Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 06.21.15
In response to “Senseless” (June 19):
Build what shooter fought: Unity
Life has many surprising turnarounds, and good can come from bad. Medicine that tastes foul heals us. Exercise that is painful strengthens us. Nations we devastated in war are now allies – Japan and Germany.
Now, a murderer seeks to further racial divisions. Let our response be one of renewed focus on building unity.
Respond to his cowardice with the courage to reach out to somebody who is different than you. Build a new friendship.
To have his act result in a widespread effort to build unity would be the best punishment.
Richard L. Bovard
Midland
In response to “Despite killings, Confederate battle flag flies” (June 19):
Time to rethink Confederate flag and what it stands for
The least we can do now is put the Confederate flag away, out of sight.
No matter what we Southerners thought it meant in the past, it now stands for racial hatred – not glory.
Pat Baker
Huntersville
In response to “Mecklenburg County commissioners consider doubling their term length” (June 18):
Commissioners looking out for themselves, not constituents
The proposed pay increase and extended terms for Mecklenburg commissioners are another indication that our elected officials are not public servants trying to make our county better, but individuals trying to get something for themselves.
They should be ashamed of themselves.
Hank Federal
Charlotte
In response to “N.C. Senate votes on $21.5B budget” (June 18):
On raises, teacher assistants, N.C. will reap what it sows
Having seen the next budget for the coming school year, I am deeply disturbed by the dismissal of 8,500 teacher assistants and the decision to reward new teachers with more of a raise than long-term teachers will receive.
Everyone clamors for improved reading and math test scores, and this legislature is striving to keep that from happening.
You reap what you sow, folks.
Michael Love
Charlotte
Treating teachers poorly seems to be a bipartisan practice
Treating teachers poorly seems to be a bipartisan practice
The Republican-controlled Senate’s budget includes no raises for our most veteran teachers.
Our lawmakers must believe these individuals are immune from rising medical costs, food prices, and other items which are increasing at rates higher than the cost of living index.
During the terms of Democratic governors Mike Easley and Bev Perdue teachers were often given minimal or no raises.
Apparently the mistreatment of educators has become a bipartisan issue in Raleigh.
John N. Mangieri
Charlotte
In response to “Trump’s résumé: ‘I’m really rich’” (June 17):
Trump touted his wealth, but was mum on his bankruptcies
As the saying goes, forewarned is forearmed.
A deputy mayor of New York City once said, “I wouldn’t believe Donald Trump if his tongue were notarized.”
Just because Trump is rich now, doesn’t mean that will last.
The Donald’s corporations have filed for bankruptcy in the past, but he didn’t bother to mention that upon announcing a run for president. Instead, the public heard all about his wealth.
Lorraine Stark
Matthews
In response to For the Record “N.C. urgently needs back into the incentives game” (June 18 Opinion):
Face it: Incentives, not BBQ, draw new companies to N.C.
Charlotte Chamber President Bob Morgan points out that tax incentive programs, such as the Job Development Investment Grant Program (JDIG), are crucial to luring new companies to the Charlotte workforce.
The lack of funding for JDIG was a significant reason that auto giants Volvo, Mercedes, Toyota, as well as aircraft behemoth Boeing, chose not to build plants in the Mecklenburg area.
Hopefully our legislators have learned that great companies chose to come to Charlotte mainly because of financial benefits, and not because of good BBQ.
Barry Marshall
Charlotte
This story was originally published June 20, 2015 at 11:59 AM with the headline "Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 06.21.15."