Answers to letters to the editor

[Kelvin Mace]

from my archive because I am cleaning them up.


Beau D. Jackson
High Point Enterprise

No doubt, there was a backlash against those of Middle Eastern descent as a result of the horrific events of Sept. 11. Personally, I was not a part nor did I see any of this backlash and, therefore, I must conclude that it happened, fortunately, on a limited scale.

Well, I'm glad we now have the definitive judgement on THAT.

However, I must say to the Middle Eastern populace, you have to understand the gravity of what happened on that fateful day, in that almost 3,000 people (Muslim faith included) were killed and scores more were injured, some permanently.

Cha! What do arabs know about the death of friends, family, and countrymen? After all they only average 3000 dead in the Middle East, every what? Three months for the last half century?

Therefore, understand that this backlash came at the hands of scared Americans (fearing more attacks to come) and, yes, at the hands of a limited few (bigots/ignorant) who relish any occasion to vent their hatred against any person of foreign nationality.


Don't be so hard on yourself, Beau.

However, since the horrific events of Sept. 11, the local (nationally, I'm sure) Americans of Middle Eastern descent, especially the clergy, have done little or nothing to condemn the acts committed by these murdering terrorists and their cohorts.

Damn sorry about that, Skippy. The Ayatollah Khomeni rose from the dead and gathered up a delegation of all the Muslim clerics in the US. He went by your house to apologize, but you were out at the WWF Smackdown Finals.

Yes, I've heard and read about how bad the Israelis treat the Palestinians and how the American government doesn't do this or that for the plight of the people of the Middle East, but I've heard and read nothing about what happened here at home, up close and personal.

Well, you know, Beau, that's the advantage of having enough money to let other people do our dirty work, it keeps all those disagreeable foreigners dying in their own countries.

That September 11th thing? A management screwup. But I can assure you, the parties responsible have been given a severe talking to.

I say to the people of Middle Eastern descent, stand up for this wonderful country you live in. Honor through deeds and your patriotic actions those who were killed and injured on Sept. 11. Speak out in a loud voice against those evil people who committed the horrible acts of Sept. 11, proudly display the American flag at all times in your homes and community. Meld into American society, bringing with you the positive aspects of your culture as have so many people of foreign lands before you.

or else John Ashcroft's goons will pay you a visit, if you get my drift.

It never ceases to amaze me how a few demented people of wealth and power can influence the masses into believing the promises of a better way of life.

Yeah, but that's the GOP for you.

I saw it in Vietnam. People in the south were promised rice would be plentiful, boonie dog soup in every pot, and a water buffalo in every hooch, and if you disagreed you were shot and killed.

Hey, be fair now. We also dropped napalm on them, allowing them to live in excrutiating agony for years. Then we shot them.

Folks, through your faith you are being duped into false beliefs.

Who are you calling a dupe? At least we don't believe Bush won the election.

Stand up for the country with the greatest freedoms on this planet.

And stand up soon folks, those freedoms are going fast.

After all, that's why you came here.

Actually, I was hoping you could give me directions to Canada. Somebody told me they have lots of rice, boonie dog soup, and a water buffalo in every hooch.


Paul Cordts, Greensboro
News & Record

A new baseball stadium in Greensboro is a great idea. Anyone who has attended a baseball game at Memorial Stadium knows it has seen better days. I respect and honor the men and women that it represents and will never forget their effort toward freedom. But we need a new stadium to compete in the new millennium.

Gee, Paul, I am sure all those men and women who gave their lives to protect freedom will rest a bit easier knowing that a monument to their efforts can be summarily dispensed with so a fine American like youself can have a spiffy new stadium to guzzle beer in.


Mary Catherine Comer, Raleigh
News & Record

As a former teacher, I make it my policy to support educators. I must, however, criticize Principal Melissa Harrelson for her remarks about the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Our organization is not now, nor has it ever been, affiliated with the Ku Klux Klan.

Of course not, Mary. With folks like the UDC tellings us about how "all those darkies" actually loved the plantation and their "massahs", who needs the Klan?


L.H. FRENCH, Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem Journal

Our legislators are an important part of our representative form of government. However, I do not think they are adequately representing those who elected them. Most estimates show that a majority of North Carolinians want a lottery. Many of those opposed to the lottery say that it would be a tax on the poor. But I don't think many of these lottery opponents also think about how the sales tax affects the poor.

Didn't your mother ever ask you "And if all your friends stuck their hands in fire, would you stick your hand in too?" Of course the majority of want a lottery, the majority are a bunch of clueless gits like you. If you are going to have a lottery, I would prefer one run by a more ethical and honest organization, like the Mob.