On Nov. 21, our employees, the senators, who work for us, didn't get the message. They voted to move discussion of the 2,074-page health-care bill forward and went home for their Thanksgiving dinner. Were all those who went to Washington, D.C., and paraded signs in front of the Capitol invisible? Evidently, as their pleas for "No More Spending" fell on deaf ears.

Reform is needed ... Yes. But what about tort reform and portability? Would this not be better than 2,074 pages of bureaucratic doublespeak? To put it simply, we can't afford this kind of health-care bill and neither can the states.

Jeanne M. Straub

Raleigh

Help end poverty housing

The United Nations says more than 1 billion people in the world live in poverty housing.

That kind of news is overwhelming, but folks in Johnston County believe that by addressing the problem one community at a time, beginning with their own, the headlines of tomorrow can read differently.

The Fuller Center for Housing of Johnston County announces its formation to partner with low-income families to address the issue of substandard housing. Specifically, the Johnston County group will use volunteer labor to build new or renovate existing houses for families in need.

As a "covenant partner" of the international Fuller Center for Housing, the Johnston County organization will have access to the expertise, information sharing, training and funding available through the international group, but governance and day-to-day operations will occur at the local level, including raising funds, mobilizing volunteers, selecting and nurturing families and building decent homes.

The Fuller Center for Housing of Johnston County, like all other Fuller Center partners, will coordinate its projects through the use of volunteer labor and will charge no interest of any partner family in keeping with what the Fuller Center founder, Millard Fuller, calls, "The Economics of Jesus."

In John 14:2, Jesus said, "In my Father's House are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." Matthew 7:7 says "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you." So I seek and knock on your door, Johnston County, and ask, "Can you help us?"

Similar covenant partners have been springing up all over the country and abroad. In March of 2007, a covenant partner launched in the Chattahoochee Valley of eastern Alabama and western Georgia. Four new houses were built in a weeklong "blitz-build" with an ambitious goal of building 500 houses to completely eliminate poverty housing in that area. Similar covenant partners are at work in more than 25 communities in the United States and in seven countries overseas. The Fuller Center Project in El Salvador is working toward its goal of building a 100-house community in San Luis Talpa, just south of the capital of San Salvador.

Our vision is to do what we can do for whom we can do it. For local information, e-mail johnstoncountync@fullercenter.org or call 1-866-966-8476.

Mike Steward

Johnston County

A magnificent sight

I find it funny how a few years can make a difference in the way a person thinks.

A few years ago, when I was visiting my sister in New York, I made fun of her because she had become a bird watcher. The first morning I was there, we were sitting at her kitchen table drinking coffee, and she pointed out to me her friends, the birds. She started to explain that robins, cardinals and many others came to her yard and fed from her bird feeder. She said she had to watch out for the blue jays and squirrels because they stole the food and chased away the others. She also said that she and her husband George would go out on their days off and see how many different types of birds they could find. I laughed and said, "Sis, you're a trip."

Well, here I am now every morning on my way to work looking for my new friends. I drive from Selma to Raleigh five to six days a week on my way to work, and when I hit Wilson's Mills, I will see an occasional hawk or owl on the fence along the side of the road. But what really catches my eye and imagination are what look to be golden eagles sitting on top of the telephone poles along U.S. 70. (I am not an expert, so don't get all mad if they are another type of eagle.) Usually as I drive by, they will spread their wings as if to say, "Hello. We are here. Eat your heart out."

The sight is just so beautiful that I want to stop my truck, get out and salute the magnificence of one of God's creatures.

When you drive through Wilson Mills and see these wonderful birds, take the time to think of the splendor of all God's creations.

David Speckhardt

Selma