LETTERS.

Treat her like a man

I found "Change of Life" in the July issue to be offensive to businesswomen in particular and women in general. The title denigrates middle-aged women and has absolutely nothing to do with Darleen Johns' business, Alphanumerics. The irrelevant details, such as her fingernails and lip gloss, are totally inappropriate. Would a profile of a businessman include comments about his hairstyle, his jewelry, his Southern accent and the decor of his office? The emphasis on her personal characteristics far overshadows the profile of the president of a successful business in a field traditionally dominated by males. The writer showed a serious error in judgment. You are even more at fault by publishing a sexist article that serves to reinforce stereotypes about women.

Brenda H. Rogers

Raleigh

Atlas unshrugged

Your review of our North Carolina Atlas (Up Front, July) is the latest of several dozen, all favorable, that the book has received, but it is easily one of the most thoughtful and insightful. You might be interested in knowing that Rolfe Neill [retired publisher of The Charlotte Observer] and the UNC Press are raising money to put copies in libraries, schools and colleges. Already they have raised enough to put a book in each of the 343 public libraries in North Carolina.

Al Stuart

Department of Geography and Earth Sciences

UNC Charlotte

As a longtime fan of Doug Orr, I appreciated your comments on the new North Carolina Atlas (Up Front, July). If you liked his atlas, you should check out his Web site: http://www.warren-wilson.edu. Great things are happening in education under Doug's visionary leadership.

Joel B. Adams Jr.

Raymond James Financial Services

Asheville

Watch your language

After reading the "mule dispute" article in Tar Heel Tattler (July), I believe my office will be better off without further issues of your magazine. While this particular article was basically meaningless and inconsequential, I suppose no harm was done in reporting it. However, I see no justification for unedited repeating of the profanity alleged by the dispute's participants. Any notion that publication of the quote serves journalism or honesty is ludicrous. We live in a world desperately in need of moderation, direction and moral leadership. BUSINESS NORTH CAROLINA could have taken the high road by excluding the profanity or, at the every least, leaving blanks for spaces in lieu of it. Your poor choice is disappointing and uncalled for.

Steve...