Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 02.01.16

AG Cooper isn’t to blame on toll lanes

In response to “McCrory team tags Cooper on I-77 contract” (Jan. 28) and related articles:

I’m greatly dismayed that Gov. Pat McCrory is blaming North Carolina’s attorney general for the dismal I-77 toll contract.

Since when did Attorney General Roy Cooper set policy for the N.C. road system?

The attorney general’s office is responsible for determining the legality of contracts and defending our sometimes incompetent officials when they are sued.

I believe it is in the venue of Transportation Secretary Nick Tennyson to determine the value of a transportation related contract to the citizens of North Carolina.

If you are looking for someone to blame in this bizarre scenario, look to Gov. McCrory’s office.

Brian Letourneau, Durham

Lack of transparency on contract appalling

NCDOT assumes that honest taxpayers have no intelligence.

The lack of transparency regarding I-77 toll lanes shown by NCDOT and politicians – including some who did not ask germane questions until the 11th hour – is appalling.

NCDOT knew exactly what it was doing, as did Gov. Pat McCrory and Sen. Thom Tillis, who disregarded the North Mecklenburg towns.

Donna Dalrymple, Huntersville

Call to get help for stranger; don’t stop

In response to Eric Frazier “Would you help a stranded stranger?” (Jan. 28 Opinion) and related articles:

For years I would help stranded strangers on the road, but not now – for my safety and my riders’.

If the driver whose car is disabled is not using a cell phone to call for help, then use yours to phone the local police or the state highway patrol.

Gene Millsaps, Mooresville

No special laws for LGBTQ community

In response to “LGBT discrimination is bad for business” (Jan. 29 Opinion):

After reading Richard Grimstad’s and Craig Hopkins’ For the Record piece, I now see even more reasons for not passing this ordinance.

The writers state that 120,000 people attended the Gay Pride event and visited area venues, but how many cases of discrimination occurred? None that we know of!

They suggest the LGBTQ community has clout because this group brings money to the city.

Are they entitled to special laws? Can our city be held hostage by any money-wielding group?

Ann Marie Lloyd, Charlotte

Wake up to what Trump is really saying

In response to “Rhetoric worries Holocaust survivors” (Jan. 29 Opinion) and related articles:

It is terribly worrying and frightening to see the rise of demagogue Donald Trump and his uncanny ability to sway people in to his way of thinking.

We went through this in Hitler’s days! Why don’t people use their ability to really think?

Pearl Rosenthal, Charlotte

Line between politics, entertainment is thin

For decades the line between entertainment and politics has been getting thinner.

With Donald Trump this line has disappeared.

Trump supporters don’t care that he’s not a conservative, or evangelical, or the least bit altruistic.

They are oblivious to the fact that he won’t deport 11 million illegal immigrants, build a wall, or do anything else he has promised. All that matters to them is that he puts on a good show.

Dewey Rochester, Charlotte

No more debates, find another format

No more debates please.

Let each candidate have 30 minutes with a list of common questions, no interruptions.

Give each one a chance to state their views.

Watching the media going back and forth with the speakers does nothing for the viewers.

Let us get to the issues and not make a spectacle.

Gene Ford, Matthews

Here’s a way to stop violent hits in NFL

The NFL could solve the violent hits issue if it gave it higher priority.

Adopting a soccer-like rule change would be a move in the right direction. A player charged with committing a violent personal foul would be issued a yellow card – a warning.

A second offense by that player would lead to a red card and ejection from the game.

The violating team would not be allowed to substitute a player for the one ejected.

In addition, there could be monetary fines and suspensions.

Bans would be considered for players with a significant history of excessive violence.

Ed Ihnot, Charlotte

This story was originally published January 31, 2016 at 12:00 PM with the headline "Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 02.01.16."