Alienating their base
The executive committee of the Forsyth County Republican Party recently sent notice of possible censure to Kevin Bugg and Bob Prescott, both former Kernersville aldermen and business owners. Their apparent infraction was to support a Democratic candidate, Ted Kaplan, back in 2010 by allowing signs for Kaplan in their yards or their names to appear in advertisements ("Prescott's loyalty to GOP questioned," April 19).
Anyone who knows the inner workings of town, city and county government understands that you must be able to work with and respect members of opposing political parties in order to have a functioning government for your community. Both Bugg and Prescott are well respected in Kernersville not only for the economic contributions of their businesses but for their civic involvement and volunteering for charity, church and school organizations.
The Republican Party needs people like Bugg and Prescott, but they seem to prefer pushing out anyone who dares to cross political boundaries for any reason. The irony of this situation is that the Republican Party used to represent small-business owners who were fiscally conservative; today it seems to prefer those who adhere to a strict party line of no compromise and right-wing Christian policy.
As a recovering Southern Baptist and small-business owner, I welcome Bugg and Prescott to the only political party left for socially conscious fiscal conservatives: unaffiliated.
TRAVIS HARGETT
Winston-Salem
Shocked by intolerance
Sadly, I won't be able to vote on May 8 as I won't have American citizenship yet. I am deeply shocked by the intolerance of people in North Carolina who call themselves Christians. They still don't want people with a different sexual orientation to have the same rights as they have.
What have these people done to them to deserve this treatment? Their "sin" of being born with a different sexual preference?
If these people had children who were gay and were being bullied at school for being different, would they try to "cure" them by telling them to pray from the Bible and go to counseling to become straight, or would they simply listen to their children and tell them that they loved them?
By voting for Amendment One, so many people who are entitled to be respected and to be happy and protected by our society will again get hurt and be made to feel like second-rate citizens. Voting yes for Amendment One discourages many potential business owners from settling in North Carolina. They'll go to a more tolerant state.
North Carolina has to move on and accept all productive citizens the way they are born. Please, vote against this amendment.
COBY BISHOP
Clemmons
Build a sweepstakes town
I hope that our state legislators leave video sweepstakes machines alone. Virginia residents are traveling south to play, resulting in more stores opening up on our state line. In a time when the city and state coffers need cash, more sweepstakes stores will result in more taxes paid to our local and state governments. Even more needs to be done.
Not only should our legislators keep sweepstakes legal, they should consider building a town for the sole purpose of allowing private enterprise to build casinos, hotels and restaurants. This would create jobs helping our employment situation and also increase needed tax revenue.
JOHN U. TURNER
Winston-Salem
Ponder these questions
I am a teacher, and one of my jobs is to make people think. So, I ask your readers to ponder these questions:
Why have we not heard the words "race" or "hate" in regard to the latest crime in Texas, where a black woman, Verna McClain, gunned down a white woman, Kayla Golden, and took her 3-day-old infant? Why have I not seen Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton run to the victim's husband to support him? Why do we even have such a thing as "hate" crimes? Are not all crimes committed out of hatred? White on white, black on white, white on black; it doesn't matter, they are all out of hatred.
I am absolutely fed up with the double standards in this country. Here are some more points to ponder:
We as a country are nearly $16 trillion in debt, we haven't had a budget passed in three years, and we have government agencies spending senseless amounts of money on parties and prostitutes. If you really think things are getting better in this country, then you, my friend, are an ignoramus.
DAMIAN DESMOND
Winston-Salem
Desmond is a cross-country coach at Glenn High School. — the editor.
A dedicated teacher
I appreciate fifth-grade teacher Chris Webster, librarian Deborah Fidali and principal Jeff Faullin for organizing the Odyssey of the Mind program at Brunson Elementary School this year.
