In perspective
I have read with interest the recent letters criticizing relish contributor Jelisa Castrodale ("Bullying," "Disappointed," Oct. 30; "Mean and vicious," Nov. 8) for her column on downtown noise regulations. I agree with those who have characterized her comments on opponents of such rules as rude and condescending.
However, let's keep things in perspective: This was a rare slip from a writer who is usually sharp, on target and very entertaining. I have read Castrodale's column since it began appearing in relish, and I have always enjoyed her ability to keep a witty, conversational tone while praising our city's attributes. In a time when most of our commentators are homogenized and rootless, she provides an original voice with a refreshing local point of view.
TOM E. HEARN
Winston-Salem
Disappointing correspondent
It was disappointing to see that you had selected for the Nov. 6 Correspondent of the Week someone who spewed so much venom ("Infrastructure change"). Not that the words were in themselves unsavory, but the tone was filled with hate. And so tired: "Guys leaning on a shovel" goes back to the Great Depression and the WPA. Even the dentist's aide leans back waiting for the dentist to finish her work.
The problems at hand need thoughtful, honest answers and straightforward solutions, not the cuteness of "Little Jack Horner" and "Nanny State."
Can we not handle our differences in a more civil way?
BARBARA BUSKIRK
Winston-Salem
To tell the truth
The intent of the writer of the letter "A political agenda" (Nov. 11) must be to jest. Obviously, he has never been to a tea-party meeting or he would know that every line in his letter is without merit and factually incorrect.
Social Security and Medicare have created within themselves their own upcoming demise. The platform of the GOP is that no one currently in these programs or nearing retirement will be affected. However, if we don't work together to do what we can to save them, they will be gone for good.
As for the Environmental Protection Agency, are we not all drinking the same water, breathing the same air?
It's a good thing the Hoover Dam and the Golden Gate and Brooklyn bridges were built prior to 1970. They would never get past the first feasibility study today.
If a person cannot build on his own property because some environmentalist would call standing water "protected wetland," the federal government has gone too far. And I assume his points about laws that promote civil rights or protect workers from exploitation are referring to unions and their right to strike. The average citizen who is still employed is having to support everyone: the chronically unemployed and their never-ending benefits; public-sector union members' salaries, pensions and health care; and public schools and universities that are producing students so ignorant they think Hamas is a dip!
The only schools excelling today are the home schools. When do they get their kudos?
STEPHANIE EMERY
Clemmons
Write-in candidates
As a 30-year resident of Clemmons, I am deeply disappointed in the strategy used by the three write-in candidates, Jim Hayes, Norman Denny and Mike Rogers, during our recent local election. By choosing not to run a campaign, attend candidate forums or answer questions from the media, they shared nothing about their leadership skills, involvement in the community, background, experience, values and what skill sets they bring to the table of the Clemmons Village Council.
Each election, I commit the needed time to educate myself on the issues and candidates. I value our election process and over the years have given back by serving as a precinct judge and chief judge in Clemmons as my schedule would allow. I am fully aware that electioneering outside the polls beyond the buffer zone is a legal right and used by candidates to try to win last minute votes. It is shameful that these candidates did not feel the voters deserved more of a commitment on their part to share their stories.
As a parent who has experienced sending two sons off to war approved by elected officials, I understand the value of placing importance on the selection of our leaders. In the future, I hope we will not see this type of election strategy again. I hope our candidates will understand the responsibility that comes with servant leadership to build trust in the community.
DEBI BOYCE
Clemmons
Dismayed
I was dismayed to see the cartoon in the Nov. 15 Journal that associated His Holiness Benedict XVI with Penn State and the Joe Paterno case. Columnist Maureen Dowd must be rubbing her hands in glee.
WILLIAM K. ACH
Winston-Salem
I have read with interest the recent letters criticizing relish contributor Jelisa Castrodale ("Bullying," "Disappointed," Oct. 30; "Mean and vicious," Nov. 8) for her column on downtown noise regulations. I agree with those who have characterized her comments on opponents of such rules as rude and condescending.
