The Readers' Forum: Saturday letters

Latest production

In Forsyth County's latest production of "Don Quixote," the county commissioners interchangeably play the lead role chasing the windmill of sectarian prayer before public meetings. The citizens of Forsyth County play the supporting role of Sancho Panza following blithely as their hero goes out on yet another fool's mission. The audience of religious zealots clap wildly throughout the performance, encouraging Señor Quixote on his fantasy quest.

Unfortunately, the critics played by the U.S. Supreme Court saw only the humor in the production and gave the performance two thumbs down. With that, the production came to an end, leaving us with a bill for $200,000 and a cast searching for more comedies to produce at taxpayer expense.

JOHN WIGODSKY

Winston-Salem

Legal consequence

In an article published in the Journal, "Action put off on guns-in-parks issue" (Jan. 23), Forsyth County Commissioner Bill Whiteheart admitted that he violates the county's concealed-weapons ordinance by keeping a gun locked in his vehicle while attending commissioners' meetings. Has he received a citation and been fined or whatever the legal consequence would be? Surely an elected official making such a reckless comment would be held accountable.

Whiteheart set an unacceptable example. Or is there a double standard, and elected officials get some kind of immunity? If true, there is yet another unacceptable standard.

The fact that guns, concealed or unconcealed, cannot be taken into courthouses and carried onto public-school grounds supports my position for stricter gun laws. If more people bearing arms in all venues make us safer, then why not have guns in courtrooms or on public-school grounds? That will probably be the next proposal of the current N.C. General Assembly.

Where does the audacity stop? In a truly civilized country, we would not even be having this conversation. Some of us are trying to maintain a civilization, and the task grows more difficult each day.

ANNE GRIFFIS WILSON

Winston-Salem

Pipeline nightmare

The writer of the letter "Pipeline dreams" (Jan. 24) should thank President Obama for quashing the development of the Keystone XL pipeline. This pipeline would have created some temporary blue-collar jobs but enabled millions of gallons of oil to flow from the Canadian tar sands across pristine countryside in the United States.

Our amber waves of grain turn black when pipelines spring leaks. Our purple mountains' majesties turn gray from the carbon monoxide produced from burning this fuel.

Encouraging the dirtiest, most polluting methods of oil-shale extraction in the world is not ethical. We can end our dependence on foreign oil by driving less and seeking out alternative and sustainable sources.

ANDREW L. BREWER

Winston-Salem

The candidate

I think I have a solution to this unemployment thing. No need for me to compete with others for the small pool of jobs. It was right before me, but I never saw it. All I have to do is say outlandish things and run for office!

For starters, I could propose building an electrified fence along the border to keep "the illegals" out, to gain a small following. I could continue by suggesting secession from the union to further grow my number of supporters. And when I decide to jump in the presidential race and I'm asked about foreign policy, I could simply respond by saying I don't need to know who the president of Ubeki-beki-beki-stan is.

When the Benjamins start to stack up, I can take a pilgrimage to Tiffany's and drop a cool half-million dollars on jewelry. I'll have to keep it hushed because I'll be busy convincing the public that I'm a struggling, hard-working American.

I already figured out that if the mainstream media asks me for solutions to fix unemployment, I can simply dance around the issue by spouting cute little catchphrases like "this administration is making things worse" or "this president has failed us all." (Notice that I never offered a solution.)

And when my bid for the Oval Office fails, I can settle down, write a book or two and go on a national speaking tour. So be on the lookout for me because I need your support (and your money, too).

MARTY PITTMAN

Winston-Salem

Finish the Thought

Briefly complete the sentence below and send it to us at letters@wsjournal.com. We'll print some of the results in a few days. Only signed entries, please, no anonymous ones.

"Gov. Bev Perdue decided not to seek re-election because …"