In response to “UNC head to step down” (Sept. 18):

During tough years, Thorp made UNC better in significant ways

As a UNC Chapel Hill grad and the parent of a freshman, I’m saddened by Chancellor Holden Thorp’s resignation.

I spent time with Thorp last month at an event unrelated to the university. I found him to have an incredibly quick mind and down-to-earth manner that few in academia have.

Despite apparent missteps with the athletic department and personnel decisions, Thorp clearly advanced the university with a 24 percent increase in applications last year and solid improvements in professor retention and fundraising – despite huge cuts in state funding.

I regret that the university has lost such a young, committed and accomplished leader.

Tom Williams

Fairview

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In response to the editorial cartoon featuring FDR, JFK and Mitt Romney (Sept. 19 Opinion):

For me, another JFK quote sums up what’s wrong with welfare

I find it very interesting that editorial cartoonist Kevin Siers decides to use a quote from JFK about helping the poor at the expense of the rich to support his claim that Mitt Romney doesn’t care about the poor.

A better quote from JFK would have been “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”

We have become a society that no longer looks at government assistance as a temporary hand-up, but a permanent handout.

Eric Benson

New Salem

In response to “The ‘47 percent’ of tax nonpayers: Who are they?” (Sept. 18) and related articles:

Glaring omission in Romney’s latest video speaks volumes

One of the most telling things in Romney’s video was that at no time did he defend the cornerstone of the Romney/Ryan economic plan: trickle down economics.

We’re 10 years into the Bush tax cuts. If the trickle down myth actually created jobs, those “freeloaders” at the bottom would be hard-pressed not to be gracious and on the Romney bandwagon.

The problem is Romney knows those jobs don’t exist, and his omission speaks volumes to that fact.

Chuck Gardner

Charlotte

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In response to “CMS looks at morale, teacher effectiveness” (Sept. 12):

Boosting teacher morale

will be steep climb for CMS

Boosting morale for CMS employees? In a word: Impossible! Who would want to work in a district whose top pay, after 30 years, is the starting salary in many other states?

Teaching to the test is the unspoken tag line in faculty rooms. Tenure laws are all but ignored, and the salary ratio between teachers and administrators grows wider each year, slapping those great teachers right in the face.

The final insults come from the lack of a rational school calendar, and, God forbid, laws that would allow employees to bargain in a collective manner for terms of employment, including a fair dismissal policy for tenured and non-tenured staff.

William R. Jackson

Hickory

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In response to “Adult obesity may worsen by 2030” (Sept. 19):

Modified foods contribute to obesity, rising health care costs

Until people become aware of corporate greed/fraud and political lobbying, our obesity levels will never lower and health care costs will continue to soar.

Genetically modified soy/corn has flooded almost every product we consume, along with a host of other dangerous additives – BPA being one of many.

We are told through constant advertising that we need protein and calcium from animals, as though they are the only source. Obesity will decline when we drastically reduce consumption of meat, dairy, eggs and processed goods.

Sarah Dorenfeld

Charlotte

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In response to “Two teens arrested after fight at Carowinds” (Sept. 18):

Behavior I saw at Carowinds appalling; I won’t return

The fight between two girls at Carowinds doesn’t surprise me. I was there Saturday night with my son and nephew. I witnessed so much cursing, stealing, pushing and shoving to get ahead in line, and kids acting like complete animals.

Do parents teach their kids how to act in public? It made me sick – and mad that I had paid almost $100 to be witness and part of such rude behavior.

Carowinds has lost my business.

Michael J. Metz

Charlotte

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In response to “Panthers fans were rude, ill-mannered; we won’t be back” (Sept. 19 Forum):

Can’t say New Orleans fans were exactly, well, saints either

Forum writer Fran Grossman suggests that we could use a lesson in Southern hospitality. That sword does indeed cut both ways.

I’m sure comments about her “beloved quarterback Drew Brees” were tough to take, but during the same game I heard two Saints fans repeatedly call our beloved quarterback “Scam Newton.” Another fan angrily said we are a “backward and small town” because he was unable to buy a Saints jersey for his grandson at the stadium.

Ms. Grossman stated that she should be treated with dignity, and as a guest in our stadium, she is correct. But when you’re a guest in someone’s house, you should act like one as well.

Patricia Claiborne

Charlotte