1/26 Letters: Comments made by Lt. Gov. Dan Forest about the black race are absurd

Dan Forest

Regarding “Planned Parenthood founded to ‘destroy the entire black race,’ NC governor candidate says,” (Jan. 22):

Lt. Gov. Dan Forest’s assertion that Planned Parenthood was created to destroy the black race is absurd and hypocritical, at best. If he is so concerned about the plight of blacks, he should focus on the intentional and systematic efforts to repress minorities and poor people fostered by his own party.

They include efforts such as voter suppression and gerrymandering; tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy while ignoring support for a living wage; dismantling public education through a lack of funding and under the guise of school choice, vouchers and charter schools; denying Medicaid expansion; and unfair imprisonment via a biased criminal justice and bail bond system.

These are a few of the injustices where Forest could actually make a difference if he chooses to. I hope he will consider them worthy of his time, effort and influence.

Robert Grove, Raleigh

Teacher strike

The fact that N.C. teachers are prohibited from going on strike and could be charged with a misdemeanor for doing so, is not only a disrespect to the teachers, but it is an infringement on their right to free speech and assembly. Teachers sacrifice so much of their time and energy day in and day out for the next generation. Yet, they are not given one free day to voice their opinions about a job they have firsthand experience with — unlike the lawmakers who control their fate.

Hannah Skaff, Zebulon

Gov. Cooper

Mark Jewell and the North Carolina Association of Educators should remember the words of Daniel Patrick Moynihan: ”Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.” Fact is, Gov. Roy Cooper is the one who vetoed the budget bill, not the legislature. The bill passed by the legislature and vetoed by the governor had money in it for teacher raises. Maybe Jewell should be planning a march on the governor’s mansion instead.

Ben Owens, Raleigh

Topsail Island

Regarding “Federal disaster relief is being wasted on NC beaches,” (Jan. 17 Editorial):

I find it completely bizarre that Sens. Richard Burr and Thom Tillis, along with Rep. David Rouzer, believe it is sound planning to have the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers spend $237 million “patching” Topsail Island beaches with sand that will inevitably be washed away — yet again.

I do not have anything against assisting those who have homes and businesses there. However, I do take issue with such a colossal amount of taxpayer money being spent on what is no doubt an exercise in futility.

Instead of throwing our tax dollars into the ocean, Burr and Tillis could support bipartisan climate change legislation, such as the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, and work on introducing similar legislation in the Senate. Addressing the crux of the problem is more a feasible and responsible solution to this crisis faced by our coastal communities.

Jen Almond, Cary

Sen. Richard Burr

Regarding “Trial highlights: Conspiracy theories and fidget spinners,” (Jan. 24):

If Sen. Richard Burr finds his job in the U.S. Senate to be so difficult that needs to play with toys to stay awake, it is time for him to retire. Let’s have a senator who takes the work of the Senate seriously!

Carolyn Christman, Mebane

A fair trial

It appears that the American people are being thrown under the bus one more time at the impeachment trial. The charges have been made and Americans are driven to one side or the other by the biased reporting from both sides of the aisle. The facts seem to be irrelevant. We deserve better.

The only way for the country to avoid being more bitterly divided is for the Senate to establish a set of credible facts that will serve as a basis for fair-minded Americans to concur with the Senate’s final decision. A shotgun trial ending in an acquittal will firm up bitterness. An unsupported, illegitimate conviction will be a miscarriage of justice.

The Senate must hold a complete, rigorous and transparent trial to establish the facts. If the Senate wants to acquit President Trump, let them do it on the basis of sufficient factual evidence. If they want to convict him, let that too stand on the evidence. Anything less be be an insult.

Andy Givens, Raleigh

Abortion

The atrocity of abortion reached new heights in our state last year with the veto of the Born Alive bill and with the N.C. legislature’s failure to override that veto.

Have we really come to that in this state? Killing babies! It changed me forever. I was an devout unaffiliated voter. Now, I am a devout pro-lifer.

I have always tried to vote pro-life. Many of us do. We recognize that a nation or state that eliminates its own children for convenience is one of a reprobate character. Government is supposed to protect the inalienable right to life, not trash it.

Barbara Richie Pond, Raeford