As stated in your April 2 article, "Local students find a spark in Odyssey of the Mind," the program challenges students with two problems to solve. The first is a long-term problem that students solve over a period of time. The second is a spontaneous problem in which the students are given a unique question and have to answer in a short period of time using creative and spontaneous ideas. The program's goal is to challenge students to use creative and original ideas to solve these problems, with the idea that there may be unique and original solutions. In other words, "think outside of the box."
While there were many people involved, I have never seen a teacher dedicate more time, effort and energy than Chris Webster. Many hours were spent in the evening and on weekends to work with the students and parents, and his efforts have been heroic. Further, to have two teams win the regional contest and another team place is a testimonial to his abilities and the support given to Odyssey of the Mind by the entire school.
I know my daughter and approximately 20 other students have benefited greatly, and I can only hope that Webster can continue this program at Brunson.
GUS MILLER
Clemmons
A voter's dilemma
From my perspective, the primary elections leave a lot to be desired. I have great concern as a voter regarding the candidates' professional ethics and their agendas. Hearing the same political rhetoric over time has definitely been misleading. It's a critical day and time to elect candidates who are both earnest and forthright in their commitment to serve the people.
At the same time, it's also imperative that equality for all is adhered to.
With the economy, jobs, education, health care, gas prices and Amendment One at stake, we the people can't afford risking our livelihoods in the hands of candidates who don't have our best interests at heart. Yet these are the facts of uncertainty that we face today.
As a citizen and voter, the real question that I have is, what do I stand to gain or lose in the process? And my answer will depend largely on the next elected candidates.
Going forward, I can only hope that the future will be prosperous for us all.
IMA LAWSON
Winston-Salem
Occupy arrest was unnecessary
The April 18 Journal reports on William Bryant Bridge, charged with disorderly conduct during an Occupy Winston-Salem protest ("Occupy demonstrator pleads guilty"). I was present during the majority of that peaceful protest and was stunned by the use of law enforcement to antagonize citizens carrying out their First Amendment rights.
There was no camping out, loud noise or illegal activity. In fact, the local group adhered strictly to all laws and ordinances in an effort to keep focus on the issue of the growing financial and political disparity tearing our country apart.
At first we were amused that our small, quiet gathering garnered more police interest than the frequent passersbys' raucously stumbling their way from bar to car. Protestors were not at all amused, however, when in the early morning just before the end of the vigil the police forced a premature end to it with threats of arrest. The persistent intimidation tactics would be enough to make anyone upset, and our young friend acted immaturely when he hurled insults toward the police as he walked away as instructed by the officers.
To deem him as disorderly was absurd, and for officers to swarm him as he was walking away was reprehensible. The hostile approach by the police and subsequent arrest were mistakes and quite contrary to our police department's usual good judgment and professionalism. However, the cheeky comment by Judge Roland Hayes about the defendant having the right to "occupy" jail appears cold, calculated and childish.
MIKE McGUIRE
Kernersville
Elect a fair judge
As president of the board of directors for Next Step Ministries' Battered Women's Shelter in Kernersville, I want to encourage all Forsyth County residents to vote for David Sipprell for Forsyth County District Court judge. David is a local boy who has served as an active-duty JAG officer in the U.S. Air Force. He is currently an assistant district attorney in Forsyth County. His heart is in the right place, and his extensive experience in handling domestic-violence court cases makes him the best candidate for the job. I have spent some quality time with David, and I am certain that he is the best choice for District Court judge. He truly gets it.
Domestic violence continues to be a serious problem for our community. David volunteers his time giving presentations to local civic organizations to help raise awareness about domestic violence and its impact on our children. As a community, we can help fight domestic violence by electing fair judges who truly understand this issue and the victim's perspective. Please join me in voting for David Sipprell for District Court judge on May 8.
NANCY BOURN
Kernersville
A hot potato to the public
I could not agree more with Journal columnist Scott Sexton and Winston-Salem City Councilman Robert Clark that advanced notice should have been given concerning the council resolution encouraging a vote against Amendment One ("Resolution makes for good TV," April 19).
