In response to "No quick answers for severed villages" (Aug. 30):

If you build on shifting sands, don't expect taxpayer bailout

Cape Hatteras Motel owner Carol Dawson faults N.C. DOT for not stabilizing the island and protecting the highway. People have been living on the barrier islands for generations. Before there was a road, they used boats instead of depending on a ribbon of asphalt built on shifting sands.

If people are going to build homes and businesses on the barrier islands - which according to data are being blown westward toward the sound - they need to stop depending on taxpayers to continually bail them out after every hurricane or nor'easter.

Cheryl L. Jones

Charlotte

In response to "Reborn in the USA" (Aug. 30):

Resurrecting manufacturing would give U.S. needed boost

This story, as told by Joe DePriest, was interesting, hopeful, and when I got to the final line or two, emotional, in a warm thankful way. Wouldn't it be wonderful if manufacturing returned to the United States? Perhaps we could return this country to the gift it was when our parents and the long line of generations before them handed it down to us. It takes "US" to restore the USA.

Sherry Williams

Charlotte

In response to "Foxx: Small businesses form the 'backbone' of Charlotte" (Aug. 30):

Like the support Foxx shows

for local business community

Despite the past recession, Charlotte is slowly becoming a place of entrepreneurship. Small businesses create jobs for displaced workers, creating many more opportunities for growth in the economy.

I strongly approve of Mayor Anthony Foxx's actions and the promise of supporting these small business. It not only shows patience from our mayor, but also the belief and resilience that Charlotte can once again rebound from the economic and unemployment crisis.

Daniel Lee

Charlotte

Events like gay pride festival help open community's eyes

I applaud those involved in Saturday's Pride Charlotte Festival. Some of my favorite things about living in the greater Charlotte area are its annual ethnic celebrations, which give people pride in themselves, and the inviting outreach which these celebrations offer the community. They offer the opportunity for us to grow as individuals and dispel those demons of prejudice that are often too apparent in our young people and their parents. Congratulations on celebrating diversity throughout the year. Great job!

Robert J. Daly

Charlotte

Thanks to Pride participants

for respecting family funeral

The Evans family and St. Peter Catholic Church community would like to express their gratitude for the responsiveness of the Pride Charlotte community, who so promptly and respectfully accommodated the mid-afternoon funeral of Roger Evans on the same day as their downtown festival. Both the music and street noise were curbed during the service and this thoughtful action was sincerely appreciated.

Barbara Evans

Charlotte

In response to "Minister's too loud at Charlotte Pride event" (Aug. 29):

Shouting pastor must have missed a few lessons in Bible

After reading Cleve Wootson's article about the Rev. Phillip Benham being arrested, I feel somewhat embarrassed to be calling myself a Christian. I support constitutional rights as much as the next citizen, but if this is the behavior we can expect from pastors in our community, maybe I should remove the Christian fish ornament from my car so that others won't mistake me for a heretic who also preaches in the streets and annihilates the Christian religion by whining about people who are, believe it or not, sinners just like everyone else. Perhaps Rev. Benham was playing hooky the day they covered the sixth chapter of Matthew in seminary.

Mark Johanson

Charlotte

In response to "Krauthammer should stay, but not for the reason you think" (Aug. 29):

According to polls, a lot of us agree with Krauthammer

Forum writer Ken Burrows' letter is a harbinger of things to come in the upcoming election cycle. When you can't argue on behalf of your failed policy, demonize your opponent.

Look for a maelstrom of such drivel from President Obama and the progressives.

Burrows' arrogant, is-that-all-you-got critique of Charles Krauthammer equates opposition to his viewpoint as "malevolence," "extreme," and by implication irrational, unthoughtful and unbalanced. Fortunately, only 38 percent of the population - and falling by current polls - seems to agree with him.

Gregory Joseph

Charlotte

Here's a different spin on that 'message' hurricane Irene sent

I read that Michele Bachmann said Hurricane Irene was a message to Washington from God. I agree. God clearly saw that the tea party wasn't going to stop all future stimulus spending, so God decided to get some things moving on his own. I'm pretty sure we now have some shovel-ready projects that won't need approval from Congress!

Leslie Goldfarb

Charlotte