News-Record.com

I know that spirited debate about issues in an election is healthy, but I have noticed some negative and personalized campaign tactics in the current City Council election that concern me. Greensboro has a history of good government that has been free for the most part from such tactics. We should be careful to avoid a new pattern of politics in our city.

I am also concerned with some campaign statements about our police department. I believe we have a excellent department, staffed by many highly trained, competent and caring officers.
Tim Bellamy's steady leadership is what the department and our community need right now in a chief. I also know City Manager Mitch Johnson well, and know him to be a bright, competent and highly principled professional. The relationship between the chief and manager is critical, and I believe the current relationship will lead to effective policing for our city.

A leader from another city once told me that Greensboro has a dysfunctional tendency to continually "pick at our sores" It's to be expected that the controversies in our police department, so prominently covered in the news, would be campaign topics.

But let's look through the windshield rather than the rear-view mirror, quit "picking at our sores" and move forward in constructive ways.

Ed Kitchen
Greensboro
The writer is a former Greensboro city manager and is vice president of the Joseph M. Bryan Foundation.

A recent letter ("Using too much water drains neighbors' wells," Oct. 22) indicated that Grandover Resort is an irresponsible neighbor if not the blatant cause of the lack of well water in that part of the city because it has continued to water its grass this fall. This is a golf resort!

While the grass in my own yard continues to turn from green to brown, I am happy that the many sporting venues and tourist attractions in our state have remained open, beautiful and generating revenue. Thank goodness that thousands of area families were able to experience "the Thrill of the Grass" this summer at North Carolina's many fantastic (and green) minor league baseball parks.

Thankfully, Bryan Park continues to be a safe and fun place for thousands of area kids to play soccer on wonderfully soft, green grass fields. I, for one, am ecstatic that our climatically challenged neighbors to the north bring their vacation dollars south every fall and winter to play golf on our wonderful courses!

We should all cut back on our water consumption where we can, Grandover included, but we needn't destroy our economy in the process.

Frank Hall Jr.
Greensboro

The lack of public education surrounding cell-phone courtesy is fostering widespread cell-phone abuse. Ignored, swept under the rug or flat-out denied, the problem runs rampant.

Consequently, an incredibly useful technology remains in the hands of users who never grow up emotionally.

Consider these examples:

1. A young man pedals a bicycle into a four-way-stop intersection, with no helmet, one hand on wobbling handlebars, the other holding a cell phone to his ear, causing him almost to lose control in a split-second of negotiating traffic.
2. A woman orders a sandwich, rudely taking a cell-phone call in mid-order, putting the order taker on hold, stopping the train of thought required to get the order right, and holding up a line of other customers.
3. A couple walks hand-in-hand across a busy parking lot, each talking to somebody else on separate cell phones, totally oblivious to one another, their own safety or anybody else's.

In this way, material things and mechanical marvels serve only the bad habits of people never educated in shared values of their effective use to begin with. Pretty buildings, the latest technology and new products do questionable good if socially retarded consumers are the ones using them.

Robert Kernodle
Greensboro

Tilly Gokbudak's letter ("Congress should defeat anti-Turkey resolution," Oct. 26) on the Armenian resolution completely sidesteps the issue of acknowledging a genocide. The resolution is about recognizing the mass murder of 1.5 million human beings.

It also sends a message to a nation that officially denies this horrendous tragedy to the point of criminalizing any discussion. This is not "anti-Turkish" any more than recognition of the Holocaust is anti-German.

There are only two reasons to oppose this resolution: either realpolitik trumps telling the truth or some of us are refusing to accept history.

William Jarrell
Greensboro

Over the past month, President Bush has accused the Democrats in Congress of fiscal irresponsibility for the $35 billion it wanted to expand the federal child health care program. Bush vetoed that bill claiming that it would extend coverage to some families that could afford private health insurance and the Congress couldn't muster the votes to override it.

Just recently, the president asked the Congress for $196 billion for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and many more billions in aid to foreign countries.

Doesn't it sound odd that a president with an MBA couldn't scrape together money from those projects for American children?

It certainly makes clear where the priorities of this administration lie.

John Bursey
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint.

By Carlton T. Boyles

How quickly we seem to forget tragedies caused by drinking and driving. It is unacceptable to equate increased revenue as a norm on the basis that Archdale and Thomasville allow alcohol sales.

Archdale grew for more than 35 years before voters narrowly passed a beer and wine, malt beverages and unfortified wine referendum.

Randleman's city manager has been quoted as saying that ABC revenues reduced the property tax rate several cents. Who in their right mind would trade the life of anyone for a savings of about $40 per year on a $200,000 home?

The N.C. State Highway Patrol's First Lt. B.K. Regan was quoted in the Oct. 21 issue of the High Point Enterprise as saying that since Oct. 10 there had been 88 alcohol-related accidents in Randolph County, of which five resulted in death. We expect approaching drivers to stay on their side of the road, but alcohol and its effects can cause drivers to lose control of a vehicle.

Regan shared these statistics for 2007 through Oct. 10 for Randolph County:
* 299 arrests of people driving while impaired.
* 46 arrests were of those under the legal drinking age.
* 114 were of those who failed to comply with alcohol restrictions on their licenses.
* 69 percent of the collisions handled by the highway patrol are in the northern part of the county.

Teenagers know that when leaders sacrifice their principles for ill-gotten financial gains that they are hypocrites. As for me and my household, there will be no alcohol allowed in our home for any occasion. We should be willing to establish positive guidelines that enhance the growth of our young people and adult citizens.

Will the Christians in the 70-plus churches rise to the occasion on Nov. 6 and soundly defeat the four alcohol-related issues on the ballot in Trinity? I trust our citizens will do the right thing.

Carlton T. Boyles lives in Trinity.

Equal opportunity, equal rights -- does this only apply to ethnic groups? When applying for employment, my 25-year-old son, who was convicted of a felony at the age of 19, has repeatedly been turned down for employment.

Keep in mind that being convicted does not automatically make you guilty of the crime. (Recall a recent Winston-Salem case in which a man spent 18 years in prison for a crime he did not commit.) It happens a lot more than you would imagine.

Regardless, when people are convicted and serve the punishment, paying their debt to society, one would think they should be able to start anew. But this is not the case. The punishment continues because employers hold applicants' backgrounds against them and will not hire them. (Companies, you know who you are; prove me wrong and hire my son.)

We bend over backward for illegal aliens. Let's bend a bit instead for our U.S. citizens who have paid their debt.

Cheryl Mosher
Kernersville

Our hero comes home today. He is special to us because he is our son. But the things he has done and experienced are no different than the sons of many have done.

Travis has faced an enemy and fought in pitched battles. He has fired upon another human being in a deadly confrontation. Unless you have experienced it, you cannot imagine its effect.

It is important for us all to remember why he and others are going through these perilous times.

Soldiers become soldiers for different reasons. But in the end we send them to protect the freedoms we enjoy.

Travis is not so much exceptional among the hundreds of thousands who protect our way of life. But for us, he is exceptional in that he is our son. They are all somebody's sons or daughters and all made in the image of God.

But Travis should also be exceptional to you in that God gave you a relationship with him. He is your protector. We are proud of those who are called to protect our freedoms and our way of life. We are especially proud of our son.

Wayne Haynie
High Point

Lying to Congress under any situation -- as President Bush has done about our aggression and incompetence in Iraq -- constitutes a high crime or misdemeanor by any reasonable definition of that phrase. Lying to the American people is treason of the worst kind. The simple fact that Congress is doing nothing about it can only mean that Congress is part of the problem. Even the so-called conservative politicians impeached President Clinton for lying.

Hank Wilkins
Greensboro

Vetoing SCHIP -- good conservative policy. And no one really gets hurt! As the president says, there's always the emergency room.

So take your kids to the ER for their postnatal and yearly checkups, lab tests, immunizations, allergy shots, pink eye, ear aches, rashes and psychological problems -- whatever. If the ER won't take them, speak to the dozens of pediatric specialists your kids will surely need to care for them through high school. They're nice people. They'll understand.

I have six children. My company health insurance covered their medical care for ailments (minor and serious) by general practitioners, specialists, consultants and surgeons. They all reached a healthy adulthood, although there were some pretty close calls.

My kids have their own children, 15 in all -- more than half are not covered by health insurance.
But saving $36 billion by denying insurance to kids who need it (except that guy making $82,000) is an affirmation of the American way, conservatism and, above all, do-it-yourself Christian morality. (Where are the Samaritan conservatives when you really need them?)

Just politics. Nobody gets hurt. Except about 4 million of our grandkids. Not to worry, though, we've stopped creeping socialism in its tracks!

Michael J. Scotto
Greensboro

The Short Stack column ("Food for thought, quick and over easy," Oct. 22) left a bad taste in my mouth. Nido Qubein, president of High Point University, stated that, "People who know the how will always have a job, but people who know the why will always be their boss."

This kind of logic is why nothing ever seems to get "fixed" in this country. We are told "why" we need to address issues (terrorism, health care costs, climate change, etc.) but no one seems to know "how" to get it done.

If our bosses are only able to tell us "why" we need to do something but have no clue as to "how" it can be accomplished, then we need fewer bosses and more workers. I may know "why" I want to keep my head above water, but it does me no good if I don't know "how" to swim.

Keith Elliott
Eden

Felony erasure bills sponsored by Sen. Doug Berger, D-Franklin, and others would erase the conviction record of 16- and 17-year-old criminals statewide who commit Class H and I felonies. The legislation would hide these convictions from public scrutiny, putting our schools, places of work and our communities at severe risk.

The N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts estimates thousands of convicted felons will apply to have their criminal records erased.

A crime of "youthful indiscretion" might warrant a second chance. But consider the following felonies that are eligible to be erased:

Third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor; soliciting sex with a minor via computer; distributing drug paraphernalia to minors; domestic abuse, neglect, exploitation of disabled or elder adults; possessing stolen property; using drugs or instruments to destroy an unborn child; larceny of property worth more than $1,000; breaking and entering; forgery; larceny of a firearm; receiving or possessing a stolen firearm; possessing a firearm on school property; looting; cross burning.

Are these petty "youthful indiscretions"? Certainly not. The victims know these are adult crimes.

Contact your senator and tell them that Sen. Doug Berger's felony erasure law and similar laws are bad laws and not good for North Carolina.

Chuck Stires
Youngsville

The writer is a member of N.C. Citizens for Accountable Government.

Here's something local liberals and conservatives can agree on: The natural areas surrounding our city are in trouble. Every time we lose more acreage to bulldozers and development, we lose part of what makes life worth living. We lose the opportunity to experience quiet, green, awe-inspiring and untarnished nature. Why do we allow this to happen? Money. Big money.

Why don't we take a moment to breathe slowly and deeply and agree to stop selling off our greatest assets? And let's vote for folks who share our need for nature and all that it has to offer.

Bob Beerman
Greensboro

Congressional Democrats and Islamic terrorists, whom the Democrats strive to protect, both cling to the past. The terrorists still think it's the 11th century, while the Dems still believe it's the 1970s, when the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act was introduced. Just as the terrorists have refused to join the 21st century, the Democrats still think that communications technology is '70s vintage. Why?

To score points with the fringe, lunatic Web sites that fund them. The result? Getting our soldiers killed.

Last May, three U.S. soldiers were taken hostage by al-Qaida terrorists and two were killed. Instead of immediately springing into action, our intelligence officials were hamstrung for nearly 10 hours seeking approval (as demanded by Democrats) for wiretapping the terrorists despite the fact that the calls were between two parties in Iraq. Another disgusting example of Democrats trying to protect terrorists, thereby endangering our troops.

How could these traitors mangle the FISA laws to this extent? Because, though the calls were within Iraq, they passed through fiber optic cables located in the United States. The Democrats know this but are desperate to protect terrorists. They are invested in defeat. If we win, they lose. They've bet on the terrorists!

Tony Moschetti
High Point

"What a difference 10 years can make!" is the thought racing through my mind as I absorb the gleeful coverage of the Skybus Airlines announcement.

As I reflect upon the experience of having been a pilot for Greensboro's own home-team Eastwind Airlines — right up until our last flight on Sept. 7, 1999 — I can only wish that we could have enjoyed the largesse of these huge state and local incentives.

Also, just 10 short years ago, if we would have had the advantage of the Triad media gushing forth about our service, we would have made a big difference in Greensboro air travel.

Yes, we had some managerial problems, but all our Eastwind employees worked so hard to make affordable air travel a reality for the Triad. Yet, local and state government — plus the media — did little to help us, even seeming to actively work against us. Mike Easley, working at the time as attorney general (and anticipating his gubernatorial run), even targeted us to help make a name for himself.

Godspeed, Skybus. I wish you much good fortune. You'll need it when the community decides to turn against you.

James Furr
Landis

Your Oct. 23 editorial endorsing a candidate in District 2 was interesting from the standpoint that both candidates have suggestions regarding crime and gangs that may work. What candidates, your editorial staff and the public don't know is that there is a push by members of the state legislature to eliminate all funding for juvenile day-reporting centers and/or structured day programs. If that happens, Goldie Wells is right: More police will be needed and schools will have one less resource for students on probation who cause problems at school. Lance Jones suggests mentoring gang members. Day-reporting centers already do that but, more importantly, place heavy emphasis on gang prevention.

If day-reporting centers are closed, there will be a need for more police, courts, judges and prosecutors. Our state legislature has already taken care of that for us, except the police part, that is. They funded more judges, courts and prosecutors at the last session. I guess they already know what is next.

John Morrissett
Greensboro

I never thought I'd be saying this to our elected officials, but please bring back the red-light cameras. Either that or find some other way to penalize people for driving through red lights.

I grow more concerned every day as I sit and wait at local intersections for my chance to go. More often than not, a car will fly through the red light on its side of the intersection, well over the speed limit, long after my light has turned green. Making matters worse, at multilane intersections with large trucks and taller vehicles waiting in turn lanes, I don't even see them coming until just before I hear my own brakes screeching to accommodate their apathy and save my children's lives. The sad thing is that the person whom the lawbreaker hits is the most likely to suffer severe injuries or death.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, accidents "within intersections" contributed to 217 fatalities in North Carolina in 2006 alone. The number injured is much higher. Guilford County ranked in the top five counties in the state in number of traffic-related fatalities.

What's your excuse for running red lights? How do you think you'll feel using it when explaining your actions to the victim's loved ones? Even preschoolers learn green means go, yellow means slow, and red means stop!

Robert Mitchell
High Point

As reported Oct. 24, many College Park residents are disturbed by a letter from UNCG that reads in part: "The UNCG Board of Trustees approved a new Long Range Master Plan on Sept. 6, which expanded the area of the campus as it relates to land acquisition and development.

"That new plan identifies the property at (your address) as part of the future expansion of the campus. We are writing to ask if you are in a position to consider selling to the University. If you are interested, we would like to talk with you about this property and possibly have an appraisal completed."

Why are the residents so upset? True, the letter is naively arrogant, vaguely threatening, presumptuous, slightly patronizing, insensitive and ignorant of human nature. Otherwise, it is a perfectly nice letter, confident in its purposes, quite in keeping with established procedural practices in the UNCG planning offices (see "State auditor pans UNCG bid process," July 12, 2007, and http://mm.news-record.com/legacy/indepth/07/UNCG_audit.pdf).

