Sexual abuse can happen to all children, not just girls
Remember, girls and boys can be victims
I applaud the Girl Scouts saying not to force girls to hug relatives or family friends for presents received or for not seeing them in a long time. I, however, wish the organization had included boys in its statement. No child should be forced to hug anyone.
I can still remember having to hug aunts and uncles I had never seen and likely would never see again. I did not make my children hug at family events if they did not want to. I suffered some criticism for my stand from relatives. But my children were happy.
There are no pedophiles I know of in my extended family, but many children are sexually abused by a relative. So why force children to hug when they do not wish to?
Augie E. Beasley, Charlotte
Roy Moore didn’t just make ‘bad choices’
In response to “Roy Moore is better choice in Alabama” (Nov. 21 Forum):
Forum writer Judy Richardson uses some interesting phrasing in her letter. She describes Democratic candidate Doug Jones as someone who “favors abortion” when in fact he is pro-choice. She goes on to label Jones as a murderer. However, she softens her tone dramatically when referring to Roy Moore as someone who has made “bad choices,” carefully avoiding the word pedophile. There may be just a hint of word phrasing bias in Ms. Richardson’s letter.
Barry Jordan, Charlotte
‘Pro-choice’ is not ‘pro-abortion’
Alabama Senate candidate Democrat Doug Jones has stated that he thinks a woman should make decisions about her body, not the government.
That certainly does not make him a murderer. If the government would push for birth control for all who need it, there would seldom be a need for an abortion. Does Judy Richardson really think anyone is “for abortion”? Those “bad choices” old Roy has made include allegations he dated a 14 year old and touched her through her undergarments. That’s more than a “bad choice.” That is abuse!
Phil Summerville, Maiden
We don’t need tax plan for jobs
In response to “GOP tax plan will create new jobs” (Nov. 24 Forum):
It’s amazing that many Republicans still claim to believe in “trickle down economics.”
There is plenty of money in our economy looking for good investments, the stock market is at record highs, and interest rates are very low; all factors needed to create jobs.
Cutting taxes on the rich does two things: makes the rich richer and appeals to the GOP base.
It’s that simple.
Robert D. Culbertson, Charlotte
Wishing for the leadership of Lincoln
As Americans awoke in the dawn’s early light of Thanksgiving 2017, our President was already up boasting and tweeting venom about the ungrateful father of the UCLA basketball player; and one of our “family values” Texas congressmen was explaining how nude pictures of him were circulating on the internet – all of this from the political party which claims the moral high ground.
In 1863, Republican President Abraham Lincoln first proclaimed a national day for “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens” during the dark days of a terrible war between Americans. We have so much to be thankful for at this time in our history, but uplifting leadership from much of the political class is not on the list.
Edward T. Hinson, Jr., Charlotte
Kenny Smith is being a sore loser
In response to “Is GOP being shut out by how districts in Charlotte drawn?” (Nov. 20):
Kenny Smith states in the article that “The districts haven’t changed, the city has changed.” He also said that “You have folks relocating here from other areas of the country. They are coming from blue states and bringing their voting habits.”
Plus, Charlotte has more than double the Democratic voters than Republicans. Hmm... maybe it’s me but it sounds suspiciously as if Smith and the some of the critics may be sore losers and want to gerrymander the city like the state of N.C.
Judith Riggs, Charlotte
Thanksgiving parade was poorly timed
Was anyone in charge of the timing of the bands/floats/groups as they entered the Thanksgiving Day parade? Many times there was a two-block distance between them, and sometimes more! We were at the corner of Tryon and 7th and were hardly the only ones confused and annoyed.
Victor Gallagher, Charlotte
This story was originally published November 26, 2017 at 2:08 PM with the headline "Sexual abuse can happen to all children, not just girls."