OPINION
12A • TUESDAY, MAY 18, 2010
My wish for all of the graduates
Salisbury Post L “The truth shall make you free” GREGORY M. ANDERSON Publisher 704-797-4201 ganderson@salisburypost.com
ELIZABETH G. COOK
CHRIS RATLIFF
Editor
Advertising Director
704-797-4244 editor@salisburypost.com
704-797-4235 cratliff@salisburypost.com
CHRIS VERNER
RON BROOKS
Editorial Page Editor
Circulation Director
704-797-4262 cverner@salisburypost.com
704-797-4221 rbrooks@salisburypost.com
DESPITE CONCERNS, A GOOD IDEA
Expanding DNA testing V shows such as “Bones” and “Cold Case” make police investigations seem much more dramatic than the methodical reality of the typical case, but they’re true to life in one important respect: High-tech tools such as DNA testing and computerized databases have revolutionized the investigation of murder, rape and other violent crimes. DNA testing has helped put dangerous criminals behind bars and exonerated others who were wrongly convicted. Its importance as an investigative tool is the reason North Carolina and most other states take DNA samples from convicted felons. But Gov. Bev Perdue and N.C. Attorney General Roy Cooper want to revise state law so that DNA samples can be taken from anyone who has been arrested on a felony charge. Proponents of the change, including the State Bureau of Investigation, believe the expanded DNA testing would help solve cases more quickly, potentially taking violent criminals off the streets before they have a chance to commit another crime. And in a real-life “Cold Case” scenario, it could help connect suspects to unsolved crimes where DNA samples are available. Expanded DNA testing does raise some privacy and civil-liberty concerns concerns. Although DNA testing is often compared to the fingerprints routinely taken from suspects now, the issue isn’t that simple. Providing a fingerprint is different from providing a sample of a bodily fluid. Fingerprints can help identify a culprit, but unless you’re into fortune-telling, they don’t reveal any secrets beyond identity. An individual’s DNA, on the other hand, can unlock highly personal information about genetic makeup, ancestry and a person’s health or predisposition to some illnesses. Much of that information isn’t germane to a criminal investigation, obviously, and the law would need to stipulate that only relevant DNA information would be gathered and recorded. Any revision in the law also would need to ensure that, in the event a suspect is exonerated, the test results should be destroyed, not permanently entered in a DNA database. In calling for expanded DNA testing, Perdue has asked the state legislature to allocate $700,000 to get the extended program going. That would pay for an additional forensic specialist and provide statewide training for those who would be taking and processing the additional DNA samples. Although every budget item will undergo scrutiny this year, this one deserves an especially close look. Expanded DNA testing won’t solve every crime, but testing felony suspects could expedite investigations by identifying the innocent as well as implicating the guilty.
T
Common sense
(Or uncommon wisdom, as the case may be) “You have to know what you want to get it.” — Gertrude Stein
Moderately confused
SALISBURY POST
ooking at the list of commencement speakers this year, one finds them predictably liberal. Glenn Beck spoke at Liberty University, but that's a conservative school. There is Alec Baldwin, the leftist actor/activist (New York University); Anderson Cooper, news anchor at ratings-challenged CNN (Tulane University); Rachel Maddow, lefty commentator at another unCAL watched netTHOMAS work -MSNBC, she spoke at Smith College in Northampton, Mass., where 25 years ago I was shouted down by a group of lesbian students. There is also Michelle Obama (George Washington University); Katie Couric (Case Western Reserve); and Meryl Streep, whom the Washington Post described as “the woman that every woman, young or old, aspires to be.” Really? Streep spoke at Barnard College. It’s been many years since I
was asked to deliver a commencement address, so I’ve had a lot of time to think about what I might say. This would be my abridged speech to the Class of 2010: I’ve just observed the 50th anniversary of my high school graduation. When my father went to his 50th, I thought he was an old man. I don’t feel old. Where will you be in 50 years? You can plan now. Ask people older than yourself to tell you their mistakes so you can avoid making the same ones. You will make enough of your own. We live in a “feelings” world, not an intellectual one. “It can’t be wrong when it feels so right,” says the song lyric. Yes it can, and often is. Make economic and relational choices based on cold hard facts, not feelings. Feelings come and go. Truth remains forever. Live within your means. There is no shame in being middle class, even poor. What is shameful is being in debt, which enslaves you to outside forces at high interest rates. Look at debtor governments, including America. Economic freedom is a precious gift. If