Tom Kirby-Smith
Greensboro

Doug Clark's Oct. 28 article about One Guilford contained a very untrue statement. One person with doubts does and did pose an obstacle. And I am that one person.

I have been very vocal about my doubts as to why N.C. A&T has allowed the farm to be butchered in the name of a research park. I have serious doubts that A&T Chancellor Stanley Battle is very informed about this project since its quiet inception in 2003, as plans were not revealed until December 2006 and the neighborhood nearby notified in January 2007.

As one voice in my neighborhood, I managed to alert the neighbors and we then delayed the start of construction until our voices were heard. I, along with my neighbors, am very involved in the ongoing construction activities. I have read the plans for the research park, and they don't include as much involvement for young people as for attracting businesses to lease space for unknown research.

Yes, it does include a nanoscience/nanotechnolgy school and U.S. Department of Agriculture, but that does not justify the other 10 buildings that will be part of the South Campus.

Get your facts straight, and the next time don't leave my name out.

Sharon Hightower
Greensboro

I was shocked to read the article in Fast Forward, "Greensboro is slimming down streets" (Oct. 29). The article reports that, beginning Jan. 1, the city will drop the minimum width of the streets from 30 to 26 feet, will rein in the speed of traffic and make walking more comfortable and pleasant. That's great.

Did the City Council ever consider leaving the width as is and marking off designated bike lanes? How is this city ever going to be considered bicycle-friendly if it starts making the streets less wide? I have to believe that, as in most cases, it all comes down to dollars and not common sense.

While you're at it, did anyone ask fire and police how they like the idea of slimmer roads in residential neighborhoods? It must be exciting to try to get those big hook-and-ladder/pump trucks down slimmer streets for emergencies.

Perhaps the title of the article should have been, "Greensboro is slimming down streets while adding pounds to its residents."

Troyce Hood
Greensboro

I read the letter from the senior minister of a large Greensboro church in praise of Ed Cone. The minister went on to say he used Tom Friedman to "make sense of the Middle East," Leonard Pitts as a "guiding perspective on cultural issues" and Ed Cone to "make sense of Greensboro issues."

I use a different approach. I formulate my opinions by using my life experiences, moral and religious principles, respected experts in their fields without overt political motives and factual news sources. When I read Pitts, Cone, Friedman and the other opinion columnists, it's to get their opinions, not mine. That and for the entertainment.

If my minister or any other person in a position of leadership is using the columnists to help draw conclusions, form opinions or understand things, I hope they keep it to themselves.

Richard Thompson
Asheboro

You can depend on Charles Davenport to put a damper on anything positive. His recent diatribe about "diversity week" at FedEx (Oct. 28) denigrates an effort by a new employer that wants to set an expectation for its managers and employees that diverse cultures will be safe and respected in their work environment. The internal memo was intended for the company's use, not Davenport's misuse.

Davenport tries to salve his conscience by declaring that incidental cultural diversity is a much-preferred alternative. However, it would not occur without a public and continuing effort to create the environment that encourages it. As Davenport points out through Louis Farrakhan's remarks, diversity will not occur when public figures call for isolation.

And so all public effort to assure that there is increasing equity in the marketplace, workplace, recreation place and worship place must include encouragement of public acceptance of diversity. Any effort, corporate or governmental, should be applauded for stating that respect for diverse experience, culture and personality contributes more than the sum of individual efforts.

I find it strange that the News & Record continues to give Davenport an outlet of public expression when the paper is embarked on a "One Guilford" effort.

Dan Mosca
Browns Summit

The Caldwell family would like to thank police officers Michael Terry and John Slone for their dedication. They deserve a medal for what they do every day.

Since Dec. 25, 2006, these men have been in our lives. If it were not for their hard work, April Caldwell's alleged killer would still be on the run.

When they came to our house on Sept. 20 and gave us the news of her alleged killer's capture, we finally began to hope that justice can be served. They proved they've got what it takes to be dedicated police officers. Without men like this, there would be no justice. They take their jobs seriously.

A person's character is judged by how they present themselves. These detectives have more heart and kindness then any men we've met. We cannot thank them enough for what they have done for us. We can only hope that if anyone needs a good detective, they will get one of these.

It is not about making money to them; it is about delivering the good news as they did ours that day and seeing the tears of joy and relief. We no longer have to live in fear, and now April's justice is served.

Marsha Bond
Reidsville

The writer is the sister of April Caldwell, who was stabbed to death last Dec. 25 at age 17. April's ex-boyfriend, Juan Carlos Ramirez, has been arrested and charged in the slaying. Bond sent the letter on behalf of the entire Caldwell family.

I, a WASP, would surely be counted by Michael Lashley ("Sell Confederate plates instead of Mexican ones," letter, Oct. 24) as a casualty of "cultural genocide" because I bought one of those Mexican flag plates at the DMV and screwed it on to my car.

Why? Well, I came up with nine good reasons, then added a 10th for Lashley's thoughtful consideration.

1. Wonderful Mexican people; I am fortunate and proud to count many as close friends.

2. Beautiful Mexican women; I married one.

3. Delightfully happy Mexican children; two are my own.

4. Closeness of family, the kind I have tried to emulate.

5. Spectacular country, from desert to tropical forest, mountains to beaches; I have spent time in all of the Mexican states except one.

6. Gorgeous romantic trio and mariachi music; these are songs I love to sing.

7. Delicious food, especially the ripe, fresh fruit.

8. The proud Aztecs and their ancestors, the remains of whom I have spent a lifelong career studying.

9. The richly expressive Spanish language, Which I have been delighted to learn over the past 45 years.

10. Mexico officially abolished the shameful practice of slavery in 1829, 36 years before the United States did.

Joseph B. Mountjoy
Greensboro

President Bush has asked Congress for $46 billion more to fund the war in Iraq. Why $46 billion for war and nothing for America's children?

George Bush has already vetoed legislation that would have provided heath insurance for 10 million needy children. Now he threatens to do the same thing again for a similar health plan revised by Congress, even though this bill has the broad support of both Republicans and Democrats. Is this what we really want for our children?

The cost of this children's health insurance proposal is the same as we spend in 40 days of war in Iraq. What has become of the "compassionate conservative" that the president claims to be?

Bob Kollar
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Anita Bachmann

I want to express my sincere appreciation to the leadership of Page High School and the Greensboro Police Department for their very swift call to action and response to the unfortunate events that occurred at Page on Oct. 25.

The fighting and disruption that occurred that day were very disconcerting and presented a very dangerous environment for everyone. The immediate call by school leadership and the school resource officer for additional assistance, upon recognizing the severity of the issue at hand, was extremely critical in gaining control of the situation. Likewise, the very swift response by the 30-plus Greensboro police officers was also critical in dealing with this potentially dangerous situation.

In addition to managing the various situations that occurred that day, they made sure that the students who were not involved remained as secure as possible. Upon restoration of order, the school staff and police officers made time to go to the classrooms and to escort students for bathroom breaks, as needed. Additionally, the police officers returned the following day, monitoring hallways and the school grounds, again, to ensure safety.

On behalf of many parents, thank you to the Greensboro Police Department, the school leadership and our school resource officer for working so quickly and efficiently to ensure the utmost safety of our kids every day at Page High. Your commitment and dedication to our school's safety on a daily basis is to be commended.

It is unfortunate that such oversight is needed, and we are very thankful for your presence and support. I am hopeful that incidents such as this will be a "call to action" by our school board to take a "zero tolerance" approach in these situations.

The writer is a parent of a Page student.

As a UNCG alumna, and someone who lived, worked and voted in Greensboro after college, I heartily second the Oct. 31 News & Record editorial suggesting that UNCG focus its expansion on the Lee Street/High Point Road corridor.

The College Park and Sunset Hills neighborhoods should retain their character. They are among the parts of the city that would convince me to move back. UNCG should expand towards Lee Street, with care for student safety and security — and in partnership with the city to create a truly welcoming corridor.

When I come to Greensboro as a visitor now, I enter along Lee Street, and I see the same shabby road that gave my parents pause when they dropped me off at college years ago.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if Lee Street/High Point Road showcased both Greensboro's university community and Greensboro's vibrant downtown character?

What if someday "Lee Street" sounded like "Tate Street"?

Caroline Ring
Durham

On Oct. 25 you had an article that the United States spent at least $38 million on a computerized accounting system for the Iraqi government that it didn't use.

I think this money could have fed a lot of people here in the United States. So many food banks are empty because so many more people are counting on them for food. Why? Because of jobs lost and no new ones opening.

I believe in helping people. They are more important than machines. Our government needs to get its priorities straight.

God bless America and may God bless all of us.

Iris Newby
Eden

In 2000, our citizens voted "yes" to build Animal Discovery at the Natural Science Center, with an overwhelming 72 percent for it. Since then, many positive changes have occurred, far too many to list. But that isn't this letter's point.

The community needs to have some awareness about the national accreditation moving forward right now at the Natural Science Center and new zoo. Accreditation is an exhaustive but invaluable process. Our team is determined to meet the nation's highest standards for zoological park operation as set forth by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

In one week, a CEO from Louisville, a veterinarian from Jacksonville and a general curator from Miami will spend days inspecting every nook and cranny of our institution. Based on our 500-page application, they will review animal care, records, animal husbandry, science education, conservation, research, safety and security, drills and protocols, finance, governance, volunteerism, institutional planning, mission and vision — just to name a few.

Greensboro should be proud of the Science Center staff and trustees who are voluntarily and proactively enduring such scrutiny and quality controls to be the best possible organization for Greensboro.

Greensboro has been good to us. We want to be great for Greensboro.

Glenn Dobrogosz
Greensboro

The writer is president and CEO, Natural Science Center of Greensboro.

I read with interest your Oct. 28 "10 Plus" item about U.S. Senate candidate Jim Neal. If I lived in North Carolina, I would vote against him not based on his sexual orientation but because of his ignorance of the Emancipation Proclamation and his choice of Lyndon Johnson as his "role model."

His comment was that the 1964 Civil Rights Act was "arguably the most controversial piece of legislation in [our history] with the possible exception of the Emancipation Proclamation." The implication is that the Emancipation Proclamation was legislation; in fact, it was a self-serving unilateral decree by President Abraham Lincoln "proclaimed" to serve political ends.

President Lyndon Johnson should be commended for his progress in civil rights. But in context, one must remember he was a shrewd, manipulative, nasty, mean, self-serving politician who in World War II somehow "earned" a Silver Star, a decoration for combat bravery, when he was never in any combat justifying the award.

Also, on his hands is the blood of tens of thousands of Americans and Vietnamese, seeping from a war that should never have been fought.

Charles A. Jones
Norfolk, Va.

The writer is a native of Greensboro.

The following is a Counterpoint.

By Richard L. Phillips

I am deeply concerned about the proposed Bluegreen development in northern Guilford County. I believe there are three very important reasons for the county commissioners to deny this change in zoning.

First, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to really have a nice park. The state already has a "half a park," and the tract in question would expand it to a reasonable size.

Where in this area of the Piedmont will you find 600 acres that can be added to an existing park? This is an opportunity that may never happen again, and it should not be passed up.
Second, and probably more important, is the water quantity issue: the water required for the golf course and the surrounding homes. (Golf courses seem to be exempt from most water restrictions.)

A golf course almost 200 acres in size requires a lot of water, and it has been proven that we do not have that much in this area. If a golf course of this size is irrigated the same as a lawn — one inch per week during the dry periods of an average year, and at least 1.5 inches per week during an extreme drought like the current year — it will require from 5.3 million to 8 million gallons of water a week.

Since this will be withdrawn from the Haw River, it will adversely impact and possibly prohibit the ability for Greensboro to pump needed water from the Haw into Lake Townsend, as it is set up to do.

Third and last, there is the water quality issue. Golf courses are probably the highest users of fertilizers and pesticides of all land uses — that is why they are so beautiful. Some of these pollutants will undoubtedly wind up in the Haw River either as surface or sub-surface flow.
However, golf course runoff is not the only adverse water quality issue — there will be the discharge from the proposed package plant for treating wastewater from all the new homes.

Package plants are a simplistic mechanism for treatment and typically do not allow for advanced treatment to further reduce nitrogen and phosphorus levels. This is especially important on a nutrient-sensitive stream such like sections of the Haw River.

In conclusion, I believe the rezoning should be denied for any of these reasons.

The writer is an adjunct associate professor of biological engineering at N.C. A&T.

The following is a Counterpoint.

By John Dykers, Jr.

I noticed that my friend Rosemary Roberts got upset because the UNC Educational Foundation (Rams Club) raised $51 million in fiscal year 2006-2007 and the general fund only took in six times as much, $312 million. Of the $51 million, remember that $8 million went to the general fund for scholarships.

Forty-three million dollars is a lot of money to spend on staff and facilities, and a transparent accounting is certainly appropriate. But before we get indignant about coaches' salaries being higher than the average professor's, we should recognize that coaches spend a great deal more time and have a great deal more influence on each student under their care than does the average professor.

Only the best should hold those positions. Top-notch football and basketball have certainly become as complex as chess and biochemistry. Having participated in all four, I can vouch for that from personal experience.

Many who consider themselves primarily intellectuals or academics resent athletics, but the ancients reminded us, "Mens sana in corpore sano" ("a sound mind in a sound body").

The enthusiasm for the university as a whole that is generated by sports excellence is well documented. We should appreciate athletics and academics as complementary, and I have proposed the following inscription for the donors’ board at the new Ernie Williamson Athletics Center, which will house the UNC Athletics Office and the Rams Club: "Educators (coaches) must usher each generation to the edge of knowledge where colleagues (teammates) find faith, hope, effort, success, confidence, trust, love and civilization. The edge of knowledge is always moving and learning is a lifetime adventure." Learning how to work/play together as a team is important in all aspects of life.

I've given $1.5 million worth of uncompensated medical care and $600,000 worth of continuing education to the community. Unfortunately, I could only give less than a 20th of that to the Rams Club, but please let me do so and have a little fun. I've got a couple of extra tickets to the football game and you can go with us.

The writer lives in Siler City.

Addison Ore's comments regarding studies on abstinence education as quoted in the News & Record ("Conference to advocate abstinence until marriage," Oct. 29) are not fully reflective of the studies available.

I assume the comments are based on a recent Mathematica Policy Research study. In it, only four out of hundreds of programs were studied; further, only programs given in upper elementary or middle school were involved.

Some children only participated for one year with a maximum participation of three years. The children were then interviewed up to five years after their last class.

It is no surprise that there were no lasting effects from this minimal intervention. The study's authors say, "However, the findings provide no information on the effects programs might have if they were implemented for high school youth or began at earlier ages but continued to serve youth through high school." Further, Ore's comments ignore the nine other studies found at: http://www.abstinenceassociation.org/docs/NAEA_Abstinence_Works_041207.pdf These studies show many positive results. They also show that abstinence programs can reach youth from many backgrounds.

Lyn Thrasher
Greensboro

I am a sophomore at Southwest Guilford High School. I ride the bus, and this will be my last year. I've ridden the school bus ever since second grade, and I've watched the school bus go from something fun to a miniature prison. Why?

