Vigilante Violence

Dear Editor,

The “demonstrations” in Portland Oregon are troubling.  The lack of protection to those who disagree is dangerous.

What was the point of the group blocking public city roadways?  Why did this group chase down individuals who are bound to drive by with opposition bumper stickers?  Did this group allow free passage of those who agree while blocking and attacking those that disagreed?  No group should be allowed to set up their own checkpoint.  Blocking a thoroughfare to restrict free passage to only those who agree while attacking those that don’t is vigilante violence.

No individual group has the right to block equal public access to dole out political favor/punishment.  Local governments refusing to enforce rights of equal movement to those with opposition beliefs is denying equal protection under the law.  You cannot enforce laws to protect your supporters while ignoring the same laws when your supporters break it.

All of us deserve equal protection.  All of us deserve free speech.  Biased enforcement of laws encourages the favored group to increase oppression of opposition.  Those that suffer from the biased enforcement will lose trust in the government.  They will lash out since no matter what they say or how they say it they get attacked.

This has been going for on for six years.

Alan Burke

Police Lieutenant in Support of BJ Barnes

Dear Editor,

I would like to encourage all voters of Guilford County to vote for Sheriff BJ Barnes in the upcoming election. I have spent 50 years in law enforcement, security and investigation work. I understand the challenges of law enforcement today. A strong sheriff is needed to keep the citizens of Guilford County safe. I proudly recommend that all citizens vote for Sheriff BJ Barnes. He is a proven leader and a fair-minded sheriff. I support him 100 percent.

Lt. J.L. Hightower

GSO Police Department, Retired

Humble Kaepernick

Dear Editor,

I would like to reply to The Sound of the Beep caller in the Oct. 4 issue who contrasted Colin Kaepernick with Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods.

First off, this was the only time I’d ever read where anyone said that Kaepernick had an ego. Muhammad Ali, Reggie Jackson, Deion Sanders, Terrell Owens, now those were guys with egos. In terms of bombast and braggadocio, Kaepernick cannot be remotely compared to any of those other sports figures.

Second, though you, Mr. Beeper, may vehemently disagree with Kaepernick’s symbolic speech, no one can deny him his right to do so under our Constitution. It was the unpopular idea – and the bitterly resented speaker – whose protection formed the basis of the First Amendment right of free speech.

If Jordan or Woods choose not to speak out, or become controversial, that in no way makes either one a better man than Kaepernick. Nor does Kaepernick’s stand against black victim shootings make him any better. It just makes him different.

John Pugh

 

 

Freedom to Choose

Dear Editor,

I just read that the socialist State of California enacted a bill to require that all California-based companies will be required to have two or three females (out of five total) serving on their board.

Isn’t that special? Board members now selected by sex, not qualifications. In a free country, I thought companies had the right to hire and fire according to their own criteria, and that employees can just go elsewhere if they don’t like it there. That way companies can develop the best employees and the best employees can choose their best employer.

How do you like it when you develop a superior product or service, put up your own ideas, money and effort, and then have the government tell you everything about how you are permitted to run it?

We no longer have a free country. We live by the government’s leave.

E.R. Harris

 

 

Vote BJ Barnes

Dear Editor,

I have worked in the forensic science field of law enforcement for over 30 years. I retired in 2017 as the director of the Forensic Services Division for the Greensboro Police Department. I have had many opportunities to work with the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office und the leadership of Sheriff BJ Barnes. I have consistently found them to be dedicated, professional and always willing to help their law enforcement colleagues.

In an effort to solve more crimes and apprehend criminals, BJ Barnes and his administration have successfully pursued advances in forensics for this department. The Sheriff’s Office continues to seek advances to place them on the cutting edge of innovative forensic technologies. I am impressed with the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office and I feel that BJ Barnes is our best candidate for sheriff. I highly recommend him.

Stephen W. Williams

 

 

Unfriend Saudi Arabia

Dear Editor,

I am glad that people in the government and media are finally talking about some of the bad things that the Saudi Arabian dictatorship is doing.  Saudi Arabia is one of the most illiberal and anti-Christian countries on the planet.

Rhino readers know that I have been complaining about Saudi Arabia, and China, for quite some time.  There is plenty to complain about. The conservative House of Saud does not believe in democracy, equality, civil liberties or dissent. They don’t believe in the freedoms of speech, press and religion. There is the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, support for the Taliban, creation of the Islamic State, etc.  Remember 9/11? The majority of the terrorists that attacked on that day were from Saudi Arabia, not Iran.

Women, Christians and Jews have more rights in Iran than they do in Saudi Arabia. There are synagogues and churches in Iran, but not Saudi Arabia. There are Jewish and Christian Iranians. The punishment for a Saudi Arabian citizen that converts to Christianity is death.

