… Why bow to the wishes of the perpetually offended?

When those certain Christians can show me where their holy book says it’s fine to take money from gay people right up until the point that they want to get married and fine after, but not for the wedding, then the adults in the room might take that position seriously.

When those certain Christians can show me that the Bible says it’s OK and even proper to serve adulterers but not gay people, then I will consider their position.

— Greg Page

The discrimination (and that’s what the anti-gay sentiment is) is politics shrouded in religion, which is a powerful and dangerous thing — powerful because to get past it takes personal soul-searching and an admission that we have been brainwashed in certain areas, that we have been the victims of 50-year-old political schemes.

— Kathy Vestal

The Christians in name only are the problem. Their faith was highjacked by ideologues that created a God in man’s image.

Christians who are true to the faith struggle to perfect their salvation by following the example of Jesus Christ.

— Reginald Brown

… We’re better than that

This shouldn’t be a debate about the Founding Fathers wanting a country free from or for or of religion. What the states wanted was a federal government out of the business of religion, period. Read the First Amendment: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

— James Strong

Oh, it was definitely freedom for religion. … The monuments and halls of Washington are filled with biblical scripture. Filled.

— Laurie Ryczek

…David Post: ‘Hood Robin’ suddenly ready to help poor counties

Um, you do realize that the story of Robin Hood was all about stealing money from the king and his minions (the “government”), and giving it back to the same people that the King had stolen it from (via tax collection) in the first place, right?

— Steve Pender

I am as confused as you. Just another example of warped ideology. Small, local government is championed until it isn’t. Redistribution is bad unless it isn’t. Freedom is good unless you’re gay. Etc., etc.

— Cathy Mahaffey

A clever twist on an old story. However, I see less of a switch in tactics by our legislature and more of a continued siphoning of power and economic development from the cities.

— Karen Puckett

I was skeptical of this bill, until I learned that sales tax distributions to Mecklenburg County last year exceeded the combined total of what was distributed to the state’s 50 poorest counties combined.

That inequity leaves poor counties with so few resources to build schools that they have no options other than property tax increases to fund public education, while Charlotte continues to attract all the capital to build schools, supplement teacher pay, and retain the lion’s share of economic development opportunities.

Meanwhile the poorer counties get poorer.

— Jeff Morris

… Walter Kirk: Once a Dodger, always a Dodger

My parents were led to the Lord by this man in Louisiana, Mo. (Skip and Kay Price). A fond memory of Pastor Kirk is him standing on a hay bale dedicating the new land for the new building. Blessings to him and his family!

— Becky Sprunger

It is an honor to be able to call Pastor and Mrs. Kirk friends. I’m very grateful for the path he choose to take — that led to our pastor and his wife, Denny and Donna (Kirk) Coates.

— Ron Honigford

I am from Louisiana, Mo., and attended the church Pastor Kirk started there. Pastor always had fine sermons and no doubt my life was affected by his messages. I learned a lot from this article that I didn’t know. I attended school with his children there in Louisiana. A fine man! God Bless you, Pastor Kirk!

— Roger Peecher

… Jobs for Life: Church program coaches people to find and keep employment

I am so impressed by the dedication of the mentors and members of First Baptist Church. This is a terrific program.

I first heard about it when I was attending a music jam at Trading Ford Baptist Church one Friday night. I recognized one of FBC’s members and went to talk with her. She explained what the Jobs For Life program was all about, and then introduced me to one of the participants in the program.

I asked why had she come to the jam, and she wow’d me with her reply. She said the program participant really enjoys this type of music, and, although she didn’t really care for it, she came along to support the program participant and be her company.

— Gaynell Lambert

This is so amazing. I’m the site coordinator for the Jobs for Life program at  Hope For The Inner City in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and this program is great for people trying to further their education and who are trying to find steady employment with the skills that Jobs for Life teaches. It truly makes a change in someone’s outlook in life.

— Allen Shropshire

As a volunteer I feel very honored to be a part of this program and was blessed by each one of the participants. Looking forward to the next class!

— David Green

… Charter schools an alternative to traditional public schools

How about students who aren’t proficient in English? Students with learning disabilities? Will charter schools accept and serve students with Individual Education Plans?

The unfairness of allowing a dual system of schools harkens back to pre-Brown v. Board days. If charter schools are the darling of Raleigh politicians because they have “more flexibility in their structure and curriculum,” then why are the public schools burdened with Byzantine oversight, endless testing, and demeaning grading of schools in poor neighborhoods?

— Ron Turbyfill

Yes, charter schools accept students with learning disabilities and students not proficient in English.

My kids go to a charter school in Kannapolis. …The school that my children are in cannot dismiss students based on academic ability; however, students who are “trouble makers” — i.e. starts fights, assaults other students or teachers — can be asked to leave the school after so many offenses.

… The biggest difference I see between the public schools that we have experience with and the charter school is the safety of my children.

— Katie Herge

In public school, my child was falling through the cracks. The teachers did go above and beyond, the administration did not. The answer then was obviously not to kick the child out, but to be held back and again etc., so it is not a perfect scenario.  …

That is the beauty of charter, they have the ability to do things differently. I may not agree with all of the things, but I also do not have to send my children there if I feel strongly about it. Just as I do not have to send my kids to public school and can go charter, private or homeschool.

Choice is a wonderful thing.

— Liz Janke

… Ruby Goodman planted daffodil cross since 1977

What a talented, hard-working lady who is still expressing her creativity! Happy to have known Mrs. Goodman through my mom and Ouida through ballet when we were kids.

— Lisa Dyer

Thank you, Miss Ruby. We love to see that cross every year and we watch for it to bloom for Easter. God bless you and your family and neighbors.This is ministry that you do and we love.

— Karen Cowan

I have enjoyed seeing Ruby’s cross of flowers and other flower beds planted on the hill throughout the years. Thank you, Miss Ruby! God has used you and that hill to spread His light. I am so glad others helped to continue on your wonderful tradition. Get well real soon. I know you will walk on your own again.

— Cindy Miller

May God Bless Ruby and all involved here! I have ridden by many times and seen her stooping down on that bank, devoted to planting those flowers! It is a eye-catcher, I’m sure, to anyone passing there. That was a good testimony!

— Wanda Segers

I have known Miss Ruby all of my adult life, including my teen years. She did prom dresses for me, and it’s so heartwarming to see her beautiful flowers each year. Reminds me of the beautiful person that she is.

— Toni Megliorino

She herself is a lovely lady.But that cross stands for so much. Thanks for sharing!

— Brenda Sigmon

Have seen the colorful cross many times. Nice to know the story behind it.

— Tommy Thomason