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In response to “Researching Palin's past is news media's duty” (Sept. 5 editorial):
Sure, check out Palin –
but why not Dems, too?
It's not how the news media vet Republicans, but how they don't vet Democrats. More research was conducted and reported on Ms. Palin in two days than has been done on Mr. Obama or Mr. Edwards in two years!
Lars Lippard
Charlotte
It's not your investigating
but your condescending
We don't object to an honest review of Palin's record and qualifications. What we object to is the condescension, insinuation and hypocrisy.
Look all you want into her background, but spare us the disdain for her character just because she is a strong Republican woman.
Tom Kirby
Charlotte
In response to “Why would Palin throw daughter to media lions?” (Sept. 5 Forum):
This gives Bristol Palin
lesson in consequences
Maybe it's a way to reinforce Sarah Palin's belief that actions carry consequences.
If more people both young and old were made to suffer appropriate consequences, more thought might be paid to their actions.
Of course, that theory may be lost in the “heat of the moment,” even for those such as John Edwards who are surely old enough to know better.
Leslie Daniels
Charlotte
Palin, daughter are models
for families everywhere
Bristol is accepting responsibility in an admirable way. She knew she would have to deal with the press, whether her mother is governor or vice president. I applaud them both – a teenager who chose life for her child and a mother who stood by her core beliefs. They are an inspiration for mothers and daughters everywhere.
Judy Valliere
Huntersville
Illegitimate child? That's fine,
unless you're Democrat
If you're poor or a Democrat and your daughter has a child out of wedlock, then it reflects negatively on your family's morality and child-rearing ability.
If you are the governor of Alaska, however, and your daughter becomes pregnant out of wedlock and chooses to have the child, then it's a strong moral statement about being “pro life.”
Don Webster
Mount Ulla
Palin misusing children
in ploy to attract voters
I find it appalling that Ms. Palin would seek votes by politicizing her unwed, pregnant daughter and her special needs child.
Before casting herself as patron saint of special needs children everywhere, she should check out the achievements of the Special Olympics over the past 40 years.
Ronald Pittman
Charlotte
In response to “Did they check Palin's backstory?” (Sept. 2):
Family perspective is plus
for Palin candidacy
Why should having a Down syndrome baby and a pregnant unwed daughter prevent Sarah Palin from seeking the vice presidency? Would this question be asked of a man running for office?
Palin will bring to Washington the fresh perspective of someone who knows the challenges and joys involved in raising a family. If we are lucky enough to see her elected, maybe the “good ole boy” network will finally begin to crumble.
Carol Aranda
Charlotte
In response to “Palin on ticket creates intrigue for N.C. women” (Sept. 4):
Future of Supreme Court
demands women vote wisely
Our next president likely will appoint one or more Supreme Court justices, who will have enormous impact on women – not just abortion, but also fair pay, the right to work while raising a family and protection from sexual harassment in the workplace.
The justices President Bush appointed, Roberts and Alito, have regularly stood against women on these issues. McCain has promised to appoint more such judges.
It's time to stop worrying about figureheads and to start thinking about how our leaders will handle issues that affect the lives of real people.
Ann Groninger
Charlotte
McCain flees Bush, but
Palin impersonates him
While McCain strives not to sound like a Bush Republican, Sarah Palin exhibits all the swagger, rhetoric and tone of George W. Bush in just a younger, female form.
Coincidence?
Marcia Queen
Charlotte
In response to “Palin tells her story, takes digs at Obama” (Sept. 4):
Community organizers
don't deserve GOP sneers
Rudy Giuliani and Sarah Palin both denigrated the work of “community organizers,” eliciting disturbing rises from their audience. Palin implied community organizers have no “actual responsibilities.”
My mother, Marcia LaRiche, began her long career of serving others in Cleveland, Ohio, in the late '60s in a community that was literally burning. Later she led efforts to improve city schools. Her last contribution came as an advocate for ALS patients and a participant in a clinical trial as she slowly died from that devastating disease.
She always had great responsibilities: the lives of others, the health of her community.
Sean LaRiche
Charlotte
In response to “Krugman should realize rich bear heaviest tax burden” (Aug. 31 Forum):
Tax burden of wealthy
doesn't tell whole story
Yes, the richest 1 percent pay 40 percent of the income taxes, but they also control 40 percent of our wealth – while enjoying a huge and growing disparity in annual income as compared with the bottom 90 percent.
Roland Moy
Boone
In response to “United Way: No goal on fund drive this year” (Sept. 4):
Management pressure
is unhappy memory
Now that I'm an independent contractor, I thank God I no longer have to undergo strong-arming by upper management to contribute to United Way and can give to the charities of my choice.
Also, those thermometer billboards are both an eyesore and a guilt trip.
Cindy Harness
Kannapolis
Now is time for businesses
to widen deduction options
How to save regional charities in the wake of the United Way scandal?
Simple. Businesses should offer employees a payroll deduction option not only for United Way but also for their charity of choice – something many of us would prefer even without the current fiasco.
Courtney Lyons
Charlotte
In response to “A bear of a bear” (Aug. 31):
Wouldn't photo of bear
have served hunter as well?
Although I certainly respect Charlie Rush's right to own and hunt with a .300 Weatherly rifle, I couldn't help being deeply saddened by the photo of a magnificent 2,000-pound, 10-foot-tall, 20-year-old bear destroyed for the only apparent purpose of adding it to a collection that already includes two others.
Why not hunt with a camera?
Dan Laurent
Charlotte
What's so great about
killing bear for trophy?
How can anyone be so proud of killing this animal and leaving the carcass, just so he can take home the hide?
Diedrich D. Oglesbee Jr.
Charlotte
