Wednesday, May 26, 2004

Seek out heroes walking among us

By RANDY GADDO
Contributing Writer

They walk among us. To the untrained eye, they appear to be normal citizens like all the others on this earth. They go about their daily lives, same as everybody. People interact with them constantly, but have no idea who or what they are.

Prison misconduct vs. beheading

By EARL TILFORD
Contributing Writer

At the 1991 annual convention of the American Popular Cultural Association, an event best described as “the Gong Show of American Academia,” I presented a paper on the air war in Vietnam.

"What to wear?" is an important question

By RONDA RICH
Contributing Writer

“You do know,” a friend of mine, a man I admire, asked, “that guys never understand why you women have so much trouble finding something to wear? It’s so simple to us. We just find a shirt and a pair of slacks that fit and that’s all there is to it.”

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Truancy rule: Kids learn out of school too

I have just read your article about the new state law to keep kids in school and I can see major problems coming down the pipe. Although well-intended, as with most laws, this one will run head-on into many occasions that the person “skipping” school will have a much better educational experience away from school than in it.

Under-18 license loss: How can school enforce?

According to the article, “Skip school, face jail, license loss” [The Citizen, May 19, 2004], it says, “The state is also getting tough on students who drop out of classes. If a student leaves school before age 18, she will lose her driver’s license for a year.”

It's about time schools cracked down on truants

I’m delighted to see that someone is getting serious about the kids skipping out of school. It would be nice to try that in Texas, although I think it would be difficult for the girls who are pregnant.

Boylan and Eska-Thedra watch too many sitcoms?

One article and a letter to the editor in your last issue motivated this reply.

Fanaticism: Many ignore dangers

I just wanted to thank you for that “Up against fanaticism” editorial [The Citizen, May 5, 2004].

Scott's time may be measured in days

[Editor’s note: Fayetteville wife and mother Richelle Jordan has been sharing with readers of The Citizen the experiences of her family during the illness of her husband Scott, a former Cooper Lighting employee who has been battling a brain tumor for more than two years. Scott was admitted to Southwest Christian Hospice in Union City earlier this year. The following was received during the weekend.]

Evolution vs. creationism: The faith of an atheist

Before responding to Peter Duran, I am compelled to admit that I also disagree in some respects with Jeremy Conley.

Why gratitude for no post-"Passion" anti-Semitism?

There is a pervading element of hypocrisy in Mr. Hoffman’s letters to the editor. In his first letter he states that people who question Christian actions are anti-Christian and should apologize (to whom, I’m not sure).

The truth about Plan B, the over-the-counter "morning-after" contraceptive

Recently the FDA denied approval to make the so-called “contraceptive” medication “Plan B” available over-the-counter.

Mental health organization rejects ex-gay group

In the alphabet soup that makes up the Washington, D.C., political lobbying scene, one of the more respected acronyms is NMHA. The National Mental Health Association (NMHA) has been around since 1950 and has been instrumental in advocating for the needs of the mentally ill. As president of the American Mental Health Counselors Association several years ago, I was glad to work along side the NMHA on initiatives designed to improve access to mental health care for all citizens.

Even with war on terror, secrecy, snooping excessive

Re: “Let’s remember military is there for all of us.”

Cain only true conservative in local congressional race

You’ve heard it from “The Georgia Gang.” Many are going to change parties and vote for Herman Cain.