Vulnerable children need protection
The anti-bullying bill was designed to protect “all God’s children,” according to the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Rick Glazier. Unfortunately, the bill was opposed by many right-wing Christian organizations for supposedly advancing the “homosexual agenda.”
As a professional who has worked for several statewide children’s organizations and has seen the horrible tragedies of violence against children in all its forms, I am appalled that anyone would prevent passage of a bill that was specifically designed to protect children~regardless of any “actual or perceived characteristic” they might have.
The proposed bill went on to state: “such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, physical appearance, sexual orientation, or mental, physical, or sensory disability, or by association with a person who has or is perceived to have one or more of these characteristics.”
The children of North Carolina need our dedication, love, support and protection to make sure that they can lead healthy, happy and productive lives. I find it dreadfully sad that these groups who claim to have religion and values don’t seem to value or want to protect all God’s children,?no matter how vulnerable.
I doubt God is happy about that. As a religious writer once said, “You can safely assume that you’ve created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do.”
ó Lauren Peeler Hood
Raleigh
God bless troops
Everyone always says God bless the USA.
But now we must say thanks to the troops that went on their way. God is not shy and would not just stand by; God is by our loved ones looking down from the sky. He knows everything that’s going to happen. God has his reasons, and one day we’ll be clapping. For the ones that we’ve lost at such a great cost, God only chose the ones that have love, no matter the cost. God bless each and every one one of you.
ó Michelle Williams
Salisbury
Stimulus still on
It is not too late to file a return to claim an economic stimulus payment. The IRS urges people to file by Oct. 15 to ensure they receive a payment prior to year’s end. Keep in mind that it can take up to eight weeks for the IRS to process the return and issue the payment.
People must file a 2007 tax return in order to qualify and be eligible for a stimulus payment. The Internal Revenue Service will continue processing tax returns and issuing economic stimulus payments for much of the year.
For people who have no tax liability or no tax filing requirement, there is a minimum payment of $300 ($600 for married couples), plus the $300 for each qualifying child. To be eligible for the minimum payment, individuals must have at least $3,000 in qualifying income.
Qualifying income includes any combination of earned income, nontaxable combat pay and certain benefit payments from Social Security, Veterans Affairs and Railroad Retirement. People who have no tax liability or no tax filing requirement only need to file a simple Form 1040A.
Remember, all people need to do is file a 2007 tax return. That’s it. We’ll do the rest. Please, visit www.irs.gov for details.
ó Mark Hanson
Greensboro
Hanson is an IRS spokesperson for North Carolina and South Carolina.
Why not drill?
I have been listening to the back and forth arguing between Republicans and Democrats about energy issues for over a week. My opinion is that they need to quit arguing about who thought of it and do something about it. They’re not listening to the people who put them up there in office to start with. They do not have to worry where the money is coming from to buy gas to get to work and buy groceries.
If opening up areas for drilling will help ease the pressure on everyone, Democrat or Republican, and our nation as a whole, what is the problem?
ó Charles Miller
Salisbury