Winston-Salem Journal LTE FR 02/10/12

Muse's actions

As a former student of Coach Mike Muse, I am disgusted by the local media's crucifixion of one of the best people I know ("Student recorded coach's tirade," Feb. 2).

Mike Muse is a man of good moral character who has been portrayed as a bully because he spoke strongly with a kid; only after being accused of texting too much with a softball player. Muse himself taught my health class the importance of texting appropriately. He knows that his phone's history can be studied. He knows very well the danger and consequences of inappropriate texting with students and would never do anything so stupid. Also, everyone knows that he and other coaches use texting to communicate with students all the time.

When one of my classmates baited Muse, trying to insinuate that he was doing something wrong, Muse taught him a lesson. Sure, he used a few choice words and may have scared him, but the inferred accusations against him are very serious. He just had a co-worker fired over the same stuff.

For any person who thinks he overreacted, think of what you would do if you had been accused of the same thing. Muse's actions were not criminal in nature, and he has the support of me and hundreds of his other students.

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WILL RIERSON

SOPHOMORE, EAST FORSYTH HIGH SCHOOL

Winston-Salem

Look to themselves

In the Feb. 4 Journal article "Same-sex ballot strategy forming," Lianne Roussel states that the media make people opposed to same-sex marriage sound like bigots. She, and others in favor of banning it, may want to look to themselves for how they are perceived. She refers to "the homosexual" as if they were property, like "the car," rather than people. Then she goes on to refer to being gay as a lifestyle, as if it were a choice, displaying a clear lack of understanding of what it means to be gay. When you use such language and display your lack of understanding about those of whom you speak, you risk being labeled a bigot.

As a straight, married man I'm not at all threatened by the possibility of same-sex marriage, or if you like it better, civil unions. If it were purely a question of religion, then I could maybe see the point, but the U.S. Constitution provides for equal protection under the law. State and federal law offers benefits to married couples while denying those benefits to same-sex couples. I'm no attorney but it seems that denying them access to those benefits violates the Constitution. So, honestly, we are going to the polls to vote for an amendment that will:

• eventually be deemed unconstitutional.

• deny a segment of our population their constitutional rights.

This doesn't sound very Christian to me and certainly doesn't sound American.

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RALPH C. WILLIAMS JR.

Winston-Salem

Don't rush on Muse

After reading "Student recorded coach's tirade" (Feb. 2) I felt a duty to respond. I've known Mike Muse for well over 30 years, and I've never met a more God-fearing, "stand-up" role model than him. He has taken his role as teacher and coach and made it so much more than just that, being a mentor, friend and sometimes father figure to many students who do not have that guidance they need in their lives.

Although it may sound cliché, Mike truly, truly cares about the welfare and lives of the students he teaches and coaches, and I would be proud for any of my daughters to be taught by him.

Did he step over the line a bit in this situation? Possibly. But if someone was doing something that could tarnish the impeccable reputation that I had built (such as Mike), I would respond in the same fashion and probably much worse.

All I ask is for people not to rush to judgment based on this one incident. Mike is one of the "upper-tier" educators in the community, and the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school system is lucky to have him.

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STEVE SHORE

Pfafftown

Sum It Up

The Sum It Up question from Sunday was: Are you looking forward to the May primary elections?

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I'm not really looking forward to the May primary because of the dissention that will arise because of the constitutional amendment issue. Still, I believe voting is my responsibility as a citizen, not just a right. And, I subscribe to the view of the late journalist Molly Ivins, who wrote, "Just remember, folks, you elected them. Especially those who didn't vote."

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DAVID M. McMAHON

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I plan to "fire" Democrats and "warn" RINOs, as much as I can, in this May primary, in spite of the perverted districts and ward systems, "bunkers of protection" of the counties and municipalities in N.C., and I encourage and welcome your help in this endeavor to beautify America, starting locally.

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HARVEY PULLIAM JR.

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People voting in the May elections, please vote again in November. Do not feel your vote does not count; it does. Vote twice, please.

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ELIZABETH R. ERVIN