolina does not cover adults or children in families earning $80,000. The SCHIP bill specifically excludes illegal aliens.

Since he voted against SCHIP, Coble must agree with Bush that uninsured children should wait until they are sick enough to go to the emergency room before they see a doctor. Obviously, these men can be so conservative with their compassion because neither has ever had to worry about doctors' bills for a sick child.

If you care about the uninsured children of North Carolina, please call Rep. Coble (273-3000) to ask him to overturn the president's veto by voting for SCHIP.

Denise Baker
Greensboro

Homes with septic tanks have a rule: "When it's yellow, let it mellow; when it's brown, flush it down." We do not need to flush a toilet every time we use it.

Taking a shower: How long does it take to get hot water? Normally, we run the spigot until the hot water comes, letting the colder water go down the drain. Why not put a bucket under the tap and collect the cold water, which could be used to water plants, fill the dog's bowl, etc.? When doing laundry or dishes, make sure there is a maximum load.

There is little doubt that we are in an extreme drought. One glance at our lakes tells the story. Cities have or will soon impose restrictions on the use of water. The conservation measures described above don't sound like much, but every gallon of water not wasted will be a gallon for future use.

One home can make but a small contribution, but if every home practices water conservation, it will make a huge difference.

James Corey
High Point

Congress passed its first true hate-crimes bill through both houses on Sept. 28. Unfortunately, it seems that President Bush will veto the bill. The White House says that "state and local laws already address hate crimes," according to the Los Angeles Times.

Seven states do not have hate-crimes laws on their books, and others (such as Alabama) make a point of not enforcing the laws they have. Many of them do not encompass crimes against other groups such as women, the disabled and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. The truth of the matter is that all people are protected by this kind of legislation.

Crimes against race include the Los Angeles race riots as much as the Jena Six. Sept. 11 and other forms of terrorism would fit into the religion category. By passing this legislation, Congress is protecting all Americans, not just those "other people."

This is a step in the correct direction as this bill punishes the motive behind many crimes, and not just the form of it. It will be necessary for the bill to top a two-thirds majority to overturn Bush's impending veto. Please contact your congressmen and urge them to vote for this important legislation.

William Lyle
Greensboro

Regarding discussions about the Greensboro Police Department:

Our society has rules and policies. That includes national, state and city of Greensboro government. Locally, they are often referred to as standards of policy and practice. It is important to follow them or deal with the consequences.

I want to thank our present City Council for the wisdom it has shown in sharing information related to the police department only when it was timely to do so. The council had the courage to stand by the facts rather than crumple under the political pressure from a vocal few.

I have been impressed with City Manager Mitchell Johnson's most professional stance through all of this, following guidance from council and appropriate procedures. I have known him for a long time and see him as a good, fair and principled man. He has done a lot for the city and would take measures to benefit the welfare of all.

Jim Coman of the Attorney General's Office is an important part of this equation. I have worked with him on victims' issues and know he is an honest, principled man of the law. Let's provide support to those who are following rules and policies.

Jane Cauthen
Greensboro

Regarding the Duke lacrosse case: Whatever happened to the young woman who made all the allegations in the first place? Was she ever charged with filing a false police report? If she wasn't, she should be. After all, she is the reason for all the expense and problems that followed. Why isn't she being sued for defamation of character? If I were on the receiving end of her accusations and found innocent, I would certainly be seeking justice. Obviously, she has mental issues or connections that have saved her from any legal repercussions.

Geralyn Cox
Greensboro

In the past my son voiced to a family member, "There's nothing Mom enjoys more than shortage." I grew up during the Great Depression. It was a great teacher.

The biggest shortage was money -- no credit cards. Being poor was just a way of life for many people. However, it wasn't discussed as we mention the lack of rain today. Food was cheap, but money was scarce. We ate so much salmon at 10 cents per can we could swim upstream. Cutting corners was regular exercise.

Now, before hot water reaches my kitchen sink, I catch a gallon in a plastic container to water dying shrubs. A gallon of water won't break the drought, but it sure gives me the joy my son referred to.

Helen B. Walker
Greensboro

This letter is sent on behalf of the Brightwood Neighborhood Association of northeast Greensboro and my 464 neighbors who have signed a petition requesting equitable access to our city transit system.

Despite appeals to the City Council and the Greensboro Transit Authority Board, Summit Avenue, north of Cone Boulevard, has no bus access. The number of residents in need of service is overwhelming.

The GTA planning staff has designed a connector route that would solve Brightwood residents' needs, providing service far enough north to alleviate the 3.2-mile walk per trip for my Brightwood neighbors to reach the closest GTA stop. The route also would reduce current overcrowding.

Annexed 38 years ago, Brightwood continues to suffer without transit service. I request that the GTA board fund the connector route to give our neighborhood equitable access.

Julia Blizin
Greensboro

The N.C. Department of Transportation receives a lot of criticism about all the road work in and around Guilford County. Here is a different twist regarding the Hilltop Road area from Adams Farm Parkway to Chelsea Court: The DOT and businesses contracted for this project deserve recognition.

Kathy Smith (right-of-way agent) is a truly delightful lady. She has been very courteous returning calls and answering questions. Also, Stephen H. Gordon (appraiser) was professional and available to answer questions.

The employees of Sharpe Brothers have treated us with utmost respect. They have informed us of what to expect when working in front of each house. They are well organized. Each person knows his job and tackles it, even in the hot sun. These people are doing a great job and we appreciate them.

One little problem: I tapped a barrel leaving my driveway one day. The only thing hurt was my pride.

Ida Edwards Wells
Jamestown

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Rick Thomas

Regarding the recent car crash that claimed the life of one student and critically injured another:

We are all parents of current students or recent graduates of Rockingham County High School. We have coached many of these students from the Bethany community in baseball, basketball, soccer and softball.

It has been a great joy for us to watch our own kids and all the kids we have coached grow and continue on to high school. We hope we made some kind of impression on these students over the years.

Given recent events, we hope the students would allow us to "coach" one more time. We want all the students at RCHS to know that we care about all of you and your well-being. High school is a wonderful time in a person's life. With everyone driving all over the county, we want everyone to use common sense when driving. Think about what you are doing and the consequences of your actions. Is it worth it to drive excessive speeds or recklessly to save a few seconds to go to school or a party, etc.?

We know of several other students (some of them our own kids) who have had accidents in the last couple of years that have been caused by excessive speed, distracted driving and even falling asleep at the wheel. Stop and think. Use the common sense we have seen you use in sporting events, in class, etc.

Stay where you are. Leave for school a little earlier. Let someone else drive for whatever reason. The party will still be there even if you take it a little slower.

We helped you learn about scoring a goal, making a basket or scoring a run. Let us teach you to slow down, use your head and win the ultimate game -- being able to live your life and realize your dreams.

From now on when the RCHS community gets together, let's do it to celebrate a conference victory or championship, a win over a rival team, a concert, an ROTC event and, most of all, all of you graduating from high school.

To David Sechrest's family, our deepest sympathies; to Jasper Nicholson's family, we pray for his healing; and we ask God to bless the RCHS community.

The writer lives in Summerfield. Ten other people signed this column.

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Anita Campitelli

Sometimes an article displays such ignorance it's hard to know where to begin, but it's important to respond to the anti-Spanish arguments of Donald M. Miller (Counterpoint, Sept. 26).

Miller contends that learning foreign languages is a waste of time unless one can use them in commercial or military operations. (Chinese or Arabic are OK by him.) He also contends Spanish is easier to learn than other languages. Most outrageously, he states there is no culture of interest that a knowledge of Spanish would make accessible.

