Not a whole lot new under the sun today, especially in the Journal's "Readers' Forum," but do what you can the LTE's or whatever else comes to mind. Perhaps Dr. Cutri's 30 days will soon be elapsed.
One of the best
Scott Sexton's column about the closing of Borders ("'It was a community gathering place,'" July 24) was excellent. However, I regret that he did not mention one of the best resources we have — our local libraries. They have new, old, classic, fiction, non-fiction, reference, large-print, used books, DVDs, CDs and more. Patrons can use computers or learn how to use them. And it is all free — one must just join the library.
Regarding the social aspect — there are programs for children, teens and adults. There are also book clubs to join.
The Central Library and all branches in Forsyth County have Friends organizations — anyone can join for a very nominal fee. Through fundraisers, Friends purchase not only books but anything needed by the library that is not provided for by the county.
Money is used to sponsor programs. Volunteers help with fundraisers and book sales. Become a member today.
DOROTHY L. SAYERS
PRESIDENT, FRIENDS OF THE LEWISVILLE LIBRARY
Lewisville
Seek counsel
Having served 20 years in the Army of the United States, I believe I am justified in being concerned with the way the war is being conducted in the Middle East. Another mighty country tried to dominate Afghanistan, but failed.
Perhaps we should consult the Russians as to how they handled their war and subsequent withdrawal.
JAMES P. BARRETT
U.S. ARMY (RET.)
Wallburg
One indication
As an independent voter and a North Carolina citizen, I could not believe what I was reading in the July 23 business section: "N.C. jobless rate rose to 9.9 percent in June." The article stated that the "government was the big job-loser in June, cutting 10,200 jobs ..."; "Local school districts in nearly two dozen counties reported laying off 3,000 workers in June," according to the N.C. Employment Security Commission.
When asked about the layoffs, state Republican chairman Robin Hayes said the lost government jobs are one indication that Republican effects to downsize government is working. After being asked about further government layoffs, Hayes said, "I hope it does increase."
I guess that explains why the Republican-controlled state Legislature has not created any jobs in North Carolina. Its members are very eager to applaud job layoffs that N.C. can ill-afford during these economic times. I frankly do not share the chairman's enthusiasm of 10,200 North Carolinians losing their livelihoods nor the damage it will do to our state, all for a sales-tax decrease of ¾ of a cent.
These people may no longer be government employees, but they will still be receiving a government check. It is called unemployment insurance. Way to go, state Republican Party, for saving N.C. money. And thanks for my 17-cents-per-day sales-tax decrease.
JIM BUCK
Winston-Salem
Scott Sexton's column about the closing of Borders ("'It was a community gathering place,'" July 24) was excellent. However, I regret that he did not mention one of the best resources we have — our local libraries. They have new, old, classic, fiction, non-fiction, reference, large-print, used books, DVDs, CDs and more. Patrons can use computers or learn how to use them. And it is all free — one must just join the library.
Regarding the social aspect — there are programs for children, teens and adults. There are also book clubs to join.
The Central Library and all branches in Forsyth County have Friends organizations — anyone can join for a very nominal fee. Through fundraisers, Friends purchase not only books but anything needed by the library that is not provided for by the county.
Money is used to sponsor programs. Volunteers help with fundraisers and book sales. Become a member today.
DOROTHY L. SAYERS
PRESIDENT, FRIENDS OF THE LEWISVILLE LIBRARY
Lewisville
Seek counsel
Having served 20 years in the Army of the United States, I believe I am justified in being concerned with the way the war is being conducted in the Middle East. Another mighty country tried to dominate Afghanistan, but failed.
Perhaps we should consult the Russians as to how they handled their war and subsequent withdrawal.
JAMES P. BARRETT
U.S. ARMY (RET.)
Wallburg
One indication
As an independent voter and a North Carolina citizen, I could not believe what I was reading in the July 23 business section: "N.C. jobless rate rose to 9.9 percent in June." The article stated that the "government was the big job-loser in June, cutting 10,200 jobs ..."; "Local school districts in nearly two dozen counties reported laying off 3,000 workers in June," according to the N.C. Employment Security Commission.
When asked about the layoffs, state Republican chairman Robin Hayes said the lost government jobs are one indication that Republican effects to downsize government is working. After being asked about further government layoffs, Hayes said, "I hope it does increase."