The restrictions that bus drivers impose on the students (although they say they're all school board decisions, some bus drivers ignore these "decisions") are outrageous. For instance, the bus I currently ride requires high schoolers to sit in the front, middle schoolers to sit in the back, boys to all sit on one side of the bus, and girls on the other. We've been reduced to separation by sex? How immature do they think we are?

Sure, some kids are radically immature, but, as I've read, riding the bus is a privilege, not a right, which can be easily taken away. So take it away from the troublemakers and let the innocents ride the bus restriction-free.

If this unfairness streak continues, it won't even feel like a privilege anymore.

Roger Burton
Greensboro

I was extremely disappointed to find the garbage tossed into my yard and alongside my street following the N.C. A&T homecoming game Oct. 27. The street by the side of my house usually fills up with parked cars for homecoming, but typically the fans are nice enough to take their trash to a proper receptacle. Not only did they litter, but they threw food trash over my fence that could have been harmful to my four dogs.

As bad as this behavior was, I'm certainly glad that Bethune-Cookman didn't hang 70 points on the Aggies again. It's hard to tell how bad these fans may have abused my property then.
Enjoy your parking next year. Hopefully, that losing streak will be over and you folks will be happy enough to treat the neighborhoods you're visiting with due respect.

Dean Fox
Greensboro

Since it seems every day we have a new doom-and-gloom story about our dwindling water supplies, I'm curious as to what happened to the concept of building desalination plants along our coast. That was a hot topic 40 years ago when I was in school. I realize such plants are high-energy and not very cost-efficient, but many of these plants already operate in Texas, Florida and California. Obviously conservation must still be stressed, but do we have to run out of water before we even start looking at this option?

I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, but I'm pretty sure we're not going to run out of ocean anytime soon. Why don't we at least start thinking about using it wisely instead of using it as a garbage dump?

Eddie Alford
Greensboro

Many thanks for Gene Owens' refreshing column, Oct. 27. He is a Southern treasure, someone you'd love to have over for dinner. What fun!

I'm sure I wasn't the only one moved by his nostalgic landscape of memories, of childhood and rain. It was poetry and I saved it.

Roman Lavore
Julian

The Second Opinion column Nov. 6 by Cory L. Richards, senior vice president of Guttmacher Institute, fails to acknowledge its strong ties to Planned Parenthood, the world's largest provider of abortions. Guttmacher is the research arm of Planned Parenthood.

Any statistics or information concerning abortions provided by Guttmacher should be examined carefully as this group has previously published data found to be factually incorrect more than once. It can be assumed that Guttmacher presents only information coordinated and supported by Planned Parenthood, its "owner."

This column is a prime example of Planned Parenthood using the media to promote abortions, which is a multimillion-dollar business to that group. Serious options to abortion are not seriously presented by Planned Parenthood facilities since it publishes no reliable information on such options.

Don Mulligan
High Point

There are "red flags" ahead. In a market economy, supply and demand determines value, and the creation of too much money eventually leads to a situation where currency loses its value.

Sub-prime loans are doing that with housing -- lowering the key rate can do that -- and just printing money and passing it out to us who are dumb but grateful definitely does that.

The only solution might come from exporting more than we import, cutting back on our credit-card spending and trying to live within our means. There's an old expression: "He who takes what isn't 'hissen' must pay it back or go to prison."

It is in this way that we have taken more than we should have, and "paying the fiddler for the dance" is slowly but surely coming around. We depend on foreign money to finance our debts. They depend on our strong dollar.

Ray Hylton
Greensboro

Thank you, News & Record, for publishing the article by Larry Sabato, "It's time to call a new constitutional convention" (Nov. 4). The polarized nature of contemporary politics aside, it is time to ask the really hard questions of how our constitution aided or abetted the process by which we arrived at this place.

There is no party affiliation aspect to this issue. Democratic, Republican or independent, do we really want our president to have, unchecked, the power to take us to war?

As Sabato quotes Thomas Jefferson, "No society can make a perpetual constitution."

Let's start the discussion.

Jim Kennedy
Greensboro

I travel around the United States and like to jog at the different places where I stop. I just got back from jogging some of the back roads of Greensboro and it was evident that the local people love to eat fast food and drink and drive. It is a shame that people do not take pride in their appearance of their state since North Carolina is such a pretty place.

May I suggest that people take their trash home rather than throwing it out the window? If this cannot be done, may I suggest a few options?

There were several businesses along the roads I traveled. They could "adopt" the road and have employees pick up the trash.

Another option is to have work-release prisoners do the work.

The best option is not to drink and drive, which is the most responsible.

Phillip Sims
Cocoa, Fla.

On Oct. 26, I read an article on the Second Opinion page by Nelson Johnson. In this article, he strongly advocated unionization of Smithfield Foods. The News & Record also published Johnson's photo.

I noted at the end of the article the News & Record stated that the writer is pastor of Faith Community Church and executive director of The Beloved Community Center in Greensboro.

Isn't this Nelson Johnson the same man who was leader of the area Communist Workers Party and who also was heavily involved in the 1979 confrontation between the Communist Workers Party and the Klu Klux Klan?

If this is the case, then I feel the News & Record should give credit for all of Johnson's activities, not just part of them.

Jerry L. Splawn
Burlington

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Tom Duckwall

Thanks to Jason Hardin for his article on the drought (Oct. 28). I want to echo one of his sources, who said that the problem is not that there is nothing we can do, but that there is so much that we choose not to do.

Maybe we should consider a citizen "Board of Water Conservation" to set standards, encourage innovation and evaluate suggestions. The city could hold a contest for a model home design to minimize energy and water use, and arrange for the winner to be built.

Here are some specific examples that could be implemented as suggestions encouraged by incentives, or as minimum requirements for construction, both residential and commercial:

Toilets: Use efficient models and waterless urinals in new buildings and for repairs or remodeling. Encourage replacement of older, 6-gallons-per-flush models.

Water recycling: Study reasonable proposals and change building codes if needed to allow "gray water" collection and reuse at the household level (e.g. bath water drained to a tank and used for toilet flushing). Consider dual water systems that do the same for a larger area. Change to instant water heaters to avoid excess gray water.

Groundwater: A continuous electronic monitoring system should be installed in enough wells to spot trends. We should consider phasing in water-use control measures to cover wells in a manner similar to treated water. Pervious pavement should be used in new construction and repairs of driveways and parking lots.

Lawns: Minimize lawn area in new construction, leave more trees and native plants. Minimize area covered by sprinkler systems, and use cutoff switches activated by rain. Convert turf to wooded areas needing little or no water. Have at least one rain barrel per dwelling, or a cistern for the building and grounds and install rain gardens.

Hydrant flushing: Collect water in tanker trucks and return it to a reservoir or water-treatment plant.

City contracts (coliseum): Include an escape clause to allow cancellation of events using large amounts of water during a drought, e.g., for vehicle washing. Maybe the coliseum should have a wash area where water can be collected and recycled, or contract with a truck wash.

I'm sure there are other good ideas that need to be heard. Hopefully, we will find ways to adjust to our changing circumstances.

The writer is treasurer, Friends of the Deep River.

I was quite amused Nov. 2 reading the suggestions for conserving water. One was to let small children take baths together or one after the other in the same water.

This brought back memories of my early childhood in the 1940s when my mother did our laundry by hand. She saved the second rinse water and we children each bathed in it -- the cleanest first and the dirtiest last. This was done not just to conserve water, but also to keep the water bill from being high. A water bill of $5 was outlandish.

It is amazing how we have come full circle.

Ray Joye
Greensboro

Our new Haw River State Park offers a unique opportunity for all citizens. The Haw River Program has developed classes for children covering a variety of subjects. Go to its Web site, www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/hari/harp_main.php, for more details. In 2007, 4,990 students and 1,200 adults participated in these programs. Since this format is unprecedented in the state park system, budgeting for resources has been cautious so more could be served.

However, the possibility that the Bluegreen Corp. might turn adjacent land into a gated community with a golf course puts that expansion in jeopardy. Bluegreen (green as in money) has already shown its true colors in two Chatham County developments, violating the North Carolina Sedimentation Pollution Control Act. (Go to www.hawriver.org/library/publications and click on the "Guilford Co. develop" entry.)

Guilford County already has at least 30 golf courses and plenty of housing developments. There is only one state park. So, should we choose to add another housing development to only be used by its exclusive residents, or choose to expand the state park, which will potentially serve every citizen? Hopefully, our county commissioners will look to the greater number of people who might be enriched by the resources of Haw River State Park.

Louise Brown
Climax

Regarding Don Miller's "First teach basics, then Spanish" (Oct. 31):

I completely agree. I took Spanish every year from kindergarten through eighth grade and again for two years in high school. I am now a junior at N.C. State, and my communications major requires that I spend three semesters studying Spanish. My parents, Guilford County schoolteachers, and I see these three courses as a waste of time and $1,200 in tuition. I do not think that children, at any grade level, should be forced to take Spanish. The foreign language department at N.C. State says the classes are a cultural learning experience.

Taking Spanish at State hasn't given me much of a deeper look into Spanish culture. If this is truly part of the class purpose, then why not let students take strictly cultural courses instead? My parents can attest to the frustration in public schools where students' time is spent learning Spanish when they cannot even function on their grade's reading level. While it may be helpful to know some basic Spanish as a U.S. citizen, students are not learning "survival Spanish."

If students wants to advance their resumes through language proficiency, then let that be a personal decision.

Leah Chumbley
Greensboro

The columns on the Second Opinion page (Nov. 4) by Larry Sabato on a constitutional convention and David Olson on the war powers and loss of civil liberties are thought-provoking. After a second or third reading of both, one can find kernels of value in each and one applauds the energetic efforts of the writers if not their incomplete insights.

One might mount a spirited response to either or both, or one could, as I do, reflect on them and think, "Hogwash."

Harris Johnson
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Edwin M. Yoder Jr.

Inasmuch as my native Greensboro is among the most literate of American cities, it is odd that the News & Record reached all the way to Haverford, Pa., for a reviewer of my novel "Lions at Lamb House" (Peter Ely: "Henry James, Sigmund Freud match wits in novel," Oct. 21). I am grateful for the attention, but there must be a thousand Greensboro writers, amateur and professional, who could have come closer to understanding my book; and that is a conservative estimate.

My complaint isn't, then, that Ely's review is largely negative. It is that he seems not to grasp the novel's plot, tone, themes, language or characters; and little else is left to grasp.

Specifically: "Its main story line," he writes, "is a fictitious attempt by Freud to psychoanalyze Henry James." No, the story line is an imagined meeting of two supreme sensibilities. He writes that William James expresses concern "over his brother's mental condition." No; the term "mental condition" implies mental disorder. William James writes, specifically, that his brother is "very balanced and healthy-minded." In one of the little comedies in the book, the village gossips of Rye spread the rumor, reported in the local newspaper, that Freud is visiting Lamb House to treat Henry James for "unspecified mental disorders." Your reviewer seems to have missed the joke. He writes that "James has been revising his works in an excessively ethereal ... style." No. Whatever else may be said of James' controversial late style, it is as thickly metaphorical and pictorial as Shakespeare's late tragedies. And as in Shakespeare, the metaphor is familiar and homely, in no sense "ethereal." Your reviewer says that James' participation in Freud's analysis is "ambivalent, at best." All imagined characters are ambivalent, to some degree. Freud, according to your reviewer, characterizes James "as, if I recall correctly, oral compulsive, anal retentive, sexually inadequate and latently homosexual." He does not "recall correctly." These are crude buzz-words of pop psychology that never cross Freud's lips in my novel -- or anywhere else, so far as I am aware.

To repeat, a storyteller isn't entitled to complain of negative judgments. He may, however, complain of incompetent reading. I appreciate the time and effort your reviewer expended, for my novel clearly was a struggle for him. But on the positive side, a reviewer who calls Jane Austen's style "convoluted" and Henry James a "wise guy" can pour all the abuse he pleases on my journeyman novel. In his awkward way, he has put me in "ethereal" company -- to use his word. Praise can go no higher.

The writer lives in Alexandria, Va.

Well, we now have the lottery, and just how has it benefited our teachers? The schools are getting the lottery money instead of their share of the county's budget. They don't get any more money; it just comes from a different place. I don't think this is what most people had in mind when they supported the "education lottery."

Don't get me wrong, I'm in favor of the lottery, but I would just like to see the schools get this money in addition to their fair share of the taxes we pay. Our teachers have to pay for their own field trips, buy their own color ink and copy paper, pay adult prices in the cafeteria for a child's portion of food, and they get no discount on the ACES program for their children. This is a time when many corporations provide day care for their employees.

Our schools should provide day care for the teachers' children. They pay an exorbitant price for their families' health care, and all on a salary most college graduates wouldn't leave home for.

Diane Manzi
Greensboro

Almost every morning, a man walks along Chestnut Street Extension in High Point. He walks on the pavement facing traffic. As I approach, I have to swing to the left a little to avoid hitting him. This is hard to do while I'm steering with my left knee so I can drink my morning coffee and talk on my cell phone. Why does he not walk in the ditch off the road? So what that he might twist an ankle on a hidden rut or cut his foot on a broken beer bottle or step on a copperhead?

The road is for vehicles and I do not like sharing it with anyone, especially a pedestrian.

Ray McCann
High Point

Lately, I have been critical of some of the changes in the News & Record. My grandfather was a founder, and I have always been proud of him. It is possible I have gotten to the age that it is difficult to accept change in lifetime habits. However, to be critical brings a responsibility to comment positively when there are good things.

Jim Schlosser's article about Steve Millikin (Nov. 1) is well-written, concise and truthful. Steve and I were best friends since law school. He was one of the finest people I have ever known, and I treasured his friendship. He was one of the finest lawyers I have known.

Nelson Kepley's three color photographs on the front of the B section (Nov. 1) are delightful. They are an example of how excellent photographs can be in a newspaper. Thank you.

Jack Elam
Greensboro

Gardenias are blooming. Leaves have not turned yet. This year is the warmest on record at the end of a series of years that have broken one heat record after another. Fires rage in Southern California, thousands of people are displaced in this national tragedy.

Gulf Coast families are moving to the mountains of North Carolina, displacing indigenous families who can't afford homes in the rising market. Both are refugees. Katrina victims are displaced around the country as the Gulf Coast remains in tatters.

Atlanta gives us a glimpse of what might occur if a major city runs out of water. In North Carolina, the drought could cause small communities to abandon their homes.

Increased asthmatic and respiratory medical conditions make it necessary for people to move away from polluted urban areas. As the climates change, plant and animal species move poleward, changing the ecosystems they enter. Disease-carrying insects previously uncommon to those areas challenge human health.

The Polar Express, the imaginary children's train to the North Pole to visit Santa, can no longer cross the thinning polar ice cap, which has melted to unpredicted dimensions. Where will Santa find his new home?

Chris Webster
Greensboro

In a recent News & Record article concerning the water shortage, I read a suggestion by a lady that should have received more attention. She used common sense when she suggested that the city leaders look long and hard when taking on more water users by annexation and freely giving building permits. First, we need to fix the water problem, not add to it.