However, let's keep things in perspective: This was a rare slip from a writer who is usually sharp, on target and very entertaining. I have read Castrodale's column since it began appearing in relish, and I have always enjoyed her ability to keep a witty, conversational tone while praising our city's attributes. In a time when most of our commentators are homogenized and rootless, she provides an original voice with a refreshing local point of view.
TOM E. HEARN
Winston-Salem
Disappointing correspondent
It was disappointing to see that you had selected for the Nov. 6 Correspondent of the Week someone who spewed so much venom ("Infrastructure change"). Not that the words were in themselves unsavory, but the tone was filled with hate. And so tired: "Guys leaning on a shovel" goes back to the Great Depression and the WPA. Even the dentist's aide leans back waiting for the dentist to finish her work.
The problems at hand need thoughtful, honest answers and straightforward solutions, not the cuteness of "Little Jack Horner" and "Nanny State."
Can we not handle our differences in a more civil way?
BARBARA BUSKIRK
Winston-Salem
To tell the truth
The intent of the writer of the letter "A political agenda" (Nov. 11) must be to jest. Obviously, he has never been to a tea-party meeting or he would know that every line in his letter is without merit and factually incorrect.
Social Security and Medicare have created within themselves their own upcoming demise. The platform of the GOP is that no one currently in these programs or nearing retirement will be affected. However, if we don't work together to do what we can to save them, they will be gone for good.
As for the Environmental Protection Agency, are we not all drinking the same water, breathing the same air?
It's a good thing the Hoover Dam and the Golden Gate and Brooklyn bridges were built prior to 1970. They would never get past the first feasibility study today.
If a person cannot build on his own property because some environmentalist would call standing water "protected wetland," the federal government has gone too far. And I assume his points about laws that promote civil rights or protect workers from exploitation are referring to unions and their right to strike. The average citizen who is still employed is having to support everyone: the chronically unemployed and their never-ending benefits; public-sector union members' salaries, pensions and health care; and public schools and universities that are producing students so ignorant they think Hamas is a dip!
The only schools excelling today are the home schools. When do they get their kudos?
STEPHANIE EMERY
Clemmons
Write-in candidates
As a 30-year resident of Clemmons, I am deeply disappointed in the strategy used by the three write-in candidates, Jim Hayes, Norman Denny and Mike Rogers, during our recent local election. By choosing not to run a campaign, attend candidate forums or answer questions from the media, they shared nothing about their leadership skills, involvement in the community, background, experience, values and what skill sets they bring to the table of the Clemmons Village Council.
Each election, I commit the needed time to educate myself on the issues and candidates. I value our election process and over the years have given back by serving as a precinct judge and chief judge in Clemmons as my schedule would allow. I am fully aware that electioneering outside the polls beyond the buffer zone is a legal right and used by candidates to try to win last minute votes. It is shameful that these candidates did not feel the voters deserved more of a commitment on their part to share their stories.
As a parent who has experienced sending two sons off to war approved by elected officials, I understand the value of placing importance on the selection of our leaders. In the future, I hope we will not see this type of election strategy again. I hope our candidates will understand the responsibility that comes with servant leadership to build trust in the community.
DEBI BOYCE
Clemmons
Dismayed
I was dismayed to see the cartoon in the Nov. 15 Journal that associated His Holiness Benedict XVI with Penn State and the Joe Paterno case. Columnist Maureen Dowd must be rubbing her hands in glee.
WILLIAM K. ACH
Winston-Salem
LTE #3 "To Tell the Truth"?
ReplyDelete-"The only schools excelling today are the home schools." Well that's a blatantly false statement to end your letter. That puts the rest of your "truthfulness" under suspicion.
