Don’t attack Republican donors to UNC, says Art Pope

It is a shame that Matt Wait, in a letter to the editor on Sept. 16, attacked the Pope Foundation’s $10 million commitment to UNC-Chapel Hill for academics, scholarships, and cancer research, because he mistakenly blamed me, and Republicans in general, for budget cuts made by Democrats “10 years ago.”

During the 2009-10 budget year, Democratic Gov. Beverly Perdue and the Democratic majority in the legislature cut the UNC system budget to a low of $3.56 billion and froze teacher pay for several years, decreasing North Carolina’s national ranking for teacher pay to 47^th.

In my last year as state budget director (2014-15), Republican Gov. McCrory and our Republican legislature increased the university budget up to $4.114 billion. Republicans have also increased teacher pay, leading North Carolina to rank 37th this year (29^th when adjusted for cost of living). More work needs to be done, but Republicans have greatly increased education spending since the Democratic budget cuts made during the great recession.

It is unfortunate that people can be duped by such blatantly false partisan propaganda that they refuse to donate to their alma mater and attack others who do donate just because other donors are Republicans.

—Art Pope

Raleigh

ABC competitive

I had to laugh at the recent opinion piece from Andy Ellen of the N.C. Retail Merchants Association (“Why the state of NC shouldn’t sell alcohol,” Sept. 15) stating the state should not be in the business of selling alcohol. Talk about self-serving interest. I travel quite a bit and can tell you North Carolina does not want to copy the examples of Florida, Georgia, New York and many others states. North Carolina has clean and safe stores. They all charge the same very competitive price across the state.

Also, when was the last time you heard of a North Carolina ABC store being robbed? I am sure it happens but in other states some locations are in high-crime areas and are robbed quite often. The bottom line is that North Carolina ABC stores provide safe, secure jobs and offer a product at a competitive price.

—Lewis Piner

Wendell

Taking a knee

In “Only a handful take action during anthem on NFL’s 1st Sunday” (Sept. 10), Eddie Pells points out that fewer players are protesting during the national anthem than before. This reminded me of what the national anthem means to me and why these protests are so significant.

I can still see my dad coming home from work in his green flight suit. I can hear Colors playing on the speakers of the Navy base where I lived. I grew up surrounded by brave servicemen and women that put their country first. I still get goosebumps every time the national anthem plays. I have a deep love for America and what it should stand for.

Despite many who believe that kneeling for the national anthem is disrespectful, I support these athletes. My father and the many veterans before him fought to protect everybody’s rights. These rights include being able to bring attention to those who need help: the people of color in America that we have ignored and mistreated. After all, what is more American than taking a stand (or a knee) and fighting against adversity to make the world a better place?

—Katie Quinn

Raleigh

Thanks, N&O

Thanks to the N&O writers, editors, staff, and especially our local carrier, who met the challenge of Hurricane Florence. Here in Southern Pines, my power went out on Friday and we were lashed with wind and rain; the N&O, however, arrived every morning, a welcome sign of normality in an otherwise out-of-the ordinary situation.

—Robert W. Brown

Southern Pines

Investigate Kavanaugh