The Readers' Forum: Tuesday letters

Newsworthy

A lawyer who steals people's money — not news. A lawyer who loses his license — not news. A lawyer who steals and then pays his victims back, while admitting he made a mistake, and takes full responsibility for his actions, now that is newsworthy ("Lawyer tapped funds, is disbarred," Jan. 24).

I wish Todd Peebles the best as he moves forward. When he gets his license back, he will be a better lawyer, since he is man enough to admit a mistake and correct it.

BOB DECKER

Winston-Salem

The court's refusal

On Jan. 18 the Journal ran an article reporting the Supreme Court's refusal to hear Forsyth County's appeal of the lower federal court rulings banning sectarian prayer at county council meetings ("Court action backs prayer ban"). In that article, the Rev. Steve Corts, a local Baptist minister, was quoted as saying that this "creates a chilling effect on religious speech in America."

Corts is right only insofar as it "creates a chilling effect" on governmental units promoting, directly or indirectly, any religion, which is banned by our Constitution and with good reason.

An example from our history may further inform Corts regarding the wisdom of our Founding Fathers. Roger Williams, a resident of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, was forced to leave the colony by the local religious authorities, who also controlled the Colonial government, because he insisted on practicing his religion, which was not the religion sanctioned by the colony. Roger Williams was a Baptist.

It is that sort of religious persecution by governments that has caused wars and suffering throughout history and which has no place in America, as our Founding Fathers came to realize when they wrote the Constitution.

The lower courts' actions and the Supreme Court's inaction (refusing to hear the case) were appropriate.

KENNETH R. OSTBERG

Winston-Salem

Missing a friend

Readers of The Readers' Forum will miss James Lassing, who died last Wednesday. He often contributed letters, and I would tease him that "it was a good letter but I don't agree with you." He'd chuckle, lean on his cane and proceed to tell me what and why he was supporting that particular view. It was fun to exchange thoughts with him because he never degraded anyone for not believing as he did, but was willing to listen to their side even though he considered them mistaken.

I don't think I ever changed his mind on anything. What I do know is that he will be missed by a lot of friends and family.

BETTY G. BEWLEY

Winston-Salem

Respect and friendship

As an alumnus of the Children's Home and current treasurer of the Children's Home Alumni Association, it was with great sadness that I learned of George Bryan's resignation as president and CEO. The home has lost a gentle giant with the know-how and the tenacity to achieve remarkable things for the love and betterment of the children.

He has come to know many alumni during his tenure there. A genuine respect and friendship has developed between many who have come to know George, and the feelings have been reciprocated.

One of the wonderful accomplishments and joint endeavors with the alumni is the creation of the Children's Home museum. It represents a timeless history with over a century of remarkable treasures. Much hard work, time and love has gone into the creation of a place where the Children's Home kids can come to remember times and places of the heart.

Even though times and the way we help the children have changed since my days at the home, the children have and should always be the top priority.

Paul Garber's recent front-page story was really an insult to the Children's Home and George Bryan ("Ex-police chief gets new role," Jan. 21). To diminish his many accomplishments by bringing up two instances of abuse, when he had no control over these things, smelled funny to me.

What George Bryan has put into place will continue to grow.

DENISE WELCH LIVENGOOD

Winston-Salem