Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 07.02.15
Many holes in Senate education plan
The N.C. Senate proposes to lay off 8,500 teacher assistants to pay for additional teachers to lower class size.
Parents need to be aware that the Senate budget does not pay for building schools. It does not pay for additional classrooms.
In Union County, where I live, there are no empty classrooms. Where do senators propose to hold these new smaller classes?
What are they thinking? Frankly parents, they are thinking that you won’t ask that question.
Teacher assistants reduce teacher/student ratio – and do not cost a classroom.
Judy Shannon
Matthews
In response to “Going backwards on housing bias” (June 28 Editorial):
Racism is real, don’t leave it up to feds alone to monitor
By eliminating the N.C. Fair Housing Act and the state’s Human Relations Commission, the state is saying the feds will take care of these situations, so go to them if you have a problem. It may take you longer to get the situation addressed and cost you more money, but redress is still available to you.
Just like the restrictive voter ID attempt, this Senate action is wrong. The cost of justice delayed or denied is not worth the little savings that might result.
The state has a responsibility to protect and provide redress for the under-served and under-represented in its midst. The impact of these changes is generational.
David Gilliam
Weddington
Don’t sweep dirt under the rug; fly the Confederate flag
It would be wiser to just leave the Confederate battle flag alone since its continued presence affords us the opportunity to monitor progress, or the lack of it, in race relations.
It’s better not to drive the symbols underground, but rather leave them plainly evident.
Let’s not just sweep the dirt under the rug.
Christopher J. Hollins
Charlotte
Let’s not forget many died fighting under Confederate flag
Let’s not forget many died fighting under Confederate flag
OK, the Confederate flag is a symbol of hate to some. But as a born and bred Tar Heel, I see it differently.
Many young men and boys laid down their lives for that flag.
If we remove it, we should also take down the American stars and stripes. It also is a symbol of hate to some, and more people have been killed under that flag.
Where does it stop? Think about it. Politicians don’t think.
Bobby Quesenberry
Concord
Charlotte is becoming a global powerhouse; let’s tout that
The writer is Central Piedmont Community College president.
The Charlotte Chamber’s visit to Nashville has generated much discussion about what Charlotte’s brand should be.
The Charlotte brand should be regional and reflect our vision of becoming a global hub of commerce.
Site Selection Magazine ranks Charlotte among the top 40 global metro areas in the world, while the U.S. Department of Commerce lists it as the nation’s fastest growing export region.
We can build a region of the future that tells the world what hundreds of foreign companies already know – the Charlotte region is rapidly reaching its vision of becoming a powerhouse in the global economy.
Dr. Tony Zeiss
Charlotte
Supreme Court stepped all over the command of God
It is puzzling to me how so many people, even those who claim the name of Christian, can be so elated that the Supreme Court stepped all over the command of God.
Marriage is a sacred institution established by God and is not to be trivialized or mocked by mankind, as has been done by the majority on the Court.
Yes, we are to love people, but we cannot marry everyone or thing we love. With this unconscionable ruling from the Court, the question now is: Should we obey God or obey man? For me, that is no choice.
C.H. Hendricks
Charlotte
In response to “A Supreme blow to democracy” (July 1 Viewpoint):
Court’s marriage ruling was democracy in action – again
If op-ed columnist Kellie Fiedorek would simply substitute “the right to own slaves,” “the right to equal access to education,” or “the right to inter-racial marriage,” for “same sex marriage” in her column, she would see the fallacy of her argument.
Bruce Gorrell
Charlotte
This story was originally published July 1, 2015 at 4:27 PM with the headline "Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 07.02.15."