Who opened the Pandora’s box?

The N&R weighs in on the Guilford County Board of Education’s discussion following President Obama’s school speech about possibly offering “opt-out” opportunities when any politician visits a school.

The editorial notes “several board members were skeptical,” adding that Deena Hayes warned of “opening a Pandora’s box.’” The only problem is it was none other than Hayes —-citing the “racist ideology” that sparked the controversy surrounding the president’s speech —- who opened the Pandora’s box, stating that if the system was going to allow an opt-out in this situation, it should do so in any situation that could be construed as a political endorsement, including standing and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Either the N&R again got some bogus information or they’re covering for Deena Hayes. I’m not sure which is worse.

Faith. Hope. Strength. Drunks. Underwear.

The N&R’s Jeri Rowe covers the controversy over the inspirational benches along the newly-opened section of Greensboro’s downtown greenway:

But these benches aren’t just any old benches.

The nonprofit Action Greensboro paid $5,000 for North Carolina artist Gary Gresko to create them. He made them from steel and African teak and turned them into the first public art erected along the $26 million, 4.8-mile Downtown Greenway.

The Downtown Greenway — a 12-foot path ringing the center city — already has garnered $5 million in private money and $7 million in our tax money. The project needs another $14 million to finish it in the next decade.

It’s a project Action Greensboro has pushed. And pushed hard.

….Check out the grounds away from the camera’s lens, and there’s a handful of empty beer bottles, not to mention a pair of shorts and underwear, nearby.

Then, look behind a pile of brush. A drunk is passed out, holding a brown bag in his hand.

I’ll leave alone the $26 million cost and the Big Brother cameras with the voice shouting ‘Go away!’ But can we just go ahead put away the notion —pushed so hard by Action Greensboro to justify the expense —- that the greenway will help cure a good majority of society’s ills?