UNC system president should look to his predecessor for guidance on syllabi | Opinion
Donald Trump’s television address Wednesday night was a cavalcade of misinformation, feeble boasts and outright lies. Trump bellowed fake statistics claiming he is the greatest president ever, and that prices were both coming down and Joe Biden’s fault. He was awkward, belligerent and looked tired.
The American people are suffering, economically and from the erosion of our democracy. But Trump hasn’t done this by himself. Every elected Republican politician whose supported Trump’s destructive agenda, every media outlet that hasn’t exposed his criminality and failures, and every voter who cast a ballot for Trump bears responsibility for this situation.
Michael A. Clark, Charlotte
On December 11, the York County Library Board voted 6–1 to adopt a discriminatory and unconstitutional collections policy. This decision does not exist in isolation. Greenville County is currently being sued by the ACLU of South Carolina for a similar policy that restricts or relocates children’s and young adult books containing references to gender identity. Across the country, extremists are securing seats on library boards to advance a coordinated political agenda, and York County is no exception. York County Council intentionally reshaped and stacked the Library Board with YCGOP leadership to achieve this outcome. County boards are meant to serve the public, not partisan interests. Libraries exist to provide equitable access to information for all members of the community, not to enforce ideological gatekeeping. Libraries are for everyone. Our policies should reflect constitutional values, intellectual freedom, and the diverse families who rely on these public institutions every day.
Lacey Layne, Fort Mill, SC
The author is director of The William and Ida Friday Center for Continuing Education:
In a recent op-ed, UNC System President Peter Hans promoted the idea that, as a matter of “transparency,” university course syllabi should be made available as “public records” – and did so without affording a meaningful opportunity for university faculty to be heard. Hans would have done well to be guided by the lessons of his predecessor, William Friday, who recognized such calls for “openness” from outside groups for what they are: external attempts to impose ideological or political limits on legitimate campus discourse.
Hans might also have followed Friday’s lead by zealously respecting the principle of thoughtful consultation with faculty on academic matters. It is disappointing to observe current university leadership acquiesce so weakly to political pressures that an earlier generation of leadership, working in tandem with faculty, would have resisted.
Norman Loewenthal, Chapel Hill
Compensating caregivers
One person develops Alzheimer’s disease every 65 seconds. Alzheimer’s disease most commonly affects individuals aged 65 and older. 11 million caregivers in the U.S. provide unpaid care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Nearly three in four family caregivers pay out-of-pocket for caregiving expenses. On average, dementia caregivers spend more than $12,000 each year, an unsustainable cost for many families.
As a public health professional, I can foresee how challenging socioeconomic conditions can make caregivers hesitant to look after Alzheimer’s patients and adversely impact their mental, physical, and emotional health. The Credit for Caring Act is a practical solution. The bipartisan Credit for Caring Act will create a new, non-refundable federal tax credit of up to $5,000 for eligible family caregivers, which would offset the cost of some caregiving expenses. Members of Congress can play an important role in standing up for dementia caregivers in North Carolina and across the nation by supporting this bill.
Namita Kulkarni, Raleigh
FEMA funding
Regarding FEMA funding for Helene recovery: the executive branch cannot legally withhold funds that have been appropriated by Congress. That’s the law. The most disappointing part of this situation is that the Republican representatives of these districts are not standing up for their constituents. Will this lack of action have political consequences for them? Doubtful.
John Price, Cary
Indiana Republicans vs NC
Some Indiana Republican state legislators have returned to the pre-Gingrich conservatism that put democracy ahead of political party. Successfully voting against mid-term redistricting, one member said “I see no justification that outweighs the harms it would inflict upon the people’s faith in the integrity of our elections and our system of government.” Another put his decision this way, “Living in a free constitutional republic means we empower voters to make those decisions, and we accept their will no matter what.”
Legislators in our state of North Carolina have chosen the party-first path. Where Indiana’s brave statements will be recorded in history books, our legislators will leave nothing except their obedient silence.
David Hopp, Durham
Breast surgery
Each year, more than 300,000 women in the United States and approximately 13,000 women in North Carolina are diagnosed with breast cancer. A mastectomy, a common surgical treatment is lifesaving, but also life-altering. Breast reconstruction provides both physical and psychological benefits, yet only about 40% of women undergo reconstruction, often because of inconsistent insurance coverage, administrative barriers, or lack of access.
In 1998, the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA) was enacted to ensure coverage of all stages of breast reconstruction. Despite this, many women face delays and unexpected bills when insurers deny coverage, claiming current reconstruction options are “not medically necessary” or are “experimental.”
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is working to modernize WHCRA, ensuring patients and their plastic surgeons, not insurance companies, determine the course of reconstruction care. Ensuring timely, full coverage for breast reconstruction is common sense and compassionate, the care every survivor deserves, and our law should reflect that.
Annie J. Bright, Chapel Hill