Scared
I have been painfully watching the basic fabric of this great nation erode in recent times, and I'm scared. I'm scared, not for me and my generation, but for the generations that follow and the country that I deeply love. Freedom, liberty, individual initiative, fiscal responsibility, economic stability, military strength, respect for the law and representative government seem to be taking a back seat to the task of being re-elected. I see very little being done to change any of that, and those who should be in a position to redirect the present course appear helpless and/or unwilling to face the reality of what lies ahead. There is no leadership, no teamwork, no trust, no honesty, and no focus on what's best for the country and its citizens.
I have lived through many presidents — good ones, bad ones and everything in between. What I look for in a president is leadership, courage, honesty, character and the ability to make tough decisions that are in the best interests of the country.
I am thoroughly convinced that the next four years will determine whether this great nation will survive as it was originally intended by our Founding Fathers. Yes, times change, but the fundamentals of what made us the envy of the world don't need to. In my opinion, four more years on the present course will destroy any hope we might have of restoring and preserving those fundamentals.
CORBY WOLFE
Bermuda Run
Good for the economy
The issue of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school-bond package of $223.7 million is a great investment opportunity for the city, county and the state ("School bond idea still on table," June 29). Employment will increase, thus payroll taxes will increase, retail sales will increase, and of course new schools will be built and more teachers will be required. More employment. Isn't that what we are all clamoring about … jobs?
So this bond would increase the 15 percent debt limit for the county. Look at what is being gained. Simply raise the debt limit.
It really doesn't take a University of Chicago economist to figure this one out. What are the risks? Interest rates are very low. The revenue return to the city/county on taxes and retail spending should easily pay the bond costs.
Let's break out of this austerity box and pass the school-bond package, build the schools and our economy.
GENE GRAHAM
Winston-Salem
Working together
Has anyone given a thought to approaching the "other side" to see if everyone can put aside their political differences and brainstorm on how to go about fixing these issues that are keeping us from achieving economic stability? I think all parties should get together and throw out ideas until some of these ideas can be agreed upon by all parties and merged into a plan that will benefit all American citizens.
It seems insane; one side demands changes be made, and when they are, the other side demands the same to any changes made from this side. In order for us to gain economic stability, we all need to work together. I am encouraging us all to put down our political rifles and extend a hand in kinship to our fellow Americans.
We cannot get out of this unstable economic environment we now reside in while there is animosity between the parties that make up our government. We can work together no matter our political views. It's time to put on thinking caps, set aside political differences for the time being and work together to make our country financially secure once more.
INDIA TRIMBLE
Winston-Salem
Stolen valor
Thanks but no thanks to the Supreme Court of the United States for standing up for military imposters rather than the men and women who have truly earned the medals they proudly wear ("Supreme Court strikes down Stolen Valor Act," June 29).
This is a freedom-of-speech issue, and it is now officially legal to lie about military honors without recourse.
The highest court in the land has just spit in the face of all veterans.
As a combat veteran of Vietnam, I guess I should be used to it.
JIM SCHALLER
Winston-Salem
Finish the Thought
Briefly complete the sentence below and send it to us atletters@wsjournal.com. We'll print some of the results in a few days. Only signed entries, please, no anonymous ones.
"Andy Griffith touched people worldwide because ..."
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteGood Article on extreme weather"Where there is more energy in a system, events such as fires, heat waves and storms" will occur more often, Tim Profeta, Founding Director of the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions at Duke University
ReplyDelete"Energy in a system," such a key phrase. Climate change is often discussed in terms of "heat," like the oceans could warm 2-3 degrees, or the atmosphere, What's 2 or 3 degrees a former poster used to say, not much really in our daily lives, but in terms of energy, because after all heat is a form of energy: How much energy does it take to increase 5 gallons of water 2*; how much energy does it take to raise the temperature of Tanglewood swimming pool *2 and keep it there year round; now how much energy do you think it would take to raise the oceans and the atmosphere 2 degrees and keep it there? Preventing it is impossible, slowing it down improbable, we just need to be Planning for it. Evolution is all about how a species adapts to its environment.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHeat is the transfer of energy.
DeleteExactly, and just think how much energy must be transferred to heat Tanglewood pool 2 degrees, a lot of energy, especially if one had to pay for it. Now think of the oceans. 2 degrees is transferring a lot of energy into a system.
