11/15 Letters: Greater Raleigh Merchants Association is acting like ‘Scrooge’

Regarding “WRAL floats likely excluded from Christmas parade” (Nov. 9): I find it inconceivable that the Greater Raleigh Merchants Association would not accept a float that is intended to raise awareness for the Coats for Children project just because the organization is miffed at Capitol Broadcasting.

Coats is a charity whose goal is to offer warmth to thousands of needy children in the GRMA marketing area. Wake up, GRMA, or is that Scrooge? Get a grip – ’Tis the season.

Talley ‘unfit’

Regarding “Trump judge nominee, 36, who has never tried a case, wins approval of Senate panel” (Nov. 10): Sen. Thom Tillis voted last week on the Judiciary Committee to approve the nomination of Brett Talley. Talley received the lowest rating possible by the American Bar Association and has been deemed extraordinarily unfit by many groups. The ABA unanimously rated him “not qualified.” He has less than three years of practicing law and has never tried a case or filed a motion. Never.

I am absolutely baffled and appalled that Sen. Tillis voted in favor of this nomination. I don’t know how he rationalizes this and feels that he is representing North Carolina or the country well. It is irresponsible to vote for a nominee to get a lifetime judicial appointment who has never tried a case, has less than three years practicing law and has been deemed not qualified by the ABA. In reading the article in last week’s N&O, it is worse than laughable, it is shameful and disgraceful to have a senator from North Carolina voting like this. I found out today that Talley is married to the chief of staff for the White House counsel. Could that explain his nomination and the Judiciary Committee votes? Nothing else does.

Care for veterans

“The things they still carry” (Nov. 11) details the great mental health care needs of combat veterans. In warfare, soldiers see and participate in terrible death and destruction. Post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and moral injury are to be expected. Of course, our political leaders who send soldiers to war owe them whatever mental and physical health care they need.

In addition, our political leaders, including Sens. Burr and Tillis, need to be held accountable for the suffering they are causing and stop sending our troops to take part in futile, endless wars. The American public needs to know why we have spent $5.6 trillion on wars since the 9/11 World Trade Center attack. That is tax money not invested for the good of the people – in infrastructure, education, cancer research or renewable energy.

Congress needs to require an audit of the Pentagon and an independent analysis of the real consequence of these wars on our national security, on the soldiers we send to fight, and on the people of the war-torn countries.

This story was originally published November 14, 2017 at 6:00 PM with the headline "11/15 Letters: Greater Raleigh Merchants Association is acting like ‘Scrooge’."