Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 04.12.16

HB2 foes punishing North Carolina

Your article talked about overreach on both sides of the aisle about HB2. I agree somewhat but find the overreach to be much more prevalent on the anti-HB2 side. I am amazed at all the groups that have weighed in so virulently against the bill, from major corporations, the NBA, the NCAA, film production companies, the liberal clergy, and even our federal government.

Every one of these groups wants to punish our state by withdrawing, withholding, and banning things like jobs and non-official travel.

It’s sad the bullying threats that have been made and holding an entire state hostage over HB2. I hope a compromise can be reached and soon.

Springsteen didn’t see the big picture

The most important people Bruce Springsteen hurts are his fan base that was looking forward to seeing him perform. Also hurt are the local business owners in the area and lower waged individuals who would have been employed at the venue.

The so-called “every man” has done a great job in punishing a lot of regular folks.

It’s too bad Bruce can’t see the bigger picture and find common ground to please his fans and voice his displeasure.

Pittenger wrong on PayPal CEO

Robert Pittenger says Dan Schulman of PayPal should have continued the Charlotte project and then become engaged as a corporate citizen. Why? Why would PayPal or any corporation come to a city or state to battle when other cities and states welcome them with open-arm hospitality?

Pittenger accuses PayPal of attempted bullying by not coming here. Bullying would be if they came and threatened to leave.

He is correct in saying that our country is in a sad state. He should reread his letter and understand why.

Too quick to call others anti-American

Alex McFarland has fallen into the very same swamp he accuses those with more liberal views than his own to be drowning in. While we can certainly look back and clearly see how our most revered founding fathers viewed the issues of life and liberty in their times, it is childish and disrespectful to their towering intellects, to think that they would see everything exactly the same today.

The danger in Mr. McFarland’s view is when freedom loving Americans, whether on the political right or left, so casually label their equally patriotic neighbors, and even their president, as anti-American.

Did Carver jury apply the law?

The author was an investigator for the Mark Carver defense:

If you believe in DNA, then Mark Carver is only guilty of lying to the police about touching the car. There is no NC General Statute that requires any one not to lie to the police. If the jury had done its duty and deliberated (applying the law) as much as they should have, they would not have found Carver guilty of murder. But, as so many times, they feel that someone has to pay and Carver did.

Plenty to like and dislike about Helms

Jesse Helms was certainly a unique contrast. I never met a minority person that claimed he or she voted for him, and he did not need their vote. His office in Washington, D.C., was known for excellent constituent service. He had a strong following.

My personal problem with Helms was his voting record. For a man elected for six terms he was an embarrassment for this state.

An on-time, under-budget project? Yes

Kudos to Cambridge HealthCare Solutions, Childress Klein and Veterans Administration officials for providing veterans with an on-time, under-budget health care center on West Tyvola Road.

Special thanks to Sen. Richard Burr, whose dedication to meeting veterans’ needs has led to the opening of three such centers in our state in the last six months.

This story was originally published April 11, 2016 at 3:58 PM with the headline "Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 04.12.16."