Letters to the editor: 05/02/02

Support sought for Clean Smokestacks bill

To the Editor:

This agreement meets all of the criteria advocated by the Canary Coalition and we heartily endorse this breakthrough. If the bill passes both state houses in this form, as the governor expects, it will set a high standard and give North Carolina the necessary moral standing to demand that neighboring states take similar actions to curb their power plants that are polluting our air.

While this pronouncement by the governor is very promising, we can't yet take it for granted that S1078 is an accomplished fact. The legislature doesn't convene until May 28. The bill still has to go through the roller coaster process of passing through committees and coming to the floor of the House and the Senate for a successful vote of approval.

It is of the utmost importance that the governor and state Legislature hear a roar of public approval for this plan. It's more important than ever that we maintain our letter writing and petition campaign. It's essential that we have heavy participation in public events like the Clean Air Vigils at Pack Square on May 10-11 in Asheville and in Raleigh on May 28-29 until the legislation is passed in both the N.C. Senate and House of Representatives and signed by the governor into law.

It's also important to realize that even if S1078 passes as expected in this legislative session, it is not the end of our fight for clean air in the mountains of western North Carolina. It's only a successful beginning. The battle continues on the federal level and in other states where power plants continue to emit nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and mercury that drift into the mountains, rivers and coastal regions of North Carolina.

If S1078 passes, the people of our state can be proud of the fact that our will was heeded, in a democratic process. We will have learned the lesson that we are not powerless. Our voices count. Our actions are effective. Let's carry this empowerment and moral authority to the next level and finally clear the air in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Appalachian region and in the United States of America.

But first, let's get S1078 passed. If you haven't joined in this effort yet, now is the time.

Avram Friedman

Executive Director

Canary Coalition

Teachers deserve our support, thanks

To the Editor:

As citizens, we must demonstrate our approval through direct support of our teachers. As the Nebraska State Education Association noted, "An educated populace is the cornerstone of democracy. This nation's well-being depends on the decisions of its educated, informed citizens."

As citizens of our state, we have an obligation to support our children's teachers in a variety of ways so every child can have a competent, qualified and caring teacher through his or her time in our schools. Some suggestions:

- Support teaching as a true profession.

- Publicly advocate for higher salaries and better working conditions for teachers.

- Support teacher supplements.

- Advocate community incentives for teachers.

- Encourage county commissioners to ensure that an adequate percentage of the budget is devoted to education. - Get involved in the schools.

- Monitor your child's homework activity and require him or her to finish assignments on time.

Supporting teachers is more than a gracious act. It acknowledges and validates teachers' efforts to "touch the future" through their teaching.

Sincerely,

A. Michael Dougherty - Dean

College of Education and Allied Professsions

Western Carolina University

Drunk drivers deserve harsher punishments

To the Editor:

However horrific or heartbreaking Sept. 11 was in terms of loss of life, has it occurred to anyone other than me that drunk drivers kill five times as many people on our nation's highways every year and have for decades and we don't declare war on them. Why not?

The death of Jack Shea Sr., the country's oldest living Olympic Winter Games gold medalist, represents a recent, highly-publicized example. He was 91 years old and if he'd lived, he would have seen his grandson compete and win in the men's skeleton event at the Salt Lake Games. But his life was snuffed out a mile from his Lake Placid home by a man who chose to drink and drive.

Why are we so eager to commit our military and other resources to hunting down illusive terrorists anywhere on the planet, but we continue to ignore the endless massacre of our citizens by our own citizens within our borders?

Larry Wayne Mahoney, known at the time as America's most notorious drunk driver, killed 27 people May 14, 1988, when he crashed his pickup into a church bus returning home from King's Island Amusement Park near Cincinnati, Ohio. Mahoney was released from prison in 1999 after serving 10 years (a little more than four months per life ended). He's now free to drink and drive and to kill again.

We have no trouble catching drunk drivers or most people who break the law. It's what we do with them after they're caught that's disturbing. The most commonly used words in our local court report are "suspended sentence" and "dismissed."

In other countries, where governments seem to understand and acknowledge their responsibility to protect their citizens, they take a much dimmer view of driving under the influence than we do. In El Salvador, for example, your first offense is your last - execution by firing squad is the chosen remedy. In the more liberal Bulgaria, you get a second chance before being executed.

Arguably one of the cultural changes that have taken place in America in these past 50 years is our acceptance and tolerance for bad behavior. We seem to have developed a penchant for rewarding bad behavior and penalizing good behavior.

Of course, there's a very simple reason for this. Am I the only person on the planet who knows what that reason is?

David L. Snell

Dillsboro

Newspaper wrong to publish Hopper case details

To the Editor:

This information was not necessary or appropriate to share with your readership and has compromised the privacy of the minor involved. Although these details had to be brought out in court, they were not meant to be quoted to the public at large.

Legally, because the victim's name was not disclosed, I'm sure you were within your rights. Does it bother you that in our small town the majority of people know exactly who the editors were referring to? Would it bother you if it were your child, friend or sister? By digging up and including the sordid details, you have compromised your moral and ethical values and shown no compassion for the abused child or her family.

Another concern at issue is what message does this style of reporting send to other victims of similar crimes? I'm afraid it may suggest a lack of community support for a sexually-abused child, victim of rape or domestic violence. These people should be commended for having the courage to come forward. Is it not our job to offer them gentle compassion and protection instead of hurtful gossip?

It is these brave souls who ultimately help make our society a safer place for all of us. I'm afraid that your example of poor taste and irresponsible journalism may discourage others from having the courage to name their abuser, leaving more innocent children at risk of molestation.

In conclusion, I hope the editors have not set a precedent for the future of blatantly publishing the details of child abuse court cases for all to see. This would be a habit more in keeping with tabloid reporting, meant to satisfy some sort of morbid curiosity, rather than the more informative news that your readers have come to expect. Next time, please spare me the details.

I also truly hope that Hopper's guilty plea has helped to create a sense of closure for his daughter and her family and that they can now go on to begin to heal and to eventually find peace.

Sincerely,

Tracy Rodes

Webster

Cullowhee Baptist is out of compliance

To the Editor:

I was present at the meeting referred to. The meeting record states that there were 20 pastors and 12 deacons present, not one-fourth as was printed. The actual number represents more than half of the churches in the association.

I have pastored churches in Jackson County for 28 years and have pastored my present church for 21 years. God has blessed my church and myself because we have stood on the word!

I feel strongly that not only is Cullowhee Baptist Church out of compliance with the scripture, but I feel the entire resolution by Sylva First Baptist Church has no biblical basis. The final authority is the King James Version of God's Holy word.

I am presently battling brain cancer and will probably see my Lord before long. God help me and other pastors to preach the word and believe the word as it is the only way where by man, woman, boys and girls might hear, believe and be saved.

Respectfully,

Dillard Moore - Pastor

Moses Creek Baptist Church

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