In response to "When your church says 'social justice,' here's what to do" (Aug. 31 Forum):

To be 'all inclusive' you must include those you disagree with

Suddenly conservatives such as Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin are all inclusive and supporting civil rights for all? I'll believe it when I see it, when they support the right of gays to marry, and no longer question that a person can be an atheist and an American patriot. I agree with Forum writer Jim Johnson. We should work for a climate of justice in which all people are treated with respect and dignity and accorded choices - including those you might not happen to agree with.

Charles Fortanbary

Charlotte

In response to "Tea party and MLK marchers assemble in D.C." (Aug. 29):

There's room in our nation for the mosque and the D.C. rally

If Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck can hold a tea party rally at the Lincoln Memorial, then a community of New York Muslims can build a mosque near ground zero. Racist elements exist within the tea party; terrorist elements exist within Islam. That minuscule splinter doesn't define the whole. Is it ethical to condone the rally and not the mosque? It's best to support both. By doing so, we demonstrate that this is a nation where we don't tolerate discrimination and where we welcome and appreciate differing opinions.

Maggie Sellers

Davidson

In response to "In bond vote, don't confuse city with county" (Aug. 29 Editorial):

City and county operate differently; city isn't 'smarter'

The writer is chairman of the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners.

Let me explain the difference between the city and county more objectively. The county has had to build more projects in the past five years than the city, while seeing a substantial increase in demand for human services. In addition, the county has had millions of dollars of required services pushed onto it by the state; the city has not.

Large parts of city government pay for themselves. County government doesn't have the same diversity of revenue sources.

State statute requires the county to build schools. Charlotte-Mecklenburg has had explosive growth in its school population, so the county has helped CMS build 27 schools in the last five years. Schools are not "nice to haves," they're essential.

Yes, the city has a different method of accommodating debt. The city sets aside money every year to cover debt service. It limits its spending to this amount, which is easier to do with needs such as roads, sidewalks and neighborhood improvements. It is not as easy to limit debt for schools, jails and courthouses when these become overcrowded. The county is exploring whether a change to its debt policy is appropriate, but when spending decisions were made, there was revenue to support them.

It's right to point out differences in the two governments. But one is not "smarter" than the other.

Jennifer Watson Roberts

Charlotte

In response to "Uninsured find help at Matthews health clinic" (Aug. 30):

Mecklenburg fortunate to have so many doctors willing to help

The writer is chairman of Physicians Reach Out.

Dr. Lou Ann McAdams should be congratulated for her fine work at the Matthews Free Medical Clinic. The article failed to mention that she's one of 1,500 physicians and health care providers participating in Physicians Reach Out, a network of physicians working in free clinics and in private practice, who treat qualified uninsured patients in Mecklenburg County free of charge. In five years, 8,700 patients have been seen and more than $35 million in physician and hospital services has been donated. In this time of economic uncertainty and high unemployment, Mecklenburg County is fortunate to have such a caring physician community.

Dr. John T. Klimas

Charlotte

In response to "Could eucalyptus trees be the kudzu of the 2010s?" (Aug. 25 editorial):

Taxpayers paying the price for kudzu, creeks we channeled

In addition to kudzu, various federal and state government agencies over the years have recommended and sometimes paid landowners to plant other invasive plants. They also "channeled" hundreds of miles of creeks. These were some of the most environmentally damaging programs ever undertaken, not to mention a gigantic cost to taxpayers. Now, landowners are left with the expense of trying to control these invasive species. Occasionally the government spends millions "reclaiming" creeks they destroyed. Taxpayers recently paid millions to restore a section of Little Sugar Creek. It makes you wonder what we're doing today that we'll regret in the future.

Frank Bragg

Huntersville

In response to "U.S. teachers, students all deserve daylight and fresh air" (Aug. 31 Forum):

Without windows, I would've never passed Fantasizing 101

Today's schools definitely need portals that allow in sunshine and fresh air. Besides providing a sense of well-being, they tend to create a warm, lazy ambiance that helps foster creative and imaginative tendencies. For example, back in '65, with barely a C average, how could I have been class president, valedictorian, football hero and drop-dead gorgeous to the girls, without windows to gaze out of while daydreaming?

Ed Morgan

Charlotte