Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 11.19.15
Syrians are fleeing atrocities; help them
In response to “McCrory protecting this state’s citizens” (Nov. 18 Forum):
Forum writer J. Paige Straley speaks of “the irrational altruism of placing foreigners from a wildly different culture, language and religion in our midst.”
Just where does he think these people are from? Alpha Centauri?
I am acquainted with an immigrant from Syria and he is not a bug-eyed alien.
Please stop the fear-mongering and help the people fleeing the barbaric atrocities of Daesh.
Greta West, Charlotte
Krugman wrong about attackers’ goal
In response to “After Paris attacks, fearing fear itself” (Nov. 17 Opinion):
Paul Krugman says “the goal of terrorists is to inspire terror, because that’s all they are capable of.”
Mr. Krugman says the attacks in Paris are not war. He says the attacks are only meant to put fear in us.
No, Mr. Krugman, the attackers’ goal is not to scare us. Their goal is to kill us.
Paul Weathersbee, Indian Land, S.C.
Turning away of refugees sickens me
In response to “McCrory: Don’t send Syrian refugees to North Carolina” (Nov. 17):
I’d like to ask Gov. Pat McCrory and the other heartless right-wing politicians demanding an end to Syrian refugees being allowed in our country, if they would be OK if we only allowed Christian refugees in?
How many hundreds of thousands of Muslim Syrians, trying to escape that hell hole, have been slaughtered by ISIS?
This whole exercise by Gov. McCrory and others is nauseating to say the least.
Rick McClanahan, Charlotte
Obama’s foreign policy landed us here
In response to “We must do more to defeat ISIS” (Nov. 17 Editorial):
I object to calling Franklin Graham a xenophobic.
This is about protecting the safety of the American people. Can President Obama guarantee that no terrorists will find a way to enter this country?
His foreign policy has caused this crisis – his inability to draw a red line, his withdrawal of American troops from Iraq.
The U.S. cannot take care of all the refugees in the world. We are $18 trillion in debt. At least two-thirds of the national budget is for entitlements.
There are 45.6 million on food stamps.
We still have an open border with 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States.
We are creating a sinking ship and Obama is at the helm.
Patsy Reames, Charlotte
Go after terrorists with full force
Having lived in Europe over 12 years, I watched their immigration and guest worker programs. It is clear the Muslim communities have become insular and do not assimilate into Western society.
This carnage will continue as long as ISIS thinks it can get away with it with little repercussion.
France had the correct response on Sunday. We know where these terrorists are. We need to go after them with full force.
And the politicians need to wake up and realize this battle is for the long haul.
Let’s stop this descent from ignorance to stupidity!
Michael Williamson, Charlotte
Series put spotlight on critical issue
In response to “Our water: an uncertain future” (Nov. 15-18):
Thank you for the four-day series on water management issues in and around Charlotte!
Bruce Henderson has been diligently covering the unsexy topics of water, environment and energy for years and the management, business and politics that go with them.
Finally his coverage gets the prominence it deserves.
Without clean water, safe environment and sustainable energy, Charlotte will stand still.
Karin Lukas-Cox, Charlotte
Cam’s antics set bad example for youth
You have to wonder whatever happened to good sportsmanship.
I suppose those who approve of Cam Newton’s celebratory antics will be happy when they see young high school athletes behaving the same way.
To paraphrase legendary sports writer Grantland Rice: “When the One Great Scorer comes to mark against your name, He writes not that you won or lost but how you played the game.”
Jim Beatty, Charlotte
Cam does a happy dance, so what!
Cam Newton’s celebrating is just that – celebrating! We are excited and proud of our Panthers and we want to celebrate.
With so much ugliness in the world, let him dance. Dancing is a happy thing.
Karen Hart, Cornelius
This story was originally published November 18, 2015 at 6:01 PM with the headline "Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 11.19.15."