you can’t afford something, don’t buy it to satisfy your lusts. Marry someone who will be your partner in every way and then have children. Living together first robs you both of a great mystery. Statistics show it also reduces your chances for a successful marriage. Your value does not lie in how much money you make, who you know or what office you hold. Make your goal more than accumulating money and buying stuff that eventually winds up in an estate sale. Contribute something to a fellow human being. Improving another life is not only a gift to that person, but to you. Don't forget God. There is no greater question than: “Does God exist and if He does, has He a plan for my life that I can know?” The answer determines your direction in this life and the next. In the words of an anonymous Irish blessing: I wish you not a path devoid of clouds, nor a life on a bed of roses. Not that you might never need regret, nor that you should never feel pain, No, that is not my wish for you.
My wish for you is: That you might be brave in times of trial, When others lay crosses upon your shoulders. When mountains must be climbed, And chasms are to be crossed, When hope can scarce shine through. That every gift God gave you might grow along with you. And let you give your gift of joy to all who care for you. That you may always have a friend who is worth that name. Whom you can trust, And who helps you in times of sadness, Who will defy the storms of daily life at your side. One more wish I have for you: That in every hour of joy and pain, you may feel God close to you. This is my wish for you and for all who care for you. This is my hope for you, Now and forever. Now go hit the beach! • • • E-mail Cal Thomas at tmseditors@tribune.com.
You’ve gotta be kidding A sampling of humor from late-night TV hosts: “According to the top people in the petroleum industry, the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico will not affect gas prices. They said, ‘They were going up anyway.’ ” — Jay Leno
LETTERS Why is the Arizona law so terrible? The silence over Arizona’s immigration law enforcing the federal statutes is deafening. Since the 535 members of the royalty ensconced in Congress refuse to uphold constitutional law, the 10th amendment empowers the states to fill the vacuum. Federal abrogation of its responsibilities doesn’t prevent American citizens from complying with the law. This state action is not a challenge to federal law because federal legislation doesn’t exist; Republican desire for cheap labor and Democratic yearning for Hispanic votes are not sufficient reason to violate the laws. Adopting political correctness as a rationale for refusing to perform the “people’s business” is a sad excuse for inaction. Daily, Americans read about border conditions, whether a farmer is shot, his animals stolen or drugs bought across the border. Arizonians live in fear because a criminal could quickly return to Mexico, and capturing the culprit becomes a dream. Or, what about congressional efforts to erect a barrier against terrorism? Unfortunately, most Americans have not read Arizona SB1070, which can be read or copied via the computer. The act’s intent relates to “unlawfully present aliens.” Enforcement agencies are required to use “reasonable suspicion,” a standard rule applied by law enforcement agencies throughout the country. Aggrieved persons may challenge any legal findings in court and apply section 2, paragraph G of the Arizona law in his/her defense. Nowhere in the act is there profiling or any specific reference to Hispanics, Canadians or Syrians, but just to “persons” crossing our borders illegally, making them illegal. We Carolinians have but one way of compelling our congressional agents, servants, to obey the law and make the law equal for all: not like their self-aggrandized ex-
TO THE
“According to a recent survey, one in eight people say they will not buy gas from BP anymore. Unless, of course, it’s cheaper than the station across the street.” — Jay Leno
EDITOR
Letters policy Letters should be limited to 300 words and include the writer’s name, address and daytime phone number. Letters may be edited for clarity and length. Limit one letter each 14 days. Write Letters to the Editor, Salisbury Post, P.O. Box 4639, Salisbury, NC 28145-4639. Fax: 639-0003. Email: letters@salisburypost.com.