Another thing: Thank you, Greensboro, for the bike lanes. Now the yard workers have a clear place to stack waste and such. Is there is an ordinance against that and will it be enforced? It is not enforced in my neighborhood.

Joe Kirkman
Greensboro

I am writing in response to your recent feature on the troubled mental-health system in our state. A direct result of a broken mental-health system is a growing number of mentally ill people who are ending up homeless, on the streets and at Greensboro Urban Ministry. Through the summer, our shelter has been at or near its capacity of 100 beds. We will be putting down extra mats on the floor and coordinating overflow shelter with The Salvation Army and other interested congregations. Sending mentally ill people to the streets and shelters is a disgrace for our nation, state and county!

There is a solution that is spelled out in Guilford County's Ten Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness that was prepared by a blue-ribbon task force. This plan will "ensure that every person being discharged from jail, hospitals, mental-health care or foster care has a discharge plan that leads to stable housing and supports a community policy of ‘zero tolerance' for discharge to homelessness."

To read the entire plan, go to www. greensborourbanministry.org and link to the Ten Year Plan. Overcoming poverty is a religious value!

Mike Aiken
Greensboro

The writer is executive director, Greensboro Urban Ministry.

As I drove around my community before Election Day and saw all the "NO Transfer Tax" and "NO Home Tax" signs, I was mindful of the voters' refrain:

"I want good jobs in my town" (I don't want to pay taxes to improve the roads, rebuild the bridges, etc.).

"I want my kid to get the best education possible" (I don't want to pay taxes to build or improve schools, pay teachers, etc.).

"I want something done about the crime rate" (I don't want to pay taxes to put more cops on the beat or support the court system).

"I don't want to see all those homeless bums on the sidewalks" (I don't want MY tax dollars supporting rehabs or homeless shelters or mental-health facilities).

"Of course I want clean water to drink and clean air for my kids" (I don't want government interfering with business or threatening the bottom line with nanny-state regulations).

Most of these "I don't want to pay taxes or regulate business" people seem to vote Republican. And they say Democrats are the "I want somethin' for nuthin' " folks!

Sandi Campbell
Siler City

Recently I had the pleasure of spending the day at Page High School. My belief that Page is an excellent school was reinforced by my observations that day.

In each class that I visited, I witnessed good teaching, interactive learning and responsible behavior. The students, teachers and administrators seemed to take great pride in being part of an institution that was obviously meeting its intended goals.

It is very unfortunate that just days before some uninformed people may have harshly judged Page based on the momentary irresponsible actions of a few. In addition to Page, I have been in several schools in Greensboro this year. Each has been focused on preparing its students to achieve success in the academic setting as well as in society at large.

Rina "Jacke" Baumann
Greensboro

The writer is a former teacher.

President Pervez Musharraf suspends Pakistan's constitution, rounds up opposition politicians, shuts down opposition press and disconnects phone service to the capital.

Why do I get the feeling that when the rest of the world looks on in horror, George W. Bush is taking notes?

Bill Burnett
Greensboro

Eminent-domain issues are making headlines everywhere, including the area off N.C. 68 near the new FedEx shipping center. Conserving our remaining natural pastures and forests needs to be a central issue in any plan to build apartment and housing complexes, roads and other expansions.

The expense of a "new" U.S. 311 when we have a beautiful four-lane highway already joining Interstate 40 is questionable. The plans include a golf course and an athletic complex, both of which we already have, including a new baseball field in Greensboro and great golf courses in abundance. The money would be better spent to complete the 311 Bypass to join U.S. 220 as part of the I-73/74 road system.

The housing market is overbuilt and sales are down. Is the area ready for these grandiose offerings at the expense of verdant fields and woods?

I believe FedEx is an asset to the community, but do we need to lose these natural areas to accommodate the shipping company or its employees? FedEx -- and all of us -- would be better served by lowering state taxes, which are among the nation's highest.

Harriett Walker
Sophia

No one has done more to end anti-gay bias than Bob Page. On Oct. 25 he was honored by the Triad chapter of the National Conference for Community and Justice for his work to make the Triad and the world more just and loving places for all of God's children. Bob Page mirrors Christ's gospel of radical love, inclusion and justice.

Tom Brown's letter (Oct. 29) condemning the family unit of Bob Page, his same-gender partner, and their two adopted children shows that we still have a long way to go in ending the fear and ignorance that drive anti-gay bias. It is truly sad that Brown misuses Scripture to justify anti-gay prejudice in much the same way it has been misused to justify racism and sexism. Religion should never promote intolerance, hatred and oppression.

To project one's own bias onto God and reject part of creation is an insult to God. God's extravagant inclusion blesses all kinds of loving families. To condemn committed, loving relationships between same-gender couples defies logic. It is cruel, unfair and, yes, Mr. Brown, bigoted. Can we replace fear-based religion with religion based on love, joy, peace, understanding and inclusion?

Cris F. Elkins
Greensboro

Quickly finish this sentence without thinking about it: America is in Iraq because ...
We have lost 3,800 soldiers, and some estimate the cost for this war will eventually surpass $2 trillion (and even Everett Dirksen might allow that is real money), and few Americans can satisfactorily finish the above sentence. We're sending people to die and nobody knows why.

Some might parrot the "fight them over there so we don't have to fight them over here" nonsense that they've heard our leaders spout, but did that exercise in magical thinking help Britain or Spain?

There is the desire not to wish America to look weak, but I'd counter that it's even worse for America to look stupid by continuing to fight a counterproductive war year after year.

According to the Pew Research polls, the most common word to describe George W. Bush is "incompetent," and his incompetence is slowly branding the United States in the world's eyes. There's an unmet hunger in this world for strong American leadership. Ask yourself: Who is happier for America being in Iraq, our enemies or our friends?

If you can't finish that sentence, how can you ask someone to die for it?

Marshall White
Archdale

The past four years, my wife and I have been walking in Country Park. It is a wonderful place to see ducks and geese splashing and playing in the water. We also love to see the children having fun playing on the equipment and enjoying nature.

Recently, we observed many cars not adhering to the 20-mph speed limit. We have signaled them to slow down, but some drivers have stopped their cars and become confrontational. Most of the speeders are taking their dogs to the Bark Park before they go to work or when they come home for lunch. They rush home, rush to the park and rush back home, putting the children, pedestrians and wildlife in danger with their reckless speeding.

My suggestion: Enforce the 20-mph speed limit or close the park to car traffic. I hope this is not one of those situations where people have to be killed before we do something about it.

Chuck and Susan Carrick
Greensboro

Equal justice under the law still remains elusive for 20,000 people serving federal sentences for crack cocaine, despite the U.S. Sentencing Commission's long-awaited reform of federal sentencing guidelines for crack, which became effective Nov. 1.

These prisoners are serving sentences so harsh that they will no longer be imposed on future defendants, but they are ineligible for relief because the new guideline is not yet retroactive. People serving mandatory minimum sentences for crack cocaine under the very laws that created the 100:1 sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine also are not affected by the new guideline. Only Congress can change mandatory minimum laws.

The Sentencing Commission's latest report to Congress confirms that punishing people more severely for crack cocaine overstates the harmfulness of the drug and has a devastating impact on low-level offenders and minorities. The time is ripe for reform, especially given the bipartisan support for sentencing reform that has emerged in recent years.

The Sentencing Commission should make the new guideline retroactive, and Congress must act decisively and now to reform mandatory sentencing laws.

James N. Holmes
Winston-Salem

We would like to congratulate Anne Willson on the success of the inaugural Bricolage Arts Festival Nov. 1-4. Unlike any other arts festival of its kind, Bricolage spanned 12 events over four days in 11 different cities and brought together seven creative teams, including dancers, musicians, filmmakers, composers, poets and visual artists.

This regional event presented new works that were developed within cross-discipline or cross-county creative teams. Anne visualized this festival more than three years ago and, through faith, hard work, determination, perseverance and the support of many volunteers, saw her dream realized.

As Anne says, "Our local artists are our region's most valuable cultural resource."

While promoting the arts, Anne is a true example of one of our region's greatest resources, a person who has a dream and works until it is realized for the betterment of all. Anne, we applaud you and all that you accomplished and look forward to the next outstanding Bricolage Arts Festival in 2009. Bravo!

Jeanie Duncan, Denny Kelly
and Liz Summers
Greensboro

Duncan is the president and CEO, Kelly is a board member and Summers is a volunteer and former community affairs director of the United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro.

Many have no consideration for God's creation, the Earth. We are privileged to live here, and we are accountable for the management of his blessings. God provides our rain.

Farms, forests, wildlife and water resources don't matter to many elected and appointed officials. Whether they are farmers or individuals who simply enjoy nature's beauty, landowners' private property rights are being trampled by developers and business interests revealed in Heart of the Triad plans.

Based on my professional experience and the opinions of experts with whom I've talked, I believe the proposed thoroughfares, which would cross the Deep River and wetlands, would severely endanger High Point's water supply. Irresponsible planning and development in this area also would hurt air quality.

Our county commissioners have listed water quality, supply and protection as priorities. They need to again research the proposed Heart of the Triad plan and oppose the loss of farmlands and natural ground cover.

Landowners and residents of the area have been omitted from the planning process. This exemplifies "legislation without representation."

We must work together to prevent the death of God's creation in the Heart of the Triad.

David Y. McBrayer
Kernersville

The writer is a former regional environmental specialist with the state.

Seven thoughts keeping me awake at night:

1. I see blood spurting from a young soldier fighting an ill-conceived war. He volunteered to defend his country, not the swaggering cowboy wannabe George W. Bush. This is not the Iraq War. Call it like it is: Bush's war.

2. I see a stalled civil rights movement while prejudice and hate creep forward. And that's bad for everyone.

3. I see hungry and homeless people in our rich and bountiful country.

4. I see victims of Katrina -- still victims of Katrina.

5. I see Democrats in Congress (their thin majority notwithstanding) failing to stand up and shout. But that takes guts.
The Republicans need to put country above party and vote their conscience.

6. I see TV advertisements pushing prescription drugs. Drug companies want us to self-diagnose and use our doctors to prescribe the advertised drug -- and its pesky side effects.
How many overworked doctors comply? Drug company or drug pusher?

7. I hear the drum beats for an impending war — again. Have we gone mad? Where are diplomacy and logic? Has seeking peace become un-American? Save our youth. Say no to war.

Now I am exhausted.

Good night. Peace.

Max Roseman
High Point

I think it is extremely interesting that the young people of our city have more sense than we adults.

They voted for Bill Knight, Kevin Green and Tonya Clinkscale.

J.B. Cox
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Donna Spoon

Isn't it time America woke up and said "no" to the importation of Chinese products?

The latest recall is of the popular holiday toy Aqua Dots, which is reported to be contaminated with a powerful "date rape" drug that has caused some children to vomit and lose consciousness upon ingesting the product. In American consumers' never-ending search to get the lowest price, we now find ourselves getting exactly what we pay for.

New York Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., has proposed creation of an import czar, who would have oversight of Chinese products. I suggest we become truly patriotic and put our money where our mouth is and stop buying products "Made in China."

It's time that Americans realized that the Chinese government has one focus: to expand its country's economy with minimal concern for buyers' welfare. This is evident from the fact that U.S. manufacturers have initiated the recalls, not the Chinese government.

Before you buy a Chinese product, you should make a review of China's myriad crimes against its citizens. That alone would provide sufficient reason for any morally conscious person not to buy what's "Made in China." Consider for each purchase that you make, you are funding, promoting or endorsing:

-- the suppression of democracy and freedom;
-- commercial harvesting of transplant organs of executed prisoners;
-- nationwide forced abortions and sterilizations;
-- sweeping and brutal repression of all religions;
-- military occupation and genocide in Tibet;
-- world's tightest Internet censorship;
-- indiscriminate use of the death penalty.

Whether your politics are conservative or liberal, you can identify with one item on the list. It's time we said "no" to China-produced products. With this "no" you will send a powerful message to the current Chinese government that Americans demand standards of excellent for consumer health and environmental sustainability. In addition, you can bring crucial jobs back to this country and to North Carolina.

The writer has lived and worked in Southeast Asia and has seen first-hand the human rights abuses of China. She lives in Kernersville.

Greensboro is planning to annex the Cardinal and surrounding areas, and there is honestly no point to the move except to receive the tax revenue of approximately 10,000 more citizens.

Becoming residents of Greensboro would not do much to benefit these residents at all. They would have access to city water and sewer services as well as police and fire protection, but these things already exist in the area. They may not come from the city of Greensboro, but the services already are there.

If Greensboro really needs the extra money from taxes, why can't they just raise taxes on those already in the city instead of stretching the police, who don't have enough money as it is, even farther?

This is a plan that has the city in mind, but not those who are targeted for annexation. So why on earth would they want this plan to go through?

Sam McCall
Colfax

The Book says that "whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap." Now substitute the words "voter" and "they" for "man" and "he" and we see that the majority of the people who voted on Nov. 6 want to continue to reap as they have done in the past. The incumbents talked a good game, but it remains to be seen if their actions will change.

Remember, the problems of Greensboro -- the police fiasco, street gangs, water shortage, over-development, etc. -- or the conditions that permitted them to happen occurred on their watch.

Why was the incumbents' "commitment to change" not made before this election?

Some have been on the council for several terms. They obviously believed then that their actions were proper, so why should they change anything now? Their being re-elected shows that voters approved of their past actions. If Greensboro reaps something different from what it has sown, it will be against the laws of nature.

We shall see.

John W. Taylor
Greensboro

What a disappointing surprise Trudy Wade's victory must have been for the News & Record. This paper did its best to sway voters against her. Yet the good citizens of Greensboro have voted her in!

Prior to the election, all we heard about was what a saint her opponent was and shame on Dr. Wade for using low-brow tactics against her. After the election, we get an editorial bringing up Dr. Wade's previous campaign against John Parks and repeated references to the disputed vote count in that election.

The fact of the matter is voters from both sides of the aisle like Trudy Wade. She gets things done.

She is matter-of-fact. She is accessible. She cares about Greensboro as a community -- not just her little corner of it.

I congratulate Dr. Wade on her new position in our community and am glad to have her working on the Greensboro City Council. Maybe the News & Record should do a little less "cheerleading" for some of its favorite pets and a little more news reporting.

Elizabeth Olson
High Point

Regarding the new proposal by Superintendent Terry Grier to add an extra hour each day for elementary grades and maybe high school -- as well as extending the school year another extra two weeks:

Does he not know that our children don't have enough time as it is to do all the homework teachers give? How do you expect them also to participate in extracurricular activities such as sports, Scouts and church?

Our kids leave in the morning before daylight and get home at dark. Then homework keeps them up until 11 p.m. No wonder there are so many dropouts.

When Grier is relieved as superintendent, it will not be soon enough. I hope other parents will respond to his proposed change.

Betty D. Wyrick
Greensboro

It is rewarding to solve any of the News & Record daily Cryptoquotes. But it is especially rewarding when they are apropos to current persons or situations.

The Nov. 8 Cryptoquote by Margaret Anderson stated: "My greatest enemy is Reality. I have fought it successfully for thirty years."

Using this quote with only the substitution of number of years, plus a different author, I come up with: "My greatest enemy is Reality. I have fought it successfully for seven years" -- George W. Bush.

