1/31 Letters: Aided by 53 fearful senators, Trump is warping the power of his office

Trump acquittal

It now appears likely the Senate will call no witnesses and hear no new testimony. They’ll acquit the president and he will claim exoneration.

This president, aided and abetted by 53 fearful senators, has stretched the power of the presidency far beyond what was ever envisioned — and into the realm of what was feared.

It is no secret that President Trump admires leaders like Putin, Xi and Erdogan and has repeatedly shown contempt for any institution or individual who tries to reign in his authoritarian impulses.

Trump and his party seem to have won this battle, but if we hope to continue as a democracy they cannot be allowed to win the war.

Ken Jones, Chapel Hill

Dems’ audacity

How can people applaud efforts by the Democrats to impeach our president? Adam Schiff and Jerry Nadler have the audacity to tell the GOP that we need due process — not that they offered the same in the House. How can lucid people support this disgrace?

Hylton Lawrence, Dunn

NC’s senators

Regarding “Impeachment: Tillis on Bolton as witness, Burr on quid pro quo,” (Jan. 29):

In effect, Sen Richard Burr is saying: There’s no way we Republicans will vote to remove President Trump from office, so why bother to hear evidence? We don’t want to put the country through a difficult and potentially unpleasant trial if the verdict is already decided.

Wow. Can you imagine a murder trial in which the defense attorney says, “My client is innocent. There’s no way you’ll get a conviction, so let’s not bother to hear any evidence.”

Republicans stood firmly behind Richard Nixon until the evidence got too compelling to ignore. If Trump is innocent, let’s hear the evidence. If he’s guilty, let’s hear the evidence and then remove him from office.

Bottom line: In a trial you hear all the evidence. Always. That’s your job, Sens. Burr and Thom Tillis. Your constituents expect you to do it and do it impartially, as you swore you would.

Reed Elliott, Raleigh

Bullying behavior

The Secretary of State Mike Pompeo humiliates and curses a female NPR reporter for asking questions about Ukraine. Then, the president praises Pompeo’s actions and says “You did a good job on her.” Both disrespected this reporter publicly.

What kind of country have we become to accept this behavior from our so-called leaders? We citizens expect and deserve better than the schoolyard bullying that continues on a daily basis from this administration.

Georgie Brizendine, Raleigh

NC teachers

It is really a shame that some of the brilliant souls on Jones Street do not understand the reasons why N.C. teachers are looked upon as educational servants who are not respected for the important jobs they do in the classroom.

Many of the legislators need to spend one week in a classroom and they would get a real baptism concerning what teachers do. They go in early, work with students to inspire them to be their best, attend meetings, meetings, meetings, spend long hours after school and at home to prepare for the next day, and then try to relax. Some even have a second job that begins after school.

So, if you’re so smart in determining what is fair for N.C. teachers, I challenge you to give it a try. You just might be enlightened.

Jack Sappenfield II, Durham

Former Durham and Chapel Hill high school teacher, 2004-2014

Raleigh housing

A hearty “yes” to Nicole Stewart’s Jan. 19 op-ed on expanding housing choices.

There’s no action in sight at the federal level, so cities must be at the forefront of providing solutions to climate and affordability. Working together we can shape a 21st century city of friendly neighborhoods with denser mixed housing options, dependable transportation, great public schools, open space, and people-friendly streets that support shopping, entertainment and employment. A well-planned housing bond can be leveraged dramatically by coordinating with efforts to channel investment and update zoning policy. We must continue upping our sustainable-transportation investments.

Good planning will reward us both economically and in quality of life. In the end, our success will determine whether we’re a viable standout in the elite group of medium-sized cities, or a gridlocked and divided also-ran.

John Montgomery, Raleigh

Litter on US 1 South

The littered roadways along U.S. 1 South are again a disgrace! Has the “Adopt a Highway” program “gone by the roadside”? A local business appears to be the sponsor for this area. Perhaps they should remove their signs if they cannot honor their commitment.

Kitty Clifton, Raleigh