8/26 Letters: Sen. Burr should do the right thing and keep Russia probe unbiased

Regarding “America ill-served by torture cover-up efforts” (June 24): Senator 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 US (and other countries in recent times). I hope that Senator 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.

Find ‘different route’

Regarding “Legalizing vehicular violence” (Aug. 19): Who would drive their car through protesters other than an angry idiot? Ensuring drivers that it’s okay to ease their vehicle through a crowd of people is backward when terrorists (angry idiots) increasingly use vehicles to plow through crowds of people.

When Atlantic Avenue closed due to flooding, I found a different route. When Capital closed because of a water main break, I found a different route. When downtown streets close for a marathon or the Christmas parade, I find a different route.

‘Choose wisely’

I was moved by “Commemorating North Carolina’s anti-Confederate heritage, too” (Aug. 16, 2015) on North Carolina’s anti-Confederate history. I was born and raised in the South. My great great-grandfather fought for the Confederacy. I do not wish to erase this fact from history. It happened and that is important. His cousin (whom he considered his best friend) also fought in the Civil War, but he joined the Union army. He was killed in the war, and the circumstances led my great great grandfather to be convinced that he was the one who shot him – his own beloved cousin.

That great great-great uncle is a part of my heritage just as much as my Confederate ancestor. We all choose which parts of our heritage to merely acknowledge, and which parts to celebrate. That is a conscious and willful choice. This seems more relevant today than at any point in my 45 years on this Earth. Please choose wisely.

Read more letters to the editor on Confederate monuments online.

This story was originally published August 25, 2017 at 6:00 PM with the headline "8/26 Letters: Sen. Burr should do the right thing and keep Russia probe unbiased."