_Search The Pilot * _ THE PUBLIC SPEAKING ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- _Letters to the Editor Mr. Hill’s Complaints Are No Big Deal I read in the Public Speaking the account of Kermit Hill of Pinehurst complaining about the order in which The Pilot was assembled when delivered to his doorway. I’d like to say that if this is the most major problem he has to face in life, he can consider himself blessed indeed. Sounds like he needs to get a life. Carol Frisk, Pinehurst ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No Big Deal: Part II I would like to make a comment to someone whose letters to the Public Speaking column are all too frequent and whiny. Kermit Hill, get a life! Linda Hemphill, Southern Pines ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stop Killing Babies After reading your commentary in The Pilot on March 27, “Stop The Killing — At Least For Now,” I had to voice my opinion. First of all I support the death penalty because when people like David Junior Brown decide they can end precious human lives, the way he did, because he could not have his way, they don’t need to remain on this earth as a threat to other people or a burden to taxpayers for life in prison. For the second thing, North Carolina doesn’t need anyone from Louisiana or anywhere else telling us how we should make or change our laws on the death penalty. I wonder if Sister Helen Prejean or the Rev. Diane Corbett would consider a moratorium on abortion. I think these babies who are being killed are also precious human lives, more so than these convicted murderers. So stop killing the babies, at least for now. Stanley Cockman, Robbins ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Poor Cartoons I find the political cartoons by Barbour to be of very poor quality, exhibiting little talent, and not making much sense. Case-in-point: In today's Pilot, Barbour has a cartoon saying “Let’s not forget the other rural North Carolina.” I have no idea what he means. Stan Hunt’s cartoons are cleverly drawn, and are almost always Sandhills related. Barbour’s drawings are gross and disgusting. Surely there are other political cartoonists you can feature, and frequently you do. I could very well do without the Barbour toons. In fact, I would prefer to. Save some money and dispose of those ugly space-wasters. Hugh Jordan, Whispering Pines ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Clean It Up Your issue of March 24 contained two letters concerning littering. The residents of the Sandhills show great concern over this issue. However, no one seems concerned with the feces dog owners leave behind. An empty lot is still someone’s property. Each dog owner is responsible for the removal of his or hers dogs feces on someone else's property. There are a few wonderful dog owners who are considerate when they walk their dog, but they are too few and far between. Nancy T. Lincoln, Pinehurst ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Clear the Air Mr. Sonnenberg feels that the gas station at the entrance to Southern Pines isn’t in keeping with the Southern Pines image. Let’s ask him how he feels about the sewer odor that permeates the air in certain parts of Southern Pines so that the local residents can’t enjoy sitting on the porch of their home or walking in their own yard because of the stench. There is more to this town than it just looks and it is time to clear the air. Rivan Harter, Southern Pines ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No Coverage of Carthage To those seeking news coverage of the Hispanic community, good luck. Carthage has been around since about 1796 and it has no coverage in this newspaper. Judith R. Way, Graham ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Not So American Beauty I always thought there was something insidious about living in suburbia and Hollywood’s latest statement that, “See, we can still make a serious movie in the United States” confirms my suspicions. Every once in a while the movie industry has to use its millions to show us that they can still do art, so they make a movie like “American Beauty,” which has been done so many times that my popcorn wilted. This movie is so filled with clichés it proves my thesis that the American public would be better served by staying home and reading a book. The script is mediocre. The themes have been seen before a 100 times and better done in the printed word. I maintain that the reason that it’s created such a stir is a testament to our illiteracy. Bob Katrin, Southern Pines ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dreams Most of us at night find ourselves dreaming We wonder, do they have some meaning? Psychologists attempt to make interpretations To tie dreams into real life situations Dreams do seem almost real We can see, but we cannot feel Some people have nightmares and holler and shoutOthers in their sleep get up and walk about And dogs and cats, they squirm and twitch Try to scratch an imaginary itch Some claim dreams predict what to do Which later turns out to be true Friends of the present mix with those of the past Even complete strangers appear in the cast Exotic places emerge in detailed colors and shades On awakening the picture quickly fades Fairly common with us all Is the suspended feeling when we run or fall Dreams can be awesomely real How terribly bad they make us feel! Remember the song, “When I grow too old to dream?” Whoever wrote that was way off beam Dreams are decidedly here to stay Some people manage to dream all day! A.R. Stirni, Southern Pines ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Where’s O’Connor? Whatever happened to the only true-speaking columnist Paul O’Connor? He used to be a regular contributor to your newspaper. We need to see his column on a regular basis in this newspaper. Robert K. Wallace, Pinehurst *Editor’s note: Paul T. O’Connor’s column will resume soon.*