Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 02.09.16

Cam needs to learn professionalism

What today’s athlete can’t seem to understand is that all the dancing, staged antics, and general bad sportsmanship lead to a super low later following the super high.

Now Cam wants to be left alone. Doesn’t work that way. Maybe in the future, a little more – what’s the word I’m looking for? Professionalism?

Sportsmanship, leadership matter

Where was Cam Newton’s happy-go-lucky, smiling, “I’m going to be me” attitude when the team lost? His post-game interview was an embarrassment to me as a fan, and surely to Ron Rivera and the team as well. Much more so than losing the game. Sportsmanship? Leadership? Example?

Kudos to Luke Kuechly. What a Gentleman!

It’s just football; some face real peril

Cam knows how to celebrate a winning performance but still has a long way to go to show maturity in adversity.

He has done wonders with kids following his exploits but has failed to learn from them. All too often the kids he befriends have life-threatening illnesses or crippling diseases and he is able to cheer them up. Cam is playing a game, and the kids are battling life. It is time for him to show the same intestinal fortitude that these kids display.

Don’t blame Cam, blame the coaches

I give the majority of the blame to Mike Shula, the offensive coordinator. He tried the same plays all game that did not work – running up the middle and long passes. Worse, he made no adjustments at halftime. Time to get new offensive tackles and wide receivers.

Thanks for a great season, Panthers

When my Packers lost to Arizona in the playoffs I jumped on the hometown Panthers bandwagon. They were an exciting – and fun – team to watch. They deserved to be in the Super Bowl. Denver was just too overpowering.

I’ve lived through ups and downs with the Packers. Carolina fans will survive this and so will the team. Losing hurts, but rest assured the team will grow from this and Keep Pounding starting in September 2016. Thanks for a great season!

No real need for voter ID rules

The problems I have with Robert C. Stephens’ analogies are that robberies are a problem and locks help prevent robberies. Requiring an ID to purchase Sudafed help prevent the illegal production of amphetamines.

The intent of the photo ID law for voting is to prevent a non-existent problem.

Advice on alcohol made sense to me

Is it really “blaming the victim” to warn women of any age that drinking to the point of a diminished ability to protect oneself is too dangerous?

Avoiding this message in an effort to appear unbiased only adds to the possibility that naive people will trust in the chivalry of men they regard as friends and colleagues. Some are chivalrous, true, but the ones who turn out to be opportunists can change your life forever.

No wonder new teachers are scarce

As a classroom teacher with 25 years of experience, I have always encouraged young people to consider this field. With the loss of a small stipend for mentoring, loss of various small bonuses for school growth and achievement, a longer school day at the elementary level, and the understanding that teachers with my experience will never receive another raise, I am struggling. When I am asked about teaching as a career, I now hesitate with my answer.

I am not surprised enrollment is declining, and dare say it will continue to do so.

This story was originally published February 8, 2016 at 5:37 PM with the headline "Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 02.09.16."