I guess that explains why the Republican-controlled state Legislature has not created any jobs in North Carolina. Its members are very eager to applaud job layoffs that N.C. can ill-afford during these economic times. I frankly do not share the chairman's enthusiasm of 10,200 North Carolinians losing their livelihoods nor the damage it will do to our state, all for a sales-tax decrease of ¾ of a cent.
These people may no longer be government employees, but they will still be receiving a government check. It is called unemployment insurance. Way to go, state Republican Party, for saving N.C. money. And thanks for my 17-cents-per-day sales-tax decrease.
JIM BUCK
Winston-Salem
LTE1: Yes, the library system is a community asset, indeed. Now, about those library construction bonds that we voters approved...
ReplyDeleteLTE2: I'm not sure that we are trying to dominate Afghanistan. However, I am also not sure that we have been sure of what we were trying to do, as the mission became obscure. But, we are now working toward an eventual withdrawal from the country. The withdrawal will be measured and controlled. We are not being chased out as were the Sovs.
LTE3: I may be simplistic, but I do not understand letting the sales tax expire and fatuously saying that will create jobs while laying off state employees
The closing of Borders is a sign of the times I guess. The closing of Barnes & Nobles will annoy me if it happens as it is my choice of shopping. Dorothy L. Sayers, the LTE writer has the same "name" as the writer of the Lord Peter Wimsey mystery series for those that like British crime drama, which I do.
ReplyDeleteJim Buck...layoffs are sad from any quarter and yes, there will be unemployment costs associated with these. At some point, state government or any government "employs" too many people. If governments are only a source of "guaranteed jobs" with unending bureacracies needing ever more taxes, then at some point these are not "jobs"- they are "positions" not engaged in work but engaged in "provided activity" at tax payers expense.
ReplyDeleteLTE #1... Public libraries are invaluable assets to communities. I'm biased too Deb. I ♥ Lewisville.
ReplyDeleteLTE #2... This is speculation but I think our presence in Afghanistan has long since stopped being about al qaeda and the Taliban and is more about keeping forward military bases as a buffer between a nuclear arms seeking Iran and a nuclear armed Pakistan and surrounding Iran on 3 fronts, Iraq, the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman with our Navy, and Afghanistan. Personally I don't think it's necessary but if I were a military strategist thinking a nuclear armed Iran to be the greatest threat to world peace, I wouldn't want to withdraw either.
LTE #3... that one penny sales tax was not burdensome, letting it expire certainly has been. On another note, what an outrage that airlines up their fees in the wake of the FAA not collecting federal taxes on tickets.
CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois Rep. Joe Walsh, the tea party-backed Republican who squeaked into office last year by vowing to bring fiscal responsibility to Washington and who has been one of President Barack Obama's most outspoken critics during the standoff over the debt ceiling, is being sued for more than $100,000 in unpaid child support.
ReplyDeleteWalsh had been previously claiming he did not have the money, however, he did loan $35,000 to his 2010 campaign.
Say it ain't so, Joe. 5 children, where's the personal responsibility?
Yeah, Walsh is a real piece of work. He called the President a liar, as I recall.
ReplyDeletePut the kids to work. Wouldn't want children to become part of the "unproductive class", after all. It'll teach them rational self-interest.
Buff...almost sounds like Congress is populated by people just like "we the people"? Apparently the act of crossing the beltway into the "sacred realm" doesn't rinse off many..
ReplyDeleteArthur...speaking of "productive", how goeth the job search?
ReplyDeletePretty good, considering the environment. I just got back from the main law librarian convention in Philadelphia where I did a lot of interviews. They went well enough, but it's still no fun.
ReplyDeleteBut what are you gonna do? It's just a hazing process that everyone has to go through.
Hi WW!
ReplyDeleteRe your 10:30 post: I am sorry to see Borders go. The market is no longer big enough to support many booksellers. I actually preferred Borders, in part because of geography.
I also like some British crime drama: you can't beat those Basil Rathbone/Nigel Bruce "Sherlock Holmes" movies.
Hey Stab. I am a fan of the Sherlock Holmes stories too but I am sold on the portrayal of him by the late Jeremy Brett. The finist Holmes actor I have ever seen. I can't watch anyone else since he passed away. How about that for snobbery?!
ReplyDeleteGood afternoon folks!
ReplyDeleteLTE 1: Whenever I go to a bookstore, it seems quite a few are using it as a library, except they are a able to order a cup of coffee to drink while reading. Gives me an idea of having libraries allowing Starbucks or some other coffee establishment to open a bar to offset the costs of the libraries.