LTE #5 you were dismayed over a cartoon? I wonder how the 1000's of victims must have felt?
we live in a world of 6 billion people. When our kids are our age, they will be dealing with 9-10 billion people. The sooner we teach them to get along with others, especially those with differences, the better.
ReplyDelete10 years ago, when they were 8,9,10, their world blew up, and now we want to pepper spray them, 10 years later when they are protesting the way the "adults" have handled things over the past 10 years. They have seen and lived what has happened over the past 10 years and they know who has suffered and who has profitted, and now they see some who would make it more difficult for them to vote protecting those who profitted most, and handing them the bill for the "adult" failures, and we wonder why they are protesting?
ReplyDeleteLte2....I don't remember the letter mentioned but I think from your summary, I get the tenor. The Great Depression and the WPA-we piddle around- linger in folk lore today as if it is a solution to anything. It wasn't a solution but rather a coping measure to buy time. Our problems do need thoughtful honest answers and straightforward solutions....and those who know them know very well those answers can not be spoken. Meanwhile, keep watching Europe as some of us have been even up to last night. Any solution for us can not resemble any "solution" they have tried over the last 2 decades. No point in grabbing the last log to be the last to go over the water fall. You are still gone. And no, it will not be done in a "civil way".
ReplyDeleteLte3...your letter is pretty much ok up to your last line, as has been mentioned already. Should have said "Some of the" schools excelling....
ReplyDeleteLte5...opportunities like this tragedy are opportunities for those who must attack the Church. The Church is the one institution that has traditionally stood against the encroaching power of the State. Weaken the Church is to weaken the people. The State will fill the void and no good will come in the end. For the Church to weaken itself is to enable the believers in the State. Tragedies compound.
ReplyDeleteI think Newt has had his "Let them eat cake" moment. Breakfast at Tiffany's anyone?
ReplyDeleteNewt Gingrich Tells Off Occupy Wall Street At GOP Debate: ‘Go Get A Job After You Take A Bath’
Stephanie Emery's LTE is one of the more ignorant rants addressed to the Journal in recent times:
ReplyDeleteSocial Security and Medicare have created within themselves their own upcoming demise.
Not true. Only the Chicken Little fools believe the hysterical rants about Medicare and Social Security.
As for the Environmental Protection Agency, are we not all drinking the same water, breathing the same air?
Yes, and it is much safer water and air than what we had before the Environmental Protection Agency was created. Some of us remember when the Cleveland River and other waterways caught on fire. And we remember when you could drive from the airport to the train station in Philadelphia or Pittsburgh without seeing a single building because of the smog.
It's a good thing the Hoover Dam and the Golden Gate and Brooklyn bridges were built prior to 1970. They would never get past the first feasibility study today.
Hundreds of bridges and dams are under construction right this minute in the good old USA.
If a person cannot build on his own property because some environmentalist would call standing water "protected wetland," the federal government has gone too far.
If there is standing water, what you have is a wetland. Only a fool builds in a wetland. Sort of like that song we used to sing in vacation bible school: “The foolish man builds his house upon the sand…”
And I assume his points about laws that promote civil rights or protect workers from exploitation are referring to unions and their right to strike.
In the 19th and early 20th century, many workplaces were unsafe and people died like flies on the job. Textile workers had about 25-30% less life expectancy because of the fibers in the air. And as late as the 1920s, the textile work force was about 25% children under 16. Mine and fire disasters were a weekly occurrence. Most of the workplace safety and child labor laws were passed at the instigation of unions.
The average citizen who is still employed is having to support everyone: the chronically unemployed and their never-ending benefits; public-sector union members' salaries, pensions and health care…
Just as they have since the beginning.
…and public schools and universities that are producing students so ignorant they think Hamas is a dip! The only schools excelling today are the home schools. When do they get their kudos?
American public schools, and, especially, colleges and universities are the envy of most of the rest of the world. The problem isn’t the schools; it is the “students” and their parents, who are too busy trying to be their childrens’ “best friends” instead of being parents.