First and most important: Everyone should learn a foreign language because it enables you to conceptualize ideas in an entirely different manner than in the native language. Language is important not only for communicating but also for thinking. With only one language, you are limited to thinking and conceptualizing using only one system. Speaking only one language means never being able to think outside the box. It doesn't matter which foreign language you learn; all enable new possibilities of thought. The increased flexibility of mind a second language brings explains why learning a third or fourth is much easier than the second.

I teach German; my children attended the Spanish-immersion programs at Jones and Aycock schools. It didn't matter if the immersion language was Russian, French or Danish; the important thing was to develop greater ability to conceptualize ideas.

Miller refers to all the people the world over learning English. They are all developing critical thinking abilities while Americans are taking ever-more standardized tests. Why are Americans so willing to deprive themselves of the benefits of learning a foreign language, which for good reason has always been part of a sound education?

Miller's dismissive comments suggest an answer to that question. He states that Spanish can be mastered fluently with a few weeks of Berlitz and that there is no Spanish-language culture. These ideas are so mistaken it is shocking, but there's no space to address them here.

It's hard to miss Miller's anti-Hispanic undertone, especially when he alleges that Spanish is taught merely to cater to an ethnic minority. So many go beyond feelings of pride in their heritage and language to feelings of superiority and even hostility to others. This attitude is damaging in many ways; Miller's Counterpoint displays how this superior attitude can damage American society by impoverishing and dumbing down our educational system.

Anita Campitelli teaches German at UNCG.

I was having a good day until I drove down Hobbs Road to Northline and saw that the once-beautiful trees had been cut down. What had taken years to grow was destroyed in a matter of hours. I couldn't believe my eyes. It made me sick to see the clearing of the land just to make way for a few condos. Any interest I might have had in living in one of them was eradicated, as were the trees. If you were going to live there, wouldn't you rather look out over a little forest of tall trees than a stoplight and traffic?

It's bad enough that the once tree-lined path to the old Benjamin house was cut in half for a movie theater, parking lot and bank. Where will it end? Do the builders and developers not care how Greensboro looks? I don't see the wisdom or justification in destroying beautiful old trees. They provide a screen from noise and traffic, shade from the sun, the peaceful beauty of nature and a home to wildlife. I understand the need for growth and progress, but can't we save the trees too?

Meredith Muse
Greensboro

I'm glad that the controversy about ticket brokers has gained so much publicity. I've been bemoaning the cost of tickets at the Greensboro Coliseum and other venues in the Triad for quite some time, but either gave in and paid an exorbitant amount or decided it wasn't worth it and didn't go at all. Needless to say, we haven't been able to attend many coliseum events in the past several years. My attitude has been, "This really stinks, but there isn't anything I can do about it."

Though I thought the practice was unethical, unfair, sleazy and wrong, I didn't realize it is illegal. Now there is no excuse for us to have to put up with it, and I beseech you to please contact the N.C. attorney general and demand this rip-off be halted.

My daughter wanted to attend Hannah Montana, but we couldn't afford the insane prices. I was thrilled when I saw that Trans-Siberian Orchestra is coming to the Greensboro Coliseum Dec. 19. Tickets go on sale at the box office Oct. 27.

However, a quick look online shows several ticket brokers already selling tickets, from $75 to $375. How can they already have the tickets when they haven't gone on sale yet? Let's decide that we, the general public, have had enough and, like Twisted Sister, "We're not gonna take it anymore."

Caren Hobbs McPherson
Greensboro

My husband and I relocated from Maryland to Greensboro seven years ago, and I have truly fallen in love with this city. One of the greatest conveniences Greensboro has to offer is Piedmont Triad International Airport. It is a luxury to have an airport within 15 minutes driving distance, and its size is an even greater advantage.

I have been shuffled through many airports in the world and find PTI to be among the best. It is wonderful not to have to take a shuttle, stand in miles-long security lines, hunt for gates or feel like a refugee, as I do in some larger airports.

Though the dining and shopping opportunities may be somewhat limited, I couldn't care less. It's an airport! I can shop at the mall. I'm coming here to fly.

PTI is clean, modern, safe, friendly, convenient and small enough to still be personal. God bless its simplicity and beauty. There is comfort in knowing it is my airport. In a world of depleted resources, why waste more driving to Charlotte or Raleigh? Save gas and land at home. Support your airport and it will grow.

Judy Neustadt
Greensboro

As a nearly lifelong resident of the Triad, I was appalled at Donald Miller's complete lack of foresight in saying that Spanish is of "little commercial importance" (Counterpoint, Sept. 26). I write this while sitting in a business in South America, working with a company started by my husband and his business partner, both of whom speak Spanish. The company works with international businesses in the United States, Mexico, North Africa and Europe. If my husband were not able to speak Spanish, this company wouldn't exist.

This isn't about political correctness. In my opinion, this seems to suggest racism as the writer, in one fell swoop, indicates that Spanish will not "serve as a commercial or cultural tool." What does he know about Latin American culture? The culture here in Bolivia is older than most cultures in the world.

Finally, I find it laughable that he said that Spanish is "by far the easiest language for an American to learn."

I assume, then, that Miller is fluent in Spanish since it is so easy? And in that case, he should notice that it is much easier to learn other languages, as most of the world already speaks more than one.

How many do you speak?

Heidi Scheer
La Paz, Bolivia

I was surprised that your front-page article (Oct. 7), "The dark side of light," described the impact of light pollution without mentioning its link to global warming.

In the South, our electricity is generated by coal-burning power plants whose smokestacks are one of the main sources of the emissions that cause global warming. Every time we turn on our lights or use electricity other ways, we burn more coal and send more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Light pollution goes hand-in- hand with air pollution. The more electricity we use, the lower our air quality because power plant emissions also create air pollution.

If your article is correct that the United State burns $10 billion in wasted light each year, we have a tremendous opportunity to clean up our air just by turning off those lights. Instead of keeping lights on at night, whether outside or in our homes or office buildings, let's all turn off lights whenever possible or put them on motion sensors.

If everyone does this, maybe we will not only see the stars at night but also breathe more easily.

Margaret Rowlett
Greensboro

In response to Allen Hooks' letter, "Where's the march for justice in murder of girl?" (Oct. 10):
We don't march because we're afraid of being labeled racist and of forming lynch mobs.

Kenneth P. Simpson
Stokesdale

I'm writing in response to J.S. Rook's letter, "Renters aren't always victims of mistreatment." It states when a person signs a lease, he is agreeing to the rules and regulations of the lease.
This statement is true; however, it works both ways. Both tenants and landlords are legally bound to the terms within the lease. Many times a landlord will fail to comply with obligations contained within the lease, and the tenants suffer the consequences. For a town the size of Greensboro, I'm surprised there is no government resource assisting in tenant/landlord disputes.

I was for eight years the president of a large town's rent-leveling board. The board members consisted of three landlords, three tenants and three homeowners all appointed by the city council. The board also maintained an attorney. We met monthly in town hall, and after each meeting the public was invited to bring concerns before the board stemming from either tenant or landlord issues. The board heard all parties and made a legal binding decision either for or against the landlord or tenant involved.

For the many apartment complexes within Greensboro, it would be a service to the thousands of residents if such a board were implemented in Greensboro.

Michael Silverman
Greensboro

Reading Gerald Witt's story, " N.C. A&T students picket outside News & Record" (Sept. 24):
At the onset it appeared that your intent was not only to report on what had occurred but also to respond to the students' displeasure with the level and amount of negative reporting about N.C. A&T. Kudos to you for covering the news and addressing the students' thoughts and feelings.

But the final paragraph depicted the representation of a "slap in the face" with the use of the pen. I am neither a mind-reader nor an explicit interpreter of human behavior and intentions, but I sure know what a "slap in the face" feels like, and your final paragraph felt inordinately familiar.

N.Y. Walker
Greensboro

Editor's note: The final paragraph read, in part: "Findings from the A&T audits included evidence of misused funds, poor internal controls and allegations of nepotism and poor oversight. Auditors recommended a criminal investigation, which the Guilford County district attorney recently asked the State Bureau of Investigation to conduct."

