Good SA, folks! A bit rusty at this, and tired. I hope it posts correctly.
True Americans
After the results of the Iowa primary, I'm pulling for Rick Santorum, who
demonstrates traditional family values better than any other candidate. He will
pull us back from the liberal abyss we currently waver above.
But if Mitt Romney wins the Republican nomination, I'll vote for him, too.
They are both true Americans who believe in the things that made our nation
great.
For that matter, I will vote for any of the contenders who receive the
nomination.
President Obama was a mistake. One term of his policies is all that we can
afford.
EUGENE GRAHAM
Winston-Salem
Quit
Rep. Michele Bachmann has quit her effort to become president. Apparently the
Republican body has rejected the attempted titanium spine transplant.
JOHN HOCUTT
Winston-Salem
Obstructionism
Republicans declare their top priority is to make Barack Obama a one-term
president. They know that a flourishing economy would guarantee his re-election.
Therefore, they do all they can to slow the recovery from the Bush
administration's recession.
President Obama is demonstrably one of the most intelligent and best-educated
chief executives in our nation's history. Yet Republicans don't give him credit
for one single good idea.
The president's legislative proposals to Congress are declared "dead on
arrival" before they arrive. His nominations of highly qualified people to
important posts are blocked. His efforts to compromise are spurned, sometimes
with insults.
The election of tea-party Republicans in 2010 rendered Congress
dysfunctional. It lurches from crisis to self-inflicted crisis. Paralysis of the
legislative process is so severe that it is impossible to enact even bills both
parties say they want without taking the country to the brink of disaster.
One danger of the GOP strategy of negativity is that if it succeeds,
Republicans will implement their "reforms" to make the rich richer at the
expense of the dwindling middle class, the poor, the vulnerable and the
environment. Another danger is that denigration, obstruction and stonewalling
will become so prevalent in politics that thoughtful, civil citizens will not
seek to participate in government.
Can representative democracy succeed if negativity turns off voters and
potential candidates? Will the United States prosper if the party out of power
constantly strives to drag down the administration and, by extension, the
country?
LARRY ROTH
Germanton
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Bob Sidelined for a Day FR 01/06/12
Hi folks,
Our good friend Bob called me this evening, reported that he is in hospital overnight for observation. He has run a fever for the past few days, and today his BP sagged. A neighbor took him to the ER, where he was treated,then retained for the night. He expects to go home tomorrow. He sounded good, and was concerned that he can't post the LTE's for Friday. I probably will not either. So, just use this posting for comments, and extend your good wishes to our good friend.
Winston-Salem Journal LTE's TH 01/05/12
Remedial training
I am writing about the Dec. 30 flag burning in Charlotte by members of the Occupy Charlotte movement as reported by Fox News Network on Dec. 31. There has been little coverage of this in the local media.
I am infuriated that members of the Occupy movement in Charlotte chose to burn my flag. I served in two combat tours in Afghanistan and in Iraq under my flag so that the Occupiers would have the freedom to protest. I serve as an honor guard for the North Carolina National Guard. I have the distinct privilege of folding our nation's colors over the remains of our fallen heroes. Presenting the flag to the next of kin is a sacred moment and last visible memory of their loved one's service.
Remedial training in respect for Old Glory is in order — a class I would be more than willing to teach.
KEVIN WINEMILLER
CHAPLAIN, N.C. NATIONAL GUARD
Winston-Salem
History reveals
Reports of failing nations around the world are as old as history, for earthly governments do not last, as history reveals. The United States has been very fortunate to have leaders with a sense of liberty and justice for all. Unfortunately, we also have leaders in public offices, including the White House and Congress, who expect citizens should serve the egotistical and partisan desires of politicians, who enrich themselves, as none retires poor. Like too many Americans, they have little interest in the spiritual values of life. Consequently, we are doomed to suffer the same fate as many other civilizations that have failed to fulfill responsibilities of divine faith in their lives as well as in families and communities.
Nations of this world do not last, but they can enjoy the benefits of God's presence when leaders are committed to serving their citizens rather than themselves. It is not only bankers and CEOs who are greedy. Also, many political candidates spend millions of dollars when running for public offices. The media also profits off of these campaigns. Government is ordained of God (Romans 13), but it only succeeds when people are committed to godliness, as Samuel (I Samuel 7) warned. Achievements of people like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln as well as Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi are manifested when people are devoted to the spirit of God, as seen in Christ and taught by Micah (6:8): "do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with thy God."
JIM HELVEY
Winston-Salem
Sum It Up
The Sum It Up question from Sunday was: Have you already decided which candidates you will vote for in 2012?
No, but I know who I am voting against.
DONALD R. CREWS
I'll be voting for candidates who know what they want, say what they want and know why they want it. I'll be for the one who seems to understand the other side, has friends there and can find common ground. I'll be for the one who will not vote to shut down the United States over a pipeline. I'll be for the one who is in it for the joy of working for the country, not the one who asks what the country can do for his or her friends. It will not be easy to find these candidates, but I hope I'll have company in the search.