When it comes to punishment, Saudi Arabia allows torture, castration, maiming, decapitation and even crucifixions. The Trump administration should end its friendly relationship with Saudi Arabia.

Chuck Mann

 

 

Simply the Best

Dear Editor,

As chief deputy, I manage the day-to-day operations of the Sheriff’s Office and report directly to Sheriff BJ Barnes. This has given me a unique opportunity to work daily with the sheriff and understand the dynamic leadership he provides to our department.

He is careful to determine all the facts possible before making important decisions. His decisions reflect a clear sense of right and wrong and a commitment to the highest standards of ethical conduct. He’s loyal to the members of his department, a strong supporter of their work and holds them to the same ethical standard.

Our sheriff refers to the men and women of this department as “simply the best.” He has worked hard to make sure that they have the training, equipment and supervision to do the best job possible. He is always trying to give them the best tools possible to keep them safe so they can protect the citizens of Guilford County.

Since he took office, there has been a drastic reduction in crime in many areas of the county. Ongoing crime statistics are examined by the sheriff and senior command staff, measuring the effectiveness of efforts designed to reduce crime with the desire to improve the quality of life for all citizens.

The sheriff embraces new technology and has placed the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office on the cutting edge of law enforcement in many areas. This includes advanced forensic investigation capabilities, rapid DNA analysis, new communications technology, advanced undercover operations and a successful DWI task force. Sheriff BJ Barnes is a true friend to the citizens of Guilford County. He is passionate about his work and dedicated to providing effective law enforcement. We need to keep BJ Barnes as our sheriff.

Col. T.R. Powers

 

 

Little Chicago

Dear Editor,

The City of High Point has long been known as “Little Chicago.” Much of this reputation was earned for its high crime rate in the ’20s and ’30s, although even more deserved was its reputation for crooked government, which continues to this day.

Not much has changed in Little Chicago. A business associate of mine recently inquired about the city’s sign ordinances and was told that off-premise signs, paintings, murals, etc., that carry the name of a business are not allowed. He then inquired as to how High Point University can have some 50-plus off-premise signs decorating the town. He was told that they have a “special deal” that allows them to bypass the ordinance. Sadly, they could not tell him where to go or who to talk to in order to get the same “special deal.”

On a recent fishing trip with a buddy to the city’s Oak Hollow Lake, we were told that we had to be off the water and out of the park by a specific time. When I asked why a private business, the High Point Rowing Club headquartered in Jamestown, was allowed to stay after regular hours, I was told they had a special deal with the city. I asked who I needed to speak with to get the same deal. Nobody could tell me.

It seems that High Point’s ordinances, regulations, etc., only apply to those who don’t have the special deal.  But no one can tell you who to see, who to talk to, whose palm to grease in order to get the special deal that puts you above and beyond the rules that the general public in town must follow.

My best guess is that the special deal is granted beyond closed doors, under the table, perhaps even at the country club or on the golf course. But no one is talking. I guess until the greenbacks come out, the “special deal” isn’t available.

Little Chicago remains an apt metaphor for the City of High Point. Different rules for different people, depending on who you know and very likely, who you “pay.”

Don Williams

 

 

Unsafe in School

Dear Editor,

My son attends one of the local high schools and I recently learned some things that make me concerned for his safety.

At his school, one of his classmates was cornered in a bathroom and relieved of a decent sum of money (over $100) and forced to give up his designer belt.

The student who committed this act was immediately identified and suspended for 10 days. I also understand that he was charged with a crime.

I was curious as to why he only received a 10-day suspension and was told that is standard procedure and that he would receive a longer suspension and be “long termed.”

I found out that the student has returned to school and will not face a longer suspension. This is quite disturbing.

Why would a student who is a danger to other students be allowed to return to school? If he had been over 18 and not in school, he would be in jail.

I was told that the student has a “right to an education.” While I question whether he is really concerned about getting an education I do understand that it is a basic right. But I don’t believe that he should be allowed back at the same school. Do we not have alternative schools? What about the safety of the other students? Don’t they deserve to go to school in a safe environment?

What about the victim’s rights? By placing the student back at the same school, the victim now has to face their attacker on an everyday basis. High school is tough enough without having to go to a school with someone who not only stole your possessions but also your dignity.

Much is being made of the “school to prison” pipeline, but it seems that public school systems are enabling the problem.

If students are not being held accountable, what happens when they get out of school and commit crimes? The answer is simple. They go to prison.

So by schools not holding someone who commits a crime accountable for their actions, the students who commit crimes learn nothing about consequences.

If Guilford County Schools officials believe they are doing the right thing by allowing criminals to attend our schools with students who are legitimately there to get an education, the flight to charter and private will get bigger every year until all that will be left in public schools are criminals.

Anonymous

 

 

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