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Patrick Rooney

I read with interest your story (or should I say advertisement) for Risk Management Associates (Oct. 7).

I realize that there is a lot of controversy over this whole case and that a competitor of yours seems to have a different slant on the who, when, where and what, but this story certainly does nothing to clear up any of the issues and in fact just lets us know that other major companies have faith in RMA.

Based on that logic, we should all still be smoking cigarettes because many major research groups, lawyers, civic associates, etc., had "documentary evidence" that cigarettes did not cause cancer!

Frankly, my case would rest on the fact that after a lengthy period of time I am not hearing anything about any specific charge against former Greensboro Police Chief David Wray and the indictments that have been issued against two former officers do not appear to support any claims of racism or misconduct. In fact, I would predict that if the evidence consists of no more than what has been reported by your paper, the trial, if it comes to that, will result in either minor convictions or verdicts of innocence.

One telling point in your article is when Detective Art League claims he was working on a completely unrelated case and has evidence to prove it. RMA then says that it "was not their job to track down such minutiae. Its job was to focus on Wray."

Well, that sounds to me as if they were told to find something on Wray and don't sweat the small stuff! So for $154,000, we have two minor indictments, neither of them against Chief Wray.

How about you and the City Council admitting to maybe being wrong and wasting taxpayer money and time -- and making an apology while you are at it?

The writer lives in Greensboro.

I am writing regarding the expansion of the State Children's Health Plan that President Bush recently vetoed. The truth is not getting out about the reasons for President Bush's veto.

First of all, this program is supposed to be for children in desperate need and families in poverty. The expansion that Bush vetoed was to expand to families that made up to $82,000 in income per year. I don't think that amount qualifies as below the poverty level.

Also, children up to the age of 25 were to be covered under the expansion bill. My 18-year-old son is often telling me he is an adult -- as are most "children" up to 25 years old. This is only a political exercise designed to first embarrass the president and secondly expand government control of health care.

Thank goodness the president vetoed the bill.

Sherry Mayer
Greensboro

I recently read the article concerning the rezoning request in the Lawndale Drive area and wanted to say something. The rezoning has been shot down once and pulled this past time before it could go anywhere. I ask, why?

I live in the immediate area and feel that development is needed for this community. The businesses to be built on the unused land would generate income and increased wealth for the surrounding area. Something like a domino effect should be considered a good thing if it increases the standard of living and the land is acquired justly. The decision to pull the rezoning request may have been too hasty.

The community's concerns should be taken into account, but we should also consider all the benefits that could come from such development.

If the area increases in wealth, then everything benefits. An example is if our school experiences increase income, then our children benefit from it. So long as no one's rights are being infringed upon, I see no reason not to go forward with the rezoning and building.

Derrick Tribble
Summerfield

The Greensboro Zoning Commission, with a wink and a nod to developers and other petitioners with large wads of cash, is steadily eroding the quality of life for many neighborhood residents of Greensboro with its irresponsible decisions in matters of rezoning.

Residents fighting rezoning proposals are given a perfunctory ear in hearings whose outcomes, with few exceptions, are a foregone conclusion.

In the light of a growing list of rezoning decisions favoring commercial development, it clearly appears wisdom is not the guiding force for the Zoning Commission.

Robert McEntire
Greensboro

I'm not one to write about politics, but as a medical student, I feel obligated to speak out about Rep. Coble's vote against the SCHIP reauthorization act. Unlike many of the topics, this is an issue that has garnered widespread bipartisan support in Congress.

The reauthorization bill would expand funding of the SCHIP program by $35 billion to $60 billion over five years. Members from both parties have stated that increased funding would cover another 4 million children, in addition to the 7 million already covered.

As a future physician, I understand how important it is for children to have adequate health care. During my training, I have worked with under-served communities and have witnessed the difficulties many families face in finding health coverage for their children. Our community should be embarrassed to be represented by an official who punishes children for their economic circumstances by denying them health care. I hope that Rep. Coble will change his mind and support health care for our children.

Joshua Evans
Burlington

Regarding your Oct. 15 editorial cartoon depicting an overweight Al Gore holding a bandaged globe and wearing a smiley face medal (not the Nobel peace prize!) on his "Carbon Man" tights while Democrats in silhouette implore him to run for President, what's your point?

To ridicule a fat man? A Nobel Peace prize laureate? A crusader for cleaning up the environment? Why is ridiculing any of these things funny? Editorially insightful and provocative?

Shame on you for letting such slime ooze down your Opinion page.

Charles M. Hawes
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Meredith Millard

Whatever is President Bush thinking (or not thinking)? In only his fourth veto in seven years, he deprives health-care benefits for 3.8 million low-income children, all legal residents.

Inadequate health care may insure they don't grow up as healthy adults, ultimately costing the American taxpayers billions of dollars (and providing less low-income recruits for the armed services).

Gov. Mike Easley states the cost will come from a tax on cigarette sales; sounds healthy. Bush did not support the SCHIP program as Texas' governor, and his recent statement that the poor people can "just go to an emergency room" reveals his total ignorance on this subject. How frightening.

Concern about the SCHIP bill probably arises because the poverty level income requirement might go from $20,000 a year to $60,000 a year in some states.

However, in order to enroll higher-income families who have no health insurance, the states must first meet standards showing that they are first enrolling the poor and the near-poor, and that existing group health care is not available to the applicant.

Seventy-two percent surveyed in a Washington Post/ABC poll said they supported the SCHIP bill. I'm a Republican and am writing Senators Burr and Dole to encourage them to override this ridiculous veto.

Perhaps the tobacco lobby is influencing their vote, but the greater interests of North Carolina's children should be their first concern. If we're unable to bring our children home from an ill-conceived, badly coordinated war abroad at a cost of $2 billion a month, the least we can do is protect our children at home at a far less cost.

A veto override doesn't mean that you lost, it just means that the people have spoken and that you should listen. Bush vetoed bringing our troops home, he vetoed legitimate stem-cell research that could save lives, and now he vetoes health protection for uninsured children.

Unbelievably, he has never vetoed a spending bill, including the famous $220 million "Bridge to Nowhere" in Alaska.

Republican and Democratic lawmakers should heed the call of their constituencies. As even small children know, no one is King of the Hill forever, because the hill belongs to everyone. That includes Capitol Hill.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

America was attacked without warning by an enemy who took advantage of our complacency. America responded swiftly. Congress united behind the president, and men and women quickly volunteered to serve in the military and other capacities. Unfortunately, some Americans sought revenge against citizens whose heritage was in common with the attackers, but such were the times.

The president also sought to bring another government to justice, an ally of the attackers. That government had already invaded another sovereign nation. Further, it was a well-known fact that the government of the nation had subjugated a portion of its population. Further, experts believed it was conducting heavy water experiments, a precursor to developing an atomic bomb.

Sound familiar? I am, of course, talking about World War II, but isn't it amazing how much this parallels today? Back then, President Roosevelt was fighting for freedom and democracy. He had the complete support of Congress and the American citizens and, lest we forget, the casualty toll in that war was measured in the hundreds of thousands. Today, President Bush is fighting for freedom and democracy. And his support? Tom Brokaw called the World War II generation the "Greatest Generation." I wonder what history will call ours.

John E. Truitt
Greensboro

On the evening of Oct. 4, a group at UNCG had scheduled a documentary showing. However, our event quickly became yet another example of the university's repressive free-speech policy.

The event was approved two weeks in advance and then revoked immediately prior to the event because our affiliation paperwork had yet to be approved. When we moved the event into an empty TV lounge for an unofficial showing instead, the Office of Student Life called the police and had us removed. We were then informed that the reason we could not show this DVD in the lounge was because of its "purpose" -- it was a political documentary. This, as City Council representatives are forced to leave campus because the college Democrats did not provide advance notice of their presence.