LTE 2: "Perhaps we should consult the Russians as to how they handled their war and subsequent withdrawal." - ummm...perhaps not. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan was the nail in the coffin. Not sure the plan was to "dominate" Afghanistan as much as it was to eliminate al-Qaeda. Now, that OBL is eliminated, there's really no reason to remain.
LTE 3: I just don't see how eliminating jobs, public or private in this economy is beneficial at this time. At least they were being paid to be productive. Now, they're being paid to sit at home while looking for a job that may take months to find. All for a penny sales tax.
"Gives me an idea of having libraries allowing Starbucks or some other coffee establishment to open a bar to offset the costs of the libraries."
ReplyDeleteMany libraries do have cafes, actually. I think it's a great idea.
Hi Buffcoach, Arthur, dotnet!
ReplyDeleteWW: Missed the Brett incarnation of Sherlock. I enjoyed the Robert Downey Jr. incarnation, but Rathbone will be my quintessential Sherlock, especially in the 3 Victorian-era movies. The movies set in contemporary times WW2-era don't have quite the atmosphere.
A funny horror movie was "Comedy of Terrors," with Vincent Price playing a down-and-out alcoholic mortician who tried to drum up business by turning a living prospect (Rathbone) into a corpse. Peter Lorre played his assistant, and Boris Karloff played his senile father-in-law, whom Price was constantly trying to poison for estate reasons.
Buffcoach re your 11:31 post:
ReplyDeleteI respectfully disagree with your surmise re retaining bases in Afghanistan. Those bases are difficult to supply in landlocked Afghanistan, with transshipment through uncertain allies' territory necessary.
ran has very modern air defenses, such as the S400 missile system. I would be leery of stationing equipment, F-22's for example, capable of defeating such systems at bases in such an unstable place.
Much better, I think, to rely on bases elsewhere, and on warships, particularly Trident submarines, one of which could be on station in the Arabian Sea. Iran knows this.
dotnet re your 1:42 post:
I agree that we seem to have accomplished our mission there. A downside to leaving is that we liberated half of Aghanistan's population, its women, when we deposed the Taliban. It saddens me to think they might be returned to subhuman status after we depart.
:) that's why I'm not a military strategist and would be pulling our troops out ASAP.
ReplyDeleteAlthough, here's a story that just popped up on the web: US accuses Iran of 'secret deal' with al-Qaida
ReplyDeletehttp://news.yahoo.com/us-accuses-iran-secret-deal-al-qaida-170832899.html
Don't know why anyone would be surprised at this.
ReplyDeleteThe truth is al Qaeda is everywhere, even the Philippines, where the world's longest running insurrection has drawn attention from just about every militant cause at some point or another.
Saudi Arabia is a major haven, both physical and fiscal.
One scary matter is that the corrupt puppet government in Afghanistan is showing willingness to negotiate with the Taliban. So far, they have had trouble actually finding anyone who can legitimately speak for the Taliban, but it is just a matter of time.
Iran is at least as bad a place as Afghanistan was under the Taliban. Whips and stones. I feel for the decent people of both countries, especially the women.
I'm sorry that Borders closed, because I believe that all Americans should read more. However, Borders both here, and in High Point, were sites where homosexual pedophiles attacked young children in their bathrooms. So, in that regard, I'm not sorry.
ReplyDeleteHello Linds. Did the bouncers show up at FC Sheriff's Watch?
ReplyDeletePlease furnish documentation for those alleged assaults. Or are your reports like the one about the kid who supposedly set upon by fiends in a Hanes Mall restroom? Said fiends were reported to have separated the poor kid's willard from the rest of him. Of course, that was an urban myth, as the WSPD said no such crime had occurred. No doubt many other places have been reported as venues for the nonexistent atrocity.
I really hate netlingo, but Bucky Beaver shows up and I have to say that I am rotflmao.
ReplyDeleteWhat Stab doesn't get is that BB is absolutely right. The things I saw at Borders! Of course, I could never relate them here...only on an x-rated site like Sheriff's Watch.
Real men don't read. Only pedophiles read.
Real men hang out at the Y, hoping to be leered at. Or they hang out in restaurant restrooms, hoping to get an up close and personal view of some Greco-Roman wrestling.
How's the partition patrol coming, LG?