4/05 Letters: Duke shareholders should be liable for coal ash clean-up

Let shareholders pay

“Duke Energy told to dig up millions of tons of coal ash” (April 2) said “Duke warned that the DEQ order will extend the job of cleaning up its ash by decades and add billions of dollars to the cost, with customers likely paying the bill.”

I would like to know why the shareholders would not be liable. Why would they be allowed to pass it on?

This week a federal judge in California banned Pacific Gas & Electric from paying dividends to shareholders until it invests in fire prevention.

If a judge can do this, it seems to me Duke Energy’s shareholders should be liable for the coal ash clean-up.

Holocaust lessons

Regarding “NC might require the Holocaust be taught in schools,” (April 3):

I’m pleased that a bill would require instruction in North Carolina schools about the truth and horror of the Holocaust. But, I am shocked that a bill would be required.

The Holocaust is such a significant part of world history. I cannot imagine any school or teacher not including the Holocaust in the basic history of that time and place.

How in the world does our school system, or an individual teacher, have the right to exclude basic and dramatic history? Is there not an oversight that requires history to be inclusive of key happenings?

This is not ethnic or religious or racial preaching – it is raw and sad history.

When was it considered OK to leave this out of our classrooms? What else is being left out?

Teacher pay karma

Regarding “NC lawmakers want to help recruit retired teachers,” (March 31):

As the N.C. General Assembly worked to improve teacher salaries, most if not all teachers with 30-plus years of service were basically ignored with the implementation of these new salary schedules. And many chose to retire and leave behind the profession they had enjoyed for those 30-plus years of service.

Now, lawmakers wish to welcome them back? “They’re our best teachers”said state Sen. Rick Horner.

Were they not the “best” when the new salary schedules were determined?

Karma. That’s all I got to say.

OK to arm teachers

Tim Schmidt wrote a well-reasoned argument for allowing teachers to be armed, while Barry Saunders wrote a sophistic, self-contradictory piece that made little sense. (“PRO: Arming teachers will help protect students,” and “CON: Arm teachers with books, not guns,” April 2 Opinion)

Saunders thinks we should arm teachers with books, because books have proven to be a defense against bullets?

Then, he takes a detour into comedy when he talks about paying teachers by the size of their weapon. He then mocks their ability to carry and possibly use their firearm in a responsible fashion.

Finally Saunders asks what he assumes is a rhetorical question, but let’s then ask it another way: Y’all gon’ take away my Constitutional rights and ban the most popular rifle in America on the one-in-614-million chance there’ll be an attack?

No guns for teachers

As a hunter, competitive shooter, owner of multiple firearms, retired Marine Corps officer, and concealed weapon license carrier, I oppose the idea of arming teachers, regardless of their training.

The records are replete with incidents where armed civilians have shot the wrong people, or where uniformed police have mistakenly shot armed civilians or plain-clothes police.

What happens if an armed teacher mistakenly shoots another armed teacher, or a plain-clothed policeman, or God forbid, hits a student?

What if a police officer mistakenly shoots the armed teacher, thinking he/she is the terrorist?

Armed teachers, their schools, and the city, county and state will have to carry incredible liability insurance in the event such a tragedy happens. Let’s leave guns in the hands of the police.

No pity for players

To all of the teams in the area that went to the Sweet 16 and got beat – such is life!

I have no sympathy for the one-and-done players who were so heartbroken and upset after their recent losses.

“We really wanted to win a national championship!” and “We will never play together again or possibly against each other!” Oh please, give me a tissue!

Whose decision was it to leave after a season?

I would rather watch a soap opera than listen to these guys.