As a young man at the University of Florida is Tasered by police for asking John Kerry a provocative question, as Norman Finkelstein is denied tenure at DePaul University for being "controversial," is this the current state of academia? Have bureaucracy and repression replaced what college is supposed to be about -- freedom of speech and critical thought? It's ridiculous to think these things aren't all part of something larger.

Lauren Guy McAlpin
Greensboro

I love Greensboro. It's been my home for 67 years, but I'm worried about it's future. We had a bad drought around 1945, and I remember having to do a lot of things to conserve water (my little brother even had to take a bath after me!). My dad put a brick in the toilet tank, and we used the dishwater to water mama's flowers.

My dad and the neighbors all agreed that the city should enlarge Lake Brandt or build more lakes to store water. Well, guess what? It's 2007 and we still don't have enough water.

Making matters worse, the city wants to annex more homes -- won't they need water too -- along with all the new construction that will need water.

What is it going to take to fix this problem, and, folks, it is a real problem. I'd like to see a response from some council members regarding their solution to this growing disaster. Imagine having to evacuate the city? I can't.

Susan Green
Greensboro

When I read in the News & Record (Oct. 12) that voter turnout for the primaries had inched back up to 7 percent, the first word that came to mind was shameful. We have got to do a better job of re-prioritizing what's important in our lives as U.S. citizens.

Thomas Jefferson once wrote, "The price of freedom is eternal vigilance," which was followed closely with, "All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent." When we don't show up at the ballot box, we slowly begin to lose our freedom and allow domination by someone not of our choosing to take over.

So, unless you are underage, a recent arrival to this area, or in recovery from an accident or illness, the excuses not to exercise your franchise are just not there. Sorry.

Varo C. Duffins
Greensboro

In response to Denise Baker's letter (Oct. 14): Howard Coble voted no to SCHIP. Good for him. Hidden in that agenda is a plan to take children who are already insured by their parents off their current insurance and allowing them to feed off the government.

When a family makes double my income, I, too, am against having to pay for them when they already have an acceptable plan. The first step in this universal health plan is to break the tobacco companies to give "poor" children whose families only make $80,000 a year my tax money.

Who's next after that is accomplished? The automotive industry, since people can't drive right and have accidents? A luxury tax on your refrigerator because you eat too much?

You notice that Congress never mentions alcohol taxes. I have no problem with raising the income level for Medicaid or to allow those with circumstances that do not allow traditional medical care.

Are you all sheep that go along with the left agenda on everything, no matter how bad it is? Are we not responsible for ourselves, our own children and choices we make?

Beverly Grenier
Greensboro

Regarding the column by Cal Thomas (Oct. 13), in which he concludes, "President Bush is wrong — dangerously wrong — in proclaiming that all religions worship the same God."

Anyone who agrees with Thomas should pack a bag and take the next flight to Tehran, Iran, where such intolerance for religious freedom is commonplace among its leaders. Surely, though, most Americans find such opinions repulsive. Right?

Seth Cohen
Greensboro

Now whom do I vote for? All of my choices, who were environmentalists, are out. I have to decide between Realtors, developers and those who want to give big tax breaks to businesses to relocate here. That means more people, pollution, roads, urban sprawl and bulldozing of animal habitats.

When will the citizens of Greensboro start doing their homework? Instead of pushing familiar names in the voting booth, read how each candidate stands on the issues and put some new and conscientious people into positions of power so that we can have real change.

Victoria Topkins
Greensboro

Weeks before Halloween and stores are already ablaze with Christmas lights. Holiday shopping looms over us, and as the season approaches, we could all use a little perspective. Three billion people, half the world's population, live on less than $2 a day; 1.1 billion people live without adequate water sources; and of the 2.2 billion children in the world, 1 billion live in poverty.

Yet we live in blissful ignorance, forgetting about global issues because they're not banging on our front doors. But here's a lesson in object permanence: Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

If we have the means to prevent suffering, it is our moral responsibility to do so. Let's broaden our loyalty to our global family.

So don't be seduced by the commercial Christmas conflagration; give an honorary gift of charity. Donate the money for Dad's power tool to Opportunity International, allowing a chronically impoverished woman to finance a small business in a Third World country. Instead of a cashmere sweater, give your sister a goat from the Heifer Project, supplying a poor family with nourishing milk to drink and sell. Give someone you love a gift that keeps giving.

Anna Kimmell
Elon

Sadly, I find myself guilty of ignorance. I'm one of the 93 percent in Greensboro who didn't get out to vote in the primary. I should be better aware of our elections and when they occur, yet I find myself struggling. I do not know where I can find the information.

It could be, and I'm not making excuses, that there are others like me who would have gone but were not aware of the dates. I'm not a regular television watcher and I don't read the paper much. If it were not for the radio news or CNN during breakfast, I would never hear the goings on. Do you have any suggestions on where I might go to get the facts on our local elections? Is there such a source?

Lucian Smith
Greensboro

Editor's note: The News & Record and other media regularly provide information about the election and candidates. For information about voting, you can call the Board of Elections at 641-3836.

After a hard day rebuilding monuments in the south of France, I threw my clothes into the outdoor shower of our 12th-century villa. I jumped and stomped on my clothes while I bathed. They dried in the courtyard, fresh smelling in soft breezes under azure skies. Benefits: great exercise, soap and water savings, and fun. So hang that line and swing with Van Halen: "Go ahead and jump."

Wanda June Myatt
Greensboro

Allen Hooks declares that his letter, "Where's the march for justice in murder of girl?" (Oct. 10), "isn't intended to be racial," but every sentence attests to the true sentiment of his heart.

Hooks writes not merely to protest the tragic murder of an innocent girl but to decry the murder of a "white girl" by "black teens." Hooks apparently finds no satisfaction in the arrest and lawful filing of murder charges -- he demands a march of 40,000 white people to Moore County.

Minority populations who are denied justice must sometimes march to demand it. In this case, since the mechanisms of lawful justice have been applied, Hooks' call to march only conjures the demons of racial violence that haunt Greensboro.

In reading Hooks' letter, one can only be reminded of the sad, ugly spectacle of a lynch mob. Crime such as this raises fear in every heart, but we must guard ourselves, lest our fear make us the monster.

Bill Davis
Greensboro

Poor President Bush. He can't get anything right. This time, according to columnist Cal Thomas (Oct. 13), Mr. Bush has betrayed the Christian Right by expressing a belief in One God.

That belief sounds reasonable to me. How different religions handle their actions and beliefs does not disprove a universal God -- whatever they call him.

Nor does a difference in doctrines, behaviors, dress, language, color, location, etc., define whose God is the right one. Hey, there is only one!

I'm in deep water here. Over my head. Please give me a head start before starting the attack.

Bill Beerman
Greensboro

Thanks, Leonard Pitts. Your column ("Don't use soldiers in political spats," Oct. 11) was dead on target. Voices such as yours are needed to remind the public and the politicos to keep our servicemen and women out of the political "gotcha" game.

A couple of points. I presume, given your comment, when Harry Reid sends you another e-mail asking you to support the "fairness doctrine" you will ignore that as well. Finally, the manner in which you mention MoveOn.org and Rush Limbaugh seems to draw some sort of moral equivalent in their respective situations.

As any examination of the facts will show, that is not the case. MoveOn has kept up a steady drumbeat of criticism of our soldiers, while Limbaugh has been cited by the soldiers themselves as a strong and consistent supporter. The "phony soldiers" flap is simply a ploy to focus attention on conservative talk radio and thus as a lever to rationalize re-implementation of the "fairness doctrine."

Mike Crouch
Greensboro

To save the folks gone nuts ("Acorns driving you, uh, nutty?" Oct. 14) from resorting to desperate measures, here are some additional ideas.

