Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 08.14.15
Kerrick shooting probe was rushed
In response to “Don’t be so quick to exonerate officer” (Aug. 12 Forum):
The writer is a former CMPD Deputy Chief who served as interim police chief.
I disagree with Forum writer Jim Little.
In deadly force cases, CMPD has a long tradition of fairly considering all the evidence before deciding the fate of officers involved.
Felony investigations are lengthy, they require complex procedures, and the full picture is not available until all these steps are done and documented.
In the Jonathan Ferrell case Chief Rodney Monroe simply did not allow his subordinates time to complete the full investigation. Therefore, it is not possible that he had access to all the evidence when he made his decision.
Only time will tell if his decision to charge Officer Wes Kerrick was wrong, but it was premature.
The absence of the normal level of care and deliberation is reason to trust Chief Monroe less, not more.
Norman Boger, Davidson
Obama’s Iran nuclear deal puts U.S. at risk
Our president is approving a deal with a regime that is chanting “death to America,” holding four American citizens prisoner, and lying about its nuclear program, as it has for 40 years.
If we don’t partner up with the Israelis and eliminate all the Iranian facilities while we still can, the world will soon be dealing with a fully nuclear capable Iran.
Dickie Benzie, Charlotte
TABOR lets GOP run from responsibility
In response to Our View “Pay heed to Rocky Mountain warning” (Aug. 12 Editorial):
By advocating an alleged Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR), the GOP wishes to enshrine into law its inability to govern.
Why would it be necessary to restrict state spending with a formula if the GOP had the ability to govern? By not passing a state budget in a timely manner they’ve demonstrated such. By hiding behind a formula, Republicans are running away from responsibility.
Stephen Jones, Charlotte
Spend to protect air, and not on lawsuits
In response to “Cooper warns about opposing new rules” (Aug. 12):
The writer is Clean Air Carolina’s program director.
Attorney General Roy Cooper is right. We should not waste taxpayer money.
North Carolina has already lost two important lawsuits against the EPA regarding Particulate Matter standards and the cross-state pollution rule.
What we have learned is that North Carolina cannot regulate itself on air quality issues. The sooner we realize this, the better. Our lungs and lives are at stake.
Terry Lansdell, Charlotte
I can’t blame Hillary on email issues
In response to “Clinton’s private email server given to FBI” (Aug. 12):
I am about the same age as Hillary Clinton, and like her did not grow up with computers.
Since the story broke, I’ve Googled “server,” “browser,” and “router,” and am still not sure I understand what to do with any of them.
Hillary has my sympathy. Seems to me a staff person knowledgeable about computer minutiae should have kept her straight, and that’s where the blame should go.
Sue Friday, Charlotte
Crony capitalism like this feeds distrust
In response to “Bankruptcy trustee seeks $421,000 from Foxx” (Aug. 12):
There is no finer example of crony capitalism than the DesignLine entanglement involving former Mayor Anthony Foxx, former Gov. Jim Martin and other Charlotte VIPs.
This is the type of corruption, at all levels of government, that has brought us a national debt of $19 trillion, a ruling class in Washington, a gulf between the rich and the poor, and worst of all, a complete disgust and mistrust of our elected officials and much of the corporate world.
Except for the fact it may be legal, there is little difference in my mind between Foxx’s relationship with DesignLine and the bribery conviction that sent former Mayor Patrick Cannon to prison.
Don Reid, Charlotte
Got a laugh out of Foxx story placement
Got a laugh out of Foxx story placement
I know the editors are known for being subtle, so I really enjoyed seeing the placement of the article about former Charlotte mayor and present U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx being sued for the return of $421,000 he didn’t earn.
It ran under a banner reading “Local News/Obituaries.”
That placement was genius and I really enjoyed the subtle joke. I bet a lot of others did too.
Jim Van Meerten, Charlotte
This story was originally published August 13, 2015 at 5:47 PM with the headline "Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 08.14.15."