I also agree with Sexton that Amendment One is an "abomination" and that it is wrong to use the constitution to restrict the rights of a minority. However, I disagree with Sexton's views that local governing bodies should not be spending time on "divisive social issues." We must remember who brought this "divisive social issue" to the table.
The culprit is our right-wing Republican-controlled North Carolina General Assembly. They are the ones who have tossed this hot potato out to the public during a time when we should all be focused on jobs and improving our economy. Any governing body in a city that claims to be the "City of the Arts and Innovation" would be derelict in its duty not to fight such a mean-spirited amendment.
PATRICIA SISSON
Winston-Salem
For Prescott
I'm writing this letter to show my support of Bob Prescott for Forsyth County commissioner. Knowing Bob for over 30 years, I can tell you that he'd do a great job for us. He's one of the strongest individuals I know, and he wants to see this county move forward.
If you live in Forsyth County and work hard, then vote for Bob. He, too, will work hard for us.
ROGER DUNLAP
Lewisville
Plyler is a true friend
I am very proud to endorse my true friend Dave Plyler to be re-elected to the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners. Dave and I go back over 40 years as coworkers at WSJS TV and radio. When we split the stations, Dave and I stayed good friends and later competitors in radio.
I have always found Dave to be honest and trustworthy. We spend about three or four days a week now walking the area around Kernersville for exercise. Needless to say, we talk about all the problems that confront our county and in the end, while we may not always agree, I respect his thinking and reasoning and find it to be very sound. I believe Dave deserves another term as our county commissioner.
ROGER STOCKTON
Kernersville
Just and compassionate
In my opinion, it would be so much more just and compassionate to defeat Amendment One than to reap the heartbreaking fallout if it passes. We should also oust some Republican "problem-solvers" from the self-righteous business of dictating private lives.
Don't worry, these same fear-mongers will try again and again, and we will have to waste valuable time and resources to defeat them each time. Vote no.
SONDRA SCOTT BARNES
Winston-Salem
Mr. Desmond, oh, but ask these left-wing lunatics and they'll tell how smart they are, and how dumb everybody else is.
ReplyDeleteThey are the same people that are for gun control, and then they are cry like babies when one of them or their families become victims of crimes.
I too am sick of the double standards imposed on us by the liberal left. They yell discrimination regarding homosexual marriage, yet every white American is a subjected to discrimination everyday of his or her life because of governmental affirmative action preferences.
Ignoramouses, Knuckleheaded, jack-asses, there's whole list of appropriate names we can call these fools.
It wouldn't be so bad if they weren't destroying the country with their lunacy.
Progressives say conservatives want to take the country backward. Well, if you've ever driven a car, you can avoid danger by going backward. The same applies to governmental policies.
"What does government mean if it doesn't allow states to defend its borders?" asked Justice Scalia.
ReplyDelete____________
I don't know Judge. Why not ask Senator Chucky Schumer (D)? He's the one that wants to pass a law to prohibit it.
Judge you know how the liberals like to corrupt the system in order stay in power. Why else would they want to stop a law that requires an I.D. to vote?
I guess liberal Democrats think government is here to give away stuff.
I think Obama may have made the wrong people mad with his childish lecture directed at the Supreme Court not long ago.
DeleteEven an Emperor needs to use decorum.
This is going to get REAL interesting. Obama has been using his AG to run around all over the place and to sue multiple states over their immigration laws because according to Obama and his ace AG they were unconstitutional. And it looks like the Supreme Court may rule that the laws ARE constitutional.
DeleteNow what kind of law professor was Obama exactly? I keep forgeting.
Hee Hee....it's a hoot and and a hollar everyday with these Democrats in charge.
The questioning grew so intense that Justice Sonia Sotomayor, one of the liberal justices on the court, told Verrilli (AG Holder's and the Justice Department's representative) to move on to another section. "You can see it's not selling very well," she said.
Delete________
Oh dear!
DAMIAN DESMOND not listed on Glenn's website. WSFC school site search reveals he teaches 5th grade at Caleb's Creek Elementary. His wife teaches there also. His website shows a picture of him, his wife and his 2 children at Disney I presume World.
