Letters to the Editor

Persecuting Christians

In “Persecuted: The Global Assault on Christians,” Marshall, Gilbert and Shea document the incredible level of persecution against the world’s Christians.

A Man Who Could 'Read and Write'

Thanks to Florence Gilkeson for her fond remembrance of John Owen (“Remembering John Owen With Respect, Admiration,” May 8). John and Margaret Owen were our neighbors and friends in Pinehurst for several years. My wife, Kelly, and I spent wonderful times at the Owen home.

Saving the Smiles

On behalf of the FirstHealth Auxiliary and the FirstHealth Dental Care Centers, we would like to thank our volunteers, as well as Harris Teeter/Aberdeen, Walmart and Lowes Foods/Pinehurst, for partnering with us on April 20 for our first “Help Captain Fluoride Save a Smile” Dental Care Supply Drive.

A Little Local Flavor

For those who absolutely know that the Southern Pines Country Club “never” opened the second Donald Ross 18 holes, just the little nine — wrong. In fact, 36 of the proposed 45 holes were finished and open for a couple of years.

Education Problems

There are justified concerns about public education, but not the ones The Pilot was concerned about in its May 15 editorial. The current system, locally, statewide and nationally, has not worked very well.

Generous Customers

The members of the Moore County Shrine Club (MCSC) wish to thank the participating retail stores in Moore County and their generous customers.

Going Beyond the Call of Duty

We would like to express our appreciation and gratitude to a very helpful and courteous Southern Pines police officer named Tiffany Hardin.

Too Much 'Stuff'

I enjoyed Deborah Salomon’s “When Life Is as Cheap As an Imported T-Shirt” (May 12). Salomon has pretty much captured the American consumer frenzy: “If it’s cheap, let’s buy a dozen.” Many times these clothes end up in thrift shops or at Goodwill.

Balanced Ratio Needed

In response to your editorial “Tax Plan Takes Off In Wrong Direction” (May 10), it becomes more clear as Gov. McCrory continues to promote and sign into law legislation that clearly follows the Republican agenda that punishes those who are not job creators, entrepreneurs or business leaders.

Miracle on the Field

My daughter and a handful of other seniors from Pinecrest High School had played girls’ lacrosse since its inception three years ago. At a meeting prior to this season, the girls were told that girls’ lacrosse would be canceled: no coach and no money. Team captain Karen Smith was almost in tears. “I’ve played all three years. How can they cancel it now?” One of the mothers at the meeting, seeing the look on Karen’s face, wondered what she could do. Kathy Virtue, with her husband, Chris, and Karen’s mom, Kelly, and a couple of other parents decided they would coach the team in order to keep it going. Then a miracle happened.

On Slamming the Senators

About Paul Dunn’s column “Sens. Burr and Hagan: Hardly Profiles in Courage” (May 3): First of all, although 90 percent of Americans like background checks, they do not usually want more gun control, especially after they learn about laws we already have (for example, felons are forbidden from obtaining a permit, as are domestic abusers, etc).

History Lesson

“Tamerlane the Cruel” — anybody remember him? Apparently not, because we don’t study history.

We Are Better for Having Known Him

Kudos to Florence Gilkeson for her wonderful remembrance (May 8) of John Owen, a man I came to know and respect during our overlapping tenures as chairs of the Moore County Republican and Democratic parties.

Helmets Save Lives

On Wednesday, the House Judiciary B Committee adjourned without taking a vote on House Bill 109, which would eliminate North Carolina’s mandatory motorcycle helmet law. AAA Carolinas is strongly opposed to any changes in the state’s current helmet law.

So Very Grateful

A heartfelt thank-you to the very kind lady who received my father’s FedEx package on May 10, by mistake, and then called him to say she would personally deliver the package to Penick Village, where he lives.