Hire the neighbor kids to give you some raking relief. Offer the acorn opportunity to a local club or Scout troop as a service project. Contact local schools or child-care centers to inquire about donating those bags of acorns; they can be used for art, science and other educational experiences. Do what you must, but please say "nuts" to chopping down a tree or missing a second of a Panthers game!

Carolyn Gilbert
Greensboro

Isn't it amazing how everyone who lives on Grandover Parkway is very conservative of their well water except for Grandover Resort? Most any time of the day when you drive down Grandover Parkway, they are watering their precious green grass -- and the street. They have no compassion for their neighbors, and it is really sad since several homes have already had their wells go dry. Not that Grandover cares.

Audrey Hall
Greensboro

I applaud our water resources director for recognizing how valuable our municipal sports fields are.

Exempting such public facilities from the water-use restrictions makes sense. Thousands of youth from a broad spectrum of Greensboro's populace use these fields for organized physical recreation, contributing to the public health and teaching teamwork.

On the other hand, giving the same exemption to country clubs simply allows rich white men to pursue business matters on well-groomed greens, contributing only to their private wealth.

I suppose Allan Williams was convinced to do this by the well-used (but never realized) promise of trickle-down benefits. The country clubs could mitigate their apparent disdain for the rest of us by voluntarily not watering. These days, a brown lawn is a badge of honor.

John Davis
Greensboro

For those of you who do not read a paper or watch the news, and to the city governments of Reidsville and Eden, please, get a clue. We have had how much rain, about two inches, since the end of June?

For those of you who are addicted to watering your lawns, washing your cars and using your burning pits, what planet are you living on?

I am sure the editor will find this letter to be too harsh for publication, but folks, wake up!

I guess it's OK to run out of water as long as your lawn is green and your car is clean, right?

Jim Galler
Stokesdale

Thanks to the News & Record for the bracing theological corrective by Cal Thomas' column, "Bush wrong about ‘universal' God" (Oct. 13). I'm a little slow, and for years I have been puzzled by how a "born-again Christian" like Mr. Bush can deal death, mutilation, chronic sickness and malnourishment to thousands of Iraqis and Afghans who never lifted a finger against our "homeland."

Thomas righteously chides his born-again brother, Mr. Bush, for not properly understanding the doctrines of his avowed faith, Methodism. Skipping past monumental fraud, corruption, covert corporate cronyism and mass murder, Thomas goes to the heart of that sinister "universalism" that Mr. Bush has been dabbling in — you know, talking about how everybody actually believes in the same God.

"President Bush is wrong — dangerously wrong — in proclaiming that all religions worship the same God," Thomas writes.

Thomas clarifies that there are thousands of gods, but actually only one real God (his, and some friends'), who is bigger and better than all the puny imposters. And, although single with one son, He is also actually a three-way split personality. Let's be clear about this.

Please have more articles on proper religious dogma in your editorial pages.

Jack Stone
McLeansville

Regarding Geralyn Cox's letter, "Where is the Duke accuser?" (Oct. 16):
Has it been definitively established that she lied? Has it been established that there was no assault, or simply that the young men accused were not guilty?

Her inability to properly identify her attackers does not eliminate the crime altogether. Eyewitness identification is problematic and unreliable at best. If her report could not be verified, the prosecution should have dropped it. The decision to pursue the case lay with the authorities, not the young woman.

We do not want to set a precedent that states that any woman who files rape charges will be prosecuted herself if the accused is found innocent. If your daughter were assaulted, would you want her told that pursuing justice might land her in jail?

Also, we cannot excuse the crime because the victim was impaired and has a history of mental-health problems. She may have been foolish, but that does not mean she could be hurt with impunity.

I am glad those young men have been cleared of wrongdoing. However, their exoneration does not mean that an assault never occurred. It just means they didn't do it.

Rebecca Shelton
Greensboro

The consumer today does not adhere to safe buying regulations. Seeing the "Made in America" label means the product's manufacturer has followed strict safety regulations as mandated by the U.S. government. The government has created generally accepted business manufacturing practices and principles. See the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, for example.

More and more products have flooded into the United States because the consumers only want "the best price" without concerning themselves with how or why these prices happen.

The government tries to apply standards, but to what avail since mass consumers are driven by price? The U.S. manufacturing industry is bankrupt, if not gone completely, because to manufacture a product following strict regulations costs money — a price today's consumer won't even consider paying, until a serious issue happens to them.

Apply this good old rule of thumb when buying a product: If the price seems to good to be true, it is.

Dave Pearce
Greensboro

I was just at a North Carolina license plate office to get my plate renewed and I was appalled, though not surprised, at what I saw. Hanging on the wall among numerous other plates was a Mexican flag plate. Now I ask, why is the N.C. license plate office allowed to sell a plate with a flag of a foreign country but not a Confederate flag plate? After all, North Carolina is a Southern state with many Southerners proud of their heritage. The Confederate flag plate should be for sale before a Mexican flag plate or any other foreign country's flag.

This is just another example of the increasing genocide of Southern culture and ultimately of the Southern people.

North Carolinians, Southerners and Americans do not have to worry about a takeover by a foreign power. We're giving the country away. God save the South!

Michael Lashley
Greensboro

I was deeply moved by Ken Burns' epic series, "The War." Sadly, of the 16 million of us who served, only octogenarians survived to see it. Burns showed World War II the way it was, in all its unspeakable horror but ultimate triumph. Though that war was unavoidable, all wars are horrendous and obscene.

I saw many of his scenes during my trek across Europe, from landing on Omaha Beach after D-Day to the occupation of Berlin. As an artillery officer, I did not charge machine gun nests or fly in B-17s, but I had some harrowing experiences and earned four battle stars.

I cannot see firsthand the conditions of the present conflict, though I think that nothing there approaches the large-scale, sustained ferocity of Guadalcanal, Okinawa, the Normandy invasion or the Battle of the Bulge. But our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan are fighting bravely and loyally, and we at home honor and support them.

Human beings seem willing to kill each other savagely after enough rhetoric and encouragement from monstrous or misguided leaders. Even America, which we regard as peace-loving, readily dispatches troops to places difficult to locate on a map. Sherman put it succinctly, "War is hell."

Dan W. Maddox
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Chris Downing

Contrary to some reports, President Bush has for months voiced strong support for a 20 percent funding increase for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which funds the North Carolina Health Choice (NCHC) for Children program in North Carolina. But the president cannot support turning a program for poor children into an entitlement for middle-income families, some (in New York) with incomes almost up to $83,000 a year.

That's what the SCHIP bill passed by Congress would do. It would raise taxes on working Americans, more than double SCHIP spending and continue the trend toward using SCHIP to cover adults instead of children. Half a dozen states already spend more SCHIP money on adults than on children. Thankfully, North Carolina is not one of them.

Many of the families Congress would add to SCHIP already have private insurance. Why would we want to replace private health insurance with public assistance? It makes more sense to focus our limited resources on enrolling the already eligible North Carolina kids who aren't signed up.

President Bush knows that health insurance is a critical challenge for American families. Besides renewing SCHIP, he also wants to give every family a $15,000 tax break to buy insurance.

According to the Levin Group, the president's overall health-access proposal would mean nearly 20 million more Americans with health insurance.

Let's do both. Let's refocus SCHIP to help poor kids first and then make health care more affordable for everyone.

Chris Downing is regional director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in Atlanta.

Once upon a time two men had a brilliant idea to buy and renovate the old Woolworth's building in downtown Greensboro and make it a civil rights museum. More than 10 years later and after millions spent, it's still an idea.

When will these men realize this idea has become larger than them both? No one wants to say it, but the only way this will be finished with them anywhere in the mix is if they use their own money. If they are not willing to do this they should step aside, sell out, wave goodbye or whatever they have to do to get completely and totally off this project.