ReplyDeleteVerna McClain has been arrested for the murder Mrs. Golden. I'm sure Governor Perry will execute her as soon as she is convicted. If McClain had not been arrested, there would certainly be reason to protest, but she is in custody.
I'm glad DAMIAN DESMOND does not teach my children. He is too ignorant to realize that this TB rant published in today's paper is parroting Art Pope and Civitas who want to dismantle public education and end his PUBLIC job.
It's okay and accepted for African Americans to rant and rave about unfair racial issues, but not whites? What a bunch of baloney.
DeleteYou've brought up a very interesting point, Wordly. Being a teacher, Mr. Diamond is a public figure of sorts who is raised to a higher level of standard in expressing his views. While he is certainly entitled to express his opinion, I wonder if taking a strong stance such on a volatile issues such as this followed by calling anyone who disagrees with him an "ignoramus" could lead Mr. Diamond into some hot water. Sure, he will have some supporters, but will the ones he offended, particularly those who may be parents of his students decide to take some action as a result of this rant?
DeleteWhat about all of the liberal teachers that offend 'conservatives' and Christians. What happens to them? I'll answer the question for you. Nothing.
DeleteIt's always, 'we should punish that teacher' when the shoe is on conservative's foot. But not the other way around. Can't you see that your argument is laughable?
Sorry to hear about the death of Mike's dad. My condolences to him and his family.
ReplyDeleteI've already said a prayer for him.
DeleteMike has had a really awful year. Although it was expected, it's still never easy to lose a parent. Many prayers and thoughts with him and his family.
Delete"We do not know Obama's SAT, LSAT, or GPA scores because he won't release them. His Columbia GPA was estimated by the WSJ to be between 1.8 and 3.0 (C- to B) because he did not graduate with honors. He was at the bottom 15% in Occidental. He was in the top 10% at Harvard Law because he graduated "magna cum laude". So we assume he is smart, but how he got into Harvard with that record is peculiar."
ReplyDeletehttp://rethinkit.typepad.com/madashell/2009/08/how-smart-is-obama-the-american-thinker-quotes-historian-michael-beschloss-on-obamas-iqwhosays-it-is-off-the-charts-while-a.html
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I'm sure the above article will send one of our most beloved liberal rocket scientists into orbit.
which Honors program was he in? I really don't believe the WSJ is so stupid as to attempt to estimate anyone's GPA based on them not graduating with honors. You have to enter an honors program first to graduate with honors. In an honors program, there is an honor's thesis. You can graduate with a 4.0, and not graduate with honors for many reasons. 1. you weren't in an honors program to begin with. 2. you do not turn in an honor's thesis. 3. turn in an honors thesis but have is rejected by your committee.
DeleteI didn't graduate with honors. Care to estimate my GPA?
Deletehttp://www.columbia.edu/cu/polisci/undergrad/main/honors/index.html
DeletePresident Obama received a degree in Political Science. The above explains the Poli Sci Honors program at Columbia. A 3.6 must be maintained within the major and a 70 page honors thesis.
“Speculation, like nature, abhors a vacuum” Spinoza
Deleteand yes, I understand Rocket science and that article has no thrust and couldn't launch a peanut over a picket fence, much less anything into orbit.
DeleteBob, as usual, this is all a lot of much ado about nothing. The ditto heads somehow believe that presidential candidates routinely release their SAT scores and college GPAs. As mentioned before, none ever have.
DeleteIn 2000, by hook or crook, the Wash Post got ahold of Bush and Gore's transcripts, which in the end meant nothing. Two mediocre students leading to one of the worst presidents ever.
I had the grades for summa honors at all levels of college, but didn't have the time to jump through the hoops. But, indeed, the WSJ did write a tortured and stupid piece in which they tried to "estimate" the President's GPA at Columbia and how he came to be the President of the Law Review. Utter foolishness, but you have to remember who they are owned by and who their audience is.
