I expected more from Sen. Thom Tillis. All he offered was weak, transparent excuses.

I expected more from my senator

Regarding “Thom Tillis: Why I voted to acquit President Trump,” (Feb. 7 Opinion):

I expected more from Sen. Thom Tillis. His statement presents the weakest and most transparent excuse for shirking his sworn duty as an “impartial juror” in the Senate’s impeachment trial.

He fails to state a single relevant fact upon which he based his vote. Instead, he defends his vote based solely on process arguments on the House side. That proves his vote was set before the matter got to the Senate. The inescapable conclusion he unwittingly reveals is that the facts warranted a full investigation, but he did not want to hear the facts.

David Erdman, Charlotte

Sen. Romney’s vote was unforgivable

Maybe the worst thing to come out of this impeachment witch hunt is seeing religious gentleman, polished, presidential, “good guy,” Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, standing hand-in-hand with the likes of Adam Schiff, Jerrold Nadler, Chuck Schumer, and Nancy Pelosi. To partner up with them is unforgivable. Mitt is truly a disappointment; a coward, a turncoat.

Dickie Benzie, Pineville

GOP has opened Pandora’s box

Since they acquitted the president with no formal admonishment, Republican senators may now be fully opening Pandora’s Box. They may not ever get a chance to put the president back in the box.

What they missed because of fear and blind allegiance is that this is the point of reckoning where they could have saved their own party and our democracy.

As an independent and former GOP and Democrat voter, I do not care which party is in the White House, but when the president dishonors the position to the point where 64% of Europeans do not trust him, trusting Putin and Xi more, what does that tell you? Taking the president at his word is a fool’s errand.

Keith Wilson, Charlotte

Pelosi didn’t help heal the divide

I watched President Trump’s State of the Union speech and for a brief moment felt good about my country. We are a divided nation and I understand that, however, Nancy Pelosi took the low road by publicly tearing up her copy of the speech.

She wants the president out of office and that’s obvious, but her actions in front of millions did nothing to help lessen the things that divide us. Her act of anger made it clear she cares more about political theater than helping the president rebuild America. Her behavior was beneath her position as Speaker.

Ron Shuping, Nebo

I applaud Pelosi’s powerful display

When Nancy Pelosi ripped up President Trump’s speech, she silently called attention to false statements he made.

One of the most serious was: “We will always protect patients with pre-existing conditions.” This false claim will have deadly consequences if people vote based on the belief it is true. The fact is Trump backs a lawsuit seeking to overturn the law protecting those same patients.

As a relative of a child with a pre-existing condition, I applaud Pelosi’s powerful display to alert people of this and other misstatements they need to know before voting.

Sheryl Marx, Charlotte

If Duke rates rise, they’ll never drop

Regarding “On coal ash cleanup, a compromise is the best path forward,” (Feb. 7 Editorial):

To ask customers to pay for the coal ash clean-up cost by increasing our rates is grossly unfair, and just wrong.

Duke Energy should be made to take sole ownership of the problem and the costs. Duke is a rich and powerful organization, it could sell assets or borrow against assets to raise the money needed.

If Duke is allowed to increase rates to pay for this clean up, you can trust rates will never drop, even after clean up is paid for.

Norman Jameson, Charlotte

Supporting students can change lives

The writer is a college professor in Tennessee.

Regarding “High school player goes from tragedy to signing day,” (Feb. 4):

Vy’Shonn Lawrence’s story is a powerful testament to the role that support, aspirations, and self-efficacy play in academic success and well-being. It’s simple: Students generally rise to the expectations we set for them. Forming strong connections with people — teachers, coaches, peers — who care about them boosts a sense of belonging. Belonging equals success.

To Lawrence and so many students like him, remember this: You matter. You’re here on purpose. And, you belong in college.

Terrell Strayhorn, Nashville, Tenn.

This story was originally published February 9, 2020 at 5:00 AM.