This letter is in response to John McCann's "Brief" article in Sunday's paper where he said, "Do I give my old drawers to needy people in Durham? Or do the people in Haiti need them more." I wholeheartedly agree that it is a moral and ethical dilemma. But I don't agree that it is too difficult to overcome.
First, America must realize every calamity that happens in the world is not America's problem. It is not up to America to respond to and fund all of them. It is America's problems at home that must be taken care of -- first. We need to eradicate the problems here on the home front.
Yes, we are in a gray area concerning these needs and how they are met, John, but these needs can be overcome. For instance, what would be the impact if $706 billion allocated for Iraq next year were to be funneled to the homeless, poverty stricken, the hungry and affordable housing here in the good old USA? What would be the impact of the $300 billion allocated for Afghanistan next year if it were to be reallocated to address the problems of health care and the elderly here in the good old USA?
I am a natural citizen of the USA and I love her. I would not trade her for the world. The question I want to shout from the rooftops to all America: When will America be first again?
E. AL ROBERTS
Durham
Breed discrimination
I found two stray pit bulls Dec. 31, one male and on female. Pit bulls have an unfortunate bad reputation and I didn't want them picked up by the wrong people or hit by a car, so I followed them and managed to get leashes on both. They were very friendly and healthy and greeted me, a stranger, by running up to me and licking my face.
Animal Control came and took them to the local shelter, the Animal Protection Society of Durham, where found animals get 5-10 business days for their owner to claim them before they are the county's property. Every day I called I told the shelter I had people interested in adopting them and they knew I'd be willing to sponsor a cage for them to stay there.
Jan. 11, they were to be evaluated for adoption. I was told they would use every resource such as a rescue group before putting them down was considered, no matter the breed.
On Jan. 12, I was told that they were euthanized, one for stress-related behavioral issues and the other because of space. No rescue group was contacted. No behavioral management took place.
Behavioral changes that come on with inevitable stress as well as the breed should not be what determine if a sweet dog lives or dies.
CAT RENNER
Durham
Grades needed
I share a bit of wisdom with the Durham Public School Board that I gleaned from the walls of Jimmy John's on 9th Street. This is a paraphrase of thoughts allegedly shared with students by the founder of a hugely successful software company:
Some schools have eliminated losers and failing grades. Some schools allow students unlimited opportunities to complete assignments and/or achieve passing grades. Neither has any basis any reality.
I have been working for more than 35 years and know this to be true. Students need to learn that when a teacher gives an assignment they need to discipline themselves and personally manage their time so they can complete the assignment as instructed. The only exception should be unexpected mitigating circumstances (e.g., illness, school closed and the like).
VERNON R. NEECE
Durham
