Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 09.16.15
I carry a weapon to protect my family
In response to “Surging violence shows perils of guns” (Sept. 15 Forum):
Those five killings Forum writer Connie Freeman was responding to were likely gang-related, and the gangs will always have weapons.
Police officers carry weapons to defend themselves, but they can’t be everywhere. I carry mine to defend my loved ones.
Just because there are a few bad apples in a bushel, does not mean all of them are bad.
We have a right to carry or not carry, and I love my family so I have a better chance on the bad guy.
Bill Yount, Sherrills Ford
Unfair comparison: JEB Stuart, Malcom X
In response to Taylor Batten “Courage in the courtroom” (Sept. 14 Opinion):
To compare J.E.B. Stuart with Malcom X is dead wrong. Stuart never demonized blacks, while Malcolm saw whites as “devils” who personified evil.
To claim that by dishonoring Stuart, who fought and died for self-determination, puts Judge Martin Clark on “the right side of history” ignores historical trends.
In 1900 there were only 57 sovereign countries; many were empires based on conquest. Today, there are 197 smaller, more culturally united countries based on self-determination.
“Small is beautiful” is the right side of history, not “bigger is better.”
Mike Tuggle, Charlotte
Right on Roosevelt, but wrong on Reagan
In response to “Trump: Traitor or latest untraditional GOP leader?” (Sept. 14 Viewpoint):
Fred Grandy acclaims two Republican maverick presidents who “profoundly shape(d) the direction of their party and country.”
Theodore Roosevelt? No problem. But Ronald Reagan simply made people smile and salute the flag while beginning the erosion of our middle class.
He also set the precedent of removing troops from the Middle East in a panic.
So Mr. Grandy builds his analysis of Trump on a sample of one.
Reagan’s “evolution” was baleful. Expect no good from Trump’s.
Steve Craig, Charlotte
I’m not buying Davis’ Scripture argument
While I empathize with Kim Davis’ moral dilemma, if she is such a great follower of Jesus why is she willing to issue marriage licenses to those who are remarrying?
Her refusal to issue marriage licenses to one group of “sinners” but issue them to another seems more like a classic case of prejudice, more than a strict adherence to Scripture.
Debbey Woodruff, Concord
If sanctuary cities OK, why jail Davis?
Because Kim Davis is a government employee she must obey the laws, regardless of her personal and/or religious beliefs.
But what I don’t understand is why elected officials in sanctuary cities and those who provided same-sex marriage licenses before it was recently legalized were not also forced to obey the law or face jail time.
Allowing selective obedience to laws is very dangerous and a real form of tyranny.
Edwin Saint Sing, Mooresville
Do away with marriage licenses
Back to fundamentals. Why does the government issue marriage licenses anyway?
That’s not any business of the government. If people want to marry, let them do so without approval from anybody except those wanting to marry.
No licenses, no registration, no special laws for married people. Problem solved.
Arch Wakefield, Tega Cay, S.C.
It’s the 21st century; digitize documents
In response to “Public defender’s planned move into old space raises concerns” (Sept. 14):
I groaned when I read this article about the volumes of files and even the concern for the weight of these files.
Has anyone in the County Manager’s or Public Defender’s office heard of scanning?
This is the 21st century and no one in their right mind keeps all that paper around.
Scan the documents, create back-up files, and let’s get on with something important.
Janis Roelker, Mooresville
‘Arts district’ a misnomer for NoDa
In response to “Public gets better light-rail aesthetics” (Sept. 14):
The writer is owner of Shain Gallery.
Dr. Traffic referred to NoDa as the “North Davidson Street arts district.”
Most of the galleries closed or moved years ago, yet I see this description in the Observer all the time.
If Charlotte has a developing “arts district,” it’s South End.
May I suggest NoDa Bar Crawl as a more accurate description?
Gabrielle Shain, Charlotte
This story was originally published September 15, 2015 at 9:23 PM with the headline "Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 09.16.15."