Dorothy Meehan
Graham

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Tiffany McQuaye

Every day, from the moment I come home from a long day's work until I lie down in my bed, I hear news anchors from Charles Gibson to Anderson Cooper discussing the issue of illegal immigrants working and living on American soil.

While the topic warrants a serious discussion, I cannot help but notice a huge gap within the illegal immigration conversation: the process of legal immigration.

I am a natural-born American citizen who traveled to another country a year and a half ago, fell in love and married the man of my dreams. To this day, I am still legally fighting for his entry into the United States.

For the past 15 months, and still counting, our experience with immigration officials has involved submissions of extremely personal, important documents, loss of critical paperwork (on the part of immigration services) and outlandish fees that have so far totaled more than $3,000.

Being a college professor, I consider myself fortunate to be able to keep up with the demands, especially the financial demands, of the immigration process. I'm also aware that the average immigrant, often from an impoverished country, is likely not to be so fortunate.

By no means do I condone illegal immigration. Those who have sought the legal pathway deserve due process over illegal immigrants who have disregarded formality.

However, I know the standards of the legal immigration process are largely ludicrous and unrealistic for most immigrants.

I realize immigration standards have to be high for the sake of security.

Nonetheless, it is the obligation of the "land of the free" and "the land of opportunity" to set tough yet attainable legal standards for want-to-be immigrants.

Further, America's immigration system should allow for U.S. citizens to be united with their loved ones, regardless of where their partners are from, rather than making families jump nearly unattainable leaps and bounds before being "allowed" to be together.

Instead of demanding that their representatives expel illegal immigrants, more Americans should be protesting for more realistic and sensible legal immigration practices.

The writer is a history professor at N.C. A&T State University

In the Northwest Observer, the official election returns for Summerfield show a total of 1,936 votes being cast for mayor and a total of 1,922 votes being cast in the referendum, a difference of 14 votes that were cast for mayor but not for the referendum. The "no" vote lost by a total of eight votes.

When I went to vote early, the ballot had the Pleasant Garden referendum instead of the Summerfield referendum on the ballot. Could it be that 14 people voted without reading the fine print on the referendum, and their votes were tallied in Pleasant Garden? Could this have resulted in the "no" votes being in the majority?

I talked with some people in the parking lot who had voted early and did not see anything wrong with the ballot and went ahead and voted on the referendum.

Robert Bracey
Summerfield

In his interesting article, "History puts today's events in context" (Nov. 7), Doug Clark points out that Mr. Bush is not the first president to engage in unconstitutional practices. He cites Woodrow Wilson as an example.

I would suggest that Clark should have gone back another generation for a far more tragic example of presidential excess and usurpation of constitutional powers.

In the spring of 1861, the newly elected (also Republican) president, illegally and with no constitutional authority, ordered the U.S. military to invade Southern states that had lawfully withdrawn from the Union and formed the Confederate States of America. He proceeded to suspend habeas corpus, imprisoned his political opponents, and destroyed opposition newspapers.

For four tragic years, he waged total war against the South, resulting in battle deaths of more than 600,000 men. His "total war" policies laid waste to Southern states. He permitted his generals to ravage entire cities and farms with savage brutality. He permitted brutal treatment of Southern prisoners of war.

But as Clark thoughtfully stated, "... who cares about history, anyway?"

William K. Oden Jr.
Greensboro

We were saddened and sickened by the article concerning Rowan Ford's murder and rape allegedly committed by her stepfather, David Spears, and his friend, Chris Collins ("Stepfather, friend charged in death," Associated Press, Nov. 11).

Perhaps the girl's rape and murder were initiated by a court system that inherently decides that mothers are better parents than fathers.

When will the courts realize fathers are just as capable and responsible as mothers can be?
This mother made a bad choice as to whom to expose her child. Perhaps her father would have made a better choice.

Chris Hall
Robin Estes
Archdale

You may have seen troops jumping off Chinook helicopters in Afghanistan, or climbing hills with packs of gear of 100 pounds or more on their backs, not to mention the possibility of them coming under fire with such heavy loads, but possibly sustaining a low-back injury.

Because these are America's finest and bravest, they are instilled with pride, and because of this are inclined to endure pain without complaining.

But despite this, their spouses, relatives or friends should urge them not to ignore the pain but to document it, even if they get over it in a few days, because they may have been injured and not realize it.

Twenty to 30 years from now they could have bad backs due to carrying (and jumping) with these heavy loads.

They may not be able to work later in life, and need to draw disability compensation from the VA. Learn from my mistakes.

Leroy Seawell
Greensboro

Some would think it a futile effort to cast a write-in vote for a candidate; I do not. I wrote Joel Landau in for City Council member at-large on Nov. 6 because I have seen him engage many different kinds of people through our Cool Cities work.

Though this engagement always had environmentally intelligent action in mind, it was never at the expense of businesses, jobs or taxpayers.

All too often, I find that my representation ignores most of these things for one of these things. If we are to have a healthy, happy city going forward, we must have jobs, a strong business sector, manageable taxes and environmental concern.

Though Joel did not get elected, a solid segment of Greensboro's citizens chose to write him in. I suspect that I am not alone in my hope that the elected at-large representatives will use Joel's unified model of decision-making.

We can have everything we imagine in the world, but if we lack clean air, enough quality water and the will to make smart environmental decisions for future generations, we are missing the boat.

For those more than 500 people who, like me, chose to write Joel in, please keep telling our City Council people what you expect of them. Democracy requires all of us.

Kim Yarbray
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Barry Markus

I just received my water bill from the city. It seemed higher than the last one, so I reviewed the details. What I found surprised me.

While the invoice provides all the necessary information for billing, there is little information that would help me as a water user understand my usage of this now-scarce resource.

Understanding how much I am using would help me to evaluate changes in my behavior that could cause me to consume less. For example:

How much water did I use this period versus last period? I don't know.

How much water did I use compared to other users in my area, other families my size, or the city at large? I don't know.

Is my water usage trend increasing or decreasing? I don't know.

Is the increase in the water bill caused by increased usage, increased water rates, or both? I don't know.

I am sure that others more disciplined than I keep all their water bills, so they can review them and answer these questions for themselves. Those of us not so disciplined, however, could benefit from a water-usage statement that answers these basic questions.

The city has all the data. The water bill represents the primary opportunity for the city to communicate to all of its customers.

Given the serious nature of Greensboro's water shortage, shouldn't we use this data, in addition to restrictions and the usual public appeals, to help Greensboro conserve?

The writer lives in Greensboro.

Andres Oppenheimer's column, "Will immigrants turn violent?" (Nov. 7), addresses clearly my reasoning why we should never entrust the security of this nation to a liberal. Boiled down, Oppenheimer's column would have us believe that we should turn a blind eye to the millions of illegal immigrants in the country because we might make them mad at us. He twists logic by having us believe that they are not really illegal, they are just "undocumented" poor folks who have overstayed their visas and should not be forever branded with the label of "illegal."

Those of us who believe in securing our borders and protecting our nation are labeled as xenophobes. Funny, I thought that abiding by the rule of law was once considered a favorable attribute in our citizenry. But no, according to the liberals, we must take special exception for our border-crossing friends lest we make them mad. Will there ever be a point where a liberal could make a stand in defense of this country? If we go along with those willing to break our laws or terrorize us, when can we ever expect them to defend us?

Steve Gorden
Kernersville

It is clear that Michael Scotto (letter, Nov. 3) has never read the U.S. Constitution or, if he has, he chooses to ignore it. That in itself is nothing new, but rather a common practice of many today.

Scotto wants the government to forcefully take my money and your money to pay for health insurance for his grandchildren. There is no other way of looking at it. Government has no money except that which it forcefully takes from the working man.

It used to be that a person took pride in providing for himself and his family. Nowadays, it seems as though everyone has their hand out, wanting the government (that is to say, you and me) to pay all their bills. You cannot find, in the U.S. Constitution, the authority for the government to do so. It does say, however, that the government doesn't have any power not listed there. We have no "right" to health care, food or a place to live. We have the right to go out and get them by the sweat of our brow, not by taking from our neighbor, or by having the government take it for us.

Robert Hudson
Pelham

For many years, I had known that my uncle, U.S. Army Air Force 1st Lt. Irwin "Zipper" Zaetz of Burlington, Vt., had disappeared along with his entire crew on Jan. 25, 1944, when his B-24 Liberator aircraft, "Hot as Hell," failed to arrive at its destination of Chabua, Assam, on a flight over the "Hump" from Kunming, China. One of the members of his crew was gunner Sgt. James A. Hinson of Greensboro.

This past summer, I was surprised to learn while surfing the Internet that an American investigator, Clayton Kuhles, had discovered this aircraft while searching for aircraft wrecks in Arunachal Pradesh, India, in December 2006.

Since learning this news, my father and wife and I have spent every spare moment searching for relatives of the other crewmen and working with the U.S. government to arrange the sending of a recovery team to the site of the crash, where human remains are reported to have been found. We are hoping the various governments will cooperate to recover the bodies of our loved ones and return them to us.

If you are interested in more information on this, please e-mail me at garyngina@earthlink.net. Thank you for this opportunity to get the word out about this matter of great importance to eight families.

Gary Zaetz
Cary

While I agree the Baptist State Convention has a right to label its own moral compass, I still believe it should reconsider excluding gays for the sake of the social capital they provide to the community.

When a large organization like the church begins to exclude members of the community based on personal, arguably biological, choices, then it creates a schism in the community that will ultimately lead to disharmony and misunderstanding.

Consider this: If you never have a chance to have an open conversation with the homosexual couple down the street, then what will you think of them? You'll probably make assumptions, or at least weigh the possibility that they fit your preconceived notions of what homosexuals act like. I think the average Baptist family would much rather have their homosexual neighbors filling the pews next to them than wonder if they're pedophiles or drug addicts.

I think the Baptist State Convention should reconsider its current position. There is no telling how many more people they could bring together in a community if they're just willing to leave the judgment to God.

Will Kim
Summerfield

Faith, family, community, education and health are all important components of our lives.

This week we recognize education, the foundation by which our community's children thrive. Educators are a part of the backbone of our community. They teach and have influence. They help to instill self-discipline and set goals whereby the student can excel. They help determine future success. Our community should be welcoming to the educator.

As we approach Thanksgiving, a gesture of thanks would be appropriate. I urge every person and family in Guilford County and surrounding communities to send an e-mail or thank-you note to an educator to show your appreciation for their efforts. Thank you for all that you do to help children.

Joe Plante
Summerfield

This month marks the anniversary of the Mayflower Compact, drafted and signed on Nov. 11, 1620. Unfortunately, many Americans have forgotten it was done in the name of Christ, and its words are seldom found in textbooks or public tributes.

The Mayflower Compact says, in part: "Having undertaken, for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith and honor of our King and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presents of God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic ..."

American's greatness is due to the deep convictions of her founders, including the Pilgrims who landed on her shores for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith.
Thank God for the heritage enjoyed by all who love freedom.

Nick Nicholson
McLeansville

In our age of modern information technology, it seems ludicrous that there would be controversy about high school graduation rates. Each student can be tracked by a unique identification number. This unique identification would be entered in a central data base. If they transfer, their identification transfers with them. It would then be easy to track them to see where they transferred.

If a student fails to graduate in four years but still is in school, they are not a dropout (even though they do not graduate on time). If a student has special disabilities, he can stay in school until he reaches the age of 21.

Again, he is not technically a dropout, even though he failed to graduate in four years. Perhaps we need a new calculation: on-time graduation rate — in and out in four years.

James Corey
High Point

Referencing the Nov. 11 article on "The Lost Colony," notes of interest include: Sir Walter Raleigh never set foot on North America and was eventually beheaded; the English military expedition of 1585, before settling on Roanoke Island, burned down an Indian village and its summer planting near present-day Ocracoke over a drinking cup dispute; John White, physically with the 1585 expedition, knew it killed the Indians' chief at present-day Manns Harbor before fleeing with Sir Francis Drake in 1586.

Are we to believe anything John White wrote before or after the 1587 expedition?

Richard Lloyd
Thomasville

The Iraq war is costing us billions of dollars and the president is asking for billions more for the rest of the year. He thinks this is the right thing for Iraq. Our politicians don't seem to care. We have two Republican senators, and one of them does not know anything about our state. Our country is in bad shape. Can we get out of it? Election is coming up!

I am an old man. The young people are the ones who will have to pay this debt, if they have jobs. There have been more than 3,000 who paid with their lives.

I was a grown man during the Hoover depression. It took a few years with the leadership of Franklin D. Roosevelt to get us out of this. He was the greatest president ever. I am supporting Hillary Clinton. With Bill's help, we can have peace and prosperity again.

Willie Duncan
Siler City

On March 15, 1781, our independence from tyranny was sought, in no small measure due to taxation without representation. It is with irony that what may be considered the turning-point battle for our independence was fought not far from the city center of Greensboro.

This is ironic because Greensboro wishes to annex the properties of residents outside the city, and they have little choice in the matter. The real rub comes from the fact that -- pursuant to the annexation -- water and sewage lines will need to be installed for 15 percent of the residences, or roughly 1,500 homes. The affected residents will have to pay $9,000 or more toward the incurred costs. In addition, the same residents will pay taxes every year for city services that they had no choice in accepting or declining.

Sounds like taxation without representation to me. I'll bet Gen. Greene and his troops are rolling in their graves.

Tim Simmons
Greensboro

When God created the earth, He created a very complex and intricate system to give us air, water and sunshine.

We use his beautiful creation without much thought of who looks after it. Did God just give our Earth a spin and step back out of the picture? I don't think so. Our Earth and universe are too complex. He has to maintain and keep everything in balance.

We live in the most prosperous nation in the world, but our environment has not been smiling on us lately. Maybe we should ask ourselves whether we are "one nation under God" or "one nation trying to get away from God."

Brad Beane
Greensboro

The News & Record quoted Billie Martin Pierce, Guilford County director of mental health (Nov. 4): "Our staff who do screening triage and referral make every effort to connect consumers up with something ... It may be a volunteer organization, it may be another private not-for-profit organization, but we really strive not to say the words, ‘We have nothing for you.' We believe it is not acceptable or appropriate to have nothing."

Five years ago, I attended a Martin Pierce meeting on the mental health "transmigration." We were promised at that meeting there would be no change to the services provided.

Ms. Billie's choice of the word "triage" is interesting. Battlefield triage calls for abandoning the hopeless, endless waiting for the suffering and treating only those in the third group.

Consultant Alice Lin reports that 85 percent of mental health clients are now receiving services. I believe that refers to 85 percent of those who had been institutionalized, not 85 percent of those who need treatment. Billie Martin Pierce knows better. If on that evening five years ago, in that church on Market Street, we were told the truth -- that one-third of us would receive services -- the mental health changes would have been blocked.

Don Ward
Stokesdale

Sandi Campbell's letter, "Voters want everything ... for nothing" (Nov. 12), would have been quite meaningful if she had avoided her partisan remarks that most people opposing taxes and business regulations are Republicans. Since her comments appeared to be directed at her "community," specifically Chatham County, and its transfer tax referendum, let me enlighten her.