All just a bunch of chatter from Chatty Cathy and other sad sack white men who can't stand the idea of any black man who is smarter than they are...they better get used to it, because there are millions more coming.
"All just a bunch of chatter from Chatty Cathy and other sad sack white men who can't stand the idea of any black man who is smarter than they are...they better get used to it, because there are millions more coming."
DeletePretty much nails it.
I think it says a lot about the strength of the country, and it bodes well for the future.
DeleteMinorities have been a wasted human resource...they've been denied the chance to develop and advance because of race and class. That's changing now, and will be a tremendous added value to the economy. Of course, white folks will be the minority soon...
We do know the class rank of the four Presidents who graduated from US military academies, because that, unlike grades and test scores, is public information.
DeleteThe best by far was Jimmy Carter, who ranked 59 out of 820 at the Naval Academy. Next was Ike, 61 out of 164 at West Point. Grant was a middle of the packer at 21 out of 39. And McCain was a joke at Annapolis, finishing 894 out of 899.
So how does that work out? Carter was not exactly the best President ever, but has done a lot of valuable things since. Ike was a middling general and a middling President.
McCain's poor rank was in part caused by his disdain for authority, discipline and personal appearance at the academy. Just the sort of characteristics that make for a top notch carrier pilot, which he was. He's still seen as a loose cannon, but has done a pretty decent job as an Arizona Senator.
Grant is by far the most interesting. First he was a terrible general, fired for drunkeness after the battle of Shiloh. Then, with Lincoln at his back, a great general who finally got the Union army fighting. Then a not very good president.
So what does all that say about college records as a predictor of anything? Absolutely nothing.
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DeleteVermont Connecticut Royster worked for the WSJ for 61 years and was editor of the editorial page from 58-71. He was a Kenan Professor of Journalism when I was at UNC. He was from Raleigh. His uncle Wisconsin Royster helped establish the medical school at UNC.
DeleteTo add to Arthur's comment, the economy of the nation, agricultural for almost 300 years, was built on the backs of black slaves. We hear a lot about the great plantation owners...hardly a word about the people who actually did the work. Without them, the US would have been just another banana republic.
DeleteThe transcontinental railroad, arguably the most important development of the 19th century, would never have been completed without the blood, sweat and tears of the near-slave Chinese laborers who built the hardest part of it over the great western mountain ranges.
Even after slavery, the agricultural economy depended upon black share croppers in the South and Latinos and Latinas in the rest of the country. Without migrant laborers, the crops, from lettuce and grapes in the West to cucumbers in Michigan to tobacco in the South would all have rotted in the fields.
And in the Carolinas/Virginia region, without black labor there wouldn't have been enough workers to fuel the tobacco and textile factories. The worst treated of all were black women, who were a big part of the local work force and who were paid about 2/3 what black men were for the same work.
Locally, black women led two strikes in the 1940s that got them equal wages and empowered the entire black population politically for the first time in the 20th century.
Ditto heads who blather on about affirmative action don't know what they are talking about. Of course, most of them are losers who can't compete in the modern economy.
Good afternoon folks!
ReplyDeleteLTE 1: I'm not very familiar with Mr. Prescott, though I did like the positions he took in his bio in Sunday's paper, but as my insurance agent, I am quite familar with Mr. Bugg who is indeed a well respected gentleman who has done a lot for Kernersville. Much like the Southern Baptists mentioned by Mr. Hargett, the R's have instigated a purge of anyone who wavers one iota from the orthodoxy. Reagan is doing the proverbial "rolling in his grave" over the repudiation of his "big tent" philosophy. Unaffiliated does seem to be the only viable "party" these days.
LTE 2: Having grown up in a Southern Baptist church and witnessed first hand the views of some who claim to follow Christ, I'm not too surprised. JohnG had some a rather reprehensible attitude towards anyone who wasn't white, straight, male and Christian, but at least he did own up to being prejudiced. If you're going to castigate a group of people who make up less than 10% of the population as "immoral" or "disgusting", then try to enact legislation to deny them their basic dignity and rights, don't cry "poor me" when you're accused of bigotry.
