Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 12.20.15
At ballot box, French voters got it right
If there is a country in the western world that could be excused for running scared right now, it is France.
French citizens could have elected the anti-immigrant, ultra-right party of Marine Le Pen to majorities in regional elections, as they were expected to do.
But they didn’t.
Their better selves knew how to respond for freedom – at the ballot box.
Political speech is sounding more and more like a quote from a fascist handbook. Is this what we want?
Or, will we follow the French and reject racist hate and vote for freedom for all?
Charlotte Miller, Davidson
Removing statues won’t change history
In response to “New Orleans to take down controversial monuments” (Dec. 18):
Not sure what all this tearing down means, but history is important to this country – good, bad or indifferent.
Tearing down or removing these items will not right the wrong that folks have suffered.
Slavery, the Civil War, Vietnam, Richard Nixon, etc. are all part of history.
So if this continues, then what do we rename Washington, D.C.?
Bill Lane, Polkville
On Iraq, Bush isn’t only one to blame
In response to “GOP has selective memory on Iraq” (Dec. 17 Forum):
I am tired of Democrats saying that George W. Bush is responsible for Iraq.
They clearly have forgotten that the Democratic-led Senate voted 77-23 to authorize the war.
Without the authorization from the Democratic-led Senate, Bush would not have been able to send the mass of troops.
In hindsight, it was a bad decision by both Republicans and Democrats to invade. But please, stop twisting history to suit your political bend.
Christopher Lee, Concord
Toll contract doesn’t pass the smell test
In response to “I want answers on I-77 toll contract” (Dec. 17 Forum):
If Forum writer Catherine Connor wants answers from any government entity, she should immediately write Santa, see the Easter Bunny, or purchase an eight ball.
Government does not provide answers on issues that do not pass the smell test – like the toll contract.
On toll lanes, we are being extorted by government with our own money.
Tom Lewis, Charlotte
Obama made many bad calls on Bergdahl
Obama made many bad calls on Bergdahl
In response to New York Times “Bad call on Bergdahl” (Dec. 17 Opinion):
There was more than one bad call. The first was the precedent to trade five terrorists for an accused deserter.
The second was to have the president bring Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl’s parents to the Rose Garden on national television.
Bergdahl could easily be called a traitor. He placed the lives of many fellow soldiers in harm’s way.
The third bad call was when Lt. Col. Mark Visgar recommended Bergdahl not face jail time or a punitive discharge.
Mike Van Glish, Charlotte
Gun control could help curb suicides
In response to “I’m still waiting for proof that gun control works” (Dec. 13 Opinion):
Writer Cynthia M. Allen questions whether gun control efforts would be effective in mass shootings. What about in suicides?
In 2012, an average of 88 people died every day from gunshot wounds and 64 percent of those deaths were suicides.
A recent International Review of Law and Economics study reported in Newsweek in September points out that suicide rates by gun rise when gun ownership increases.
Sounds like a good reason for gun control.
Ben A. Sharpton, Waxhaw
This year, give gift of food to the hungry
The writer is Minister of Missions at Myers Park United Methodist Church.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, unless you and your family face another hungry day.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, unless you and your family are overwhelmed by all those TV commercials featuring holiday banquet tables as you stare into an empty pantry at home.
This Christmas Eve, as thousands of us in and around Charlotte flock to church to celebrate Jesus’ birth, what if each one of us brought food for our neighbors?
As a community of faith, wouldn’t the gift of canned goods and other nonperishables for our local food pantry truly bring a little more joy to the world?
Rev. Nathan Arledge, Charlotte
This story was originally published December 19, 2015 at 9:13 AM with the headline "Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 12.20.15."