Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 01.04.16
‘Groups’ or gangs? Don’t sanitize it
In response to “Police kill teen gunman inside Northlake Mall” (Dec. 25):
Why are we using the word “groups” to describe what is likely gang activity in the Christmas Eve shooting and death of a teen at Northlake Mall?
Charlotte has a growing crime problem that involves gangs.
Citizens will not feel safer and gangs will not be stopped when we attempt to mitigate this tragic incident with sanitized words.
Edwin Peacock, Charlotte
Promote message of peace, tolerance
To most people, the incident at Northlake Mall was nothing more than the inevitable outcome of the “live by the gun, die by the gun” attitude that perpetuates the seemingly never-ending cycle of violence in many of Charlotte’s communities.
I challenge all aspiring hip-hop artists in Charlotte to make a difference in these communities by promoting a message of responsibility, tolerance and peace.
A gun cannot be the only weapon against adversity.
Roger Morgan, Marshville
Today’s immigrants carry more risk
In response to “Refugee vote betrays values” (Dec. 26 Editorial):
You may think it’s a traditional American value to allow entry into our country by all comers, but I remember our treatment of Chinese, Irish, Jews, Eastern Europeans, Japanese, Italian, and other immigrants. They were treated miserably for a generation or more.
In the current case, where various groups have stated they will infiltrate the refugees with people committed to killing us, it’s stupid to allow them entry without extreme safeguards.
Arch Wakefield, Tega Cay
Bible, Quran share similarities too
In response to “Do Christians, Muslims worship the same God?” (Dec. 24 Opinion):
Yes, Noah Feldman, I often have to tell hateful Christians that Jews, Muslims and Christians worship the same God. But your rambling column missed the definitive point.
They all worship the God of Moses and Abraham, and go to the same heaven.
When Christians burn the Quran, do they remove the parts that are common to the Bible and the chapter on Jesus?
Alan Dockery, Newton
Syrup, pancakes and GOP disenchantment
Established Republicans fear Ted Cruz and Donald Trump because they are fighters, not “Chicken Littles” like so many in our party.
After huge wins in 2010 and 2012 we controlled both the House and Senate and have caved on every major vote.
Sen. Chuck Schumer and the Democrats got everything they wanted on the budget vote by just mentioning a government shutdown.
Our leaders, Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan, don’t have all the syrup between their pancakes and are just not up for the fight to make America great again.
Jim Cherry, Charlotte
Expose Trump before it’s too late
Donald Trump is bringing out and playing upon all the fears and anxieties – real or imagined – that we face today.
He says things that are emotionally charged, and, basically, none of what he says is true.
But he’s striking nerves and exposing the older, darker sides from our past: hate, xenophobia, racial and religious prejudices, plus unknowns that even he can’t explain.
It’s time for America’s journalists to fully expose this man and what he represents – before it’s too late.
Jon Schuller Charlotte
Proud to have giving players like Johnson
In response to “Charles Johnson plays Santa” (Dec. 25):
As a Charlotte native, I am always proud of my Panthers home team.
But when I read articles like the one about Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson donating nearly $30,000 to help fatherless children buy Christmas presents for themselves and their families – and four other players assisting with the project – I am even more proud.
Thank you to all of those on the team who support Charlotte, especially the most vulnerable among us!
Sally Harris, Charlotte
This story was originally published January 3, 2016 at 12:30 PM with the headline "Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 01.04.16."