1/14 Letters: Deployment to Middle East will hurt NC towns, families, the economy

NC Troops

When N.C. troops are deployed, there are casualties beyond horrific deaths and injuries, on-going fallout from PTSD, and the burden families endure.

The 1991 Persian Gulf war contributed to North Carolina’s major recession and a $1.2 billion N.C. revenue shortfall. In 1990, car sales in Fayetteville fell 70 percent from the previous year, new loans were off by 60 percent, and families defaulted on mortgage payments and other bills.

Our troops are still fighting in never-ending wars. What is Sen. Thom Tillis doing to protect them, their families, and the N.C. economy after this president deployed 3,000 members of the 82nd Airborne to the Middle East?

This act, without conferring with Congress, our allies, or an explanation to the American people, is reckless. North Carolinians demand a provable explanation and an exit strategy.

Linda Belans, Durham

McDougald Terrace

Regarding “Durham public housing families to remain in hotels,” (Jan. 12) and related articles:

I saw the outpouring about that worthless Silent Sam statue. But now, when it’s about real people at McDougald Terrace there is almost no outrage.

Let’s start an “Adopt a McDougald unit” drive. I am calling on local churches, schools, clubs, and those UNC donors whose money went to save a metal statue to help provide new stoves, water heaters, etc. at McDougald Terrace.

My grandchildren’s school has an annual drive that sends money to Africa, when so much help is needed at home, in Durham, in our own backyard!

I pledge to adopt one McDougald unit. Do the same. Don’t wait for the government to do something. This year, Duke, UNC and NC Central can do without your donations; put them to work here and now.

Juanita Fontaine, Durham

US history class

Regarding “NC cuts number of required US history classes in high school,” (Jan. 10):

Cutting history classes in N.C. schools is ill advised. Is not the constitutional crisis in Washington the product of some politicians who don’t know or understand American history?

A 2015 Smithsonian study found only 18 percent of eighth graders were proficient in history. These are the leaders and voters of tomorrow.

“Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it.”

What of those who never learn it?

Robert Friedman, Apex

Refugee ban

Regarding “North Carolina rebukes President Trump on refugees,” (Jan. 10):

It is no surprise that most cities in North Carolina wouldn’t be interested in Trump’s attempt at creating a whiter America.

While North Carolina tends to vote Republican in presidential elections, it also has been consistently ranked as tenth in the United States for number of refugees resettled.

Executive Order 13888 is simply a way for Donald Trump to create the whiter America he has campaigned about for years. His supporters tend to overlook the fact that he is entirely rejecting true American ideals of extending freedom by limiting refugee resettlement.

Donald Trump is using his executive powers in an attempt to attack the cultural differences that make America great.

Maya Martschenko, Cary

Impeachment trial

I’m waiting to see what role Chief Justice John Roberts plays in President Trump’s impeachment trial.Republicans outnumber Democrats (and one Independent who usually votes with Democrats) by 53 to 47. If there is a tie vote, Roberts can vote to break the tie, as Chief Justice Samuel Chase did twice during President Andrew Johnson’s impeachment trial.

But suppose that Roberts rules in favor of the Democrats’ request to have John Bolton and other witnesses testify. What would the four Republicans do who have indicated they would like to have witnesses? Would they vote to overrule the Chief Justice? Would this not put President Trump clearly above the law?

I’m waiting to see how this plays out.

Peter V. Andrews, Louisburg

Atlantic pipeline

Regarding the Jan. 2 Forum letter supporting the Atlantic Coast Pipeline: Short-term employment will not be near the 4,000 jobs suggested. Out-of-state contractors will be brought in who can do the work efficiently. Some low-wage labor may be hired, but it won’t lead to long-term employment.

Supporting the pipeline will delay the urgently needed move from fossil fuels. The mining, production, and transportation of “fracked gas” releases methane into the air which contributes to the earth’s warming by a factor of 80 times the effect of an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide.

Now is the time to move to true renewable energy — solar and wind. The power/electric industry has the greatest potential to reduce CO2 emissions. We need their help and cooperation now.

William Blaine, Wake Forest