Fraleys appreciate community support

We, the parents of Atlas Fraley, would like to thank everyone for their kindness and support during our time of grief. We are thankful that Atlas was loved by so many people, and we know that he is greatly missed. Our hearts are filled with joy knowing that he touched the lives of many people and that he will never be forgotten. -- David and Malinda Fraley, Chapel Hill

Recycling saves hidden expenses

In response to the Aug. 16 letter about recycling, I would argue that it was not based upon sound findings or valid information.

There are hidden costs in regular trash disposal in a landfill that make it expensive, and hidden benefits in recycling that make it economical. When the landfill is full, and by filling it with non-biodegradable substances it will fill faster, new land must be bought. This could be very expensive in our municipal area. The cost of landfill will only increase with time, regardless of the fuel used to move the trucks.

Also, on a grand scale, recycling plastic and aluminum reduces pollution associated with costly mining and petroleum exploration, as well as reduces pollution associated with manufacturing of raw materials to make new cans or bottles. This increases our quality of life and prevents the poisoning of our environment.

Many interests are benefited by recycling, most importantly the future of our economy and earth for future generations. In the long run, recycling is more economical than landfill. -- Aerin Benavides, Science Lab teacher St. Thomas More School

18-year-olds' brains vulnerable to alcohol

An 18-year-old human brain is not fully developed. It can be damaged easily and permanently by exposure to various neurotoxins.

The rapidly accumulating body of scientific knowledge of the developing human adolescent and young adultbrain provides all the reasons why drinking alcohol and consuming nicotine (two potent neurotoxins) should be avoided or at least deferred for as long as possible.

One of many internet sites to visit to begin learning what scientists know is www.duke.edu/~amwhite/index.html.

If anything, the penalty for supplying underage drinkers and smokers with product should be made more severe. -- Geo deSocio, Chapel Hill

Obama has got youth's support

The war in Iraq is very terrible and there are many reasons why. Innocent people in addition to soldiers die in war. Families are broken apart. Many times children never see their parents again. People are forced to flee from their homes. Money is wasted for the war. This money could be used for health care, building schools and homes, and to help the environment. These are just a few of the reasons why war is terrible.

Let the Iraqi government take care of their country. Our soldiers should leave Iraq. That is why everyone should vote for Barack Obama in November. I would vote for him if I were not 9 years old. -- Nia Wohl, Carrboro

Don't prosecute those who fled

The seed of despair has grown into a mighty tree in the years since George Bush came to reign over Bushville and ship the foundation of the United States into oblivion.

My dentist is going to Palestine with other oral professionals from the university to perform surgery where children have clef palates and no care available to correct the abnormality. These children will have a chance at more normal lives because of these surgeons.

What makes one person reach for a package of money while another reaches out to help a child? Is being a human helping a child? Or is being human feeding the earth with wars' blood, body parts and bodies to give more wealth to the wealthy? Is inhumanity, as I understand it, the greater part of human nature?

We should honor the service people who fled to Canada and commend them on their stand against President Bush's orders to destroy and murder in the neverending war in Iraq.

In March 1968 during the Vietnam War Lt. William Calley ordered the murder of all in the village of My Lai. There were killings of every man, woman and child, 500 unarmed civilians in all. Calley was punished for these acts of cruelty that he said he was ordered to carry out. He was court martialed for carrying out these terrible acts.

The service people coming back from Canada should be praised for not obeying the orders of a commander and chief responsible for the murder of an estimated l.2 million Iraq civilians, many of those deaths a mirror image of Vietnam. -- Estelle Leighton, Chapel Hill

Town has become haven for homeless

Chapel Hill is becoming a "Sanctuary City" for the homeless in the same way San Francisco, Chapel Hill and other cities have become sanctuaries for illegal aliens.

Have you noticed how our town is doing everything it can to attract the homeless to our town? There are events, a new homeless coordinator, and you're seeing more and more supposedly homeless people around. Are our resources going to those genuinely in need, or to those who can work the system?

Several of the bus stops near businesses and ABC stores are looking like homeless camp outs. We're so concerned about aesthetics in Chapel Hill that we require percent for Art and wouldn't let the Red Roof Inn have a red roof. They were forced to have a brown roof to conform to our regulations.

Chapel Hill is marketing itself as a welcoming place for the homeless. While vacationing this summer, we saw a sign: "Welcome to Sussex County: Your Business Partner." We need a sign in Chapel Hill saying: "Haven for the Homeless."

I bet a lot of people wonder how many "homeless" are actually sleeping in the woods. The panhandlers holding signs working in shifts seem to be doing pretty good. It's a great con.

Certainly lots of people have seen the elderly man who appears to be homeless, hanging out and sleeping on the grass of the public library and on Estes Drive. I finally notified the town about him: I hope someone ministers to him.

We're good liberals because we help the homeless. I suspect the liberals want to see homeless people because it's tangible evidence of the unfairness of American society. Don't worry that we raise every conceivable tax until no one can afford to live here except the rich and the homeless! -- Terri Tyson, Chapel Hill

Firefighters giving all to new puppet show

Thank you so much for the wonderful article covering the new fire safety puppet show that will be part of the Chapel Hill Museum's second-grade field trip on "The History of the Firefighter and Fire Safety" at the Chapel Hill Museum (CHN Aug. 10).

As a trustee of the museum, I wanted to further recognize the volunteer spirit that has helped to produce this fantastic new program. The firefighters that have participated in planning, puppeteering and prop making do so most days after they have already completed their duty shift. This certainly goes beyond the call of duty and deserves special recognition from the entire Chapel Hill community that they serve.

In addition, museum volunteers have given countless hours to the puppeteering and a host of other uses that have helped to create this amazing program that will be offered this fall to all second grade classes in the district. These dedicated volunteers also provide valuable community service to the museum's other field trip programs.

If anyone is interested in taking part in any number of exciting volunteer opportunities at the Chapel Hill Museum, please don't hesitate to contact our director, Traci Davenport at 967-1400. -- Kamie Edwards, Education chairwoman Chapel Hill Museum