Artist condemnation

The letter "Art delay raises questions" (Nov. 9), while lauding the writer's own career as an artist, condemns the Winston-Salem Police Department for the removal of Mark Jenkins' sculptures. The writer admits that he doesn't know all the details, nor if the necessary permission was granted for the sculptures' installation, yet he vilifies the police, who, he says, are already famous for bad decisions over the past decades. Gosh, here I thought they were famous for their recent bravery in the Peters Creek shootings or their personal courage in going to the scene of accidents and other tragedies that most of us would run from. The police do not make the laws; they enforce them, often at great risk to themselves.

I, too, am an artist, in fact a sculptor, but did not have a knee-jerk reaction to the sculpture removal just because it involved an artist.

Perhaps the writer should heed the advice of the 1960s bumper sticker that read, "The next time you're in trouble, call a hippie." He can substitute "artist" for "hippie."

AUDREY K. MAYVILLE

Winston-Salem

Tattered flags

As I travel throughout the Triad, I am too frequently appalled by the number of faded and tattered American flags displayed at many public and commercial buildings. I wonder how it makes veterans and current service members feel to see our flag in such deplorable condition.

I urge anyone who respects and would honor our veterans and current servicemen and women for their respective sacrifices to notice the condition of the American flag whenever they see it. If the flag is faded or tattered, they should express their concern to the owner or manager where it is displayed. Ask that the flag be replaced or restored to a respectable condition.

If the flag is left out overnight or in the weather, they might also notice whether it is illuminated at night, and is made of all-weather material, in accordance with the U.S. Flag Code, and mention those concerns as well.

JAMES H. DILDA

Kernersville

Let's be clear

Let's be clear about this health-care reform. The U.S. government is on the cusp of making a costly and open-ended commitment. Please do not pretend that it is not a big thing, or that it will be self-financing, or that it will go as planned. It absolutely will not. President Obama has crafted a new entitlement that will be impossible to shut down.

Obama wants a more equitable country through wealth redistribution by putting health care under government control and in the process making a clear majority of Americans more dependent on the government. The new-government Democratic Party will benefit for many election cycles to come. Those who doubt should consider the rollover of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with the Catholic cardinals. She gave up abortion rights to get the votes.

I fear that a great many Americans have not weighed the costs, and are ill-prepared to pay the price on top of two wars, a high unemployment rate and weak-dollar policy.

HIL CASSELL

Lewisville

A perfect asset

The UNC School of the Arts is kicking Camel City Cafe out of the Stevens Center as of Dec. 1 ("Camel City Cafe loses its lease," Nov. 11). I am so disappointed to hear this news, because I think Camel City Cafe is a lovely restaurant and a perfect asset to the Stevens Center.

The injustice is further compounded by the fact that all the wait staff, chefs, bartenders and other employees are out of a job just as the lucrative holiday season begins. My mother and I have always enjoyed dinner at Camel City Cafe before attending performances at the Stevens Center, and have loved coming back for desserts after. Its food is top-rate, and the staff has always been welcoming.

Camel City Cafe's lease should be renewed -- please, UNCSA, reconsider.

DEBORAH REED NOLAN

Winston-Salem

Mr. Rabbit

The smartest guy in town, Dr. Anthony Atala, has helped the one animal species on earth that does not need help in breeding: Mr. Rabbit ("Rabbits' sexual facility restored," Nov. 10). Now, I know this is likely at some point to aid humans, but in the meantime there are a lot of pandas and blue whales out there with ED problems. Pandas have more problems than just finding bamboo; their numbers are dwindling.

Rabbits get all the breaks.

DARYL LICHTEFELD

Winston-Salem