The bicentennial of this city is next year, and it would be a shame and a disgrace if the only building downtown that is still boarded up is one that is controlled by blacks. If they truly believe in this project, they should realize we have gone as far as we can and should move aside and let another person step up to the plate.

Phillip T. Wrenn
Greensboro

Our state, city and county officials should offer more and larger incentives to more businesses. This money is not needed for the hiring of police officers, firefighters and the building of additional schools. There is already ample money.

The more businesses, the more water usage, the longer the water restrictions. All that's OK. The citizens are already used to water restrictions so the longer restrictions will only be a minor inconvenience.

Families who move with these companies usually are the highest-paid employees. Our present citizens don't need those high-paying jobs. They are content to struggle to make ends meet on the low-paying ones.

We sure could use more developers in politics. Developments will spring up in desolate areas without community schools and public transportation to the center city and between communities. And citizens won't mind driving their cars around. Gas is really cheap.

The children who move here with their families will be welcomed in our already overcrowded schools. Kids don't mind the overcrowded classrooms. They're easier for learning, and teachers love teaching in this environment.

William Joseph Colozzi
McLeansville

We are fortunate to have Ed Cone in Greensboro.

When I am trying to make sense of Middle East issues, I listen to Tom Friedman. On cultural issues, the voice of Leonard Pitts offers me a guiding perspective. When Greensboro finds itself in a snag, Ed Cone takes untidy information and helps me make sense of it all.

Cone did that again with his recent piece, "Wray, racism and fear" (Ideas, Oct. 14). When one is on the outside looking into the soup of city and county politics, it is hard to know who or what to believe. And what we believe directly affects attitudes and behavior.

So in steps Ed, who possesses the uncanny ability to sort out the various voices and agendas and helps us make sense of it all.

I am a relative newcomer to Greensboro (seven years), having also lived in Atlanta, Charlotte and Mobile, Ala. My own sense is that Greensboro is a unique city with much going for it and with much to offer. However, it seems we have a tendency to trip over obstacles of our own making … unnecessarily. This adversely affects our city's "climate."

In my mind, climate is about the most important ingredient in any organization, institution or city. Ed Cone repeatedly offers us a way to interpret agendas, facts and voices so that we can gain perspective, reset our climate and move forward.

Sid Batts
Greensboro

The writer is senior minister, First Presbyterian Church.

Haw River is a state park. I have been there and the wetlands look beautiful.

If there is a golf course and a housing development, they could destroy the wetlands. Chemicals from golf courses can hurt the circle of life. If animals from the wetlands become extinct, then we would pay for killing the animals.

I totally disagree with the building of this development. Some people want it to be built, but if you will show them the facts, they might change their minds.

The United States has many houses being built every day. Let's make one development not be able to be built.

Austin Vegas
Kernersville

The writer is an eighth-grade student.

To the woman who was jogging north toward traffic and in the street on Lawndale near the Natural Science Center at 6:25 a.m. on Oct. 17: What were you thinking?

It's still dark as night, commuters have to deal with oncoming headlights, and there you were running along with your partner, who was on the sidewalk.

Did you see me swerve and hear me hit my horn?

Good luck with your future (and stay out of mine).

Robert Davis
Greensboro

Reward for honesty comes up short

By Tonya Ward

I am writing in response to the news in your paper and on TV about Mary Beth Harris, her daughter and her mother finding a money bag outside of a bank that contained a weekend's worth of income from a local Rockingham County restaurant. I was appalled when I watched the broadcast.

It is obvious that Harris has medical problems. She stated that she had been diagnosed with liver cancer. The broadcast showed her medicine bottles, 12 to 15 of them, which she had just had filled. She even stated that she could have used the money they found to buy things that she needed. Not wanted, but needed. Instead, she said she wanted to go to heaven and not the other way and she was not raised to steal.

She and her family did the right thing and called the police and got the money returned safely. How were they rewarded? The manager rewarded them with three free meals. What an insult! He should be ashamed of himself. Instead of losing a weekend's worth of money, he had every dollar safely returned.

The money could have easily ended up in the wrong hands and never would have been seen again. Does he not realize how lucky he is? God will not forget their honesty nor will He forget the greed of a shallow-minded manager.

A dear friend whom I discussed this with said that God will look after Harris and that she will be rewarded later and that He puts people on Earth to protect sick people from the evils on Earth.

We as a community need to find out what restaurant this was and show our appreciation and boycott it! Let them know that we don't appreciate how these ladies were "rewarded."

Tonya Ward lives in Denton.

There is technology now in production that uses solar heat to super heat oil in a closed circuit (not consume it), which creates steam to drive electric generators.

At a cost of $1 billion, this type of generating facility can be constructed that will supply in perpetuity enough electricity for 60,000 people, at a cost to the consumer equal to the present peak hour charges for electricity generated from fossil fuels.

Just imagine, for the cost of the Iraq war we could have created this endless clean energy for 60 million Americans. There are sufficient sites in the southwestern United States to create these types of generating facilities to provide four times the current uses of all electricity in this country.

Do these sobering facts make you sick to your stomach?

Gerald C. Parker
Greensboro

In response to the Hannah Montana controversy, I could not agree more that it is not only illegal but unethical that "ticket brokers" will charge as much as 10 times the face value for tickets to sold-out events. I have had to use these avenues for years to get tickets I have wanted. This is not a new phenomenon.

I would like to remind everyone that these people actually provide a service. When reading that a local person has sued one of these companies, a realization has come to me.

If these people win, they will force those companies to stop doing business in North Carolina. I will not be allowed to see some of the events I wish to enjoy because someone got upset that their children cannot see Hannah Montana.

Once again, this is not a new story. This has been going on since the Greensboro Coliseum was the premier venue in the 1970s. Please think of the consequences that suing these "brokers" will have on everybody else. Your family is missing out on one event, so you have to take a valuable service away from the rest of us.

David Smith
Greensboro

Even though those of us in the Turkish-American community were dealt a devastating political setback when the Armenian Resolution passed through committee, I want to sincerely thank Congressman Brad Miller for voting against it. Beyond my own personal reasons for supporting him, I strongly feel that he is a tremendous representative for all of North Carolina.

As a Democrat, I am very disappointed that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is co-sponsoring this measure. Like President George W. Bush, who unwisely chose to go into Iraq, Pelosi is an exceptionally naive person when it comes to the Middle East. I treasure the friendships I have with many Armenian-Americans, but this bill will likely lead to strained relationships between Ankara and Washington. And, it is likely to fuel Armenian nationalist efforts to expand their country into eastern Turkey.

Pelosi should take a cue from Miller, Robert Wexler, D-Fla., and Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., a sensible moderate. Even though President Bush opposes this bill, it is still a bad idea on every level.

Tilly Gokbudak
Reidsville

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Jack Stratas

In your praise for U.S. Rep. Brad Miller, D-N.C., for his lack of support for a resolution against Turkey, you showed a disregard for history.

Troops from Turkey occupy half of the nation of Cyprus. Years ago, it invaded the island, according to Turks, to stave off a merger of Cyprus with Greece.

The Turkish government to this day holds in virtual captivity the head of the oldest Christian church, the Orthodox Church. The patriarch of the Eastern Orthodox Church is made to reside in a dusty complex in Istanbul, a virtual captive of Muslim Turks.

Throughout history, the Turkish government has shown an animosity against Christians, much as the News & Record.

In his book, "The Blight of Asia," Edward Horton, a retired U.S. general in that area, lists atrocities committed by Ottoman Turks against Christians. The butcher's bill is: Chios Greeks, 50,000, 1822; Missologini Greeks, 8,750, 1828; Mosul Assyrians, 10,000, 1850; Armenians, 150,000, 1895-96; Macedonians, 14,667, 1903-04; and, finally, the massacre in Adana, in 1909, of 30,000 Aremians.

