Disregarding FBI’s advice on Nunes memo was wrong

Disappointed to see memo released

The writer is a retired Hickory police chief.

I know that many of my colleagues, including those in the FBI Agents Association, asked that it not be released.

When will our lawmakers stop playing around and realize that some people in government deal with serious matters, such as the life and safety of our citizens?

GOP sells fiction, conspiracy theories

After all, the president himself is an aficionado of such theories and surrounds himself with similarly inclined people.

The final chapter of the Russian connection/Mueller investigation has not been written. In their efforts to discredit our democracy the GOP, along with Trump’s supportive media, attempts to convince the voting public that the fiction it creates is political reality.

GOP lawmakers took an oath of office to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”

Who’s the enemy now?

Don’t be so quick to reduce local taxes

Why is it every time a new or improved source of tax revenue pops up we start agitating for a tax reduction?

We can’t fix or widen our roads to keep up with the growing traffic. Our sewer systems are insufficient to support community growth. Our water system is overtaxed.

But we immediately want to win points with voters by talking about a tax give-back.

Duke shareholders like me should pay

However, as a Duke Energy shareholder, I think I should bear full financial responsibility for mistakes my company has made in past years.

On a more positive note, I appreciate Duke’s efforts over many years to keep power costs at a reasonable level while returning a fair profit to investors. I also support whatever reasonable rate is necessary to increase our portion of clean energy and keep the power grid up to date and safe.

Hotel inspections must take priority

In-person inspection and testing of every required carbon monoxide detector in a lodging facility is too important to be excused by the fact that a room is occupied.

Consider doing the inspections on Monday mornings before check-in time, when few rooms are occupied. Notify the hotels in advance of inspection so they can clear the rooms to be inspected.

Get it done annually, without exception, ASAP.

Be sure to pack your own CO detector

Hopefully, the report regarding carbon monoxide leaks at hotels will bring more attention to a real problem. (“Despite known danger, gas leaks continue to kill, sicken hotel guests” Jan. 28)

However, travelers can and should take a carbon monoxide detector/alarm with battery backup with them. My wife and I have done that for years. We do not trust the hotel alarms, even if there are any.

I don’t like what Charlotte has become

Give me back the Charlotte I grew up in during the ’50s and ’60s, warts and all, over the hideous monstrosity it has become.

Amazon can literally go to the Amazon, and the Panthers can go play in the Roman coliseum.

The movers and shakers can go move and shake in the infernal regions, for all I care.

This story was originally published February 4, 2018 at 12:00 PM with the headline "Disregarding FBI’s advice on Nunes memo was wrong."