Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 08.30.15
Ferrell was the one thrown under bus
Some are saying Officer Randall “Wes” Kerrick was thrown under the bus and that CMPD brass made a rush to judgment.
Those of us who witnessed the court proceedings know that Kerrick is not without guilt.
Prosecutors and the State made it almost impossible to get this jury to agree on a guilty verdict based on the voluntary manslaughter charge, with no involuntary manslaughter or lesser conviction charge option.
There are several things Kerrick could have done that night that would have preserved the life of Georgia Ferrell’s son, Jonathan.
So if anyone was thrown under the bus, it was Jonathan Ferrell and justice.
Jibril Hough, Charlotte
Public needs to know when officer can fire
In response to “Chief: CMPD to assess training” (Aug. 28):
Over and over we are reminded that Jonathan Ferrell was unarmed and that Officer Kerrick used excessive force when he shot an unarmed person.
Can the police chief or someone else please explain when exactly it is acceptable, if ever, for a police officer to use his or her firearm against an unarmed person?
That could be a good starting point in training for all of us, police and civilians alike.
Robin Drechsel, Charlotte
Yes, name airport road after Jerry Orr
In response to O-pinion “Is it too soon for Jerry Orr Boulevard?” (Aug. 28):
Charlotte City Council needs to put emotions aside and make a sound decision in recognizing Jerry Orr.
He spent his career working for the airport and always made positive and forward-thinking decisions for the city and N.C./S.C. area, focused entirely on the airport’s growth and improvement.
It’s time now for Charlotte to recognize what Jerry has given of himself for the benefit of the Charlotte metropolitan area.
Our airport is great due to the unselfish work of Jerry and his staff.
Paul Korry, Fort Mill, S.C.
Fennebresque still didn’t convince me
In response to John Fennebresque “UNC Board was not pressured on Ross” (Aug. 27 Opinion):
John Fennebresque’s response still does not reveal why it was necessary to replace UNC system President Tom Ross.
The description of the qualities the UNC Board of Governors is seeking in the new UNC president mirrors Mr. Ross’ qualifications. This still stinks of politics.
Linda J. Brooks, Charlotte
Nix the naysayers. Bring on toll lanes!
In response to “Top Democrats say they oppose I-77 toll lanes” (Aug. 28):
Please put a lid on your coverage of politicians opposing the I-77 toll lanes.
Move on, Sen. Jeff Tarte, Rep. John Bradford, Mecklenburg County commissioner Jim Puckett, and Charlotte mayoral candidates, to something you can actually change.
Bring on the toll lanes!
Brian Buckley, Cornelius
GOP women’s rights platform from 1800s
In response to U.S. Opinions: Washington Post “A wasteful fixation” (Aug. 27 Editorial):
It seems to me that the Republican platform on women’s rights, specifically family planning choices, would sit well with those who lived in the 1800s.
Apparently these people think the women of today aren’t capable of making medical decisions about their own bodies.
Trying to defund Planned Parenthood smacks in the face of women seeking medical assistance on contraception, cancer screening, and sexually transmitted diseases, as well as legal abortion.
The naysayers have not offered an alternative to the services of Planned Parenthood. Nor have they been anxious to fund any government agencies that would provide medical assistance to women who are financially strapped.
Lucy Grasty, Charlotte
BCBS disingenuous about rate increases
BCBS of North Carolina blames proposed rate increases of 35 percent on costs it incurred by insuring older, sicker patients who signed up for Affordable Care Act-subsidized health care.
However, BCBS omits the obvious: conditions are expensive to treat because patients without insurance have been forced to forgo care.
It’s disingenuous for BCBS to blame the victim or act surprised when those it agrees to insure cost money. It’s also very hard to feel sorry for a company with what amounts to a health insurance monopoly.
Nancy Zupanec, Charlotte
This story was originally published August 29, 2015 at 12:03 PM with the headline "Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 08.30.15."