STEVE SCROGGIN
I choose any GOP candidate to defeat Barack Obama. November 2012 cannot get here fast enough.
BETH McMULLAN
I will vote a straight Democratic ticket.
CATHERINE W. PITTS
I look forward to voting to re-elect the best president in my lifetime.
JAN HAMPTON
Of course I will know the background of candidates for whom I vote, but frankly I will be voting for all Democrats as I cannot imagine a current Republican worthy of my vote.
ANNE GRIFFIS WILSON
It is too early to pick a candidate or candidates. However, I set guidelines for myself to choose candidates. One of the guidelines is to eliminate candidates who condemn the Occupy movement.
BOON T. LEE
The Republican candidates for president are vying with one another to see who can be the most conservative. Wasn't it "compassionate" conservatism that made the mess we're trying to deal with now? I have no rational reason not to support President Obama again. Gov. Bev Perdue is one of the few responsible adults left in Raleigh, and she will have the same opponent who I could not support before. Let's vote!
HENRY FANSLER
The presidential election is a no-brainer, given the comedic act of the Republican contenders. As for the other races, I will evaluate their positions and track records as Election Day approaches.
SUZANNE A. CARROLL
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Winston-Salem Journal LTE's WE 01/04/12
Downtown library
I started coming to the downtown Forsyth County Central Library in 2008 to use the public computer to apply for jobs. I was directed upstairs to Information Services. I didn't know at that moment how that simple bit of advice was going to change the course of my life.
I decided to go back to college, but I don't have a computer, so I continue to come to the Central Library. I have come to know the library staff and some of its frequent visitors. It's a diverse group of individuals coming together using the library for resources to write résumés, search for jobs, research and even write novels. It's really like a gathering of family and nobody is a stranger.
The library staff has provided me with the tools, information and help I needed to graduate this spring with honors. I give the Central Library and its staff a huge amount of credit and gratitude for helping me accomplish this goal.
I am sure other people credit the public library for their success in finding jobs and being better informed. I am writing this letter to let people know about the library, its entire staff and services — the best kept secret in the city.
TIWANDA WOODS
Lexington
Third-party candidate
Many people locally and nationally want to see a third-party candidate run for the office of president. But the deep entrenchment of both major parties makes it all but impossible for anyone (viable or not) to run on a third-party ticket.
Is there an answer? Yes, but the time to organize such a movement is now, so when the election of 2016 rolls around we, the people who are disgusted and fed up with both establishment parties, will have a real choice instead of choosing which is the lesser of two evils.
Who is willing to do that? If we don't, then "they" will continue to win repeatedly and we, the people, will continue to get screwed over. The choice is ours.
STEVE HENDERSON
Winston-Salem
Flat Rock, Stokes County
So, it's come to this, Journal — a two-page story, with photos, about a rock (" 'Not a run-of-the-mill place,' " Dec. 28)? Slow news week, huh?
ANGIE MONTGOMERY
Winston-Salem
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Winston-Salem Journal LTE's TU 01/03/12
Intelligent columnists
Now you tell us the three most intelligent columnists you print, Thomas Friedman, David Brooks and Paul Krugman, will no longer be published in the Journal because of the cost ("Criticism probably means we're on the right track," Dec. 18). I suppose that means we will be left with Cal Thomas' self-righteous column and the weekly diatribe of John Hood's weak-minded politics.
I have always heard, "you get what you pay for." That is certainly true in this case.
NAOMI J. DAVIS
Winston-Salem
Being respectful
Although the writer of the letter "Can't force patriotism" (Dec. 28) may be correct in stating "it's against federal and state law to force or coerce students into reciting the pledge, whatever their objection," I think it is sad that some students want to opt out of reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
I believe every student should be grateful to live in a nation like ours and be loyal to our flag, which represents the principles upon which our nation was founded, including the freedom not to recite the pledge.
Unfortunately, America seems to have become a nation with an increasing number of people who regularly disrespect any authority that limits their right to do as they please. Such disrespect is evident in many of our public schools, where teachers and administrators have had their ability to discipline students limited by government edicts that often cater to the few at the expense of the majority.
Furthermore, many of the adults in our society show little respect for authority, as evidenced by widespread violations of traffic laws and the rights of others to enjoy peace and quiet rather than being forced to listen to loud talking and cellphone conversations almost everywhere, including public libraries.
My hope and my prayer is that the people of our city will soon become dissatisfied with the disrespect that exists in our country and do what they can to help restore respect for the rights of others and the principles on which our nation was built.
HARVEY ARMOUR
Winston-Salem
Drop the appeal
A New Year's resolution for Forsyth County commissioners: Drop the bid to have government-sponsored prayer in your meetings ("Forsyth files brief in prayer appeal," Dec. 28). It's a waste of time and effort. We have more important things to do than pander to the local religious devotees.