DeleteNorthern Europe, two years ago, Moscow, at 55*N (we are a 36*N and Montreal is at 45*N) longitude had it's hottest summer on record with two weeks straight over 100 degrees. This past winter was also one of the most severe on record in Eastern Europe.
Delete"In my opinion, four more years on the present course will destroy any hope we might have of restoring and preserving those fundamentals."
ReplyDeleteCorby Wolfe
______________
Corby, many of us that have been around a while are sounding the alarm: Our great country is on the verge of collapse in our course is not altered. Instead of taking an objective look at what's going on the country, some perfer to make their own selfish decisions, and to call others hateful and disrespectful names who disagree with them.
Even President Obama has said in a recent speech that America has fundamental choice to be made in the next election. That choice is to follow the old path (One of greatness and prosperity), or follow his path (one of continued financial collapse, and social dependency).
We hope that our fellow Americans will wake up and vote for the overall betterment of America, and not for their own selfish short term goals.
As former President John F. Kennedy said:
"And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country."
So as the election closes in, let it be a time of introspection, a soul searching if you will, and hopefully you will come to the correct conclusion that it's time to move in the right direction, and vote to remove President Obama.
God Bless America, and God Bless all of the people of this great land. Thank you all, and please hold your applause.
Men who have sex with men still are disproportionately affected by the virus and account for nearly half the approximately 1.2 million people living with HIV in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
ReplyDeleteCNN
____________
Nearly half of the 1.2 million infected by the HIV virus are gay men, yet they represent only approximately 3% of our population. That's absolutely incredible!
"Now we see where they're soliciting money, saying, `If you would have done the same thing, send money to help with his bond,' showing no remorse over the loss of human life," Sharpton said.
ReplyDelete____________
They didn't like it when Zimmerman apologized in court, and now they don't like it that he isn't apologizing as he's leaving jail and needing more defense funds.
I think it will go to trial, too, but only because the judge doesn't have the spine to toss the case before trial as he would any other case like this with similar evidence; like he would had Zimmerman been arrested and charged that night, in which case none of us would have heard of this sad tale.
DeleteThat might, in the end, be better for the country ... to go ahead and have a trial in which it's all laid out for everyone to see over days and days. Now I hasten to add that I don't think this is the RIGHT way to handle criminal cases.... public pressure should play NO role in the thinking of any of the key players in a trial and putting someone on trial because it will appease the furious masses is a terrible thing to do. But that's what I see happening: Gutless judge orders the case to trial, jury acquits. Until I know more, I'll stick by that guess.
made by a poster to The Chicago Tribune
You don't have to have your head cracked open 'before' you can defend yourself, for all you FT law graduates.
DeleteFirearm discharged in Winston Salem: No other details available
ReplyDeletehttp://www.wxii12.com/news/local-news/piedmont/Police-Firearm-discharged-in-Winston-Salem/-/10703612/15434918/-/5nxt2vz/-/index.html
Left over fom yesterday: geezermobiles
ReplyDeleteWe've crowned the Buick LeSabre the reigning choice of the senior set. Prior to that, it was the Buick Century. Both are now discontinued, so telling what future geezers and gezettes will drive. Perhaps the current full-sized Ford will stand in, thrilling the older ones as they remember those venerable mounts of yesteryear, the Ford Crown Victoria and the Mercury Marquis. Both were steps up over previous champs, Dodge Dart and Plymouth Valiant.
I used to enjoy driving a Lincoln Town Car anytime I could but would never spring for the price. In place of one, I owned 2 different Mercury Grand Marquis'....a Town Car on a budget to me.
DeleteInteresting...what will it be?
DeleteGM is developing a new platform in Australia called Super Epsilon, a front wheel drive setup which will be the basis of the next top of the line Cadillac and Chevy Impala sedan brands. Maybe a Buick as well, huh?
Clue...GM recently trademarked the name "Electra". In order to receive the trademark, they are required to show reasonable intent to actually use the name.
I do know this about the LeSabre crowd. Many of them are very active church (St. Paul's, Centenary, Augsberg, etc) and country club based widows, not exactly the tire-kicking set.
When their warranty is about to expire, a lot of them just call somebody they know at the dealership. The new car is delivered and the old one is taken away.