LTE 3: A "sweepstakes town"...hmmm...I'm guessing something like Reno or Las Vegas? Not sure how feasible that is, but it's an interesting idea.
LTE 4: LOL, I believe Mr. Desmond should have done a little thinking as well as investigating himself before hitting the "Submit" button. Ms. Golden was killed for her baby. Her race was irrelevant. Are all crimes done out of hatred? I would say no. I believe many if not most crimes are committed out of desperation or in the heat of the moment. For some, things have gotten better. I know they have for me. As a teacher, Mr. Desmond should look to the state legislatures for why it hasn't gotten better for him the past 3 years.
LTE 5: Congrats to the Brunson students for a most excellent performance and to Mr. Webster for being such a great inspiration.
LTE 6: Good thoughts from Ms. Lawson. I believe many have found the primaries less than inspiring and long for alternatives (see LTE 1).
LTE 7: Generally speaking, cursing a police officer tends to lead to one's arrest. While I'm sympathetic to the cause, the arrest was earned.
LTE 8,10,11: Endorsements
LTE 9: Valid points from Ms. Sisson which I agree with.
LTE 12: Another no for the amendment
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DeleteGenerally agree with dotnet...hows that for a lazy man's way out. But a couple of addies:
DeleteLTE #1 - What we are watching...and to me it is like that awful moment in so many horror movies when the girl puts her hand on the doorknob that leads to the basement and the audience is screaming "No, no, no!"...is the painfully relentless suicide of a once great political party.
I kept thinking surely the sane Republicans will somehow manage to get their party back on track, but now I think it is too late. The inmates are firmly in control of the asylum
Lte #7 - Maybe the arrest was earned...maybe it wasn't...I wasn't there. But if you go to the Occupy website, you can watch a good bit of unedited video in which the police and city officials make fools of themselves, while the Occupy folks behave in a cool and reasonable manner. And cursing a police officer should never be the only cause for arrest. The snippet of video addressing that issue seems to show a total police overreaction.
In the same vein, if Judge Hayes actually made the crack about the right to "occupy jail" it is time for him to retire. That reveals the same attitude that two judges, in the pocket of the tobacco companies, displayed in the 1940s when they sent several union pickets to the chain gang for from 3 to 8 years for standing on the sidewalk. Neither can be a part of my America.
It occurs to me that Roland did retire already...maybe ten years ago, because I recall my friend Leo Rucker being commissioned to paint a retirement portrait of the judge.
DeleteBut he keeps coming back as an "emergency" judge. He probably thought his comment was funny, but it wasn't. So what he really needs to do now is ride off into the sunset and not come back.
"Well, if you've ever driven a car, you can avoid danger by going backward."
ReplyDeleteBucky Apr 25, 2012 06:02 AM
About 30% of all auto accidents happen when the driver is backing up. Since well over 99% of all driving is done in a forward direction, this means that going backward is by far the most dangerous direction.
As always...nah, I won't even say it.
"Oh, dear, I've got the silly thing in reverse. He's a Neanderthal rabbit!" Marvin Martian
DeleteThe only time it is smart to drive in reverse is in a demolition derby.
Delete@Bob's 0655pm: ;-D)
Delete@Rush's 0722pm: ;-D)
"The Executive Director often solicited my opinion on his clothes. He would point both hands to his crotch and ask me how his crotch looked in those pants."
ReplyDeletehttp://www.wral.com/news/state/nccapitol/story/10998615/
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The above information was proffered in a sexual harassment complaint by a male employee who worked for Jay Parmly, the former Executive Director of N.C. Democratic Party.
There's never a dull moment when Democrats are around.
Hey! How's my crotch looking today?
DeleteOh Jeez.
18 comments so far today, 11 of them by the blowhard Chatty Cathy...an apt name indeed.
ReplyDelete