In response to "To: Erskine From: Us Subject: Run" (Feb. 1 Editorial):

Bowles beholden to many in N.C. and Democratic party

In your fawning editorial urging Erskine Bowles to run for governor you mention qualities you deem necessary to deal with North Carolina's pressing needs. One was "clear-eyed leadership beholden to no one ideology or set of special interests."

And you think Bowles embodies these qualities? Really?

He was chief of staff for former President Bill Clinton and head of the UNC system. He's beholden to both an ideology and a set of special interests.

Gregg Vulinec

Charlotte

In response to "City may help fund ballpark" (Feb. 1):

Don't need a crystal ball to predict ballpark outcome

Will the Charlotte City Council ever learn to be good stewards of our tax dollars? Projects such as the National Whitewater Center and NASCAR museum have been miserable failures.

Forget the results of the comprehensive study being done by the city because it will be another "pie in the sky" projection.

The end result will be: If it succeeds the owners keep all the money, but when it loses a bundle the taxpayers pick up the tab.

Jim Cherry

Charlotte

In response to "Roadside trees will be lost to billboards" (Jan. 28):

Billboard lobby sure did a job

on the N.C. General Assembly

For the record, I'm appalled that N.C. legislators will allow a triple homicide of our roadscape: 1. Clear cutting; 2. Digital billboards; 3. More billboards.

However, we may have found a new political party in the process. We've known for years our current legislators are incapable of managing a two-car funeral. The billboard lobby, however, sure knows how to run Raleigh.

I vote we draft them as a new party. Their goals may stink, but they sure know how to get through the legislature.

John Walsh

Charlotte

In response to "Occupy's aftermath" (Feb. 1):

Hard to ignore symbolism in storm drain use at Occupy site

So, we've learned that Occupy Charlotte used a storm drain on the old City Hall property during their stay. That's pretty symbolic, defecating on the grounds of a place built for justice. Some say character is what happens when no one is looking. That's never more true than in this case.

Jeff A. Gregory

Charlotte

In response to "Occupy Charlotte camp pulled down" (Jan. 31):

Taking down tents shouldn't have been a police duty

I doubt the job description of Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers includes removing tents from public areas. How could this be cost effective?

Officers are professionals responsible for protecting lives, property and for arresting violators. Officers should make arrests while the sanitation department collects the trash.

Cris Owens

Charlotte

Occupy protesters should

be paying clean-up costs

Those five brave souls suing the city of Charlotte over the eviction at the old City Hall should be counter-sued for the cost of the clean up and repair of the lawn. The names of the folks arrested there should be added to the countersuit.

Bill Lane

Polkville

In response to "Before you rush to raise taxes, cut education spending first" (Jan. 30 Forum):

Taxpayers get a lot out of

N.C. teachers for the money

My daughter is a Charlotte-Mecklenburg elementary school teacher. She has to be at school by 7:20 a.m. and after school she does lesson plans for the next day. Most days she gets home at 5 p.m., after a 9- or 10-hour day.

She works these extra hours out of care and concern for students. It's a shame our great state has not given teachers like her a raise in three years. I just wanted the people of Charlotte to know what they're getting for their money from these great teachers.

Terry Bame

Cherryville

In response to "State NAACP opposes marriage amendment" (Jan. 29):

Democracy allows for votes like upcoming one on gay marriage

The N.C. NAACP president says "It's a dangerous precedent when you allow a majority to vote on the rights of a minority." More than a "right," traditional marriage represents a longstanding, multicultural, common-sense, government- and church-sanctioned commitment, without which irresponsible partners might be more likely to leave spouses and kids in tough times or tempting situations.

A gay or lesbian without the "right" to marry isn't a second-class citizen. Just as civil rights workers and suffragists did so well, LGBT activists can make their case. But let voters vote.

Phil Clutts

Harrisburg

In response to "A pointed comment on Reagan's legacy" (Feb. 1 Viewpoint):

Arizona governor right to take issue with Obama's tactics

Leonard Pitts was upset with Gov. Jan Brewer wagging her finger at the president. Does Pitts realize the Obama administration and Justice Department have a lawsuit against Arizona? The White House is taking sides with a foreign country, and basically the drug cartel of Mexico, against one of its own states.

I agree Gov. Brewer should not have wagged her finger. She should have cold cocked him.

Scott Agnew

Concord