Horton features prominently the slaughter of indigenous Greeks in Smyrna by Mustafa Kemal, the creator of modern Turkey.

No one knows for sure how many Greek Christians were slaughtered, but we do know from pictures that they were either killed or driven into the sea, and the city burned to the ground. This is a fact.

Many of the Greeks were on the Turkish mainland by request of the sultan. Greek presence in Turkey reaches back to antiquity.

The red in the modern Turkish flag celebrates the blood of Greeks slaughtered in Smyrna. There is a Web site you can visit titled "Blight of Asia."

No one holds the Turkish nation accountable for the slaughter of innocents, but they should. I support Democrats in this resolution.

The writer lives in Denton.

President Bush, Sens. Burr and Dole, and Congressman Coble showed courage voting against the SCHIP bill. Democrats have obviously decided to demagogue the issue as evidenced by your most recent letters.

First, it is the first step to a socialist health system that has been shown to be, at a minimum, a system of long waits with the government deciding who gets treated and who does not.

Second, the method used to fund the program, cigarette taxes, would not be sufficient to finance the needs of the program unless the government was able to get millions of more smokers to join the ranks of current smokers. Yes, let's pay for health care for kids by making adults sick.

Last, the military budget, which keeps you and me safe from the terrorists who have shown their propensity to murder innocent children and families, truly has nothing to do with this bill. It's just to keep you and me alive.

Most importantly, I find it highly ironic that those who want to abort children now have found a heart to save the children.

Dan Holsenbeck
Greensboro

I see the city of Greensboro hasn't done anything about people driving and talking on their cell phones.

As I once said, people don't look up when they are on the phone. Hands-free is the only way to go -- or stop talking altogether.

When you hit someone and they sue you, then everyone will lose, so please, people, think about the person crossing the street when you put your cell phone in your hand.

Would you want it to happen to you or a member of your family?

Can you afford for your insurance to go up, can you afford a civil suit, can you live with yourself if you kill someone? Think about it.

Janet Johnson
Greensboro

Thanks for commending Brad Miller for opposing the House's Armenian genocide resolution. Does the timing of the House effort suggest some sinister motivations on the part of its sponsors? Why pass official judgment on a 90-plus-year-old event just now? Is it a reaction to improvements in Iraq in the past few months? Are there people in that body who want to make it more difficult for our troops to succeed?

The Turks' reaction was clearly predictable and potential damage to our troops equally obvious. Carving out new, longer military supply routes will certainly involve greater loss of lives.

There is a difference to me between objecting to and actively campaigning against the pursuit of war, and trying to make the conduct of that war more dangerous and deadly for our troops.

The former has helped this country stay great -- reasoned, informed debate, activism, useful conflict, and sometimes amazing consensus.

The latter? When I grew up during World War II, with telegrams arriving by taxicab and gold stars in windows, it was called "aiding and abetting the enemy" and even "treason."

Maybe the sponsors simply didn't see the obvious. Either way, nefarious or stupid, we are not in good hands!

Jim Mooney
Jamestown

Years ago I lived in upstate New York. One year there was a drought similar to ours. One device that was used to urge the public to conserve water was the slogan "Don't flush for everything."

Charles Van deZande
Greensboro

The Greensboro Bicentennial Commission has been charged with acknowledging, celebrating and commemorating Greensboro's first 200 years. In deciding on the downtown greenway as our signature commemorative project, the commission is confident that it will serve as a constant reminder of our vision for progress, including economic development and motivation to confront societal issues such as obesity, pollution and a lack of interaction among neighborhoods.

What could be a better commemoration of our first 200 years than something that is a catalyst for progress and a benefit to all our residents today and in the future? The commission believes that the downtown greenway will demonstrate our city's motivation to face some of our major concerns as we take the initiative to move forward on this project.

Greensboro will be an inspiration for other cities as we work to change our world one step at a time, by improving the quality of life in our own city.

As future residents of Greensboro stroll, run or bike along the greenway, they will have the opportunity to reflect on Greensboro's bicentennial year, when the city focused its vision on shaping an even better city for generations to come.

Zana Wall
Greensboro

The writer is Greensboro Bicentennial executive director.

I saw the article in the Oct. 20 News & Record concerning the washing of these huge RV's for a show. I do not know when I have been so disgusted about an article.

I am a retired taxpayer and cannot wash my car or water my lawn. I accept that because of the terrible drought we are experiencing. However, the city sees fit to allow these people to wash RV's so they will look good to the millionaires who can afford them. Our priorities in this country and city are so misplaced and will never get better when money is the bottom line.

Maybe when we get to the point that our drinking water is gone, these idiots running the country and city will wake up.

Don Edwards
Greensboro

I take exception with Charles Hawes' criticism (letter, Oct 19) of a political cartoon (Oct. 15) depicting Al Gore as the overweight "Carbon Man." Hawes describes the cartoon as "slime oozing down the Opinion page."

The job of an effective political cartoonist is to depict politicians and other public figures using a sense of humor, which was accomplished in this case. Most cartoonists tend not to consider the party affiliation of the people they depict; everyone is fair game.

This cartoon was not mean-spirited such as the one depicting Condoleezza Rice, complete with protruding lips, as a parrot of President Bush. While I disagreed with the Rice cartoon, I defend the artist's right to free expression and did not feel compelled to write a letter of protest.
Perhaps Hawes only objects to cartoons depicting public figures with whom he politically agrees. If not, I hope to see another letter of condemnation from Hawes the next time he sees a cartoon poking fun at a conservative politician or public figure.

Tom Imbus
Browns Summit

I can't believe that certain people want to give driver's licenses to illegal aliens. It will be a disaster if this passes.

Those people who come here illegally are taking jobs away from our citizens. They are bringing in diseases, crimes, drugs, etc.

I appreciate Lou Dobbs' stand about this. In fact, I wish he would run for president of the United States in 2008. He would be a good one.

N.R. Smith
Greensboro

Poverty is ugly, and I know it by direct experience, but ignorance is uglier yet. In most cases, it is the origin of the former. Thus, fighting ignorance is the best contribution we all can make against poverty.

Our homes are constantly inundated with mail requests from all sorts of organizations — religious and otherwise, including foreign ones — supposedly aimed at helping the poor. On TV they use dirty and suffering children to soften our hearts to make donations, which, apart from supporting such organizations themselves and their employees (sometimes in excess of what is really needed), have the unfortunate end result of keeping poverty alive and growing. Free food, clothes and housing have never been deterrents to poverty but are incentives to keep begging and expecting help from others, exceptions granted.

Fighting ignorance by all means is the only solution to deter the progress of poverty, in this and in other countries.

Helio Salvador
Greensboro

In the article, "Group honors two crusaders against bias" (Oct. 23), writer Nancy McLaughlin's bias is clearly obvious.

She refers to Bob Page, who received a recent award from the NCCJ. Referring to Page and his homosexual partner's adoption of twins in 2000 and the reaction that followed, she writes, "(some reactions) were downright cruel -- going as far as to say the couple's idea of family would ruin the lives of their beloved children." In another paragraph, McLaughlin writes about "the fight against bigotry."

In all honesty, it is quite disturbing to me when those who believe the family unit consists of a father (male) and a mother (female) are referred to as "cruel and bigoted."

As one who also serves as the News & Record religion writer, perhaps McLaughlin is familiar with the Scripture, "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter."

Tom Brown
Summerfield

Monaco Coach Corp. used hundreds of gallons of water washing gas-guzzling RVs. Don't merchants who wash RVs have any notion of shame?

If people's livelihoods are threatened, why couldn't the city pay them not to wash cars? (Are city officials taking lessons in leadership from leaders in Washington?)