Any parent who allows their child to go to college and major in some Mickey Mouse subject like business or communications is simply enabling ignorance. And don’t even mention those who choose their college because of the sports teams.
Good afternoon folks!
ReplyDeleteLTE 1: I've always enjoyed Miss Castrodale's articles also. Gives me some good ideas if I ever want to go downtown. Her article may have seem harsh, but still, if you're going to live across the street from the night life scene, you should expect there will be noise at all hours. It ain't the 'burbs.
LTE 2:In this era of talk radio, anonymous posts and multiple media outlets tied to their own specific ideology, having a civil discourse has become extremely difficult. People are convinced their viewpoint is correct and only listen to media that confirms that their viewpoint is correct instead of listening to all sides of the issue. Even facts are looked upon as "liberal" or "conservative" these days, when they are neither.
LTE 3: Nothing like a TB rant in response to another TB rant. This is just as hyperbolic as the referenced LTE, so I assume this is also written "in jest". Btw..home school should only be used for those very rare circumstances where a regular classroom setting just isn't feasible. They are missing out on a major lesson in working with people of different backgrounds with different ideas. On what data/studies is Ms. Emery basing her last conclusion?
LTE 4: Don't care what happened in Clemmons, but it does seem that any person wishing to run as a write-in candidate should make it known well in advance and state his/her positions so a proper evaluation can be made. If not, then don't vote for that candidate.
LTE 5: It was a political cartoon. Since it got Mr. Ach's attention and prompted this LTE, it did its job.
As to the catholic church, we must be talking about two different entities here.
ReplyDeleteDuring the time of the Holy Roman Empire, the church WAS the state, with many popes serving double duty as emperor and pope. At times, the church was as oppressive as any civil governmnet has ever been (see Crusades, Inquisition).
During WW II, most catholic officials cooperated with the NAZIs.
In colonial America, various churches controlled the various colonies in various ways. In NC, there was constant pressure to establish the Church of England as the official religion. In fact, for some time, it was illegal in the NC colony to be married by anyone other than a Church of England minister. And for a long time the church was supported by tax monies.
Only the stubborn determination of the Quakers and the Scotch-Irish and others kept the church from becoming an extension of the government.
And throughout history, various churches have abetted government by serving as a distraction to the people from government malfeasance...the opiate of the masses.
Agree w/dotnet re home schooling. My wife taught freshman English for many years at a major university.
ReplyDeleteShe found that home schooled kids had slightly better word skills than normal, but considerably less logic/scientific thinking skills, so generally did not do as well as public school kids in her classes.
And the socialization business is huge. Home school advocates will tell you that they make great efforts to socialize their kids, but there are two problems:
1. They are generally associating with kids just like them.
2. They have too much supervision...nothing can match the unsupervised, open give and take of a public school.
OT...the Church meaning organized religion.
ReplyDeleteHi guys - Long time to talk! I've missed bantering and discussing the the world's events, but since I can't solve them, I've been taking a break to put a dent in my own.
ReplyDeleteIf nothing else, avoiding Bucky's drivel has been healing.
Anyway, I hope you're all happy and healthy! Staballoy, I hope the new job is going well; Coach Bob, thanks and a great job moderating; and I hope WW, Dotnet, Arthur, OT, and all of you are doing well.
For what it's worth, I've just read a few of the past month's conversations .... I've truly enjoyed the photos, particularly of the tractor and kitties (!), and I'm laughing hysterically at a few new titles: Bucky as "Buckbutt", Roblo as an "old dullard", among several more. You guys are funny - did you know that?
If I don't get to talk to you all beforehand, I hope you all have a lovely and bountiful Thanksgiving. <3
Sharon, well I'll be darned! There you are! I thought you were lost. Thanks for the wishes and I hope you and Jason are doing well and will have a nice safe holiday.
ReplyDelete