According to the Chatham County Board of Elections, the official total vote count was 11,949 -- 6,791 Democrats, 2,750 Republicans and 2,408 unaffiliated. Opposition votes to the transfer tax totaled 8,234. Even if all Republican and unaffiliated voters opposed the tax, there were still 3,076 Democrats who joined them, and I can vouch that the Democratic vote was even higher because my unaffiliated family voted for the tax.

Campbell needs to realize it's only human nature to want to keep your hard-earned money and that Democrats can be as tight-fisted (or greedy, if that was her implication) as any Republican.

Philip Johnson
Siler City

It is ironic that the FBI has gotten sucked into the shoot-first-and-ask-questions-later investigation of Blackwater. Do you remember Ruby Ridge and the Randy Weaver shoot-out? Must have seemed the thing to do at the time.

I wonder if there would still be a war in Iraq if our troops had not been sent there with their hands tied but instead were told to kill anyone carrying a weapon who was not in a uniform.

Blackwater is comprised of many retired military folks who learned the hard way that presenting yourself as a target is not a prudent thing to do when around people who hate you. We should look at their record of how many duties they have performed successfully. They have the right idea. Trust no one in Iraq.

We have no Arab friends in the world. Think of that when you fill up your tank this week, and support our fighting people.

Ken Sawyer
High Point

Margaret Arbuckle and her Guilford Education Alliance serve as an information bridge between Guilford County Schools and the taxpaying public.

They invited me to Northwest High School to be "Principal for a Day." I got to shadow Principal Angelo Kidd. On our way to an athletic scholarship signing ceremony for Tracy Stewart and Anna Schlobohm, Mr. Kidd was approached with a frantic message that there had been a school bus accident -- a fender bender in which no one was hurt. He calmly responded, "Make sure each parent is notified immediately."

What he did not do was more telling about his leadership style than what he did. He did not ask, "Who was at fault?" He did not say, "Call the lawyers." He simply exercised positive, unruffled, priority-driven leadership in the Terry Grier style that has become the hallmark of Guilford County Schools.

The school's atmosphere was charged with the excitement that comes from teaching and learning, striving and accomplishing -- no gang graffiti, no rude conduct. I am proud that my tax dollars are going to such a worthy cause.

Locke Clifford
Greensboro

We received, along with thousands of other North Carolinians, our annual fall ritual letter from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. Though addressed to "valued subscribers," its content belies that salutation.

It decreed a 20 percent premium increase, raising our annual outlay to nearly the price of a small sedan. That for high-deductible, no-frills coverage. Count us lucky to afford even that.

Their friendly missive cites various inscrutable "trends," "adjustments" and "rating factors" to justify this annual rite.

Sadly, our oatmeal-eating, daily-exercising, nonsmoking, weight-watching, doctor-avoiding, health-conscious behavior appears fruitless. Hosed again.

Though we are miffed by this Blue Cross fall ritual, we hope they don't take it personally. It's merely a trend, adjustment and rating factor on our part: namely, we hate being gouged by institutions outside our control and influence.

Beyond whining, we join the Service Employees International Union, AARP, the Business Roundtable and any others willing to leap into the fray, to overhaul our country's health care system.

Meanwhile, maybe the very act of composing this letter will lower our blood pressure. Every little bit helps, after all. What more could BCBSNC ask of its valued subscribers?

George and Pat Gates
Greensboro

Courtesy of Randal Romie
Instead of planting flowers during the ongoing drought, the managers at WestBorough apartments have planted pictures of flowers.

When nature make its presence known in an obvious way -- like the drought we are experiencing in Greensboro and the Southeast -- we are wise to respond in a way that goes along with nature. We can only control so much, so the sooner we work with nature instead of against it, we free ourselves and help make the world a better place.

As you can see in the photo above, the management at WestBorough apartments on Friendly Avenue has found a pleasing and clever way to work with nature, instead of against it. We thank them for doing their part at this time.

Randal Romie
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Melissa Souther

After reading the front-page article of the Nov. 16 News & Record and hearing the news from the last several days, one thing is clear: Foul language toward students is not permitted in the classroom but is OK on any playing field.

In no way, shape, or form are the comments from the Smith High teacher appropriate. However, if this had been said on any playing field it never would have been questioned.

Why does our school system turn a blind eye to what coaches say to players at practice every day? There seems to be a double standard that has to be addressed by the parents, school board and superintendent.

There are many fine coaches in Guilford County Schools who do not feel the pressure or, quite frankly, the need to curse at their players. Does cursing at students make them better students or athletes? I thought we, as educators, were supposed to be educated.

If you had the choice between playing for two coaches of the same stature and skill level, would you rather play for one who used expletives in every other sentence to degrade you or one who would professionally foster mutual respect by speaking to you as if you were worthy of some respect?

When is GCS going to enforce a policy that says that our students are just as valuable out of the classroom as in the classroom? Why does the administration allow this to continue?

Students are students, whether in the class or out. If the system is not consistent in our policies with all school functions, then why should we expect students to adhere to the rules?

Too many teachers complain that students are disrespectful and speak to them inappropriately. Why should they act any differently than the adults who have committed to educating them (and don't be misled that the cursing never happens in the classroom)?

Students cannot do anything about this, lest they be kicked off a team. Isn't it about time that we step on a few toes and raise the expectations throughout the entire coaching system?

From my vantage point, people who choose to use foul language do so because they would rather react out of ignorance instead of actually thinking about the most respectful approach to use with another person.

The writer is a media specialist/curriculum facilitator at Southeast Guilford High School and lives in Gibsonville.

It is ironic that the FBI has gotten sucked into the shoot-first-and-ask questions later investigation of Blackwater. Do you remember Ruby Ridge and the Randy Weaver shoot-out? Must have seemed to be the thing to do at the time.

I wonder if there would still be a war in Iraq if our troops had not been sent there with their hands tied and told to kill anyone who was carrying a weapon but was not in a uniform.

Blackwater is composed of many retired military folks who learned the hard way that presenting yourself as a target is not a prudent thing to do when around people who hate you. We should look at the record of how many duties they have performed successfully that politically correct politicians and other riff-raff in and around our government don't want to succeed in Iraq. They have the right idea. Trust no one in Iraq.

We have no Arab friends in the world. Think of that when you fill up your tank this week and support our fighting people.

Ken Sawyer
High Point

I am very proud to be from Greensboro. The week of Nov. 9, I had the pleasure of traveling with 43 people from the Piedmont area to Moss Point, Miss. Through Christ United Methodist Church we were going down to work on homes destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

As we ventured out into the community, it was very sad to see that two years after Katrina hit the coast there were still people living in FEMA trailers, trash lining streets and people just trying to get back into their homes. Everyone who went on the trip stayed positive even though we were doing physical labor every day, from putting on a new roof, adding a laundry room onto a house, hanging sheetrock or laying tile floors. I was very fortunate to get to work with a fine group that made me realize there are still a lot of people who are willing to help others.

A special thanks goes out to Mark Ledford with Christ United Methodist Church for taking lead on this trip and making it a success. And if anyone reading this has the opportunity to go to Mississippi or Louisiana to lend a hand, take it — you will not regret it.

Dana Fryar
McLeansville

Perfect! Sometimes you read a quote that speaks volumes about an issue far better than you could ever do. Such a quote, in your article, "12 girls facing charges after fight at Southern," (Nov. 15) describing the latest high school cat fight's disruption of the entire school, jumped out at me clearly.

These words from the mother of three girls charged in the fracas: "To be honest, I have no idea what's going on. I just can't understand why this school can't get a grip on what's going on. My bottom line is I'm moving out of the school district. ... There need to be more administrative people at the school to handle the students there."

Wow! All this aging Boomer can say is that my mother and father would have found out pronto what was going on were I in a similar situation — and what to do about it.

There would have been no calls for administrators or "For Sale" signs in our yard.
And they never read another book about bringing me up after Dr. Spock, and they didn't need school psychologists or counselors or anyone else to know what do. They just knew.

Bill Yaner
Jamestown

Here are the Top 10 reasons to skip the turkey this Thanksgiving:

10. You will pardon a turkey — just like President Bush, but for the right reasons.
9. You'll celebrate life and good fortune, rather than death and misfortune.
8. You won't suffer nightmares about how the turkey lived and died.
7. You won't have to call the Poultry Hotline to keep your family alive.
6. You won't have to sweat the saturated fat and cholesterol.
5. Your vegetarian friends will adore you.
4. Your kids will tell their friends about their cool "tofurky."
3. You won't fall asleep during the football game.
2. You are what you eat. Who wants to be a "butterball"?
1. Commercial turkeys are too fat to have sex. Could happen to you.

This Thanksgiving, let's give thanks for our good fortune, health, and happiness with a life-affirming, cruelty-free feast of vegetables, fruits and grains. My family's Thanksgiving dinner menu will include a "tofurky," lentil roast, mashed potatoes, corn stuffing, stuffed squash, chestnut soup, candied yams, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and perhaps carrot cake.

An Internet search on "Vegetarian Thanksgiving" got us more recipes and information than we could use.

Allen Freburg
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint.

By Ouida Campbell

I have to ask myself every day as I drive to work from Greensboro to Trinity, where is this area headed?

We're building more highways to go where? Seems we can get to any city we want to go to already. Ah, but we want to get there faster.

And instead of leaving home 10 minutes earlier, we level farmland and run the wildlife out of homes to do it. Is this progress?

Instead of trying to attract “big" business here for jobs, try using that money to subsidize farmers so they can get the equipment needed to produce food.

Start making farming more attractive to children so they will grow up to be farmers. No, that's too simple you say? Well maybe simple is better.

Instead of buying food from China (which seems to be tainted lately) and Canada, try growing it here. On the farmland that is getting paved over for progress.

It's time we go back to a simpler lifestyle. It's time we stop letting our elected officials tell us what we need. It all sounded good when they were running for office, but do they really listen to the people?

Stop progressing us out of a lifestyle we should embrace. Enjoy the land and its beauty before it becomes a parking lot and we have to import our food in the name of progress.

Stop letting big business tell us what we want and speak out in hopes of being heard.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

The News & Record did not publish letters to the editor today.

They'll be back Friday.

It is written in the Ten Commandments that we should not use God's name in vain. I would ask that people not exclaim "Oh my God" when surprised or frustrated by something.

The expression "Oh my God" was never heard very much in our popular culture throughout the 1970s, '80s and '90s, but within the last few years it has become very common. This use of God's name is very offensive to people of faith and people who seek spiritual understanding. To me it is no different from saying "GD."

God's name, and the concept of God that its use gives voice to, should not be used in such a frivolous manner. Many people who say "Oh my God" out of habit may say that they are not "religious." That's fine. Why don't they think up something of their own to swear with instead of using a word that has such serious connotations to so many of us?

The concept of God should not be disrespected. The common use of "Oh my God" is another example of how coarse popular culture has become in the last decade or two.

I would suggest "Good grief" or "Oh my goodness" or silence.

Steve Patton
Greensboro

It appears that our journalism schools have abandoned the teaching of proper grammar. My basis for this is what I see and hear on a daily basis from the printed and spoken media.

Since when is a dead person "honored?" When a deceased person is recognized through a speech, scholarship, statue, etc., they are "memorialized." Something is being done "in memory" of that person.

Isn't a girl or woman who is in the acting profession an "actress?" Constantly, we are told that these females are "actors." Isn't an actor a man?

Whenever the name of the president of the United States is used, the title is capitalized.
Failure to do so denigrates the office. The same holds true for our senators and representatives.

Lastly, aren't ladies who make us laugh known as "comediennes?" Nowadays they're called "comedians." Isn't a man a "comedian?"

Maybe this is just another example of the feminization (some say "chickification") of our society.

Richard Morgan
High Point

Editor's note: The News & Record follows the Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law, which, among other things, prescribes that we "capitalize president as a formal title only before one or more names" and that the word "comedian" be used "for both men and women." The News & Record does, however, deviate from the AP rule that says a woman should be called an "actress."

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Billie M. Pierce

The Guilford Center recently selected Bridgeway Behavioral Health to run Guilford County's new substance-abuse treatment center at 5209 W. Wendover Ave. Subsequently, we have been asked how and why we chose this provider and if the facility will meet the community's needs.

Before responding to these questions, I want to explain how the treatment center proposal came about.

In 2005, the Guilford County Substance Abuse Coalition released a report identifying weaknesses in the county's treatment system. It pinpointed no social-setting detoxification, limited residential services with structured-day programming, insufficient intensive community support and no jail diversion. Due to changes in service definition, the private agency under contract at that time to provide substance-abuse treatment at West Wendover terminated inpatient detoxification services on March 20, 2006, leaving another gap in the system.

After talking with officials, substance-abuse experts and community leaders, we decided to rebuild the treatment system from the ground up rather than repair the existing system.

In May 2006, a provider forum in Greensboro spotlighted innovative programs from around the state. Using these and national best-practice treatment models, we began to visualize an "ideal" program for Guilford County. In November, we requested assistance from the county commissioners to convert the Wendover building into a full-service treatment center. The request got unanimous support.

Over the following months, staff and a consumer/family member worked with a nationally recognized best-practice consultant from the Duke University Addictions Program to proceed with the request for proposal (RFP). The team developed provider criteria, conducted a nationwide search, reviewed proposals, interviewed applicants, made onsite visits and, finally, selected Bridgeway. Data from an extensive community stakeholder survey were compiled into a needs and gap analysis. A bigger vision began to unfold.

In March, the Guilford Center initiated collaborative sessions involving representatives from government, law enforcement, the judicial system, advocates and others to plan an integrated, system-wide response to substance abuse based on scientifically proven best practices. This evolved into the system of excellence, of which the new treatment center will be a part. The Guilford Academy of Substance Abuse Recovery Advocates is another major component in the system.

How and why was Bridgeway Behavioral Health selected? First, Bridgeway met the stringent criteria of the RFP. The nonprofit Missouri-based agency has 30-plus years of experience, an excellent reputation in best-practice substance-abuse treatment and has built successful programs in large metropolitan areas. Known for innovative outpatient and residential treatment, Bridgeway's staff trained with the acclaimed Matrix Institute on Addiction. It has been active in planning/implementing drug courts in and around St. Louis County. The agency has the resources, training and skills to provide a comprehensive continuum of treatment services suited to all levels of need and also will focus on "after-care" community support to assure that recovering individuals can live and function independently.

When the new facility opens in 2008, we hope it will become a model for substance-abuse treatment in North Carolina.

Billie M. Pierce is director of The Guilford Center.

Fred Burkecs op-ed column, "Smithfield welcomes a fair union vote" (Nov. 14), fails to offer the entire story, reiterates Smithfield's propaganda and unfairly maligns a respected clergyman. Perhaps as the director of a public relations firm hired by Smithfield, he is a bit biased.

His article claims that the Rev. Nelson Johnson's views are "heavily tainted by union propaganda," refers to union leaders as "bosses" and his "handlers," and high-handedly declares that "ugly implications of racial inequalities are mean-spirited." How disingenuous.

Nelson Johnson has a long history of meeting with workers, listening to their stories and fighting for their rights. His deep commitment to workers -- which is rooted in his faith -- is why he was elected president of the board of Interfaith Worker Justice, the leading national organization engaging the religious community in low-wage worker issues.

