Mayor Roberts should be commended
I admire that mayor hasn’t backed down
In response to “Time for mayor to back down on HB2” (May 25 Forum):
Forum writer James Todd has it all wrong in criticizing Mayor Jennifer Roberts.
What she is actually doing is showing her resolve in the quest to make Charlotte a world-class city.
She is smart, brave, and should be commended. She is also following federal anti-discrimination laws.
These are the same laws Gov. Pat McCrory and his cronies are breaking. That’s why the DOJ is on North Carolina’s back.
It’s the Republicans in Raleigh who are costing the taxpayers and businesses money with their witch-hunt HB2.
Bob Rahilly, Concord
Referendum on HB2 might surprise media
I was taken aback when the Observer’s editorial page content made national news.
Hard to believe that supposedly well-educated people would publish such a ridiculous editorial regarding HB2.
This will continue to surface for a long time, and it appears the media disregard public opinion.
I would like to see a referendum take place. It would probably surprise many in the media.
Roland Thomas, Pineville
I want my rights protected also
It seems the only people who have rights being violated are those in the LGBT community.
The news reports on the economic hurt this issue has caused, but gives little to no attention to the distress caused to families who don’t feel comfortable with the direction this policy is going.
The married – male and female – family has just as much right to protect its privacy and safety.
I am getting very sick and tired of all this reverse discrimination erupting in our nation.
Don Whichard, Charlotte
Gergen issued a needed wake-up call
In response to “How to get North Carolina back on track” (May 25 Editorial):
David Gergen’s call for political and social moderation amidst the wave of calls to militancy and extremism is much needed.
I’m a transplanted Californian who was enthusiastic 20 years ago about the prospect of life in the “New South.”
North Carolina has such an admirable legacy of progressive thinking and leadership – Terry Sanford, Erskine Bowles, Hugh McColl, etc.
We need to be reminded occasionally about the leaders and their policies that have created so much of the shared prosperity and pride in our state.
Thanks to the Observer and Mr. Gergen for this wake-up call.
Roger Coates, Charlotte
Obama erred in lifting arms embargo
In response to “Obama banishing Vietnam War vestige by lifting arms embargo” (May 23):
Our president visits Hanoi and agrees to let Vietnam buy weapons if its leaders will be nicer to its citizens!
Hanoi is the location of the Hanoi Hilton, where our prisoners were held for years, tortured and beaten on a regular basis.
Mr. President, communist dictators do not treat protesters well or anyone who disagrees with the way they run their government.
Can’t you find a better way to be presidential?
Richard Lynch, Charlotte
Turned off by GOP; it’ll impact my vote
The Republican Party, its candidates and elected officials continue to provide embarrassing headlines read around the world.
As a registered independent, I have never voted a straight-party ticket. That will probably change in November.
Bill Hall, Rutherfordton
Don’t throw rocks, cast ballots instead
In response to “Anti-Trump protests turn violent outside New Mexico rally” (May 25):
I wonder how many votes go to Donald Trump for each rock thrown in Albuquerque?
How about using those hands in the voting booth in November instead.
Paul Salata, Charlotte
Patients, not doctors, to blame on opioids
In response to “Drug database can save lives in 60 seconds. Why don’t more doctors use it?” (May 21):
Ever since the ’60s, liberals have been out to destroy all moral authority figures, with doctors being their latest target.
The slant of your opioid addiction story is just another example of how the so-called “patient rights” movement is in reality an all-out assault on physicians in which they are always wrong and the patient is always right, no matter if the patient is a drug addict.
Forget personal accountability. The doctor is to blame.
Nan Bauroth, Charlotte
This story was originally published May 25, 2016 at 5:07 PM with the headline "Mayor Roberts should be commended."