Winston-Salem Journal LTE SU 01/08/12

Recent events

About the Dec. 27 Larry Wright cartoon depicting North Koreans wailing with the caption, "I wonder if I'm the group wailing over the death of ruler Kim Jong Il or the group wailing over the life of ruler son Kim Jong Un:" The appropriate answer is neither. The North Koreans are wailing over the harsh and brutal lives they had under the dictator and more of the same to come under the "Great Successor."

When I saw some news clips showing the North Koreans crying their hearts out in the public places, I thought these were the most hilarious public performance. They had to fake their sorrow in public or they would be branded as harboring hostility and disloyalty toward the revolution.

I recall reading reminiscences in the Hong Kong press about the same scene appearing in China when Chairman Mao passed away. In their hearts, they wanted to pop champagne and dance.

Columnist George Will rails against progressives for attempting "to impede development of the vast proven reserves of natural gas and oil here and in Canada" ("Ringing in a conservative year," Jan. 2). I just wonder whether Will would trade his residence for one year with a resident in Pennsylvania, where "fracking" for natural gas is going on. One man when he turns the faucet on can set the running water on fire. The water smells and tastes like natural gas. I am sure Will wouldn't mind a bit, right?

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BOON T. LEE

Winston-Salem

Patriotism

While picking up two large bags of trash along a secondary highway, as well as a vinyl window frame and three empty bags of deer corn, I wondered who would throw trash out of or off a vehicle. Are they citizens of this country, state and community? Would they refuse to pledge the U.S. flag as well? Would they believe themselves to be responsible citizens who respect the freedoms of this country? How do they honor U.S. citizenship?

After decades of promoting "Don't Be a Litter Bug," "Earth Day" celebrations and "How to Go Green" instructions, what else is needed?

Much has been written and assumed about patriotism and the actions reflecting a citizen's allegiance to this country. Certainly citizens who serve in the military offer their lives to protect our freedoms.

Flag-waving, pledging allegiance, July 4th picnics and fireworks and debates over prayer in public places pale to the day-in and day-out evidence of patriotism such as:

Making an effort to know the neighbor who is unlike you; volunteering in a public school or mentoring an at-risk high-school dropout; committing to elderly citizens as someone they can call upon; actively listening to both sides of an issue; choosing a new healthy habit (exercise); participating in a community organization to share one's talents and skills to expand community-building relationships; and, of course, disposing of trash in the appropriate, most-green manner.

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NANCY VARGAS

Winston-Salem

A close read

Regarding your editorial "Gun Study: Common sense says limit concealed-carry" (Dec. 30), you made reference to The New York Times having examined North Carolina's concealed-gun permit, and despite of the use of the words "common sense" in your title, none seemed to have been used.

You were trying to use this information in support of a ban on concealed-carry weapons in public parks, and you cited three cases of crimes committed by individuals with concealed-carry permits. But none of these three events, as horrible as they were, occurred in a park.

You are being rather disingenuous in trying to make your case. Your reference to The New York Times was the first clue that a close read was necessary.

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JERRY A. WATERS

Winston-Salem

Sum It Up

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