A shopping mall was running water sprinklers on grass. For shame! Golf courses watering greens, be ashamed!

Fire departments worry about running out of water before fires are extinguished. People can't live without drinking water! However, RVs, golf courses, malls' grass, cars, houses, new seeds should go without city water or water-table water as long as our reservoirs and water table are drying up.

Who honestly believes using water from wells and ponds in their yards for grass-watering isn't straining the water supply? Is that respectful? Be ashamed if you're using water selfishly! Have courage and conserve water even if no regulations forbid it.

Don't all religious faiths teach responsible use of land and water? Practice your faith! Be a responsible citizen and business owner! Respect your neighbor!

Jim Prevatt
Greensboro

Having followed the current water shortage and looming crisis, I am here to offer a partial solution, one that works, having experienced it many years ago while serving in the Coast Guard cutter Eastwind en route to Antarctica. I offer to you all an equal-opportunity solution to this crisis. I present to you all the "Sea Shower." It is simple and in time can be fun for everyone. Here it is, try it. It works.

Step 1. Get in shower, turn on water and get wet all over (10 seconds max).

Step 2. Turn off shower.

Step 3. Shampoo hair and soap down body.

Step 4. Turn on water and wash off shampoo and soap (20 seconds max).

Semper paratus from an old Coastie.

Ian A. Millar
Kernersville

Mandatory water restrictions in Greensboro and now High Point will impose fines on abusers. OK, I can handle that.

But when the news reports the usage of water in Greensboro to wash RV's during the restrictions, I get a "little" upset. If I'm going to buy an RV, and I am an RV owner already, I'm certainly not going to not buy one just because the display rig is a little dusty.

But if that really, conclusively, turns off prospective buyers, then just hire a bunch of kids, give them some nice, soft cloths and wipe the darn things down. What a bunch of baloney!

Then, to add insult to injury, the Oct. 23 paper shows what appear to be high-volume water cannons soaking down field hockey venues at colleges in the Raleigh area. Is the world truly going to end if somebody doesn't play a field hockey game?

Where are the ethics about and empathy for our plight from our elected officials? I would like to suggest we "throw the rascals out" but I suspect they would only be replaced another group of equally uncaring rascals.

H.R. Danzis Sr.
High Point

It is that time of year when man attempts to prove his masculinity. He straps his gas-powered engine on his back, and with the roar of a 747, he attacks the mighty leaf. With earplugs in place, he is oblivious to the rude and deafening roar that shatters domestic tranquility. With throttle wide open, he chases those mean and dangerous leaves all the way to the curb. He's outnumbered by thousands, but he is fearless in his unrelenting attack. Oops, one got away.

Do you think he would do hand-to-hand combat with this renegade? No way. Full throttle all the way to the curb again. What a man!

Ah, how I long for those quiet fall afternoons. I could hear my rake scratching leaves across the yard, and birds could be heard singing. But no more. Resonating across the neighborhood is the monotonous, obscene roar of the leaf blower. Sometimes three or four noise polluters competing at the same time. "My machine is louder than yours," they seem to scream.

Maybe peace and serenity will be restored when the mighty soldiers lay down their weapons and go to the gym for a workout.

Gene Lemons
Greensboro

Rosemary Roberts' Oct. 19 column, "Colleges scoring big-time sports money," quotes a Chronicle of Higher Education article about athletic fund-raising at major universities: "The more the athletic program gets, the less there is to support the academic programs." But, at least at UNC, the Chronicle's own data undermine this conclusion.

Our fiscal 2007 total for private commitments (gifts and pledges) to athletics, $51 million, accounted for just 14 percent of our $363.6 million overall total. Moreover, athletics made up just 9 percent of our gifts in 2003 -- the year that, according to the Chronicle, surveyed schools averaged 26 percent for athletics in their overall giving.

Since 2000, our athletic donations have averaged just 11 percent of overall gifts. It's notable that this is considerably less than the 14.7 percent share the Chronicle survey revealed as the average in 1998, before -- seemingly in the Chronicle's view -- athletic vs. academic fund-raising began to grow out of balance.

We're proud of our fund-raising achievements in athletics and academics. We have a healthy balance between the two. Also, many of our donors to athletics give to our academic program as well, and at a much higher level.

James Moeser
Chapel Hill

The writer is chancellor, UNC-Chapel Hill.

"Easley asks residents to halve water use" -- why is this on page 5 of the B section (Oct. 23)? This is undoubtedly the most pressing issue for our community. It should be on the front page! It is possible that our community will run out of water in the near future. Your paper needs to take some leadership in promoting awareness of the seriousness of this drought, and mobilizing all of us to take drastic measures right away.

Molly Froelich
Greensboro

For Sherry Mayer (letter, Oct. 19) who decries the lack of "truth" being told about President Bush's veto of the SCHIP bill, here are some facts with which Mayer apparently is not acquainted:

Fact: The $83,000 income level cited by Mayer was a request by one state (New York) for a waiver, which was denied, and excluded from the bill that was vetoed.

Fact: The original SCHIP bill was introduced by Republicans in 1997 and has been a huge success.

Fact: The vast majority of people covered are the "working poor" who do not have access to, or cannot afford health insurance for their children.

Fact: Sick people without insurance tend to use the hospital emergency room for primary care — a very costly alternative which is paid for by those who have insurance in the form of higher premiums.

Fact: 40 days in Iraq costs as much as one year of health coverage for 10 million American children.

Fact: Most health insurance plans provide for coverage of dependent children beyond age 18, e.g., those attending college, up to as late as age 25.

Fact: A recent survey of Americans showed a staggering 81 percent favoring expansion of SCHIP and 74 percent said they would pay higher taxes if necessary to expand it.

L.F. Rappaport
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Don Miller

Regarding the responses to my Counterpoint on the relative importance of Spanish ("Don't waste school time on Spanish," Sept. 26):

One writer indicated that knowledge of Spanish would be of benefit in selling cars or working in a call center. I suspect that most parents of elementary school kids have somewhat higher professional aspirations for them. Another writer informs that she would not be able to operate her business in Bolivia without a knowledge of Spanish. Duh! Bolivia is a Spanish-speaking country! Since Uzbek, say, is essential to running a business in Uzbekistan, should all U.S. kids be placed in Uzbek-intensive courses?

Of course Spanish has value, as do all languages, in certain unique circumstances. But is it the most valuable language for our children to learn?

On average, American children score lower on international tests than most other children in first world nations. We have one of the shortest school years; our teachers are encumbered by bureaucratic and disciplinary burdens unknown to other societies; what little time our kids are in school is diverted from academics by things like "self-esteem," "sex education," "diversity," etc., with the result, as the News & Record recently noted, that high school graduates are not even prepared to succeed in the gentle, nurturing environment at N.C. A&T! And you want to impose foreign languages on top of all this mediocrity? Something else for them not to learn?

I'll make a deal: You pressure all the school boards to lengthen the school day and school year. Let the teachers teach, bring our kids up to where they should be in the academic basics and then I will support 100 percent the teaching of a choice of foreign languages.

My critics, all obviously expert linguists, have stated or implied that I am unqualified to speak on this subject. Perhaps so, but I do indeed speak fluent Spanish, having lived and worked for more than 10 years in four Latin American countries, most recently three years in Mexico and four years in El Salvador. I also speak fluent Greek. I function pretty well in German, and I have managed to achieve fluency in French. I am a retired Army officer and former U.S. consular officer, have a master's in international relations and have done doctoral work in Latin American history. Admittedly meager qualifications.

Obviously, for my critics Spanish has become a matter of political correctness and is not to be questioned. They must understand, however, that as an American I have a right to prefer, for whatever reasons, the study of language "A" in preference to languages "B" or "C" and, furthermore, that I have the right to express that opinion publicly without having my character and motives impugned.

The writer lives in Greensboro.