Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 11.17.15

After Paris, balance safety and rights

American intelligence agencies have come under attack for the mass collection of phone and Internet data. We must be vigilant to rein in government abuses wherever they may exist; however the recent terror attack by ISIS in Paris may require us to re-examine this issue.

It is vitally important that we find the optimum balance between protecting our basic rights and enabling our government to safeguard us from the horror we witnessed in Paris.

What’s our answer to terrorist gauntlet?

The attacks against civilians, in and around Paris, are the proverbial game-changer in the war against terrorists. They’ve put the ball in our court – along with Europe and our other allies – and how hard and fast we return will be the question.

This goes to the highest levels of government and military in every country. The gauntlet has been dropped.

Fundraising woes have early roots

Thank you Chris McLeod for highlighting the ineffectiveness of the fundraising approaches taken by Charlotte nonprofits. This culture of reliance on indirect and wasteful means must change.

Unfortunately this mindset is developed in elementary school, where there is pressure to shop at certain stores, to sell candy bars and wrapping paper, and later “band fruit” to “raise money” for schools. Yet funds available to schools would plainly be greater through direct donations from the willing supporters.

No wonder nonprofit boards and administrators are so timid and ill-prepared to raise money effectively.

Truckers need help, not citations

The real problem in attempts to deal with trucks parked along interstate ramps is not political cronyism, as the article suggests. (There is plenty of that elsewhere.) The fundamental problem is that there are not adequate provisions for truckers to pull off the highway, as they should do when tired.

From where you sit right now, reach out and touch the nearest thing. Whatever it is, it got to you by truck. Like them or not, we depend on trucks and truckers, and they need our help, not just to be “run off” the ramps.

Future may make I-77 tolls obsolete

Cintra would be smart to back out of the I-77 tolls contract with little or no penalty. Within a few years, self-driving cars may relieve congestion by making it possible for traffic to move safely at higher speeds and higher densities, to the point where no one needs to use a toll lane.

Charlotte should begin planning how to coordinate traffic lights with automated vehicles so that during rush hour uptown is able to receive vehicles as fast as I-77 can deliver them. Then NCDOT’s highway beautification department can fill the toll lane with potted flowers.

Where is the pride in today’s architecture?

A.G. Odell was a master urban planner. With all the unimaginative, uninspiring, unremarkable, big beige, boring, buildings going up in this city, he has probably rolled over in his grave multiple times.

Where is the uniqueness in today’s architecture? Where is the character? Where are the details? Where is the pride! The sad part is that these buildings will be here for decades, building after boring building.

Finding the positive in leaf blowers

I, too, was a leaf blower denier, but now relish in the excitement and power of blowing “stuff” all over the yard with my trusty leaf blower. Nothing says Autumn like the melodic and rhythmic whining of a blower engine piercing through the quiet peace of the neighborhood on a fall morning.

At least it is a practical use of blowing hot air.

This story was originally published November 16, 2015 at 5:14 PM with the headline "Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 11.17.15."