Blacks shouldn’t have to fear for their lives

The shootings of black men in our society by police officers continue to be absolutely nauseating.

To the apologists who say that they should have followed commands given them to avoid being shot, I would simply say that the punishment for being rude and uncooperative to police officers should be something less than death.

Some of the social media posts by black youth out there aren’t even angry at this point. They are scared and pitiful, and their parents live in fear for their lives.

What kind of craziness are we living through?

Jonathan Ramsey, Charlotte

Not all white officers show disrespect

On Jan. 2, I was driving my red Mustang GT on Beatties Ford Road at Johnson C. Smith University when I was stopped by two white CMPD officers.

The male officer asked for my driver’s license and if I had any weapons on me. I said yes.

He was very calm and professional.

I gave him my license and concealed carry permit. He explained why I was stopped, verified my info and released me to leave.

I’m writing this as a testimony that all white police officers are not racist and to thank the two officers for their respect and professionalism.

Bernard McGraw, Matthews

Clinton protects self, but not the nation

In response to “FBI director defends probe” (July 8) and related articles:

Based on recent news reports, testimony and commentary, I can conclude that Hillary Clinton is not a liar or a criminal.

She is, however, incompetent to hold any position that requires handling classified information.

I find it extremely difficult to believe that none of her staff advised her in proper procedures. But if they did, she obviously ignored them.

She does seem to worry about protecting her personal information, but not national secrets.

Michael Sloop, Charlotte

GOP works hard at creating illusions

How great our country could be if Republicans in Congress spent as much energy, time and taxpayer money working on jobs bills, immigration reform, renewable energy programs, rebuilding our infrastructure, improving education, etc., instead of working so hard creating illusions that a Democrat performed a crime.

John Costenoble, Denver, N.C.

Gross negligence is never forgivable

Every single citizen should be fighting back and asking for answers if we care to uphold a justice system that has long preserved core American values.

Gross negligence is never forgivable and we deserve to know how the FBI came to a conclusion that pardons Hillary Clinton from breaching national security.

Traci Cockerham, Charlotte

N.C. legislators left coal ash time bomb

In response to “What N.C. lawmakers did – and didn’t accomplish – in the short session” (July 4):

I’m glad the people whose wells have been poisoned by coal ash will have city water piped to their homes or be given filtration systems by 2018.

But it’s just a matter of time before the toxins leaching into the Catawba River and its lakes are recognized for the time bomb they are.

Capping the coal ash only delays the inevitable that our children and their children will have to deal with.

Shame on Duke Energy and elected officials for not protecting the public.

Ron Sevilla, Sherrills Ford

OK to dump USNWC water into the river

In response to “Catawba River may get Whitewater Center water” (July 7):

The amoeba is present in the Whitewater Center water because the water is warmer and it’s constantly getting churned up.

It makes sense to dump Whitewater Center water that has been treated into the Catawba River where any remaining amoeba would settle down into the sediment where it’s commonly found.

The challenge for the Whitewater Center is how to eliminate the presence of algae chunks that spread the amoeba throughout the water as they are flushed through the river channels.

Julie Tuggle, Charlotte

This story was originally published July 9, 2016 at 5:30 PM with the headline "Blacks shouldn’t have to fear for their lives."