Bus stop beating: Charlotte police must shift their priorities | Opinion

Excessive force

Regarding “‘Charlotte police criticized for hitting woman at bus stop,” (Nov. 18):

Was this crime so serious that it warranted a small-framed woman being held down by four officers in a prone position, as a fifth knelt at her side, balled fist raised well above his head, and pounded her with 10 closed-fist strike and seven bent knee blows?

I would surmise the total combined weight of the enforcers was pretty close to 900 pounds or more, and the five of them were unable to place handcuffs on an unarmed woman approximately 100 or 120 pounds. Ridiculous! My goodness, they have misplaced priorities if they were running down folks they suspected of smoking a little marijuana. I would rather see them using their time to solve the more serious crimes we are experiencing throughout the city.

Priscilla D. Johnson, Charlotte

Not a democracy

Our state currently has seven Democratic and seven Republican congressional representatives. That seems fair in a state that’s pretty evenly split, but the Republicans in our state government won’t be satisfied until they control all forms of government. If their new voting maps do not get stopped in the courts, it is projected that the state will have 10 or 11 Republican congressmen and three or four who are Democrats. And everyone knows the Republicans control the courts in North Carolina. This state is starting to feel like it is governed by apartheid and not a democracy.

Benjamin J. Harris, Charlotte

Lesser of 2 evils

Regarding “Here’s how the Democrats can win back Black voters like me,” (Nov. 19 Forum):

I’d like to remind the Nov. 19 letter writer that the Republican Party supports a leader who now faces 91 indictments, uses Hitler’s rhetoric of “vermin” when describing fellow Americans, and has party support even if he ends up as a convicted felon. The Republican Party has members “kidney punching” other members, has senators challenging witnesses in hearings to fistfights, and has a serial liar who is accused of misappropriating campaign contributions, including on an online platform used by sex workers to sell explicit photos.

I urge this writer to consider choosing the “lesser of two evils” and rejoin the Democratic Party.

David Hyman, Charlotte

A second term?

Should America take away President Biden’s second term keys, not so much due to embarrassing senior moments but because of the person (vice president) in the passenger seat? It’s a startling historic question. Certainly Jimmy Carter at 81 had clarity and stamina. Donald Trump at 77 is able to take on attorney generals and judges. If there is a Biden-Harris ticket, will voters want to give either Biden or Harris the keys?

Bolyn McClung, Pineville

A ceasefire?

President Macron of France has called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. I have to wonder what action he would have taken if Hamas had crossed his border and killed about 1,200 people and taken 240 hostage.

What would he have proposed if they had beheaded children? What would he have proposed if they violated and killed women and teenagers? I don’t see him flying into Gaza to evacuate anyone.

It’s easy to play the sanctimonious card when you’re not involved.

Phil Levine, Charlotte

Nuclear power

Before nuclear power can be considered a “green” alternative to fossil fuels, Americans must deal with the 86,000 metric tons of spent nuclear fuel rod waste sitting in reactor sites around the country. This environmental and national security risk is a result of our NIMBY attitude which resulted in cancellation of the Yucca Mountain storage plan. We must solve this problem before embarking on an expansion of nuclear power generation.

Michael Vernon, Mountain Home

The Hornets

Regarding “Hornets ‘comfortable’ with Miles Bridges’ return, but sacrificed the moral high ground,” (Nov. 17):

The Hornets are “comfortable” having Miles Bridges represent their team. These new owners should ask their wives and daughters their opinion. This is sick.

Gene Goldenstein, Durham