emptions in the health care bill. We can vote all incumbents out and let their successors know they are not permanent fixtures in Washington. — Arthur Steinberg Salisbury
Also thank you for the laurels you gave us in the Post. There are many people who work hard to make this food drive a success. Thank you very much to all for your help. — Ronnie D. Bailey Salisbury
Stamp Out Hunger Salisbury’s “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive collected 19,265 pounds of non-perishable food on Saturday, May 8. Thank you to all of our postal customers who donated. Also, thank you, carriers and volunteers who collected and sorted the donations. Thank you, West Rowan High School ROTC, for helping us collect donations from our city carriers. All donations were delivered to the Salvation Army, Rowan Helping Ministries and Main Street Missions. It takes planning to make this event a success. Thank you to all who attended meetings to plan our food drive this year. Thank you, Jackie Harris of the United Way, Postmaster Dean Fields, Cam Campbell of Rowan Helping Ministries, Jason Smith of the Salvation Army, and Dennis Sims of the Kiwanis Club for all your help. This year we had three Salisbury businesses that donated to our food drive. Thank you, Dan Hightower of Biscuitville, for donating sausage and country ham biscuits for breakfast. Thank you, Bo Hawkins of Chic-Fil-A (East Innes), for donating chicken sandwiches for lunch. Thank you, Cheerwine Bottling, for donating two liter sodas, and Dennis Sims for bringing ice from the Kiwanis Club. Thank you, WSTP and WSAT, for you help with the Public Service Announcements. Thank you, Shavonne Potts, for the article you wrote for the Salisbury Post.
Bailey is the food drive coordinator, NALC Branch 934.
Parents at fault I have read the letters pertaining to the Knox Middle School students who refused to stand and recite the pledge of allegiance. I too am shocked and appalled at that behavior. I consider myself moderate in the political realm, so don’t say that I’m an ultra conservative loud mouth. To the two students who think they should be respected, you have to be kidding me, and to the person who said you wish they had stood and recited the pledge but you respect their right not to, you have to be kidding me. Do these kids work and pay taxes? The only right they have in this scenario is to be provided a quality education, which is rather doubtful considering the material with which to work. Perhaps they would be more patriotic in a communist country where they would be forced to do so? The lack of discipline in the home flows over to the classroom. It’s not the teachers’ fault. It’s the parents who have allowed this type of behavior. When I was growing up, it was unthinkable not to stand and put my hand over my heart. I still get cold chills when the Star Spangled Banner is sung. I shudder to think where this country will be in 50 years. — Cathy Wirz China Grove
“And the Senate this week voted to toughen the standards for home loans. Under the new standards, lenders would have to verify that the borrowers can repay the loan. Really? Is that considered a tough stance now? You have to pay back the loan? Borrow money from the mob sometime. They break your legs. Those are tough standards, okay?” — Jay Leno “It looks like the next Supreme Court justice could be a New Yorker. Her name is Elena Kagan. She has never argued before a judge before. But living in New York City, you know, she’s argued in cabs, she’s argued in subways, she’s argued in delis, she’s argued in her apartment, she’s yelled at her super, she’s argued in line.” — David Letterman “So Gordon Brown is out. The election was delayed for like a week or 10 days because Al Gore demanded a recount.” — David Letterman “This oil spill in the Gulf is affecting everybody. In fact, when I went to lunch this weekend and ordered the sea bass, they asked if I wanted it regular or unleaded.” — David Letterman “The oil company said it was the rig company’s fault. The rig company said it was Halliburton. And somehow, each time they passed the blame, Goldman Sachs made a hundred million dollars.” —Bill Maher “The state of Hawaii passed a new law allowing the state government to ignore requests for President Obama’s birth certificate from the ‘Birthers.’ From now on, every future president should be required to be born on camera and in front of a national landmark.” — Jimmy Kimmel