Save the trees nestled around Kenan Stadium

TO THE EDITOR:On Friday, May 7, while delivering Sunday’s commencement programs to the Kenan Football Center, I had the opportunity to gaze out from the 5th floor addition onto the splendid view of the east end of Kenan Stadium with those magnificent green curtains of trees framing the Field House and the vista beyond the Rams Head Center.

Show support for ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ repeal

TO THE EDITOR:While an amendment starting the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) has passed the House and the Senate Armed Services Committee, there is significant work to be done before lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) service members will be allowed to serve openly in the military without the fear of being discharged.

Editorial cartoon for June 10, 2010

Become inspired with your own life

These days it seems everywhere I look there is a new disaster.

College dropout? Enrollment cap damages chances for future students

The North Carolina House proposed an education budget plan that severely limits college access to state schools. The N.C. legislature must  choose between two radical education plans: the Senate’s, which cuts the UNC system budget by $54 million; or the House’s, which cuts the budget by $175 million. The Senate plan clearly favors higher-level education.

Immigration issues: N.C. General Assembly should postpone vote

A proposed resolution in the N.C. Senate calls for an immigration bill to be voted on prematurely during the N.C. General Assembly’s short session. But the General Assembly should reject the resolution and postpone voting on the bill until the long session.

A taxing debate: County sales tax referendum should be reconsidered

Orange County legislation to hold a referendum to decide whether to impose a one-quarter cent county sales-and-use tax hit a wall of well-deserved dissent at a hearing June 1.County Commissioner Steve Yuhasz said the tax could be dedicated to education, debt service and economic development.

Quick hits for June 10, 2010

Rue McClanahanThumbs UpRue McClanahan died June 3 at the age of 76. We will always remember “Golden Girl” Blanche Devereaux who was never, ever afraid speak her mind. 2.0 athletic GPAThumbs Up

Journalism students spark investigative initiative

TO THE EDITOR:Journalism students at UNC are leading a nationwide Carnegie-Knight initiative. A team of 12 students with different expertise is developing Powering a Nation (www.poweringanation.org).This multimedia, investigative endeavor focuses the political, economic and scientific tensions behind U.S. energy use to engage citizens and inspire informed decision making.

Israel has right to prevent more weaponry in Gaza

TO THE EDITOR:The usual nations hostile to Israel have fomented worldwide anger because Israel seeks to prevent more weaponry from entering Gaza. This is bad timing as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was about to have a Washington meeting with President Barack Obama.

UNC should regulate Greek money to control parties

TO THE EDITOR:The University is not showing any level of seriousness with the desired Greek system renovations.

Editorial cartoon for June 3, 2010

Being a neighbor, but also a hypocrite

My summer living situation is what the literary world would call ironic.

Homestead concern: Proposed student housing community is unwanted

The proposed Homestead Road student housing community is too big to be successful in our community.Capstone Companies proposed building “The Cottages of Chapel Hill” during a public hearing on May 17th. The corporation is independent of UNC.The complex, intended for undergraduate and graduate students, would include 1,120 bedrooms in 137 two- and three-story buildings.

Unite for the cause: Greek system renovations still need improvement

A plan to increase alumni interaction with fraternities on campus was proposed to the Board of Trustees last week.While the University is taking a step toward improving the structure of the Interfraternity Council, it is questionable whether this move will be effective.

Foreign invasion: UNC must take advantage of new business program

The recent partnership with French business school SKEMA was heralded by N.C. State University Associate Dean Steve Allen as “a pretty big deal.”Allen is right — and the opportunity to connect with a school as internationally connected as SKEMA is one UNC should continue to capitalize on as well.

Quick hits for June 3, 2010

UNC budget cutsThumbs downThe state House is proposing cuts for the UNC system totaling $175 million. The plan would limit the University’s growth to 1 percent in 2011-12. Facebook privacyThumbs up

Pundits need courage to disagree and probe issues

TO THE EDITOR:Pundits seem to enjoy waxing eloquent on the state of political dialogue, decrying the fissures created by extremists and concluding we will shortly be bereft of a true political center. This may be true, but so what?The beauty of freedom is the rough-and-tumble scuffles that occur when policies are proposed, then face the critique of opponents.

Memorial Day for respect, not for ‘letting loose’

TO THE EDITOR:The paper’s recent Weekly QuickHits section discusses Memorial Day as “Three day weekends are a great excuse to let loose.”How about telling your readers why Memorial Day was established and what it represents? We take Monday off to remember those who have served their country and have died defending it to preserve the freedoms we all enjoy.

Community brainstorm plans for crisis prevention

TO THE EDITOR:Want your community to be safe and resilient through the coming effects of unstable economy, climate change and the end of cheap oil? A great start was made on this issue at The Great Unleashing, held May 15 at Carrboro’s Century Center, sponsored by Transition Carrboro Chapel Hill.