8/25 Letters: Here’s hoping Sen. Burr will run a fair investigation

Regarding “America ill-served by torture cover-up efforts” (June 24): Sen. Richard Burr is currently in the national spotlight in his role as chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee. The country will look to him to lead an in-depth, vigorous investigation into any ways in which Russia tried to influence the 2016 presidential election in the United States (and other countries in recent times). I hope Sen. Burr does serve in this role very well and seals his place in history in a positive light.

However, his earlier efforts in leading the committee in its investigation of possible torture of foreign prisoners gives me cause for grave concern. This is the same Sen. Burr who not only would not release the results of the torture investigation, but who tried to retrieve and hide the few reports that were in the hands of non-committee members. The results of the Russia inquiry, appropriately redacted, must be made public.

Burr works for his constituents and, in this case, also for the entire population of the United States. He does not work for the president or for the good of any political party.

Keep confederate symbols

After the tragic events in Charlottesville, Va., concerning the removal of the Robert E. Lee statue, I agree with Barry Saunders’ column “We shouldn’t remove Confederate symbols; we need to learn from them” (June 1) – the statue should remain. All the Confederate statues around municipal buildings should stay in place to educate the public of America’s tumultuous history. As Saunders suggested, a plaque should be added to the statues to inform the public of what these men stood for.

These statues represent a part of American history – an era that elicits sadness and anger from some. To others, the Confederate statues tell an important part of “our” Southern history that should not be erased. Add a plaque to inform and hopefully enlighten.

ACA repeal ‘obsession’

It appears the Republican Party has chosen to cooperate with President Trump and use millions of Americans and their health care as “human shields” in the effort to eradicate every evidence of Barack Obama’s presidency. This manic obsession has already caused distress among longstanding allies, a diminished role for the United States in the world, a hollowing out of major agencies of the government and a dangerous inattention to the real dangers facing our country.

Voters are learning why competence, intelligence, experience and integrity matter in the people they choose to represent them. Unfortunately for all, this lesson is being learned the hard way.

This story was originally published August 24, 2017 at 6:00 PM with the headline "8/25 Letters: Here’s hoping Sen. Burr will run a fair investigation."