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Abuse victims have right to defend themselves
To the Editor:
I would like to commend Judge Clarence Horton on his sentencing in the Stephanie Hornbuckle case. He could not have made a better decision.
I do not know any of these people personally but can definitely sympathize with Stephanie's situation.
Unfortunately, this type of abuse is not uncommon. I think it is time for people to stand up for the victims of domestic violence, and in my opinion, that is exactly what Judge Horton did.
It is far too easy for women to become trapped by physical abuse, especially when children are involved. If she had reported him to the police in this instance, he might have spent a night in jail, but what would have happened to her and the children when he came home?
The law does not punish the abusers. It just gives them a little time out.
She was at a greater disadvantage than many other women because of Ronnie Hornbuckle's work in the domestic violence program (do they screen these people?) and the false face he put on for the community. In the beginning, many were reluctant to believe her, although in the end truth prevailed.
Abuse victims have a right to defend themselves and their families. I know that this has been difficult for Stephanie and her family, but sometimes freedom comes with a price.
I hope she can put this behind her and begin the life she should have been living for the past 12 years. We all deserve to be free.
Trish Morgan
Sylva
Taylor is no friend of the Lumbee
To the Editor:
This is a very belated reply to Larry Gardner's defense of U.S. Rep. Charles Taylor, his vague accusation about folks getting their facts straight, and his questioning of how Taylor has been a bitter enemy of the Lumbee people since our representative "introduced H.R. 1408 'to provided for the consideration of a petition for federal recognition of the Lumbee Indians' ..."
First, Mr. Gardner, if you wish to talk about true facts for "folks who are going to publish," please note that you admitted that www.vote-smart.org is an unbiased and a nonpartisan organization founded to provide the American people with accurate information. Rep. Charles Taylor has the abysmal 17-year voting record in the U.S. House, not Patsy Keever. This site is much more useful and pertinent to individuals seeking information on current legislators like Taylor rather than prospective ones.
In Gardner's closing remarks regarding my tribe, the Lumbee, he failed to mention that Taylor has voted against the Lumbee federal recognition on numerous occasions. H.R. 898, authored by U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre and cosponsored by 237 House members, would have granted the Lumbee full federal recognition. However, Taylor's H.R. 1408, a rival bill authored in response to 898, would have stripped the Lumbee of the partial recognition they received in 1956, and would have forced the Lumbee to go through the corrupt and lengthy Bureau of Indian Affairs recognition route.
It is a true fact that the present process for recognition is flawed and that the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians itself received its recognition through court cases and legislation and not the BIA process. So, in short, what Taylor and the administration of EBCI craftily attempted to do was doom the Lumbee quest for full federal recognition by forcing them to go down the dead-end, corrupt, bureaucratic, prejudice-ridden and inordinately lengthy BIA process.
Therefore, Mr. Gardner, I heartily agree with your statement "folks who are going to publish ought to get their facts straight." In reflection, I ask you, where exactly did my facts go crooked? Please practice what you preach.
Arvis Boughman
Dillsboro
United States' nuclear production raises question
To the Editor:
I have a question. Why does the United States think it is right and good for us to be building nuclear weapons, but evil for others to do so? I have never understood this. Nor have I heard the question raised in the media. Few people seem aware that our country, already the most formidable nuclear power on earth, is engaged in an intensive program of upgrading its arsenal, in direct violation of international nonproliferation treaties, and at the cost of billions.
At the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tenn., refining and upgrading of bomb components go on unabated. Old weapons are refurbished, making them "certified reliable" for 100 years. The W87 (MX missile), equal to 200 Hiroshima bombs, has been upgraded, and the W76 (Trident missile) is in process. "Mini-nukes" and "robust earth penetrators" are considered usable.
So I repeat my opening question. Why is it fine for the United States to build weapons of mass destruction, but evil for others?
Judy Ross
Balsam
Hispanic Heritage Month a success
To the Editor:
On behalf of the Southwestern Community College Hispanic Heritage Month planning group and the SCC Spanish Club, I want to commend the Jackson, Macon and Swain county communities for supporting the first annual Hispanic Heritage Month in Western North Carolina.
We accomplished our goal to promote friendly awareness and understanding of the Hispanic historical and cultural presence in the United States and in WNC.
Hispanics have made many contributions to our country and are a vital part of Macon, Jackson and Swain counties, where all of us live, and these contributions are beginning to be recognized. Of course it is also true that we have many challenges ahead in integrating the Hispanic and Anglo peoples. There are language barriers to overcome, and many intercultural lessons to be learned. It is apparent to me this past month that both cultures are eager to overcome these barriers and learn about each other.
Hispanic people are proud of their ancestors and their customs. They have had and continue to have a need for the Anglo community to see them not as intruders but as neighbors. Positive visibility of Hispanic heritage, their history, their ancestors' accomplishments and contributions to humanity needs to be revealed in a public manner. That was the main goal of this month of celebrations. However, we also wanted to encourage our youth to learn to live together and appreciate each other's cultures.
We are pleased to report that 200 people attended the kickoff celebration and 100 people attended the closing celebration on Oct. 15 at the Franklin High School Fine Arts Center. In addition, an average of 30 people attended each of the 14 other events held during the month at sites in all three counties.
Because more than 30 people and organizations contributed to the celebration with their ideas, financial support and friendship, this first Hispanic Heritage Month was a dream come true. We have people who are already starting to ask how they can collaborate on next year's celebration. All of these facts are very positive and encouraging.
Finally, I would like to invite you to continue working in your areas to promote diversity, acceptance and friendship, not just to Hispanics but to everyone who is a member of a minority group in our communities. Non-Hispanics and Hispanics will benefit by increased respect for one another. Let's continue working toward this goal.
Let me finish with the words of one of my favorite Spanish poets, Antonio Machado, whose words were immortalized by Joan Manuel Serrat in his song Cantares, in which he referred to all of us as life pilgrims: "Traveler, there is not a path, a path is made as you walk." (Caminante no hay camino, se hace camino al andar!)
Patricia Hackett
Sylva
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