11/29 Letters: The difference between the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal and Roy Moore

Regarding “Evangelicals face a test” (Nov. 27): We should be clear about two things. The Clinton-Lewinsky scandal involved two consenting adults, however reprehensible their conduct may have seemed. Roy Moore was a 30-something man molesting 14- to 16-year-old girls; a crime, that if it had been reported and prosecuted at the time, would probably have him now carrying around a convicted sex offender label.

If the evangelicals in question can’t see the difference, they need to spend more time in church thinking about their own daughters at that age.

Rose ‘paying price’

While I agree with “ Rose, before and after the fall” (Nov. 24) that Charlie Rose’s alleged conduct was deplorable, he is paying the price by being publicly humiliated and removed from the air by CBS, PBS and Bloomberg. Charlie always interviewed people of great talent or intelligence or power, and nobody was better than he at drawing them out. In addition to being a brilliant journalist, Charlie has a lot of other admirable qualities: he is hardworking, he is loyal to his friends, and he has been there when needed, as he was, for example, to speak at UNC President William Friday’s memorial service.

I understand why it might be difficult for his accusers and others to forgive Charlie, but I am one woman who finds it easy. We are all flawed, and in this dark time for one of our state’s native sons, I hope there will be many who reach out to offer him solace.

Making America great?

Regarding “Senate GOP to add repeal of ACA mandate into tax bill” (Nov. 15): My wife and I are elderly and have several chronic medical conditions. Under the Senate tax reform bill, our federal income taxes would increase by some $18,600 and our state taxes by some $800 ($19,400 total). This is largely due to the repeal of the deduction for medical expenses. We will likely have to dip into our retirement funds to pay for our basic needs, medical expenses and taxes.

The Senate bill takes from the poor and middle classes, benefits the wealthy and businesses, and raises the national debt by a trillion or two. And all this is on top of the repeal of the Affordable Care Act mandate, which is unconscionable. We fail to see how this makes America great again.

Saving money

Regarding “ Raleigh unveils $226,000 new logo” (Nov. 10): Did it occur to any of our civic leaders that we live among a plethora of top-notch universities that have hundreds of students studying art, design, architecture and landscape architecture? Raleigh could have held a competition for a new logo, offered $1,000 as a prize, and saved $225,000 for something useful.

This story was originally published November 28, 2017 at 6:00 PM with the headline "11/29 Letters: The difference between the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal and Roy Moore."