NRA shares blame for escalating violence at protests

NRA shares blame for protest violence

Recently my 28-year-old son asked me, in reference to the recent demonstrations, “Is this what the ’60s were like?”

I thought for a moment and realized what the difference was. Armament.

In the ’60s there were nowhere near the amount of guns on the streets as today. Protesters carried signs, and cops used billy-clubs and fire hoses.

Now, police look like soldiers in a war zone, and they have to because anyone could be armed to the teeth.

Fault for this escalation lies solely at the doorstep of the NRA and the Congress it bought and paid for.

Bill Szymczyk, Charlotte

Parallels in Dallas, Trump protests

It wasn’t long ago when the media were drawing correlations between Trump rallies and individual violent behaviors.

With the killing of five police officers in Dallas as the most recent and egregious acts of violence at a Black Lives Matter-related protest, is it not fair to draw the same parallel?

Then again, perhaps it wasn’t fair to draw the Trump/violence correlation in the first place.

Jim Nuccio, Charlotte

Playing ball with Clintons will cost AG

In response to “AG Lynch defends decision on Clinton email inquiry” (July 12):

In falling back on her previous statement that she would accept whatever the FBI concluded about Hillary Clinton’s sharing, hiding and destroying of official State Department emails, U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch only confirmed what Bill Clinton’s private meeting with her on the plane in Phoenix seemed to imply: the fix was in.

Should some Democratic president in the future try to nominate her for another position, such as federal judge, you can be sure GOP senators will block it.

Such is the price of playing ball with the Clintons.

Jon Hoin, Charlotte

I see hypocrisy in Pro-Life stance

In response to “Abortion is my business, too” (July 12 Forum):

What percentage of Pro-Lifers have adopted unwanted children?

I’ve asked many demonstrators at anti-abortion rallies in downtown Charlotte, and so far none has.

It is hypocritical to say you care about unborn lives, then not care for those given up for society to take care of.

Recent Observer articles state only about half of foster children find homes. Orphanages are full.

You say you don’t want federal money used for abortion, but don’t seem to mind taxpayer money paying for foster care at $475 per month or more per child.

If there were no more abortions, there would be millions more children to care for. Are Pro-Lifers going to pick up the tab?

Steve Benson, Monroe

Missing the point on HB2-related fears

In response to “Berger shows why HB2 does little” (July 12 Forum) and related articles:

It seems that the Observer, Forum writer Carol Hollister and others continue to miss the point of people’s HB2 fears.

People like me “get” that a straight male in the women’s bathroom is still illegal. We get that transgenders are not the threat or to be feared.

However, since no proof is required of a person’s sexual gender – nor should there be – are you really saying that women and young girls have to bite the bullet, share the space, and pray that the guy in the bathroom with them doesn’t turn them into collateral damage in the war for inclusion?

Helen Katopodis, Charlotte

Problem is profits aren’t trickling down

In response to “A double-standard on big salaries?” (July 12 Forum):

A double-standard on big salaries? Maybe, but it also proves that trickle down does not work.

Corporations making record profits, stocks at record highs, CEOs making record salaries. Workers making stagnant wages for years.

If they’d just share a little of the gravy we’d all be better off. Workers spend their earnings; it would help all of the economy.

After all, how many gold-plated wastebaskets does anyone need?

E.T. Shafer, Charlotte

Being divided not always a bad thing

Contributor Keith Larson asks are we really this divided? (“Yes, Mr. President, we are that divided,” July 13 Opinion):

I am reminded of presidential candidate Barry Goldwater’s comments on vice and virtue: Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.

Tom E. Bowers, Charlotte

This story was originally published July 13, 2016 at 6:02 PM with the headline "NRA shares blame for escalating violence at protests."