Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 11.22.15
My Muslim faith is being hijacked
I was born in America, and I am a Muslim.
All my life, I have been taught that America and Islam tolerate everyone and that they have no contradiction with each other.
Fortunately, I am not alone, and indeed most Muslim-Americans are peace-loving people.
Please do not let presidential candidates like Donald Trump and Ben Carson try to take away our beautiful Constitution.
Please tolerate everyone regardless of the religion they practice.
Zohaib Zafar, Davidson
Let Middle East aid Syrian refugees
I oppose accepting Middle East refugees. Let the rich Middle East countries take them in.
Our president has said those who oppose his plan are “scared of widows and orphans.”
No, Mr. President, we’re afraid of orphans and widows wearing suicide vests!
If we remain silent and this policy continues, it will become increasingly more difficult for our president and his successors to do their primary job of protecting the American people.
Robert Reese, Huntersville
Don’t repeat shameful way we treated Jews
Don’t repeat shameful way we treated Jews
In response to “Don’t politicize refugee resettlement” (Nov. 19):
Rep. David Price’s plea for understanding and reason brings to mind our country’s shameful response to “The Jewish Question” before our involvement in WW II.
When a shipload of people fleeing the Nazi regime tried to disembark here, we came up with all sorts of excuses to refuse them entry. Jews? We’ve got enough of them here already, and we know how they all act. Send them someplace else.
“Shameful” is hardly a strong enough term to describe our behavior then. What about now?
Ted Lucas, Charlotte
McCrory trying to protect us; Price isn’t
Rep. David Price is compassionately comfortable with our vetting process for the Syrian refugees.
Like his liberal counterparts, Congressman Price is more concerned about image than American lives.
He, like Secretary of State John Kerry, always finds fault with American positions on international issues.
Thank God Gov. Pat McCrory and 30 other governors are willing to protect American citizens.
Dickie Benzie, Charlotte
Trump pandering to fear and prejudice
That GOP front-runner Donald Trump has suggested closing mosques should be of profound concern to all Americans.
Not only is such rhetoric suggestive of a political figure pandering to fear and prejudice, but targeting a particular religion would be a clear violation of the First Amendment.
If Mr. Trump does not understand that basic principle, he is not fit for the office of president.
Arnie Grieves, Charlotte
Texas tolls were costly; get ready N.C.
In response to “More toll lanes coming: I-485 starts next summer” (Nov. 19):
I lived in Dallas, Texas for eight years. Our monthly toll bill was approximately $90.
The tolls were supposed to be short-lived to pay for the roads. But they kept expanding the roads out to where the growth was. No end in sight.
Once tolls start here, it will be unstoppable. In addition to I-485, I envision the I-277 loop being tolled, then the airport.
I bet our legislators can see this too – and are banking on it.
Todd Bloom, Pineville
Fallon gets it; speaks the truth as I see it
In response to “Will body cams end CMPD dashcams?” (Nov. 19):
In this article, City Council member Claire Fallon openly stated what many of us already knew: “We find money for every dumb, stupid thing you can think of...”
They don’t just spend on “dumb, stupid things,” the Council spends on every dumb, stupid thing.
Council may think they find the money but they don’t find it, they take it from us.
Steve Monroe, Charlotte
Panthers made bad call on banners
The new policy of limiting stadium banners, signs and flags to 2-by-2 feet is an overreaction. That’s too small.
A standard piece of poster board from a drug or office supply store is 22-by-28 inches, which is slightly larger than the team’s limit and is now technically banned.
Goodbye, bed-sheet banners. Hello, postage stamps. The Panthers fumbled this decision.
Jim Ramsey, Lake Wylie
This story was originally published November 21, 2015 at 12:00 PM with the headline "Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 11.22.15."