Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 11.23.15

Blitz to stop tolls just political posturing

In response to “I-77 ‘summit’ to be held at Cornelius Town Hall” (Nov. 18):

North Mecklenburg has suffered long enough with a lack of leadership from our local politicians.

This last minute campaign stunt “summit” is nothing more than a half-baked attempt to distract voters from the fact that Sen. Jeff Tarte and Reps. Charles Jeter and John Bradford were in favor of the tolls before they were against them.

Only now that their political careers in jeopardy have they decided to act.

This is nothing more than political posturing, and we in North Mecklenburg would do well to make sure that we never have to suffer the ill effects of their inaction again.

Meg Sawicki, Davidson

Governor protecting himself, not N.C.

The writer is a retired UNC Charlotte professor of public policy.

Gov. Pat McCrory’s stated rationale for denying admission to Syrian refugees is to protect North Carolinians.

This seems strange for a man whose past actions, according to a study by Harvard University, kill approximately 1,000 North Carolinians every year.

These people are in working families that would have been eligible for Medicaid.

The governor’s actions have nothing to do with protecting Carolinians and everything to do with re-election and his fear of the Tea Party.

Kenneth Godwin, Charlotte

Fear of female suicide bombers is real

President Obama superciliously asked if we’re afraid of widows and orphans. The answer is a resounding “YES.”

The female suicide bomber in the Paris apartment that police raided cried for help to lure police into her bomb radius.

Admitting alleged widows and orphans into the U.S. could create American widows and orphans.

Have we forgotten 9/11?

I haven’t. I had a close relative in the towers.

Joyce McLaren, Terrell, N.C.

Refugee editorial cartoons spot on

Thank you to the Charlotte Observer for your Nov. 20 editorial cartoons concerning the refugee crisis. The “Diary of Anne Frank” and “No Syrian Refugees” were “spot on.”

Hope these cartoons can bring about reasonable discussions and put a stop to fear-mongering.

Clara Starnes, Lancaster, S.C.

Obama’s response a disappointment

With the downing of the Russian passenger airliner and the carnage in Paris, there is no doubt that ISIS is a global threat.

It astounds me that the Obama administration is not taking extraordinary measures to keep all Americans safe by not taking a hard look at the proposed influx of Syrian refugees into America.

Brooke S. Dickson, Charlotte

No accolades for Obama on gas prices

In response to “Low gas prices, but no praise for Obama?” (Nov. 20 Forum):

What I remember, Forum writer Chris Turner, is that when the public was screaming about the high gas prices, President Obama and the Democratic leadership – despite years of blaming George W. Bush – suddenly claiming the president can’t do anything to bring the price down.

Now that the price has come down, likely due to fracking and the Saudis keeping production high to make fracking unprofitable (which they have publicly stated), you want us to heap “accolades” on Obama?

I don’t think so.

Andy Sigafoos, Mint Hill

Ability to trace votes threatens democracy

In response to “Protect secrecy of my vote - and yours” (Nov. 16 Forum):

No voter should be comfortable with the fact that Mecklenburg County can trace the vote of any individual voting early on a machine or by absentee ballot.

I was told it was instituted to manage voter fraud during the early voting period.

In this digital age, it is easy enough to check off every early voter without the traceable feature.

While I don’t have paranoia that the government will force the hands of voters, there may be no greater threat to democracy than a government that knows how you vote.

Fix this problem.

Jim Godfrey, Charlotte

Beamer’s class will be his lasting legacy

Your article regarding Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer’s change of heart over the UNC job didn’t make an important point: He has run a top-notch program with honor and integrity.

When he retires it will be as one of the winning-est coaches in college football history.

However, he will be remembered first and foremost by Hokie Nation for his class.

Lou Lagana, Mount Gilead

This story was originally published November 22, 2015 at 12:00 PM with the headline "Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 11.23.15."