His "handlers" are God and perhaps his dear wife Joyce -- certainly not union leaders.

Burke's touting of Smithfield's defense of the "democratic principle of a secret ballot election" is ludicrous, given its past behavior.

While Smithfield seeks to take a speck out of Rev. Nelson's eye, perhaps it should remove the log from its own.

Kim Bobo
Chicago, IL
The writer is executive director, Interfaith Worker Justice.

Allow me to come straight to the two main points that I want to make regarding the planned annexation of my neighborhood and others along Old Oak Ridge and Pleasant Ridge roads:

In spite of all the positive spin in the city's various communications, the cost of owning a house in my neighborhood will go up. I can't see any added value for me in the planned annexation!

Most of the neighborhoods that the city plans to annex are near the airport and the nighttime FedEx cargo hub, to be opened in 2009. What will the city do to prepare for the lawsuits that will come its way, as people are awakened in the middle of the night (3 a.m. to 6 a.m.) due to the unbearable noise of the huge (and many!) cargo planes landing and departing near their homes? Please don't plan on pushing off this huge future liability onto the Airport Authority, as the county commissioners did during the discussion of the creation of the hub.

The city won't be able to have its cake and eat it! Its new "city dwellers" will hold it liable.

Michael H. Hoppe
Greensboro

What are you looking for from a president and government? If you are intellectual enough to read the editorials, then you're smart enough to pick the candidate who best fits your goals.

Sit down with your friends or family and discuss it.

Prioritize the five issues you feel are the most important to you and your family and our country. Discard all other criteria and focus on what you see as really important.

Ours fell in this order: Securing the borders, reducing oil dependence, tax reform, health care and education.

Things that seem important to the media aren't on our list. Which candidates have any stance on the real issues? It doesn't matter which party.

The election is only a year away, and when I look at the trivial issues that people think are important in the daily editorials, I want to throw up.

Ask a teacher what he would do to fix education. Ask a doctor or a nurse what she thinks is wrong with health care. Do you even know what a fair tax is? Do you know how many environmental issues have occurred in the United States using nuclear energy?

Don't get me started on border fences!

Joe Shelton
Summerfield

Regarding the recent school dust-ups (fights, teacher-student encounters):

Knowing Gen. Terry Grier's penchant for firm slogans like "Mission Possible" to demonstrate his forcefulness and can-do attitude, I propose that teacher bonus money be reclassified as combat pay.

Also given that Blackwater workers will more than likely be seeing a slowdown, the general and his staff may want to consider them. They respond well to slogans.

David Colin
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Anthony Montgomery

What has happened to the art of customer service? It seems as if now, more than ever, everything is served with a free side of "attitude" or "rude." Restaurants, clothing stores, car dealerships, real-estate agents, utilities, you name it. Whatever happened to the customer always being right?

What gets me is businesses nowadays act as if they are doing you a favor by allowing you to spend your money! May I help you? Please? Thank you? Things of the past.

And heaven forbid you should ask for something "extra." You're usually greeted by the obligatory rolling of the eyes and blowing of the breath.

Just recently, I was at an area store and wanted to purchase an item that was behind glass and locked away. Since there was no salesperson near the area, I walked all the way across to the other end of the store where I finally found a person who was apparently taking change to a register. I made the mistake of "trying" to ask her where I might could find someone to help me and what did I get?

You guessed it ... attitude. Then, when I asked for a manager, instead of an apology I got excuses. "Well, it's Monday and it's been hectic."

So what was that person's point? My Mondays are hectic also, but I guarantee, if I walked into the store with an attitude, being rude to the salespeople, I would be asked to leave.

I did give the manager food for thought, however: If all of his customers stopped coming to his establishment after being treated rudely, where would his paycheck come from?

I'll leave everyone in the customer-service field to ponder that thought.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

Perhaps Franklin Roosevelt did shock the capitalist world when he endorsed Social Security. Shortly thereafter, Roy Acuff recorded, "When That Old-Age Pension Check Comes to Our Door."

Many of us fortunate Americans have been saved from the poorhouse, which Roy Acuff prophetically sang about.

Is socialism now coming to failure or full fruition in our land of opportunity? I would be interested in what your readers have to write about this.

Thanks for printing Gene Owens' column (Nov. 17). I'll be reading his columns more intently from now on.

Sing it again, Roy.

Jim Ellis
Stoney Creek

I'd like to respond to Marshall White's letter (Nov. 13), completing the sentence: America is in Iraq because … of corporate greed.

War is good for business. Republicans are all about big business. Military weapons manufacturers, oil companies and many others reap huge profits from war.

These corporations contributed much more money to the Bush-Cheney and Republican campaigns than to their Democratic opponents. When one remembers the Bush family connection to the Carlyle group and Cheney's continued investments in Halliburton, the evidence becomes more damning.

Bush stays in Iraq in defiance of the will of the vast majority of Americans and Iraqis, in defiance of all logic or reason, unless you factor in the enormous profits being realized, at the taxpayer's expense. The rest of their shifting reasons are just a smokescreen.

One example of this profiteering is the utilization of security companies like Blackwater and Halliburton's KBR to perform duties previously assigned to the Marines. These "corporate warriors" are paid as much as $1,000 per day, and the executives of these companies are richly rewarded.

During World War I, newspaperman John Reed was asked what that war was all about. He answered with one word: "profits."

Danny Glenn
Greensboro

Definition of FEMA: most brain-dead division in U.S. government, still bogged in Katrina-related affairs but has not yet managed to check itself (too bad!).

All marine life was lost at the New Orleans Aquarium due to Katrina, and FEMA allotted $616,000 for replacement. Divers from the Audubon Aquarium of America replaced many of the lost species from the Bahamas, the Gulf of Mexico and the Florida Keys at a cost of $99,766, saving more than $500,000 of our tax money. A good thing, right? Wrong.

Because the fish were not purchased "from reputable sources where the item is commercially available" (quoted from FEMA idiot-of-the-day Barb Schweda), the funds have not been approved to reimburse the aquarium. Why?

Under the Stafford Act, facilities can only be returned to their "pre-disaster condition," not improved. Uh, hello? Where do healthy fish come from, and how do you determine if it's an "improved" fish? Too many government contractors provide stupid, less-efficient and lower standards of product, but we taxpayers are forced to pay outrageous prices.

Enough. We are all given common sense at birth. Where does this go when one becomes a government employee? FEMA, can we have another fake news conference to explain this?

Carolyn Lassiter
Greensboro

Thanks to all voters in District 1 and to citizens of Greensboro who have been so supportive during my 2007 campaign for Greensboro's District 1 City Council seat. Thank you for the numerous cards, e-mails, flowers and calls of encouragement.

However, it is I who have been blessed. I am so humbly grateful for the opportunity to encourage the homeless, to have sat in the counsel of the elderly and to have met some of the most gracious residents of District 1.

I hope this Thanksgiving season that District 1 can finally begin to heal and to move toward becoming truly one community, indivisible. District 1 belongs to all of us.

Without question, District 1 has not been able to share in the economic growth or build the business and community partnerships that other districts of Greensboro have experienced. Therefore, let us all take on the responsibility to ensure that these next two years bring prosperity, unity and growth for every member of District 1.

Thank you all. Special thanks to Mr. Beasley, a man with so much wisdom and compassion.

Tonya Clinkscale
Greensboro

The writer was defeated by T. Dianne Bellamy-Small.

In his Nov. 18 polemic, Robert Rosthal attempts to put university faculty in their place. He wants professors to hide out in the ivory tower, write boring papers that nobody will read, and lecture students on topics that have no relevance to the real world. Anything other than disinterested scholarship, he claims, is indoctrination.

This criticism is nothing new for scholars. In the 1600s, Galileo was arrested for teaching that the earth wasn't the center of the universe. More recently, the Khmer Rouge slaughtered anyone who looked like an intellectual, and in places like Pakistan, dictators imprison scholars who stray from the "official" curriculum.

Academics always have been a threat to regimes that seek to impose orthodoxies upon society.

Fortunately, Americans have a tradition of aligning education with democratic values. Whether it was as an Eagle Scout or a leader in my church, I learned not to look away when I saw injustice. Now, after more than 10 years of disciplined scholarship, I am a university professor. I didn't give up my sense of right and wrong when I took that diploma. If the NAS wants to attack me for taking a position on justice, I'm ready for the fight.

David Ayers
High Point

Listening to the latest hype, one would think Al Gore just discovered global warming and its negative effects.

In 1984, I wrote a research paper on global warming while attending Appalachian State University. The information available then was assimilated through scientific studies dating from the 1950s to the early 1980s. Scientists were predicting the complete melting of the North Pole by 2010, with ocean levels increasing by small amounts at first and getting much more drastic as we move toward 2025 and 2050.

This is not meant to throw a wet blanket on Gore or his message but is intended for those who would use this message or the messenger for political posturing.

The earth heats and cools naturally, and we are in a heating phase, but the actions of humans, no matter how environmentally conscious, increase this action. Those who really want to change these global-warming effects should look at mandatory global birth control just as vigorously, if not more, than trying to switch one energy for another. This is not a Democratic or Republican problem or solution.

I apologize to those who will be upset by this message because of their religion, but facts are facts.

Charles P. Scott Jr.
Greensboro

Corporate America is on the breast-cancer bandwagon. But if they truly cared about women's health, they'd focus on the real killer. Breast cancer is politically correct.

Meanwhile, the invisible killer has nearly everyone fooled. Women -- and men -- are dropping like flies from lung cancer. For every breast-cancer death there are four lung-cancer deaths. For those who smugly think whoever gets lung cancer deserves it, you are dead wrong. Of new lung-cancer diagnoses, up to 20 percent never smoked. More than 50 percent are former smokers. Lung cancer in those who never smoked is the number three cancer killer.

Breast-feeding women reduce their chances of developing breast cancer. Do women who did not breast-feed deserve breast cancer? Do we point fingers at colon-cancer victims because they did not consume enough fiber? Do we condemn to death those with diabetes, heart disease or AIDS for having not taken proper precautions to prevent these diseases?

Nobody deserves lung cancer. It's time to stop treating lung-cancer patients as second-class citizens. It's time to direct funds to stop this stealth killer. It's time for North Carolina to use tobacco settlement money for lung-cancer screening.

Dusty Donaldson
High Point

How have we let corporate America become Scrooge? For millions of Americans, there is no longer a holiday season. One day at Thanksgiving and one day at Christmas make the holidays more of an inconvenience and intrusion into the work week than a benefit. Many are not allowed vacation around these days to extend the holiday.

Gone are the days when you could visit family any distance away for holiday gatherings. Instead, you have to use the little vacation time you have to make these trips, and often not at the traditional holiday time.

How have we let greed so overtake the business world that they no longer acknowledge their money is made by people with a home and family life? No other country works as much as Americans and no country burns out its work force as badly as we do. If this has to be the way of the future, then at least move all holidays to be observed on a Friday or a Monday, such as Labor Day and Memorial Day.

Experts tell us that work is less important than family, but actions and holiday schedules speak louder than words.

Carole Greeson
Greensboro

The following is a Counterrpoint

By Paul Nagy

The News & Record should be commended for pursuing a solution to Guilford County's crack cocaine problem. You first brought it to the public's attention in 2004 and have continued to raise awareness of this issue. Your Nov. 18 editorial posed important questions. My intent is to provide the best answers that I can give as a licensed addictions specialist and advocate for substance abuse recovery.

Are we taking the right approach? Yes. Let me explain our "best practices" approach to substance abuse treatment at the new county facility on West Wendover Avenue. Best-practice treatments have been clinically tested and proven to produce the best outcomes. They have been adopted as standards by the medical community.

Will Bridgeway's treatment options/lengths of stay effect a change in the county's crack cocaine problem? Yes. The provider will have an array of treatment options:

* Nonhospital medical detoxification/ facility based crisis -- up to seven days or longer.
* Social detoxification -- up to seven days or longer.
* Short-term, high-intensity residential -- up to 30 days or longer
* Long-term, less-intense residential -- up to 60 days or longer.
* Intensive outpatient -- 16 weeks or more of supportive treatment/monitoring
* Outpatient -- 12 months or longer of supportive treatment/monitoring

In determining the level of care, Bridgeway will assess the severity of each individual's substance abuse disorder. It also will consider whether a person's living environment supports recovery. As individuals gain control of their addictions, they will "step down" to lower levels of outpatient treatment. Recipients of intensive outpatient treatment will receive the same therapeutic hours as inpatient consumers. Twelve-step programs and community support services will be available on site.

Clinically, we know that cravings for crack are intense and difficult to overcome. Bridgeway's program includes supportive treatment for a year or longer for those who need it.

Has the mission changed? No. The scientific/medical community has moved away from assuming that individuals should be treated identically. People are unique, live in different environments, and are exposed to different "triggers" that can break the momentum of recovery. Substance abuse centers across the country are tailoring treatments to individual consumer needs. This is exactly what Bridgeway will be doing.

Have we sent mixed messages? We hope not. There is no "one size fits all" answer to the length of treatment question. Addiction is a malignant disease that requires a long-term chronic-disease management approach.

Paul Nagy, of the Duke Addiction Program, is best practices consultant for substance abuse treatment for the Guilford Center.

Regarding the story about a teacher's outburst during an argument with a student at Smith High School ("Wrong words, right sentiment," editorial, Nov. 21):

I don't know either of the parties involved, but I did graduate from Smith in 2006, so I know firsthand what goes on in that school.

A great percentage of these children are rebellious, careless and have a rotten attitude. It's not always the teacher.

There are not very many adults who could handle children of that nature. A teacher from Jackson Middle School came into my job one day and appeared about to have a nervous breakdown.

When I asked if the person was alright I was told a classroom horror story.

One of the big shots with Guilford County schools needs to teach a class one day by himself and experience the foul mouths, the attitudes and the aggression. A lot of these children need a drill sergeant, not a vulnerable teacher.

I'm not trying to defend the teacher or the student, but I feel that Guilford County Schools needs to view these situations from all angles to be fair.

Matthew Scarborough
Greensboro

Barry Markus' Counterpoint, "Unanswered city water bill questions" (Nov. 16), raises some very good points.

One, even more basic question, I have searched my last statement and nowhere do I find how many"“gallons" of water I used, only "units." Units of water mean nothing to me. I think that most people would be like me and understand gallons, not units.

"As an aside, what better time to point out that the "storm water" charge, when we have very few storms in recent months, is a tax in all but name, whether the City Council will admit it or not.

Jerry S. Weston
Greensboro

As a social worker and physician, I must comment on Robert Rosthal's piece on academic freedom versus indoctrination ("Academic freedom doesn't include right to indoctrinate," Second Opinion, Nov. 18). Rosthal is misapplying his doctrines of neutrality and reasoned scholarship. These doctrines may suffice for disciplines whose sole mission is scholarship within the confines of the university. However, the disciplines of social work and medicine serve dual missions of scholarship and professional training.

Faculty members in these disciplines would be negligent if they did not teach codes of professional ethics. These codes assure that professionals do not promote personal interests or the interests of organizations and governments at the expense of the people they serve.