Actually, while I suspect that some of our commissioners are merely going along with this unseemly display to retain their seats, I'm sure that some of them sincerely believe this is a worthy cause — but I can't for the life of me figure out why. Having these prayers has been a source of division, not unity. We can't unite around a divisive cause. If they win the case, what they'll win is a practice that highlights our differences rather than the civic concerns that unite us as county citizens. What they'll win is the right for one group to lord its preferences over everyone else. That is not a worthy cause.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with having a moment of silence to let those who think they need to pray do so. Everyone else can use the time to collect their thoughts. Those who want to lord their religion over everyone else would have to find another way to do so — and in the meantime, I think they would learn to accept that an agreeable concession has been made for them.
TOMMY H. SIMMONS
Winston-Salem
Monday, January 2, 2012
Winston-Salem Journal LTE's MO 01/02/12
The biggest problem
I believe that the biggest problem in our country today is that we have a whole generation of adult brats who were never taught to care about other people when they were children. As adults, they have gotten control of our government and the economy.
Their primary goal in life is to get as rich as possible and they will use any trick to get there. They have no appreciation toward the less fortunate people. The result is that only a minority of citizens can prosper financially.
HAROLD PARKER
Clemmons
Benefits of transition
Being a student at the Career Center, I've heard countless opinions about the move to the new campus next to Kennedy High School and I've noticed that the general mood among people is a negative one. Parents can seem to discuss only the dangers of their children driving a busy route, and many adults have deemed the new location unsafe. The attitude among the students is also anxious; many kids are weary about learning all-new class locations, driving routes and parking conditions.
However, teachers are excited about new classrooms and equipment. At the old Career Center, technology was limited and didn't get used often. In addition, the temperatures were erratic, and parking was a nightmare. It's safe to say that the old location has done its job but doesn't accommodate the growing number of students anymore.
I'm aware that the concerns of parents and students are natural; people will always be cautious of change. Nevertheless, people should focus on the benefits of the transition. There will be adequate parking and organized class locations, not to mention a surplus of brand new technology for students to take advantage of. School staff is going out of its way to make sure the transition is smooth. Driving directions from every school are now available online and teachers are always up to answering questions.
I think the Career Center's new location will be a blessing, and while people's concerns are understandable, I'm sure the kinks will work themselves out.
ANNIE GIBBS
Lewisville
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Winston-Salem Journal LTE's SU 01/01/12
Winning votes
With one week to go, presidential candidate Gov. Rick Perry, in a bid to win votes in Iowa, declared that if a woman is raped, the government should force her to have the rapist's baby. I'm not sure what I find more disgusting, Perry's pandering or that there are actually people in Iowa who agree with that sentiment.
But Perry stopped short of going all the way. That would be demanding that the woman marry her rapist. I guess he'd better hope Rep. Michele Bachmann or Rick Santorum doesn't go there first.
MARK EVERLY
Winston-Salem
Without merit
I read, with interest, Cal Thomas' Dec. 22 column, "Death of an atheist," disparaging the personal philosophies of recently deceased atheist Christopher Hitchens and others of similar thought. While some of what Thomas wrote is accurate, much of the column's content was either highly biased or just downright wrong.
Without going point by point, I wish to indicate two portions of the piece that were particularly without merit. Thomas states that, "I have always found atheists to be interesting people because they just may be the world's smallest minority group, one that gets smaller still as its members pass on … ." In actuality, atheists outnumber many highly publicized religious groups, especially when one considers the total worldwide. About 15 percent of the world's population consider themselves non-religious, and of this number about 4 percent are atheists (280 million).
Also, Thomas mentions one of Hitchens' books, "God Is Not Great," and makes a feeble attempt at humor while explaining its title. I suspect, but have no way of knowing, that he has never read the book for himself or, if he has, failed to comprehend its message. Hitchens' purpose in writing the book was to expose the harm that organized religions have done to the world over the centuries more so than expounding a hard-line atheist viewpoint.
So, it should be said that ideas proposed by the author of this column are easily anticipated, as his name is John Calvin Thomas.
LOUIS NEWTON
Winston-Salem
Sum It Up
Have you already decided which candidates you will vote for in 2012?
Correspondent of the Week
We're all 'local' now
As I wrapped my last Christmas gift, I noticed that like most of the others, it was made in China. In my frustration, I decided that for next Christmas I will buy no gift that was not made in the United States. We need to support our own businesses and economy. The gifts may cost more per item, and loved ones may not receive as many, but in this economy, I will not be surprised when my loved ones understand the reason why.
Several years ago, I remember a slogan about supporting our local businesses by buying locally, meaning at that time in our own county and community. What about our country? "Local" now has a new meaning to me. "Local" is the U.S. and is a lot more local than China and other countries.
I want to encourage everyone to extend their definition of "local" and buy locally next Christmas.
Why wait until Christmas? Start buying products made in the U.S. in the New Year. Please support our own local economy instead of China's.
SHERRY WILLIAMS
Germanton
Happy New Year!!!
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