It’s a watershed moment. NC senators Burr and Tillis must vote to subpoena witnesses.
Burr, Tillis must do the right thing
Our Republic is at a watershed moment and not for the first time. Soon, Sens. Richard Burr and Thom Tillis will be called upon to make a momentous decision that cannot possibly be made in accord with the oath they swore a few days ago unless they make every effort to evaluate all the available and potentially available facts.
A vote to subpoena additional documents and witnesses may not be met with full compliance, but the nation, their Senate colleagues, their constituents, and history will forever honor them. Do the right thing and let the stain of cover-up settle elsewhere.
John Davenport, Charlotte
No fair trial to be had in the Senate
Despite what people may think, I am not a Trump supporter. But I think anyone with half a brain will agree that he will not get a fair impeachment hearing.
In the last year, six Democratic senators put their hats in the ring as presidential candidates to replace Trump. Each one of them has voiced support for the House’s decision to impeach Trump.
Now, they all raise their hands and swear they will give a fair and impartial review of all the evidence before making up their minds. Then you all wonder how I know that politicians will never tell you the truth.
Jim Van Meerten, Charlotte
What Trump lawyer said is laughable
I had to laugh when I heard that one of President Trump’s lawyers, White House counsel Pat Cipollone, told senators that the Democrats are trying to “perpetuate the most massive interference in an election in American election in U.S. history.”
Trump is obviously projecting; Cipollone is his mouthpiece. Everyone knows, or should know, that Trump is the one guilty of that.
Elizabeth Will, Shelby
Democrats wasting taxpayer dollars
In three years President Trump has given our country the lowest unemployment figures in almost 50 years. The stock market is at an all-time high. He has rebuilt our military and replaced bad trade deals with America-first trade deals.
On the other hand, the Democrats have given our country the Robert Mueller probe, which proved to be a waste of taxpayer money. Now, we have the impeachment comedy which will end in another waste of time and money.
Cliff Passons, Charlotte
Trump’s immigration policy is flawed
This president does not care about what happens to this country in the long term, he only cares about himself in the short term.
His supporter must see the writing on the wall. This country is becoming more diverse by the day, whether they like it or not.
No matter what crazy immigration policy is adopted, you can’t stop the future. Embrace the future and stop the madness.
Try finding what we all have in common, not what divides.
Benjamin J. Harris, Charlotte
Duke Energy must pay for clean up
The writer is state director of North Carolina Conservatives for Clean Energy.
Finally, 2020 kicked off with news that Duke Energy had agreed to excavate all of its coal ash basins, including at Marshall and Cliffside Steam Stations near Charlotte, and to move the material to lined landfills.
Duke says flatly that it expects ratepayers, not the company, to bear the excavation costs. It would be unfair for the utility to raise our electric bills to pay for the company’s mismanagement of coal ash.
Duke has long ruled the roost and is used to getting its way, but we’ve seen signs lately that times are changing. The fact that Duke is being forced to excavate its coal ash is an encouraging development.
I hope the public will persuade state regulators to make sure ratepayers don’t get stuck with the bill.
Laurie Barnhart, Raleigh
A solution to city’s litter problem
The Forum is littered with proposed solutions to a myriad of issues facing our community — public safety, affordable housing, education inequality/school overcrowding, traffic congestion, etc.
Most go unresolved due to lack of agreement on workable solutions coupled with unavailable financial resources.
So here is one that’s way down the priority list. It can be fixed with limited resources. Actual littering!
Our roadsides and parking lots have become veritable trash dumps.
It’s a classless crime committed by inconsiderate and lazy citizens, rich and poor. For those doing it, please stop. For everyone else, let’s clean it up when we see it.
Ken May, Charlotte
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This story was originally published January 28, 2020 at 5:00 AM.