Yes, I "swore fealty to a creedal formulation" -- the Hippocratic Oath -- when I graduated from medical school. Members of the helping professions should be obliged to promote the well-being of their clients, to assure clients' rights to make their own decisions and to do so with justice and without intentional harm.

To challenge these codes is fine but to claim they should not be taught is foolish. Otherwise, on what basis do we condemn the actions of the likes of Josef Mengele, who abandoned his professional ethics to serve the Nazis?

Rita Layson
Greensboro

The comments of city leaders in "Is Greensboro on the right track" (Nov. 20) illustrate exactly why so many residents cited dissatisfaction with our government and school system. Rather than taking responsibility, they blame the survey results on citizens' flawed perception.

This kind of finger-pointing is exactly the problem!

At the very least, they need to do a better job of informing the public about progress if progress is being made. More likely, however, is that we need real leaders to take the public's concerns seriously.

Marcy Ray
Greensboro

The immigration issue plays in Sen. Elizabeth Dole's favor in the 2008 election, according to Hunter Bacot, director of the Elon Poll. The reasons are simple. Not only has Sen. Dole earned an "A" on immigration from Americans for Better Immigration, she's engineered a first-in-the-nation partnership between North Carolina sheriffs and the Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to identify and remove illegal aliens who commit other crimes.

North Carolina's Democratic Party -- as represented by the governor and leaders of the state House and Senate -- have a different record best encapsulated by the News & Record's own Taft Wireback in a Jan. 26, 2005, report, "DMV memo OKs licenses for illegals": "North Carolina has a wide-ranging reputation as a mecca for illegal immigrants from throughout the eastern third of the country seeking fraudulent licenses. ... The state's poor reputation was the subject of a report broadcast nationally last week on CNN."

Under public pressure the state's Democratic Party leadership tightened up on drivers licenses in 2006 but are otherwise "staying the course" on illegal immigration.
In the 2007 session alone, they buried in committee and/or refused to allow a vote on a score of bills targeting illegal immigration.

Tom Shuford
Lenoir

Only a few weeks remain before Congress adjourns for the year, and sharp differences between Democrats and Republicans are likely to result in continued stalemate and gridlock in Washington. However, there is one issue on which Democrats and Republicans in Congress, as well as President Bush, are in agreement and close to a genuine accomplishment for the American people: legislation to ensure equitable coverage in health plans for mental illness treatment.

This bill, known as the mental illness insurance parity bill, has already passed the Senate unanimously. It has 273 House cosponsors and has been favorably endorsed by three different committees.

President Bush is on record in favor a federal parity bill as well. All that is needed is for Congress to work out the relatively minor differences between the House and Senate bills and overcome a small budget offset requirement. There is no reason Congress can't do this before the end of the year.

People living with mental illness and their families have waited too long for equitable coverage of mental illness treatment. Congress should not adjourn the year without achieving this important victory for the American people.

Dale Sprinkle
Greensboro

There were no symptoms and no warning signs. As if caught up and swept away by an avalanche, the sudden onset of a bowel obstruction hurled me through the doors of Wesley Long Hospital's emergency room and through the processes necessary to correct my medical problem. Thanks to timely action on the part of the ER's staff, the skillful intervention of a wonderful surgeon, Dr. Haywood Ingram, and the superb care by the third floor's highly skilled nurses, I survived. To say I'm "thankful" seems trite, but it is expressed to all involved with my care in the deepest sense of the word.

I got my hospital bill, prior to insurance adjustments and payments and I have to say I was surprised. A CT scan, multiple X-rays, emergency room charges, operating room services and the other amenities connected with an eight-day stay was just under $15,000. Maybe I'm still under the fog of anesthesia, but I don't think that's too bad when I can say with certainty that they saved my life.

In addition, I was shown utmost respect and consideration for my refusal of blood transfusions. I think I've just experienced health care at its best.

Marilyn Trivett
Greensboro

Greensboro residents need not drive to the mountains to see fall colors. Just drive from town out Benjamin Parkway and Bryan Boulevard to N.C. 68, then turn and come back. Bright red maples, yellow sycamore and sourwoods, dark red oaks, orange poplars and green cedars are beautiful, especially in early morning or afternoon slanting sunlight. The new Bradford pears, so often planted in recent years, are resplendent in red. Even the shrubbery planted by the state at intersections has added to the brilliant display.

At my advanced age, one thinks a lot of last days and funerals. I had thought I'd like to be buried in the springtime when all green things give promise of opening flowers.
Now, I want to leave in the fall and have my funeral progress to Forest Lawn Cemetery, not through city streets but out the parkways where every friend and family member will remember God's beautiful painting.

Dick Douglas
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint.

By Billie Joan Morrison

On Oct. 30, I made a rare visit to Wal-Mart. Luckily, I found a van-accessible parking space large enough to allow me to deploy my wheelchair. Returning to the van after making my purchases, I realized I had forgotten an item. I prepared to redeploy the van ramp, but just in time I saw a large, white vehicle pull into the grid that was a part of my parking space where my ramp had to lay out.

I called to the woman, pointing out that was not a parking space but a part of the handicapped space. Not stopping, she said, "Oh, I won't be long."

I was blocked in. I could not deploy the ramp to get my wheelchair out of the van. My choices were to forget my errand and go home, call the police to have her towed or wait for her return.
I waited for her return and explained to her that she had blocked me in by parking illegally in a handicapped space. "I thought you were leaving," she said, as she left. No apology or indication that she regretted the inconvenience she had caused me.

Folks don't seem to realize how vital a handicapped space is to those who are handicapped. It is not just for convenience. It enables us to function.

The laws involving handicapped spaces are clear and should be enforced. Unless you have a "handicapped" placard, it is illegal to park in a handicapped space. Even with a placard, you shouldn't park in the grid. If you have a placard hanging in your car, but it has not been issued to you, it is illegal to use it.

I should have called the police. A $250 fine would have reminded that woman of the law.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

David Hoggard (Nov. 21) has it right. There is far too much emphasis on assuring the "rights" of the disrupter than there is on protecting the "rights" of the learner in our public schools. Are schools supposed to be places of learning or day care centers?

I am luckier than most. In my classes, most of my students either want to learn or can be persuaded to. Some, a disruptive few, couldn't care less and are there, I suspect, because their parents had no place else to put them during the day.

Sound harsh? What's harsh (and unfortunate) is that the rights of good and decent children (and their parents) are violated every day in our public schools and it's not politically correct to do much about it. Perhaps it is time for the advocates of the decent students to start pressing legislators and filing litigation in order to stem the tide.

No, it's past time.

William Toth
Greensboro

I am compelled to respond to the editorial, "Double talk on crack" (Nov. 18). The editorial seemed to question the plan for the new substance abuse treatment center that was approved back in November 2006.

If something is broken, it needs to be fixed. I cannot understand why the county is now being criticized for stepping up to the plate to fix a broken-down system that was in sad need of repair.
We all know that we have problems in Guilford County with alcohol, crack cocaine and other drugs. The commissioners asked the county mental health department to come up with a plan and it did. The Guilford Center presented a floor plan and an outstanding proposal for converting the West Wendover facility into a treatment center with multiple levels of care, all under the same roof. This center is going to give people what they need most: long-term involvement in treatment, community support and connections to a recovery program that is right for them.

I hope that we can come together as a community to support our commissioners and county staff for doing what needs to be done.

Wally Harrelson
Julian

The writer is public defender in Guilford County.

Why attack Ron Paul?

Mona Charen would serve her readers better if she would write about important facts such as how the Pentagon was missing $2.3 trillion. Who was in charge of the money? Rumsfeld himself announced it the day before Sept. 11. See for yourself on YouTube ("Rumsfeld admits 2.3 trillion missing on 9/10").

When you watch it and shake your head in disbelief, just ask yourself, Why is this not investigated? Why would Charen ignore this fact, but attack a man like Dr. Ron Paul?

Chris Sarappo
Jamestown

U.S. Rep. Ron Paul must be doing everything right! I see that he has Mona Charen and the "spin doctors" worried.

It is hard to believe that some have finally said something good about him in the press. I salute you, Mr. Paul, and urge you to keep on doing what you are doing. Not everyone is against you -- only the media and the neocons!

Richard Vanderford
Siler City

You had to be on another planet to have missed the day-after-Thanksgiving sales offered at most all the retailers again this year. And in search of even more dollars, retailers were opening their doors earlier and earlier: 6 a.m., 5 a.m., even 1 a.m.

That may be great for the bottom line and bargain-hungry shoppers, but what about the poor clerks, those folks earning minimum wage and forced to open the doors at those ridiculous hours? I suppose a few volunteered to be there, and maybe some were paid extra, but I have a feeling most of the clerks were simply told when to show up. Be there. No discussion.

I just hope the CEOs and other bigwigs who dreamed up those outrageous hours were at their desks at the same time. Or better yet, on the sales floors helping the clerks.

Tom Netsel
Jamestown

The following is a Counterpoint.

By Marilyn Fisher

I write this as a concerned citizen and a retired teacher. In recent weeks, I have been dismayed to read articles of student fights in our schools and even more appalled to learn of the reported student/teacher conflicts at Smith and Dudley high schools. At the very least, I hope that the superintendent will investigate the events and classroom environment that resulted in a teacher attaining such an intolerable level of frustration that it caused her to respond in the vernacular that she used.

Did the student who recorded the Smith teacher's actions also record the events that led to her total meltdown?

The incident was preceded by a discussion regarding dissatisfaction on the part of the students with their conduct grades. Hopefully, Guilford County Schools Superintendent Terry Grier stressed the importance of proper behavior on the part of the students at some point during his apology to the students and their families. Respect is a two-way street and one must give it to receive it.

The words spoken by the teacher, "I love you and care about you ...'' are the words that should have made an impression on the class; they did on me. Evidently she did write references and referrals on the behalf of some students which also demonstrates the concern she has for her charges. Unfortunately, all of the positive things she has done have been negated by this incident. Music is an elective class and class members should appreciate and enjoy the experience.

It has been 10 years since I retired from my itinerant teaching position with the school system serving visually impaired students kindergarten through 12th grade. I had the good fortune to work in many schools throughout the county and spent massive amounts of time at Dudley and Smith. I was able to befriend, admire and observe teachers and students alike. I did occasionally witness acts of insolence and disrespect by students toward teachers. Yet in every class there are students who are focused on getting an education. Don't they have the right to obtain one in an environment appropriate for learning by incorporating mutual respect and responsibility on the part of all involved?

I do not condone teachers losing control by using bad language or fighting with students. I do, however, recognize a call for help when I hear it.

School systems are rightfully concerned with student dropout rates. Shouldn't they be at least as concerned with providing teachers with an optimum teaching environment to prevent them from leaving the profession?

The writer lives in Greensboro.

I would like to request that you reprint an excerpt from an article in your Guilford Record (Nov. 25). It's taken from Ned Harrison's article, "Navy man dedicated for a lifetime."

In the article, Ned quotes Stephen Perry Millikin as follows: "War, though regrettable, is sometimes necessary. It is never pretty. It always involves momentous decisions. History shows that appeasement and timidity can lead to disaster. So it is better to solve a problem while it is manageable rather than later, when it grows so large that resolution is more difficult."

These words could not ring truer today and I thank Millikin for them. The terroristic and inhuman acts of those who would destroy us is a cancer and must be stopped or else it will continue to spread around the world.

Please, support our troops and president for doing the right thing.

Walter Noetzel
Greensboro

Every time I think I have our young people figured out, I discover there is so much more to learn about them.

It has been said that they all dress alike, talk alike and even think alike. I thought the same thing until I read about Haleigh Carroll, Jennifer Garner, Ellen Marion and Shannon Hill. They demonstrated that they are extraordinary and unique, filled with compassion for people.

Haleigh supplied back packs that included items for the homeless. Jennifer sent care packages to our brave soldiers in Iraq. She even paid for the shipping costs. Ellen and Shannon organized "A Walk for Ryan," raising over $3,000 to purchase a physical therapy bicycle for Ryan Shelton.
The Alamance Elementary School kids helped to raise $10,000 for the United Way. Even some frat brothers from Winston-Salem State University slept on the streets to raise awareness of the homeless.

Not only have these young people set good examples for their peers, but for the older generation, too. After all, our young people are our greatest resources. Let me be one of many to say "thank-you" and salute you.

Shirley J. Wright
Greensboro

I started reading the article in the News & Record Nov. 26 about Hannah Montana's show and was met with the taking of God's name in vain by your reporter Margaret Banks. I realize your reporter was reporting, sadly, words she heard by many children, but it is still offensive to many readers.

You do not print gutter language and I feel it is just as offensive to take God's name in vain and very offensive to many of your readers.

Don Raker
High Point

Kudos to the Greensboro Historical Museum for its excellent programs on the Bill of Rights. Its earlier programs on presidential powers in wartime, including their historical context, are presently highly relevant to our nation.

The Dec. 2 program at the Central Library on the right to keep and bear arms of the Second Amendment is likewise most relevant.

For the first time since 1939, the U. S. Supreme Court will be considering this right in its current term. Adding to the interest are the highly controversial, different perspectives on this right. Is it a "collective" right (as related to a "militia" and not "personal" in the words of one court of appeals) or is it an "individual" right? Respectful arguments have been made on both sides of this issue.

The Dec. 2 program should elicit much interest and thoughtful dialogue. Greensboro is fortunate to have such a fine museum and it deserves our support.

Sometime between today and Dec. 2, I look forward to visiting its exhibit on the recently recovered, original North Carolina version on the Bill of Rights.

Robert Peters
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint.

By Hal Koger

The article, "Students rule the classroom," (Nov. 21) reminded me once again that there seems to be major differences in public and private schools, differences seldom mentioned in the press.
My grandsons attend Vandalia Christian School, so I have the opportunity to interface with the school's administrative staff, teachers and students. They give the general impression that their school environment is very similar to the kind I had from 1948 to 1959.

Back then, teachers and parents seemed to work in harmony to create a disciplined place for children to learn educational basics. Students did not rule the schools I attended in my youth and they don't in my grandsons' school.

I'm well aware that this anecdotal testimonial is narrow, and I'm probably not seeing the negative details of private school education, but I feel certain that the press typically ignores these non-public schools, especially if the publicity casts a negative light on public education. Is this good journalism?

The Nov. 21 article by David Hoggard was well-written and informative but did not consider whether discipline in private schools might be a lesser problem. If it is a smaller problem, as I suspect, would this data not be newsworthy? Could it be that it might encourage more migration from public to private schools?

And if it did, would this be bad if it helped turn out good citizens?
Back on July 12, 2006, an article about school safety appeared in the News & Record, which reported the results of a survey of 2,572 students, but none of them were private school students.

The article was interesting enough that I retrieved a copy of the survey from the newspaper's online Chalkboard, and printed a copy. I thought then, and still think it would be interesting to ask a large sampling of private school students to answer those same questions, and report the findings.

Wouldn't this be a great project for a reporter, or maybe a college student? But would the paper print the results? And if it did, would it draw a 2-inch article deep inside the paper so they could declare objectivity, or would it command the same space reserved for public schools?
I suppose we'll never know.

The writer lives in McLeansville.