10/26 Letters: Members of all races and oppressed groups must maintain a safe ‘open forum’

“There has been progress on race relations, but there must be more” (Oct. 22) could be retitled, “All you need is love.” The best start is to examine and confront our past mistakes, and rectify them. Admitting mistakes opens the way for understanding and love.

We must sit down, blacks and whites in an open forum, and express our feelings toward each other safely, without violence. Not only do we need compassion and a sense of justice toward blacks, but toward Muslims, transgender groups and all groups that suffer needless prejudice and hatred. We are all people with the same needs and aspirations. Many religions express the belief, “Love thy neighbor.”

Vote principles

I am conservative. The Republican Party and our Republican representatives in Washington and Raleigh are not. I was an actuary by profession (someone who evaluates the risks associated with short- and long-term financial systems), where conservatism was valued and required. I learned to follow sound, conservative principles: Do not take unnecessary risks. Take care of what you have, improve it, and build on it. Weigh potential rewards against potential risks. Consider ways to reduce risks. Listen to experts and follow their advice. Pay attention to data and facts, especially if they challenge your preconceived notions. Act in the short term to increase the likelihood of achieving your long-term goals. Build in a margin for error; you will need it.

Republicans no longer follow these strategies, actions or principles. They are taking unnecessary risks with the environment, health care, education, tax reform, election integrity and nuclear war. They are gambling with our lives, our country and our planet. I will vote for candidates with true conservative principles, not for a candidate just because of his or her party affiliation. I ask conservatives to vote for the candidates that best support their conservative principles.

‘Go Heels’?

Regarding “No penalties for Tar Heels after NCAA investigation” (Oct. 14): As a longtime Tar Heel supporter, I was overjoyed to see my school’s valiant and obviously brilliant attorneys stiff-arm those employed by the (laughable) NCAA organization. It’s just a shame that the fake news about this issue published by the N&O over all these past months has somewhat besmirched the reputation of my beloved school.

Everybody knows that all of the other NCAA schools cheat all the time. The fact that we were able to do it for 18 years in a row without being outed just adds to the evidence that The Carolina Way is far superior to any other way out there. Go Heels.

This story was originally published October 25, 2017 at 12:25 PM with the headline "10/26 Letters: Members of all races and oppressed groups must maintain a safe ‘open forum’."