Observer Forum: Letters to the editor | Charlotte Observer

Double standard on violence concerns

I am amazed at the double standards used by some of our local elected officials. They debate the possible violence that might happen during the Republican National Convention, yet I feel sure they will approve, once again, to host the CIAA tournament.

The CIAA tournament has a known history of violence in Charlotte.

How I’d answer the RNC in Charlotte

If the RNC convention comes to Charlotte, let’s have a Festival of Human Rights and Freedom at Freedom Park or at the Eastland mall site. There could be dancing, soap box speeches, an area for gathering to hear major speeches,bands playing, Pride demonstrations, an area for woman’s health rights, an area where the journalists can sort out fake news from truth, renewable energy demonstrations, an area where kids can play, voter registration, and an area for food trucks.

It will be a counter-convention.

Let’s make the effort on recycling

I would hate to see recycling done away with. If that is a possibility in a city the size of Charlotte, it could also happen in a small town like Boiling Springs.

My family puts three times more into the recycling bin as we put into the garbage bin. We try to be careful, but maybe, as one of your other readers suggested, it is time to refresh everyone’s memory through a handout to each house or better advertising as to what exactly can be recycled.

Graham is right about one thing

I actually agree with Franklin Graham. We should pray for Trump.

And I was very happy when I heard that Graham called the separation of families “disgraceful.” But he didn’t blame Trump? Then who’s to blame? Wait I know, Obama. Or maybe Hillary.

Trump has to be loving this. He gets away with everything!

What’s important in a new Justice?

Forum writer Jim Cherry’s letter Wednesday exemplifies why we live in the political climate we do. Instead of hoping for a Supreme Court justice that thoughtfully, judiciously and accurately interprets the Constitution in the best way for our country, his concern is whether the justice will vote with the Republicans or Democrats.

Starbucks is on the right track

As an avid daily iced-coffee drinker, I’m thrilled to see Starbucks is making a move to help the thousands of fish, birds, and turtles who are killed and injured by plastic waste every year.

As consumers, it’s our responsibility to urge businesses to stop handing us plastic waste without our even asking for it. While we’re waiting for other businesses to phase out plastic straws, we can bring our own reusable plastic or metal straws.

Starbucks’s decision to ditch plastic straws is an exciting sign that businesses are listening to consumers’ concerns. I hope this will be a signal for other major restaurant and coffee chains to follow Starbucks’s example and stop distributing plastic straws.

Jerry Richardson still helped Charlotte

The NFL says charges against Jerry Richardson were “substantiated.” How do we know? No witnesses or testimony were let out for us to assess. He should be treated as innocent until proven guilty.

Far from being a racist, I have seen this friend of mine embrace people of color literally and figuratively. Where’s proof that he used a racial slur?

Columnist Scott Fowler claims the statue “outlived its usefulness.” By implication, the paper believes Jerry Richardson has outlived his usefulness too. Baloney.

What he brought to Charlotte will stay in Charlotte. His massive, unselfish philanthropy will remain a godsend to thousands.

I predict his help for the Carolinas will grow.

Outlived his usefulness? No way.