What I saw Tuesday at RNC scares me

How did party of Lincoln slip so low?

As a lifelong Republican who switched to Independent eight years ago, I was devastated by what I saw Tuesday night at the Republican National Convention.

Hundreds of white faces screaming in anger as their hate was whipped up from the podium.

My wife’s relatives in Canada called deeply concerned, saying the images reminded them of Germany in the 1930s.

All I could see was a lynch mob. The GOP has sown hate for years, their fields have now ripened and they must be stopped.

I ask Paul Ryan – a decent man I could have supported – “How can you support this travesty?”

How did the party of Lincoln ever sink so low?

Larry Franzese, Charlotte

Trump rejects failed policies; voters agree

In response to “Ryan hopes you’ll take one for the team” (July 20 Opinion):

The reason old-school Republicans fear Donald Trump is that he has gotten to this point by rejecting failed policies and offering alternatives that appeal to the electorate.

Strong turnouts and lopsided victories tell the story.

Paul Ryan may well offer advice to N.C. politicians, but it’s telling that his home congressional district may not re-elect him.

J. Paige Straley, Hickory

Kudos to Orr for calling out Trump

In response to “Delegate from N.C. calls Trump ‘a danger,’ leaves” (July 20):

This Democrat would like to give kudos to N.C. delegate Bob Orr and other Republicans with the guts to acknowledge that Trump is neither Republican, nor qualified to lead our nation.

Larken Egleston, Charlotte

All lives matter; so does rule of law

The recent uptick in violence in America as reported exhaustively by the media is not about race.

Whites kill blacks; blacks kill whites; blacks kill blacks; whites kill whites, and all of those lives matter.

Are we going to let this stain on our society’s moral fiber degenerate into keeping score?

Our country and Constitution were founded on the rule of law. If we let lawless individuals continue to murder those men and women in uniform who choose to protect us until no one is willing to wear that uniform we lose the rule of law, and with that loss we lose the very foundation of our society.

Timothy Eichenbrenner, Charlotte

Change the behavior, not the CMS policy

In response to “Too young to be suspended? CMS panel will study that question” (July 19):

The CMS board is considering a policy to leave disruptive children in the classroom because 79 percent of those removed are black students. Are we changing rules because the balance isn’t 50/50?

This policy will tie the hands of teachers, disrupt learning, and teach students that bad behavior is allowed. Do we want more teachers leaving?

Can we focus on the cause instead of changing the rules?

Ann Marie Lloyd, Charlotte

Courts make it difficult for dads

In response to “Fathers, start being better role models” (July 18 Forum):

The writer is president of KidsNeed2Parents.

Instead of blaming fathers for not being in their children’s lives, Forum writer Jim Collura Sr. should ask why they aren’t there. One reason: Gender-biased judges award custody and child support to mothers about 85 percent of the time. No lawyers are provided for poor fathers in family court either, another strike against them.

Hats off to those fighting the long, uphill battle to modernize N.C. custody law to “presumed shared parenting” unless there is proven abuse or neglect.

Kids do need fathers in their lives.

Sheila Peltzer, Charlotte

Richardson statue a deserving tribute

In response to “Carolina Panthers unveil sculpture of owner Richardson” (July 19):

The writer, a sports marketing consultant, helped land the Panthers franchise.

What a magnificent execution of an extraordinary idea by the partners of Panthers owner Jerry Richardson.

Jerry’s six-year effort to create an NFL team for Charlotte and the Carolinas will always stand as one of the remarkable achievements in sports.

The team of partners and the franchise are second to none in any league. And Rosalind, Mark, Jon and Ashley, we see you as well in the sculptor’s magical work.

Max Muhleman, Charlotte

This story was originally published July 20, 2016 at 7:36 PM with the headline "What I saw Tuesday at RNC scares me."