Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 11.20.15

Legitimate reasons to oppose refugees

President Obama has insulted all who disagree with his plan to take a flood of Syrian refugees into our country.

But “widows and orphans” did not carry out the Paris attacks, and unlike the president most of us aren’t protected by a small personal army.

I will open my home to Syrian refugees

The writer is a retired Air Force major.

Conversely, I swore allegiance to neither title nor flag, but instead the Constitution.

My home is available to any family of Syrian refugees, confident that I can assure their safety and hopeful that they find some solace away from the predatory American arsenal that has wantonly and cravenly destroyed their homeland, displaced them, and on average kills 144 of them per day.

“War,” as the man sang, “what is it good for? Absolutely nothing.”

Vetting refugees no guarantee of safety

I don’t support bringing one Syrian refugee into this state or country because there is no way their past or ideology can be confirmed.

Instead, help them where they are.

McCrory misses the mark on refugees

I would encourage Gov. Pat McCrory to reread the Constitution. As any first-year law student knows, the states have absolutely no role in the conduct of American foreign affairs, thus they cannot refuse to accept refugees.

Rather than expending time and taxpayer money on political grandstanding, I ask that Gov. McCrory address issues that are actually within the scope of his powers as governor.

Examples include unemployment (39th in the nation) and teacher pay (50th in the nation).

Low gas prices, but no praise for Obama?

Gas prices are predicted to fall below $2 a gallon.

Think back to when they were in the high $3 range. Many on the right admonished President Obama for the high prices.

Even 2012 presidential candidates bragged that if elected they would guarantee gas prices at or near the $2 range.

So where are the accolades for a job well done on gas prices?

Land conservation key to water supply

The writer serves on the Catawba Lands Conservancy board.

Bruce Henderson’s series provided a much needed wake-up call about our water supply.

Land conservation is the cheapest and most effective means of sustaining the quality and quantity of our water supply.

There is still land that can be preserved in the Catawba River basin – land that can have a permanent impact on the sustainability of our water supply.

But with the current pace of development, the window for preserving our remaining natural lands is closing.

This is the focus of Catawba Lands Conservancy, and our region will benefit today and in the future from its efforts.

A way to make energy affordable

Forum writer David Lucht is correct that poor people could be hurt by a carbon tax. But it depends on how the fee or tax money is distributed.

If corporate taxes are reduced, the poor would suffer.

However, if the fee/tax revenue is distributed as a dividend, equally to everyone, then 65 percent of the households would have more than enough money to pay the higher cost.

Then, consumers and companies will have the freedom to choose between fossil fuel-loaded products or cheaper renewable energy-loaded products.

I imagine that Exxon will build a billion solar panels.

This story was originally published November 19, 2015 at 4:20 PM with the headline "Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 11.20.15."